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Title / Demonstrate basic knowledge of telecommunications building and data cabling
Level / 3 / Credits / 15
Purpose / This unit standard is for telecommunications workers engaged in the installation of basic building and data cabling services, and covers basic underpinning knowledge for this occupation.
People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate:
–basic knowledge of telecommunications concepts relevant to building and data cabling services;
–basic knowledge of telecommunications entrance and terminating facilities;
–basic knowledge of grounding, bonding and electrical protection of telecommunications building and data cabling systems;
–basic knowledge of telecommunications building cable backbone systems;
–basic knowledge of telecommunications horizontal cabling systems;
–basic knowledge of aerial plant in the context of inter-building and intra-building and data cabling;
–basic knowledge of LANs and data cables;
–basic knowledge of fibre optic cables;
–basic knowledge of the principles of fire-stopping;
–basic knowledge of plans and specifications used in telecommunications building and data cabling, and
–an awareness of emerging technologies in telecommunications building and data cabling.
Classification / Telecommunications > Telecommunications - Service Delivery
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
1This unit standard has been designed for training and assessment off-job.
2The term basic knowledge is used to describe the underpinning knowledge required by trainees to support the range of practical installation and maintenance activities assessed by Unit 17486, Install and maintain basic telecommunications building and data cabling. This knowledge is typically acquired during second and third years of training of a 4 to 5 year training programme.
3References
AS/NZS 3080:2003: Telecommunications installations – Generic cabling for commercial premises;
Building Act 2004;
Electricity Act 1992;
Electricity Regulations 1997;
NZS 2772.1:1999, Radiofrequency fields – Maximum exposure levels – 3kHz to 300GHz;
Telecommunications Act 2001;
Telecommunications [(Residual Provisions)] Act 1987;
and their subsequent amendments and replacements.
4Definitions
ATM – Asynchronous Transmission Protocol.
Cable – any or all of copper cable, fibre optic cable, coaxial cable.
Coaxial Cable includes:
10Base-2 – 10Mbps baseband coaxial cable (Thinnet);
10Base-5 – 10Mbps baseband coaxial cable (Thicknet).
Emerging technology – any technology which is at the development stage, or in early stages of production and commercial use overseas, but is not yet used commercially in New Zealand.
Ethernet (xBase-T) – x Mbps baseband data transmission over twisted pair copper wire.
Industry practice – those practices, which competent practitioners within the industry recognise as current industry best practice.
ISDN – Integrated Services Digital Network.
LAN – Local Area Network.
PABX – Private Automatic Branch Exchange.
PSTN – Public Switched Telephone Network.
Specifications – any or all of: detailed job specifications, drawings, and instructions; manufacturers’ specifications and instructions; and industry standards and codes of practice, relating to the type of cabling system being installed.
STP – Shielded Twisted Pair cable.
UTP – Unshielded Twisted Pair cable, connectors, and accessories, complying with Category 5, Category 5E, or Category 6 standards.
WAN – Wide Area Network.
5The depth of knowledge of the subject matter is such as could typically be learnt during a five week full-time course.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate basic knowledge of telecommunications concepts relevant to building and data cabling services.
Evidence requirements
1.1The PSTN is described in terms of its operation and the services provided.
Rangeswitching plan and topology, PABXs, bandwidth limitations.
1.2Data network services are described in terms of their operation, the services provided, and the key features of each.
Rangeleased data services, packet switched network, ISDN, frame relay, ATM.
1.3Computer networks are described in terms of their operation and the services provided.
RangeLAN, WAN, internet.
1.4The basic concepts of analogue transmission, digital transmission, asynchronous transmission, and synchronous transmission are explained in accordance with industry practice.
1.5Cable types are described with reference to physical construction, electrical characteristics, and application.
Rangecable types – UTP, STP, coaxial, fibre;
electrical characteristics – loop resistance, insulation resistance, loss at audio and high frequencies, noise, bit error rate.
1.6A typical building and data cabling system for a modern building with more than one floor is outlined with reference to components, their purposes, and interconnections.
Rangeoutline includes building entrance, equipment room, earthing facilities, backbone system, closets, horizontal system, outlet boxes.
1.7Regulations, codes of practice, and standards of relevance to building and data cabling are identified and their scopes stated.
Outcome 2
Demonstrate basic knowledge of telecommunications entrance and terminating facilities.
Evidence requirements
2.1Service entrances are described with reference to function and installation practice.
Rangeburied, above ground, aerial, termination of conduit, network interfaces, grounding and bonding.
2.2Terminating facilities and equipment rooms are described with reference to purpose and installation practice.
Rangestructure and location of equipment rooms, building frames, cabinets, telecommunications closets, outside building terminals (pedestals and cabinets), suitability for cable types.
Outcome 3
Demonstrate basic knowledge of grounding, bonding and electrical protection of telecommunications building and data cabling systems.
Evidence requirements
3.1The terms bonding, grounding, and electrical protection are defined in accordance with industry practice.
3.2The reasons for bonding, grounding, and provision of telecommunications circuit protectors are explained in terms of safety to personnel, equipment damage, and signal noise.
3.3Telecommunications bonding and grounding practices are described in accordance with industry practice.
Rangecables, equipment, frames, backbone and horizontal systems, coaxial cable.
Outcome 4
Demonstrate basic knowledge of telecommunications building cable backbone systems.
Evidence requirements
4.1The method of construction of a backbone system is explained in accordance with industry practice.
4.2The types of transmission media and permissible cable lengths are stated in accordance with industry practice.
4.3Methods of mounting cable pathways and cables are explained in accordance with industry practice.
4.4Termination of a backbone cable at the building frame and in a telecommunications closet is practically demonstrated in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications and industry practice.
4.5Principles of testing of backbone cables are explained and practical testing is demonstrated in accordance with industry practice.
Rangepractical testing includes – installation testing, identifying faulty pairs.
Outcome 5
Demonstrate basic knowledge of telecommunications horizontal cabling systems.
Evidence requirements
5.1Types of distribution systems, their advantages and disadvantages, and performance categories are described in accordance with industry practice.
5.2Commonly used types of cables are identified by inspection, and matched with associated terminating hardware, cross-connect wires, and patch cords in accordance with industry practice.
5.3Installation practices for horizontal cable systems are described in accordance with industry practice.
Rangeceiling distribution systems, under-floor duct systems, under-carpet cable, cable trays, conduit, pull and splice boxes for conduit, under-floor ducts, access floors, space requirements, cabling guidelines.
5.4Termination of cables in a telecommunications closet and outlet boxes is practically demonstrated in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications and industry practice.
5.5Principles of testing of basic building cabling are explained and practical testing is demonstrated in accordance with industry practice.
Rangepractical testing includes – installation testing, identifying faulty pairs.
Outcome 6
Demonstrate basic knowledge of aerial plant in the context of inter-building and intra-building and data cabling.
Evidence requirements
6.1The special characteristics of cable, wire, and terminals suitable for aerial cabling are described in accordance with industry practice.
6.2Aerial cable installation practices are described in accordance with industry practice.
6.3The principles of cable pressurisation are explained in accordance with industry practice.
Outcome 7
Demonstrate basic knowledge of LANs and data cables.
Evidence requirements
7.1LAN topologies are identified and explained with reference to structure, operation, and advantages and disadvantages.
RangeLAN topologies – bus, ring, star, local ring physical star, star-tree.
7.2LAN protocols are identified and briefly described.
RangeATM, Ethernet, Token Ring.
7.3Data cables are terminated in accordance with standards and manufacturers’ instructions.
Rangecable types – UTP, STP, coaxial, fibre.
7.4Principles of testing of data cables are explained and practical testing is demonstrated in accordance with industry practice.
Rangepractical testing includes – installation testing, identifying faulty cable.
7.5Numbering systems for building and data cables are explained in accordance with industry practice.
Outcome 8
Demonstrate basic knowledge of fibre optic cables.
Evidence requirements
8.1Basic concepts of fibre optic cables are explained in accordance with industry practice.
Rangeapplicable standards, types of cable, method of construction, principle of light transmission, application.
8.2Basic installation practices are explained in accordance with industry practice.
Rangeinstallation specifications, duct utilisation and cable protection during installation, termination methods, connectorisation, patch panels.
8.3Splicing methods are explained and demonstrated in accordance with industry practice.
Rangesplicing principles and methods, splice protection, pigtail splicing, fan-out kits.
8.4Principles of testing of fibre cable relevant to data cabling are explained and practical testing is demonstrated in accordance with industry practice.
Rangepractical testing includes – installation testing, identifying faults.
Outcome 9
Demonstrate basic knowledge of the principles of fire-stopping.
Evidence requirements
9.1The purpose of fire stopping is explained, and relevant standards identified.
9.2Types of fire-stopping systems, fire-rated barriers, and methods of evaluation and testing them are described in accordance with industry practice.
9.3Methods of fire-stopping in various situations are described in accordance with industry practice.
Rangebrick, concrete, and concrete block walls; gypsum board walls; lath and plaster walls; combination walls; floor assemblies; floor and ceiling assemblies; structural steel floor units with concrete floor fill and no suspended ceiling; roof and ceiling assemblies; vertical shafts; curtain wall floor to ceiling seals.
Outcome 10
Demonstrate basic knowledge of plans and specifications used in telecommunications building and data cabling.
Evidence requirements
10.1A typical set of plans for a small commercial installation is interpreted in accordance with industry practice.
Rangeinterpreted – correct identification from the plans of type, location, and interconnections of frames, cabinets and other enclosures, cables, cable trays, terminating boxes;
commercial installation – utilising cabling for telephone and data systems, more than one floor.
10.2A typical specification for a small commercial installation is interpreted in accordance with industry practice.
Rangeinterpreted – all practical installation requirements are identified;
commercial installation – utilising cabling for telephone and data systems, more than one floor.
Outcome 11
Demonstrate an awareness of emerging technologies in telecommunications building and data cabling.
Evidence requirements
11.1Emerging technologies are briefly described with reference to purpose, facilities offered, and how the technology will integrate with existing building and data cabling.
Rangeany two emerging technologies which are currently of interest to the industry.
This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by the last date for assessment set out below.
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 30 May 2000 / 31 December 2016
Revision / 2 / 3 April 2001 / 31 December 2016
Rollover and Revision / 3 / 20 April 2006 / 31 December 2016
Review / 4 / 18 July 2013 / 31 December 2016
Rollover / 5 / 17 April 2014 / 31 December 2016
Rollover / 6 / 16 April 2015 / 31 December 2018
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0003
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
The Skills OrganisationSSB Code 100401 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018 / / New Zealand Qualifications Aut