This unit of competency has been developed for Engineering Tradesperson – industrial electrician apprenticeship training and the recognition of trade-level skills in designing and connecting control switching of circuits.

It covers basic switching and control arrangements and hazards and safety requirements associated with static electricity discharge from components.

This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to meet the Electrical Regulatory Authorities Council (ERAC).

Essential Performance Capabilities (EPCs):

EPC 41 – Demonstrate the knowledge and skills to design and connect switching circuits, as per AS/NZS 3000.

EPC 51 – Describe the functioning of basic electronic circuits used in common electrical power circuit applications including electronic logic controls, related hazards and safety requirements.

Some jurisdictions require the holder of this unit to be licensed or certified and users should check with the relevant authorities.

Band: A

Unit Weight: 4

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least two (2) occasions and include:

following work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safe work practices

identifying and interpreting circuits, drawings, plans and specifications relevant to the work to be undertaken

determining the electrical and non-electrical isolation requirements to prevent the creation of hazards linked from the loss of machine/system/process control according to established procedures

using lock out tag procedures with appropriate tags/signs

proving electrical isolation and following established safety rules prior to working on electrical equipment or wiring

ensuring all electrical equipment and tools are tested and tagged and are up to date

developing according to specifications at least five (5) or more of the following control circuit designs:

multiple light switching circuit

master control circuit

local start-stop control and with electrical interlocking

connecting a timer in a controlled circuit

a multiple motor starting circuit which incorporates start, stop and jog control

machine safety circuit

line conditioners

inverters

uninterrupted power supplies (UPS)

energy management systems

terminating and connecting to comply with the above selected control circuit scenarios and regulatory requirements at least five (5) or more of the following control circuit devices:

multi-way switches

switches with more than two positions and Off

push buttons

electromechanical relays

programmable relays

contactors

motor reversing contactors

three-phase starters

reduced voltage starters

transducers/sensors, including:

limit, proximity, float and pressure switches

photoelectric cells

light and temperature sensors

programming timers and using the monitoring facility of the programmable relay to verify the values of the timer

testing connected control circuit devices as against agreed design and rectifying any non-compliant functions

complying with the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules and local supply requirements for three-phase motor installations and starters

testing control circuits to ensure functionality

using test equipment to locate faults, completing remedial action and retesting to ensure compliance

documenting connected control circuits in accordance with SOPs.

Evidence required to demonstrate the required knowledge for this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

safe work practices and procedures and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

electrical drawings – conventions in linework, symbols used in electrical circuit diagrams, placement and arrangement of circuit components

drawing schematic circuit diagrams complying with Australian Drawing Standard AS/NZS 1102.101-1989 Graphical symbols for electrotechnical documentation – General information and general index, and converting to wiring diagrams

construction and operation of contactors and relays with various types of contacts, including:

normally open

normally closed

timed on closing

timed in opening

timed in both closing and opening

drawing contactors in circuits and drawing conventions applied

control diagrams drawn as ladder diagrams where the ladder stiles are the supply lines and the ladder rungs are the various circuit lines

control circuit variations, including:

two-position control

local or remote operation

two-wire control

two-wire and push button control where extra start push-buttons are all placed in parallel and where extra stop push-buttons are placed in series

reversing circuits – use of mechanical and electrical interlocks

jogging control

common control devices used in circuits, including:

multi-way switches

switches with more than two positions and Off

push buttons

electromechanical relays

programmable relays

contactors

motor reversing contactors

three-phase starters

reduced voltage starters

transducers/sensors, including:

limit, proximity, float and pressure switches

photoelectric cells

light and temperature sensors:

programmable timers, including specifications to be met and functions to be controlled including machine operation or process output

line conditioners and the purpose they provide

inverters and the purpose they provide

energy management systems and the purpose they provide

static electricity discharge or electrostatic discharge and the hazards associated and the precautions to be taken.

Assessors must:

have vocational competency in designing and connecting control switching of circuits for building services and industrial equipment at least to the level being assessed with relevant industry knowledge and experience

satisfy the assessor requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015 and comply with the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 or equivalent legislation covering VET regulation in a non-referring State as the case requires.

Where possible assessment must occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment that reflects realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

This section describes those required skills (reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy) that are essential to workplace performance in this unit of competency.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Installation and commissioning