Assessor Resource

ICTCBL304
Perform cable and system test on customer premises

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to test the performance of copper telecommunications cable on customer premises for the purpose of commissioning, fault identification or routine maintenance. It includes ensuring a safe and secure work environment while work is being undertaken.

It applies to field officers, technicians or technical supervisors from carriers, contractors or other service providers carrying out domestic, commercial or industrial installations in both indoor and outdoor environments. Communications applications include digital and analog, telephony, data, video, digital broadcasting, computer networks, local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN) and multimedia.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1 Prepare for cable and system test

1.1 Establish purpose of test to be conducted on cables and systems with customer

1.2 Confirm customer’s requirements and methods to comply with relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards

1.3 Selectrequired tests according to site conditions, customer documentation and manufacturer’s specifications

1.4 Arrange access to site and confirm service is available for testing

1.5 Select test equipment, tools and materials to meet required industry standards

2 Perform tests

2.1 Use tools and test equipment according to manufacturer’s specifications

2.2 Perform work safely to remove risk of injury to operator, other users and equipment

2.3 Perform checks and adjustments to ensure operating environmental factors will not prejudice test results

2.4 Perform optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) testing for multi-mode (MM) and single-mode (SM) fibre links, point to point networks or passive optical networks (PON) to determine fibre and event characteristics to meet customer or enterprise specifications and manufacturer's warranties

2.5 Perform structured cabling certification testing for categorised unshielded twisted pair (UTP) and shielded twisted pair (STP) copper links and point to point networks to determine cable system characteristics to meet customer or enterprise specifications and manufacturers' warranties

3 Interpret test results and determine action

3.1 Read test results accurately and compare with manufacturer’s and site specifications for cable performance

3.2 Evaluate test results, taking into account measurement error margins against a known reference where appropriate

3.3 Assess test results fairly and accurately using verifiable data

3.4 Rectify any faults or escalate to appropriate level

4 Complete records and clean up site

4.1 Document test results and ensure test results remain current

4.2 Verify test results and provide to customer where required

4.3 Update site and installation files to ensure information on system performance is traceable

4.4 Reinstate site according to customer and company requirements

4.5 Notify customer and obtain sign off

Evidence of the ability to:

perform tests on at least 10 cables

use a range of test devices including:

pulse echo tester

resistance fault locator

use advanced multifunction test equipment to test:

an active public switched telephone network (PSTN) line

to perform a frequency response plot of a cable pair

use exchange based testing equipment to test an active PSTN line

identify at least 5 separate cable faults using test equipment

interpret test results

demonstrate appropriate methods of escalation of cable faults affecting service delivery

report on the completed cable and system test.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

recognise cabling types, connectors and cabling structures

identify connections to carrier infrastructure or equipment, such as main distribution frame (MDF) or customer interface units (CIU)

identify electrical and/or optical properties to be measured

evaluate test results derived from test equipment and interpret test results against expected cable system performance specifications

describe typical performance parameters and faults that may be encountered in customer cabling and related connection and transmission equipment

select types of equipment suitable for tests to be carried out.

Gather evidence to demonstrate consistent performance in conditions that are safe and replicate the workplace. Noise levels, production flow, interruptions and time variances must be typical of those experienced in the telecommunications – cabling field of work and include access to:

sites where cable and system tests may be conducted

cable and system testing equipment currently used in industry

relevant regulatory and cable specifications that impact on cable and system testing installation activities.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1 Prepare for cable and system test

1.1 Establish purpose of test to be conducted on cables and systems with customer

1.2 Confirm customer’s requirements and methods to comply with relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards

1.3 Selectrequired tests according to site conditions, customer documentation and manufacturer’s specifications

1.4 Arrange access to site and confirm service is available for testing

1.5 Select test equipment, tools and materials to meet required industry standards

2 Perform tests

2.1 Use tools and test equipment according to manufacturer’s specifications

2.2 Perform work safely to remove risk of injury to operator, other users and equipment

2.3 Perform checks and adjustments to ensure operating environmental factors will not prejudice test results

2.4 Perform optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) testing for multi-mode (MM) and single-mode (SM) fibre links, point to point networks or passive optical networks (PON) to determine fibre and event characteristics to meet customer or enterprise specifications and manufacturer's warranties

2.5 Perform structured cabling certification testing for categorised unshielded twisted pair (UTP) and shielded twisted pair (STP) copper links and point to point networks to determine cable system characteristics to meet customer or enterprise specifications and manufacturers' warranties

3 Interpret test results and determine action

3.1 Read test results accurately and compare with manufacturer’s and site specifications for cable performance

3.2 Evaluate test results, taking into account measurement error margins against a known reference where appropriate

3.3 Assess test results fairly and accurately using verifiable data

3.4 Rectify any faults or escalate to appropriate level

4 Complete records and clean up site

4.1 Document test results and ensure test results remain current

4.2 Verify test results and provide to customer where required

4.3 Update site and installation files to ensure information on system performance is traceable

4.4 Reinstate site according to customer and company requirements

4.5 Notify customer and obtain sign off

Evidence of the ability to:

perform tests on at least 10 cables

use a range of test devices including:

pulse echo tester

resistance fault locator

use advanced multifunction test equipment to test:

an active public switched telephone network (PSTN) line

to perform a frequency response plot of a cable pair

use exchange based testing equipment to test an active PSTN line

identify at least 5 separate cable faults using test equipment

interpret test results

demonstrate appropriate methods of escalation of cable faults affecting service delivery

report on the completed cable and system test.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

recognise cabling types, connectors and cabling structures

identify connections to carrier infrastructure or equipment, such as main distribution frame (MDF) or customer interface units (CIU)

identify electrical and/or optical properties to be measured

evaluate test results derived from test equipment and interpret test results against expected cable system performance specifications

describe typical performance parameters and faults that may be encountered in customer cabling and related connection and transmission equipment

select types of equipment suitable for tests to be carried out.

Gather evidence to demonstrate consistent performance in conditions that are safe and replicate the workplace. Noise levels, production flow, interruptions and time variances must be typical of those experienced in the telecommunications – cabling field of work and include access to:

sites where cable and system tests may be conducted

cable and system testing equipment currently used in industry

relevant regulatory and cable specifications that impact on cable and system testing installation activities.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Establish purpose of test to be conducted on cables and systems with customer 
Confirm customer’s requirements and methods to comply with relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards 
Selectrequired tests according to site conditions, customer documentation and manufacturer’s specifications 
Arrange access to site and confirm service is available for testing 
Select test equipment, tools and materials to meet required industry standards 
Use tools and test equipment according to manufacturer’s specifications 
Perform work safely to remove risk of injury to operator, other users and equipment 
Perform checks and adjustments to ensure operating environmental factors will not prejudice test results 
2.4 Perform optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) testing for multi-mode (MM) and single-mode (SM) fibre links, point to point networks or passive optical networks (PON) to determine fibre and event characteristics to meet customer or enterprise specifications and manufacturer's warranties 
2.5 Perform structured cabling certification testing for categorised unshielded twisted pair (UTP) and shielded twisted pair (STP) copper links and point to point networks to determine cable system characteristics to meet customer or enterprise specifications and manufacturers' warranties 
Read test results accurately and compare with manufacturer’s and site specifications for cable performance 
Evaluate test results, taking into account measurement error margins against a known reference where appropriate 
Assess test results fairly and accurately using verifiable data 
Rectify any faults or escalate to appropriate level 
Document test results and ensure test results remain current 
Verify test results and provide to customer where required 
Update site and installation files to ensure information on system performance is traceable 
Reinstate site according to customer and company requirements 
Notify customer and obtain sign off 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICTCBL304 - Perform cable and system test on customer premises
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I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

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Assessment Record Sheet

ICTCBL304 - Perform cable and system test on customer premises

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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