Technicians working with equipment in the screen, media and entertainment industries typically apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit. Under the supervision of senior technical staff, they are responsible for basic repairs and maintenance of equipment and facilities needed for a wide range of productions.

Complex repairs requiring specific mechanical, electrical or electronic skills are referred to specialist service technicians, e.g. major electrical repairs are carried out by licensed electricians.

This unit has linkages to a range of other audio units, and combined assessment and/or training with those units may be appropriate.

It is strongly recommended that this unit be assessed with or after the following units:

CUESOU07B Apply a general knowledge of audio to work activities

CUSOHS301A Follow occupational health and safety procedures.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Repair sound equipment

1.1. Diagnose and isolate faults in equipment using standard fault detection procedures

1.2. Label faulty equipment in accordance with organisational procedures

1.3. Conduct minor repairs and/or refer major repairs to the relevant personnel for action

1.4. Repair and replace cables and connectors as necessary

1.5. Document the causes of faults and repairs conducted or refer to appropriate personnel, in accordance with required procedures

2. Maintain sound equipment

2.1. Inspect, service, clean and store equipment as required in accordance with organisational procedures

2.2. Maintain, check, clean and store cables and accessories in accordance with organisational procedures

2.3. Check that spares and consumables are in working order, and replace as required

2.4. Conduct equipment safety checks as and when required in accordance with occupational health and safety guidelines

2.5. Maintain equipment to ensure that it is ready for use when required

2.6. Complete accurate maintenance and repair records as required

Required skills

literacy skills sufficient to interpret service documentation and manuals

Required knowledge

typical maintenance needs and schedules for a range of audio equipment

cleaning agents, equipment and techniques for the major types of audio equipment

techniques and processes for detecting faults in major types of audio equipment

common faults and associated repair procedures for the range of equipment in use

spare parts and sub-assemblies used in audio equipment repair and maintenance

the effects of bad ventilation on equipment

the meaning and use of electrical measurements, including voltage, current resistance, power insulation and circuit continuity

legal and licensing issues that impact on the repair and maintenance of audio equipment, including the role of the restricted electrical licence and the limitations on the type of work that can be undertaken without a licence

specific occupational health and safety issues in relation to the repair and maintenance of audio equipment.

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

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

The following evidence is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:

ability to correctly use repair and maintenance techniques on multiple pieces of audio equipment

correct selection and use of tools

application of logical fault detection procedures

correct interpretation of service and technical manuals

knowledge of the technical features of major types of audio equipment

knowledge of occupational health and safety issues which impact on the repair and maintenance of audio equipment.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

The assessment context must provide for:

practical demonstration of skills within an environment which has a range of operational and industry-current audio equipment on which the candidate can work

completion of fault detection, repair and maintenance tasks within typical workplace time constraints.

Method of assessment

Assessment may incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of essential underpinning knowledge, and might include:

direct observation of the candidate completing maintenance and repair tasks

inspection of equipment repaired or maintained by the candidate

review of maintenance schedules and repair reports prepared by the candidate

written or oral questioning to test knowledge of audio equipment and occupational health and safety issues and regulations

review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).

Guidance information for assessment

This unit requires access to:

a range of industry-current audio equipment as identified in the Range Statement

a venue where maintenance and repairs can be completed

the tools required to complete repair and maintenance tasks.

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.

Audio equipment may include:

amplifiers

CD player

computer DAT

DVD

effects rack

hard disc recorder

headphones

microphone

mini disc

mixing desk

radio microphones

reel-to-reel

sequencer/sampler

speakers

talkback communication headsets

tape machines

turntables

Minor repairs may include:

making up leads

replacing faders

replacing fuses

replacing or tagging items which do not require specific electronic or electrical skills

replacing parts of microphones and stands

replacing the range of connectors used in sound

Appropriate personnel may include:

colleagues from other specialist areas

external suppliers

production team

supervisors/managers

other technicians

Spares and consumables may include:

batteries

diskettes

fuses

head cleaner

pegs/screws

recording media

soldering iron and solder

splicing materials

springs

styluses

tapes

test tapes

testing equipment

volt meter

Maintenance includes any periodic work undertaken to restore equipment to optimum working condition. Maintenance of equipment may include:

alignment/adjustment of playback/recording equipment

checking continuity of cables

cleaning and dusting equipment

cleaning heads on recorders/playback units

cleaning microphones and replacing inserts

cleaning recording playback medium

correct storage of equipment

making back-up copies of recordings

replacing batteries

Unit sector

Media and entertainment production - audio/sound

This unit contains employability skills.