Frequently Asked Questions
These FAQs are an attempt to distill questions and answers from correspondence regarding the eProfiling suite of products. If you don't find an answer to your question here, please contact our friendly staff via any means detailed in the Contact Us tab or alternativly email us by clicking here.
Also, see the Tutorials tab for more information.
Questions
Answers
1. General
1. What do the terms direct, general and broad supervision mean?
Supervision is related to how much intervention a tradesperson is taking in terms of assisting you to do your work. When you start an apprenticeship, the supervising tradesperson will watch over you performing your work closely. The supervising tradesperson will make sure that you are undertaking your work correctly and ensure that you are safe from any hazards. At this point, you are working under direct supervision.
When you grow in confidence and in experience, the supervising tradesperson will intervene in your work activities on an occasional basis. In other words, the supervising tradesperson will allow you more scope to work without intervention, and will check from time to time on how you are going. At this point you are working under general supervision.
After further development, you will have acquired experiences, confidence and you will have gained a higher level of technical ability. At this point of your apprenticeship, your supervising tradesperson will no longer have to intervene at all in your work. That is, you will be working without any assistance, and your supervising tradesperson will only be checking the work at the end to ensure the work has been performed correctly and that it is compliant and electrically safe. At this point you are working under broad supervision.
2. How long should I work under direct supervision?
Note: The duration that an apprentice requires the various levels of supervision and support will depend entirely on the tasks performed, the experience attained and the individual ability of the apprentice. The durations below show 'typical progression' of a contracting apprentice. The duration may vary from apprentice to apprentice.
Generally, for work such as installing cables, installing cable support and installing equipment, you should find yourself working under direct supervision up until the end of first year to the middle of second year.
For complex work such as fault finding and testing, you will typically work under direct supervision until around the middle of third year.
3. What does the card mean when it asks if I have planned, carried out or completed my work?
The terms plan, carry out and complete refer to the type of work activity that you are undertaking.
In planning work, you will be the person responsible for reading the plans and diagrams, organising the required materials for the job, ensuring that you have all of your tools and equipment and completing the appropriate environmental and safety procedures to begin work.
In carrying out work, you will follow instructions from your tradesperson and carry out the work activities as instructed.
In completing work, you will ensure that the work you have undertaken has been successfully completed and that the necessary compliance checks and paperwork have been completed for each job that you complete.
4. What does the term apparatus mean?
The term Apparatus in most cases is the same as the term equipment. When you install lighting, or heating or an air conditioner, these items are referred to as apparatus. The apparatus is grouped into technical terms such as three phase apparatus, single phase apparatus, synchronous machines and so on. These terms can be found in your Electronic Profiling Book or further down the page on this website.
5. What does the term on the card Maintain Apparatus mean?
Maintain apparatus mean working on electrical apparatus or equipment that does not involve any of the other work activities such as installing, repairing or testing apparatus.
Maintaining work involves any work that you undertake to keep electrical equipment functional. For example, an electrical contractor may have a contract at a factory. The electrical contractor will go through the factory and check the plant and equipment and their controls and make sure they are fully operational and that the plant and equipment will continue to run efficiently.
The checks and maintenance on equipment might include checking and changing brushes and bearings on electric motors, checking appliances to ensure they are good working order (such as testing and tagging equipment, RCD functional testing), checking the operational capability of equipment (such as overhead crane functional checks), or checking the lighting at a factory.
6. What does Commission Apparatus mean?
Commission equipment or apparatus means that you are starting the equipment and making sure that all of the compliance checks are done and that it is working according to the manufacturers' specification.
For example, if you have installed an automatic garage door at a house, you will need to perform the appropriate electrical tests to ensure that it is safe to energize. You will also have to perform functional tests to ensure that the door operates to manufactures’ specifications, such as ensuring that the limit switches are correctly calibrated, door works as expected, protection devices are operational and any remote controls work as expected. You will then fill out the warranty information and instruct the customer on how to use the door (customer handover).
7. I am interested in using eProfiling in my trade area. Is it possible to see and interact with a sample card?
Several trade areas now have cards built. In the process to set up a new qualification / trade area with an eLogBook database, the initial phases of development include the development of the card or user interface that the student / apprentice will use to record their daily activities. These sample cards are developed in a template that can be viewed in their current form of development. The cards that available for viewing are listed below. Draft cards are listed in green and live cards are listed in red. Note: all links open in a new window and all cards are for demonstration only (not connected to live databases).
- Electrician (new window)
- LineWorker (new window)
- Refrigeration (new window)
- Electrical Machine Repair (new window)
- Switchgear & Controlgear (new window)
- CableJointer (new window)
- VetAssessElectrician (new window)
- ApplianceServicing (new window)
- VetAssessRefrigeration (new window)
- VetAssessSwitchgear (new window)
- VetAssessLineWorker (new window)
- VetAssessCableJointer (new window)
8. Does eProfiling collect data that covers the work performance (on job component) requirements of the competencies from the UEE07 training package?
Yes.
eProfiling has worked very closely with EE-Oz Training Standards and the Electrotechnology industry to ensure that the information recorded by eProfiling meets the requirements of the training package and associated industry requirements. EE-Oz Training standards has issued a letter of support that outlines this. A scanned copy of this letter can be found here (167Kb PDF).
Glossary of Terms
The information contained in this glossary was originally extracted from the Superseded National Electrotechnology Training Package UTE99. Some amendments and additions have been made to ensure that the information is applicable.
Italic typeface is used in this National Training Package and the associated competency standards indicates terms and variables that require further explanation. Explanation of terms and variables that have meaning in a particular unit are given in the range statements and should be referenced accordingly at all times. Those that have a common meaning throughout this standard are explained below.
In many instances, the explanations of relevant terms are direct extracts from or are derived from technical standards published by Standards Australia or jointly by Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand.
It should be noted that some Units of competency have unique features. Consequently, these units have additional glossary terms included within.
Common terms and variables
Accessories
Any device associated with, and forming an integral part of, the wiring systems such as switch, fuse, plug, socket outlet, lampholder, fitting, adaptor, ceiling rose; connectors, clamps, splitters, termination posts, lugs, strips and blocks; clips, ties and bindings.
Apparatus
Any equipment forming a component part of an installation used for a particular purpose. Apparatus includes, but is not limited to, that contained in the following divisions. It will necessarily include new and emerging technologies:
- Audio/visual equipment including televisions, radios, monitors, cameras, closed circuit television, mono and stereo sound systems, gaming machines, electronic display panels, cassette recorders, video cassette recorders, CDROM players, tape recorders, sound and video duplication equipment, digital versatile discs, digital audio tapes, professional and domestic speaker systems, mixer desks.
- Air conditioning equipment including room air conditioners, split systems, package units, ducted units, evaporative coolers, ventilation systems.
- Appliances including portable electric tools, motor driven pumps, vacuum cleaners, food preparation equipment, hair dryers, refrigerators, washing machines, dish washers, paper shredders, water coolers, clothes dryers, pest exterminators, electric motor driven industrial tools and equipment, sanitary disposal units, radial and tangential fans and blowers.
- Business equipment including facsimile machines, photocopiers, printers, scanners, modems, computers and peripherals, financial transaction devices and systems.
- Communications equipment including radio transmitters, television transmitters, microwave transmitters and receivers, repeaters, two way radios, antennae, satellite linkage equipment.
- Computer systems including personal computers, computer networks, peripherals, supervisory control and data acquisition systems, modems, bridges, servers, routers, automatic data capture equipment.
- Electrical and electronic controllers and control systems including switchboards and control centres, alternating and direct current regulated and unregulated power supplies, rectifiers and filters, electromechanical and solid state relays and contactors, programmable controllers, uninterruptable power supplies, oscillators, motor speed controllers, electromechanical and dynamic brakes, battery charging and electroplating equipment, lamp dimmers and flashers, transducers, frequency injection systems.
- Electrical machines and associated drives including single phase and polyphase alternating current cage and wound rotor induction motors and synchronous motors and generators, direct current motors and generators, amplidynes, dynamometers, stepper motors, servo motors and synchros, double wound and auto transformers, induction regulators, electronic variable speed and eddy current drives.
- Energy management and sustainable energy equipment including solar cells, stand-by batteries, inverters, wind generators, hybrid systems, stand-by alternators, power factor correction controllers.
- Heating equipment including single and polyphase instantaneous and quick recovery water heaters, space heaters, induction heaters, electric furnaces, commercial food warmers, microwave and dielectric heaters, electric ranges, stoves and oven tops.
- Instrumentation/process control devices and equipment including controllers, transmitters, final control elements, detectors, process loop auxiliary equipment, indicators and recorders, monitors and computer interface equipment.
- Lighting including incandescent, quartz halogen and vapour lamps, applications in domestic, commercial, industrial and sporting settings, advertising signs, security lighting, road and highway lighting.
- Measuring instruments including digital and analogue ammeters, voltmeters, watt and var meters, frequency meters, phase rotation devices, oscilloscopes, power factor indicators, energy meters, insulation resistance devices, continuity testers, chart recorders, voltage detectors, Wheatstone and double bridges, instruments to measure signal strength, harmonic distortion, electro-magnetic and electro-static fields.
- Medical electronics and equipment including x-ray machines, cardiographic monitoring equipment, electrophoresis equipment, electron microscopes, infra-red (deep heat) equipment, physical therapy equipment, CAT scan equipment, ultrasound equipment, defibrillators, infusion pumps, incubators, ventilators, foetal monitors, thermometric devices, anaesthetic units, gas monitors, dialysis equipment, pacemakers, lasers, endoscopes, blood warmers, physiological monitors.
- Power distribution/transmission systems including wood, concrete, steel and composite poles and structures, transmission towers, overhead and underground conductors and cables, electrical metering and recording devices.
- Refrigeration systems including refrigerators, freezers, icemakers, cool rooms, freeze rooms, beverage coolers, merchandising and display cabinets, blast freezers.
- Scanning and detection systems including: radar systems, sonar systems.
- Security and fire detection systems including sensors, controllers, alarm devices, telecommunications interfaces, closed circuit television cameras and monitoring systems.
- Telecommunication equipment including switching equipment, PABX, microwave transmitters and receivers, customer premises equipment, customer access networks, transmission equipment.
See also wiring systems.
Apparatus, fixed wired
Apparatus (electrical/electronic) connected to a system of wiring in which cables protected or unprotected are fixed or supported in position.
Appliances
A fixed (for support only), hand-held (held in hand during normal use), portable (moved whilst in operation or easily moved from one place to another while connected to the supply) or stationary (can be moved, but not easily) consuming device, other than a lamp.
Individuals with responsibilities for co-ordination, design installation, maintenance, production, or servicing activities. This can include:
Approval of equipment
Acceptance by the relevant authority for an item of equipment to be used in a particular situation.
AQF
Australian Qualifications Framework, which describes qualifications in terms of levels, characterised by the outcomes of vocational education and training.
Capacity, load and duty
Flow rates of air, fluids and gases; current-carrying capacity; air, fluids and gas pressures; mechanical loading on piping, tubing or cables and supports; maximum demand and current ratings; duty cycles; frequency; environmental conditions.
Categories – general
Competency can be achieved for any number of the following categories for which formal endorsement is to be provided, as prescribed in the evidence guide and critical aspects for each unit. These are:
- Computer systems: The adaptation of Electrotechnology to the processing and control, communication and storage of information.
- Electrical: Encompasses the systems associated with wiring reticulation, distribution centres, utilising devices and electrical machines for the conversion of electrical energy into other forms and conversely for the conversion of other forms of energy into electromotive force.
- Electronics: The use of discrete solid state components and integrated circuits and devices and their associated circuits for application within process control systems, communication systems, computers, measurement, entertainment equipment, electro-medical equipment and the like.
- Instrumentation: The measurement and control of process system data and parameters for industrial and commercial use. It includes the calibration and maintenance of instrument and processes in the chemical, energy, biotechnology, environmental, food processing and manufacturing industries.
- Refrigeration and air conditioning: Air conditioning is the provision of clean air to an area at proper temperature and humidity. Refrigeration is the cooling of a space or its contents to a lower temperature than that of the surrounding space or of the ambient atmosphere.
- Data communications: Encompassing the systems associated with communication distribution equipment, components, and the related devices for the distribution of audiovisual and data between points of transmission and reception.
Categories - relating to wiring systems
- Cabling/wiring support and protection: Including cable enclosure, ducts, trunking, roughing and cable trays and conduits, cable supports, aerial systems, catenary systems, underground systems, cable harnesses and looms.
- Network communications: Including wiring systems and cables for the purpose of transmitting audio, visual or data information and may be associated with such things as twisted pair cables, telephone cables, screened and shielded cables, coaxial cables and optical fibre cables.
- Power and control – extra low voltage: Including wiring systems and cables for the purposes of providing power and/or analogue or digital control and may be associated with such things as figure eight cables, unshielded twisted pair cables, ribbon cables, coaxial cables, and may include the production of printed circuit boards
- Power and control – low voltage: Including wiring systems and cables for the purpose of providing power and/or analogue or digital control and may be associated with such things as thermoplastic/elastomer insulated/sheathed cable, multicore, armoured cable, mineral insulated metal sheathed (MIMS) cables, fire retardant cables, flexible cables, trailing cables and busways and includes those cables related to the category power and control extra low voltage.
Categories - relating to powerline switching
- Low voltage switching: The isolation and energising of low voltage powerlines for power distribution through approved switching and isolation procedures.
- High voltage switching: The isolation and energising of high voltage powerlines for power transmission and distribution through approved switching and isolation procedures.
- System switching: The isolation and energising of feeders in switchgear substations on low voltage and/or high voltage systems including load transfer and may include systems control room operations.
Categories - relating to business support
- Administration: Functions of record maintenance, quotation preparation, promotion of work and products, attending to customer and employees enquiries and complaints, preparation of invoices, business plans, service reports, maintenance reports and stock control.
- Technical: Functions of estimating preparation of quotations, tenders related to installation, maintenance, repair and servicing of electrical/electronic apparatus and systems. Managing contracting projects and contracting business operation.
- Wholesaling: Sales and supply of apparatus/equipment and electrical accessories to contractors and industrial end-users covering wholesalinggeneral or wholesaling-warehouse or wholesaling-point of sale.
Circuits
Covers electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, optical, magnetic, air flow, hydropic and refrigerant circuits.
Competency can be demonstrated in:
- basic circuits and associated apparatus
- complex circuits and associated apparatus
- systems’ circuits and associated apparatus
- advanced circuits/systems and associated apparatus
A hierarchy of circuit complexity has been established within this document (independent of supply circuits) and are defined as follows:
Basic circuits: A basic circuit is defined as a single circuit with a single output. A single circuit may be controlled by one or more devices and the output may control one or more devices.
Complex circuits: A complex circuit is defined as one made up of more than one interdependent circuit. A complex circuit is made up of more than one circuit, controlling and processing inputs or outputs.
Systems’ circuits: A systems’ circuit is defined as one that interconnects between a number of interdependent apparatus. A systems’ circuit is made up of more than one interconnecting circuit controlling and processing apparatus inputs and outputs.
Advanced circuits/systems: Advanced circuits/systems may be complex circuits or systems circuits which contain complicated networks, hybrid circuits and which rely on digital or analogue closed loop feedback for the control of outputs.
Component
That portion of a unit of equipment, which has been designed as a discrete unit and that can be identified as such.
Conditions and ratings
Relates to flexible cables and plugs that are selected in accordance with Australian and New Zealand Standards and technical data including factors such as:
- Voltage rating
- Current rating
- Sheathing requirement
- Length of cable
- Pin configuration
- Control circuits
- Environmental conditions
- Weather proofing
- Fitting types – shielding, anchorage, earthing and polarity
Consistent performance
Relates to sufficient evidence being present. This requires evidence that competence has been demonstrated for each element of each unit having been achieved at least three times autonomously and to requirements.
Design brief/proposal
Instructions/specifications/outcomes defining the performance of circuits and associated apparatus, usually for the purpose of ensuring the optimum efficiency, environmental performance, economical effectiveness and operation of the system.
Endorsement: to be reported
Refers to the endorsement on which an item of apparatus, appliances, components, equipment, plant and machinery, enclosures and the like that work can be performed on, (including any inspections, reports and risk assessment), as prescribed in regulations and/or by regulatory authorities, to which the unit applies.
Engineering data
Refers to documents and other sources from which technical data and product specifications/characteristic are obtained, includes recognised standards publications, manufacturers product data publications and design features.
Environment
The area surrounding the work site which can be directly or indirectly affected by occurrences at the work site. It includes the atmosphere, soils, drains, underground water tables, and the ecosystem. Protection of the environment would require the proper disposal of waste materials, restriction of burning off, the correct handling of toxic substances, the containment of CFCs and the like.
The protection of the environment would also include the minimisation of those factors that contribute, directly or indirectly, to the production of greenhouse gases.
These contributing factors might include the minimisation of waste materials, the correct use of enterprise vehicles and machinery, the re-use or recycling of trade materials where possible and the overall reduction of energy usage through general awareness and the use of appropriate technologies.
Equipment (which is not apparatus)
Any contributing part of an installation which may or may not be composed of components.
Established procedures
Formal arrangements of an organisation, enterprise or statutory authority of how work is to be done. These may include, for example:
- quality assurance systems incorporating, for example:
- specifications, requirements and procedures
- work orders / instructions
- reporting procedures
- improvement mechanisms
- compliance requirements
- safety management
- work clearance systems incorporating, for example:
- work permits
- monitoring and clearance procedures
- isolation procedures
- OH&S practices
- procedures for operating safety systems, operating plant and equipment and reporting work activities
- maintenance, modification or supply of relevant schematic drawings and technical data
- arrangements for dealing with emergency situations.
Greenhouse gases
Gaseous components of the atmosphere contributing to the greenhouse effect. These gases are produced, for example, when fossil fuels are burned to produce electricity and in other industrial processes.
The greenhouse effect leads to global warming with its ecological and environmental problems.
The minimisation of the use of energy in the workplace, derived from burning fossil fuels, reduces the production of greenhouse gases.
See also environment
Initial audit
An audit that is carried out initially to ascertain whether:
- appropriate procedures have been followed to ensure the safety of the area;
- equipment, systems and installation conform with the design specification and are free from damage;
- any modification have been properly documented and appropriately approved.
Installation
Wiring systems, apparatus and other required items as they are fixed in place and connected as necessary to operate as intended.
Modifications
To make changes to the physical parameters or operational function of a device, component or piece of equipment or apparatus.
Notification (notified)
Can include verbal, written, electronic or recorded information at completion of work which may be required to be completed in accordance with established procedures.
OH&S policies and procedures
Arrangements of an organisation or enterprise to meet their legal and ethical obligations of ensuring the workplace is safe and without risk to health. This may include:
- hazardous and risk assessment mechanisms
- implementation of safety regulations
- safety training
- safety systems incorporating,
- work clearance procedures
- isolation procedures
- gas and vapour
- monitoring/testing procedures
- use of protective equipment and clothing
- use of codes of practice
Periodic audit
An audit that is carried out periodically to ascertain whether:
- appropriate procedures have been followed to ensure the safety of the area;
- equipment, systems and installation conform with the design specification and are free from damage;
- any modification have been properly documented and appropriately approved.
Plant and machinery
Devices or machines (not considered to be hand tools or hand held power tools) used to facilitate construction, installation or maintenance and are removed after the completion of the work. Examples include chain blocks, winches, compressors, ladders, elevated work platforms, explosive power tools, hand operated battery mobile lift and transfer equipment, accessories and attachments and the like.
Requirements
That to which equipment and procedures and their outcomes must conform and includes statutory obligations and regulations and standards called-up by legislation or regulations. Requirements may also include:
- statutory regulations
- codes of practice
- job specifications
- transport documentation
- standards called-up in specifications be they Australian/New Zealand or International
- procedures and work instructions
- quality assurance systems
- manufacturers’ specifications
- maintenance manuals, schedules and specifications/standards
- circuit/cable schedules
- design specifications
- customer/client requirements and specifications
- specified underpinning knowledge (specified in units’ Evidence Guides)
- National and State guidelines , policies and imperatives relating to the environment
Representative range
That which requires a sufficient body of evidence undertaken across a range of activities and work functions to be present in order that a valid, reliable, fair and timely judgement about an individual’s performance for attributing competence can be made.
Sample audits
A sample audit that is carried out to ascertain whether:
- appropriate procedures have been followed to ensure the safety of the area;
- equipment, systems and installation conform with the design specification and are free from damage;
- any modification have been properly documented and appropriately approved.
Servicing
Undertaking routine inspection, repair and maintenance of circuits, systems or apparatus.
Specialisation
Describes the work environment in which the core technical requirements of learning are to apply.
Standards
Technical documents, which set out specifications and other criteria for equipment, materials, and methods to ensure they consistently, perform as intended. The standards referred to in this competency standard are those published by Standards Australia or in joint venture with Standards New Zealand. Competency in the use of other technical standards may be required in industries not restricted to Australian requirements. For example, shipping and off-shore petroleum industries are subject to standards agreed to by underwriters and enterprises or some other international convention.
Statutory Authority
The person or body responsible for the implementation of legislation.
Sustainable Energy Principles and Practice
Sustainable Energy Practice refers to workplace actions that contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases. These are caused by the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal and gas. As most electricity is generated using fossil fuels, a reduction in the unnecessary use of electricity reduces the production of greenhouse gases. Also, most materials used in the workplace are manufactured using electricity or gas, so recycling and reducing the wastage of these materials also helps. There is a worldwide commitment to reducing greenhouse gases, which are considered to contribute to global warming. This User Guide promotes workplace strategies to assist in achieving the same goals.
Sustainable Energy Practice is closely related to the ‘environment’. Sustainable energy practice aims to reduce the amount of wastage in electricity and other forms of energy that lead to the production of greenhouse gases. Many of the principles and practices that apply in the workplace also apply in the home and the general environment. These include:
- examining work practices that may use excessive electrical energy
- reducing energy by using energy efficient machines and appliances (eg. star ratings)
- switching off devices such as lights, machines and computers when not in use
- using power-save devices, such as those incorporated in photocopiers, business machines and the like
- replacing incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lamps
- using natural light to replace artificial light
- regularly cleaning air conditioner filters
- closing windows and doors when climate control units are used
- insulating dwellings, offices and workplaces and preventing draughts
- using reflective curtains to control heat
- using natural or artificial shade to control sunlight
- using solar water heating
- using automatic processes to manage energy usage
- reusing materials used in construction, engineering and manufacturing
- recycling waste materials
- driving motor vehicles and other machines with care
- using natural gas for heating rather than oil or coal based fuels
- using devices to reduce water usage
- checking for leakage in hot water system pressure relief valves and elsewhere in plumbing systems
- sharing information about energy conservation with other workers
System
A group or combination of inter-related, inter-dependent or interlocking elements forming a collective entity. Includes circuits, apparatus, equipment and the like.
Termination
The act by means of which an electrical connection to an apparatus is established; specifically a prepared joint or connection between a cable, cord or conductor and a point in an electrical circuit such as a terminal or connection point. Such terminations include soldering, crimping, clamping, wire wrapping, insulation piercing/compression.
Testing devices
Devices and instruments used to ensure safety requirements and operational functions are met, and to diagnose faults in apparatus, circuits or systems.
Utility
The provision of energy services such as power, water, gas and telecommunications. In the case of UTE NES013 A it applies specifically to remote area essential services operations.
Wiring systems
Permitted cables, enclosures, supports and accessories for power, measurement, control or communications purposes. (See also Category)
Work clearances
Includes any system of permissions and notifications for safely working on or removing equipment/apparatus for service.
Additional glossary terms related to electrical equipment in hazardous area units of competency
Actions
To limit risk of an explosion can include organisational arrangements for reporting and rectifying non-conformances; shutting down plant or machinery under emergency conditions; evacuating a hazardous area; reporting nonconformances and conditions of plant and machinery; monitoring the hazards area for presence of an explosive atmosphere; meeting OH&S obligations.
Authority
Refers to documents from which explosive characteristics of products are obtained and include:
- recognised standards publications
- manufacturers product data publications
Certification documentation
A formal certificate issued by a certifying body stating that an item of equipment/apparatus conforms to particular requirements of a standard. Documentation may include details of limitations of use and manufacturer’s specifications and drawings.
Certification of equipment
A means of verifying that equipment intended for use in a hazardous area complies with the accepted standards.
Classification of hazardous areas
A concept, which is accepted internationally, of dealing with the risk of fire and explosion by area classification.
Competent person
A person who has the relevant competencies described in this competency standard.
Electrical equipment
Equipment used for power, measurement, control or communication purposes.
- N. Pre-assembled Type 1 and Type 2 cold cathode Neon signs only.
- P. A single enclosed control device contained in an enclosure which is not part of a Control Panel or Distribution/Switch Board.
- Q. Control devices, e.g. solenoids, limit switches, pressure switches, thermostats.
- R. Electrical heaters, such as water heaters, duct heaters, heaters incorporated as part of a machine or appliance. e.g. moulding machines, cooking appliances and the like.
- S. Motors – refers to a single or three phase motor incorporated as part of plant or machinery. For example, a chiller unit, automated production and assembly unit, NC Machine; or independent motors driving such things as pumps, conveyors and other similar parts of plant and machinery.
Engineering assessments
Using measurements, calculations and test results to determine whether an item of equipment complies with the relevant standard.
Equipment marking
Information with regards to certification that is required to be marked on each item of equipment incorporating an explosion-protection technique.
Explosion properties of hazardous materials
- for gases, vapours and mists; vapour pressure; boiling point; flash point; ignition energy; explosive limits relative to vapour density; minimum ignition energy
- for dusts; layer ignition temperature; cloud ignition temperature; minimum ignition temperature
Explosion-protection
Technique of protection which is applied to equipment or parts of equipment to prevent the ignition of flammable vapours and gases or combustible dusts in hazardous areas. See Explosion-protected equipment.
Explosion-protected equipment - Techniques
Equipment using the technique which is applied to equipment or parts of equipment to prevent the ignition of flammable vapours and gases or combustible dusts in hazardous areas. Such equipment employs one or more of the following endorsed techniques:
- T. Mixed explosion-protection techniques - Ex mixed: e.g. the use of one or more explosion-protection techniques for the following subendorsements. See explosion-protection.
-
- T1 – Ex “pD” – Pressurisation, dust
- T2 – Ex “mD” – Encapsulation, dust
- T3 – Ex “iD” – Intrinsic safety, dust
- U. Pressurised enclosure - Ex p: e.g. rotating machines; specific products
- V. Dust-exclusion ignition-proof - DIP: e.g. rotating machines; equipment within (DIP) enclosures
- W. Non-sparking - Ex n: e.g. rotating machines; equipment within Ex n enclosures
- X. Intrinsic safety - Ex i: e.g. specific products
- Y. Increased safety equipment - Ex e: e.g. rotating machines; enclosures, equipment within Ex e enclosures
- Z. Flameproof enclosure - Ex d: e.g. rotating machines; enclosures (eg. junction boxes; light fitting; stop-start statics); equipment within enclosures
Encapsulation - Ex m
Oil immersion - Ex o
Purging - Ex pl
Sand-filled - Ex q
Special protection - Ex s
Ventilation - Ex v
Hermetic sealing - Ex h
Functions and process equipment
Activities that produce a potentially hazardous area and the equipment used in such activities.
Gas groups
Classification of electrical equipment for use in gas or vapour atmosphere according to groups and sub-groups of gases and vapours.
Hazardous area documentation
Auditable documentation that shows that a hazardous area has been appropriately classified and the electrical equipment complies with the appropriate certification and other explosion-protection requirements specific to the site.
Under Australian/New Zealand Standards or Codes these records are referred to as a ‘Verification Dossier’ and include:
- Hazardous area classification drawings and justifications
- The explosion-protection systems design drawings/specifications
- Certification documents for each item type of explosion-protected equipment
- Inspection, testing and maintenance schedules and reports
- Re-classification and authorised modifications documentation, where applicable
- Competent persons
Hazard and risk assessment
Any recognised methodology of identifying hazards and assessing risks such as 'hazard and operability study' (Hazop) and 'fault tree analysis' (HAZAN).
Hazardous materials
Flammable gases and vapours and combustible dusts.
Inspection, close
An inspection which encompasses those aspects covered by a visual inspection and, in addition, identifies those non-conformances, (eg loose fasteners), which will become apparent when access equipment, (eg steps), and tools are used. Close inspections do not normally require an enclosure to be opened or equipment de-energised.
Inspection, detailed
An inspection which encompasses those aspects covered by a close inspection and, in addition, identifies those non-conformances which only become apparent when an enclosure is opened up, or by use of tools and test equipment.
Inspection, maintenance schedules
A program of periodic inspections and maintenance that follow set procedures and check lists for the purpose of ensuring the integrity of the explosionprotection and to comply with requirements. Details of a schedule will vary depending on the nature of the explosion-protection techniques used and environmental conditions.
Inspection, periodic
Inspections of all equipment carried out on a routine basis, usually as part of scheduled maintenance.
Inspection, sample
Inspection of a portion of installed equipment for the purposes of monitoring the effects of environmental conditions, vibration, inherent design weakness and the like.
Inspection, schedule
A formal arrangement for conducting inspections which details the extent, grade and frequency of the inspections and the explosion-protected characteristics and compliances to be checked.
Inspection, visual
An inspection which identifies, without the use of access equipment or tools, those non-conformances which are apparent to the eye.
Installation
Explosion-protected equipment, wiring and other required items as they are fixed in place and connected as necessary to operate as intended.
Integrity of explosion-protected equipment
Aspects of the equipment design and use that afford explosion-protection.
Load and duty requirements
Wiring systems include: sufficient current-carrying capacity; maximum permitted voltage drop is not exceeded; temperature limits are not exceeded under normal or fault conditions.
Non-conformances
Visual damage or corrosion of equipment and wiring and loose or missing fasteners.
Non-conformances and faults
Equipment or wiring that does not conform to the design specification or other requirements.
Other items
Those items that are not in themselves explosion-protected but have an influence on the integrity of the explosion-protection technique used. For example, an overload device for a motor or associated equipment in the case of intrinsic safety technique.
Pre-commission testing
- tests specified by requirement, such as, performance and setting of protection devices and systems, earth loop impedance, insulation resistance, and earth continuity
- equipment connection and operation tests
Process specialist personnel
To responsible persons with expertise in the technical aspects of the activities that produce the explosive hazard and include chemical engineers, process engineers, mining engineers, safety managers and the like.
Re-certification
The submission of previously certified equipment to an approved testing body or authority to determine whether the equipment complies with the accepted standards after modification or where original certification is not fully known.
Recommended actions
- non-connection of supply until a non-conformance or fault is rectified
- notice of period in which a non-conformance or fault is to rectified
- other actions within the scope of statutory regulations
Regulatory or statutory authority
The person or body responsible for the implementation of legislation relating to the handling, processing or storage of materials constituting a hazard.
Servicing
Maintaining, fault finding and repair of equipment, plant and machinery.
Special tools, equipment and testing devices
Tools for the removal of enclosure covers and connecting conductors; measuring devices such as feeler gauges and micrometer; gas and vapour sensors; electrical testing devices approved for use in a particular hazardous area.
Specifications
Can include: documentation of hazardous material; documentation of process pressures and temperatures; process flow diagrams.
Standards
Technical documents which set out specifications and other criteria for equipment, materials and methods to ensure they consistently perform as intended. The Standards referred to in this competency standard are those published by Standards Australia or in joint venture with Standards New Zealand. Competency in the use of other technical standards may be required in industries not restricted to Australian/New Zealand requirements. For example, shipping and off-shore petroleum industries are subject to standards agreed to by underwriters and enterprises or some other international convention.
Temperature class
Classification of electrical equipment according to its maximum surface temperature.
Verification dossier
See hazardous area records.
Zones
The zones into which hazardous areas are classified based upon the frequency of the appearance and the duration of an explosive gas atmosphere.