Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:29 AM AWST
22/07/2026 1:29 AM AWST
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Conduct high potential testing of power system underground power cables
Conduct high potential testing of power system underground power cables
Unit of competency
National Code
UETTDRIS59A
UETTDRIS59A
State Code
WD685
WD685
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
19/07/2012
Field of Education
031311 - Powerline Installation And Maintenance
Original Release Date
19/07/2012
Nominal Hours
45
Description
1)Scope:1.1) DescriptorThis Competency Standard Unit covers the conducting of high potential testing of underground power cables. It includes obtaining the required “access to test” or equivalent permit, setting up of the fault location test equipment and following the procedure to carry out the cable test plan. It also encompasses the interpreting test results, documenting the actual testing and, recommendations to meet client requirements.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
No information
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 conducting high potential testing of underground power cables and may including the following:
Cable type includes: distribution and transmission polymeric, solid paper insulated, oil filled and gas filled underground cables.
Test and recording equipment may include voltage detectors, cable identification equipment, insulation resistance, DC High Potential testers, phasing instruments.
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
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 conducting high potential testing of underground power cables and may including the following:
Cable type includes: distribution and transmission polymeric, solid paper insulated, oil filled and gas filled underground cables.
Test and recording equipment may include voltage detectors, cable identification equipment, insulation resistance, DC High Potential testers, phasing instruments.
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
EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 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
All of the following:
Tests to be conducted on HV distribution cable Tests to be conducted on HV transmission cable
B
At least one of the following:
HV polymeric
HV paper Insulated
Oil Filled
Gas Filled
C
At least four of the following:
Phasing instruments*
DC high potential tester*
Voltage detectors
Insulation testers*
Continuity testers
Cable identification instrument
(*must do)
D
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 conducting of high potential testing of underground cables.
In addition to the resources listed above, in Context of and specific resources for assessment, evidence should show demonstrated competency working below ground, in limited spaces, with different structural/construction types and method and in a variety of environments.
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 Industry to which this Competency Standard Unit applies. 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)
For optimisation of training and assessment effort, competence in this unit may be assessed concurrently with the following units:
UETTDRIS18B Locate faults in underground power cables
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 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
All of the following:
Tests to be conducted on HV distribution cable Tests to be conducted on HV transmission cable
B
At least one of the following:
HV polymeric
HV paper Insulated
Oil Filled
Gas Filled
C
At least four of the following:
Phasing instruments*
DC high potential tester*
Voltage detectors
Insulation testers*
Continuity testers
Cable identification instrument
(*must do)
D
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 conducting of high potential testing of underground cables.
In addition to the resources listed above, in Context of and specific resources for assessment, evidence should show demonstrated competency working below ground, in limited spaces, with different structural/construction types and method and in a variety of environments.
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 Industry to which this Competency Standard Unit applies. 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)
For optimisation of training and assessment effort, competence in this unit may be assessed concurrently with the following units:
UETTDRIS18B Locate faults in underground power cables
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WA499 | UETTDRIS19B | Conduct high potential testing of underground power cables | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBH59 | UETTDRIS59 | Conduct high potential testing of power system underground power cables | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J167 | UET40412 | Certificate IV in ESI - Network Systems | Qualification |
| J165 | UET30812 | Certificate III in ESI - Power Systems - Distribution Cable Jointing | Qualification |