Certified Network Cable Installer (CNCI®)

Upcoming CNCI® Dates

Program Overview

Demonstrate the highest levels of knowledge, skills and competency in network cable infrastructure. Undertake copper and fibre cabling installation, termination and testing to the highest quality whilst complying to industry best practice and standards to ensure a right first-time approach.

The Certified Network Cable Installer (CNCI®) has become the industry preferred certification for network cable installation and is specified as a requirement on many job profiles and installation project contracts. In addition, manufacturers, major installation companies, associations and consultants endorse the certification, knowing that it provides the right level of technical knowledge, competence and confidence to the industry. In recognition of the CNCI® certification, many manufacturers also award accreditations towards their product warranties.

The comprehensive ten-day program offers the perfect mix of technical knowledge and practical activities for both copper and fibre component installation, termination and testing. Official CNCI® certification proves that an individual is certified to undertake network cable infrastructure projects to the highest calibre whilst working to the current national and international industry standards and industry best practice. During the program learners will be provided a valuable opportunity to access the latest industry standards.

Having successfully completed this program, and with the appropriate level of experience, it is highly recommended that you continue your professional development by advancing your knowledge and skills to gain further official certifications and qualifications by progressing through The Global Digital Infrastructure Education Framework which maps education programs to career advancement throughout the network infrastructure and data centre sectors.

The CNCI® program is classroom-based and led by one of CNet’s expert Instructors.

Introduction to Structured Cabling

  • Cable media types
  • Network topologies
  • Categories

LAN Hardware

  • PCs, switches, routers

Installing Structured Cabling

  • National and international standards
  • Interpreting drawings
  • Risk evaluation
  • Working in containment routes
  • Cable installation, cable termination
  • Tool and equipment selection

Network Overview

  • What is a network?
  • Characteristics of a network
  • Resource sharing

Signal Theory

  • Electrical principals
  • DC current principals
  • Analogue vs digital

Health & Safety

  • Legislation
  • Workplace risk
  • Electrical safety
  • Working at heights
  • Working in confined spaces

Standards

  • Why standards?
  • Standards bodies BSI, ISO, CENELEC, TIA/EIA
  • Categories and classes

Fire Safety

  • Why fire stop?
  • Types of fire stopping
  • Three pillars of fire stopping
  • Construction Product Regulation (CPR)

Documentation & Labelling

  • Floor plans
  • Naming conventions
  • Symbols
  • Records

Testing & Commissioning

  • Continuity testing
  • Certification/acceptance testing
  • Level IV testing
  • Saving of results to database
  • O&M manuals

Practical

  • Patch cord manufacture
  • Cable installation
  • Termination techniques UTP/STP
  • Patch panel/outlet termination, Cat 5e/Cat6

Fluke CCTT (Copper)

  • Copper certification (DSX)
  • Set up DSX
  • Test using DSX
  • Troubleshoot
  • Test standards/limits
  • DSX Diagnostics
  • HDTDX and HDTDR

Safely Working with Fibre/General safety

  • LED, VCSEL, laser safety
  • Fibre preparation hazards, disposal of sharps
  • Hazardous substances
  • OSP safety, pits, gas detection
  • General safety

Network Overview

  • History of fibre
  • Advantages
  • What is a network?
  • Benefits of a network
  • Topologies
  • Why a network?

Hardware

  • Cable construction
  • LED, VCSEL, laser sources
  • Switches, routers, media convertors

Theory of Light Transmission

  • Optical windows
  • Electromagnetic spectrum
  • Transmission
  • Media choice

Cable

  • Construction
  • Choice of cable
  • Installation practices
  • Patchcords

Enclosures

  • ODF
  • 19” Splice tray
  • Slack fibre management, protection, patch field

Standards

  • Standards bodies ISO, CENELEC, TIA/EIA
  • Classifications
  • Application distances

Connectors

  • Connector types
  • Functionality
  • Density (SFF)

Outside Plant (OSP)

  • Fibre backbone in the LAN
  • Hardware
  • Media choice

Fibre Splicing

  • Safety
  • Fusion Splicer Setup and operation
  • Singlemode programs
  • Multimode programs
  • Splicing in patch panels

Fibre Termination

  • Safety
  • Pigtail manufacture
  • Techniques, cold cure, mechanical splice, fusion splice
  • End-face inspection techniques

Fluke CCTT (Fibre)

  • Tier 1 fibre certification (CertiFiber® Pro)
  • Tier 2 fibre certification (OptiFiber® Pro)
  • Encircled Flux (EF)
  • End Face Inspection
  • Set a reference
  • OTDR event types
  • OptiFiber® Pro link testing

The CNCI® program is 10 days in duration, however it can be split into two units and taken separately:

  • Certified Network Cable Installer – Copper Cabling is a 5 day unit
  • Certified Network Cable Installer – Fibre Optic Cabling is a 5 day unit

The CNCI® program is perfect for individuals wishing to acquire the very latest skills and knowledge to enable them to complete both copper and fibre cable installation projects to the highest standards. It is relevant to new entrants to the network cable infrastructure sector in addition to those already working within the cable installation environment wishing to formalise their knowledge and skills.

No previous experience is required to attend this program.

Learners are required to have:

  • A laptop or suitable device with unrestricted wireless internet connectivity and a pre-installed web browser
  • A suitable application for opening and reading PDFs. Typically, your device's in-built PDF reader is sufficient

Successful learners will have the knowledge and skills to confidently install, test and certify a complete copper and fibre cable installation. This forms part of the entry level requirement into the Global Digital Infrastructure Education Framework which allows learners to progress their knowledge, education and skills in line with their career within these fast moving industries. View The Global Digital Infrastructure Education Framework.

  • Internationally and industry recognised Pearson BTEC Level 3 Award in Certified Network Cable Installer (Copper)
  • Internationally and industry recognised Pearson BTEC Level 3 Award in Certified Network Cable Installer (Optical Fibre)
  • Official Certified Network Cable Installer (CNCI®) certification
  • Use of the CNCI post nominal title, e.g. Martin Smith CNCI
  • Use of the official CNCI® digital badge
  • Use of the CNCI® logo
  • Become an elite certified network cable installer
  • Demonstrate the highest levels of knowledge, skills and expertise in network infrastructure installation
  • Confidently install copper and fiber cable correctly in accordance with industry best practice and in compliance with national and international standards
  • Demonstrate a sound knowledge of personal health and safety risks and take practical steps to mitigate them
  • Become proficient at selecting the correct products to effectively construct pathways and containment systems to support cable infrastructure
  • Install copper and fibre network cable infrastructure projects on time and within budget, maximising profit potential
  • Possess the skills and aptitude to test and certify installed copper and fibre cable infrastructure in accordance with the correct test criteria
  • Gain competitive edge and add value to tender responses with a certified and qualified workforce
  • Knowledge that employees have a full and rounded knowledge in network infrastructure installation, improving competency and productivity
  • Reduced time and material wastage as employees are equipped to carry out tasks in an accurate and timely manner
  • Deliver infrastructure installation projects to the highest quality standards resulting in increased client satisfaction and potential repeat business
  • Confidence that health and safety best practice is being employed, mitigating the risk of potential red card action or loss of time due to injuries
  • Reassurance that capacity limits are not exceeded, therefore ensuring value for money and conformance to client requirements
  • Meet contractual requirements reducing sign off and project hand over times
  • Ensures that network infrastructure is fully serviceable and meets the transmission requirements of the network
Managing Director, LMG
“LMG and CNet Training began a collaboration using the CNCI® program some time ago to bring infrastructure working practices into the business and test competency of engineering standards in a practical setting. Now our engineers are fully prepared for any future solution when on site and have the confidence and knowledge so critical in this market. In our experience the synergy between sound business ethics, good training practices and adaptive partnership has enabled strong, sustainable and ethical business development.”
Managing Director, NG Bailey’s IT Services Division
“NG Bailey IT Services are very excited about our partnership with CNet Training. The CNCI® program will support our business direction and ultimately further enhance our “best in class” service to our clients in the future”
Operations Director, Redstone Converged Solutions
“Our team is highly qualified and we understand that constant training and development is key to helping them deliver every time for our customers. CNet Training’s CNCI® program provides the perfect opportunity for us to get behind a recognised certification that provides the right level of technical knowledge and gives reassurance to customers. The feedback we have had from our staff that have attended the CNCI® program has been excellent, even those with lots of experience have found the program challenging and rewarding.”
Head of Physical Infrastructure, Computacenter
“At Computacenter we are delighted that the CNCI® program will bring a defined and appropriate level of competence, and therefore confidence, that is much needed. Whilst we feel we offer the highest levels of service today, the CNet Training program brings an industry recognised certification that will demonstrate both capability and credibility and we welcome it.”
Technical Director, iDaC Solutions
“To become a Datwyler Installation Partner delegates can attend the CNCI® program, carried out by CNet Training and just a 2 hour Datwyler accreditation.”
Technical Manager, Maxxam Cabling Solutions
“I am pleased to confirm that Maxxam Cabling Solutions endorses the CNCI® certification. Furthermore, I can confirm that we will accept companies who have a minimum of two engineers that have successfully completed the CNCI® program on to the Maxxam Installer Partner program without the need for them to complete any further formal training.”
ECA Head of Specialist Groups, ECA
“The CNCI® program provides a high standard of learning and working practices as required by today’s network cabling professional. This enables contractors to demonstrate their competence, apply the appropriate standards and offer a good level of assurance to their clients. The program also facilitates entry to most leading manufacturer partner programmes, providing the fundamental knowledge and skill base without the need for further duplication of training, reducing the cost burden to ECA members. The ECA backs this CNCI® formal training initiative and will continue to work closely with CNet Training to influence, support and represent this important growing sector.”
Marketing Manager, Mayflex
“The CNCI® incorporates the Excel System Installation program, eliminating the need for individuals to attend the 2-day Excel program and just take the Excel Online training element.”
Global Field Marketing Manager, Fluke Networks
“The CNCI® incorporates the Fluke Versiv™ CCTT program providing full certification.”
CommScope Infrastructure Academy
“The CommScope Infrastructure Academy recognises that industry based training and apprentice schemes, where students benefit from practical ‘hands-on’ instruction, play a vital role in raising the skill levels of field personnel across the industry. Installer training schemes such as CNet Training’s CNCI® cover much of the general cabling installation techniques, codes and guidelines. CNCI® certified individuals can utilise CommScope’s Infrastructure Academy’s Flexible Course Facility to modify the installation training rather than attend the 2-day installation course.”
UC Connect – Product Manager, Draka
“The CNCI® program is an acceptable certification when applying for the UC Connect programme.”
Global Manager – Customer Solutions and Support, Molex
“Molex Premise Networks recognises the CNCI® program as an acceptable certification for structure cabling installers who are wishing to become a Molex Business Partner who can offer our 25 Year System Performance and Application Assurance Warranty. The CNCI® certification would reduce the Molex training requirements to a minimal online only course.”
Managing Director, Matrix Cabling
“Matrix Cabling recognises and endorses the CNCI® as an ideal qualification for existing experienced installers. Installers who have successfully completed this course are able to register to become a Matrix Cabling Approved Installer, whereby they can offer a 25 year warranty, on all Matrix registered installations.”
  • Certified Integrated Infrastructure Technician (CIIT®) – designed for those wishing to extend their technical knowledge, further develop practical skill sets, with an aim to achieve a broader technical level capability, supported by professional qualification and certification
  • Certified Wireless Infrastructure Technician (CWIT®) – designed for individuals experienced within the network infrastructure installation environment wishing to extend their hands-on practical skills, knowledge, qualifications and certifications in relation to generic wireless installation within diverse environments
  • Certified Outside Plant Technician (COPT®) – designed for individuals experienced within the network cabling installation environment wishing to extend their hands-on practical skills, knowledge, qualifications and certifications in relation to fibre optic technology and infrastructure in the external environment
  • Certified Network Infrastructure Technician (CNIT®) – for individuals within the network cabling installation environment wishing to extend their hands on practical skills, knowledge, qualifications and certifications in relation to cable installation within different environments
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