Application
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
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 requirements from specifications, drawings, job sheets or work instructions | ||
2. | Prepare to inspect, test and verify electrical installations | 2.1. | Review all relevant documentation pertaining to the electrical installation in preparedness for testing and verification |
2.2. | Consult with relevant personnel in readiness for inspection, verification and testing of the electrical installation | ||
2.3. | Obtain all necessary tools, equipment and testing instruments needed to verify compliance ensuring all instruments are calibrated | ||
3. | Inspect, test and verify electrical installations | 3.1. | Isolate and tag circuits and equipment in accordance with procedures, where required |
3.2. | Carry out a visual inspection of the electrical installation in accordance with the Testing and Verification – Visual Inspection Check List described in the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules | ||
3.3. | Conduct all mandatory tests to verify that the earthing conductor resistance, insulation resistance, all polarities and circuit connections meet the requirements in accordance with the Australian/New Zealand the Wiring Rules | ||
3.4. | Conduct optional testing to verify that the fault-loop impedance and the operation of residual current devices meet the requirements in accordance with the Australian/New Zealand the Wiring Rules | ||
4. | Report inspection and test results | 4.1. | Identify and report all defects and make recommendations for rectification in accordance with SOPs |
4.2. | Complete all mandatory documentation in accordance with regulatory and local supply authority requirements |
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
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 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)
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.
Assessment Conditions
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.
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. | |
Electrical 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 3017:2007 Electrical installations – Verification guidelines. AS/NZS 3018:2001 Electrical Installations – Domestic installations AS/NZS 3760:2010 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment 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