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Carrying out preventative planned maintenance on communication-electronic

URN: SEMEM356
Business Sectors (Suites): Engineering Maintenance Suite 3
Developed by: Enginuity
Approved on: 2021

Overview

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This standard identifies the competences you need to carry out preventative planned maintenance on communication - electronic systems, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to carry out planned maintenance on a range of communication-electronic systems, sub-systems or assemblies. You will need to organise and carry out the planned maintenance activities to minimise downtime and to ensure that the maintained system performs at optimal level and functions to the required specification.

Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for carrying out planned maintenance activities, and to report any problems with these activities that you cannot personally resolve, or that are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You must ensure that all tools, equipment, and materials used in the maintenance activities are removed from the work area on completion of the activities, and that all necessary job/task documentation is completed accurately and legibly. You will be expected to work with minimal 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 planned maintenance procedures within a communication - electronic system. You will know about the integrated technologies within the system, how the system functions, and the potential problems or defects that may occur. You will understand the process of developing planned maintenance, and its application, and will know about the criteria in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities safely and effectively, and ensuring that the system is maintained to the required specification and remains compliant with all standards and regulations. In addition, you will be expected to report where the outcome identifies the need for further investigation or maintenance work.

You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the planned maintenance activities, especially those for isolating the equipment and for taking the necessary safeguards to protect yourself against direct and indirect electric shock. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout, and 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 and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
  2. follow the relevant maintenance schedules to carry out the required work
  3. carry out the maintenance activities within the limits of your personal authority
  4. carry out the maintenance activities in the specified sequence and in an agreed timescale
  5. report any instances where the maintenance activities cannot be fully met or where there are identified defects outside the planned schedule
  6. complete and store all relevant maintenance documentation in accordance with organisational requirements
  7. dispose of waste materials in accordance with safe working practices and approved procedures and leave the work area in a safe condition

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

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  1. the health and safety requirements of the area in which the planned maintenance activity is to take place, and the responsibility they place on you
  2. your responsibilities under regulations relevant to the maintenance activities being undertaken
  3. the isolation and lock-off procedure or permit-to-work procedure that applies to planned maintenance activities (electrical isolation, locking off switch gear, removal of fuses, placing maintenance warning notices, proving that isolation has been achieved and secured)
  4. isolation procedures unique to communication - electronic systems, subsystems or assemblies
  5. the specific health and safety precautions needed to be applied during the planned maintenance procedure and their effects on others
  6. the hazards associated with carrying out planned maintenance activities on communication-electronic systems, sub-systems or assemblies (such as exposure to live conductors, misuse of tools), and how to minimise these and reduce any risks
  7. the importance of wearing protective clothing and other appropriate safety equipment (PPE) during the maintenance activities
  8. what constitutes a hazardous voltage and how to recognise victims of electric shock
  9. how to reduce the risks of a phase to earth shock (such as insulated tools, rubber matting and isolating transformers)
  10. the importance of keeping the work area clean and tidy and free from waste and surplus materials
  11. how the maintenance activities may affect the work of others, and the procedure for informing them of the work to be carried out
  12. the procedures and precautions to be adopted to eliminate electrostatic discharge (ESD)
  13. how to obtain and interpret drawings, system and physical layouts, charts, specifications, manufacturers' manuals, history/maintenance reports, graphical electrical symbols and other documents needed in the maintenance process
  14. the maintenance schedules and methods to be followed in order to comply with organisational procedures for planned maintenance
  15. the principles of how communication - electronic or associated systems function and interact
  16. how subsystems and assemblies function within a system
  17. the maintenance methods and procedures to be used to check that the system conforms to acceptable limits
  18. how to make sensory checks (sight, sound, smell, touch)
  19. the procedure for obtaining consumables and `lifed' items that will require replacing during the maintenance activity
  20. organisational policy on repair/replacement of systems, subsystems and assemblies during the planned maintenance process
  21. methods of checking that systems, subsystems and assemblies are fit for purpose, and the need to replace `lifed' items (such as batteries)
  22. how to make adjustments to systems, subsystems and assemblies to ensure that they function correctly
  23. the generation of maintenance documentation and/or reports following the maintenance activity
  24. the problems that can occur during the planned maintenance activity, and how they can be overcome
  25. the organisational procedure to be adopted for the safe disposal of waste of all types of material
  26. the extent of your authority and to whom you should report if you have problems that you cannot resolve

Scope/range

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  1. Carry out all of the following during the maintenance activities:

    1. plan and communicate the maintenance activities to cause minimal disruption to normal working
    2. obtain and use the correct issue of organisational and/or manufacturers' drawings and maintenance documentation
    3. adhere to procedures or systems in place for risk assessment, COSHH, personal protective equipment and other relevant safety regulations and procedures to realise a safe system of work
    4. ensure the safe isolation of equipment
    5. provide and maintain safe access and working arrangements for the maintenance area
    6. carry out the maintenance activities using appropriate techniques and procedures
    7. re-connect and return the equipment to service on completion of the maintenance activities
    8. dispose of waste materials in accordance with safe working practices and approved procedures and leave the work area in a safe condition

  2. Carry out maintenance activities on four communication - electronic systems, subsystems or assemblies to LRU level, at least two of which must be selected from Group A:

Note Any of the items below can be identified as a system, subsystem or assembly in its own right.

Group A - communication electronic

1.  transmitters (such as HF, VHF, UHF, microwave)
2.  transceivers (such as HF, VHF, UHF, microwave)
3.  receivers (such as HF, VHF, UHF, microwave)
4.  signal processing (analogue) (such as radar anti-clutter, comms audio and AGC stages)
5.  signal processing (digital) (such as digital MTI, multiplexers, AGC)
6.  aerial systems (such as phased arrays, long wire and parabolic reflectors)
7.  transmission lines (such as optical fibres, coaxial, baluns, twin wire, waveguide)
8.  display systems (such as CRT, plasma, TFT, TV tab, LED)
9.  man-machine interface (such as IS/ICT equipment or peripherals: keypads, keyboards, microphones)
10.  electro-optical systems (such as cameras, thermal imaging, targeting systems)
11.  hydraulic-electrical systems (such as hydraulic motors, HSUs and actuators)
12.  cryptographic systems (such as data encryption and de-encryption)
13.  built-in test equipment
14.  data network systems (such as LANs, WANs)
15.  data network interfaces (such as switch, router, bridging networks)
16.  any other identifiable electronic system, subsystem or assemblies

Group B - associated equipment
17. environmental control systems (such as temperature, humidity, vibration, shock, alarm and protection)
18. electromechanical systems (such as servos, motors, relays, complex switches)
19. power generation systems (such as fixed/transportable AC/DC generators, batteries)
20. power distribution systems (such as single phase/3-phase distribution panels)
21. power supply control systems (such as voltage/current series/shunt regulator/stabiliser)
22. hybrid systems (such as ADC, DAC)

  1. Follow planned maintenance activities using one of the following types of maintenance schedule:

    1. condition based maintenance
    2. scheduled maintenance
    3. total preventative maintenance (TPM)
    4. preventative planned maintenance

  2. Carry out ten of the following planned maintenance activities:

    1. visual examination and testing of a system against the maintenance schedule
    2. monitoring component condition/deterioration
    3. making sensory checks (such as sight, sound, smell or touch)
    4. replacing `lifed' consumables
    5. carrying out system self-analysis checks
    6. removing excessive dirt or grime
    7. making routine adjustments
    8. carrying out leak checks on connections (where appropriate)
    9. testing and reviewing the system operation
    10. recording the results of the maintenance activity and reporting any identified or potential defects
    11. checking the condition of cables
    12. checking the integrity of connections
    13. making insulation resistance checks

  3. Ensure that the maintained system meets all of the following:

    1. all maintenance activities have been completed to the required schedule
    2. equipment operates within acceptable limits for successful continuous operation
    3. equipment remains compliant with appropriate regulations and safety requirements
    4. any potential defects are identified and reported for future action

  4. Complete and store all relevant maintenance documentation in accordance with organisational requirements, using one of the following:

    1. job cards
    2. maintenance log or report
    3. permit-to-work/formal risk assessment and/or sign-on/off procedures
    4. organisational-specific documentation
    5. electronic records

Scope Performance

Scope Knowledge

Values

Behaviours

Skills

Glossary

Links To Other NOS

External Links

Version Number

3

Indicative Review Date

2024

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Enginuity

Original URN

SEMEM356

Relevant Occupations

Maintenance Engineer

SOC Code

5223

Keywords

Engineering; manufacturing; maintenance; electronic; communication; scheduled maintenance; total preventative maintenance; system operations; system functionality; system condition