Application
This unit of competency has been developed for Engineering Tradesperson –industrial electrician apprenticeship training and the recognition of trade-level skills in selecting and installing circuit protection devices to protect against electric shock, over current and over voltage for operating voltages up to 1000 V alternating current (AC) or 1500 V direct current (DC) and install earthing as per multiple earthed neutral (MEN) system.
It covers a comprehensive understanding of earthing arrangements, the MEN system (including sub-installations), the calculation and selection of protective devices, alternative arrangement against electric shock and the requirements for use of residual current devices (RCDs).
This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to meet the Electrical Regulatory Authorities Council (ERAC).
Essential Performance Capabilities (EPCs) classified as ‘critical’:
EPC 16 – Demonstrate and apply in practice the requirements of AS/NZS 3000 in relation to earthing arrangements and fault-loop impedance calculations. Knowledge of alternate earthing systems when required by local Regulatory Authorities.
EPC 17 – Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the MEN system and its application, including on sub-installations. Demonstrate how to test an MEN system.
EPC 27 – Describe and apply in practice the requirements for circuit protection using AS/NZS 3000:2000 and other relevant Australian Standards, e.g. AS/NZS 3018.1.
EPC 20 – Demonstrate knowledge of the SELV and PELV systems, their application and testing in accordance with AS/NZS 3000.
EPC 23 – Describe and apply the control and protection requirements for installations and equipment. Demonstrate the ability to select suitable equipment and switchgear for a particular installation or part of an installation using AS/NZS 3000.
EPC 24 – Demonstrate an understanding of the AS/NZS 3000 and regulatory requirements for the location of switchboards and the arrangement of switchboard equipment in installations. Methods for determining prospective fault current. Switchboard form types.
EPC 26 – Demonstrate the appropriate methods for the installation, modification and testing of electrical installations and equipment for construction and demolition sites, complying with AS/NZS 3012 and applicable workplace safety legislation. Need for calibration of instruments.
Some jurisdictions require the holder of this unit to be licensed or certified and users should check with the relevant authorities.
Band: A
Unit Weight: 2
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1. | Determine job requirements | 1.1. | Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) |
1.2. | Comply with work health and safety (WHS) requirements at all times, including appropriate risk control measures | ||
1.3. | Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with SOPs | ||
1.4. | Identify job and load requirements from specifications, drawings, job sheets or work instructions | ||
2. | Prepare and select circuit protection controls and devices for electrical installations | 2.1. | Organise circuits and switchboard equipment to comply with layout drawings, specifications and regulatory requirements |
2.2. | Select suitable circuit protective devices to meet specifications | ||
2.3. | Select RCDs to meet required circuit requirements and specifications | ||
2.4. | Select switchgear/control gear by type, rating and purpose for a particular installation or part of an installation | ||
3. | Install circuit protection controls and devices for electrical installations | 3.1. | Isolate and tag circuits and equipment in accordance with procedures, where required |
3.2. | Install circuit protection devices in compliance with job specifications and requirements | ||
3.3. | Install RCDs, where required, to protect all lighting and socket outlets in final subcircuits in domestic electrical installations | ||
3.4. | Install switchgear (including main switch/s) and control gear according to manufacturer and regulatory requirements | ||
3.5. | Check installed components are straight and square in the required locations and within acceptable tolerances | ||
3.6. | Terminate earthing to meet with the MEN system requirements | ||
3.7. | Inspect installed components and earthing system visually to ensure compliance | ||
3.8. | Test the earthing system for continuity and insulation resistance to ensure compliance | ||
3.9. | Mark all switches, circuit-breakers, RCDs and other electrical equipment on or adjacent to the switchboard | ||
3.10. | Document selection of circuit protection devices and electrical installation arrangement in accordance with SOPs |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least two (2) occasions and include:
following work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safe work practices
identifying and interpreting circuits, drawings, plans and specifications relevant to the work to be undertaken
determining the individual load requirements of the installation
selecting the appropriate switchboard and layout arrangements
complying with Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules, other Australian Standards, e.g. AS/NZS 3008.1.1:2009 Electrical Installations – Selection of cables – Cables for alternating voltages up to and including 0.6/1 kV – typical Australian installation conditions, Service Rules and other relevant standards when selecting circuit protection controls and devices in regard to the following aspects:
protection against indirect contact, overcurrent or excess earth leakage current conditions and over and under voltage by selecting and installing using safe working practices:
a fuse/s for fault current limiting protection
an appropriate circuit breaker/s with a current rating not less than the maximum demand of the portion of the electrical installation they control
a residual current device (RCD) with a maximum rated residual current of 30 mA
control of the electrical installation (or parts thereof) by suitable switching arrangements by selecting and installing using safe working practices:
a main switch/es to control the whole of the electrical installation
switches for isolation, emergency, mechanical maintenance and functional (control) with appropriate Ingress Protection (IP) rating
installing and terminating the compliant earthing system components for the multiple earthed neutral (MEN) system and other earthing arrangements
terminating all circuit protection controls and devices
inspect visually all components and earthing system to ensure compliance
test earthing system for continuity and insulation resistance
identify with marking all switches, circuit breakers and RCDs and other electrical equipment on or adjacent to the switchboard
using test equipment to locate faults, completing remedial action and retesting to ensure compliance
documenting reasons for selection and installation arrangement requirements in accordance with SOPs.
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence required to demonstrate the required knowledge for this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:
safe work practices and procedures and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules and other related standards in regards to the following:
requirements for the selection and installation of switchgear and controlgear, including:
protection against indirect contact
protection against over current or excess earth leakage current conditions
protection against over voltage and under voltage
control of the electrical installation (or parts thereof) by suitable switching arrangements
design, selection (including form type) and installation of switchboards
design of an electrical installation
design, selection (including form type) and installation of switchboards
application and segregation requirements of separated extra-low voltage (SELV) and protected extra-low voltage (PELV) circuits, including earthing requirements and testing
application and arrangement of an isolated supply
hazards and risks in an electrical installation
protection against indirect contact, including:
methods of protection
protection by automatic disconnection of supply
touch-voltage limits
earthing system impedance
disconnection times
supplementary equipotential bonding
protection by the use of Class II equipment or by equivalent insulation
protection by electrical separation
protection by the use of RCDs
protection against thermal effects in normal service
protection against unwanted voltages
protection against over current and fault currents
protection against over voltage
protection against injury from mechanical movement
devices for isolation
fire integrity
protection from damp situations
earthing system terms, parts and arrangement
devices and operating principles for automatic disconnection of supply, including circuit breakers, fuse and RCDs
devices for isolation and switching, including for the following functions:
isolation
emergency
mechanical maintenance
functional (control)
switchboards and distribution boards purpose, types, application, layout and compliance requirements
bonding of metallic meter enclosures
minimum fault levels specified by electricity network operator
methods for determining prospective fault current
MEN arrangement, resultant fault current path and magnitude, operation of protective devices and implication of MEN link absence during fault conditions
knowledge of alternate earthing systems when required by local Regulatory Authorities, e.g. TT low voltage supply earthing system in dairy sheds in New Zealand
construction and demolition requirements as per AS/NZS 3012:2010 Electrical Installations – Construction and demolition sites.
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must:
have vocational competency in selecting circuit protection devices by type and rating, fitting to switchboards and installing earthing at least to the level being assessed with relevant industry knowledge and experience
satisfy the assessor requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015 and comply with the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 or equivalent legislation covering VET regulation in a non-referring State as the case requires.
Where possible assessment must occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment that reflects realistic operational workplace condition. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications.
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those required skills (reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy) that are essential to workplace performance in this unit of competency.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. | |
Installations include: | at least one (1) general electrical installation comprising a main switchboard, supplying more than one circuit each for lighting, socket outlets and fixed appliances at least one (1) industrial electrical installation comprising a distribution board separate from the main switchboard and at least one (1) circuit supplying a three-phase load and safety system in one of the following industrial environments: factory building off shore platform mine site processing oil and gas installation processing plant workshop underground installation three-phase loads include at least one (1) or more of the following: motors – for pumps, conveyors, mills, agitators, crushers and screening plants heaters compressor packages heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units facility accommodation units, sea container workshops and storage units, and laboratories workshop equipment, including lathes, milling machines and welders underground dewatering systems and ‘gate end’ boxes for drilling equipment |
Regulatory requirements include: | AS/NZS 3000:2007 Electrical installations (known as the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules) AS/NZS 3012:2010 Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites |
Safe working practices include: | demonstration of safe working practices and installation in accordance with industry established safe and sound practices |
Sectors
Competency Field
Installation and commissioning