FAQ’s

Background:

The ECS card scheme was  originally introduced as an affiliate to the CSCS card scheme a number of years ago. Its principle aim is to provide proof of the professional qualifications held by the individual and that there was a basic understanding of health and safety in the workplace.

There are a number of affiliate CSCS card schemes in use; ECS was for period of time, the only identification and competency card scheme for installers in England and Wales.

Please note that the ECS Datacomms Card will has been withdrawn and it is now known as the Network Infrastructure Installer. Please be assured that we are here to help you: navigating the complexities of getting the right card can be both time consuming and extremely frustrating. We can help you so that you can prove your identity, your “qualification status” and your occupational competency, and crucially, your skills.  The ECS Card Scheme is simply affiliated to the construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS).

So when people say that you need a CSCS card: all you are applying for is an affiliated card scheme.

Total Comms Training has a pedigree going back some 25 years and has long been recognised as the leading provider of qualifications for the communications cabling installation industry: whether its datacabling or fibre optics.

The ECS card scheme was amended and completely overhauled in 2020 and as a result, ALL of the City ad Guilds 3668 qualifications at both Level 2 and at Level 3 are FULLY recognised by ECS.

Total Comms Training are able to confidently provide delegates with an unrivalled service to ensure that you get the right card that matches your skills and experience.

In order to work on a site that is deemed a construction site, it recommended that ALL personnel hold an affiliated CSCS card.

Total Comms Training is accredited to deliver the full RQF portfolio of level 2 and level 3 awards designed to meet the performance criteria as demanded by all CSCS affiliated card schemes.. Applicants will also be required to undertake a health and safety assessment examination, provide evidence of their industry experience and such evidence may require letters from employers in support of the application.

In summary, delegates wishing to obtain a ECS/ (CSCS affiliated) card, they MUST successfully undertake the FULL 3668-02 award – this includes the core module (201) , one of the fibre optic modules (202) or the module covering copper cabling (203)

If you require the Network Infrastructure Installer (Level 3) – then you MUST complete the FULL City and Guilds 3668-03 Level 3 award: this comprises of 2 core modules, and one or more of the optional modules.

For more information or clarification of what qualifications you need, please contact us on our main enquiry telephone number (UK only) 0800 170 7007

Structured Cabling Systems, Structured Wiring or Network Cabling all refer to the cabling and components installed in a logical, compatible and of course, an organised way!

Designed to be independent of the type of active equipment that essentially “plugs” into the network, structured cabling offers a truly universal way of connecting computers, printers and other active devices together.

A structured cabling system can use the same cabling system for everything. That means that Ethernet networked devices, VoiP telephony, printers, access control, BMS, CCTV and much more, can all successfully utilise structured cabling.

A well designed and installed structured cabling system will give many years of service and as such, can be seen as an investment that will last for the long term.

As structured cabling references BS standards, EN standards, as well as international standards, users are assured that Ethernet applications and hardware will essentially work,: but the associated cabling MUST be installed correctly and tested to prove its verify performance. That means that even if the cabling and components are from different manufacturers, they are all compatible with each other.

There is a great deal of confusion among cabling installers, cabling technicians and customers, who are faced with the choice of purchasing Cat5e/Class D, Cat6/Class E or Cat6a/Class Ea. Some of this confusion comes from a misunderstandings of how cabling performance is defined by the active equipment that will be utilising the structured cabling system. In the belief that a CAT6 cabling system will give them an “all gigabit” network, many companies have had upgrades on their cabling systems, based purely on the assumption that the “network will be faster” – sadly, this is not the case.

Unless every single network interface card, every component and every switch in the network is gigabit rated, then you will never have a gigabit network, because your network will always run at the speed of your slowest device.

Cat5e cabling system is capable of supporting gigabit – it just cannot be “certified” for this use. By comparison, Cat6 is designed specifically for gigabit, and as such, is certified to operate at the requisite capacity, but do remember that all patch cords, outlets, patch panels must all be rated at Cat6.

Essentially, fibre optic cable is made out of a extremely pure silca or glass; this glass comprises of a “core” is itself encapsulated within a second layer of glass called the ‘cladding’. The cladding is designed to provide a “guide” for the light. Bare fibre looks to the naked eye, like one solid piece of glass.

By sending millions/billions of pulses of light every second, fibre optic cable has much greater bandwith and is designed to transmit or carry far more information, for longer distances, in less time than conventional copper cabling, such as Cat5e or Cat6 or even the higher capacity Cat6a media. Furthermore fibre optic cable is totally secure, they are not affected by adjacent electrical cables, or for that matter affected by radio interference.

Yes it is! – Total Comms Training Limited is a fully approved City and Guilds Centre. In addition, we are active members of the Fibre Optics Industries Association, achieving several certifications including FIA Approved Training Provider at all levels. All of our trainers hold the A1 Assessors award.