Release 1. This is the first release of this unit of competency in the UEE Electrotechnology Training Package.

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to plan electrical installations for hazardous areas by selecting compliant explosion-protected equipment and wiring systems. It includes determining the extent of the installation from area classification documents and plant specifications; identifying the hazardous area zones; referencing manufacturer’s data and plant design specifications to select and locate compliant explosion-protected and associated equipment and wiring systems; ensuring equipment received is consistent with the plan; and documenting the hazardous area installation plan. It is adopted from clause 2.8 of AS/NZS 4761.1:2018 Competencies for working with electrical equipment for hazardous areas (EEHA).

This unit applies to electrical installation planning functions.

Site-specific work permits maybe required to work in the hazardous environment. In addition, other permits may be required, such as confined space and to operate specific pieces of equipment such as elevated work platforms (EWPs) in various jurisdictions.

Additional and/or other conditions may apply in some jurisdictions subject to regulations related to electrical work. Practice in the workplace and during training is also subject to work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations.

UEEHA0004 Enter a classified hazardous area to undertake work related to electrical equipment

UEEHA0003 Determine the explosion-protection requirements to meet a specified classified hazardous area

UEEHA0005 Install explosion-protected equipment and associated apparatus and wiring systems

and

UEEEL0039 Design, install and verify compliance and functionality of general electrical installations

or

UEEEL0028 Conduct compliance and functional verification of electrical apparatus and existing circuits

or

UEEIC0048 Verify compliance and functionality of instrumentation and control installations

Hazardous

Electrotechnology

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1  

Determine the extent of the installation 

1.1 

Nature and characteristics of explosion hazards in the area are identified from the area classification and plant design documents

1.2 

In the absence of classification documents, arrangements are made with the appropriate person to have the area formally classified

1.3 

The extant gas zones, the gas groups and temperature classes or ignition temperatures are identified from the classification documents and any regulatory requirements

1.4 

The extent dust zones, minimum cloud ignition temperatures and layer ignition energy are identified from the classification documents and any regulatory requirements

1.5 

Arrangements for the supply protection/control for the hazardous area installation are determined from plant design and electrical specifications taking into account existing installation arrangement

1.6 

The location of the electrical and control equipment items and routes of wiring systems for the hazardous area are determined from the plant design and electrical specifications

2 

Select and check equipment, wiring components and accessories 

2.1 

Information obtained to determine the extent of the installation is applied to selecting equipment, wiring components and accessories

2.2 

Equipment and accessories are selected for their compliance with requirements of the relevant standards for the explosive atmosphere and zone in which they are to be installed and allowing for the equipment protection level (EPL) specified in the area classification documents

2.3 

Consideration is given to the adverse effects of external influences when selecting equipment and wiring systems as required by relevant standards

2.4 

The additional requirements for explosive atmospheres are applied to selecting electrical overload and short circuit protection devices as required by relevant standards

2.5 

Manufacturer’s data is referenced to ensure equipment selected is certified for the area classification zonings, groups and temperature limitations for the location in which equipment is to be installed

2.6 

Wiring systems, cables, glands and terminations are selected to comply with the associated protection types and installation requirements

2.7 

Certification documents for equipment received are checked to ensure they are consistent with the equipment marking and installation requirements

2.8 

Cables and accessories received are checked to ensure they are consistent with the markings and installation requirements previously determined

3 

Document installation plan 

3.1 

Equipment location, circuit arrangement diagrams, certification details for each item of equipment, and installation schedules are included in the planning documentation

3.2 

The installation planning documentation is forwarded to the appropriate person for acceptance

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 UEE Electrotechnology Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Planning electrical installations for hazardous areas must include reference to:

• verification dossier
• plant design and electrical installation requirements
• standards
• explosion-protected equipment manufacturer’s data

No equivalent unit.

Release 1. This is the first release of this unit of competency in the UEE Electrotechnology Training Package.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions on at least two separate occasions and include:

• determining the extent of the installation, including:

• identifying the nature and characteristic of the explosive hazard
• in the absence of classification documents, arranging with the appropriate person to have the area formally classified
• determining the extent of classified areas. including:

• gas hazards and parameters
• dust hazards and parameters
• any regulatory requirements

• arranging the electrical installation for compliance with hazardous area requirements, including:

• supply, circuit protection and controls to comply with hazardous area requirements
• location of electrical and control equipment items

• selecting and checking equipment, wiring components and accessories, including:

• selecting equipment compliant with:

• requirements for the explosive atmosphere and zone in which they are to be installed
• equipment protection level (EPL) when specified
• required protection against the adverse effects of external influences
• hazardous area requirements for limiting temperature rise of Ex ‘e’ equipment for normal and overload conditions

• selecting wiring systems and cables compliant with:

• equipment groups and protection types
• surface temperature limitations
• flame propagation requirements
• requirements for Ex ‘i’ circuits

• checking equipment, cables and accessories received to ensure they are consistent with certification, equipment marking and installation requirements

• documenting installation plan, including:

• circuit arrangement diagrams
• equipment location
• certification details of each item of Ex equipment
• schedules of equipment, cables and connection arrangements
• forwarding installation plan report to the appropriate person for acceptance.

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

• information needed to select compliant equipment, including:

• gas, vapour or dust classification in relation to the group or sub-group of the electrical equipment
• temperature class or ignition temperature of the gas or vapour involved
• minimum ignition temperature and energy of the combustible dust cloud
• minimum ignition temperature of the combustible dust layer
• external influences and ambient temperature
• relationship between EPLs and types of protection

• requirements for the selection of equipment specified, including:

• additional requirements for specific equipment types
• limitation of metallic materials (e.g. cable trays, mounting plates, weather protection and enclosures) in Group I and Group II installations

• requirements for wiring systems, cables and components, including:

• wiring systems not permitted in hazardous areas
• wiring systems not permitted above hazardous areas
• cables suitable for fixed wiring for:

• Group I
• Group II
• Group III

• additional requirements for wiring systems supplying protection Ex ‘d’, Ex ‘e’ and Ex ‘n’ equipment
• wiring requirements for intrinsically safe and energy-limited circuits.

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

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.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulations
• relevant and appropriate tools and testing devices and personal protective equipment (PPE) currently used in industry
• applicable documentation, including workplace procedures, safe work methods, installation and inspection standards, and verification dossier for the site, including:

• area classification diagrams and documents
• plant design specification

• electrical installation specifications, including:

• electrical equipment to be installed
• load requirements for each item of electrical equipment

• relevant technical standards.