Application
Technical staff who place, secure and terminate optical fibre cable apply the skills and knowledge in this unit. Types of termination include direct termination, fusion splicing and mechanical splicing.
They may be required to do new installations or upgrades, or maintain existing networks in domestic, commercial and industrial installations. Communications applications include digital and analog, telephony, data, video, digital broadcasting, computer networks, local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN) and multimedia.
Prerequisites
Nil
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for installation of optical fibre cable | 1.1 Prepare for given work according to requirements of relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards 1.2 Arrange access to the site according to required procedure 1.3 Inform appropriate personnel of identified hazards on work site 1.4 Organise tools, equipment and materials for given work 1.5 Match optical fibre cable type and connectors to installation environment and customer requirements 1.6 Check proposed route and bend ratios to meet manufacturer specifications and industry standards 1.7 Test cable on drum for optical continuity |
2. Install, terminate and test the optical fibre cable | 2.1 Install cable following occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental requirements and complying with manufacturer specifications and industry standards 2.2 Join cable and perform the type of termination specified in the plan using safe work practices and according to manufacturer specifications 2.3 Test joint for transmission loss and strength, and re-terminate joint if transmission loss exceeds manufacturer specifications 2.4 Record all measurements |
3. Remove fibre hazards from work area | 3.1 Clean work area thoroughly to minimise risk of injury from loose glass fibre 3.2 Dispose of waste safely and according to relevant environmental requirements 3.3 Restore work site to original condition |
4. Document installation | 4.1 Update plans and records with details of installation and test results 4.2 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
select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and 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:
perform fault clearance
use diagnostic equipment
use hand and power tools.
Required knowledge
detailed knowledge of:
AS/NZS 3080:2003 Telecommunications Installations – Generic cabling for commercial premises, clause 10.3.2
ACMA Competency Requirements for Telecommunications Cabling Provider Rules 2000
AS/NZS 2211:2006 Safety of laser products (parts 1 and 2)
features and operating requirements of test equipment for 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
test methods and performance requirements
techniques for types of termination including:
direct termination
fusion splicing
mechanical splicing
typical issues and challenges that occur on site.
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: install, terminate and test optical fibre cable applying safety precautions when working with laser-based systems install a connector type for fusion, mechanical splicing and direct terminations 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 installation 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. |
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 prepared by candidate outlining installation and test results direct observation of the candidate placing, securing and terminating customer premises optical fibre cable. |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example: ICTCBL2136B Install, maintain and modify customer premises communications cabling: ACMA Restricted Rule ICTCBL3013A Perform cable and system test 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.
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 3000:2007 AS/NZS 3080:2003 Telecommunications Installations – Generic cabling for commercial premises, clause 10.3.2 includes: colour codes used to identify the various types of fibre signals these cables would normally carry 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 appropriate 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 radio frequency (RF) emission. |
Optical fibre cable type may include: | air blown armour plated compliance with appropriate ACMA technical standard requirements for: aerial underground designed for different environments and intended uses external internal loose tube multi-mode single mode tight buffered various grades. |
Connectors may include: | any approved or specified fibre connector for MM or SM ACMA approved either epoxy, anaerobic, hot melt glue or mechanical splice style either OM1, 2, 3 or 4 or OS1 fusion splicing (cable to cable fibre splice or cable to pigtail splice). |
Customer requirements may be: | advised in on-site meetings found in: cable plans and designs contract documents specification schedules. |
OHS and environmental requirements may relate to: | identifying other services, including power and gas need for decommissioning and isolating work site and lines before beginning work personal protective clothing: earmuffs gloves: plastic rubber leather head protection kneepads masks protective suits safety boots safety glasses for laser work 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 special access requirements suitable light and ventilation environmental considerations: clean-up protection noise, dust and clean-up management stormwater protection waste management waste disposal containers: drop sheets sharps containers. |
Type of termination may include: | direct termination fusion splicing mechanical splicing. |
Sectors
Telecommunications - Cabling
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
Refer to Unit Descriptor.