Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
tices, has vast experience with a wide variety of cabling components, and has a
working-level knowledge of the appropriate installation standards. The cabling
technician should know how to install all of the cabling components and support-
ing structures used in LAN wiring. This includes general experience with most types
of cabling devices, from plugs and jacks to patch panels and cross-connects.
A cabling technician should know the proper workmanship procedures,
including those practices that are crucial to proper operation of the higher wiring
categories. This person should be able to design and install simple cabling systems
that will meet all applicable performance specifications. In addition to installation
tasks, the cabling technician should be an expert with the appropriate cable scan-
ning gear, and should be able to quickly diagnose and remedy link failures. This is
the person who will generally supervise and informally train the cabling installer,
described in the next section.
A cabling technician typically has considerable experience and training in cable
installation, and will often be a current or former lead installer. This person will often
order the cabling components, select the appropriate components for each stage of
the job, supervise installers, inspect each stage of the job, direct or perform link test-
ing, and act as the main point of contact with the customer during the job. In many
ways, there is a good degree of overlap between the experienced cabling installer and
the cabling technician. The level of knowledge, experience, organization skills, and
people skills are probably what most differentiate the two job categories.
Training and certification testing for the cabling technician are more extensive
than for the installer. This job level is relied on for expertise, rather than just com-
petency. Consequently, the training programs emphasize this top-end knowledge in
all aspects of cabling technology.
This is the person who makes the decisions about components and techniques
to use for plenums, firestops, grounding and bonding, cable management, and
worker safety on a daily basis. For the most part, the training programs leave the
people skills to the individual or to management. But they do an excellent job of
transferring technical knowledge.
Cabling Installer
The entry level to cabling technology is the cabling installer. Actually, this level may
encompass several steps in knowledge and experience. Many of the training pro-
grams recognize these steps by dividing this job category into two or more levels.
The distinguishing characteristics of the cabling installer, as compared to the
cabling technician, are the level of knowledge and experience and the need for super-
vision in the overall job. The beginning installer may essentially be merely a helper,
