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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare for cable and system test
   • 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
2. Perform tests
   • 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
3. Interpret test results and determine action
   • 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
4. Complete records and clean up site
   • 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

Performance Evidence

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.

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Knowledge Evidence

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.

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