This qualification is awarded to people who have demonstrated competence in the skills and knowledge required for locating and diagnosing faults likely to occur in a distribution network.

It is designed to upskill people who are qualified to work on distribution networks as faultmen. The qualification has two strands recognising that both line mechanics and electricians may progress into this role: the Line Mechanic strand of the qualification provides line mechanics with the additional electrical skills required to undertake fault work; and the Electrician strand provides electricians with the line mechanic skills required to undertake fault work.

A faultman is a recognised role within the electricity supply industry into which experienced line mechanics and electricians may make a career progression. Faultmen are responsible for identifying faults on electricity supply lines, analysing the cause of those faults and recommending remedial work to fix them, and undertaking that work if qualified and competent to do so. The nature of the job means faultmen are often working alone so the role demands strong analytical skills, responsibility, and an ability to work and make decisions alone - faultmen must also be able to take responsibility for their decisions.

The role calls for a mixture of line mechanic and electrician skills; therefore this qualification is designed to upskill candidates with the particular skills they would require to become competent faultmen. Faultman skills generic to both line mechanics and electricians include locating and repairing or replacing faulty components, operating switch gear and receiving and returning transfer of control, and these are covered in the compulsory section of the qualification. Line mechanics are further required to have a good understanding of three-phase theory, the multiple earthed neutral system, electromotive force and insulation resistance testing, amongst other electrical knowledge and skills covered within the Line Mechanic Strand. Electricians require such line mechanic skills as climbing and working on electricity network structures, jointing overhead conductors, determining the condition of electrical lines and being able to dismantle electrical lines and structures, which are all covered in the Electrician Strand.

This qualification builds upon the knowledge and skills found in the National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Line Mechanic Distribution) (Level 4) [Ref: 0874] and the National Certificate in Electricity Supply (Electrical) (Level 4) with strands in Electricity Supply Electrician, Electrical Fitter, and Electrical Technician [Ref: 1295]. While this qualification does not directly lead on to any specific higher qualification it is a good basis from which to progress on to higher study.

In addition, this qualification includes optional standards which cover a range of additional skills and knowledge suitable for both electricians and line mechanics. Although these standards are not required to achieve the qualification, they may be considered necessary for some faultman roles within the electricity supply industry.