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Career Details : Central Office and PBX Installers and Repairers

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Description

Test, analyze, and repair telephone or telegraph circuits and equipment at a central office location using test meters and hand tools. Analyze and repair defects in communications equipment on customers' premises using circuit diagrams, polarity probes, meters, and a telephone test set. May install equipment.

Experience

A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Education

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Tasks

  • Removes and remakes connections on wire distributing frame to change circuit layout, following diagrams.
  • Routes cables and trunk lines from entry points to specified equipment, following diagrams.
  • Tests circuits and components of malfunctioning telecommunication equipment to isolate source of malfunction, using test instruments and circuit diagrams.
  • Tests and adjusts installed equipment to ensure circuit continuity and operational performance, using test instruments.
  • Repairs or replaces defective components, such as switches, relays, amplifiers, and circuit boards, using hand tools and soldering iron.
  • Connects wires to equipment, using hand tools, soldering iron, or wire wrap gun.
  • Installs preassembled or partially assembled switching equipment, switchboards, wiring frames, and power apparatus according to floor plans.
  • Analyzes test readings, computer printouts, and trouble reports to determine method of repair.
  • Retests repaired equipment to ensure that malfunction has been corrected.
  • Enters codes to correct programming of electronic switching systems.

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    Important Abilities

    General Work Activities

    Important Skills

    Frequent Work Context

    • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
    • Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
    • Consequence of Error
    • Indoors
    • Sitting
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