Technical staff who haul underground or fix aerial cable lead-in apply the skills and knowledge in this unit. They may make use of tension meters and hauling equipment.

It can be applied to new installations and upgrades of telecommunications cabling projects in domestic, commercial and industrial installations.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for cable installation

1.1. Prepare for given work according to industry standards

1.2. Arrange access to the site according to required procedure

1.3. Inform appropriate personnel of identified hazards and constraints on worksite

1.4. Obtain cable installation plan and set up installation equipment according to manufacturer's requirements

1.5. Select suitable protective clothing, tools and equipment, and safety equipment, and confirm support structures are safe

2. Install aerial cable lead-in

2.1. Select type of cable bearer and determine need for separate catenary wire installation

2.2. Secure catenary wire or bearer wire permanently to support structure using aerial fixing devices and adjust tension to meet relevant height and minimum sag requirements to required specifications

2.3. Secure cable safely to catenary wire leaving cable loop on support structure

3. Install underground cable lead-in

3.1. Run push rod through pipe and attach cable for hauling

3.2. Haul cable using lubricant, cable slippers or rollers to ensure no sheath damage when hauling at correct tension into and out of enclosures

3.3. Provide sufficient cable allowance in enclosures for jointing and maintenance requirements

4. Seal and secure cable

4.1. Seal cable ends to prevent ingress of foreign material

4.2. Secure cable loop on support structure to minimise damage to conductors

4.3. Weather seal building entry points where appropriate

4.4. Fit over voltage protection devices to all cables with metallic component where required

5. Complete tasks on site

5.1. Record any approved alteration to the original design and return to appropriate personnel

5.2. Complete appropriate records and sign reports where required according to enterprise policy

5.3. Restore the site to customer's satisfaction and dispose of wastes in an environmentally safe manner

5.4. Notify customer and obtain sign off

Required skills

communication skills to liaise with work associates, supervisors, team members and clients

literacy skills to interpret:

technical documentation, such as equipment manuals, specifications and requirements for coaxial cable installation

relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards

numeracy skills to take and analyse measurements

planning and organisational 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

select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and occupational health and safety (OHS) standards

work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

task management skills to work systematically with required attention to detail and adherence to all safety requirements

technical skills to:

read and interpret drawings related to:

cable coding system and identifiers

cable layouts

frame locations

outlet location

use diagnostic equipment

use hand and power tools

Required knowledge

features and operating requirements of testing equipment

information required to operate appropriate terminating and testing equipment according to specifications

legislation, codes of practice and other formal agreements that impact on the work activity

manufacturer's requirements for safe operation of equipment

specific OHS requirements relating to the activity and site conditions

termination methods and performance requirements

typical issues and challenges that occur on site

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.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

install at least one type of aerial cable and one type of underground cable, including placing and securing cables on support structures and building faces for both internal and external locations to industry standards applying related OHS requirements and work practices

conduct and interpret test results and a minimum of three different lead-in fault remediations

haul, secure and seal cable

identify safe support structures from pole status markings, visual inspection or approved testing procedures

terminate at least one 50 pair, one 4 pair and one Ethernet lead-in cables, including accurate completion of installation records, drawing alterations and compliance forms

provide report documenting the 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 aerial and underground cable lead-ins may be conducted

use of equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry

use of testing equipment currently used in industry

relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impact on work activities.

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:

review of a hands-on project completed by the candidate

review of an oral and written report with completed documentation

direct observation of the candidate terminating at least one 50 pair, one 4 pair and one Ethernet lead-in cables.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, e.g.

ICTCBL2008A Terminate metallic conductor customer cable.

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.

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.

Industry standards may include:

Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) standards and codes

AS Communications Cabling Manual (CCM) Volume 1

AS/NZS 3000:2007

AS/NZS 3080:2003

AS/NZS 3084:2003

AS/NZS 3085.1:2004

AS/NZS IEC 61935.1:2006

AS/NZS IEC 61935.2:2006

AS/NZS ISO/IEC 14763.3:2007

AS/NZS ISO/IEC 15018:2005

AS/NZS ISO/IEC 24702:2007

cabling security codes and regulations

ISO Draft 11801 (International)

regulated or industry codes of practice including appropriate Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) technical standards

technical standards AS/ACIF S008:2006 and AS/ACIF S009:2006.

Appropriate personnel may include:

construction manager

project manager

site manager

site supervisor.

Hazards and constraints may include:

electrical supply and areas of earth potential rise (EPR) that require mandatory separation from communications cable and limitations on work

optical cable at all access points that may contain a hazardous light

risks associated with remote power feeding services.

Cable may include:

coaxial

metallic cable

optical fibre.

Protective clothing may include:

earmuffs

gloves:

leather

plastic

rubber

head protection

kneepads

masks

protective suits

safety boots

safety glasses.

Tools and equipment may be:

mechanical or hand tools, such as:

augers

cable tensioner

cherry pickers

drills

fixing brackets

hammers

height measuring device

ladders

scissor lifts

spanners.

Safety equipment may include:

aerial safety belts and lines

personal protective equipment

site hazard identification and control equipment:

flashing lights

guards

traffic signs

warning signs and tapes

witches hats.

Confirm support structures are safe refers to:

checking for condemned pole status markings

checking for visible signs of decay or stress

using industry accepted testing methods.

Aerial fixing devices may include:

clamps

hooks

pig rings

riser pipes

screw hooks.

Appropriate records may include:

building distributor (BD), campus distributor (CD), floor distributor (FD) record books and local distributor (LD) record cards

building, cabling and equipment location plans

computerised plans

databases

labelling of:

distributor pairs

distributor verticals

equipment closets

patch panels

rooms

telecommunication outlets

telecommunications administration centre (TAC) or NTD cards conform to AS/ACIF S009:2006

telecommunications cabling advice (TCA) forms:

cable drawings

cable plans

record books

record cards

TCA1 (sign off form)

TCA2.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Cabling

This unit contains employability skills.