This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to plan low voltage (LV) switchboard and control panel layout.

It includes preparing and planning the layout of electrical switchboards and control panel operating at voltages up to 1,000 volts (V) alternating current (a.c.) or 1,500 V direct current (d.c.) and fault levels not exceeding 20 kiloamps (kA) for approval.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1

Prepare to plan switchboard and control panel layout

1.1

Work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) risk control measures and workplace procedures for carrying out work activities are identified, obtained and applied

1.2

Scope of switchboard and control panel layouts is determined from job specifications and/or design brief

1.3

Switchboard and control panel layout safety and regulatory requirements are identified, obtained and applied in accordance with WHS/OHS requirements and relevant industry standards

1.4

Equipment to be incorporated in the switchboard and control panel is determined from job specifications and/or design brief

2

Plan switchboard and control panel layout

2.1

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

2.2

Equipment is selected in accordance with technical standards, job specifications and requirements

2.3

Switchboard and control panel layouts are planned to accommodate equipment with sufficient clearance to enable wiring/connecting and servicing from job specifications

2.4

Switchboard and control panel layouts are planned in accordance with WHS/OHS and relevant industry standards

2.5

Switchboard and control panel layout draft is checked with the design brief and in accordance with relevant industry standards

2.6

Switchboard and control panel layout is documented for submission to appropriate person/s for acceptance and approval

2.7

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

3

Obtain approval for switchboard and control panel layout

3.1

Requests for alterations to the layout are negotiated with appropriate person/s in accordance with workplace procedures

3.2

Final layout design is documented and approval obtained from appropriate person/s

3.3

Switchboard and control panel layout documentation is forwarded to appropriate person/s for production

3.4

Quality of work is monitored 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 one occasion and include:

developing outlines of alternative layouts

selecting equipment that complies with safety and functional requirements and budget limitations

developing the layout within the safety and functional requirements and budget limitations

successfully negotiating layout alteration requests

obtaining approval for final layout design

documenting layout and equipment specifications clearly

dealing with unplanned events

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

following quality procedures

preparing and planning switchboard and control panel layouts.

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:

switchboard/control panel planning, including:

electrical metering arrangements encompassing:

purpose, types and applications

metering equipment

arrangements for metering

switchgear/control gear encompassing:

types and applications

operating principles

interlocking systems

control and protection

installation requirements

control panel wiring encompassing:

equipment layout methods and accessories

connection identification methods

wiring techniques

problem-solving techniques

relevant industry standards

relevant job safety assessments or risk mitigation processes

relevant manufacturer specifications and operating instructions for tools and equipment

relevant tools, equipment, resources and materials

relevant WHS/OHS legislated requirements

relevant workplace documentation

relevant workplace policies and procedures

relevant workplace quality procedures.

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.

Switchboard must be in more than one section and comprise essential and general supply controls, including:

current transformer (CT) metering

sub-main controls

local distribution board

load monitoring

fault indication

Control panel must consist of controls for more than two electrical machines, electromechanical and/or electronic control devices, including:

relays

timers

logic controllers

indicators

switches/push buttons

Electrotechnology

Electrical