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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Prepare to determine operating condition of vapour compression system
  2. Safety hazards which have not previously been identified are assessed, reported and advice on risk control measures is sought from supervisor
  3. System design operating conditions are obtained from documentation or supervisor to determine scope of work to be undertaken
  4. Advice is sought from the supervisor to ensure work is coordinated effectively with others
  5. Materials required for the work are identified and obtained in accordance with workplace procedures
  6. Tools, equipment and testing devices needed to determine operating conditions are obtained and checked for correct operation and safety in accordance with workplace procedures
  7. Determine operating condition of vapour compression system
  8. Compression system is checked and isolated in accordance with workplace procedures
  9. Actual and specified range of operating conditions are determined from measured and calculated values as they apply to vapour compression system in accordance with workplace procedures
  10. Methods for dealing with unplanned situations/events are discussed with appropriate person/s and documented
  11. Unplanned events are dealt with safely and with the approval of a relevant person/s
  12. Operating conditions for vapour compression system are determined without damage to apparatus, circuits, the surrounding environment or services using relevant workplace sustainable energy practices in accordance with workplace procedures
  13. Complete work and report
  14. Operating conditions are documented, including identification of any parameter that is not within the specified range for the vapour compression system, in accordance with workplace procedures
  15. Supervisor is notified of completion of work in accordance with workplace procedures

Range Statement

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the UEE Electrotechnology Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Determining operating conditions of vapour compression system must include at least the following:

measurement and basic calculation methods of vapour compression system whether used for refrigeration or air conditioning

suction and discharge pressures

ambient, evaporator and condensing temperatures

evaporator and condenser temperature difference


Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions on at least two separate occasions and include:

applying relevant work, health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements, including using risk control measures

applying safe working practices and relevant industry standards, codes of practice and regulations

applying sustainable energy principles and practices

completing documentation and reporting requirements

dealing with unplanned events/situations in accordance with workplace procedures in a manner that minimises risk to personnel and equipment

determining operating conditions of vapour compression system

documenting operating conditions

identifying conditions of a refrigerant at various locations in the vapour compression system

measuring and calculating actual and specified range of operating condition values, including recording measurements

selecting and using appropriate measuring devices correctly

using calculation methods accurately.


Knowledge Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions and include knowledge of:

operating condition of vapour compression systems, including:

basic vapour compression systems operation and major components

common refrigerant metering devices, including capillary tube, thermostatic expansion (TX) valve, electronic expansion valve, function, types and applications

condenser function, types and applications

cooling tower function, types and applications

evaporator function, types and applications

hazards and risk control measures

heat and heat transfer

liquid receiver function, types and applications

pressure, scales and measurement devices

refrigerant conditions, including saturation, superheat, sub-cooling and pressure/temperature relationships

refrigerant leak detector types, applications, hazards and safe working practices, care and maintenance, and leak detection procedures

refrigeration compressor function, types and applications

refrigeration compressor oil function, types and applications

risk management principles and processes

safe handling techniques, including safety data sheets (SDS)/material safety data sheets (MSDS)

sensible and latent heat

service gauge manifold hose fitting, purging, pressure reading and removal

service gauge types, applications, care and maintenance, reading and calibration

sustainable energy principles and practices

system access fittings types, care, maintenance and connection

temperature and relative humidity, scales and measurement devices

vapour compression system operating conditions and pressure, temperature, state and enthalpy graphs

vapour compression system symbols/diagrams, design ambient and storage/space conditions

working safely with refrigeration vapour compression system relevant industry standards, codes of practice, regulations and WHS/OHS legislated requirements

relevant manufacturer specifications

relevant risk mitigation processes

relevant workplace documentation

relevant workplace policies and procedures.