UNIT 318

NVQ Level 3 2357

Diagnosing and Correcting Electrical Faults in Electrical Systems & Equipment in Buildings, Structures & the Environment

Aim

This unit is designed to enable the learner to develop the skills required, and apply the associated knowledge, in order that they are able to demonstrate the competence required to diagnose and correct electrical faults in electrical systems and equipment in buildings, structures and the environment in accordance with approved industry practices, statutory and non-statutory regulations:

  • The Electricity at Work Regulations (1989)
  • The current edition of BS7671 Wiring Regulations
  • Health & Safety Act (1974)
  • Building Regulations (2000)

Learning Outcomes

There are THREE learning outcomes to this unit. The learner will:

LO1 – Be able to confirm safety of the system and equipment prior to diagnosing and correcting electrical faults in accordance with statutory and non statutory regulations
LO2 – Be able to carry out procedures to identify faults on electrical systems and equipment
LO3 – Be able to correct faults on electrical systems and equipment.

Evidence Requirements

Learning Outcome 1

You must provide authorised confirmation that you have had involvement and experience in safe isolation procedures as relevant on two separate occasions.

You must provide auditable evidence that you have competently undertaken a risk assessment on two separate occasions.

Learning Outcomes 2 & 3

You must provide auditable evidence sourced from a real working environment, on TWO separate occasions, that you can apply the principles and follow the procedures for diagnosing and correcting electrical faults in electrotechnical systems and equipment in buildings, structures and the environment in accordance with approved industry practices, statutory and non-statutory regulations and the assessment criteria for each of the learning outcomes.

You personally should be in as many photos/videos as possible.

Unit 318 – Diagnosing and Correcting Electrical Faults in Electrical Systems & Equipment in Buildings, Structures & the Environment

Learning Outcome 1

Be able to confirm safety of the system and equipment prior to diagnosing and correcting electrical faults in accordance with statutory and non statutory regulations

Assessment criteria
The learner can:

  1. Carry out safe isolation procedures in accordance with regulatory requirements for electrical installations
  2. Ensure the Health and Safety of themselves and others within the work location during inspection, testing and commissioning
  3. Select and use appropriate warning notices and barriers
  4. Check the safety of electrical systems prior to the commencement of diagnosing and correcting electrical faults.

Learning Outcome 2

Be able to carry out procedures to identify faults on electrical systems and equipment

Assessment criteria
The learner can:

  1. Use effective methods of communication to ascertain clear and detailed information about reported faults and any components which require replacing
  2. Identify and use appropriate system specification documents which relate to the electrotechnical systems and equipment being worked upon
  3. Report information about potential disruption that may be a consequence of fault diagnosis and correction work to relevant people
  4. Assess the safe working practices which apply in the working environment to confirm that it is safe for fault identification work to take place
  5. Perform suitable diagnostic tests on the installed electrotechnical systems to successfully identify faults
  6. Use appropriate methods for locating faults on electrical systems and equipment
  7. Use appropriate tools and instruments correctly to complete fault diagnosis work
  8. Confirm test instruments are fit for purpose, functioning correctly and are correctly calibrated.

Range
Relevant people:

  • Other workers / colleagues
  • Customers / clients

Faults:

  • Loss of supply
  • Overload
  • Short-circuit and earth fault
  • Transient voltage
  •  Loss of phase/line
  • Incorrect phase rotation
  • High resistance joints
  • Component, accessory or equipment faults

Appropriate methods:

  • procedures and sequences – logical approach
  • Safe working practices
  • Interpretation of data

Appropriate tools and instruments:

  • Voltage indicator
  • Low resistance ohm meter
  • Insulation resistance testers
  • EFLI and PFC tester
  • RCD tester
  • Tong tester/clamp on ammeter
  • Phase sequence tester.

Learning Outcome 3

Be able to correct faults on electrical systems and equipment

Assessment criteria
The learner can:

  1. Confirm appropriate repairs, removals and replacements and their implications with relevant people including:
    • other workers/colleagues
    • customers/clients
    • representatives of other services
  2. Perform fault correction procedures correctly and safely using appropriate tools, equipment and material
  3. Perform the removal and replacement of components and associated equipment from electrotechnical systems to ensure:
    • ease of access to enable future maintenance
    • accordance with:
      o relevant regulations
      o manufacturer’s instructions
      o organisational procedures
  4. Apply appropriate procedures to ensure electrotechnical systems, equipment and components are left safe, in accordance with industry regulations, if the fault cannot be corrected immediately
  5. Perform appropriate inspection and testing procedures to confirm that systems, equipment and components are functioning correctly after completion of fault correction work
  6. Record test results and other appropriate information regarding the fault correction work clearly and accurately and report to relevant people, such as:
    • Other workers / colleagues
    • Customers / clients
    • Representatives of other services.