UETTDRTS25A
Maintain and test and metering schemes

1)Scope:1.1) DescriptorThis Competency Standard Unit covers the testing of metering schemes and includes isolation, inspection, monitoring, testing, adjustment, and repair, refurbishment and or overhaul and functional checks on schemes including ammeters, voltmeters, wattmeters, VAR meters and energy metering. It also includes the understanding of the purpose of the testing so as to prove accuracy and suitability of the metering for the required task.

Application

2)

This competency standards unit is intended to apply to any recognised development program that leads to the acquisition of a formal award at AQF level 5 or higher.


Prerequisites

Prerequisite Unit(s)

4)

Competencies

4.1)

Granting of competency in this unit shall be made only after competency in the following unit(s) has/have been confirmed.

Where pre-requisite pathways have been identified. All competencies in the Common Unit Group must be have been completed plus all the competencies in one (1) of the identified Pathway Unit Group(s):

Common Unit Group

Unit Code

Unit Title

UEENEED104A

Use engineering applications software on personal computers

UEENEEE101A

Apply Occupational Health and Safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace

UEENEEE102A

Fabricate, assemble and dismantle utilities industry components

UEENEEE104A

Solve problems in d.c. Circuits

UEENEEE107A

Use drawings, diagrams, schedules, standards, codes and specifications

UEENEEE124A

Compile and produce an energy sector detailed report

UEENEEE125A

Provide engineering solutions for problems in complex multiple path circuits problems

UEENEEE126A

Provide solutions to basic engineering computational problems

UEENEEG101A

Solve problems in electromagnetic devices and related circuits

UEENEEG102A

Solve problems in electromagnetic devices and related circuits

UEENEEG149A

Provide engineering solutions to problems in complex polyphase power circuits

UETTDREL11A

Apply sustainable energy and environmental procedures

UETTDREL16A

Working safely near live electrical apparatus

UETTDRIS62A

Implement and monitor the power system organisational OHS policies, procedures and programs

UETTDRIS63A

Implement and monitor the power system environmental and sustainable energy management policies and procedures

UETTDRTS29A

Develop power systems secondary isolation instructional documents

Literacy and numeracy skills

4.2)

Participants are best equipped to achieve this unit if they have reading, writing and numeracy skills indicated by the following scales. Description of each scale is given in Volume 2, Part 3 “Literacy and Numeracy”

Reading

5

Writing

5

Numeracy

5


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1

Plan for the testing and maintenance of metering schemes

1.1

OHS practices/procedures and environmental and sustainable energy procedures, which may influence the testing and maintenance of metering schemes, are reviewed and determined.

1.2

Purpose of the testing and maintenance of metering schemes is established after data is analysed and expected outcomes of the work are confirmed with the appropriate personnel.

1.3

Organisational established procedures on policies and specifications for the testing and maintenance of metering schemes are obtained or established with the appropriate personnel.

1.4

Testing procedures are discussed with/directed to the appropriate personnel in order to ascertain the project brief.

1.5

Testing parameters are established from organisational established procedures on policies and specifications.

1.6

Equipment/tools and personal protective equipment are selected based on specified Performance Criteria and established procedures.

1.7

Work roles and tasks are allocated according to requirements and individuals’ competencies.

1.8

Work is prioritised and sequenced for the most efficient/effective outcome, completed within an acceptable timeframe to a quality standard and in accordance with established procedures.

1.9

Liaison and communication issues with other/authorised personnel, authorities, clients and land owners are resolved and activities coordinated to carry out work.

1.10

Risk control measures are identified, prioritised and evaluated against the work schedule.

1.11

Relevant work permits are secured to coordinate the performance of work according to requirements and/or established procedures.

2

Carry out the testing and maintenance of metering schemes

2.1

Circuit/systems modelling is used to evaluate alternative proposals as per established procedures.

2.2

OHS and sustainable energy principles, functionality and practices to reduce the incidents of accidents and minimise waste are incorporated into the project in accordance with requirements and/or established procedures.

2.3

Testing and maintenance of metering schemes decisions are made on the basis of safety and effective outcomes according to requirements and/or established procedures.

2.4

Mathematical/engineering models of the testing and maintenance of metering schemes are used to analyse the effectiveness of the finished project as per requirements and established procedures.

2.5

Technical advice is given regarding potential hazards, safety risks and control measures so that monitoring and preventative action can be undertaken and/or appropriate authorities consulted, where necessary, in accordance with requirements and established procedures.

2.6

Essential knowledge and associated skills are applied to analyse specific data and compare it with compliance specifications to ensure completion of the project within an agreed timeframe according to requirements.

2.7

Testing and maintenance of metering schemes is undertaken according to requirements and established procedures.

2.8

Work teams/groups are arranged/coordinated/evaluated to ensure planned goals are met according to established procedures.

2.9

Solutions to non-routine problems are identified and actioned, using acquired essential knowledge and associated skills, according to requirements.

2.10

Quality of work is monitored against personal performance agreement and/or established organisational and professional standards.

2.11

Strategic plans are developed incorporating organisation initiatives as per established procedures.

3

Complete the testing and maintenance of metering schemes

3.1

Final inspections of the testing and maintenance of metering schemes are undertaken to ensure they comply with all requirements and include all specifications and documentations needed to complete the project.

3.2

Appropriate personnel are notified of completion and reports and/or completion documents are finalised/commissioned.

3.3

Reports and/or completion documents are submitted to relevant personnel/organisations for approval and, where applicable, statutory or regulatory approval.

3.4

Approved copies of the testing and maintenance of metering schemes documents are issues and records are updated in accordance with established procedures.

Required Skills

8) Essential Knowledge and Associated Skills (EKAS): This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Evidence shall show that knowledge has been acquired of testing and maintaining metering schemes.

All knowledge and skills detailed in this unit should be contextualised to current industry practices and technologies.

KS01-TTS25A Metering schemes – testing and maintenance

Evidence shall show an understanding of metering schemes – testing and maintenance to an extent indicated by the following aspects:

T1 Principles of Statutory and safety considerations encompassing:

Commonwealth/State/Territory legislation, standards, codes, supply authority regulations and or enterprise requirements associated with working on High Voltage

Particular reference to State and Territory regulations regarding - working near energised conductors, electrical access, heights, confined space, testing procedures, licensing rules.

T2 Procedure to undertake a visual inspection of a scheme encompassing:

Standards, codes, Commonwealth/State/Territory legislation, supply authority regulations and or enterprise requirements associated with visual inspection procedures of a scheme

Requirements for the use of manuals, system diagrams/plans and drawings

Identify obvious deficiencies in operating to the standard functionality

Techniques in determining device malfunction

Techniques in determining wiring defects.

T3 Procedures for the location and rectification of faults in electrical equipment up to 1000 volts AC and or 1500 volts DC, encompassing:

Relationship of Occupational Health and Safety to the location and rectification of faults in electrical equipment - Act and regulations, identification of personal safety, workplace hazards, working with electrically operated tools and equipment, emergency First Aid/resuscitation, rescue from a live electrical situation, enterprise policies and procedures.

Types of drawings - differentiation between symptoms, faults and causes in malfunctioning equipment, fault-finding techniques and procedures

Fundamental electrical concepts - effects of current, practical resistors, sources of EMF, series, parallel and series-parallel circuits, electrical measurement, capacitors, inductors, magnetism.

Fundamentals of general appliances - basic principles of appliances (non mathematical), appliance identification, appliance ratings, basic principles of operation of control equipment and protection devices, fault conditions and symptoms, safe isolation procedures, test equipment, safe testing procedures, including continuity, fault types in appliances, fault-finding procedures (prescriptive)

Fundamentals of single phase induction motors - basic principles of operation (non mathematical), motor identification, motor ratings, basic principles of operation of control equipment and protection devices, fault conditions and symptoms, safe isolation procedures, test equipment, safe testing procedure, including continuity, fault types in “phase splitting” and universal type motors, fault-finding procedures (prescriptive).

Fundamentals of three phase induction motors - basic principles of operation (non mathematical), motor identification, motor ratings, motor starter principles, basic principles of operation of control equipment and protection devices, fault conditions and symptoms, safe isolation procedures, safe testing procedure, fault-finding procedures (prescriptive)

Fundamentals of single and three phase electrical heaters - basic principles of operation, types of electrical heaters, electrical heater identification, electrical heater ratings, basic principles of operation of control and protection devices, fault conditions and symptoms, safe testing procedure, fault-finding procedures (prescriptive).

T4 Detailed operation of metering devices and principles encompassing:

Common circuit configurations

Meters and measurement principles

Instrument transformer application

Testing of metering systems and devices

Implications of market operation.

T5 Detailed operation of metering test equipment encompassing:

Care and safe use

Operating principles

Comparison of different operating principle meters used for the same purpose

Accuracy and loading effects of meters - measurements of, voltage, current, power, reactive power, phase angle, resistance, inductance, capacitance, impedance, frequency, harmonics and the use of transient and data logging devices

T6 Disconnection and reconnection procedures for fixed wiring electrical equipment up to 1000 volts AC and or 1500 volts DC, encompassing:

Safe electrical work practices and procedures according to standards such as AS/NZ 4836:2001 or equivalent

Safe use of tools and plant

Safe use of ladders and elevated work platforms

Safe use of protective clothing

Hazards in the (electrical) work environment - shock hazards, fire hazards, chemical hazards, other hazardous areas

Special situations

Procedures for dealing with fires associated with electrical equipment

Procedures for dealing with PCBs

Electric shock victim rescue methods and procedures - basic First Aid treatment for shock, burns and bleeding.

Purpose of each procedure and application - expired air resuscitation (EAR), external cardiac-compression (ECC), cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), combined application of EAR and ECC (purpose of each procedure and application).

Components of a basic electrical circuit(s) – source, control, protection, load

Types of circuit diagrams – symbols, conventions, interpretations, free sketches

Types of circuit connections and functions - open circuit, closed circuit, short circuit

Techniques in basic electrical measurement - use of multimeters; use of ammeter; use of voltage measuring and indicating devices; testing of measuring instruments; care of measuring instruments; voltage, current and resistance measurement; estimating values of voltage, current and resistance; using ohms law

Fundamental principles of electrical concepts - effects of current; practical resistors; sources of EMF; simple practical circuit; series, parallel and series-parallel circuits; electrical measurement; capacitors; inductors; magnetism

Techniques in insulation resistance measurement and requirements

Earthing principles and systems.

T7 Disconnection and reconnection procedures for fixed wiring electrical equipment up to 1000 volts AC and or 1500 volts DC, encompassing:

Methods for testing insulation resistance - continuity of prospective earthing conductor, continuity between exposed conductive parts and the earthing system

Methods of recognising acceptable test results for compliance with safety requirements

Methods of recognising unacceptable test results and require an appropriate qualified person to further investigation

Cable types and conductor termination methods and techniques - conductors solid, stranded and flexible, colour codes

Single and three phase systems and loads - number of active and live conductors required, line and phase voltage, typical loads

Identification and rating of general appliances

Single phase induction motors - motor identification, motor ratings, direction of rotation

Three phase induction motors - motor identification, motor ratings, direction of rotation

Single and three phase heaters - types of heaters, heater identification, heater ratings

Electrical distribution arrangement - power systems within premises, purpose of switchboards/distribution boards (residual current devices and ELCBs)

Circuit isolation and protection devices

Isolation procedures - work clearance, testing for voltage, lock-off and tagging, techniques in isolation and tagging, regulation, codes of practice and procedures

Disconnection procedures, practices and requirements

Types of replacement equipment

Methods of ensuring equipment is safe to connect to supply

Methods of reconnection procedures, practices and requirements

Methods of return equipment to service

T8 Effects of harmonics encompassing:

Characteristics and effects of harmonics on protection device functions/malfunction

Effects of harmonics on transformers, generators, motors, quality of supply.

T9 Procedure for the systematic fault isolation through the application of diagnostic techniques encompassing:

Principles of analytical questioning

Techniques in drawing valid conclusions from first observations

Concepts of broad first-line testing

Consideration of/responsibility for, avoidance of further damage

Interpretation of specific test results: cause/effect

Techniques for isolation to appropriate level - half-split, module/function isolation (kernel technique), substitution, diagnostic software, requirements for the use of manuals, system diagrams/plans, drawings, handbooks, specifications and fault pathways.

Software/firmware functions awareness

Factors affecting field versus workshop repair costs

Scheduling minor/major repair activities, downtime

Implications of temporary repairs

Use of system knowledge and history

Data interpretation, expected versus actual

Feedback to design/production/installation processes

Subsystems and system structures

System signals/status indicators

Known failure modes and trends

Action threshold warnings versus catastrophic failure

Component ratings/upgrades

Disassembly/reassembly techniques and care

Relative costs of repair and replacement - remaining life, ongoing maintenance, additional benefits of replacement equipment, e.g. improved productivity, quality.

Evidence Required

9) This provides essential advice for assessment of the unit of competency and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria and the Range Statement of the unit of competency and the Training Package Assessment Guidelines.

The Evidence Guide forms an integral part of this Competency Standard Unit and shall be used in conjunction with all component parts of this unit and, performed in accordance with the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Overview of Assessment

9.1)

Longitudinal competency development approaches to assessment, such as Profiling, require data to be reliably gathered in a form that can be consistently interpreted over time. This approach is best utilised in Apprenticeship programs and reduces assessment intervention. It is the Industry’s preferred model for apprenticeships. However, where summative (or final) assessment is used it is to include the application of the competency in the normal work environment or, at a minimum, the application of the competency in a realistically simulated work environment. It is recognised that, in some circumstances, assessment in part or full can occur outside the workplace. However, it must be in accord with Industry and, Regulatory policy in this regard.

Methods chosen for a particular assessment will be influenced by various factors. These include the extent of the assessment, the most effective locations for the assessment activities to take place, access to physical resources, additional safety measures that may be required and the critical nature of the competencies being assessed.

The critical safety nature of working with electricity, electrical equipment, gas or any other hazardous substance/material carries risk in deeming a person competent. Hence, sources of evidence need to be ‘rich’ in nature so as to minimise error in judgment.

Activities associated with normal every day work have a bearing on the decision as to how much and how detailed the data gathered will contribute to its ‘richness’. Some skills are more critical to safety and operational requirements while the same skills may be more or less frequently practiced. These points are raised for the assessors to consider when choosing an assessment method and developing assessment instruments. Sample assessment instruments are included for Assessors in the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Critical aspects of evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

9.2)

Before the critical aspects of evidence are considered all prerequisites shall be met.

Evidence for competence in this unit shall be considered holistically. Each element and associated Performance Criteria shall be demonstrated on at least two occasions in accordance with the “Assessment Guidelines – UET12”. Evidence shall also comprise:

A representative body of Performance Criteria demonstrated within the timeframes typically expected of the discipline, work function and industrial environment. In particular this shall incorporate evidence that shows a candidate is able to:

Implement Occupational Health and Safety workplace procedures and practices including the use of risk control measures as specified in the Performance Criteria and range; and

Apply sustainable energy principles and practices as specified in the Performance Criteria and range; and

Demonstrate an understanding of the essential knowledge and associated skills as described in this unit to such an extent that the learner’s performance outcome is reported in accordance with the preferred approach; namely a percentile graded result, where required by the regulated environment; and

Demonstrate an appropriate level of employability skills; and

Conduct work observing the relevant Anti discrimination legislation, regulations, policies and workplace procedures; and

Demonstrated performance across a representative range of contexts from the prescribed items below:

Range of tools/equipment/materials/procedures/workplaces/other variables

Group No

The minimum number of items on which skill is to be demonstrated

Item List

A

Demonstrate, on at least three (3) occasions, testing accuracy to established plans of at least three (3) schemes using the following equipment:

Ammeter

Voltmeter

Wattmeter

VAR meter

Energy meter*

(*Must do)

B

At least one occasion

Dealing with an unplanned event by drawing on essential knowledge and associated skills to provide appropriate solutions incorporated in the holistic assessment with the above listed items.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

9.3)

This unit should be assessed as it relates to normal work practice using procedures, information and resources typical of a workplace. This should include:

OHS policy and work procedures and instructions.

Suitable work environment, facilities, equipment and materials to undertake actual testing and maintenance of metering schemes.

Operational access to relevant plant, protection equipment, scheme drawings and specialised testing equipment.

In addition to the resources listed above, in Context of and specific resources for assessment, evidence should show demonstrated competency working in realistic environment and a variety of conditions.

Method of assessment

9.4)

This Competency Standard Unit shall be assessed by methods given in Volume 1, Part 3 “Assessment Guidelines”.

Note:

Competent performance with inherent safe working practices is expected in the Transmission, Distribution and Rail Traction Industry. This requires that the specified essential knowledge and associated skills are assessed in a structured environment which is primarily intended for learning/assessment and incorporates all necessary equipment and facilities for learners to develop and demonstrate the essential knowledge and associated skills described in this unit.

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units

9.5)

There are no concurrent assessment recommendations for this unit.


Range Statement

10) This relates to the unit of competency as a whole providing the range of contexts and conditions to which the Performance Criteria apply. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.

This Competency Standard Unit shall be demonstrated in relation to the testing and maintenance of metering schemes may include the following:

Isolation, functional checks, inspection, monitoring, testing, adjustment, and repair, refurbishment and or overhaul procedures on schemes including ammeters, voltmeters, wattmeters, VAR meters and energy metering.

The following constants and variables included in the element/Performance Criteria in this unit are fully described in the Definitions Section 1 of this volume and form an integral part of the Range Statement of this unit:

Appropriate and relevant persons (see Personnel)

Appropriate authorities

Appropriate work platform

Assessing risk

Assessment

Authorisation

Confined space

Diagnostic, testing and restoration

Documenting detail work events, record keeping and or storage of information

Drawings and specifications

Emergency

Environmental and sustainable energy procedures

Environmental legislation

Environmental management documentation

Established procedures

Fall prevention

Hazards

Identifying hazards

Inspect

Legislation

MSDS

Notification

OHS practices

OHS issues

Permits and/or permits to work

Personnel

Quality assurance systems

Requirements

Testing procedures

Work clearance systems


Sectors

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

5)

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of Employability Skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit of competency is packaged will assist in identifying Employability Skill requirements.


Licensing Information

License to practice

3)

The skills and knowledge described in this unit may require a licence/registration to practice in the work place subject to regulations for undertaking of electrical work. Practice in workplace and during training is also subject to regulations directly related to Occupational Health and Safety, electricity/telecommunications/gas/water industry safety and compliance, industrial relations, environmental protection, anti discrimination and training. Commonwealth, State/Territory or Local Government legislation and regulations may exist that limits the age of operating certain equipment.