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Title / Use and maintain test instruments used within the high voltage electrical industry
Level / 3 / Credits / 4
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to: interpret technical specifications for test equipment and explain the principles of equipment operation; carry out calibration checks and apply correction factors; use test equipment to carry out tests; and maintain and handle test equipment in the approved manner.
Classification / Electricity Supply > Electricity Supply - Testing
Available grade / Achieved
Entry information
Recommended skills and knowledge / Unit 10507, Use personal protection equipment within an electricity network environment; Unit 14700, Apply and remove safety measures in an electricity supply environment; and Unit 17028, Demonstrate the requirements for holding permits on high voltage electrical equipment.
Explanatory notes
1This unit standard is intended for, but not restricted to, workplace assessment. The range statements across the unit standard can be applied according to
industry-specific equipment, procedures, and processes.
2Safety of personnel and plant must be prioritised during assessment against this unit standard. If the client safety requirements are not met assessment must stop.
3Performance of theevidence requirements must comply with all current legislation, especiallythe Electricity Act 1992, and any regulations and codes of practice recognised under that statute; the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992; and the Resource Management Act 1991. Electricity supply industry codes of practice and documented industry procedures include the current version of the Safety Manual – Electricity Industry (SM-EI)(Wellington: Electricity Engineers’ Association). A full list of current legislation and industry codes is available from the Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation, PO Box 1245, Hamilton 3240.
4The phrase in accordance with industry requirementsapplies to all of theevidence requirements in this unit standard.
5Industry requirements include all asset owner requirements; manufacturers’ specifications; and enterprise requirements. Enterprise requirements may includethe documented workplace policies, procedures, specifications, business, and quality management requirements relevant to the workplace in which assessment is carried out.
6Practical exercises should be used for assessment wherever possible.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Interpret technical specifications for test equipment and explain the principles of equipment operation.
Evidence requirements
1.1The technical specification for a minimum of three different types of test equipment is interpreted correctlyand an explanation verifies understanding of the operations and functions of the selected test equipment.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – information from manufacturer’s data and manuals, or client standard test procedures, calibration certificates for ohmmeters, voltmeters, capacitance meters, current meters, multimeters, multi-input event recorders, oscilloscopes, timers, ductor testers, high voltage test sets, variable voltage transformers.
1.2An understanding of the scale ranges that apply for each of the instruments is verified by means of a verbal or written explanation.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – application of correct range for test application, application of multipliers, polarity, reading correction factors.
Outcome 2
Carry out calibration checks and apply correction factors.
Evidence requirements
2.1The accuracy and calibration standard for the range of test instruments is identified.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – verification of calibration certificates, arrange forcalibration verification.
2.2Correction factors are applied to test results.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – calculating and providing corrected results.
2.3Safety implications associated with using test equipment are identified and appropriate safety measures applied.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – barriers around test area, signs, warning lights, provision of de-energising earths for after-test discharge.
Outcome 3
Use test equipment to carry out tests.
Evidence requirements
3.1Test equipment is used in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – storage, handling, connection, use.
3.2Appropriate range scales are selected for the tests.
3.3Results from the tests are accurately documented.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – value, range multipliers, ambient conditions, equipment temperature.
3.4The documented results are adjusted for correction and, if necessary, analysed for compliance with the required standard.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – manufacturer’s specifications, client requirements.
Outcome 4
Maintain and handle test equipment in the approved manner.
Evidence requirements
4.1Instruments are handled carefully without jarring.
4.2Instruments are set up in accordance with safety procedures.
4.3Instruments are securely stored in dust-free, dry storage.
4.4Instruments are sent for calibration and accuracy checks as required by standard procedures.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – calibration certificates, register of calibration.
Planned review date / 31 December 2015Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 27 April 1998 / 31 December 2012
Revision / 2 / 11 February 2004 / 31 December 2012
Review / 3 / 19 May 2006 / 31 December 2012
Review / 4 / 8 December 2011 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0120
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Electricity Supply Industry Training OrganisationSSB Code 101813 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018