Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 10:58 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.

Install ribbon fibre cable in the FTTX distribution network

Install ribbon fibre cable in the FTTX distribution network

Unit of competency
National Code
ICTCBL3240A
State Code
WG848
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
19/07/2013
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
26/11/2013
Field of Education
031309 - Communications Equipment Installation And Maintenance
Original Release Date
26/11/2013
Nominal Hours
55
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to install ribbon cable in the fibre access node (FAN) site and also distribution, local and access underground enclosure joints. Cables range from 12 fibre to 576 fibre cables.For splicing and terminating of optical fibre, the following unit of competency should be completed based on the needs of the work environment: ICTCBL2065A Splice and terminate optical fibre cable for carriers and service providers.For more comprehensive safe work practices on optical installations, particularly on live fibre, the following unit of competency should be completed based on the needs of the work environment: ICTBWN3100B Work safely with live fibre to test and commission a fibre to the x installation.Network owner specifications will apply to this work and should be checked and confirmed before undertaking work on National Broadband Network (NBN) sites.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for installation of ribbon fibre
  • 1.1 Select safety equipment to protect self, co-workers and public in line with work health and safety (WHS) and environmental requirements
  • 1.2 Identify and obtain tools and appropriate equipment required for the installation
  • 1.3 Check physical conditions relevant to the installation and confirm layout of equipment to be installed
  • 1.4 Inform appropriate personnel of identified hazards on work site
  • 1.5 Locate other services from relevant authorities
  • 1.6 Secure the work site with tests for dangerous gases and guards around open manholes
  • 1.7 Obtain approval for alterations to the design within organisational guidelines
2. Check and secure existing optical fibre cable
  • 2.1 Following WHS practices, verify that cable was installed according to the installation plan and inspect cable for signs of sheath damage
  • 2.2 Maintain minimum bend ratios of cable according to manufacturer specifications while manoeuvring into position
  • 2.3 Secure cable according to safe industry practice, avoiding damage to cable and sheath
3. Install ribbon fibres into high density drawers and/or pivot sub-racks in internal cabinets
  • 3.1 Introduce cable into cabinet rack though appropriate route
  • 3.2 Remove cable sheath and lay up ribbon loose tubes into sub-racks without damage to fibre
  • 3.3 Remove loose tubes, clean ribbon fibres and prepare for splicing using organisational techniques
  • 3.4 Splice ribbon fibres and secure into splice holders
  • 3.5 Confirm that fibres are accurately spliced according to organisational specifications
4. Install and splice ribbon cable in underground enclosures
  • 4.1 Select appropriate enclosure for function and cable type
  • 4.2 Prepare cables for mid-span and butt splicing following vendor guidelines
  • 4.3 Feed cable accurately into enclosure according to network owner guidelines
  • 4.4 Lay up ribbon fibre in enclosure splice tray to allow accurate and efficient splicing
  • 4.5 Cross-reference fibre numbering to match fibres accurately
  • 4.6 Strip ribbon fibres to specifications
  • 4.7 Splice ribbon fibres accurately
  • 4.8 Apply heat-shrink sleeves to ensure protection of spliced ribbon fibres
  • 4.9 Secure spliced ribbon fibres in splice holders
5. Close and seal enclosure
  • 5.1 Check cable and ribbon fibre placement in splice trays conform to vendor and network owner specifications and adjust if necessary
  • 5.2 Close and secure splice trays and fit enclosure cap
  • 5.3 Heat shrink seals around cable entry ports when using heat shrinking techniques, according to vendor and network owner guidelines
  • 5.4 Close and tighten seals around ribbon fibre cables when using mechanical sealing techniques according to vendor and network owner guidelines
  • 5.5 Check for signs of effective seal and re-seal if necessary
6. Complete site reinstatement, reporting and sign-off requirements
  • 6.1 Place sealed enclosure in pit and secure to vendor and network owner specifications
  • 6.2 Identify signs of damage or potential damage to pit and cable and take steps to mitigate
  • 6.3 Reinstate site to network owner specifications
  • 6.4 Prepare and finalise reports, including test results and alterations to plans, according to network owner requirements
  • 6.5 Advise client of work 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.

WHS and environmental requirements may relate to:
environmental considerations:
clean-up protection
stormwater protection
waste management
identifying other services, including power and gas
need to decommission and isolate work site and lines before beginning work
personal protective clothing and equipment
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
traffic cones
trench guards
warning signs and tapes
special access requirements
suitable light and ventilation
Appropriate equipment may include:
hand-held optical power meter
OFI-FTTx network terminal detector
optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR)
passive optical network (PON) meter
Physical conditions relate to:
access to the site
equipment at the site
other construction activities at or adjacent to the site
road and other traffic conditions
weather
Hazards may include:
earth potential rise (EPR)
optical cable:
bare fibres
hazardous laser light
remote power feeding
Relevant authorities may include:
cable location services (Dial Before You Dig)
environment protection
local government
private owners
utility providers, such as:
electricity
fire services
gas
other telecommunications providers
water
Dangerous gases may include:
asphyxiating gas
carbon dioxide
carbon monoxide
combustible gas
natural gas
noxious gas
Guards may include:
barricades
plates
temporary fencing
WHS practices may relate to:
determining that optical fibre cable is not live according to guidelines and standards
handling optical fibre cable in a safe manner to avoid risk of injury
labelling fibre cable and laser devices
locating and identifying adjoining services according to organisational guidelines and WHS practices
observing AS/NZS 2211:2006 Safety of laser products (Parts 1 and 2)
testing for presence of dangerous gases according to organisational guidelines
Cabinets may include:
FAN distribution cabinets
fibre distribution hub (FDH) cabinets
distribution cabinets
Splice ribbon fibres may relate to:
ribbon fusion splice techniques
preparing connection ends to a smooth flat surface to ensure no optical path redirection from joint
removing all coatings from exposed optical fibre and removing all possible contaminants
Enclosures may include:
access joint location (AJL)
distribution joints
local joint location (LJL)
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:

prepare cable for mid-span splicing - strip and coil
prepare cable for butt end splicing - strip and coil
install cable into:
three types of enclosures
two types of FAN cabinet racks and sub-racks
splice ribbon fibre according to specifications
observe all network owner requirements and product practices to ensure optimal performance of cable systems
adapt techniques to a range of technical and environmental conditions.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:

optic fibre cabling and equipment
a range of cabinet types and other housings requiring cable-handling techniques
personal protective equipment
first aid and fire safety equipment.
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 installing cable into:
enclosures
cabinets
direct observation of the candidate following network owner and product-specific instructions
oral questioning to assess knowledge of installation principles and practices.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

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
WI884 ICTCBL3240B Install ribbon fibre cable in the FTTX distribution network Unit of competency
No information