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Title / Demonstrate knowledge of automotive electrical principles and circuit testing
Level / 3 / Credits / 8
Purpose / This theory-based unit standard is for people who wish to enter or are employed in the motor industry. People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate knowledge of automotive electrical principles, and testing of automotive electrical circuits.
Classification / Motor Industry > Automotive Electrical and Electronics
Available grade / Achieved
Guidance Information
1Evidence presented for assessment against this unit standard must be consistent with safe working practices and be in accordance with applicable manufacturer’s specifications, service information, company and legislative requirements (this includes the knowledge and/or use of suitable tools and equipment).
2Legislation, regulations and/or industry standards relevant to this unit standard include but are not limited to the current version of including updated amendments to, and replacements of – Health and Safety at Work Act 2015; Resource Management Act 1991.
3Definitions
Company requirements refer to instructions to staff on policy and procedures which are documented in memo or manual format and are available in the workplace. These requirements include but are not limited to – company specifications and procedures, work instructions, manufacturer specifications, product quality specifications and legislative requirements.
Service information may include but is not limited to – technical information of a vehicle, machine, or product detailing operation; installation and servicing procedures; manufacturer instructions and specifications; technical terms and descriptions; and detailed illustrations. This may be accessed from the manufacturer.
Suitable tools and equipment means industry approved tools and equipment that are recognised within the industry as being the most suited to complete the task in a professional and competent manner with due regard to safe working practices.
Outcomes and performance criteria
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge of automotive electrical principles.
Performance criteria
1.1Electrical circuit fundamentals are described.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – positive and negative charges, conventional current flow, electron current flow, conductors, insulators, semi-conductors, attraction and repulsion of charges, potential, potential difference (p.d.), electromotive force (e.m.f.), counter e.m.f.
1.2Basic units of electrical measurement, and their symbols that are used in automotive applications, are identified.
Rangevolt, ampere, ohm, watt, farad, hertz.
1.3Electrical circuits on vehicles are described.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – series circuit, parallel circuit, power sources, protection devices, load devices, controls, conductors.
1.4Characteristics of resistive circuit types are described.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – parallel circuits, series circuits, open circuit, closed circuit, shorted circuit, short to ground.
1.5The principle of Ohm's Law in relation to circuit resistance, current flow, and voltage as applied to automotive parallel circuits and series circuits is described.
1.6Types of resistors used in automotive circuits are described.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – carbon pile, wire wound, variable, colour coded.
1.7Functions of capacitors used in automotive circuits are described.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – storage, smoothing, suppression.
1.8The fundamental application of electrical principles is shown in terms of basic motor vehicle circuitry and electrical componentry.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – ignition system, charging system, starting system, lighting system.
Outcome 2
Demonstrate knowledge of testing automotive electrical circuits.
Performance criteria
2.1Test equipment and their applications to test electrical circuits are identified.
Range:includes but is not limited to – voltmeter, ohmmeter, ammeter, multimeter, portable computer diagnostic equipment (scan-tool, scope-meter).
2.2Method of testing an electrical circuit for voltage is described.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – digital, analogue, scope meter.
2.3Method of testing voltage drop in a circuit is described.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – switches, connectors, fuses, cables.
2.4Method of checking current flow on automotive circuits is described.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – charging, starting, lighting; current draw, current output.
2.5Method of checking resistance readings of automotive components is described.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to five of – HT (high tension) leads, switches, connectors, thermistors, ignition coils, resistors.
Replacement information / This unit standard was replaced by unit standard 30571.This unit standard replaced unit standard 21667 and 21707.
This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against this unit standard must take place by the last date for assessments set out below.
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 21 April 2016 / 31 December 2020
Review / 2 / 26 October 2017 / 31 December 2020
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0014
This CMR can be accessed at
MITO New Zealand IncorporatedSSB Code 101542 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018 / / New Zealand Qualifications Aut