Carrying out modifications to communication-electronic systems
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to modify communication-electronic systems, sub-systems or assemblies, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to carry out defined and documented modifications to communication-electronic systems, sub-systems or assemblies, in accordance with modification leaflets, latest issue drawings and standards. You will be expected to remove and replace cables, add new cables and change the route of cables. You will also be expected to modify LRUs (line replacement units) within communication- electronic systems.
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the modification activities undertaken, and to report any problems with these activities, or with the tools and equipment used, that you cannot personally resolve, or are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. 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 modification of communication-electronic systems. You will have an understanding of the modification, and its application, and will know about the modification requirements and methods, in adequate depth to provide sound basis for carrying out the activities and ensuring that the completed modification is to the required specification.
You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the 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:
- work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
- follow the relevant modification schedule to carry out the required work
- carry out the modification activities within the limits of your personal authority
- carry out the modification activities in the specified sequence and in an agreed timescale
- report any instances where the modification activities cannot be fully met or where there are identified defects outside the planned schedule
- complete relevant modification records accurately and pass them on to the appropriate person
- dispose of waste materials in accordance with safe working practices and approved procedures
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the specific safety precautions and procedures to be observed whilst carrying out the modification to ground communication-electronic systems (including any specific regulations or codes of practice related to the activities, equipment or materials)
- the health and safety requirements of the area in which the modification is to take place, and the responsibility these requirements place on you
- personal protective equipment and clothing (PPE) to be worn during the modification activities
- the hazards associated with carrying out fault location activities on communication-electronic systems (live electrical components, stored energy, misuse of tools), and how they can be minimised
- what constitutes a hazardous voltage and how to recognise victims of electric shock
- how to reduce the risks of a phase to earth shock (such as insulated tools, rubber mating and isolating transformers)
- how to obtain and interpret information from job instructions and other documents needed in the modification activities (such as drawings, specifications, physical layouts, charts, manufacturers' manuals, history/maintenance reports, graphical electrical symbols)
- how to identify the components to be used; component identification systems (codes and component orientation indicators)
- preparations to be undertaken on the system, prior to carrying out the modification
- the methods and techniques to be used for soldering and de-soldering, and the importance of adhering to them
- the methods and techniques to be used for crimping and heat shrinking, and the importance of adhering to them
- the procedures and precautions to be adopted to eliminate electrostatic discharge (ESD)
- the basic operation of the communication-electronic system, sub-system and assembly being modified
- the different types of cable protection, and reasons for using each type
- the various mechanical fasteners that will be used, and their method of installation
- the importance of using the specified fasteners for the modification, and why you must not use substitutes
- the quality control procedures to be followed during the modification operations
- how to conduct any necessary checks to ensure the accuracy and quality of the modification
- how to recognise defects (such as misalignment, ineffective fasteners, foreign object damage or contamination)
- the problems that can occur with the modification operations, and how these can be overcome
- the organisational procedures to be adopted for the safe disposal of waste of all types of materials
- the documentation and/or reports to be completed following the modification activity, and the importance of ensuring that these reports are completed accurately and legibly
- the organisational policy on modification and how the process should be undertaken
- the extent of your own responsibility and to whom you should report if you have problems that you cannot resolve
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Carry out all of the following during the modification activity:
- obtain and use the correct issue of company and/or manufacturers' documentation
- adhere to procedures or systems in place for risk assessment, COSHH, personal protective equipment and other relevant safety regulations
- ensure the safe isolation of equipment
- ensure that safe access and working arrangements for the work area have been provided
- modify ground electronic systems, using approved techniques and procedures
- apply safe working practices and procedures at all times
- take electrostatic discharge (ESD) precautions when handling sensitive components
- report or take action with regard to any defects that require immediate attention (such as replacing non-'lifed' components)
- dispose of waste items in a safe and environmentally acceptable manner
- leave the work area in a safe and tidy condition
Carry out modification activities on two communication-electronic systems, sub-systems or assemblies to LRU level (at least one of which must be selected from group A):
note: Any of the items below can be identified as a system, sub-system 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, co-axial, 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, sub-system or assemblies
group B - associated equipment
17. environmental control systems (such as temperature, humidity, vibration, shock, alarm and protection)
18. electro-mechanical 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)
Carry out four of the following types of modification:
- removing cables
- adding cables
- changing routes of cables
- making changes to looms
- making changes to LRUs
- adding or removing LRUs
- altering settings
- upgrading mechanical systems
- upgrading electrical systems
- upgrading electronic systems
- upgrading information technology systems
- improving equipment safety
- improving personal safety
- improving equipment performance
Carry out four of the following processes during the modification activities:
- soldering and de-soldering
- heat shrinking (devices or boots)
- crimping
- stripping
- removing cable end fittings
- changing components (including software)
- repositioning units
- removing cable protection
- making mechanical/screwed/clamped connections
- allocating identification markings
- changing LRUs
Produce modifications which comply with one of the following standards:
- customer standards and requirements
- company standards and requirements
- BS, ISO and/or BSEN standards
- Ministry of Defence (MoD)
- manufacturers' standards and requirements
Complete the relevant paperwork, to include one of the following, and pass it to the appropriate person:
- job cards
- maintenance log and action report
- modification record
- permit to work/formal risk assessment
- company-specific documentation