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 prepare basic programs for programmable logic controllers.

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

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently perform all elements of the unit as specified by the criteria, including required knowledge, and be capable of applying the competency in new and different situations and contexts.

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, that is the candidate is not in productive work, then an appropriate simulation 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. The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate.

This unit could be assessed in conjunction with any other units addressing the safety, quality, communication, materials handling, recording and reporting associated with preparing basic programs for programmable logic controllers, or other units requiring the exercise of the skills and knowledge covered by this unit.

Method of assessment

Assessors should gather a range of evidence that is valid, sufficient, current and authentic. Evidence can be gathered through a variety of ways including direct observation, supervisor's reports, project work, samples and questioning. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency. The candidate must have access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required. The candidate must be permitted to refer to any relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications, codes, standards, manuals and reference materials.

Guidance information for assessment

Required skills

Look for evidence that confirms skills in:

communicating

planning

assessing

problem solving

analysing

reading and interpreting engineering specifications, standard operating procedures and other applicable reference documents

organising information

using numeral operations, geometry and calculations/formulae within the scope of this unit

checking for conformance to specifications

planning and sequencing operations

checking and clarifying task-related information

Required knowledge

Look for evidence that confirms knowledge of:

hazards and control measures associated with preparing basic programs for PLC, including housekeeping

safe work practices and procedures

General knowledge of programmable controllers including:

basic PLC operation: definitions, terminology and block diagrams; scan cycle

basic programming rules; addressing for I/O; halt; run

programming (using a hand programmer): flowcharts/steps to use when programming; clearing of memory; ladder format

Boolean/mnemonic/statement list format; series circuits; parallel circuits; latching circuits; stack register operation; combination series/parallel circuits; inversion elements; timers

counters; monitoring of discrete I/O and timer/counter values; edit (insert and delete elements)

connection of discrete input and output devices to a PLC

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.

Programs

Includes series elements, parallel elements, combination series parallel elements, basic timers and counters