This unit of competency has been developed for Engineering Tradesperson – industrial electrician apprenticeship training and the recognition of trade-level skills in inspecting, testing and verifying electrical installations in accordance with the AS/NZS 3000:2007, Electrical Installations (known as the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules) and regulatory requirements.

It covers all aspects inspection and testing, including visual, application of mandatory testing, interpreting test results and recording reporting requirements.

This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to meet the Electrical Regulatory Authorities Council (ERAC).

Essential Performance Capabilities (EPCs) classified as ‘critical’:

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.

EPC 30 – Demonstrate to AS/NZS 3000 and AS 3017 standards the electrical checks and tests required to ensure electrical installations are safe, reporting of test results typically required to satisfy regulatory requirements.

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: 4

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

obtaining the relevant work permits and implementing appropriate risk control measures

identifying and interpreting circuits, drawings, plans and specifications relevant to the work to be undertaken

preparing and following work plans in accordance with legislative and regulatory requirements and hazard and safety requirements

reviewing all relevant documentation pertaining to the electrical installation to be inspected and tested

consulting with all relevant personnel affected by this process

obtaining the necessary tools, equipment and testing instruments ensuring all instruments are calibrated

preparing a safe work method statement (SWMS) or job safety analysis (JSA) in the absence of established procedures for effective isolation

performing a visual inspection ensuring that it meets the requirements of the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules – Testing and Verification Visual Inspection Check List

performing the mandatory and optional circuit tests required for electrical cables in a range of installations and final subcircuits, including:

following safe testing procedures

testing to show if the earth continuity is sufficiently low

testing to show if the insulation resistance is sufficiently high

testing to show if the polarity and circuit connections are correct

testing to show earth fault-loop impedance is sufficiently low

performing testing to verify that residual current devices (RCDs) operate as intended

identifying and reporting of any non-compliance defect/s and making necessary recommendations in accordance with appropriate procedures

completing all mandatory documentation in accordance with regulatory and local supply authority requirements.

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)

isolation and lockout procedures and the purpose and use of SWMS or JSA

tools, equipment and test instruments needed to conduct electrical installation inspection, testing and verification process

need for calibration of instruments

testing procedures, requirements and considerations

visual inspection of installations for compliance with the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules, including:

general – protection against direct and indirect contact, hazardous parts, spread of fire and general condition

consumers mains

switchboards

wiring systems

electrical equipment

earthing

mandatory tests, including:

continuity of the earthing system

insulation resistance

polarity

correct circuit connections

optional tests, including:

fault-loop impedance

verification of operation of RCDs

mandatory documentation and records as required by local supply authority, legislative and regulatory requirements

documentation for periodic testing and tagging of electrical equipment

inspection and testing of construction and demolition sites complying with AS/NZS 3012:2010 Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites, and recording of tests.

Assessors must:

have vocational competency in inspecting, testing and verifying electrical installations 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 conditions. 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.

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.

Installation and commissioning