Field officers, technicians or technical supervisors from carriers, contractors or other service providers apply the skills and knowledge in this unit.

This unit may apply to replacement of equipment in switching, transmission and fixed and mobile radio networks, including the various transmission path components, such as cable, optical fibre, radio, microwave and satellite.

The unit applies to installation of new, additional and replacement equipment.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for hardware repair and replacement

1.1. Obtain relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards for the given work

1.2. Discuss and record details of hardware to be repaired or replaced and proposed work schedule with the NOC appropriate person

1.3. Work safely according to relevant safety legislation and company work practices identifying hazards and using personal protective equipment

1.4. Obtain appropriate replacement hardware and associated documentation

1.5. Inspect network and determine the need for repair task

1.6. Obtain tools and check they are in good working order

1.7. Undertake an impact risk assessment of the hardware replacement with the NOC and prepare for contingencies using contingency plan

2. Rectify fault by replacing hardware

2.1. Replace equipment as instructed by the NOC following anti-static precautions in the case of sensitive electronic equipment and occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental requirements

2.2. Inform NOC if problems occur with hardware replacement so that escalation may commence and contingency plan initiated

2.3. Test the replacement hardware to ensure satisfactory functionality

3. Clean up worksite and complete administrative work

3.1. Remove waste and debris from work site and dispose of according to environmental requirements and restore work area to customer's satisfaction

3.2. Recover faulty equipment and return to appropriate point for disposal or refurbishment

3.3. Complete documentation, update fault records and make recommendations according to the enterprise quality assurance system

3.4. Notify the customer of job completion and obtain sign off

Required skills

communication skills to question and respond to subject matter experts on technical and operational matters related to performance of telecommunications networks and fault-finding

literacy skills to:

incorporate technical language into written tasks and basic reports

interpret enterprise policy

interpret technical documentation

numeracy skills to:

apply mathematical formulas to solve problems in AC and DC circuits

interpret technical data for specifications of telecommunications networks

PC skills to update records database

planning and organisational skills to:

coordinate the fault-finding process in liaison with others

plan, prioritise and monitor own work

problem solving skills to:

apply AC and DC fault finding techniques to different situations

apply network fault-finding techniques in a telecommunications network

research skills to interrogate databases and other sources to investigate systematic and logical fault-finding techniques of telecommunication networks

safety awareness skills to:

apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OHS standards

work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

technical skills to:

replace network hardware

select and use appropriate test equipment to undertake fault finding techniques in telecommunications networks

use anti static procedures

Required knowledge

application of DC and AC electrical and principles

behaviour of faulty network elements including symptoms and impact on network

interpretation of test results and network element/system specifications

operation and purpose of testing equipment

overview of telecommunications hardware and networks

performance testing and fault-finding techniques of telecommunications networks

systematic and logical fault-finding

types of power sources used in telecommunications networks

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

rectify fault as instructed by NOC, following OHS requirements and anti-static precautions

replace telecommunications hardware within service assurance guidelines according to enterprise procedures

update fault records database according to enterprise procedures.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

suitable site to replace telecommunications network hardware

range of hardware currently used in industry

range of general and test equipment required for testing telecommunications network hardware.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct observation of the candidate developing rectification strategy

direct observation of the candidate replacing telecommunications network hardware within service assurance guidelines

oral or written questioning of the candidate to assess knowledge of replacement of telecommunications network hardware practices.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

ICTTEN3056A Install telecommunications network equipment.

Aboriginal people and other people from a non-English speaking background may have second language issues.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the oral communication skill level, and language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards may include:

Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) standards and codes

AS Communications Cabling Manual (CCM) Volume 1

AS/NZS 3000:2007

AS/NZS 3080:2003

AS/NZS 3084:2003

AS/NZS 3085.1:2004

AS/NZS IEC 61935.1:2006

AS/NZS IEC 61935.2:2006

AS/NZS ISO/IEC 14763.3:2007

AS/NZS ISO/IEC 15018:2005

AS/NZS ISO/IEC 24702:2007

Australian building codes and regulations

cabling security codes and regulations

compliance with appropriate Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) technical standard requirements for underground, aerial, Category 5, 6, 6A, 7 or 7A and unshielded twisted pairs (UTP)

Environmental Protection Acts

OHS

relevant international standards

technical standards AS/ACIF S008:2006 and AS/ACIF S009:2006.

Hardware may include:

complete systems, subunits or circuit cards from:

access

broadband

cellular radio

hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC)

internet protocol (IP) network:

gateways

router

servers

switches

voice over internet protocol (VoIP)

wireless LAN

network management

optical transmission

synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) multiplexing

switching

transmission.

NOC may relate to:

engineering unit within an enterprise responsible for:

analysing problems

communicating with other NOCs and technical staff

coordinating repairs or changes to the network

escalation of issues

establishing control over a network

monitoring the network alarms

performing diagnostic tests

tracking problems through to completion.

Appropriate person may include:

customer

engineer

project manager

supervisor.

Hazards may include:

building debris

earth potential rise

glass fibre

live power lines

manual handling

mud and water

natural gas and other gas build up

needle stick injury

optical fibre cable may contain hazardous light

radio frequency (RF) equipment emitting radiation

remote power feeding services which operate at above telecommunications network voltage (TNV)

vermin.

Personal protective equipment may include:

earmuffs

electrical isolators

gas detectors

gloves

head protection

kneepads

masks

personal protective clothing

safety boots

safety glasses.

Repair task may include:

conducting test

evaluating AC and DC test results

determining faulty component

replacement of faulty component.

Tools may include:

crimping tools

hacksaw

ladders

levels and measuring tools

PC board or subrack card removal tool

pliers

power drills

screwdrivers

sockets

soldering iron

spanners

terminating tools.

Hardware replacement may include:

cold swap

hot swap.

Contingencies may include:

additional notification to affected customers

provision of:

additional services

additional technical support

redundant path

standby equipment.

Anti-static precautions may include:

anti-static floor mat

anti-static workbench mat

anti-static wrist strap

controlled environment

correct printed circuit board handling procedures

use of anti-static bags.

OHS and environmental requirements may relate to:

decommissioning and isolating worksite and lines prior to commencement

flashing lights

gas and other hazard detection equipment

identifying other services, including power and gas

safety barriers

safety equipment

safe working practices, such as the safe use and handling of:

asbestos

chemicals

materials

tools and equipment

work platforms

special access requirements

suitable light and ventilation

trench guards

warning signs and tapes

witches hats

environmental considerations:

clean-up protection

noise, dust and clean-up management

stormwater protection

waste management.

Test may include:

bandwidth

blocking

call rate

congestion

distortion

drop out rate

functionality

generation of alarms

interference

latency

network tests

packet loss rate

power level measurement

quality of service

recovery rate

redundancy

signal to noise ratio

transmission quality

upload and download rate.

Quality assurance may include:

acting on logs, reports and other data to guide ongoing quality improvements

updating logs and reporting on installation or maintenance activities.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Telecommunications networks engineering

This unit contains employability skills.