Field Engineering and Technology
Review of Electrical Engineering and Electronic Engineering unit standards
Subfield |
Domain |
ID |
Electrical Engineering |
Core Electrical |
15844, 15862, 29441 |
Electrical Appliance Servicing |
29421, 29427 |
|
Electrical Installation and Maintenance |
2016, 2020, 2021, 2030, 5931, 10787, 15869, 15870, 16415, 29419, 29422-29424, 29426, 29428, 29430-29436, 29438, 29439, 29446 |
|
Electrical Machines |
29420, 29443 |
|
Electrical Standards and Statutes |
1702, 21766, 29484 |
|
Electric Switchboards |
29440 |
|
Electrotechnology |
29437 |
|
Electronic Engineering |
Core Electronics |
19747 |
The Skills Organisation has completed the review of the unit standards listed above.
Date new versions published March 2022
Planned review date December 2026
Summary
The Skills Organisation (Skills), industry, and provider representatives reviewed and developed unit standards to support unit standard based programmes for the New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Trade (Level 4) with strands in General Electrical, and Electricity Supply [Ref: 4204], with a particular focus on the core and the General Electrical strand. As the Standard Setting Body for Electrical Supply, Connexis identified unit standards for programmes for the Electricity Supply strand.
The unit standards were developed with industry and provider representatives between April 2019 to September 2021 as part of the discussions and development of a competency framework for electrical apprentices.
As the review began during the early stages of the sector-wide Review of Vocational Education (RoVE), it was unclear which educational products would be required for the long term. To bridge the uncertainty, The Skills Organisation, industry, and providers agreed to produce a document describing the sequencing, teaching, and assessment content. This document would be used to form programmes of study and/or unit standards and programmes of industry training, which would ensure consistency across the sector. These unit standards address the assessment and sequencing requirements of that document.
The unit standards also embed the changes that occurred in the Electrical Workers Registration Board Essential Capabilities for Electrical Registration. Consultation was undertaken via surveys, email, face to face, and online meetings over the multiyear period.
Since the original unit standards were developed, industry and providers have altered their view of which competencies logically fit together and what stages of learner development they are best introduced. The original unit standards were used in apprenticeship programmes, supported by the provider network delivering off-job teaching and assessment. They have also been used in Gateway products to support school leavers into apprenticeships. As the apprenticeship changes are embedded using the new suite of unit standards, the provider network and Gateway products will change to use the new unit standards. As this change is occurring during the same time as transitions occurring under RoVE, there is an extended expiry date for the expiring standards. Providers should move to the new standards as soon as possible.
The new unit standards are fit for purpose, current, and relevant to the Electrical Engineering industry.
Main changes
· 38 unit standards were reviewed and a new suite of 44 unit standards were developed to meet current and future requirements of the electrical industry, based on the competency framework to train electrical apprentices.
· 34 of the reviewed unit standards were designated as expiring and will not be replaced as the relationship between them and the new suite of standards was too complex to list as direct replacements.
· 4 of the reviewed unit standards were amended. Of these, 21766 increased in credit value from 3 to 6 credits and 1702 decreased from 8 to 5 credits, to better reflect the time required for learning and assessment.
· AS/NZS 3000:2018 version is not yet cited in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010. To address this, the two sector regulators, WorkSafe and the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB), have agreed that any reference to AS/NZS 3000 in the unit standards will be written as “AS/NZS 3000 (version as cited in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations), Electrical Installations (known as the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules)”.
Category D unit standards will expire at the end of December 2025
Detailed list of unit standards – classification, title, level, and credits
All changes are in bold.
Key to review category |
|
A |
Dates changed, but no other changes are made - the new version of the standard carries the same ID and a new version number |
B |
Changes made, but the overall outcome remains the same - the new version of the standard carries the same ID and a new version number |
C |
Major changes that necessitate the registration of a replacement standard with a new ID |
D |
Standard will expire and not be replaced |
Engineering and Technology > Electrical Engineering > Core Electrical
ID |
Title |
Level |
Credit |
Review Category |
15844 |
Select and install flexible cords |
3 |
2 |
D |
15862 |
Demonstrate knowledge of industrial process control |
4 |
2 |
D |
29441 |
Demonstrate and apply knowledge of cable coding, colours, characters, applications, and capacity |
4 |
2 |
D |
32605 |
Demonstrate knowledge for working safely in the electrical industry |
3 |
6 |
New |
32606 |
Demonstrate knowledge of tools, fittings, and plans in the electrical industry |
3 |
5 |
New |
32607 |
Apply knowledge of working safely in the electrical industry |
4 |
8 |
New |
32608 |
Apply knowledge of electrical tools, fittings, and plans in the workplace |
4 |
7 |
New |
32609 |
Demonstrate knowledge of mathematical principles, conductors and insulators |
3 |
7 |
New |
32610 |
Demonstrate knowledge of voltage, power and energy, and DC circuits |
3 |
6 |
New |
32611 |
Demonstrate knowledge of magnetism and AC generation |
3 |
6 |
New |
32613 |
Demonstrate knowledge of cords, cables, and cable installation |
3 |
4 |
New |
32614 |
Demonstrate knowledge of electrical faults, circuit protection, de-commissioning, and commissioning |
3 |
6 |
New |
32615 |
Demonstrate cable handling and fixing techniques, pre-wire electrical circuits, and join and test TPS cables |
4 |
5 |
New |
32616 |
Apply knowledge of common cords, cables, and electrical fittings |
4 |
6 |
New |
32617 |
Select and use instruments for testing, fault finding, and repairing basic appliances |
4 |
4 |
New |
32618 |
De-commission, test and commission basic electrical appliances, fittings, and equipment |
4 |
4 |
New |
32620 |
Demonstrate knowledge of electrical plans, switching circuits, and lighting systems |
3 |
5 |
New |
32621 |
Demonstrate knowledge of wiring support systems and cable installation |
3 |
5 |
New |
32622 |
Demonstrate knowledge of the national supply grid, MEN system, and earthing |
3 |
6 |
New |
32623 |
Demonstrate knowledge of circuit protection and distribution board wiring |
4 |
5 |
New |
32625 |
Demonstrate knowledge of damp situations, SELV and PELV systems, and single-phase transformers |
3 |
5 |
New |
32626 |
Demonstrate knowledge of capacitors, inductors, and electronics in the electrical trade |
3 |
5 |
New |
32629 |
Demonstrate knowledge of electric motors and alternators |
4 |
5 |
New |
32638 |
Demonstrate knowledge of earthing systems and switchboards |
4 |
6 |
New |
32639 |
Demonstrate knowledge of cable selection, underground cable systems, and specialised cables |
4 |
4 |
New |
32640 |
Demonstrate knowledge of power factor, three-phase AC power, and transformer safety and performance |
4 |
6 |
New |
32641 |
Demonstrate knowledge of electric motors and motor faults |
4 |
3 |
New |
Engineering and Technology > Electrical Engineering > Electrical Appliance Servicing
ID |
Title |
Level |
Credit |
Review Category |
29421 |
Inspect, test, fault-find, and repair fixed-wired electrical appliances and portable appliances |
3 |
3 |
D |
29427 |
Install, test, and commission electrical appliances |
4 |
2 |
D |
Engineering and Technology > Electrical Engineering > Electrical Installation and Maintenance
ID |
Title |
Level |
Credit |
Review Category |
2016 |
Install earthing systems for multiple earthed neutral installations |
3 |
3 |
D |
2020 |
Plan and install cable support systems |
3 |
3 |
D |
2021 |
Plan, install, and commission a power supply on a construction or demolition site |
4 |
2 |
D |
2030 |
Schedule and manage preventative maintenance for industrial electrical equipment |
5 |
6 |
D |
5931 |
Select and install domestic or commercial electric switchboards |
4 |
3 |
D |
10787 |
Install and test transducers |
4 |
2 |
D |
15869 |
Install electrical equipment in damp situations |
4 |
3 |
D |
15870 |
Inspect and test an electrical installation for compliance with AS/NZS 3000 |
4 |
5 |
D |
16415 |
Install and commission extra-low voltage equipment |
4 |
3 |
D |
29419 |
Prepare for, install, test, and commission new electrical installations |
4 |
10 |
D |
29422 |
Install, wire, test and fault-find, and repair power outlets and electric lighting systems in existing installations |
4 |
7 |
D |
29423 |
Carry out planned maintenance of electrical equipment |
4 |
3 |
D |
29424 |
Install, commission, and maintain emergency lighting systems |
4 |
2 |
D |
29426 |
Follow a control drawing and install, wire, and commission a control panel |
4 |
3 |
D |
29428 |
Install, test, and commission a.c. rotating machines |
4 |
2 |
D |
29430 |
Select and install industrial electric switchboards |
4 |
3 |
D |
29431 |
Select and install electric motor starters |
4 |
2 |
D |
29432 |
Select, install, and commission a variable frequency drive |
4 |
2 |
D |
29433 |
Install, wire to, and connect a machine safety device |
4 |
2 |
D |
29434 |
Install and programme a PLC |
4 |
2 |
D |
29435 |
Install computer networking infrastructure systems |
4 |
4 |
D |
29436 |
Wire and connect control devices used in the electrical environment |
4 |
4 |
D |
29438 |
Install, commission, and maintain a power quality protection system |
4 |
4 |
D |
29439 |
Schedule and manage preventative maintenance for domestic or commercial electrical equipment |
4 |
5 |
D |
29446 |
Demonstrate knowledge of computer networking infrastructure principles |
4 |
2 |
D |
32624 |
Demonstrate knowledge of electrical installation testing, fault finding, and rectification of discovered faults |
4 |
6 |
New |
32630 |
Establish new worksites and interpret plans |
4 |
4 |
New |
32631 |
Install, join, and terminate cables |
4 |
7 |
New |
32632 |
Design switching circuits and a PLC programme |
4 |
4 |
New |
32633 |
Install electrical equipment in damp situations and install earthing and lighting |
4 |
9 |
New |
32634 |
Plan circuit protection, and install and test distribution boards |
4 |
10 |
New |
32635 |
Use fault finding and fault rectification techniques on electrical installations |
4 |
4 |
New |
32642 |
Demonstrate knowledge of de-commissioning, commissioning, and verification of electrical installations |
4 |
6 |
New |
32643 |
Demonstrate knowledge of alternative energy systems |
4 |
3 |
New |
32644 |
Demonstrate knowledge of hazardous areas, construction and demolition sites, and special electrical installations |
4 |
5 |
New |
32646 |
Select cables for different applications |
4 |
3 |
New |
32647 |
Install mains and submains cables |
4 |
5 |
New |
32648 |
Install a main switchboard |
4 |
5 |
New |
32649 |
Install electric motors and diagnose and repair faults |
4 |
5 |
New |
32650 |
Install a complete electrical installation |
4 |
10 |
New |
32651 |
Carry out verification of an electrical installation |
4 |
5 |
New |
32652 |
De-commission and commission electrical installations |
4 |
6 |
New |
32653 |
Maintain electrical installations |
4 |
5 |
New |
Engineering and Technology > Electrical Engineering > Electrical Machines
ID |
Title |
Level |
Credit |
Review Category |
29420 |
Fault-find, test, and commission electric motors |
4 |
4 |
D |
29443 |
Demonstrate and apply knowledge of a.c. motors |
4 |
4 |
D |
Engineering and Technology > Electrical Engineering > Electrical Standards and Statutes
ID |
Title |
Level |
Credit |
Review Category |
1702 |
Demonstrate knowledge of, and apply electrical legislation, New Zealand Codes of Practice and Standards Demonstrate knowledge of electrical legislation, New Zealand Codes of Practice, and Standards |
4 |
8
5 |
B |
21766 |
Demonstrate knowledge of theory for registration of electricians Demonstrate knowledge of electrical theory for registration of electricians |
4 |
3
6 |
B |
29484 |
Demonstrate knowledge of theory and practice for electrical workers Demonstrate intermediate knowledge for working in electrical trades |
3 |
1 |
B |
32612 |
Demonstrate knowledge of legislation, industry governance bodies, and AS/NZS3000 for the electrical industry |
3 |
4 |
New |
32619 |
Demonstrate fundamental knowledge for working in electrical trades |
3 |
1 |
New |
Engineering and Technology > Electrical Engineering > Electric Switchboards
ID |
Title |
Level |
Credit |
Review Category |
29440 |
Demonstrate knowledge of electric switchboards |
4 |
3 |
D |
Engineering and Technology > Electronic Engineering > Electrotechnology
ID |
Title |
Level |
Credit |
Review Category |
29437 |
Analyse building and plant energy efficiency |
4 |
3 |
D |
Engineering and Technology > Electronic Engineering > Core Electronics
ID |
Title |
Level |
Credit |
Review Category |
19747 |
Demonstrate and apply fundamental knowledge of microcontrollers |
3 |
5 |
B |