Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to repair Kettering and electronic ignition systems (not including systems associated with electronic engine management) and magnetos and associated components for light vehicles, plant, motorcycles, marine and outdoor power equipment.

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

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to individuals who undertake testing and identification of faults/causes, repair and retesting of ignition systems and components.

For ignitions systems associated with electronic engine management refer to AURE321171A Service and repair electronic spark ignition engine management systems.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare for work

1.1. Determine job requirements, including method, processes and equipment

1.2. Read and interpret job specifications

1.3. Access and interpret correct information from manufacturer/component supplier specifications

1.4. Identify equipment and tooling and check for safe and effective operation

1.5. Determine procedures to minimise task time

2. Test ignition systems and components and identify faults

2.1. Observe occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements, including personal safety needs, throughout the work

2.2. Carry out tests to determine faults using appropriate tooling and techniques

2.3. Complete tests without causing damage to component or system

2.4. Identify faults and determine preferred repair action

2.5. Complete tests according to industry regulations/ guidelines, OHS, legislation and enterprise procedures and policies

3. Repair ignition systems and components

3.1. Carry out repairs, component replacement and adjustments to manufacturer/component supplier specifications

3.2. Select and use appropriate tooling, techniques and materials

3.3. Repair ignition systems without causing damage to component or system

3.4. Perform retests to ensure correct and safe ignition system operation, according to industry regulations/guidelines, OHS, legislation and enterprise procedures and policies

3.5. Complete workplace and equipment documents in accordance with site requirements

4. Clean up work area and maintain equipment

4.1. Collect and store material that can be reused

4.2. Remove waste and scrap following workplace procedures

4.3. Clean equipment and work area and inspect for serviceable condition in accordance with workplace procedures

4.4. Tag unserviceable equipment and identify faults in accordance with workplace requirements

4.5. Complete operator maintenance in accordance with manufacturer/component supplier specifications and site procedures

4.6. Maintain and store tooling and equipment in accordance with workplace procedures

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

Required skills include:

• technical skills to the level required to use workplace technology and tools related to the repair of ignition systems, including the use of specialist tooling and equipment, measuring equipment, computerised technology and communication devices
• communication skills to the level required to confirm work requirements and specifications, to communicate effectively regarding work requirements with supervisor, other workers and customers, to apply common industry terminology, to report work outcomes and problems, and to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and of varying physical and mental abilities
• literacy skills to the level required to understand information related to work orders, and to locate, interpret and apply manufacturer/component supplier technical information and specifications for circuit and component testing and major repairs/component replacement, workplace policies and safety procedures
• numeracy skills to the level required to correctly calculate time, complete tests and measurements to determine electrical circuit/component major repair/replacement requirements, calculate material requirements and establish quality checks
• problem-solving skills to the level required to plan and organise activities and establish safe and effective work processes which anticipate and/or resolve problems and downtime, and to systematically develop solutions to avoid or minimise reworking and avoid wastage
• team skills to the level required to work effectively and cooperatively with others to optimise workflow and productivity
• organisational skills to the level required to plan and organise activities, including preparation and layout of worksite, and obtaining equipment and materials to avoid backtracking or workflow interruptions

Required knowledge 

Required knowledge includes:

• OHS regulations/requirement, equipment, material and personal safety requirements
• ignition system principles of operation
• construction and operation of ignition systems relevant to application
• types and layout of service/repair manuals (hard copy and electronic)
• testing and fault identification procedures
• adjustment procedures of systems/components
• repair/removal and replacement procedures
• selection, checking and use of tooling and equipment
• manufacturer and/or component supplier specifications
• applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice, including OHS and environment, relevant to testing and repairing ignition systems
• organisational policies and procedures, including quality requirements, reporting and recording procedures, and work organisation and planning processes, related to testing and repairing ignition systems

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently:

• observe safety procedures and requirements
• communicate effectively with others involved in or affected by the work
• select methods and techniques appropriate to the circumstances
• complete preparatory activity in a systematic manner
• complete the repair of a minimum of two (2) ignition systems with a minimum of one (1) electronic and one (1) other (Kettering or magneto)
• test ignition system/components
• diagnose and determine faults
• repair ignition systems to manufacturer/component supplier requirements
• post-repair test ignition systems to manufacturer/ component supplier requirements
• complete workplace and equipment documents.

Context of , and specific resources for assessment 

• The application of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that reflects as far as possible the actual working environment.
• Assessment is to occur using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.
• Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements, including specified Australian standards.
• Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
• The following resources should be made available:

• a range of ignition systems and components relevant to the application
• materials relevant to testing and repairing of ignition systems
• equipment, hand and power tooling appropriate to testing and repairing of ignition systems
• specifications and work instructions.

Method of assessment 

• Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.
• Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of Required Skills and Knowledge.
• Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on Required Skills and Knowledge to ensure its correct interpretation and application.
• Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process.
• Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.
• Competence in this unit may be assessed in conjunction with other functional units which together form part of the holistic work role.

Guidance information for assessment 

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally sensitive and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Ignition systems 

Ignition systems include:

• Kettering
• electronic ignition systems
• magnetos and associated components

Applications 

Ignition systems may be fitted to:

• vehicles, plant, marine craft and outdoor power equipment

Faults 

Faults may include:

• engine difficult to start/will not start
• engine misfire
• poor performance
• overheating

Components and mechanisms 

Components and mechanisms may include:

• single and dual points
• transistor assisted
• single and multiple distributors
• ballast and non-ballast primary circuits
• suppressed and non-suppressed high-tension leads
• transistor controlled ignition (TCI) systems
• advance mechanisms (mechanical, vacuum, electronic, capacitor discharge ignition (CDI), magnetic pulse, optic and hall effect)
• spark plug, resistor plug and cap

Repair methods 

Repair methods include:

• pre- and post-repair testing
• component identification and testing
• diagnosing and determining faults
• conducting repairs, including disassembly, assembly, component replacement, adjustments and rechecks
• electrical measurements
• peak voltage testing
• visual and functional assessments, including damage and wear

Critical precautions 

Critical precautions include:

• manufacturer/component supplier procedures to avoid damage to electronic system, engine control units (ECUs) and/or other components
• personal safety procedures which must be applied as contact with high output ignition systems may result in electrocution

Tooling and equipment 

Tooling and equipment may include:

• hand tooling
• testing equipment, including multimeters, ohmmeters, voltmeters and tachometers
• timing light
• spark plug cleaner/tester
• insulation testers
• power tooling and air tooling
• tune scopes
• engine analysers
• dynamometers
• distributor test bench

Materials 

Materials may include:

• coil
• condensers
• transistors
• leads
• cleaning material

Information /documents 

Information/documents may include:

• verbal or written and graphical instructions, signage, work schedules/plans/specifications, work bulletins, memos, material safety data sheets (MSDS), diagrams or sketches
• safe work procedures related to testing and repairing ignition systems
• regulatory/legislative requirements pertaining to testing and repairing ignition systems
• engineer's design specifications and instructions
• organisation work specifications and requirements
• instructions issued by authorised enterprise or external persons
• Australian standards

OHS requirements 

OHS requirements are to be in accordance with applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures, and may include:

• personal protective equipment and clothing
• safety equipment
• first aid equipment
• hazard and risk control
• electrical safety
• elimination of hazardous materials and substances
• manual handling, including shifting, lifting and carrying
• emergency procedures

Legislative requirements 

Legislative requirements are to be in accordance with applicable commonwealth, state or territory legislation, regulations, certification requirements and codes of practice, and may include:

• award and enterprise agreements
• industrial relations
• Australian standards
• Australian Design Rules
• confidentiality and privacy
• OHS
• the environment
• equal opportunity
• anti-discrimination
• relevant industry codes of practice
• duty of care

Environmental requirements 

Environmental requirements may include:

• waste management
• pollution
• noise
• dust
• clean-up management

Quality requirements 

Quality requirements may include:

• regulations, including Australian standards
• internal organisational quality policies and procedures
• enterprise operations and procedures

Organisational policies and procedures 

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

• quality policies and procedures, including Australian standards
• OHS, sustainability, environment, equal opportunity and anti-discrimination
• manufacturer specifications and industry codes of practice
• safe work procedures
• reporting and recording procedures

Unit sector 

Electrical

Co-requisite units 

Competency field