Release 1. New unit of competency. Licensing/regulatory information has been incorporated in accordance with Regulatory requirements. Assessment Requirements have been strengthened in accordance with Regulatory requirements.

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to operate, test and maintain extra low and low voltage electrical systems and equipment.

Note: Extra low voltage (ELV) systems are those not exceeding 50 V alternating current (AC) or 120 V direct current (DC). Low voltage systems are those not exceeding 1000 V AC or 1500 V DC

This unit applies to people working in the maritime industry in the capacity of:

• chief engineer on vessels with an inboard engine with propulsion power <1500 kW within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or
• second engineer on vessels with an inboard engine with propulsion power <3000 kW within the EEZ or
• chief or second engineer on vessels with an outboard engine with unlimited propulsion power within the EEZ or
• assistant under direct supervision of a chief engineer; and
• worker in the engine room on vessels <80 m long with propulsion power <3000 kW.

Licensing/Regulatory Information 

Legislative and regulatory requirements are applicable to this unit. This unit is one of the requirements to obtain Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) certification as a Marine Engine Driver Grade 3 NC, Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 NC and a Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 NC as defined in the National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) Part D. The AMSA mandated practical assessment (AMPA) is a requirement for AMSA certification as a Marine Engine Driver Grade 3 NC and Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 NC. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) mandated practical assessment (AMPA) will cover a range, but not all, of the requirements identified in the Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence. The AMPA shall be undertaken in accordance with its instructions.

Assessors of AMPA must hold as a minimum:

• a current certificate of competency issued under Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012 at the same level as the qualification being assessed with at least 12 months’ relevant sea service, or
• a relevant seafarer certificate, as master, engineer or deck officer, issued under the Navigation Act 2012.

Note: Relevant state or territory electrical licensing requirements apply to persons carrying out installation, maintenance and or repair of electrical circuits or systems that are 50 V AC or above, or 120 V DC or above.

Not Applicable

C - Equipment Operations

Not Applicable

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1 

Operate electrical systems and equipment 

1.1 

Routine pre-operational checks are carried out on electrical systems and equipment according to manufacturer specifications

1.2 

Systems and equipment are operated according to manufacturer specifications

1.3 

Faults are identified and appropriate action is taken to rectify them

1.4 

Faults are reported and logged promptly and accurately to appropriate personnel

2 

Carry out routine maintenance on electrical systems and equipment 

2.1 

Tasks are planned and sequenced in conjunction with others involved in or affected by maintenance work

2.2 

Tools and equipment are selected and checked for serviceability

2.3 

Components to be maintained are isolated

2.4 

Systems are tested and test results are compared with manufacturer specifications

2.5 

Maintenance tasks are carried out to specifications

2.6 

Unserviceable components are tagged according to organisational procedures and appropriate personnel are notified

3 

Isolate faulty components for repair 

3.1 

Faulty items or components are isolated according to workplace procedures

3.2 

Serviceable items are fitted according to manufacturer specifications

3.3 

Operational checks are carried out on equipment or system to ensure compliance with manufacturer specifications

4 

Clean up and complete documentation 

4.1 

Work area is cleared and cleaned

4.2 

Materials are disposed of or recycled according to legislative and workplace requirements

4.3 

Tools and equipment are cleaned, checked and stored according to workplace procedures

4.4 

Maintenance report is completed according to 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.

This unit replaces and is equivalent to MARC003 Operate and maintain extra low and low voltage electrical systems and equipment.

Release 1. New unit of competency. Licensing/regulatory information has been incorporated in accordance with Regulatory requirements. Assessment Requirements have been strengthened in accordance with Regulatory requirements.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include:

• applying safety requirements throughout the work sequence, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• carrying out maintenance tasks, including:

• replacing fuses
• testing battery voltage and specific gravity
• topping up battery electrolyte levels
• testing charging system voltage output

• completing all work to specifications
• communicating with other crew members
• connecting and disconnecting shore power
• ensuring correct requirements and details of basic maintenance of electrical systems and equipment are available
• implementing safe and environmentally responsible work practices in testing and maintenance activities
• initiating timely action in response to defects or damage
• locating, interpreting and applying manufacturer specifications for electrical systems and equipment
• operating direct current (DC) systems and conducting operator preventive maintenance according to manufacturer recommendations, regulations and vessel operating procedures to ensure safe operation
• operating extra low and low voltage electrical systems and equipment according to manufacturer recommendations, regulations and vessel operating procedures to ensure safe operation
• performing isolation, lock out and tag out procedures
• recognising and rectifying electrical system faults and, where necessary, taking steps to make them immediately safe, including:

• battery faults
• failure of alternators
• failure of starter motors

• selecting and using appropriate processes, tools and equipment.

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

• AC system not exceeding 50 V and DC systems not exceeding 32 V
• basic care and fault recognition of electrical systems and equipment
• batteries:

• care and maintenance
• hazards
• types

• charging systems:

• alarms or indicators
• regulators

• electrical systems:

• above 32 V DC
• above 50 V AC up to 415 V AC

• fault identification, location and safety implications
• how to recognise and rectify electrical system faults and, where necessary, steps to make them immediately safe, including:

• battery faults
• failure of alternators
• failure of starter motors
• faults with shore power connections including phase rotations using on-board switching equipment
• blown fuses
• tripping circuit breakers

• method of connecting batteries
• protective devices on switchboards
• relevant state/territory training and qualification requirements for carrying out installation, maintenance and/or repair of electrical systems and equipment
• shore power connection
• starter motors, alternators and associated equipment:

• maintenance
• operation

• uses of fuses and circuit breakers – selection of correct capacity
• work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and work practices.

Assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment. As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment. 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.

Practical assessment must occur in a workplace, or realistic simulated workplace, under the normal range of workplace conditions. Simulations and scenarios may be used where situations cannot be provided in the workplace or may occur only rarely, in particular for situations relating to emergency procedures and adverse weather conditions where assessment would be unsafe, impractical or may lead to environmental damage.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

• applicable documentation, such as legislation, regulations, codes of practice, workplace procedures and operational manuals
• a commercial vessel with inboard diesel propulsion power of ≥ 150 kW or appropriate engine, propulsion plant, and auxiliary equipment with low and extra low voltage (ELV) electrical systems ashore
• tools, equipment, machinery, materials and relevant PPE currently used in industry.