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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Plant and prepare for switching operations
  2. Conduct switching operations
  3. Carry out local operation of switchgear
  4. Carry out circuit and feeder earthing
  5. Carry out switchboard and ring main earthing
  6. Test switchgear operation
  7. Analyse system and switchgear faults and operation
  8. Inspect and monitor system, switchboards, transformers and protection systems
  9. Complete documentation

Required Skills

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

Evidence shall show that knowledge has been acquired operating and monitoring AC electrical systems

The extent of the Essential Knowledge and Associated Skills required follows

Evidence shall show that knowledge has been acquired for safe working practices of

Relevant Occupational Health and Safety regulations

Relevant statutory legislation

Relevant enterprisesite safety procedures

Enterprisesite emergency procedures and techniques

Relevant plant and equipment its location and operating parameters

Plant status

Environmental legislation

Enterprise recording procedures

Communication principles

Control and data acquisition systems

Computers and software

Supervisory alarm protection and control equipment

Supervisory alarm protection and control equipment

Switchboards switch yards and ring mains layout and configuration

Switchgear operation isolation and earthing

Protection systems types and function

Earthing procedures requirements and protocol Interlocks and intertripping systems

Emergency and system disturbance procedures

Switching practices and procedures

Introduction to power production plant

Typical arrangements of power production plant

Mathematics

General responsibilities for power production plant operations

Electrical principles

Transformers

Electric motors

AC generators

Alternators excitors and hydrogen systems

Heating of electrical equipment

Schematic diagrams

Auxiliary supply systems

High voltage systems

Safe operating principles

Specific skills needed to achieve the Performance Criteria

Apply relevant Occupational Health and Safety regulations

Apply relevant statutory legislation

Apply relevant enterprisesite safety procedures

Apply enterprisesite emergency procedures and techniques

Apply enterprise recording procedures

Identify plant status

Prepare plantequipment for operation

Organise resources

Operate switchgear and equipment

Conduct switching operations

Apply diagnostic and testing techniques

Identify and respond to abnormal plant operating conditions

Plan and prioritise work

Use relevant hand tools

Communicate effectively

Apply data analysis techniques and tools

Use diagrams drawings and symbols

Produce andor assess internal and external switching procedures

Assess and evaluate protection operation and determine the appropriate response

Apply switching practices and procedures

Evidence Required

This provides essential advice for assessment of the competency standard unit and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria and the Range Statement of the unit and the Training Package Assessment Guidelines

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

Overview of Assessment

Longitude 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 Industry preferred 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 accord 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 Hence sources of evidence need to be rich in nature so as to minimise error in judgment

Activities associated with normal every day 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 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 shall 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 UEP Evidence shall also comprise

A representative body of Performance Criteria 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 Essential Knowledge and Associated Skills of this unit

Demonstrate an appropriate level of skills enabling employment

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

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

The knowledge and application of relevant sections of Occupational Health and Safety legislation Statutory legislation Enterprisesite safety procedures Enterprisesite emergency procedures

Preparation and planning of work

Operation of switch gear

Conducting switching operations

Operationally testing plant

Analysing equipment system and protection faults

Monitoring equipment system and protection operation

Dealing with an unplanned event by drawing on essential knowledge and skills to provide appropriate solutions incorporated in the holistic assessment with the above listed items

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 by this unit

Competency Standards should be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions

Assessment of this unit will be supported with documentary evidence by means of endorsement stating type and application of work

In addition to the resources listed above in Context of assessment evidence should show competency working in limited spaces with different types of plant and equipment as well as different structuralconstruction types and methods and in a variety of environments

Method of assessment

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

NoteCompetent 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 recommended concurrent assessments with this unit however in some cases efficiencies may be gained in terms of learning and assessment effort being concurrently managed with allied competency standard units where listed

Nil

Key competencies

Evidence that particular key competencies have been achieved within this unit is in the context of the following Performance Criteria of evidence See Volume Part for an explanation of Key competencies and levels of this Training Package

Key competencies

Example of Application

Performance Level

How are ideas and information communicated within this competency

Refer to the following example of application

Explain ideas and actions make suggestions for alternative actions and deal with contingencies and nonroutine situations

How can information be collected analysed and organised

Refer to the following example of application

Information with regard to operations faults and maintenance may be observed and monitored for analysis and organised into records and reports

How are activities planned and organised

Refer to the following example of application

Planning the required activity to include coordination and use of equipment materials and tools to avoid backtracking and rework

How is team work used within this competency

Refer to the following example of application

Coordinate activities of the team and provide appropriate support to other team members in completion of work tasks to meet the teams goals

How are mathematical ideas and techniques used

Refer to the following example of application

Calculation of time to complete routine projects operations tasks estimation of distances levels loads and material requirements

How are problem solving skills applied

Refer to the following example of application

Determine solutions which focus on long and shortterm resolution of work task problems

How is use of technology applied

Refer to the following example of application

Access communicate measure and provide information to monitor operations and performance of plant and equipment

Skills Enabling Employment

Evidence that competency in this unit incorporates skills enabling employment is in the context of the following performance See Volume Part for definitions and an explanation of skills enabling employment

Skills for Employment

Example of Application

Developing and using skills within a real workplace

Refer to the following example of application

Completion of tasks within an acceptable timeframe and performance with some supervision

Learning to learn in the workplace

Refer to the following example of application

Comprehension and application of theoretical knowledge to welldeveloped skills

Reflecting on the outcome and process of work task

Refer to the following example of application

Focused on improvement in own and other team members performance in the workplace

Interacting and understanding of the context of the work task

Refer to the following example of application

Working understanding of the processes and systems which apply to the workplace

Planning and organising the meaningful work task

Refer to the following example of application

Achieving work tasks in a timely manner and ensuring that the work team achieves its stated work goals

Performing the work task in nonroutine or contingent situations

Refer to the following example of application

Seek advice and apply solutions to problems relevant to the workplace environment


Range Statement

7) This relates to the competency standard unit as a whole, providing the range of contexts and conditions to which the Performance Criteria apply. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.

Systems, plant and or equipment may include high and low voltage switchboards/yards/ring mains; supervisory, control and protection equipment; circuit breakers, air, air blast, minimum oil, bulk oil, SF6, vacuum, transformers, oil natural air natural (ONAN), oil natural air forced (ONAF), oil forced air forced (OFAF), dry type, earthing and neutral, voltage and current; Isolators, load breaking, non-load breaking; combined fuse switches (CFS), with or without contactor units; low voltage equipment, fuses, mini circuit breakers, contactors; switchboard/yard auxiliary supplies, control, supervision, protection, indication; earthing systems, earthing circuit breakers, integral earths, earth switches, portable earths and protection systems.

Safety standards may include relevant sections of Occupational Health and Safety legislation, enterprise safety rules, relevant State and federal legislation and national standards for plant.

Information and documentation sources may include verbal or written communications; enterprise safety rules documentation; dedicated computer equipment; enterprise/site standing and operating instructions; enterprise log books; manufacturer's operation and maintenance manuals; and equipment and alarm manuals.

Technical and operational indicators may include stimuli (audio, smell, touch, visual), local indicators and recorders, computers and alarms (visible and or audible).

Communications may be by means of telephone, two way radio, pager, public address system, computer (electronic mail) and operating log (written or verbal).

Tests may include post maintenance operating tests, interlock tests, protection tests, alarm tests and emergency/black start checks.

Appropriate personnel to consult, give or receive direction may include supervisor/team leader or equivalent, technical and engineering officers or equivalent, power system control personnel or equivalent, power plant operations personnel, maintenance staff, contractor and specialist staff.

Test, fault finding and operating tools may include voltage testers, proving dead equipment, power or hand tools, control system equipment and fuse testers/multimeters.

Operating environment may be during inclement or otherwise harsh weather conditions, in wet/noisy/dusty/hot areas or during night periods.

Faults and abnormal operating conditions may include switch yard protection operation, switchboard protection operation, transformer protection operation, circuit/feeder protection operation; transformer faults, low oil level, loss of fans/pumps; circuit breaker faults, loss of supervisory/control supplies, low gas/oil/air pressure, failure of pump/motors and fuse failure.

Generic terms are used throughout this Training Package for vocational standard shall be regarded as part of the Range Statement in which competency is demonstrated. The definition of these and other terms are given in Volume 2, Part 1.