Although this unit is in level 2, it does not count towards the overall qualification. Candidates who decide to complete this unit (No 14: Install and Test Security System Equipment Which Uses Data Transmission Protocols) will get an accreditation that states they have successfully done so.
This unit also appears in Level 3 (Security Systems Technical Services), so candidates with the accreditation who intend to advance to this level can be awarded an exemption from this part. The reason for this is the Level 2 NVQ only expects a technician to install to bells-only and prepare for commission, whereas the Level 3 NVQ expects a technician to connect the transmission systems and commission a system.
The unit itself consists of two elements:
Element 1
The objective is to install the transmission devices and connect them. In order to check the technician’s competencies there are four performance criteria. These are:
All connections to transmission equipment are made in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and requirements.
The technician is expected to connect the signalling device correctly utilising the technical information provided.
All transmission equipment is located and interconnected in accordance with relevant industry standards and codes of practice.
Candidates must be able to demonstrate that they understand current standards and company codes of practice when installing such equipment.
Cabling associated with transmission equipment is fixed and protected in accordance with industry standards and codes of practice.
Current British Standards and codes of practice are expected to be observed where wiring is concerned, particularly where transmission cabling is run between equipment.
Equipment type approval and connection authority for data transmission is confirmed.
Here the assessor will assess if the candidate follows the correct protocol for approval from the alarm receiving centre for connection of the transmission system.
As well as the performance criteria, technicians are required to demonstrate their work covering a range of items. These are:
Protocols The candidate must demonstrate his or her knowledge of current and the most commonly used types of protocols.
Signalling types Here the candidate is expected to demonstrate both series and parallel signalling.
Transmission systems The candidate will be required to have an understanding of types of transmission systems. These are point to point, continuous network, and switched networks.
Transmission media Candidates are expected to have an understanding of the following: hard wire, modem, radio, printers, microwave, computer terminal, infra-red systems.
Power supplies Candidates need to know the requirements of power supply and standards associated with them.
Standards and codes of practice The range is completed by covering the British Standards and codes of practice that affect the installation of transmission systems.
The range attempts to cover all possibilities and a fair spread of that which a candidate will generally cover while installing transmission systems. On some installations candidates will cover work outside the specified range. Although this is extremely useful, the assessor will only be interested in assessing the items listed in the range.
In addition to the performance criteria and range, a candidate will also be expected to demonstrate a certain amount of Technical Knowledge. This is not as daunting as it may sound.
The types of information that a candidate is expected to know are:
What we have been assessing so far only concerns the installation of transmission equipment. In the second element, Test Data Transmission Equipment, the candidate is required to test the system.
To demonstrate this, he or she will be expected to show:
The technical knowledge for this element is very much the same as Element 1, with the added sections of:
In both elements of the unit, an assessor will expect to see these sections completed on four separate occasions – two of which can be simulated or sufficient evidence produced from your previous experiences (don’t forget to start building your portfolio if you intend to start an NVQ).
