It’s Silly Season Time
For many people, the festive season is an exciting time to connect with others and celebrate. But financial issues, family conflict and loneliness can increase stress for people with anxiety or depression in the lead up to Christmas and the new year. If you’re feeling alone or lonely, it is important to reach out and talk to someone. Beyond Blue have a range of resources to help cope with the silly season.
Read more here on coping with Christmas.
An Introduction to Smart Homes
On Wednesday, 10 February 2021, CEDIA is holding two 3-hour introductory seminars on the opportunities available to Registered Cablers looking to enter the home automation sector.
Comprising a morning and afternoon session, of which cablers only need to attend one, our instructors will introduce registered cablers to CEDIA, the home automation industry and the opportunities within it, and provide insight into the training options available in Australia.
The cost of this session is $79 for ACRS members and $99 for non-members.
Smart Home Week 2021
Following the introductory session, CEDIA is introducing ‘Smart Home Week’, which consists of four full days of comprehensive training and education in home automation technologies.
This week would expose Registered Cablers to the ins and outs of home automation technologies, while giving them the confidence they need to incorporate this skill into their business offering, expanding their business and revenue opportunities. After completing the four days of training, attendees will also be ready to sit the CEDIA Cabling & Infrastructure Technician (CIT) Certification exam, which can be done online or at one of the 12 Kryterion examination centres in six states.
The training will be conducted in Hallam, Victoria.
The current proposed date is 22-25 June 2021, which allows plenty of time for facilities to reopen in the wake of COVID-19 and for CEDIA to roll-out its new certification program. This also means ACRS members will be among the first people to experience the new education offering in Australia, giving them a competitive edge in this fast-growing industry.
The proposed cost structure for this one-week course (including four days of training, catering and a CIT textbook) is:
· $999 for Smart Home Week (*$1,199 for non-members)
- $200 for CIT exam coupon (*optional)
- $0 for CIT textbook (RRP: $AU150)
If the participant attended the Introduction to Smart Homes session in February, their $79/$99 fee will be credited against the cost of attending Smart Home Week.
Books and other training resources will be available to purchase during the event at CEDIA member pricing, should the participant wish to pursue future certifications. Further, ACRS members who cannot make it to Smart Home Week can purchase these textbooks at CEDIA member pricing.
If you would like to know more, or to register your interest, visit https://cedia.net/smart-home-week or email pskelton@cedia.org
Most recently, CEDIA has revealed the winners of the 2020 CEDIA Asia Pacific Awards. To view case studies of all the finalists, check out the CEDIA Awards Yearbook: https://issuu.com/cedia2/docs/cedia_awards_apac_yearbook_2020_final
Do you have the mandated ACMA Competencies?
Cabling for phone lines & systems, NBN, internet, cat5e & cat6 data cable, TV & antennas, fibre, CCTV, security and audio systems within Australia requires a registered ACMA certified technician to perform installation or maintenance on residential and commercial structures.
ACMA requirement is that, any technician who works on telephone line cabling and structures MUST have an OPEN registration and competencies when working with specialised cabling.
For data cables an endorsed STRUCTURED competency is required.
For TV, MATV and satellite a COAXIAL competency is required.
For fibre cables a FIBRE competency is required.
For testing a TESTING competency is required.
Cablers follow strict guidelines set out by the ACMA Cabling Provider Rules to ensure compliance and safety is to standards.
a data cable cannot have cross over or contact an electrical cable as there are separation rules and guidelines that must be in place to maintain safety.
Are Electricians Approved?
Not every Electrician holds a cabling registration, however some hold both.
An electrical licence is not a licence to allow data cabling, they must have a separate ACMA cabling registration.
If you want to run a new data cable you will require an OPEN registration with Structured competency.
If you wish to complete any relevant competencies, please contact your NECA training centre who will offer you expert advice in selecting the relevant course that suits your needs or click here for a full list of RTO’s Australia wide.
NECA Training NSW 02 9188 4424
NECA Education & Careers VIC 03 9381 1922
College of Electrical Training (CET) Joondalup WA 08 9233 5000
College of Electrical Training (CET) Jandakot WA 08 6595 6600
Once you complete your competency training, you can upgrade your registration simply by completing an ‘Upgrade of Registration’ form. Complete the form and submit it along with your new Statement of Results to ACRS via email or post. A new updated card and a certificate will then be sent to your postal address.
Dangers of working in ceiling spaces
A telecommunications worker received burns when he came into contact with a rodent-damaged cable while installing CCTV in a ceiling space. The exact cause of the incident is still being investigated.
This is a stark reminder of the hidden dangers of working in ceiling spaces. If you need to work in a ceiling or roof space, make sure you turn off all the main power switches at the switchboard first.
Even with the power off at the switchboard, avoid contact with electrical cables and equipment as some circuits, like service lines and solar PV cables, will still be live.
It is a good idea to use torches and cordless tools so you don’t need power when you’re working in the ceiling space.
Ceiling space hazards:
- solar PV systems have supply cables that may be live during daylight hours
- battery energy storage systems and uninterruptable power supply systems may have live cables
- damaged electrical cables or equipment
- insulation material covering electrical fittings or equipment (unless the electrical equipment is designed to be covered by insulation such as an IC-4 rated luminaire)
- heat, working at height, dangerous vermin, sharp objects and asbestos containing materials.
Learn more about working on roofs and in ceiling spaces .
What the changes to AS/NZS 3000:2018 mean for electrical safety
WiFi security in the home
These days just about every homeowner is hooked on WiFi as it provides a level of flexibility that a physically wired connection can’t and will never be able to offer. However, along with the flexibility of WiFi comes another consideration: Security.
Do you know your WEP from your WPA3? If not, click here to find out more.
What IoT means for you
As more appliances, electronics and common household items become internet of things (IoT) enabled, there is an increasing demand for solid, reliable connectivity within the home, presenting new work opportunities for the registered cabler.
Click here to learn about new growth in this space relating to all sorts of wired and wireless technologies.
Installation requirements for Customer Cabling (Wiring rules AS/CA S009:2020)
This industry standard explains the installation and maintenance practices that you must follow.
It covers the requirements for fixed or concealed cabling or equipment that is connected, or is intended to be connected, to a telecommunications network.
The industry standard AS/CA S009: 2020 was published on 20 August 2020.
An 18 month transitional period commenced on that date during which time the AS/CA S009: 2013 industry standard can still also be used.
ACRS Staff and Management wishes you a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2021!
We hope you have a safe and relaxing holiday season full of peace, joy, and happiness with your family and friends.
The ACRS office is closed from 23rd December and re opens 11th January 2021.
Useful Links
ACRS www.acrs.com.au
Registered Cablers website www.registeredcablers.com.au
Dial before you dig www.1100.com.au
A2A and Network Boundary Issues www.telstra.com.au/smartcommunity/mybuilder.html nbn™ www.nbnco.com.au
ACMA www.acma.gov.au
ACMA Complaints line www.acma.gov.au/Industry/Telco/Infrastructure/Cabling-rules/cabling-complaints
Communications Alliance www.commsalliance.com.au
Smart wired www.registeredcablers.com.au/smart-home-news.html .