Application
Technical staff who splice and terminate optical fibre cable for telecommunications projects apply the skills and knowledge in this unit.
They may carry out new installations, upgrade an optical backbone or access network provisioning for greater bandwidth and capacity required by emerging technology convergence for Next Generation Networks (NGN).
This unit may be applied to commercial or industrial fibre to the premises (FTTP) installations.
This unit does not include consideration of mechanical splicing. For mechanical splicing, refer to ICTCBL3010B Install and terminate optical fibre cable on customer premises.
Prerequisites
Nil
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for splicing | 1.1 Select safety equipment to protect self and public according to enterprise guidelines and occupational health and safety (OHS) practices 1.2 Confirm layout of job using installation according to physical conditions at site and requirements of relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards 1.3 Inform appropriate personnel of identified hazards on work site 1.4 Locate other services from relevant authorities according to enterprise guidelines and safe practices 1.5 Test for dangerous gases and place guards around open manholes following OHS and environmental requirements 1.6 Obtain approval for alterations to the design according to enterprise guidelines |
2. Check existing optical fibre cable | 2.1 Verify that cable was installed according to the installation plan and visually inspect cable for signs of sheath damage 2.2 Maintain minimum bend ratios according to manufacturer specifications to prevent cable damage and signal degradation 2.3 Secure cable according to safe industry practice to avoid cable and sheath damage |
3. Splice optical fibre cable | 3.1 Verify fibre is not live using appropriate equipment to maintain safe work practices, and ensure correct fibre has been identified 3.2 Prepare cable end to expose optical fibres according to splicing method and manufacturer specifications 3.3 Prepare and splice fibres using safe industry practice according to enterprise specifications 3.4 Test splice joint to manufacturer and design requirements |
4. Terminate optical fibre cable | 4.1 Select connector unit to suit terminating frame according to design specifications 4.2 Terminate the cable using type of termination specified in the plan and according to manufacturer specifications 4.3 Test termination for transmission loss and strength and re-terminate if transmission loss exceeds the manufacturer specifications 4.4 Install protection devices on connectors and fibres to protect from exposure and contaminants 4.5 Label and lay up cables in enclosure according to manufacturer’s instructions and enterprise guidelines |
5. Finish job and report | 5.1 Remove waste and reinstate site according to enterprise guidelines 5.2 Prepare reports, including test results and alterations to plans, according to enterprise policy 5.3 Notify client of work completion and obtain sign-off |
Required Skills
Required skills
communication skills to:
liaise with internal and external personnel on technical and operational matters
relate to work associates, supervisors, team members and clients
literacy skills to interpret technical documentation, such as equipment manuals, specifications and requirements for optical fibre cable installation
numeracy skills to take and analyse measurements
planning and organising skills to organise and maintain equipment
problem-solving skills to solve equipment and logistics problems
safety awareness skills to:
apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities
apply work site OHS
select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OHS standards
work safely with optical fibre and lasers
work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment
technical skills to:
install customer access network (CAN) cable
operate test equipment to perform measurements on optical fibre
perform fault clearance
use diagnostic equipment
use optical fibre jointing techniques
use specialised tools and test equipment
use hand and power tools
Required knowledge
causes of signal strength loss in optical fibre
colour coding of fibres
detailed knowledge of AS/NZS 2211:2006 Safety of laser products (parts 1 and 2)
features and operating requirements of test equipment for optical fibre cable
industry and organisational policy and procedures when splicing optical fibre cable
information required to operate equipment according to a test specification
manufacturer requirements for safe operation of optical fibre equipment
safety precautions when working with laser-based systems
specific OHS requirements relating to the activity and site conditions
techniques for types of termination, including:
direct termination
fusion splicing
test methods and performance requirements
types of optical cable and termination
workplace and industry environment
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: splice, terminate and test optical fibre cable applying safety precautions when working with laser-based systems splice at least 12 fibres and house them in splicing cassettes and trays within industry recognised enclosures according to manufacturer’s instructions install a mechanical connector and a fusion, spliced pigtail type connector complete relevant documentation to manufacturer and design requirements provide report documenting installation and test results to client comply with all related OHS requirements and work practices. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure: sites where splicing and termination of optical fibre cable may be conducted use of optical fibre testing equipment currently used in industry relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impacts on optical fibre cable installation activities. |
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: review of a hands-on project completed by the candidate review of an oral and written report, including installation and test results direct observation of the candidate carrying out splicing of optical fibre within an optical communication system. |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example: ICTCBL3010B Install and terminate optical fibre cable on customer premises. 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. |
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.
OHS practices may relate to: | determining that optical fibre cable is not live according to guidelines and standards handling optical fibre cable in a safe manner to avoid risk of injury labelling fibre cable and laser devices locating and identifying adjoining services according to enterprise guidelines and OHS practices observing AS/NZS 2211:2006 Safety of laser products (parts 1 and 2) testing for presence of dangerous gases according to enterprise guidelines. |
Physical conditions may relate to: | above ground in cabinet in joint enclosure. |
Relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards may include: | Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) standards and codes AS Communications Cabling Manual (CCM) Volume 1 AS/NZS 2211:2006 Safety of laser products (parts 1 and 2) AS/NZS 3000:2007 AS/NZS 3080:2003 AS/NZS 3084:2003 AS/NZS 3085.1:2004 AS/NZS ISO/IEC 14763.3:2007 AS/NZS ISO/IEC 15018:2005 AS/NZS ISO/IEC 24702:2007 cabling security codes and regulations OHS Acts and relevant codes and standards regulated or industry codes of practice, including ACMA technical standards technical standards AS/ACIF S008:2006 and AS/ACIF S009:2006. |
Hazards may include: | earth potential rise (EPR) optical cable: bare fibres hazardous laser light remote power feeding. |
Relevant authorities may include: | cable location services (Dial Before You Dig) environment protection local government private owners utility providers, such as: electricity fire services gas water other telecommunications providers. |
Dangerous gases may include: | asphyxiating gas carbon dioxide carbon monoxide combustible natural gas noxious gas. |
Guards may include: | barricades plates temporary fencing. |
OHS and environmental requirements may relate to: | identifying other services, including power and gas need to decommission and isolate work site and lines before beginning work personal protective clothing: earmuffs gloves: leather plastic rubber head protection kneepads masks protective suits safety boots safety glasses safe work practices, such as the safe use and handling of: asbestos chemicals materials tools and equipment work platforms safety equipment: flashing lights gas and other hazard detection equipment safety barriers trench guards warning signs and tapes witches hats suitable light and ventilation special access requirements environmental considerations: clean-up protection stormwater protection waste management. |
Cable may include: | air blown armoured external internal loose tube tight buffered. |
Appropriate equipment may include: | hand-held optical power meter OFI-fibre to the x (FTTx) active optical network terminal (ONT) detector passive optical network (PON) meter optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR). |
Optical fibres may include: | multi-mode polymer single mode. |
Splice fibres may relate to: | fusion splice preparing connection ends to a smooth flat surface to ensure no optical path redirection from joint removing all coatings from exposed optical fibre and removing all possible contaminants. |
Type of termination may include: | direct termination fusion splicing. |
Sectors
Telecommunications - Cabling
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
Refer to Unit Descriptor.