Optical Services Ltd 
UK: 01539 621219
Lucid was originally established to offer the highest quality training in fibre optics, but once our clients found out that most of our trainers also had in-depth knowledge and experience of copper datacoms and copper telecoms training, they started asking us to provide this cable training for them too.
We now happily offer copper datacoms (LAN structured cabling) and copper telecommunications (telecoms outlet to D-side to E-side) training courses. These copper network courses are developed by experts in these fields, and several carry recognised qualifications in copper cabling. All of our copper network cabling courses include Lucid's renowned training manuals, produced to the same exacting standards as our fibre optics training manuals, and we have invested significantly in the latest telecoms and datacoms frames, panels, facilities and test equipment.
Note that the duration of our copper courses can, in most cases, be tailored to the backgrounds and experience of the trainees. This is important for the longer D-side courses where we can do shorter versions for experienced trainees wishing to gain the OCN qualifications, but not always possible with public courses.
Listed below are our more popular copper datacoms and telecoms training courses. If you don't see the copper cabling course that's right for you or your team please contact us.
A 5-day course resulting in a well-respected City & Guilds level 2 award. This is effectively the structured cabling course for the UK, training people in the basics of copper LAN network cabling. Some trainees take this option as an all-round course in structured cabling as a supplement or preparatory course for structured cabling manufacturer courses - often required in order to warranty a structured cable system installation. Details...
Introduction to Structured Cabling1 and 2-day versions covering the basics of modern network cabling, including Cat 5 and Cat 6 cables, connectors and basic testing. This course is an ideal update or refresher course for structured cabling installers who wish to become familiar with the latest developments and standards in structured cabling networks. Details...
Test and Certification of Structured Cabling SystemsNormally a 2-day course, but can be reduced to 1-day if done in conjunction with the above 'introduction' course, or for certain more experienced trainees. Using up to date network cabling testers. The testing of copper structured cabling networks is often the most poorly understood aspect of network cable installation. This course covering cat 5, cat 6 and some aspects of cat 7 testing supplements basic network installation or can serve as a useful refresher for trainees and experienced installers. Details...
An Open College Network (OCN) accredited course at level 2 with a duration from 4-days (mostly assessment and minimal training for more experienced trainees) to around 15-days (for trainees new to cabling). Covers skills required to work as copper telecoms jointers on the BT D-side network. This is currently an area with huge demand for trained staff, and the prospect of a long and rewarding career for hard workers. Details...
D-side refers to the distribution side of the BT telephone exchange, and hence D-side cable jointing is telephone cable jointing with copper cables containing up to 100 pairs of copper wires. These cables are installed underground for new build, but many incumbent telephone operators, like BT in the UK, have a huge overhead D-side cable network that must be maintained. Indeed this distribution side of the network is arguable the most valuable, and so there is a need for cable jointers and poling gangs to replace the telegraph poles.
Since deregulation and privatisation of many traditional telephony companies, there has been a huge reduction in the numbers of people being trained to work on these copper telephone cables. Indeed much of the work on the BT network is now doen by BT contractors, and without long term contracts to justify the investments they have not been able to train the hundreds of new telephone cable jointers and telegraph pole erectors required by the industry.
Lucid's telephone cable jointing training courses and qualifications are a way into this industry and a rewarding career. See our careers page for more information.
An Open College Network (OCN) accredited course at level 3 with a duration from 5-days to around 10-days depending on previous cable test and measurement experience. Covers test, evaluation and analysis skills required to work as copper cable testers or faultsmen on the BT D-side telephone network. Details...