Carrying out modifications or rewiring electrical circuits
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to modify or rewire electrical circuits and equipment, in accordance with approved procedures. This will involve modifying or rewiring electrical circuits on equipment such as control systems, motors and starters, switchgear and distribution panels, electrical plant, wiring enclosures and luminaires, portable appliances and other specific electrical equipment.
You will be expected to carry out a range of rewiring or modification processes, such as removing and replacing cables, adding new cables, changing or adding components to panels or sub-assemblies, changing breakout points and changing the routeing of cables. You will need to show ability in using various tools and equipment for cutting, stripping, crimping and soldering, bending and forming conduit, and for the installation of the various wires, cables and components that make up the electrical system and circuits.
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the modification or rewiring 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 must ensure that all tools, equipment and materials used in the modification 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 to instructions, alone or in conjunction with others, taking personal responsibility for your own actions, and for the quality and accuracy of the work that you carry out.
Your underpinning knowledge will be sufficient to provide a sound basis for your work, and will provide an informed approach to applying modification/rewiring procedures to electrical circuits. You will have an understanding of the function and operating conditions of the circuits being modified or rewired, in sufficient depth to determine if suitable alterations can be made, and to ensure that these are carried out in a safe and practical manner. You will also understand the organisational policy on modifying/rewiring electrical circuits, and its application.
You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out modification activities, especially those for isolating the equipment. You will also understand your responsibilities for safety, and the importance of taking the necessary safeguards to protect yourself and others in the workplace.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
P1 work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
P2 obtain and follow the relevant modification specifications and job instructions
P3 confirm and agree what modifications or rewiring activities are to be carried out to meet the specification
P4 prepare the electrical system for the required modification
P5 carry out the system modification using approved materials, methods and procedures
P6 complete the modification within the agreed timescale
P7 ensure the modified electrical system meets the specified operating conditions
P8 complete and store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements
P9 deal with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
K1 how to work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
K2 the importance of wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and of keeping the work area clean and tidy
K3 how to obtain and interpret information from job instructions and other documentation used in the rewiring or modification activities
K4 the basic principles of how the system functions, its operating sequence, the working purpose of individual units/components, and how they interact
K5 the different types of cabling their fittings and their application
K6 the different types of electrical component
K7 preparations to be undertaken on the equipment, prior to the modification
K8 how to extract and insert new cables in wiring enclosures without causing damage to other cables or components
K9 the methods and techniques used for soldering and de-soldering, and the importance of adhering to these procedures
K10 the methods and techniques used for crimping and heat shrinking, and the importance of adhering to these procedures
K11 the importance of ensuring that the completed circuit is free from foreign objects, and that all terminations are electrically sound and mechanically secure
K12 how to conduct any necessary checks to ensure that the completed modification complies with all appropriate standards
K13 how to check that tools and equipment are free from damage or defect, are in a safe and usable condition, and are configured correctly for their intended purpose
K14 the issues that can occur with the modification operations, and how these can be overcome
K15 the recording documentation to be completed for the activities undertaken
K16 the extent of your own responsibility and to whom you should report if you have problems that you cannot resolve
Scope/range
Scope Performance
1. Carry out all of the following during the modification or rewiring activities:
1.1. undertake the modification/rewiring activities to cause minimal disruption to normal working
1.2. use the correct issue of maintenance documentation (such as drawings, manuals, maintenance records)
1.3. adhere to procedures or systems in place for risk assessment, personal protective equipment and other relevant safety regulations and procedures to realise a safe system of work
1.4. ensure the safe isolation of equipment (such as electricity, mechanical, gas, air or fluids)
1.5. provide safe access and working arrangements for the modification area
1.6. modify/rewire electrical circuits, using approved techniques and procedures
1.7. apply safe working practices and procedures at all times
1.8. dispose of waste items in a safe and environmentally acceptable manner
1.9. leave the work area in a safe and tidy condition
2. Carry out modification or rewiring activities on one of the following types of circuit:
2.1. single phase power supplies
2.2. three-phase power supplies
2.3. direct current power supplies
2.4. single phase lighting circuits
3. Carry out modification or rewiring activities on three of the following types of electrical equipment:
3.1. electrical plant
3.2. wiring enclosures
3.3. portable appliances
3.4. motors and starters
3.5. luminaires
3.6. switchgear and distribution panels
3.7. control systems and components
3.8. other specific electrical equipment
4. Carry out four of the following, using appropriate methods and procedures:
4.1. replacing cables of different size or length
4.2. making changes to looms or mains circuits
4.3. changing or adding components to panels or sub-assemblies
4.4. changing the position or angle of breakout points
4.5. changing position of electrical units
4.6. adding or removing components from circuits
4.7. fitting new electrical systems
4.8. changing the route of cables
4.9. removal of cables
4.10. adding further looms or mains circuits
4.11. addition of cables
4.12. other specific type of electrical modification
5. Carry out four of the following, using appropriate methods and procedures
5.1. terminating mineral cables
5.2. terminating armoured cables
5.3. heat shrinking (devices and boots)
5.4. bending and forming conduit
5.5. crimping (tags and pins)
5.6. bending and forming trunking and trays
5.7. stripping cable insulation/protection
5.8. sealing and protecting cable connections
5.9. removing cable end fittings
5.10. making mechanical/screwed/clamped connections
5.11. extracting/inserting components
5.12. soldering and de-soldering
5.13. allocating identification markings
6. Carry out modifications or rewiring to electrical circuits, in accordance with one of the following:
6.1. organisational guidelines and codes of practice
6.2. current wiring regulations
6.3. equipment manufacturers' operation range
6.4. BS, ISO and/or BSEN standards
7. Complete one of the following maintenance records, and pass it to the appropriate person:
7.1. job cards
7.2. permits to work/formal risk assessment and/or sign- on/off procedures
7.3. maintenance log or report
7.4. organisational specific documentation
7.5. electronic reports