This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit

Evidence shall show that knowledge has been acquired of safe working practices and solving problems in dc circuits

The knowledge and skills shall be contextualised to current industry standards technologies and practices

KSEEA Direct current circuits

Evidence shall show an understanding of electrical fundamentals and direct current multiple path circuits to an extent indicated by the following aspects

T Basic electrical concepts encompassing

electrotechnology industry

static and current electricity

production of electricity by renewable and non renewable energy sources

transportation of electricity from the source to the load via the transmission and distribution systems

utilisation of electricity by the various loads

basic calculations involving quantity of electricity velocity and speed with relationship to the generation and transportation of electricity

T Basic electrical circuit encompassing

symbols used to represent an electrical energy source a load a switch and a circuit protection device in a circuit diagram

purpose of each component in the circuit

effects of an opencircuit a closedcircuit and a shortcircuit

multiple and submultiple units

T Ohms Law encompassing

basic dc single path circuit

voltage and currents levels in a basic dc single path circuit

effects of an opencircuit a closedcircuit and a shortcircuit on a basic dc single path relationship between voltage and current from measured values in a simple circuit

determining voltage current and resistance in a circuit given any two of these quantities

graphical relationships of voltage current and resistance

relationship between voltage current and resistance

T Electrical power encompassing

relationship between force power work and energy

power dissipated in circuit from voltage current and resistance values

power ratings of devices

measurement electrical power in a dc circuit

effects of power rating of various resistors

T Effects of electrical current encompassing

physiological effects of current and the fundamental principles listed in ASNZS for protection against the this effect

basic principles by which electric current can result in the production of heat the production of magnetic fields a chemical reaction

typical uses of the effects of current

mechanisms by which metals corrode

fundamental principles listed in ASNZS for protection against the damaging effects of current

T EMF sources energy sources and conversion electrical energy encompassing

basic principles of producing a emf from the interaction of a moving conductor in a magnetic field

basic principles of producing an emf from the heating of one junction of a thermocouple

basic principles of producing a emf by the application of sun light falling on the surface of photovoltaic cells

basic principles of generating a emf when a mechanical force is applied to a crystal piezo electric effect

principles of producing a electrical current from primary secondary and fuel cells

input output efficiency or losses of electrical systems and machines

effect of losses in electrical wiring and machines

principle of conservation of energy

T Resistors encompassing

features of fixed and variable resistor types and typical applications

identification of fixed and variable resistors

various types of fixed resistors used in the Electro technology Industry eg wirewound carbon film tapped resistors

various types of variable resistors used in the Electro technology Industry eg adjustable resistors potentiometer and rheostat light dependent resistor LDR voltage dependent resistor VDR and temperature dependent resistor NTC PTC

characteristics of temperature voltage and light dependent resistors and typical applications of each

power ratings of a resistor

power loss heat occurring in a conductor

resistance of a colour coded resistor from colour code tables and confirm the value by measurement

measurement of resistance of a range of variable resistors under varying conditions of light voltage temperature conditions

specifying a resistor for a particular application

T Series circuits encompassing

circuit diagram of a singlesource dc series circuit

Identification of the major components of a series circuit power supply loads connecting leads and switch

applications where series circuits are used in the Electro technology industry

characteristics of a series circuit connection of loads current path voltage drops power dissipation and affects of an open circuit in a series circuit

the voltage current resistances or power dissipated from measured or given values of any two of these quantities

relationship between voltage drops and resistance in a simple voltage divider network

setting up and connecting a singlesource series dc circuit

measurement of resistance voltage and current values in a single source series circuit

effect of an opencircuit on a series connected circuit

T Parallel circuits encompassing

schematic diagram of a singlesource dc parallel circuit

major components of a parallel circuit power supply loads connecting leads and switch

applications where parallel circuits are used in the Electrotechnology industry

characteristics of a parallel circuit load connection current paths voltage drops power dissipation affects of an open circuit in a parallel circuit

relationship between currents entering a junction and currents leaving a junction

relationship between branch currents and resistances in a two branch current divider network

calculation of the total resistance of a parallel circuit

calculation of the total current of a parallel circuit

Calculation of the total voltage and the individual voltage drops of a parallel circuit

setting up and connecting a singlesource dc parallel circuit

resistance voltage and current measurements in a singlesource parallel circuit

voltage current resistance or power dissipated from measured values of any of these quantities

output current and voltage levels of connecting cells in parallel

T Seriesparallel circuits encompassing

schematic diagram of a singlesource dc seriesparallel circuit

major components of a seriesparallel circuit power supply loads connecting leads and switch

applications where seriesparallel circuits are used in the Electrotechnology industry

characteristics of a seriesparallel circuit load connection current paths voltage drops power dissipation affects of an open circuit in a seriesparallel circuit

relationship between voltages currents and resistances in a bridge network

calculation of the total resistance of a seriesparallel circuit

calculation of the total current of a seriesparallel circuit

calculation of the total voltage and the individual voltage drops of a seriesparallel circuit

setting up and connecting a singlesource dc series parallel circuit

resistance voltage and current measurements in a singlesource dc series parallel circuit

the voltage current resistances or power dissipated from measured values of any two of these quantities

T Factors affecting resistance encompassing

four factors that affect the resistance of a conductor type of material length crosssectional area and temperature

affect the change in the type of material resistivity has on the resistance of a conductor

affect the change in length has on the resistance of a conductor

affect the change in crosssectional area has on the resistance of a conductor

effects of temperature change on the resistance of various conducting materials

effects of resistance on the currentcarrying capacity and voltage drop in cables

calculation of the resistance of a conductor from factors such as conductor length crosssectional area resistivity and changes in temperature

using digital and analogue ohmmeter to measure the change in resistance of different types of conductive materials copper aluminium nichrome tungsten when those materials undergo a change in type of material length crosssectional area and temperature

T Effects of meters in a circuit encompassing

selecting an appropriate meter in terms of units to be measured range loading effect and accuracy for a given application

measuring resistance using direct voltammeter and bridge methods

instruments used in the field to measure voltage current resistance and insulation resistance and the typical circumstances in which they are used

hazards involved in using electrical instruments and the safety control measures that should be taken

operating characteristics of analogue and digital meters

correct techniques to read the scale of an analogue meters and how to reduce the parallax error

types of voltmeters used in the Electrotechnology industry bench type clamp meter Multimeter etc

purpose and characteristics internal resistance range loading effect and accuracy of a voltmeter

types of voltage indicator testers eg LED neon solenoid voltstick series tester etc and explain the purpose of each voltage indicator tester

operation of various voltage indicator testers

advantages and disadvantages of each voltage indicator tester

various types of ammeters used in the Electrotechnology industry bench clamp meter multimeter etc

purpose of an ammeter and the correct connection series of an ammeter into a circuit

reasons why the internal resistance of an ammeter must be extremely low and the dangers and consequences of connecting an ammeter in parallel andor wrong polarity

selecting an appropriate meter in terms of units to be measured range loading effect and accuracy for a given application

connecting an analoguedigital voltmeter into a circuit ensuring the polarities are correct and take various voltage readings

loading effect of various voltmeters when measuring voltage across various loads

using voltage indicator testers to detect the presence of various voltage levels

connecting analoguedigital ammeter into a circuit ensuring the polarities are correct and take various current readings

T Resistance measurement encompassing

Identification of instruments used in the field to measure resistance including insulation resistance and the typical circumstances in which they are used

the purpose of an Insulation Resistance IR Tester

the parts and functions of various analogue and digital IR Tester selector range switch zero ohms adjustment battery check function scale and connecting leads

reasons why the supply must be isolated prior to using the IR tester

where and why the continuity test would be used in an electrical installation

where and why the insulation resistance test would be used in an electrical installation

the voltage ranges of an IR tester and where each range may be used eg V dc V dc and V dc

ASNZS Wiring Rules requirements continuity test and insulation resistance IR test

purpose of regular IR tester calibration

the correct methods of storing the IR tester after use

carry out a calibration check on a IR Tester

measurement of low values of resistance using an IR tester continuity functions

measurement of high values of resistance using an IR tester insulation resistance function

voltammeter short shunt and long shunt methods of measuring resistance

calculation of resistance values using voltmeter and ammeter reading long and short shunt connections

measurement of resistance using voltammeter methods

T Capacitors and Capacitance encompassing

basic construction of standard capacitor highlighting the plates dielectric and connecting leads

different types of dielectric material and each dielectrics relative permittivity

identification of various types of capacitors commonly used in the Electrotechnology industry fixed value capacitors stacked plate rolled electrolytic ceramic mica and Variable value capacitors tuning and trimmer

circuit symbol of various types of capacitors standard variable trimmer and polarised

terms Capacitance C Electric charge Q and Energy W

unit of Capacitance Farad Electric charge Coulomb and Energy Joule

factors affecting capacitance the effective area of the plates the distance between the plates and the type of dielectric and explain how these factors are present in all circuits to some extent

how a capacitor is charged in a dc circuit

behaviour of a series dc circuit containing resistance and capacitance components charge and discharge curves

the term Time Constant and its relationship to the charging and discharging of a capacitor

calculation of quantities from given information Capacitance Q VC Energy W CV Voltage V QC

calculation one time constant as well as the time taken to fully charge and discharge a given capacitor RC

connection of a series dc circuit containing capacitance and resistor to determine the time constant of the circuit

T Capacitors in Series and Parallel encompassing

hazards involved in working with capacitance effects and the safety control measures that should be taken

safe handling and the correct methods of discharging various size capacitors

dangers of a charged capacitor and the consequences of discharging a capacitor through a person

factors which determine the capacitance of a capacitor and explain how these factors are present in all circuits to some extent

effects of capacitors connected in parallel by calculating their equivalent capacitance

effects on the total capacitance of capacitors connected in series by calculating their equivalent capacitance

Connecting capacitors in series andor parallel configurations to achieve various capacitance values

common faults in capacitors

testing of capacitors to determine serviceability

application of capacitors in the Electrotechnology industry

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria Required Skills and Knowledge the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package

The Evidence Guide forms an integral part of this unit It must be used in conjunction with all parts of the unit and performed in accordance with the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package

Overview of Assessment

Longitudinal competency development approaches to assessment such as Profiling require data to be reliably gathered in a form that can be consistently interpreted over time This approach is best utilised in Apprenticeship programs and reduces assessment intervention It is the industrypreferred model for apprenticeships However where summative or final assessment is used it is to include the application of the competency in the normal work environment or at a minimum the application of the competency in a realistically simulated work environment It is recognised that in some circumstances assessment in part or full can occur outside the workplace However it must be in accordance with industry and regulatory policy

Methods chosen for a particular assessment will be influenced by various factors These include the extent of the assessment the most effective locations for the assessment activities to take place access to physical resources additional safety measures that may be required and the critical nature of the competencies being assessed

The critical safety nature of working with electricity electrical equipment gas or any other hazardous substancematerial carries risk in deeming a person competent Sources of evidence need to be rich in nature to minimise error in judgment

Activities associated with normal everyday work have a bearing on the decision as to how much and how detailed the data gathered will contribute to its richness Some skills are more critical to safety and operational requirements while the same skills may be more or less frequently practised These points are raised for the assessors to consider when choosing an assessment method and developing assessment instruments Sample assessment instruments are included for Assessors in the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package

Critical aspects of evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Before the critical aspects of evidence are considered all prerequisites must be met

Evidence for competence in this unit shall be considered holistically Each element and associated performance criteria shall be demonstrated on at least two occasions in accordance with the Assessment Guidelines UEE Evidence shall also comprise

A representative body of work performance demonstrated within the timeframes typically expected of the discipline work function and industrial environment In particular this shall incorporate evidence that shows a candidate is able to

Implement Occupational Health and Safety workplace procedures and practices including the use of risk control measures as specified in the performance criteria and range statement

Apply sustainable energy principles and practices as specified in the performance criteria and range statement

Demonstrate an understanding of the essential knowledge and associated skills as described in this unit It may be required by some jurisdictions that RTOs provide a percentile graded result for the purpose of regulatory or licensing requirements

Demonstrate an appropriate level of skills enabling employment

Conduct work observing the relevant Anti Discrimination legislation regulations polices and workplace procedures

Demonstrated consistent performance across a representative range of contexts from the prescribed items below

Solving problems in dc circuits as described in and including

A

Using methodological techniques to solve dc circuit problems from measure and calculated values

B

Determining the operating parameters of an existing circuit

C

Altering an existing circuit to comply with specified operating parameters

D

Developing circuits to comply with a specified function and operating parameters

E

Dealing with unplanned events

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit should be assessed as it relates to normal work practice using procedures information and resources typical of a workplace This should include

OHS policy and work procedures and instructions

Suitable work environment facilities equipment and materials to undertake actual work as prescribed in this unit

These should be used in the formal learningassessment environment

Note

Where simulation is considered a suitable strategy for assessment conditions for assessment must be authentic and as far as possible reproduce and replicate the workplace and be consistent with the approved industry simulation policy

The resources used for assessment should reflect current industry practices in relation to solving problems in dc circuits

Method of assessment

This unit shall be assessed by methods given in Volume Part Assessment Guidelines

Note Competent performance with inherent safe working practices is expected in the Industry to which this unit applies This requires that the specified essential knowledge and associated skills are assessed in a structured environment which is primarily intended for learningassessment and incorporates all necessary equipment and facilities for learners to develop and demonstrate the essential knowledge and skills described in this unit

Note:
Competent performance with inherent safe working practices is expected in the Industry to which this unit applies. This requires that the specified essential knowledge and associated skills are assessed in a structured environment which is primarily intended for learning/assessment and incorporates all necessary equipment and facilities for learners to develop and demonstrate the essential knowledge and skills described in this unit.

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units

There are no concurrent assessment recommendations for this unit