UETTDRIS58A - Locate faults in power system underground power cablesUETTDRIS58ALocate faults in power system underground power cables

Unit Descriptor

1)Scope:

1.1) Descriptor

This Competency Standard Unit covers the diagnosis and location of faults in underground power cables. It includes obtaining the required “access to test” or equivalent permit, setting up of the fault location test equipment and following the procedure to carry out the cable fault location test plan. It also encompasses the interpreting test results, documenting the actual fault location and likely cause and, listing the recommendations for correcting the cable fault to meet client requirements.

Application of the Unit

2)

This Competency Standard Unit is intended to augment formally acquired competencies. It is suitable for employment-based programs under an approved contract of training.

License to practice

3)

The skills and knowledge described in this unit may require a licence/registration to practice in the work place subject to regulations for undertaking of electrical work. Practice in workplace and during training is also subject to regulations directly related to Occupational Health and Safety, electricity/telecommunications/gas/water industry safety and compliance, industrial relations, environmental protection, anti discrimination and training. Commonwealth, State/Territory or Local Government legislation and regulations may exist that limits the age of operating certain equipment.

Prerequisite Unit(s)

4)

Competencies

4.1)

Granting of competency in this unit shall be made only after competency in the following unit(s) has/have been confirmed.

Where pre-requisite pathways have been identified. All competencies in the Common Unit Group must be have been completed plus all the competencies in one (1) of the identified Pathway Unit Group(s):

Common Unit Group

Unit Code

Unit Title

UEENEEE101A

Apply Occupational Health and Safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace

UEENEEE102A

Fabricate, assemble and dismantle utilities industry components

UEENEEE104A

Solve problems in d.c. Circuits

UEENEEE105A

Fix and secure electrotechnology equipment

UEENEEE107A

Use drawings, diagrams, schedules, standards, codes and specifications

UEENEEG101A

Solve problems in electromagnetic devices and related circuits

UEENEEG102A

Solve problems in low voltage a.c. Circuits

UETTDRCJ21A

Lay ESI electrical cables

UETTDRCJ26A

Install and maintain de-energised low voltage underground polymeric cables.

UETTDRCJ27A

Install and maintain de-energised high voltage underground polymeric cables.

UETTDREL11A

Apply sustainable energy and environmental procedures

UETTDREL12A

Operate plant and equipment near live electrical conductors and apparatus

UETTDREL16A

Working safely near live electrical apparatus

UETTDRIS41A

Install network infrastructure electrical equipment

UETTDRIS42A

Maintain network infrastructure electrical equipment

UETTDRIS55A

Install and maintain low voltage underground services

Literacy and numeracy skills

4.2)

Participants are best equipped to achieve this unit if they have reading, writing and numeracy skills indicated by the following scales. Description of each scale is given in Volume 2, Part 3 “Literacy and Numeracy”

Reading

3

Writing

3

Numeracy

3

Employability Skills

5)

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of Employability Skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit of competency is packaged will assist in identifying Employability Skill requirements.

6) Elements describe the essential outcomes of a competency standard unit

Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

EVIDENCE GUIDE

9) This provides essential advice for assessment of the unit of competency and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria and the range statement of the unit of competency and the Training Package Assessment Guidelines.

The Evidence Guide forms an integral part of this Competency Standard Unit and shall be used in conjunction with all component parts of this unit and, performed in accordance with the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Overview of Assessment

9.1)

Longitudinal competency development approaches to assessment, such as Profiling, require data to be reliably gathered in a form that can be consistently interpreted over time. This approach is best utilised in Apprenticeship programs and reduces assessment intervention. It is the Industry’s preferred model for apprenticeships. However, where summative (or final) assessment is used it is to include the application of the competency in the normal work environment or, at a minimum, the application of the competency in a realistically simulated work environment. It is recognised that, in some circumstances, assessment in part or full can occur outside the workplace. However, it must be in accord with Industry and, Regulatory policy in this regard.

Methods chosen for a particular assessment will be influenced by various factors. These include the extent of the assessment, the most effective locations for the assessment activities to take place, access to physical resources, additional safety measures that may be required and the critical nature of the competencies being assessed.

The critical safety nature of working with electricity, electrical equipment, gas or any other hazardous substance/material carries risk in deeming a person competent. Hence, sources of evidence need to be ‘rich’ in nature so as to minimise error in judgment.

Activities associated with normal every day work have a bearing on the decision as to how much and how detailed the data gathered will contribute to its ‘richness’. Some skills are more critical to safety and operational requirements while the same skills may be more or less frequently practiced. These points are raised for the assessors to consider when choosing an assessment method and developing assessment instruments. Sample assessment instruments are included for Assessors in the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Critical aspects of evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

9.2)

Before the critical aspects of evidence are considered all prerequisites shall be met.

Evidence for competence in this unit shall be considered holistically. Each element and associated Performance Criteria shall be demonstrated on at least two occasions in accordance with the “Assessment Guidelines – UET12”. Evidence shall also comprise:

A representative body of Performance Criteria demonstrated within the timeframes typically expected of the discipline, work function and industrial environment. In particular this shall incorporate evidence that shows a candidate is able to:

Implement Occupational Health and Safety workplace procedures and practices including the use of risk control measures as specified in the Performance Criteria and range; and

Apply sustainable energy principles and practices as specified in the Performance Criteria and range; and

Demonstrate an understanding of the essential knowledge and associated skills as described in this unit to such an extent that the learner’s performance outcome is reported in accordance with the preferred approach; namely a percentile graded result, where required by the regulated environment; and

Demonstrate an appropriate level of employability skills; and

Conduct work observing the relevant Anti Discrimination legislation, regulations, policies and workplace procedures; and

Demonstrated performance across a representative range of contexts from the prescribed items below:

Range of tools/equipment/materials/procedures/workplaces/other variables

Group No

The minimum number of items on which skill is to be demonstrated

Item List

A

At least three of the following:

Time domain reflectometry

Popie

Differential TDR radar

Current impulse

Murray loop

Varley loop

Radio detection

Capacitance/inductance

Continuity tests

Insulation tests

Voltage detection

B

At least one occasion

Dealing with an unplanned event by drawing on essential knowledge and associated skills to provide appropriate solutions incorporated in the holistic assessment with the above listed items.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

9.3)

This unit should be assessed as it relates to normal work practice using procedures, information and resources typical of a workplace. This should include:

OHS policy and work procedures and instructions.

Suitable work environment, facilities, equipment and materials to undertake actual locating of faults in underground power cables.

In addition to the resources listed above, in Context of and specific resources for assessment, evidence should show demonstrated competency working below ground, in limited spaces, with different structural/construction types and method and in a variety of environments.

Method of assessment

9.4)

This Competency Standard Unit shall be assessed by methods given in Volume 1, Part 3 “Assessment Guidelines”.

Note:

Competent performance with inherent safe working practices is expected in the Industry to which this Competency Standard Unit applies. This requires that the specified essential knowledge and associated skills are assessed in a structured environment which is primarily intended for learning/assessment and incorporates all necessary equipment and facilities for learners to develop and demonstrate the essential knowledge and associated skills described in this unit.

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units

9.5)

There are no concurrent assessment recommendations for this unit.

RANGE STATEMENT

10) This relates to the unit of competency as a whole providing the range of contexts and conditions to which the Performance Criteria apply. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.

This Competency Standard Unit shall be demonstrated in relation to the diagnosis and location of faults as it relates to underground power cables (Distribution and Transmission) and includes the receipt of the relevant permit(s).

Relevant cable specifications and standards may include but are not limited to cable ageing effects, test voltage de-rating, velocity of propagation, insulation, screened, armoured, burial status drawings, network diagrams, maker’s installations, cable age and/or service history, owners/clients requests.

Cable fault test procedures may include but are not limited to time domain reflectometry (TDR), TDR radar, digital arc reflection, differential digital arc reflection, current impulse test (thumper test), differential current impulse, decay, differential decay, pool of potential in earth (POPIE), Murray loop test (including Fisher modification), radio detection, Varley loop test, capacitance inductance test.

Test equipment may include but are not limited to the calibration certificated for test equipment being current and valid for AF signals, bridges, pulse echo techniques, capacitors, seismophone, POPIE.

Hazards associated with the testing and location procedures may include but are not limited to environmental, traffic, chemical, fuel gas, warning notices, water or gas flooding, test voltages, public barriers.

Range of testing required may include but are not limited to the order in which testing will be applied, from where tests are to be applied, communication arrangements and who will be directing the tests.

Selected test procedures may include but are not limited to recognised standard test methods, client requirements.

Recorded results of the tests may include but are not limited to the requirements specified by the client or enterprise.

Results interpreted may include but are not limited to physical location notes, depth and distance.

Identified actual fault location may include but are not limited to the reports and test data, within how many metres of the measured position the fault was actually located, relationship between type of fault and possible cause, location and protection relay operations, known events related to the fault.

Correcting the cable fault may include but is not limited to providing recommendations for corrective action, preventative action.

The following constants and variables included in the element/Performance Criteria in this unit are fully described in the Definitions Section 1 of this volume and form an integral part of the Range Statement of this unit:

Appropriate and relevant persons (see Personnel)

Appropriate authorities

Appropriate work platform

Assessing risk

Assessment

Authorisation

Confined space

Diagnostic, testing and restoration

Documenting detail work events, record keeping and or storage of information

Drawings and specifications

Emergency

Environmental and sustainable energy procedures

Environmental legislation

Environmental management documentation

Established procedures

Fall prevention

Hazards

Identifying hazards

Inspect

Legislation

MSDS

Notification

OHS practices

OHS issues

Permits and/or permits to work

Personnel

Quality assurance systems

Requirements

Testing procedures

Work clearance systems

Competency Field

11)

Industry Specific Cross-Discipline Units