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.

Traditional network technology boundaries
Are now being crossed with technologies such as Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Digital European Cordless Telephone (DECT), ISDN, and intelligent networks

Network systems and products
Vary considerably across the specific technologies and are usually unique to a particular vendor

Technologies
Can be described in broad terms as: switching, transmission, radio (fixed and mobile), video and satellite

Transmission medium
May be: copper cable, coaxial cable, optic fibre cable, radio, video, satellite

Network Architecture
Can be described as: Analogue (to be phased out by 2000), PDH (plesiochrynous digital hierarchy), SDH (synchronous digital hierarchy), ATM

Network hierarchy
Can be described as backbone, transport, broadband, data, HLS, CLS

Tools
May include: screwdrivers, hammers, spanners, pliers, cutters, wire strippers, cable strippers, crimpers, termination tools, cable tie tensioners, tape measures, hacksaws, drills, cut off saws, power tools, angle grinders, jigsaws, tension wrenches, soldering irons, knives, insulation displacement tools, mechanical lifts/hoists, volt meters, cable testers, plumb-bob, level, trolleys, multi meters, humidity and temperature testers, anti-static testers, load testers

Test Equipment
May include: multi meters, digital analysers, test leads, adaptors, power meters, optical fibre power meters, microscopes, laser source, OTDR, optical attenuators, analogue transmission measuring sets, oscillator, level meter, spectrum analysers, oscilloscopes, pattern generators, frequency measurer, GSM spectrum frequency synthesizer, R/F band noise measurer, modulator tester, error meter, light meter, lap top computer, video tester, R/F sweep tester, FWR meters, R/F microwave test sets, communication system analysers, sweep test coaxial and wave guide antenna systems, transmitter/receiver filter combiner equipment, microwave link analyser

Tests
Check functionality and range from testing a single element to a loop back situation

Material damage
May include: packing errors, breakage, misshapen equipment, water damage

Anti static protection
Can include: wrist straps that are earthed, ant static mats, anti static flooring, anti static bags for equipment, anti static dust coats, heel straps

Conductors
Could be either copper or optical

Equipment cable
Can be for: signal, power, alarms, miscellaneous, earth

Cable tensions and cable lengths (where critical)
Are determined as part of the manufacturers specifications

Bending ratios on cables
Are determined by manufacturers specifications

Spare length on cable
Is determined locally but should be sufficient to cater for errors

Optical fibre connectors
Are cleaned using alcohol and cleaning swabs

Test failures
Could include: operator error, open circuits, faulty joints, dry joints, faulty circuit boards or modules, wires and/or cables wrongly terminated, faulty earthing, broken conductors, cross talk in cables, pairs untwisted, incorrect straps/switch settings on printed circuit boards

Voltage and polarity levels
Are predetermined by the manufacturers specifications

Straps
Are associated with equipment cards and set parameters for card operation

Installation waste
May include: excess equipment, off cuts, rubbish

Relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards include:
ACMA Standards TS 14
ITU recommendations
Australian Standards AS 3901, 3902
Occupational Health and Safety
Heritage legislation
Industrial awards and conditions
Australian standards applying to radiation hazards
State and Federal environment Acts
National Parks Act
ACMA regulations relating to functional earthing

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:


Mentor/assessor observes candidate:

Reading, interpreting and using equipment/system manuals and specifications and relevant enterprise policy and documentation
Interpreting design specifications, including: circuit diagrams, plans and specifications
Demonstrating installation of cables including: minimum bending radii appropriate cable separation, provision of spare length.
Demonstrating termination of cables including: stripping, conductor identification and fanning, cleaning of optical fibres connectors, provision of spare length
Verifying cable continuity
Conducting and interpreting test results, completing relevant documentation, determining compliance from manufactures' certification, warranty and other related documentation requirements

Mentor/assessor observes candidate - and candidate delivers at least one oral report to mentor/assessor:

Applying DC principles and associated measuring techniques
Interacting with enterprise personnel, customers and other contractors keeping a customer focus and consideration of customer needs

Mentor/assessor observes candidate - and candidate delivers at least one oral report to mentor/assessor -/ demonstrating successful:

Safe use of general hand and power tools related to these tasks
Installation to plan/specification
Installation of earthing and corrosion protection
Compliance with all related occupational health and safety requirements and work practices
Candidate submits a set of hard copy test results and relevant documentation.

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.