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Mounting electrical components in enclosures

URN: SEMEEE331
Business Sectors (Suites): Electrical and Electronic Engineering Suite 3
Developed by: Enginuity
Approved on: 2020

Overview

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This standard identifies the competences you need to mount electrical components in enclosures, in accordance with approved procedures. The final enclosure could be used for distribution equipment, switchgear or control systems. The rated operating voltage of the completed assembly will not exceed 1,500 volts DC, or 1,000 volts AC, at frequencies not exceeding 1,000 Hertz. You will be required to select the appropriate tools and equipment to use, based on the operations to be performed and type of components to be installed and to check that they are in a safe and serviceable condition. In carrying out the operations, you will be required to follow laid-down procedures and specific assembly techniques, in order to mount various components into enclosures, such as component panels, isolator switches, fuses/MCBs, contactors, relays, bases for plug-in devices, rail-mounted terminal blocks, trunking, earthing bonding and sub- assemblies such as power supplies, card racks and process controller units. The mounting activities will also include making all necessary checks and adjustments to ensure that components are correctly positioned and free from damage. Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the assembly activities undertaken and to report any problems with the activities, components or equipment that you cannot personally resolve, or are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to work with a minimum of supervision, taking personal responsibility for your own actions and for the quality and accuracy of the work that you carry out. Your underpinning knowledge will provide a good understanding of your work and will provide an informed approach to applying assembly techniques and procedures to the mounting of electrical components in enclosures. You will understand the distribution equipment, switchgear or control systems being assembled, their application and the assembly techniques used. You know about the components used, in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities to the required specification. You will understand the safety precautions required when mounting electrical components in enclosures. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout and you will understand the responsibility you owe to yourself and others in the workplace.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

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  1. work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation, regulations, directives and other relevant guidelines
  2. follow the relevant instructions, assembly drawings and any other specifications
  3. ensure that the specified components are available and that they are in a usable condition
  4. assemble the components in their correct positions using appropriate methods and techniques
  5. secure the components using the specified connectors and securing devices
  6. check the completed assembly to ensure that all operations have been completed and it meets the required specification
  7. deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved
  8. ensure that work records are completed, stored securely and available to others, as per organisational requirements
  9. leave the work area in a safe condition on completion of the activities, as per organisational and legal requirements

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

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  1. the specific safety precautions to be taken whilst carrying out the  activities (including any specific legislation, regulations or codes of practice relating to the activities, equipment or materials)
  2. the health and safety requirements of the work area  and the activities, and the responsibility these requirements place on you
  3. the hazards associated with  the activities, and how to minimise them and reduce risks
  4. the personal protective equipment and clothing (PPE) to be worn during the activities
  5. voltage ranges, what constitutes a hazardous voltage and how to reduce the risks of a phase to earth shock
  6. how to obtain and interpret drawings, circuit and physical layouts, charts, specifications, graphical electrical symbols, wiring regulations and other documents needed for the electrical component mounting activities
  7. how to deal effectively with victims of electric shock in the workplace (to include methods of safely isolating the power source and methods of first aid resuscitation)
  8. the assembly methods and techniques to be used when mounting electrical distribution equipment, switchgear or control systems (such as soldering, lacing/strapping of wires, crimping)
  9. the type of components and sub-assemblies that are used in the assembly activities (such as contactors, relays, circuit breakers/fuses, solenoids, switches, transformers, ballast chokes, terminal blocks, sub-assemblies)
  10. the basic operating principles of the electrical components being assembled
  11. preparations to be undertaken on the components and enclosure, prior to the mounting activities
  12. how the components are to be aligned and positioned prior to securing and the tools and equipment that are used
  13. methods of attaching identification markers/labels during electrical assembly activities
  14. how to conduct any necessary checks to ensure the accuracy and quality of the assembly produced
  15. the visual checks and preparation requirements for components to be used in the electrical assembly activities
  16. how to recognise and identify any orientation requirements for all electrical distribution equipment, switchgear or control system components used in the assembly activities
  17. the methods, tools and equipment used to transport, handle and lift the components into position
  18. how to check that the tools/equipment are within current certification dates, free from damage and defects , in a safe and usable condition, and configured correctly for purpose
  19. the methods and techniques used to prepare enclosures and the electrical distribution equipment, switchgear or control systems
  20. equipment to be used in the assembly activities (such as removing and storing enclosure doors, cleaning parts, removing packaging, adding protective covers)
  21. the extent of your own responsibility and whom you should report to if you have problems that you cannot resolve
  22. how to access, use and maintain information to comply with organisational requirements and legislation

Scope/range

Scope Performance

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  1. Mount of the electrical components, by carrying out all of the following activities:

    1. use the correct assembly drawings, specifications and job/order instructions
    2. adhere to health and safety regulations, systems and procedures to realise a safe system of work
    3. ensure that the components are free from damage, foreign objects, dirt or other contamination
    4. check that all tools and equipment are within calibration date (where appropriate) and serviceable
    5. prepare the electrical components and enclosures for the assembly operations
    6. use safe and approved techniques to mount the electrical components in the enclosures
    7. leave the work area in a safe and tidy condition

  2. Mount electrical components into enclosures, to include twenty of the following items:

    1. enclosure partitions              
    2. bases for plug-in devices         
    3. soft starters
    4. component mounting plates      
    5. switches (push button, toggle)  
    6. variable speed drives
    7. capacitors                   
    8. limit switches
    9. trunking                           
    10. resistors                           
    11. sensors
    12. conduit                              
    13. rectifiers                           
    14. programmable controllers
    15. contactors                        
    16. timers                          
    17. plugs/sockets
    18. overload protection relays
    19. relays
    20. power supplies             
    21. grommets/grommet strip
    22. transformers/chokes      
    23. circuit boards    
    24. lighting fixtures
    25. circuit breakers/fuses        
    26. thermistors/thermocouples    
    27. batteries
    28. panel meters (voltage, current) 
    29. indicators (lamps, LEDs)      
    30. connector rails
    31. terminal blocks/junction boxes 
    32. thermostats                         
    33. solenoids
    34. safety interlocks                    
    35. busbars                        
    36. other specific components

  3. Carry out eight of the following activities during the mounting of the electrical components:

    1. setting working clearance         
    2. aligning components          
    3. measuring
    4. applying sealants/adhesives
    5. drilling                                       
    6. torque setting                   
    7. clamping
    8. filing                                       
    9. earth bonding                 
    10. crimping
    11. riveting                                    
    12. securing using mechanical fasteners/threaded/locking devices
    13. component marking/labelling
    14. sawing/cutting                          
    15. making belt connections
    16. forming                                    
    17. punching                 
    18. making screw connections

  4. Carry out seven of the following quality checks:

    1. positional accuracy         
    2. alignment    
    3. freedom from damage and foreign objects
    4. dimensions                 
    5. component security     
    6. operating clearance
    7. orientation                 
    8. completeness            
    9. electrical continuity/earthing checks

  5. Assemble electrical components in enclosures, to one of the following quality and accuracy standards:

    1. organisational drawings and procedures
    2. customer drawings and requirements
    3. wiring regulations
    4. current industry standards, codes of practice and procedures
    5. other international standards

Scope Knowledge

Values

Behaviours

Skills

Glossary

Links To Other NOS

External Links

Version Number

2

Indicative Review Date

2023

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Semta

Original URN

SEMEE3-31

Relevant Occupations

Engineering, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, Engineering Technicians, Maintenance Team Technician, Manufacturing Technologies, Production and Process Engineers

SOC Code

3113

Keywords

Engineering; electrical; electronic; enclosure; mounting; components; distribution systems; switchgear; control system; equipment