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:

diagnose and identify faults methodically using fault history and recognition of likely causes

repair telecommunication equipment according to manufacturer's or enterprise procedures applying related OHS requirements and work practices

test the equipment following repairs and put back into commission.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

sites on which diagnosis and repair of communication equipment may be conducted

use of test equipment currently used in industry

manufacturer's technical documentation.

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 diagnosing faults in communications equipment, ranging from common to complex

review of documentation completed by the candidate

oral or written questioning to assess required knowledge.

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICTTEN4081A Locate, diagnose and rectify faults

ICTTEN4086A Undertake routine maintenance of the telecommunications network.

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.

Required skills

communication skills to liaise with customers on technical and operational matters and raise OHS issues

literacy skills to:

incorporate technical language into written tasks to prepare report on recommendations to rectify faults

interpret technical documentation and standards

numeracy skills to interpret technical data, such as equipment specifications

problem solving skills to diagnose faults

research skills to access technical information and sources to assist in fault identification

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:

select and use appropriate methods for fault identification and rectification

use hand tools

Required knowledge

anti static procedures

enterprise policies and procedures

fault diagnosis techniques

general fault-finding techniques and test equipment

OHS

product knowledge

safety requirements and standards

telecommunications network and equipment fault types and rectification

telecommunications network and equipment types

test equipment

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/ACIF S008:2006, and AS/ACIF S009:2006

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

fire regulations

noise abatement and heritage legislation

OHS

relevant international standards

Trade Practices Act.

Hazards may include:

building debris

earth potential rise (EPR)

glass fibres

live power lines

manual handling

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).

Personal protective equipment may include:

electrical isolators

gas detectors

personal protective clothing:

earmuffs

face masks

gloves

head protection

kneepads

safety boots

safety glasses.

Appropriate personnel may include:

asset manager

network operations centre (NOC)

on site technical staff

project manager

specialist technical support staff.

System fault may include:

hardware

internet protocol (IP) network

optical system

radio system

software

switching

transmission.

Type of repair may include:

calibration

hardware adjustment:

alignment

clock oscillator

gain

hardware replacement:

component

module

sub-assembly

reconfiguration:

hardware

software

system reconfiguration

system reload.

Tools may include:

anti-static work mat

anti-static wrist strap

crimping tools

PC board or subrack removal tool

pliers

screwdrivers

sockets

soldering iron

spanners

terminating tools

testing tools.

OHS and environmental requirements may relate to:

decommissioning and isolating worksite and lines prior to commencement

gas and other hazard detection equipment

identifying other services, including power and gas

safety equipment:

flashing lights

safety barriers

trench guards

warning signs and tapes

witches hats

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

environmental considerations:

clean-up protection

noise, dust and clean-up management

stormwater protection

waste management.

Test may include:

bit error ratio (BER)

electrical

equipment self diagnostics

optical power level

ping

protocol analysis

remote test

return loss

RF power level

signal level

signal to noise ratio

software diagnostic

testing function of:

complete system

individual equipment sections

transmission path

test on network equipment functions

optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR).

Administrative tasks may relate to:

checking correct labelling of all equipment and amending where required

completing job orders and submitting to appropriate enterprise organisational unit

completing test sheets according to specification and logging test instrument usage

following quality control procedures

handing over installation briefs, documents and equipment manuals to operational staff

recording test results and updating appropriate data bases

updating design specifications and returning to design area as required by enterprise requirements.

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.