This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to carry out low voltage (LV) electrical field testing and report findings.

It includes preparing, inspecting and testing of electrical field systems, documenting and reporting test results.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit require a licence or permit to practice in the workplace where work is carried out on electrical installations which are designed to operate at voltages greater than 50 volt (V) alternating current (a.c.) or 120 V direct current (d.c.).

Competency development activities in this unit are subject to regulations directly related to licensing. Where a licence or permit to practice is not held, a relevant contract of training, such as an Australian Apprenticeship, may be required.

Additional and/or other conditions may apply in some jurisdictions subject to regulations related to electrical work. Practice in the workplace and during training is also subject to work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Prepare to carry out electrical field inspection and testing

1.1

WHS/OHS requirements and workplace procedures for a given work area are identified, obtained and applied

1.2

WHS/OHS risk control measures and workplace procedures in preparation for the work are followed

1.3

Scope of work to be undertaken is determined from reports and/or discussions with appropriate person/s

1.4

Advice is sought from the work supervisor to ensure work activity is coordinated effectively with others

1.5

Tools, equipment and testing devices required to locate faults are obtained in accordance with workplace procedures and checked for correct operation and safety

2

Carry out electrical field inspection and testing

2.1

WHS/OHS risk control measures and workplace procedures for carrying out work are followed

2.2

Need to inspect, test and measure live electrical work is determined in accordance with WHS/OHS requirements and workplace procedures

2.3

Circuits/machines/plant are isolated in accordance WHS/OHS requirements and workplace procedures

2.4

Safety hazards from fault/s and/or breakdown are documented and risk control measures implemented in consultation with appropriate person/s

2.5

Field testing and measuring techniques of electrical systems, circuits, and apparatus are conducted in accordance with workplace procedures

2.6

Circuit/apparatus/components are dismantled as required to facilitate testing and parts stored for protection against loss or damage

2.7

Tests are determined from report and appropriate testing/measuring instruments selected in accordance with manufacturer instructions and relevant industry standards

2.8

Unplanned events are responded to in accordance with workplace procedures in a manner that minimises risk to personnel and equipment

2.9

Testing activities are carried out without damage to apparatus, circuits, environment or services using sustainable energy practices

3

Complete electrical field testing and report findings

3.1

WHS/OHS work completion risk control measures and workplace procedures are followed

3.2

Apparatus is reassembled after testing as required and work area is cleaned and made safe in accordance with workplace procedures

3.3

Test findings and recommendation for actions are reported in accordance with workplace procedures

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions on at least two separate occasions and include:

applying relevant industry standards

applying relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements, including using risk control measures

applying sustainable energy practices

carrying out inspection and testing, including:

selecting and setting up relevant testing/measuring instruments

using relevant testing techniques

using testing and measuring instruments

completing electrical field inspection, testing and report findings

dealing with unplanned events/situations in accordance with workplace procedures in a manner that minimises risk to personnel and equipment

following workplace procedures and instructions

preparing electrical field testing, including:

identifying work from reports and/or discussion with appropriate person/s

locating tools, equipment and testing devices.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions and include knowledge of:

advanced electrical testing and measuring devices, including:

testing/measuring devices and their application

circuit arrangement and safety procedures for connection of testing/measuring devices into a circuit

taking readings

storage, maintenance and care of testing/measuring devices

measurement concepts, including:

notion of error, accuracy and resolution

sources of measurement error and uncertainties

instrument specifications and calibration certificates

test and measuring instrument safety certification levels and their application

types of field measuring instruments and their application, including:

instrument meter movements and readouts, including moving coil, moving iron and dynamometer meter movements, liquid crystal display (LCD) digital and screen readouts

role of a microprocessor/controller in measuring instrument

measuring low voltages (LV) and direct currents (d.c.) and alternating currents (a.c.), including:

LV and current measurement techniques embodied in microprocessor-based instruments

causes of inaccuracies and overcoming them

test instrument set-up and safety procedures

interpreting test readings

measuring high voltages (HV) and d.c. and a.c. including:

HV and current measurement techniques embodied in microprocessor-based instruments

causes of inaccuracies and overcoming them

test instrument set up and safety procedures

interpreting test readings

measuring fault levels and (earth) fault-loop impedance, including:

fault and fault-loop impedance measurement techniques embodied in microprocessor-based instruments

causes of inaccuracies and overcoming them

test instrument set-up and safety procedures

interpreting test readings

measuring power, energy, reactive power, power factor and maximum demand, including:

power measurement techniques embodied in microprocessor-based instruments

causes of inaccuracies and overcoming them

test instrument set-up and safety procedures

interpreting test readings

measuring power quality, including:

power measurement techniques embodied in microprocessor-based instruments

causes of inaccuracies and overcoming them

test instrument set-up and safety procedures

interpreting test readings, including power quality measurement, including waveform distortion, harmonics, power factor and transients

power cable faults and fault detection techniques, including:

poor connection (high resistance)

open circuit

insulation breakdown and arcing

Varley and Murray loop tests

pulse test

echo test

radio-based tests

application and limitations of the various cable fault detection techniques, including:

cable fault detection techniques embodied in microprocessor-based instruments

causes of inaccuracies and overcoming them

test instrument set-up and safety procedures

interpreting test readings

problem-solving techniques

relevant industry standards and codes of practice for electrical inspection and testing

relevant job safety assessments or risk mitigation processes

relevant manufacturer specifications and operating instructions for tools and equipment

relevant quality workplace procedures

relevant sustainable energy practices

relevant tools, equipment, resources and materials

relevant WHS/OHS legislated requirements

relevant workplace documentation

relevant workplace policies, procedures and instructions.

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in suitable workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated suitable workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

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.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations

relevant and appropriate materials, tools, facilities, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) currently used in industry

applicable documentation, including workplace procedures, equipment specifications, regulations, relevant industry standards, codes of practice and operation manuals.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the UEE Electrotechnology Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Carrying out and reporting findings of electrical field tests must include the following:

locating faults

examining operating parameters

accessing compliance with regulations

evaluating quality compliance

Electrotechnology

Electrical