Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Testing
Can be conducted on:100% coverage, systematic samples, randomly, as part of fault identification or to assess continuity


Test clients
Can be: end user, supervisor, consultants or building owner


Client specifications, standards and quality assurance requirements may define test and documentation requirements
Tests can be:
one or two directional, balanced or unbalanced


Test
May be: within a building, between sites or between a site and other customers equipment


Cable types
May include: copper (all categories), optical fibre, coaxial


Tests
May typically address the following items: near end cross talk, attenuation, length, balance, noise levels, pair assignment, reversals, short circuits, open circuits, insulation resistance, reflection, signal loss, expected response times, speed


Test devices
May include: TDR (Time Domain Reflectometer), OTDR (Optical TDR), multimeter, proprietary devices, oscillator and probe set, insulation resistance tester, pulse echo, hand held cable testers, signal level meter, spectrum analyser, signal generator


These factors
May impact on the operating environment: dirt, humidity, dust, temperature, magnetic radiation, vibration, radio frequency


Test results
May be documented: written on paper forms, record cards, direct to computer disks


Manufacturers specifications
May be found in: printed instruction leaflets or pre printed on materials or on product packaging


'Industry standards'
May include: regulated or industry codes of practice and include appropriate ACMA technical standards


All cable used
Must be compliant with: appropriate ACMA technical standard requirements (eg. for underground, aerial, Category 5 or Category 6, 6A, 7 or 7A, UTP etc)


All cabling products other than cable
Must be ACMA approved


Relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards include:
Technical Standards AS/ACIF S009:2006
AS Communications Cabling Manaul (CCM) Volume 1
ACIF Standards and Codes
AS/NZS 3000:2007
AS/NZS 3080:2003
AS/NZS ISO/IEC 15018:2005
AS/NZS ISO/IEC 24702:2007
AS/NZS IEC 61935.1:2006
AS/NZS ISO/IEC 14763.3:2007
Occupational Health and Safety
National Association of Testing Authorities requirements
Cabling security codes and regulations

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 following is essential:
Identification of required test - 100%
Systematic sampling, random sampling and random assessment of continuity.
Use of at least six test devices which may include for example -OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer), multimeter, proprietary devices, oscillator and probe set, insulation resistance tester, pulse echo, hand held cable testers, signal level meter, spectrum analyser, signal generator - on both metallic and optical fibre.
Identification of at least six different faults to be addressed via the test which may include for example - near end cross talk, attenuation, length, balance, noise levels, pair assignment, reversals, short circuits, open circuits, insulation resistance, reflection, signal loss, response times, speed.
Interpret test results for at least three different tests.
Application of all related OHS requirements and work practices (including protective clothing and personal safety items).
Safe use of general hand and power tools and general equipment normally related to these tasks.
Correct interpretation and application of relevant regulations and standards.
Communicate test procedure and test interpretation effectively with customers, work associates


Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
A workplace conducting the operations covered by this competency unit, equipment and resources relevant to the context of the work (See Range Statement) and support from a competent supervisor or mentor.
OR
A simulated environment with similar provisions which conforms to the Assessment Guidelines.


Guidance information for assessment
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 underpinning knowledge.