Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 5:54 AM AWST
22/07/2026 5:54 AM 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, maintain and modify customer premises communications cabling: ACMA Open Rule
Install, maintain and modify customer premises communications cabling: ACMA Open Rule
Unit of competency
National Code
ICTCBL2137A
ICTCBL2137A
State Code
D3314
D3314
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
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
60
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to safely install, maintain and modify customer premises communications cabling required according to Australian Communications and Media Authority's (ACMA) 'Open' Cabling Provider Rule. This rule is associated with small installations connected to sockets and larger commercial and industry installations involving many lines, multi-pair cables, backbone cabling, multi-story buildings and more complicated termination modules and distributors.The cabling activity may be a new cable installation or upgrade of cable capacity for an existing network or subsystem, or cabling infrastructure for convergence to Next Generation Networks (NGN).Convergence in the telecommunications and IT areas is the emergence of a single infrastructure for a range of telephony and IT services. Telephone, voice over internet protocol (VoIP), internet protocol TV (IPTV) and computer data may all travel over a single metallic customer cable, optical fibre cable or wireless link in a specific location.Assessment by a TITAB registered assessor is recommended.This unit meets the minimum ACMA prescribed level of knowledge and skill that safeguards matters of health, safety, network integrity and addresses matters of interoperability where customer equipment and standard telephone service are involved only. Note:Completion of this unit does not imply industry competency using specialised cabling, such as coaxial, optical fibre and structured cabling. Completion of the following 6 cabling units: ICTCBL2005A, ICTCBL2006A, ICTCBL2008A, ICTCBL2012A, ICTCBL2017A and ICTCMP2022A exceed the requirements of this standard and fulfil the requirements for ACMA Cabling Provider Rules: Open Cabling Category for Cabler RegistrationTo be permitted to work with lift cabling, cablers are required to have completed the relevant Electrotechnology qualification such as the Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician or equivalent.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Work within the constraints imposed by customer premises and ACMA regulatory environment
- 1.1. Prepare for open cabling work according to the regulatory environment, cabling environment, cable type, cable identification, termination systems, earthing and protection, records and relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards
- 1.2. Identify building infrastructure which places critical constraints on cabling
- 1.3. Develop strategies to manage other infrastructure in relation to cabling
- 1.4. Notify appropriate personnel of identified safety hazards at cabling worksite
2. Manage remote power feed
- 2.1. Identify and avoid the risks posed by contact with remote power feeding services when performing cabling activity
- 2.2. Make site safe identifying remote power feeding services which operate at above telecommunications network voltage (TNV) inside customer premises
3. Install and modify cable support, earthing and termination infrastructure
- 3.1. Install fixings and cable support structures of adequate strength safely and aligned with the environment according to manufacturer's and customer's specifications
- 3.2. Secure catenary supports to building structure and tension, where necessary, to ensure cable weight can be carried in operating conditions with interference and safety segregation maintained including adherence to AS/ACIF S009:2006
- 3.3. Install protective earthing of metal work to industry standards where required
- 3.4. Inspect installed support structure to ensure cable will not be exposed to damage during installation and general operation
- 3.5. Position terminating equipment and fixing to accepted industry codes of practice, standards and customer requirements
- 3.6. Inspect back-mount and outlet layout for compliance to manufacturer's specifications and allow adequate work space for ease of access and avoid overlaying
- 3.7. Segregate incoming and outgoing cables for ease of access and avoid overlaying
4. Install cables and earth wires
- 4.1. Install cables according to manufacturer's application specifications, including tension and bending stress requirements
- 4.2. Identify and avoid sources of possible damage to cable, including hot pipes, sharp edges and cable burn
- 4.3. Allow sufficient excess at cable ends to facilitate termination
- 4.4. Label telecommunication outlet ends of cable uniquely to match identifier at originating location
- 4.5. Place and secure cable to maintain safety and interference segregation according to legislative and industry standards
- 4.6. Install cable ties with correct tension to prevent cable sheath damage or transmission impairment and trimmed flush to prevent risk of personal damage
- 4.7. Install aerial cables supported by catenaries in external environment to meet minimum above ground clearances and clearances from hazardous electrical services according to AS/ACIF S009:2006
- 4.8. Install underground cables to minimum depth of cover and segregation from hazardous electrical and other services according to AS/ACIF S009:200
- 4.9. Install cables underground (excluding blown fibre tube systems) to incorporate a blocking agent within the cable to prevent the ingress of water
- 4.10. Install over-voltage protection devices to all cable pairs, where required, according to AS/ACIF S009:2006, to suppress voltage surges with the devices protectively earthed
- 4.11. Conduct a visual inspection to verify telecommunications reference conductor (TRC)/ communications earthing system (CES)/earth wire insulation is protected against damage and TRC/CES/ protective earths segregated according to relevant industry and legislative standards and AS/ACIF S009:2006
5. Terminate and test cables and earth wires
- 5.1. Remove cable sheath to allow for correct termination length and without damage to underlying conductors and their insulation
- 5.2. Install terminating modules according to manufacturer's specifications and cable pairs neatly and sequentially fanned for termination
- 5.3. Terminate conductors according to recommended colour code sequence using appropriate termination tools in the manufacturer's specified manner
- 5.4. Earth cable shield, if applicable, to manufacturer's specifications, relevant industry codes of practice and AS/ACIF S009:2006
- 5.5. Conduct visual inspection to confirm termination colour code sequence has been followed prior to end-to-end testing of wire and pair termination integrity
- 5.6. Terminate TRC/CES/earth wires with connectors recommended by manufacturers according to accepted industry codes of practice and AS/ACIF S009:2006
- 5.7. Maintain TRC/CES/earth wire continuity throughout to meet interface requirements with electrical systems
- 5.8. Test TRC/CES/earthing installation for continuity, insulation resistance and conductive resistance according to accepted industry standards including AS/ACIF S009:2006
- 5.9. Confirm compatibility of alterations with existing systems and test new work both in isolation and when integrated with existing systems
- 5.10. Test cable according to performance specifications
6. Inspect cable route to ensure correct separations
- 6.1. Inspect separations along the entirety of the cable route and rectify separations which do not comply with regulations
- 6.2. Install barriers to achieve separations where sufficient spatial separation cannot be met
7. Evaluate earthing needs for cable systems on customer premises
- 7.1. Locate existing earthing systems in customer premises and analyse the earthing needs of cable systems in a range of building types
- 7.2. Calculate the upper and lower limits of resistance for a variety of cable system earths using relevant cable characteristics
8. Label earthing systems
- 8.1. Identify label requirements for all types of earthing systems
- 8.2. Attach label to earthing systems according to industry regulations
9. Create or update cable plans and records
- 9.1. Document installation details on record sheets and plans and store according to customer requirements
- 9.2. Label cable pairs clearly to provide an accurate identification according to manufacturer's, industry and client standards
- 9.3. Record cabling details in cable pair record books to provide an accurate record according to industry codes of practice and AS/ACIF S009:2006
- 9.4. Complete telecommunications cabling advice (TCA) form
10. Monitor work activity
- 10.1. Maintain close supervision of cablers not holding appropriate registration for the task to ensure installation and maintenance activity is strictly according to legislative requirements and industry standards for safety and network integrity including AS/ACIF S008:2006 and AS/ACIF S009:2006
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.
Open cabling work refers to:
aerial and underground cabling work on private and public property
customer cabling that terminates directly at the network boundary on a socket, network termination device (NTD)or a distributor.
Regulatory environment refers to:
accredited registrars and registration
ACMA
Certified Components List
Communications Alliance
labelling requirements
Telecommunications Act 1997.
Cabling environment may refer to:
indoor environments, including concealed locations:
ceilings and false ceilings
internal wall space
modular workstations
under floor
outdoor environments, including cable installations:
aerial telecommunications cabling for restricted cabling work but does not include installations on poles shared with low voltage (LV) or high voltage (HV) electrical power cables or terminations
external walls
underground cabling in an exclusive trench or shared trench with electrical LV cables and other utilities.
Cable type may include:
aerial
coaxial
copper twisted pair
data cables:
Category 5, 6, 6A, 7 or 7A
external
indoor
optic fibre cable
underground.
Cable identification refers to:
cable conductor identification codes:
banded
colour coded
lettered
numbered.
Termination systems may include:
jumperable distributor (campus distributor or building distributor)
non-jumperable distributor (local distributor) and a patch panel.
Earthing and protection may include:
earthing of screened cable, barriers and cable trays for the reduction or elimination of interference from electromagnetic, radio frequency (RF) and power sources
equi-potential bonding conductors to multiple earth neutral (MEN) and use of earth stakes
functional earths, including (TRC) and (CES) types to provide customer switching system facilities
protective earth barriers for segregation, cable tray, duct and metal equipment enclosures
protective earths for over-voltage and surge or spike suppression according to AS/ACIF S009:2006.
Records may include:
building, cabling and equipment location plans
labelling of:
distributor pairs
distributor verticals
equipment closets
NTD record cards
patch panels
rooms
telecommunication outlets
record books and cards:
campus distributors (CD)
building distributors (BD)
floor distributors (FD)
local distributors (LD)
TCA forms (TCA1 andTCA2).
Relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards may include:
accredited registrars and registration
Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) standards and codes
ACMA technical standards
AS/ACIF S008:2006
AS/ACIF S009:2006
AS/NZS 3000:2007
cabling security codes and regulations
Certified Components List (CCL)
labelling
Overview Telecommunications Act 1997
AS Communications Cabling Manual (CCM) -Open.
Building infrastructure may include:
availability and suitability of existing cabling trays and fixing systems
building hazards
elevated working
HV power
restricted access.
Cabling may include:
aerial customer
external customer
indoor customer
underground customer.
Strategies to manage other infrastructure may include:
appropriate separations
correct use of cable trays and support systems
fastening techniques.
Safety hazards may refer to:
access points that may contain:
hazardous light or non-visible laser
RF emission
electrical supply and areas of earth potential rise (EPR) that require mandatory separation from communications cable
hazardous conduit as according to AS 1345:1995 conduit colours associated with a hazardous service.
Cable support structures may include:
cable ducts may be closed or open
cable trays may be:
galvanised steel or PVC
perforated with low or high side
single or multi channel
line poles
pits and pipes
suspension catenary wire
wall and island mounted patched and jumperable distributors:
BD
CD
FD
LD.
Termination may include:
Australian modular socket
Ethernet connectors terminated at both ends of an Ethernet cable
jumperable distributor (campus distributor or building distributor) with a capacity of 100 pair or greater
Mode 3 alarm socket
NTD
non-jumperable distributor (local distributor) and a terminated patch panel
United States modular socket.
Separations refer to:
correct separations between communications cable and other services:
LV
HV single core
HV multi-core
open terminations
separations covered by AS/ACIF S009:2006.
Installation details may include:
cable infrastructure
cable location and type.
Cabling details may include:
interconnections
pair locations
pair numbering and labelling.
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.
Open cabling work refers to:
aerial and underground cabling work on private and public property
customer cabling that terminates directly at the network boundary on a socket, network termination device (NTD)or a distributor.
Regulatory environment refers to:
accredited registrars and registration
ACMA
Certified Components List
Communications Alliance
labelling requirements
Telecommunications Act 1997.
Cabling environment may refer to:
indoor environments, including concealed locations:
ceilings and false ceilings
internal wall space
modular workstations
under floor
outdoor environments, including cable installations:
aerial telecommunications cabling for restricted cabling work but does not include installations on poles shared with low voltage (LV) or high voltage (HV) electrical power cables or terminations
external walls
underground cabling in an exclusive trench or shared trench with electrical LV cables and other utilities.
Cable type may include:
aerial
coaxial
copper twisted pair
data cables:
Category 5, 6, 6A, 7 or 7A
external
indoor
optic fibre cable
underground.
Cable identification refers to:
cable conductor identification codes:
banded
colour coded
lettered
numbered.
Termination systems may include:
jumperable distributor (campus distributor or building distributor)
non-jumperable distributor (local distributor) and a patch panel.
Earthing and protection may include:
earthing of screened cable, barriers and cable trays for the reduction or elimination of interference from electromagnetic, radio frequency (RF) and power sources
equi-potential bonding conductors to multiple earth neutral (MEN) and use of earth stakes
functional earths, including (TRC) and (CES) types to provide customer switching system facilities
protective earth barriers for segregation, cable tray, duct and metal equipment enclosures
protective earths for over-voltage and surge or spike suppression according to AS/ACIF S009:2006.
Records may include:
building, cabling and equipment location plans
labelling of:
distributor pairs
distributor verticals
equipment closets
NTD record cards
patch panels
rooms
telecommunication outlets
record books and cards:
campus distributors (CD)
building distributors (BD)
floor distributors (FD)
local distributors (LD)
TCA forms (TCA1 andTCA2).
Relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards may include:
accredited registrars and registration
Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) standards and codes
ACMA technical standards
AS/ACIF S008:2006
AS/ACIF S009:2006
AS/NZS 3000:2007
cabling security codes and regulations
Certified Components List (CCL)
labelling
Overview Telecommunications Act 1997
AS Communications Cabling Manual (CCM) -Open.
Building infrastructure may include:
availability and suitability of existing cabling trays and fixing systems
building hazards
elevated working
HV power
restricted access.
Cabling may include:
aerial customer
external customer
indoor customer
underground customer.
Strategies to manage other infrastructure may include:
appropriate separations
correct use of cable trays and support systems
fastening techniques.
Safety hazards may refer to:
access points that may contain:
hazardous light or non-visible laser
RF emission
electrical supply and areas of earth potential rise (EPR) that require mandatory separation from communications cable
hazardous conduit as according to AS 1345:1995 conduit colours associated with a hazardous service.
Cable support structures may include:
cable ducts may be closed or open
cable trays may be:
galvanised steel or PVC
perforated with low or high side
single or multi channel
line poles
pits and pipes
suspension catenary wire
wall and island mounted patched and jumperable distributors:
BD
CD
FD
LD.
Termination may include:
Australian modular socket
Ethernet connectors terminated at both ends of an Ethernet cable
jumperable distributor (campus distributor or building distributor) with a capacity of 100 pair or greater
Mode 3 alarm socket
NTD
non-jumperable distributor (local distributor) and a terminated patch panel
United States modular socket.
Separations refer to:
correct separations between communications cable and other services:
LV
HV single core
HV multi-core
open terminations
separations covered by AS/ACIF S009:2006.
Installation details may include:
cable infrastructure
cable location and type.
Cabling details may include:
interconnections
pair locations
pair numbering and labelling.
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:
terminate systems at both distributor and outlet locations
install and terminate one jumperable distributor (campus distributor or building distributor) with a capacity of 100 pair or greater
terminate one non-jumperable distributor (LD) and a patch panel
terminate at least one 50 pair, one 4 pair and one Ethernet cables including accurate completion of installation records, drawing alterations and compliance forms
place cables on support structures and building faces for both internal and external locations
secure methods for the above locations
demonstrate work practices which avoid cable damage
install the three common types of earthing system used in customer premises for cabling systems
read and interpret drawings related to cable layouts, outlet location, cable coding system, and identifiers and distributor locations
conduct and interpreting cable test results
interpret and apply relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards
comply with all OHS requirements and work practices.
Context of, and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
a site on which communications cabling activities may be carried out
use of cabling and field equipment currently used in industry
licensing requirements and other site related documentation.
Methods 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 terminating:
systems at both distributor and outlet locations
one jumperable distributor (campus distributor or building distributor) with a capacity of 100 pair or greater
one non-jumperable distributor (LD) and a patch panel
at least one 50 pair, one 4 pair and one Ethernet cables
review of completed documentation prepared by the candidate, including accurate completion of installation records, drawing alterations and compliance forms
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:
ICTCBL2138A Install, maintain and modify customer premises communications cabling: ACMA Lift Rule.
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:
terminate systems at both distributor and outlet locations
install and terminate one jumperable distributor (campus distributor or building distributor) with a capacity of 100 pair or greater
terminate one non-jumperable distributor (LD) and a patch panel
terminate at least one 50 pair, one 4 pair and one Ethernet cables including accurate completion of installation records, drawing alterations and compliance forms
place cables on support structures and building faces for both internal and external locations
secure methods for the above locations
demonstrate work practices which avoid cable damage
install the three common types of earthing system used in customer premises for cabling systems
read and interpret drawings related to cable layouts, outlet location, cable coding system, and identifiers and distributor locations
conduct and interpreting cable test results
interpret and apply relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards
comply with all OHS requirements and work practices.
Context of, and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
a site on which communications cabling activities may be carried out
use of cabling and field equipment currently used in industry
licensing requirements and other site related documentation.
Methods 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 terminating:
systems at both distributor and outlet locations
one jumperable distributor (campus distributor or building distributor) with a capacity of 100 pair or greater
one non-jumperable distributor (LD) and a patch panel
at least one 50 pair, one 4 pair and one Ethernet cables
review of completed documentation prepared by the candidate, including accurate completion of installation records, drawing alterations and compliance forms
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:
ICTCBL2138A Install, maintain and modify customer premises communications cabling: ACMA Lift Rule.
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.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D2167 | ICTTC137C | Install, maintain and modify customer premises communications cabling: ACMA Open Rule | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WI877 | ICTCBL2137B | Install, maintain and modify customer premises communications cabling: ACMA Open Rule | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D558 | ICA40211 | Certificate IV in Information Technology Support | Qualification |
| D556 | ICA30111 | Certificate III in Information, Digital Media and Technology | Qualification |
| D218 | CPP30507 | Certificate III in Technical Security | Qualification |
| W796 | ICT20210 | Certificate II in Telecommunications | Qualification |