This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to conduct in-service safety testing of electrical cord connected equipment and cord assemblies.

It includes working safely, using portable appliance tester (PAT), identifying faults, applying tagging, arranging for repair of faulty equipment and complete testing documentation.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Prepare to test cord connected apparatus and cord assemblies

1.1

Work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures for a given work area are identified, obtained and applied

1.2

WHS/OHS risk control work preparation measures and procedures are followed

1.3

Advice is sought from relevant person/s to ensure work is effectively coordinated with others

1.4

Cord connected apparatus and cord assemblies to be tested are obtained in accordance with workplace procedures

1.5

PAT device is checked for correct operation and safety in accordance with relevant industry standards and workplace procedures

2

Test cord connected apparatus and cord assemblies

2.1

WHS/OHS risk control work measures and procedures are followed

2.2

Measures are followed to ensure that cord connected apparatus and cord assemblies to be tested are not connected to the electrical supply in accordance with relevant industry standards

2.3

Electrical safety requirements and parameters are applied to ensure correct test results are in accordance with relevant industry standards

2.4

Visual inspection and checks of the cord connected apparatus and cord assemblies are carried out in accordance with workplace procedures to detect any abnormal damage or fault

2.5

Approval is obtained in accordance with workplace procedures from relevant person/s before any contingencies are implemented

2.6

PAT routines are followed to test cord connected apparatus and cord assemblies in accordance with workplace procedures

2.7

Unsafe cord connected apparatus and cord assemblies are identified from test results in accordance with workplace procedures

2.8

Testing is undertaken effectively to minimise waste of energy and damage to apparatus

3

Tag cord connected apparatus and cord assemblies and document testing activities

3.1

WHS/OHS work completion risk control measures and procedures are followed

3.2

Worksite is cleaned and made safe in accordance with workplace procedures

3.3

Cord connected apparatus and cord assemblies are tagged in accordance with workplace procedures for their safety status

3.4

Arrangements are made for unsafe cord connected apparatus and cord assemblies to be repaired by relevant person/s

3.5

Safety testing activities are documented in accordance with relevant industry standards and workplace procedures

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions on at least two separate occasions and include:

applying appropriate tagging

applying relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements, including using risk control measures

connecting cords and apparatus to the testing device

dealing with unplanned events in accordance with problem-solving techniques and workplace procedures

documenting testing activities, including workplace register

identifying safe and unsafe cords and apparatus

preparing to test cord connected apparatus and cord assemblies

preparing and using the portable appliance tester (PAT)

safety testing of electrical cord connected equipment and cord assemblies

tagging tested cord connected apparatus and cord assemblies and document testing activities

using test results to determine the safety status.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions and include knowledge of:

Australian Standards and Commonwealth/state/territory legislation and regulations including:

Australian Standard AS/NZS 3760 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment

Commonwealth/state/territory WHS/OHS Acts and regulations

limitations of work that can be undertaken

codes of practice and associated guidance material

risk management principles

basic electrical testing concepts, including:

basic electrical circuits

functions of electrical circuit

conductors and insulators

basic electrical supply system

relationship of electrical quantities

effects of electrical currents

methods/devices used to negate or minimise electrical shock

PAT

PAT maintenance and calibration

electrical equipment and cord assemblies testing, including:

classification of electrical equipment

inspection of electrical equipment (visual inspections)

using PAT:

earth continuity testing

insulation resistance testing

polarity testing (extension cords and IEC cords)

testing and tagging documentation requirements, including:

risk assessment documentation

frequency of inspection and testing

tagging of equipment

records maintenance

electrical cord testing and tagging documentation requirements

electrical equipment and cord assemblies testing

electrical testing concepts

problem-solving techniques

relevant job safety assessments or risk mitigation processes

relevant legislation and regulations

relevant manufacturer specifications

relevant testing and tagging of portable and cord connected electrical apparatus

relevant WHS/OHS legislated requirements

relevant workplace documentation

relevant workplace policies and procedures.

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in suitable workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated suitable workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

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.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations

relevant and appropriate materials, tools, facilities. equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) currently used in industry

resources that reflect current industry practices in relation to conducting in-service safety testing of electrical cord connected equipment and cord assemblies

applicable documentation, including workplace procedures, equipment specifications, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.

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

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the UEE Electrotechnology Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

In-service safety testing must include the following:

at least two different electrical cords and three different items of cord connected equipment with safety faults, including:

a device containing an element

a device containing a motor

a device containing metal oxide varistors (MOV)

Electrotechnology

Restricted Licensing