Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 8:07 PM AWST
22/07/2026 8:07 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Test cable bearers
Test cable bearers
Unit of competency
National Code
ICTCBL4057B
ICTCBL4057B
State Code
WI888
WI888
TGA Status
Deleted
Deleted
DTWD Status
Deleted
Deleted
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
15/04/2014
Field of Education
031309 - Communications Equipment Installation And Maintenance
Original Release Date
15/04/2014
Nominal Hours
80
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to test cable bearers. It involves setting up, testing, interpreting test results and determining appropriate action.This unit applies to the testing of all cable types (metallic, optical fibre and coaxial).All customer cabling work in the telecommunications, fire, security and data industries must be performed by a registered cabler. All cablers are required to register with an Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)-accredited registrar.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare and set up for cable test
- 1.1 Obtain relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards
- 1.2 Scope the 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 the worksite
- 1.4 Determine type of cable bearer and cable route from project plan and identify test requirements using work instructions
- 1.5 Obtain tools and safety equipment and material to perform tasks safely and efficiently
- 1.6 Select and use required protective equipment and make site safe and secure for testing work
- 1.7 Determine need for outage, extent, location and timing, if required. and negotiate with appropriate personnel
- 1.8 Select and set up suitable test equipment according to manufacturer’s specifications for the cable tests to be performed to ensure relevance of test data
- 1.9 Ensure equipment calibration certification is current to reduce possibility of unreliable test data and ensure traceability where appropriate
2. Perform cable tests
- 2.1 Follow occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental requirements for the given work and identify and avoid other services
- 2.2 Determine and record cable parameters for consideration in assessment of performance
- 2.3 Conduct performance tests as required by both equipment and enterprise specification for the specific cable type and purpose
3. Interpret test results and determine action
- 3.1 Record test results for evaluation and compare against manufacturer’s and site specifications
- 3.2 Analyse test results and evaluate cable performance with consideration of recorded cable parameters
- 3.3 Diagnose problems to determine cable faults and make arrangements for repairs or modifications
- 3.4 Retest faulty cable after the faults have been rectified
4. Document test results and clean up site
- 4.1 Produce evaluated test results according to enterprise guidelines and without delay to ensure test results remain current
- 4.2 Update site and installation files to ensure traceability of information on system performance is maintained
- 4.3 Archive test records details for the life of the cable according to enterprise guidelines
- 4.4 Remove waste and debris from worksite and dispose of according to environmental requirements
- 4.5 Notify appropriate personnel of job completion and obtain sign off
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:
appropriate licences:
crane
EWP
forklift
winch
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
Environmental Protection Acts
OHS
road and traffic control legislation and codes
technical standards AS/ACIF S008:2006 and AS/ACIF S009:2006.
Appropriate personnel may be:
asset manager
network operations centre (NOC)
project supervisor
site supervisor.
Safety hazards may refer to:
access points that may contain:
hazardous light (non-visible laser)
radio frequency (RF) emission
active lasers with no safety labels
active optical fibres
contact with remote power feed
electrical supply that require mandatory separation from communications cable
exposed fibres
unsafe support structures
unsafe weather:
heavy rains
high winds
severe heat or cold
thunderstorms.
Cable bearer may include:
aerial
coaxial cable
metallic
optical fibre
underground.
Tools and safety equipment may include:
personal protective equipment
safety equipment
test equipment:
cable tester
continuity tester
local area network (LAN) Cat tester
optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR)
passive optical network (PON) meter
RF meter
tools:
crimping tool
fibre cleaning kit
fibre splicer
labeller
screw drivers
spanners
tagging tool
terminating tool.
Cable tests may include:
for coaxial cable:
insulation
loss
for optical cable:
dispersion
frequency response
loss
polarisation
spectrum test
for metallic cable:
continuity
cross talk
insertion loss
return loss.
OHS and environmental requirements may include:
environmental considerations:
clean-up protection
stormwater protection
waste management
identifying other services, including power and gas
personal protective equipment:
earmuffs
gloves:
leather
plastic
rubber
head protection
masks
protective suits
safety boots
safety glasses
safety equipment:
flashing lights
safety barriers
warning signs and tapes
witches hats
safe working practices, such as the safe use and handling of:
chemicals
materials
tools and equipment
special access requirements.
Other services may include:
availability and suitability of existing cabling trays and fixing systems
electricity supply
fire sprinkler systems
gas and water mains
high voltage (HV) cables.
Cable parameters may include:
age of cable
cable length
cable type
number of joints
splices
coax joints
terminations
performance characteristics.
Performance tests may include:
insertion loss (total end-to-end loss with cable and connectors)
link loss (cable loss without connectors)
return loss which measures signal reflected of an incident or point end-to-end.
Relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards may include:
appropriate licences:
crane
EWP
forklift
winch
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
Environmental Protection Acts
OHS
road and traffic control legislation and codes
technical standards AS/ACIF S008:2006 and AS/ACIF S009:2006.
Appropriate personnel may be:
asset manager
network operations centre (NOC)
project supervisor
site supervisor.
Safety hazards may refer to:
access points that may contain:
hazardous light (non-visible laser)
radio frequency (RF) emission
active lasers with no safety labels
active optical fibres
contact with remote power feed
electrical supply that require mandatory separation from communications cable
exposed fibres
unsafe support structures
unsafe weather:
heavy rains
high winds
severe heat or cold
thunderstorms.
Cable bearer may include:
aerial
coaxial cable
metallic
optical fibre
underground.
Tools and safety equipment may include:
personal protective equipment
safety equipment
test equipment:
cable tester
continuity tester
local area network (LAN) Cat tester
optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR)
passive optical network (PON) meter
RF meter
tools:
crimping tool
fibre cleaning kit
fibre splicer
labeller
screw drivers
spanners
tagging tool
terminating tool.
Cable tests may include:
for coaxial cable:
insulation
loss
for optical cable:
dispersion
frequency response
loss
polarisation
spectrum test
for metallic cable:
continuity
cross talk
insertion loss
return loss.
OHS and environmental requirements may include:
environmental considerations:
clean-up protection
stormwater protection
waste management
identifying other services, including power and gas
personal protective equipment:
earmuffs
gloves:
leather
plastic
rubber
head protection
masks
protective suits
safety boots
safety glasses
safety equipment:
flashing lights
safety barriers
warning signs and tapes
witches hats
safe working practices, such as the safe use and handling of:
chemicals
materials
tools and equipment
special access requirements.
Other services may include:
availability and suitability of existing cabling trays and fixing systems
electricity supply
fire sprinkler systems
gas and water mains
high voltage (HV) cables.
Cable parameters may include:
age of cable
cable length
cable type
number of joints
splices
coax joints
terminations
performance characteristics.
Performance tests may include:
insertion loss (total end-to-end loss with cable and connectors)
link loss (cable loss without connectors)
return loss which measures signal reflected of an incident or point end-to-end.
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:
perform tests on cable bearers
use a range of tests
interpret test results
rectify a range of faults
report on the completed tests
comply with all related OHS requirements and work practices.
Context of, and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
sites where testing may be conducted
use of cabling and equipment currently used in industry
relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impact on testing cable bearers.
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 performing cable test on customer premises
review of reports completed by the candidate for different test examples and situations
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of cable bearer tests.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
ICTCBL4023B Supervise cabling project.
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.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
perform tests on cable bearers
use a range of tests
interpret test results
rectify a range of faults
report on the completed tests
comply with all related OHS requirements and work practices.
Context of, and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
sites where testing may be conducted
use of cabling and equipment currently used in industry
relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impact on testing cable bearers.
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 performing cable test on customer premises
review of reports completed by the candidate for different test examples and situations
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of cable bearer tests.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
ICTCBL4023B Supervise cabling project.
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.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D3336 | ICTCBL4057A | Test cable bearers | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W806 | ICT40110 | Certificate IV in Optical Networks | Qualification |