Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
PLC applications
PLC applications may include:
industrial (e.g. motor controllers, fault detectors and power controllers)
multi-axis machine control
process automation
packaging, shrink-wrapping, labelling and palletising
utilities, water treatment and effluent treatment
industrial distributed control system
amusement rides
agricultural machine and irrigation controllers
military and aerospace automation (except aircraft systems)
mineral and chemical, and petroleum processing
PLC software
PLC software and programming language may cover:
ladder diagram (LD) - graphical
function block diagram (FBD) - graphical
structured text (ST) - textual
instruction list (IL) - textual
sequential function chart (SFC) - elements to organise programs for sequential and parallel control processing
PLC programming language standards may comply with IEC 61131-3 or other standards
Appropriate technical and professional assistance
Appropriate technical and professional assistance may include:
technical support and advice relating to elements which have intrinsic dangers, such as:
high pressure
energised fluid vessels
high temperatures and heat energy capacity
wiring with high current control voltages above extra low voltage
professional support for technologies may include:
specialist electric motor drives and controllers
specialist materials, plastics, metal alloys and nano materials
special processes, foundry, alloy welding, heat treatment, sealing and fastening
WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures

WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures may include:
WHS Acts and regulations
relevant standards
codes of practice from Australian and overseas engineering and technical associations and societies
risk assessments
registration requirements
safe work practices
state and territory regulatory requirements
Standards and codes
Standards and codes refer to all relevant Australian and international standards and codes applicable to a particular PLC related task
Automation safety
Automation safety refers to the reliance on emergency stop, failsafe design, redundancy, system interlocks and data integrity. Standards apply to general plant design and use as well as the ‘functional safety of safety-related electrical, electronic and programmable electronic control systems’
Data and communications protocols and standards
Data and communications protocols and current standards may include:
layered communications and networking protocols, such as Open Systems Interconnection Model (OSI Model) - 7 layers
TCP/IP Internet Protocol Suite {Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the Internet Protocol (IP)} - 4 or 5 layers
IEEE 802 Wireless PAN, LAN, MAN and WPAN standards
interface standards, such as RS232 and RS485, Fieldbus, Modbus and DNP3.0
Network topologies
Network topologies may include:
daisy-chain, star, ring, branch, linear and tree
wired and wireless options
Sustainability
Sustainability is used to mean the entire sustainable performance of the organisation/plant, including:
meeting all regulatory requirements
conforming to all industry covenants, protocols and best practice guides
minimising ecological and environmental footprint of process, plant and product
maximising economic benefit of process plant and product to the organisation and the community
minimising the negative WHS impact on employees, community and customer

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to evaluate PLCs and related control system component applications for safety, efficiency and function.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently:
identify and assess compliance with WHS and regulatory requirements, and risk management procedures
review dangers and effects of electricity on humans
identify PLC related systems and components, integrating principles and techniques
assess suitability of programming
investigate sustainability implications of PLC applications
assess and apply basic electrical and electronic, control principles, controller programming principles and techniques, software basic analysis and graphics skills and techniques
evaluate components of applications against application specifications for safety, economy and fitness for purpose
report and document results.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit may be assessed on the job, off the job or a combination of both on and off the job. Where assessment occurs off the job, then a simulated working environment must be used where the range of conditions reflects realistic workplace situations. The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.
Method of assessment
Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the MEM05 Metal and Engineering Training Package.
Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of underpinning knowledge.
Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on underpinning knowledge to ensure correct interpretation and application.
Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process.
Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is not only able to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.
Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency where required.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.