[AusNOG] Pokethernet cable tester

[Damien Gardner Jnr]

As it was tought to me, it doesn’t matter what the purpose of the connection is - if you are connecting to fixed cabling (that is, any cable which is fixed in place in *any* way - legally, a patch cable passed through a wall, or passed through conduit or aussieduct becomes fixed cabling.), the device being connected must be Austel Approved (these days they call it the A-Tick, and they’ve just introduced the ‘RCM’  (http://www.acma.gov.au/Industry/Suppliers/Supplier-resources/Supplier-overview/compliance-marks).. 

The biggest problem is the definition of where it starts and ends is too open ended.. Back when i was doing my bridging from Electrical to get my comms cabling license, I asked my lecturer where it should stop.. Thinking specifically of the case of my Ham radio APRS iGate sitting at work, where we went DDS -> router -> switch -> server -> modem -> radio -> antenna cabling -> antenna.  The lecturer’s take on it was that as it was all going over the PSTN, then ALL cabling needed to be done by a licensed cabler.   

I emailed the ACMA compliance bureau to ask about it, and got a phone call back, with the fellow explaining that he didn’t want to put the response in writing, as going by the legislation, it would require a licensed cabler, but in practice, they wouldn’t expect the antenna cabling, as they considered the comms cabling stopped at the point of the server.

I guess that’s the main point - unless you screw up, you’re safe.. but if you should happen to screw up and take out something on the PSTN, then if your gear doesn’t have the A-tick, you’re in the crapper..

Though I haven’t been overly active in going on 10 years now, so it’s all quite likely (hopefully!) changed :)

Cheers,

DG


On 2 Feb 2014, at 12:33 pm, Andrew Cox <andrew.cox at bigair.net.au> wrote:

> As someone who won't be using it for cabling certification/repair but simply fault finding/layer 2 testing does that still apply?
> 
> I might tag a supplier I know and see if they can tell me any better. The bluetooth part I imagine has to comply with some standard, but presumably they're using an off the shelf module that would already be approved (I'll see what more I can find out and get back to you all). I'll also hit up ACMA directly for some info. 
> 
> Cheers,
> Andrew
> 
> 
> On 2 February 2014 11:29, Damien Gardner Jnr <rendrag at rendrag.net> wrote:
> 
> On 2 Feb 2014, at 12:26 pm, Matt Perkins <matt at spectrum.com.au> wrote:
> 
> > Austel hasn't been around for about 10 years and the ACMA typically don't require test equipment to be approved. Is your multi meter approved ? Your F-set ? TDR?
> 
> Yes, they are!  Granted, they’re all more than 10 years old though..
> 
> 
> > It's not for permanent connection to the PSTN in any case.
> >
> 
> I was of the understanding that anything we connect to the PSTN must be approved, whether it’s temporary or permanent?  I’m happy to be proven wrong though? Would make life a lot easier!
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> DG
> 

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