Application
This unit has been developed for Engineering Tradesperson – industrial electrician apprenticeship training and the recognition of trade-level skills in fault-finding and troubleshooting techniques that are instrumental in reducing instrumentation down-time.
It covers performing functional tests under normal, extreme, overload and environmental conditions using hardware and software techniques across a wide range of instrumentation systems used in an industrial environment.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
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 | ||
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 troubleshoot systems and equipment | 2.1. | Observe and localise device isolation methods/requirements |
2.2. | Apply appropriate test procedures and application principles in assessing operation of instrumentation systems and equipment | ||
2.3. | Apply normal operating characteristics of instrumentation systems and equipment to the level necessary to identify and localise faults | ||
2.4. | Apply characteristics/operational function assessment procedures according to safety and regulatory/site specifications | ||
2.5. | Check and verify characteristics and operational function | ||
3. | Troubleshoot systems and equipment and localise fault conditions | 3.1. | Utilise manufacturer manuals, history files and maintenance and repair records as a source of information when troubleshooting |
3.2. | Utilise drawings/diagrams and operational specifications in identifying and localising fault conditions | ||
3.3. | Examine and interpret built-in fault indicators and error codes and record results, where appropriate | ||
3.4. | Conduct appropriate tests to establish fault condition to major component level using appropriate test equipment, procedures and techniques | ||
4. | Repair/replace faulty condition/component | 4.1. | Repair faulty condition using appropriate tools, equipment and techniques to meet specifications, where applicable |
4.2. | Source replacement item and replace in accordance with manufacturer specifications | ||
5. | Functionally test instrumentation equipment/components | 5.1. | Undertake tests on equipment/components using appropriate test equipment, procedures and techniques |
5.2. | Verify system/equipment to meet specifications and operational requirements | ||
5.3. | Document all repairs, including results of tests carried out 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, SOPs and safe work practices
identifying and interpreting specifications, drawings, manufacturer manuals, history files and maintenance and repair records, and other applicable reference documents and obtaining relevant data with respect to troubleshooting instrumentation systems/equipment
isolating instrumentation system/equipment in accordance with procedures
checking and verifying the operational functions of the instrumentation system/equipment, including reading/recording and interpreting built-in fault indicators and error codes
conducting appropriate tests to establish fault condition using applicable test equipment using hardware and software techniques
repairing fault condition to meet specification requirements
isolating and removing faulty major component and selecting replacement item from appropriate sources
undertaking appropriate tests on instrumentation system/equipment in accordance with SOPs
verifying system to meet operational requirements
completing all documentation 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 PPE
instrumentation principles controlling density, level, flow, temperature and composition of a range of materials
effects of resistance, capacitance, inductance and impedance (R,L,C) upon electrical circuit
interpretation requirements of schematic, wiring and block diagrams and circuits
principles of hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical flow
purpose/operational function of instrumentation system
equipment and techniques to be used to test instrumentation systems and equipment, including the use of specialised test equipment
procedures for running built-in test functions and recording identified faults
functional tests to be carried out under normal, extreme, overload and environmental conditions
specifications of each instrumentation system and acceptable deviations from specifications
correct operation of the instrumentation system, including the procedures for isolating instrumentation systems
range of faults in instrumentation system/equipment components
variations between test results and operational specifications
probable causes of faults in instrumentation system/equipment components and action to be taken to rectify the causes of faults
sequence of events to be undertaken to correct faults in the instrumentation system/equipment components
difference between real and potential faults
function and procedural checks on instrumentation systems/equipment.
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must:
have vocational competency in troubleshooting instrumentation systems and equipment 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 that 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 manufacturer 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. | |
Tests include one or more of the following: | determining the correct operational function of electrical, electronic, mechanical, fluid power systems, equipment, components and associated items tests conducted under: normal extreme overload environmental conditions using hardware and software techniques |
Equipment includes one or more of the following: | process machines temperature control systems sterilisation units water cooling/filtration systems equipment utilising mechanical, pneumatic/electro-pneumatic or electronic (analog/digital) principles associated instruments measuring variables, including level, pressure, light, flow, current, resistance, voltage, density and temperature |
Components include one or more of the following: | sensors transmitters converters indicators analysers controllers transducers power supplies removable circuit boards sensor units associated with determining/controlling density, level, flow, temperature and composition of a range of materials |
Test equipmentincludes one or more of the following: | system calibrators manometers dead weight testers wheatstone bridge potentiometers frequency/signal generators logic probes multimeters (analog/digital) test gauges cathode ray oscilloscopes (CROs) other associated equipment |
Sectors
Competency Field
Maintenance and diagnostics