Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:49 PM AWST
22/07/2026 1:49 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.
Use advanced optical test equipment
Use advanced optical test equipment
Unit of competency
National Code
ICTOPN4116A
ICTOPN4116A
State Code
D3370
D3370
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
17/01/2011
Field of Education
031307 - Communications Technologies
Original Release Date
17/01/2011
Nominal Hours
45
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to test optical communication systems and components using advanced optical test equipment. It involves using the optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR), optical spectrum analyser (OSA) and optical return loss (ORL) test set for performance testing and link budget calculation.Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements apply to working at heights. If an elevated work platform (EWP) is required, verify state or territory law requirements for a licence to operate an EWP. Users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.If working at heights, achievement of the unit 'CPCPCM2015A Work safely on roofs' from the CPC08 Construction and Plumbing Services Integrated framework training Package fulfils this requirement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare to use advanced optical measuring instruments
- 1.1. Obtain relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards for compliance when conducting work
- 1.2. Notify customer for site access, security arrangements and location details of optical system and test purpose
- 1.3. Identify site hazards and notify appropriate personnel to make site safe
- 1.4. Devise and implement risk control measures of hazards with handling of optical fibres and lasers in consultation with appropriate personnel
- 1.5. Prepare a testing plan indicating the type of measurement, procedures and nominated wavelength and seek approval from customer
- 1.6. Select the appropriate tools and test instruments according to the required measurement and enterprise practice
2. Evaluate optical performance and link budget using advanced optical test equipment
- 2.1. Set up test instrument according to manufacturer's instructions and occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental requirements
- 2.2. Perform measurement using knowledge of appropriate testing techniques and advanced test equipment in a safe manner to evaluate the performance of optical system and component
- 2.3. Record test results and compare with standard test specifications from manufacturer's and enterprise guidelines
- 2.4. Perform end-to-end measurements on an optical link to a customer and record test results and test points
- 2.5. Calculate the optical losses for a link budget figure of an optical link to determine if within operational margins as specified in manufacturer's manual
- 2.6. Evaluate the test results and report on the functionality of the optical component or equipment and the performance of the optical link
3. Document measurement results
- 3.1. Document test results for future reference and make recommendations on optimising component and system performance
- 3.2. Clean worksite and make safe according to the enterprise requirements and to customer satisfaction
- 3.3. Notify appropriate personnel of job completion for sign off and present test documentations
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:
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
Bragg filters
DWDM system
fibre hub
HFC network
optical amplifier
optical line termination (OLT)
optical links
optical network termination (ONT)
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 (TNV)
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:
dedicated ORL test set:
optical power meter ORL
ORL versus wavelength.
OSA and ORL
PON splitter ORL
OSA:
bandwidth of a device (multiplexer)
central wavelength and channel spacing
device flatness
DWDM channel uniformity
insertion loss:
coupler
filter
optical splitter
WDM
non-linear effects (four-wave mixing)
optical power level:
at drop terminal
at optical transmitter
at patch panel
at the OLT
at the ONT
optical signal to noise ratio (OSNR)
ripple
spectral purity of a source
spectral stability and drift of a source
OTDR:
break and fault location
certification of new cabling
characterisation of events in path
detailed event table
fibre attenuation
fibre attenuation rate
fibre attenuation uniformity
identification of 'gainers'
identification of 'ghost' events
insertion loss of connectors and splices
macro-bend detection
ORL
segment length.
Wavelength may include:
850 nm
1310 nm
1490 nm
1550 nm.
Tools may include:
alcohol swabs
dry type cleaning cassette for optical connectors hand tools
launch cable for OTDR
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 fibre mandrel (single mode fibre low reflection termination)
optical termination
optical reference cable.
Test instruments may include:
ORL test set
OSA
OTDR multimode
OTDR single mode
PON optimised OTDR.
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
special access requirements
environmental considerations:
clean-up protection
stormwater protection
waste management.
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
Bragg filters
DWDM system
fibre hub
HFC network
optical amplifier
optical line termination (OLT)
optical links
optical network termination (ONT)
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 (TNV)
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:
dedicated ORL test set:
optical power meter ORL
ORL versus wavelength.
OSA and ORL
PON splitter ORL
OSA:
bandwidth of a device (multiplexer)
central wavelength and channel spacing
device flatness
DWDM channel uniformity
insertion loss:
coupler
filter
optical splitter
WDM
non-linear effects (four-wave mixing)
optical power level:
at drop terminal
at optical transmitter
at patch panel
at the OLT
at the ONT
optical signal to noise ratio (OSNR)
ripple
spectral purity of a source
spectral stability and drift of a source
OTDR:
break and fault location
certification of new cabling
characterisation of events in path
detailed event table
fibre attenuation
fibre attenuation rate
fibre attenuation uniformity
identification of 'gainers'
identification of 'ghost' events
insertion loss of connectors and splices
macro-bend detection
ORL
segment length.
Wavelength may include:
850 nm
1310 nm
1490 nm
1550 nm.
Tools may include:
alcohol swabs
dry type cleaning cassette for optical connectors hand tools
launch cable for OTDR
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 fibre mandrel (single mode fibre low reflection termination)
optical termination
optical reference cable.
Test instruments may include:
ORL test set
OSA
OTDR multimode
OTDR single mode
PON optimised OTDR.
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
special access requirements
environmental considerations:
clean-up protection
stormwater protection
waste management.
EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 :
use OTDR, OSA and ORL advanced optical test equipment to:
measure optical power level
measure insertion loss of optical network
measure end-to-end fibre loss (bi-directional)
test and calculate optical link budget
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 report for the OTDR, the OSA and the ORL test set
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:
ICTOPN5118A Plan and configure dense wavelength division multiplexing systems
ICTOPN5119A Perform acceptance and commissioning tests on optical network
ICTOPN5120A Plan for an optical system upgrade and cut over
ICTOPN5121A Test and commission a dense wavelength division multiplexing transmission system
ICTOPN5122A Test the performance of specialised optical devices
ICTOPN5123A Analyse and integrate specialised optical devices in the network.
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 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 :
use OTDR, OSA and ORL advanced optical test equipment to:
measure optical power level
measure insertion loss of optical network
measure end-to-end fibre loss (bi-directional)
test and calculate optical link budget
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 report for the OTDR, the OSA and the ORL test set
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:
ICTOPN5118A Plan and configure dense wavelength division multiplexing systems
ICTOPN5119A Perform acceptance and commissioning tests on optical network
ICTOPN5120A Plan for an optical system upgrade and cut over
ICTOPN5121A Test and commission a dense wavelength division multiplexing transmission system
ICTOPN5122A Test the performance of specialised optical devices
ICTOPN5123A Analyse and integrate specialised optical devices in the network.
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.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWE26 | ICTOPN402 | Use advanced optical test equipment | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWG1 | ICT40415 | Certificate IV in Information Technology Networking | Qualification |
| D560 | ICA40411 | Certificate IV in Information Technology Networking | Qualification |
| D558 | ICA40211 | Certificate IV in Information Technology Support | Qualification |
| AVY7 | ICT40215 | Certificate IV in Information Technology Support | Qualification |
| W806 | ICT40110 | Certificate IV in Optical Networks | Qualification |