Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work safely on a live optical fibre installation to test and commission a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) system or connect a splitter for fibre to the x (FTTx) deployment.
It applies to individuals who engage in safe work practices as members of a team using emerging technologies to deliver very high speed broadband capacity through the access network for the National Broadband Network (NBN) initiative.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Set up and prepare for working with live fibre | 1.1 Obtain relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards for compliance when conducting work 1.2 Scope work by obtaining project plan from appropriate personnel and arrange for site access to comply with security arrangements 1.3 Notify appropriate personnel of identified safety hazards at worksite 1.4 Determine type of FTTx equipment, components of optical distribution network (ODN) and WDM components from project plan for testing and commissioning 1.5 Obtain tools and safety equipment and materials to perform tasks safely and efficiently 1.6 Select and use required protective equipment and make site safe and secure for commissioning work 1.7 Create safe working environment by following safe work practices and identifying optical fibre hazards that could cause injuries when handling optical fibres and laser based equipment |
2. Connect splitter input fibre to feeder cable | 2.1 Follow workplace health and safety (WHS) and environmental requirements for given work, and identify and avoid other services 2.2 Locate feeder fibre port to be connected 2.3 Determine state (live or not) of fibre port to be connected and notify transmitter to ensure that power is turned off at source if fibre port is live 2.4 Connect up connectorised splitter input fibres as instructed by manufacturer 2.5 Arrange for power to be turned back on to newly connected feeder port |
3. Perform live WDM commission testing of ODN installation used in FTTx network | 3.1 Locate appropriate test points in ODN from manufacturer’s instructions for WDM testing 3.2 Test live wavelengths for WDM tests following safety precautions 3.3 Test optical signal strengths for operating wavelengths incoming into optical network termination (ONT) and determine if signal strengths are within range of acceptable power levels 3.4 Test losses between WDM outputs and individual line multiplexers (LM) for each wavelength, and determine if within maximum and minimum power losses 3.5 Conduct all acceptance tests as specified by manufacturer 3.6 Record and tabulate all test results for commissioning requirements |
4. Clean up worksite | 4.1 Seal and secure any enclosures and cabinets 4.2 Remove waste and debris from worksite and dispose of according to environmental requirements 4.3 Notify appropriate personnel of job completion and obtain sign off |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
comply with all job requirements and work health and safety (WHS) regulations, standards and work practices
use optical power test equipment
evaluate test results
safely connect input and output optical fibres to the splitter
conduct live tests measuring optical signals at three wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) wavelengths on optical devices
conduct acceptance tests for commissioning
complete connection recording.
Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.
Evidence of Knowledge
To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:
identify the location and summarise the contents of relevant organisational policies and procedures
discuss personal safety issues
outline the propagation of light in optical communication systems
explain the role of transmitters and receivers in optical communication systems
identify the critical aspects of site engineering
describe the specific WHS risks and controls relating to the handling of optical fibre and the use of laser light sources
describe WDM applications.
Assessment Conditions
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 – broadband and wireless networks field of work and include access to:
a WDM system and relevant optical splitter
tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry
relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impacts on work activities.
Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.
Foundation Skills
This section describes language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills incorporated in the performance criteria that are required for competent performance.
Skill | Performance Criteria | Description |
Reading | 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 2.2, 2.4, 3.1, 3.3-3.5 | Reads and interprets plans, specifications and other documentation from a variety of sources and consolidates information to determine requirements Analyses and consolidates test results and data from a range of sources, against defined criteria and requirements |
Writing | 1.2, 1.3, 3.6, 4.3 | Accurately completes relevant reports and documentation and communicates openly with team members using clear and technically specific language and numerical data |
Oral Communication | 1.2, 1.3, 4.3 | Participates in verbal exchanges with key personnel using appropriate, clear and detailed language to exchange information, ideas or solutions Uses listening and questioning skills to confirm understanding of requirements |
Numeracy | 3.2-3.4 | Performs mathematical calculations to check, interpret and confirm results of system tests Takes measurements and uses them for work layout and construction |
Navigate the world of work | 1.7, 2.1, 4.2 | Complies with explicit policies and procedures Explores and implements where identified the implicit expectations of policies and procedures |
Interact with others | 1.2, 1.3, 4.3 | Uses a limited range of accepted practices for communicating in a work environment Complies with work instructions and contributes to work group discussions using accepted conventions |
Get the work done | 1.1, 1.2, 1.4-1.7, 2.2-2.5, 3.1-3.5, 4.1, 4.2 | Plans and implements routine tasks and workload, making limited decisions on sequencing, timing and collaboration, and seeks assistance in setting priorities Makes low-impact decisions within familiar situations, based on a range of predefined or routine solutions, and evaluates the effectiveness of the outcome Uses the main features and functions of digital tools to complete work tasks and access information |
Range Statement
This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. 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) should be included.
Operating wavelengths are: | 1310 nm 1490 nm 1550 nm. |
Ranges of acceptable power levels are: | -2 to + 2 dBm @ 1310 nm -26 to -6 dBm @ 1490 nm -11.5 to +5 dBm @ 1550 nm. |
Maximum and minimum power losses are: | 23.3 dB to 15.0 dB @1310 nm 21.6 dB to 8.0 dB @1490 nm 20.9 dB to 9.5 dB @1550 nm. |
Acceptance tests are: | delay dispersion optical attenuation and loss measurements optical power levels phase. |
Sectors
Telecommunications – broadband and wireless networks