The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to evaluate microprocessor devices, machines and processes for safety, economy and fitness for purpose.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently:

identify and assess compliance with WHS and regulatory requirements, and risk management procedures

review dangers and effects of electricity on humans

identify microprocessor related systems and components, integrating principles and techniques

assess suitability of programming

investigate sustainability implications of microprocessor related applications

assess and apply basic electrical and electronic, control principles, controller programming principles and techniques, software basic analysis, and graphics skills and techniques

evaluate components of applications against application specifications for safety, economy and fitness for purpose

report and document results.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit may be assessed on the job, off the job or a combination of both on and off the job. Where assessment occurs off the job, then a simulated working environment must be used where the range of conditions reflects realistic workplace situations. The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.

Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Method of assessment

Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the MEM05 Metal and Engineering Training Package.

Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of underpinning knowledge.

Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on underpinning knowledge to ensure correct interpretation and application.

Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process.

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is not only able to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.

Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency where required.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Required skills

Required skills include:

identifying features and functions of microcontroller systems, including:

components

system integrating principles and techniques

signal conditioning and power interfacing

networking and system supervision, data acquisition and systems control options

ensuring safe electrical working practice, including use of licensed personnel

investigating sustainability implications of microcontroller applications

evaluating safety, condition, efficiency and functionality of microcontrollers and their applications, including

components of applications

controller functions and programming, network, SCADA, communications protocols, standards and network topologies

HMIs and GUIs

compliance with WHS and regulatory requirements

applying WHS, regulatory and automation safety requirements, risk management and organisational procedures

reporting and documenting results of scoping, principles and techniques identification, and evaluation of applications, layouts, programs and flow charts or state diagrams

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

features of a range of microcontrollers and related control system component applications used in engineering environments

compliance requirements of WHS, regulations, codes of practice, standards and risk assessment

effects of electricity on humans, dangerous high currents and voltages and automated systems, and regulatory requirements related to extra low, low and high voltage applications

hardware functions, options and integration with microprocessor applications

input devices/sensors, output devices/actuators, controller, interfacing and signal conditioning, communications, HMIs, GUIs, and networking options for devices

appropriate use of microprocessor related terminology

microcontroller features and function, including:

volatile and non-volitile memory and data storage

one-time programmable and reprogrammable microcontrollers

typical microcontroller architecture characteristics

central processing unit (CPU) functions

interrupt structures

Input/Output (I/O) functions

timers and clocks

logic

programming methods and techniques

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Microcontroller

Microcontrollers are typically an integrated circuit consisting of a CPU combined with support functions, such as a crystal oscillator, timers, watchdog timer, serial and optional analog I/O. A limited amount of read/write memory on the chip along with program memory in the form of reprogrammable flash or ‘one-time programmable’ ROM

Microcontroller applications

Microcontroller applications are found in most industries. Typical applications include:

motor controllers

fault detectors

power controllers

communications

security systems

machine and process automation

automotive and transport applications

domestic appliances

medical equipment

Standards and codes

Standards, codes and protocols refer to all relevant Australian and international standards, codes and protocols applicable to microprocessor related tasks

Appropriate technical and professional assistance

Appropriate technical and professional assistance may include:

technical support and advice relating to elements which have intrinsic dangers, such as:

high pressure

energised fluid vessels

high temperatures and heat energy capacity

wiring with high current control voltages above extra low voltage

professional support for technologies may include:

specialist electric motor drives and controllers

specialist materials, plastics, metal alloys and nano materials

special processes, foundry, alloy welding, heat treatment, sealing and fastening

WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures

WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures may include:

WHS Acts and regulations

relevant standards

codes of practice from Australian and overseas engineering and technical associations and societies

risk assessments

registration requirements

safe work practices

state and territory regulatory requirements

Automation safety

Automation safety refers to the reliance on emergency stop, failsafe design, redundancy, system interlocks and data integrity. Standards apply to general plant design and use as well as the functional safety of safety-related electrical, electronic and programmable electronic control systems.

Network topologies

Network topologies include:

daisy-chain, star, ring, branch, linear and tree

wired and wireless options

Software for microcontroller applications

Software for microcontroller applications may include:

integrated development environment software which may include programmer, editor, assembler, compiler, linker, simulator and emulator

HMI software

network software

modem software

Sustainability

Sustainability is used to mean the entire sustainable performance of the organisation/plant, including:

meeting all regulatory requirements

conforming to all industry covenants, protocols and best practice guides

minimising ecological and environmental footprint of process, plant and product

maximising economic benefit of process plant and product to the organisation and the community

minimising the negative WHS impact on employees, community and customer