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 apply electrical principles to ensure safe practice, assist with systems development, component selection and maintenance and broadly evaluate electrical features, functions and performance of machines or systems.

This includes working individually and as part of a team and recognising and complying with normal control procedures on engineering projects.

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 effects and dangers of electricity

review sustainability implications, functions and features of electrical devices, machines and systems

assess and apply basic electrical principles and techniques

evaluate of suitability of electric power supply for applications

apply appropriate calculations and methods for electric motor control

ensure safe electrical working practice and compatibility of units in calculations

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.

Required skills

Required skills include:

evaluating relevance of WHS, regulatory requirements, standards and codes of practice

evaluating multiple solutions against design criteria, risk, sustainability and cost factors

applying life cycle design and sustainability parameters to identification of task

solving problems and making decisions with systems thinking approach for contingencies and constraints and continuous improvement

reviewing sustainability implications, functions and features of devices, machines and systems employing electricity and electrical principles

integrating electrical evaluation techniques with overall engineering application requirements, including mechanical; fluid power; electronic; heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R); and controller and networking

assessing and applying basic electrical principles and techniques, software basic analysis and graphics skills and techniques to engineering tasks

ensuring safe electrical working practice

ensuring compatibility of units in calculations

reporting and documenting results of investigation, evaluation and application, calculations, diagrams, programs and files

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

energy source options, sustainability implications of electricity generation, distribution and use

sustainable sources of energy

features and function of electrical systems in a range of engineering applications, such as:

sources and reliability of supply (e.g. mains, generators and batteries)

fault and other protection requirements

electrical system control and interfacing with other systems

maintainability

efficiency

fitness for purpose

WHS and regulatory requirements with particular emphasis on automation safety, codes of practice, standards, risk management and registration requirements

the effects of electricity on humans, including dangerous high currents and voltages related to extra low, low and high voltage applications and relating these to engineering applications

licensed technical and professional assistance

electrical laws and theorems

electrical circuit components

AC and DC electrical supply systems:

single and 3-phase power

power factor

distribution systems, including transformers, cables and switchboards

local area distribution considerations and supply authority requirements

typical and possible faults and dangerous situations

earthing systems, such as multiple earth neutral (MEN) system

circuit protection devices, such as fuses, thermal relays, circuit breakers and residual current devices

basic electrical circuits and applications for lighting, motors, controllers, heaters and coolers

graphical symbols and diagramatic representation of basic circuits and power supply fundamentals

electrical power consumption

electrical measurements and techniques

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.

Electrically powered equipment and systems

Electrically powered equipment and systems in mechanical, manufacturing and mechatronic engineering applications may include:

motors

electrical supply equipment, including transformers, switchboards, and power circuit components

sensors, programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and control circuits

isolation, shutdown and emergency cut-offs

lighting

heating, cooling and ventilation

average and maximum load, power factor, switch board layout, earthing and protection systems and power consumption and cost

Electrical-related engineering tasks

Electrical-related engineering tasks covered by this unit include, but are not limited to:

determining WHS, regulatory and risk management requirements

evaluating electrical supply options

technical evaluation of options for electrical equipment and components against peformance, cost and reliability requirements

determining methods for start, stop, speed control and reversing of a range of electric motors

matching of electrical equipment to other systems

Automation safety

Automation safetyrefers to the reliance on emergency stop, failsafe design, redundancy, 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’

Appropriate licensed 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, such as:

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 applying to electrical work

Standards and codes

Standards and codes refer to all relevant Australian and international standards and codes applicable to a particular mechatronic analysis task

Systems thinking

Systems thinking refers to the conduct of engineering work in a manner that demonstrates knowledge of how the interaction of different technical systems on equipment, machinery or structures, as well as the skills and techniques of personnel, combine to perform or support engineering-related operations, processes or projects. It embraces determining or establishing how the function of each technical system or component, as well as the skills and techniques of personnel, effects or potentially may effect, outcomes. Systems should be interpreted broadly within the context of the organisation and depending on the project or operation can include equipment, related facilities, material, software, internal services and personnel, and other organisations in the value chain

Life cycle assessment

Life cycle analysis can be used to improve sustainability of products and services. It may be applied to:

all aspects of manufacture of a single product

the entire operations of an organisation

a particular aspect of operations, such as environmental implications

Sustainability implications

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