Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 7:31 AM AWST

Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.

Operate and monitor d.c. electrical systems

Operate and monitor d.c. electrical systems

Unit of competency
National Code
UEPOPS406B
State Code
WE392
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
25/07/2012
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
23/10/2012
Field of Education
031311 - Powerline Installation And Maintenance
Original Release Date
23/10/2012
Nominal Hours
18
Description
1)Scope:1.1) DescriptorThis unit deals with the skills and knowledge required to operate and monitor the local and remote operation of DCd.c. electrical switchgear, ring mains, switchboards, rectification and distribution systems.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Plan and prepare for switching operations
  • 1.1 Safety issues are identified to comply with enterprise/site and legislative requirements
  • 1.2 Work requirements are identified from relevant personnel and documentation
  • 1.3 Documentation to determine plant status is assessed and evaluate
  • 1.4 Localised plant/equipment inspection, pre- operational checks and field preparation for service are carried out in accordance with manufacturer’s and enterprise/site procedures
  • 1.5 Switchboard/equipment operational pre-requisites and switching sequences are established in accordance with manufacturer’s and enterprise/site procedures
  • 1.6 Where appropriate, the teams and individuals roles and responsibilities within the team are identified and, where required, assist in the provision of the on-the-job training
2 Carry out operation of switchgear, switchboards and rectification systems
  • 2.1 Operation of switchgear is carried out in accordance with manufacturer’s and enterprise/site procedures and programmes
  • 2.2 Isolation, removal and reinstatement of switchgear/switchboards/rectification systems is carried out in accordance with manufacturer’s and enterprise/site procedures
  • 2.3 Paralleling/balancing requirements are assessed and met to ensure system stability
  • 2.4 Rectification system is operated, isolated and reinstated in accordance with manufacturer’s and enterprise/site procedures
3 Test switchgear and rectification equipment operation
  • 3.1 Tests are performed in accordance with defined procedures applicable to the operational test
  • 3.2 Switchgear and/or rectification equipment is observed for correct operational response
  • 3.3 Corrective action is taken when response is not in accordance with documentation, system integrity or personnel safety requirements
  • 3.4 Switchgear and/or rectification equipment is returned to required operational status upon completion of test
4 Analyse system, switchgear and rectification equipment faults
  • 4.1 Causes of abnormal system/switchgear operating conditions are identified by analysing the technical and operational information in a logical and sequential manner
  • 4.3 Corrective action taken is in accordance with enterprise/site procedures
  • 4.4 System/switchgear/plant integrity and personnel safety are maintained through consultation with appropriate personnel, and reference to plant, technical and operational documentation
5 Inspect and monitor system and switchboards
  • 5.1 System/switchgear to be monitored/ inspected is physically identified
  • 5.2 System/switchgear is monitored /inspected for normal operation or to detect deviations
  • 5.3 Corrective action taken is in accordance with enterprise/site procedures
  • 5.4 Appropriate personnel are notified when defects and abnormal operating conditions are detected
6 Complete documentation
  • 6.1 Documentation is updated and equipment problems, abnormalities and status are reported and logged in accordance with enterprise/site procedures
RANGE STATEMENT
10) This relates to the competency standard unit 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.
Systems, plant and/or equipment may include d.c. switchboards and ring mains; supervisory, control and protection equipment; UPS systems, circuit breakers; load breaking isolators; non-load breaking isolators; d.c. motors, combined fuse switches (CFS) with or without contactor units; low voltage equipment; fuses; mini circuit breakers; contactors; switchboard auxiliary supplies; indication; earth leakage detection systems; rectifiers; static; generators; batteries and battery banks; inverters; d.c. lighting systems and metering.
Operation of the equipment may include earthing
Safety standards may include relevant sections of Occupational Health and Safety legislation, enterprise safety rules, relevant State and federal legislation and national standards for plant.
Information and documentation sources may include verbal or written communications; enterprise safety rules documentation; dedicated computer equipment; enterprise/site standing and operating instructions; enterprise log books; manufacturer’s operation and maintenance manuals; and equipment and alarm manuals.
Technical and operational indicators may include stimuli (audio, smell, touch, visual), local indicators and recorders, computers and alarms (visible and or audible).
Communications may be by means of telephone, two way radio, pager, public address system, computer (electronic mail) and operating log (written or verbal).
Tests may include post maintenance operating tests, interlock tests, alarm tests and emergency/black start checks.
Appropriate personnel to consult, give or receive direction may include, supervisor/team leader or equivalent, technical and engineering officers or equivalent, power system control personnel or equivalent, power plant operations personnel, maintenance staff, contractor and specialist staff.
Test, fault finding and operating tools may include voltage testers, proving dead equipment, power or hand tools, control system equipment and fuse testers/multimeters.
Operating environment may be during inclement or otherwise harsh weather conditions, in wet/noisy/dusty areas or during night periods.
Faults and abnormal operating conditions may include; circuit breaker faults; loss of supervisory/control supplies; fuse failure; and earth faults.
Generic terms are used throughout this Training Package for vocational standard shall be regarded as part of the Range Statement in which competency is demonstrated. The definition of these and other terms are given in Section 2.1 Preliminary Information and Glossaries.
EVIDENCE GUIDE
9) This provides essential advice for assessment of the competency standard unit and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria and the Range Statement of the unit 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 components parts of this unit and, performed in accordance with the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Overview of Assessment
9.1)

Longitude 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 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.
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 practised. These points are raised for the assessors to consider when choosing an assessment method and developing assessment instruments. Sample assessment instruments are included 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 pre-requisites 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 - UEP12”. Evidence shall also comprise:
A representative body of work performance 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 Statement
Apply sustainable energy principles and practices as specified in the Performance Criteria and Range Statement
Demonstrate an understanding of the essential knowledge and associated skills as described in 6) Essential Knowledge and Associated Skills of this unit
Demonstrate an appropriate level of employability skills
Conduct work observing the relevant Anti-Discrimination legislation, regulations, polices and workplace procedure
Demonstrated performance across a representative range of contexts from the prescribed items below:
The knowledge and application of relevant sections of: Occupational Health and Safety legislation; Statutory legislation; Enterprise/site safety procedures; Enterprise/site emergency procedure
Preparation and planning of work
Operation of switch gear
Conducting switching operations
Operationally testing plant
Analysing equipment, system and protection faults
Monitoring equipment, and system operation
Dealing with an unplanned event by drawing on essential knowledge and 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 work as prescribed by this unit.
Competency Standards should be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions.
Assessment of this unit will be supported with documentary evidence, by means of endorsement stating type and application of work.
In addition to the resources listed above in Context of assessment’, evidence should show competency working in limited spaces with different types of plant and equipment as well as different structural/construction types and methods and in a variety of environments.

Method of assessment
9.4)

This unit shall be assessed by methods given Section 1.3.00 Assessment Guidelines.
Note:
Competent performance with inherent safe working practices is expected in the Industry to which this 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 skills described in this unit.

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units
9.5)

There are no recommended concurrent assessments with this unit, however in some cases efficiencies may be gained in terms of learning and assessment effort being concurrently managed with allied competency standard units where listed.
Nil
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
S5249 UEPOPS406A Operate and Monitor DC Electrical Systems Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OAG58 UEPOPS406 Operate and monitor D.C. electrical systems Unit of competency