This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to verify functionality and compliance of electrical refrigeration/air conditioning appliances.

It includes testing and visually inspecting electrical refrigeration/air conditioning appliance to verifying that it is safe and complies with requirements. It also includes following procedures for conducting safety and functionality tests, conducting visual inspections, identifying non-compliance defects, documenting results and recommendations, and initiating the rectification of any defect.

To undertake this unit, the learner must have a Trainee Refrigerant Handling Licence as it includes work on refrigeration and air conditioning equipment that carries the risk of a fluorocarbon refrigerant being emitted.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit require a national Refrigerant Handling Licence as it includes work on refrigeration and air conditioning equipment that carries the risk of a fluorocarbon refrigerant being emitted while decanting the refrigerant or manufacturing, installing, commissioning, servicing, maintaining or decommissioning refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.

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 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, skills and knowledge described in this unit require a relevant contract of training, such as an Australian Apprenticeship.

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

Permits may also be required for some work environments, such as confined spaces, working aloft, near live electrical apparatus and site rehabilitation.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1

Prepare to verify functionality and compliance of electricalappliance

1.1

WHS/OHS hazards, risk control methods, relevant standards, codes and legislation are obtained and applied

1.2

Safety hazards which have not been previously identified are noted and established risk control measures implemented

1.3

Appropriate person/s is consulted to ensure the work is coordinated effectively with others involved on the worksite

1.4

Inspection and tests are appropriately sequenced in accordance with job schedule

1.5

Materials needed for tests and verification are obtained in accordance with workplace procedures and checked against job requirements

1.6

Tools, equipment and testing devices needed to verify compliance are obtained in accordance with workplace procedures and checked for correct operation and safety

2

Visually inspect appliances

2.1

Electrical appliances are checked and isolated in accordance with WHS/OHS requirements and workplace procedures

2.2

Accessories and components are validated as being appropriately rated and meeting functional requirements

2.3

Evidence that equipment complies with safety and functional requirements is identified and documented

2.4

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

2.5

Electrical appliance inspection is carried out efficiently without waste of materials or damage to apparatus, the surrounding environment or services using sustainable energy practices

3

Conduct electrical appliance tests

3.1

Testing or measuring on live electrical appliance and operating system is conducted in accordance with WHS/OHS requirements and workplace procedures

3.2

Appliance is checked and isolated in accordance with WHS/OHS requirements and workplace procedures

3.3

Electrical tests are conducted to verify that the appliance electrical circuit within the appliance is safe and functions as intended

3.4

Refrigeration/air conditioning tests are conducted to verify that the refrigeration/air conditioning components and pipe work within the appliance are safe and functions as intended

3.5

Testing is carried out efficiently without waste of materials or damage to apparatus, the surrounding environment or services using sustainable energy practices

4

Report inspection and verification findings

4.1

Appliance is cleaned and made safe in accordance with established procedures

4.2

Non-compliance defects are identified and reported in accordance with established procedures

4.3

Recommendations for rectifying defects are made in accordance with established procedures

4.4

Work completion is documented and appropriate person/s notified in accordance with established 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 work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and workplace procedures and practices, including using of risk control measures

applying sustainable energy principles and practices

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

verifying compliance and functionality of electrical refrigeration/air conditioning appliances, including:

acting within regulatory limits

conducting electrical tests safely and correctly

conducting refrigeration/air conditioning tests safely and correctly

identifying non-compliant defects from test results

identifying visual defects

recommending appropriate corrective actions

reporting electrical inspection and verifying findings.

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:

mandatory testing and verification requirements

refrigeration/air conditioning appliance efficiency

refrigeration/air conditioning appliance electrical testing techniques, including testing and compliance verification methods

relevant refrigeration/air conditioning appliance manufacturer specifications

relevant safe work method statements (SWMS)/job safety assessments or risk mitigation processes

relevant WHS/OHS legislated requirements

relevant workplace documentation

relevant workplace policies and procedures

visual inspection methods.

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 workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated 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 other simulations

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

applicable documentation, including workplace procedures, equipment specifications, regulations, 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.

Verifying functionality and compliance of air conditioner/refrigeration system appliances must include at least the following:

two types of appliances, including:

conducting visual inspection of appliances

conducting all electrical tests

conducting all refrigeration tests

Electrical testing must include at least the following:

isolation testing

insulation resistance of equipment

resistance of the internal circuits of equipment

polarity of supply and equipment

continuity of earthing

correct electrical connections load current

Refrigeration/air conditioning testing must include at least the following:

pressure test apparatus/circuits

leak test apparatus/circuits

evacuation test apparatus/circuits

compressor efficiency

controls tests

refrigerant charge

operating pressures

system operation system capacity

Electrotechnology

Refrigeration and air-conditioning