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Elements and Performance Criteria

Connect up, test and verify DC and AC circuitry
Evaluate analog and digital signals
Perform cable selection
- Compare basic transmission characteristics of different types of cables used in telecommunications and select the most appropriate cable type to suit application characteristics
- Connect two devices with a patch cable and test the connection

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to request technical information for activities

literacy skills to

interpret technical documentation

incorporate technical language into written tasks

numeracy skills to

interpret technical data such as specifications of telecommunications networks

perform mathematical problem solving in AC and DC tasks and fault finding

problemsolving skills to apply AC and DC faultfinding techniques to different situations

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 WHS 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 test equipment and practices to perform basic AC and DC testing and fault finding tasks

Required knowledge

AC and DC electrical quantities encompassing SI units WHS issues and the application of Ohms law

AC and DC faultfinding techniques and use of testing equipment

AC and DC theory

analog and digital principles

application of binary to decimal conversion and vice versa

distinction between analog and digital signals and devices

encoding techniques and their application in wired wireless and optical communications systems

features and applications of unshielded twisted pair UTP coaxial and fibre cables

typical electronic devices cable types and their applications

modulation techniques used in wired wireless and optical communications systems

techniques to convert analog to digital and digital to analog

Evidence Required

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

use Ohms law and fundamental electrical principles to solve basic AC and DC electrical problems

connect and test an AC and DC circuit

evaluate cable and wireless devices

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure

appropriate AC and DC testing equipment

manufacturers documentation and equipment

safety equipment

Methods 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 undertaking AC and DC measurements and fault finding

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of fundamental concepts of telecommunications networks

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICTTENB Use hand and power tools

ICTTEN2140B Use hand and power tools.

Aboriginal people and other people from a nonEnglish 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

Range Statement

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.

DC and AC circuit configuration may include:	AC to DC supply DC circuit: resistances single DC voltage source: battery DC voltage supply solar panel power loads AC circuit: inductors, capacitors and resistances single AC voltage source: AC generator AC voltage supply alternator low voltage AC source.
Safe work practices may relate to:	component tolerances not exceeded correct use of power supply and test equipment identifying electrical safety hazards isolation from main supply overdrawing of current power down during set-up procedure well laid out circuitry: avoid contact with external sources avoid shorting of components.
Test equipment may include:	AC current clamp meters multimeters, including digital multimeters ohmmeters voltmeters.
Calculations may include:	application of Ohm’s law engineering notation power calculations power consumption and efficiencies voltage dividers voltage, resistance and current calculations.
Electrical quantities may include:	current power voltage.
Probable faults may include:	blown fuse cracked circuit board failed components faulty power supply foreign battery intermittent faults loose connections open circuit short circuit short to ground split pairs water damage.
Characteristics of an analog signal and a digital signal may include:	analog signal characteristics: continuously variable, infinite number of states intelligence based on recreating exact waveshape signal to noise ratio increase with amplification digital signal characteristics: encryption error detection and correction finite number of discrete states high noise immunity intelligence based on ability to discern only two states regeneration type of square wave (complex waveform).
Building blocks may include:	analog: amplifiers attenuators displays filters oscillators transducers digital: ADC and DAC computers counter data routers, switches and bridges digital amplifier digital display input and output transducers multiplexer.
Transmission characteristics may include:	attenuation balanced characteristic impedance (Zo) crosstalk frequency range transmission windows for glass optical fibre unbalanced waveguide cut-off frequency.
Types of cable may include:	aluminium and copper DC busbars coaxial cable multi-pair communications cable optical fibre performance data cable CAT 5 and higher rack and sub-rack alarm and power distribution cables shielded twisted pair (STP) communications cable UTP communications cable.
Application characteristics may include:	audio data digital subscriber line (DSL) ethernet microwave optical/laser power radio frequency (RF) satellite video.