This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to operate, inspect and monitor a generator and/or alternator.

Analternatoris an electricalgeneratorthat converts mechanical energy to electrical energy in the form of an Alternating Current (AC). In contrast, a generatorcan produce either Alternating Current (AC) or Direct Current (DC).

Competency in this unit requires the ability to plan work, operate generator and/or alternator plant, test generator and/or alternator plant, analyse generator and/or alternator plant faults, monitor and inspect generator and/or alternator plant and the completion of all documentation. Individuals will, in general, work under supervision, in a power generation facility as an operator.

Power generation plant operators are typically trained and authorised to isolate, prepare plant and issue permits to work.

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

Note: Workplace practice

The application of the skills and knowledge described in this unit may require a licence or training permit to practice in the workplace where work is carried out on gas and electrical installations. Additional conditions may apply under state and territory legislative and regulatory licensing requirements.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1

Plan and prepare work

1.1

Safety issues related to operating and monitoring generator and/or alternator plant are identified, in accordance with workplace procedures and Work, Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety(OHS) regulations and legislative requirements

1.2

Work and generator and/or alternator plant are identified from appropriate personnel and documentation, in accordance with workplace procedures

1.3

Generator and/or alternator running up and loading schedule are ascertained from relevant documentation, in accordance with workplace procedures and site requirements

1.4

Inspection, preoperational tests and field preparations for generator and/or alternator plant service are carried out, in accordance with workplace procedures and manufacturers' recommendations

1.5

Generator and/or alternator plant operational prerequisites are established, in accordance with workplace procedures and manufacturers' recommendations

1.6

Sequence for recommissioning of generator and/or alternator plant is determined to suit existing circumstances, in accordance with workplace procedures and site requirements

2

Operate generator/alternatorplant

2.1

Output is adjusted to achieve required generator and/or alternator operating requirements and demand, in accordance with workplace procedures

2.2

Generator and/or alternator plant is operated within limits of its' design and regulators' requirements, in accordance with workplace procedures

2.3

Generator and/or alternator plant is monitored and observed, in accordance with workplace procedures, to detect deviations from required operating conditions

2.4

Corrective actions are taken to rectify generator and/or alternator abnormalities, in accordance with workplace procedures and manufacturers' recommendations

3

Test generator/alternatorplant operation

3.1

Operational tests are performed, in accordance with workplace procedures

3.2

Generator and/or alternator plant is observed for correct operational response, in accordance with workplace procedures

3.3

Corrective action is taken, in accordance with workplace procedures, when response does not meet with documentation, generator and/or alternator plant integrity or personnel safety requirements

3.4

Generator and/or alternator plant is returned to required operational status upon completion of testing, in accordance with workplace procedures

4

Analyse generator/alternatorplant faults

4.1

Cause of abnormal generator and/or alternator plant operating conditions are identified, in accordance with workplace procedures, by analysing technical and operational information

4.2

Corrective actions to rectify generator and/or alternator faults are determined, in accordance with workplace procedures

4.3

Generator and/or alternator plant integrity and personnel safety is maintained, in accordance with workplace procedures, and in consultation with appropriate personnel and technical and operational documentation

5

Monitor and inspect generator/alternatorplant

5.1

Generator and/or alternator plant to be monitored and inspected is physically identified, in accordance with workplace procedures

5.2

Generator and/or alternator plant is monitored and inspected, in accordance with workplace procedures, for normal operation or to detect deviations

5.3

Corrective action is taken, in accordance with workplace procedures

5.4

Appropriate personnel are notified when defects are detected, in accordance with workplace procedures

6

Complete documentation

6.1

Generator and/or alternator plant movements, abnormalities and status are reported, in accordance with workplace procedures

6.2

Documentation is updated, in accordance with workplace procedures

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 Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Electricity generation

Operations