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.

Relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards may include:
appropriate licences:
crane
EWP
forklift
winch
Australian Construction 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
technical standards AS/ACIF S008:2006 and AS/ACIF S009:2006.
Customer may be:
asset manager
installation manager
maintenance manager
nominated customer representative
outage manager
project manager.
Optical system may contain:
add-drop multiplexer
DWDM system
fibre hub
HFC network
optical line termination (OLT)
optical network termination (ONT)
optical amplifier
optical splitter.
Hazards may include:
building debris
earth potential rise
glass fibre
live power lines
manual handling
mud and water
natural gas and other gas build up
optical fibre cable may contain hazardous light
radio frequency (RF) equipment emitting radiation
remote power feeding services which operate at above telecommunications network voltage
vermin.
Testing plan may include:
correct test set-up
recording and evaluation of measurements
test layout
test procedures
test purpose
test sites and location
type of measurements
use of appropriate test equipment.
Type of measurement may include:
end-to-end continuity using visual fault locator
fibre loss (bi-directional)
insertion loss:
coupler
filter
optical splitter
WDM
optical power level at:
drop terminal
OLT
ONT
optical transmitter
patch panel
optical return loss (ORL)
splice loss
total end-to-end loss, including splices and connectors.
Wavelengths may include:
850 nm
1310 nm
1490 nm
1550 nm.
Tools may include:
alcohol swabs
dry type cleaning cassette for optical connectors
hand tools
lint-free dry wipes
microscope for examining optical connector with:
integral safety infra-red filter
video microscope display
optical connector adaptors
FC to LC
FC to SC
FC to ST
SC to ST
optical reference cable
optical termination.
Test instruments may include:
bi-directional automated optical loss test set
hand-held optical power meter
hand-held optical source
launch cable for OTDR
OFI-FTTx active ONT detector
OLTS
ORL test set
OTDR multimode
OTDR single mode
PON - OTDR
PON meter
visual fault locator (VFL).
OHS and environmental requirements may include:
decommissioning and isolating worksite and lines prior to commencement
identifying other services, including power and gas
personal protective equipment:
earmuffs
gloves
head protection
masks
protective suits
safety boots
safety glasses
safe working practices, such as the safe use and handling of:
chemicals
materials
tools and equipment
work platforms
safety equipment:
flashing lights
safety barriers
warning signs and tapes
witches hats
special access requirements
environmental considerations:
clean-up protection
stormwater protection
waste management.

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:

measure optical power level
measure insertion loss of a passive device
measure end-to-end fibre loss (bi-directional)
measure splice loss
measure distance to fault, event, end of fibre using OTDR
comply with all related OHS requirements and work practices.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:

sites on which optical measurements can be conducted
tools and equipment required for measurements
manufacturer’s documentation for test instruments and equipment under test.
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:

direct observation of the candidate performing optical measurements
review of a written reports and test results completed by the candidate
oral or written questioning to assess required knowledge.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

ICTBWN3100B Work safely with live fibre to test and commission a fibre to the x installation
ICTBWN3205B Use optical and radio frequency measuring instruments.

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.