Designer Level 1 Certification Guide
Designer Level 1 Certification
The Designer Level 1 Certification is for those designers who are prepare schemes for the installation of cabling, components and devices for low-voltage electronics in residential applications. This includes home theatre, audio, video, home automation, radio frequency, telephone and data networks. The prior technical knowledge for this examination is the Installer Level 1 curriculum and experience.
The Curriculum
The key areas of the curriculum are set out below with the examination weighting:
- Installer Level 1 (pre knowledge) 15%
- Needs Analysis 10%
- Design Documentation 20%
- Project Design 50%
- Design Management 5%
Please note that the exam will assume some practical knowledge that is not taught through the ESD course structure.
1 Needs Analysis
The ability of the designer to initiate a design through:
1.1 Understanding the scope of the designer’s role and responsibility within a project; understanding how the designer fits into a project team;
1.2 Understanding the use of a formal evaluation/survey process in order to establish the parameters of the project
1.3 Reading and understanding drawings, construction techniques and building regulations to deliver a design; including Health and Safety, Building regulations and Disability Discrimination Act;
1.4 Creating a design within a budgetary framework;
1.5 Collaborate and communicate the needs and specifications with others;
1.6 Communicate design options, to finalise the system and obtain design approval from client.
2 Design Documentation
The ability of the designer to present the design through:
2.1 Generating equipment lists and detail specifications for others to use; use of detailed technical knowledge as specified in Project Design below;
2.2 Generating plans and create positional drawings, schematic drawings, room layouts, elevation and section drawings and 3D walkthrough as appropriate;
2.3 Creating wiring schedules and schematic diagrams;
2.4 Generating an Audio/Video and Control schematic which shows signal paths, signal types, connectors and power in order to troubleshoot and illustrate signal flow;
2.5 Compiling Operation and Maintenance Manuals, as-built drawings that reflect actual installation conditions;
2.6 Understanding documentation required for use by other contractors - Health and Safety, Risk Analysis and in conjunction with the Project Team
3 Project Design
The ability of the designer to use relevant technical knowledge in the following areas:
3.1 Access Control
3.2 Acoustics
3.3 CCTV
3.4 Control Systems
3.5 Home Cinema
3.6 HVAC
3.7 Data Networks
3.7.1 Networking infrastructure – wired and wireless
3.7.2 Internet Protocols (IP)
3.8 Lighting design and control
3.9 Multi-room Audio
3.10 Security
3.11 Telephony
3.12 Video Distribution
3.12.1 Baseband
3.12.2 Broadband
3.12.3 Digital
3.12.4 High Definition
3.13 Understanding the designer’s role and responsibility to communicate and establish parameters of work with subcontractors and within the Project Team;
3.14 Define the scope of the control system for programming and user interface design.
4 Design Management
The ability of a designer to deliver the system through to completion by:
4.1 Reacting to changes in the design brief and implementing proper design modifications;
4.2 Reacting to changes in technology and product development and make changes as warranted;
4.3 Appraising prototypes and mockups in order to confirm compliance with the design;
4.4 Maintain communications with all relevant parties to ensure continuing design compliance;
4.5 Validate system performance and functionality with on-site test to compliance with design;
Recommended Training Courses:
CEDIA Education Curriculum Pathway
Requirements for Maintaining Your Designer Level I Certification:
The Designer Level I Certification is awarded for a 36 month period. To maintain the active status, prior to the conclusion of the 36 month period, a Certified Professional Installer Level I must be able to provide documentation to prove that 30 Continuing Education Units (CEU) have been obtained and these must be approved by CEDIA Education.
Guidelines for Communicating Your Status:
An individual who passes the Installer Level I examination will attain the status of “CEDIA Certified Professional, Designer Level I” (CCPDI). If desired, the individual may use the abbreviated version of “Individual’s Name, CCPD1” on there business cards, letterhead and other documentation.
Professional Certification is granted to an individual; therefore, they, not the company, retains the credential as long as they maintain the continuing education requirements for CCPD1 and are working for a CEDIA Company Member. In marketing materials and other documentation, companies are allowed to identify that they have CEDIA Certified Professionals on staff; however, materials should not indicate that the company is “CEDIA Certified.”
Education Department
Local (p) 1 800 606 141
International (p) +61 (02) 9666 1677
(f) +61 (02) 9666 9263
(e) education@cedia.com.au
