Telecommunications Line Installer Job Description

A Telecommunications Line Installer strings and repairs telephone and television cable, including fiber optics and other equipment for transmitting messages or television programming.

Primary Objectives:

• The Telecommunications Line Installer strings the line or repairs the existing lines to make sure that communication is not broken for the customer.
• The Telecommunications Line Installer inspects and test lines and cables, recording and analyzing test results, to assess transmission characteristics and locate faults and malfunctions.
• The Telecommunication Line Installer is responsible to install equipment such as amplifiers and repeaters in order to maintain the strength of communications transmissions.

The job tasks for the Telecommunications Line Installer are many and varied as his responsibility grows with his job. The Telecommunications Line Installer must access specific areas to string lines and install terminal boxes, auxiliary equipment and appliances, using bucket trucks, or by climbing poles and ladders or entering tunnels or trenches, or crawl spaces. The importance of accessing these areas is vital so a Telecommunications Line Installer must be very agile in order to crawl, climb, or stretch to meet the requirements of his job. Also must be able to carry heavy loads since they need to carry heavy cable wires and equipment.

The Telecommunications Line Installer inspects and tests lines and cables, recordings and analyzing test results to assess transmission characteristics and locate faults and malfunctions. The Telecommunications Line Installers must have the capability to troubleshoot and locate any operating errors and deciding what to do about it. He must perform routine maintenance on equipment and determine when and what kind of maintenance is needed. The Telecommunications Line Installer is responsible for the installation of equipment such as amplifiers and repeaters in order to maintain the strength of communications transmissions.

The Telecommunications Line Installer will lay underground cable directly in trenches, or string it through conduits running through trenches. He must be able to crawl in small spaces whenever it is necessary or climb high on poles or buildings. The Telecommunication Line Installer has access to electronic test equipment which he uses too test signal strength from utility poles. It is very important that he knows the signal strength that is being received before he proceeds to install equipment inside of a building or the home of a resident. In this manner he can make sure that everything is working right before he actually installs connections inside a home or business.

The Telecommunications Line Installer must place insulation over conductors and seal splices with moisture proof covering. This is vital to protect the lines from the weather conditions and from animals that might try to chew into the lines. Sometimes when there is a problem for the customer in receiving a signal the Telecommunications Line Installer needs to actually follow the outside line in order to establish where the problem maybe since it might be a matter of a break due to an animal or weather related. In other instances it could be a problem relating to the internal wiring and special test equipment is available that the Telecommunications Line Installer uses to detect these problems. Often the Telecommunications Line Installers need to pull up cable by hand from large reels mounted on trucks. Then the Telecommunication Line Installers pulls the lines through the ducts by hand or with winches. The Telecommunication Line Installer must have a great strength in his arm and shoulder muscles in order to do this activity.

The Telecommunication Line Installer sets up service for customers, installing, connecting, testing and adjusting equipment. When additional cable is needed the Telecommunication Line Installer splices cable lines adding more cable then using hand tools and epoxy or mechanical equipment will seal off the line so that there will be no problems in reception to the resident or business. The Telecommunication Line Installer must travel to customer’s premises to install, maintain, and repair audio and visual electronic reception equipment and accessories.

The Telecommunication Line Installer uses a variety of construction equipment to complete installations, including digger derricks, trenchers, and cable plows. He must clean and maintain these tools and any test equipment necessary for his job. He computes impedance of wires from poles to houses in order to determine additional resistance needed for reducing signals to desired levels. He will dig holes for power poles, using power augers or shovels, set poles in place with cranes, and hoist poles upright, using winches. The Telecommunication Line Installers must dig holes for underground wires and make trenches for the wires and cables. He must explain the cable service to subscribers after installation and collect any installation fees that are due.

Degrees and Training to Become a Telecommunications Line Installer

• Telecommunications Degree

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