Carrying out tests on communication-electronic systems

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This standard identifies the competences you need to carry out checks and tests on communication-electronic systems, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to carry out defined and documented tests on a range of communication-electronic systems, sub-systems, assemblies or components, at line replacement unit (LRU) level, to assess their functionality and performance in relationship to the specification. You will be required to carry out checks and tests, which will include voltage and current levels, resistance values, waveform, clock/timer switching, pulse width/rise time, open/short circuit, logic state, frequency modulation/demodulation, and signal-to-noise ratio/interference levels. You will be expected to take care that you do not damage the systems during the maintenance activities and, where appropriate, the application of electrostatic discharge (ESD) procedures will be a critical part of your role.

Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for carrying out the testing activities, and to report any problems with these activities 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 applying the necessary test procedures. You will have an understanding of how the equipment functions, the test equipment to be used, and the testing procedures to be applied, in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities safely and correctly. In addition, you will be expected to record the outcomes of the tests, compare the results with appropriate specifications, and record/report the results in the appropriate format, to the relevant people.

You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the inspection and testing activities, especially those for isolating the equipment and for taking the necessary safeguards to protect yourself and others 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.

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1. work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
2. follow the appropriate procedures for use of tools and equipment to carry out the required tests
3. set up and carry out the tests using the correct procedures and within agreed timescales
4. record the results of the tests in the appropriate format
5. review the results and carry out further tests if necessary

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1. the health and safety requirements of the area in which the testing activity is to take place, and the responsibility they place on you
2. your responsibilities under regulations relevant to the communication-electronic testing activities being undertaken
3. the isolation and lock-off procedure or permit-to-work procedure that applies to the testing 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
5. the specific safety precautions to be taken when carrying out formal inspection, safety checking and testing of communication-electronic equipment
6. the hazards associated with testing communication-electronic systems and with the equipment that is used, and how these can be minimised
7. the importance of wearing protective clothing and other appropriate safety equipment (PPE) during the testing 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 mating and isolating transformers)
10. the importance of keeping the work area clean and tidy, and free from waste and surplus materials
11. how the testing activities may effect 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 information from job instructions and other documents needed to carry out the test (such as drawings, circuit diagram, specifications, manufacturers' manuals, test procedures)
14. how to determine suitable test points within a system, sub-system or assembly
15. how to set up and apply the appropriate test equipment
16. how to determine the calibration state of the equipment, and the actions to be taken if equipment is out of calibration
17. how to check that tools and equipment are free from damage or defect, are in a safe and useable condition, and are configured correctly for their intended purpose
18. the various testing methods and procedures, and how to apply them to different operating conditions
19. the documentation required, and the procedures to be followed at the conclusion of the testing

the extent of your authority and to whom you should report if you have problems that you cannot resolve

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

   1. plan the testing methods and procedures in conjunction with others, prior to undertaking the work
   2. obtain and use the correct issue of company and/or manufacturers' testing documentation
   3. adhere to procedures or systems in place for risk assessment, COSHH, personal protective equipment and other relevant safety regulations
   4. ensure the safe isolation of equipment
   5. ensure that safe access and working arrangements have been provided for the test area
   6. carry out the testing activities, using appropriate techniques and procedures
   7. ensure that all test equipment is within calibration date
   8. take electrostatic discharge (ESD) precautions when handling sensitive components
   9. leave the work area in a safe and tidy condition

2. Carry out tests on two of the following types of communication-electronic systems, sub-systems, assemblies or components, 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, 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 to LRU level  

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)

3. Carry out tests using a range of tools and test equipment, to include four of the following:

   1. oscilloscope
   2. ammeter
   3. logic analyser
   4. Q meter
   5. current tracer
   6. signal generator
   7. multimeter
   8. computer aided diagnostic equipment
   9. special-purpose testing equipment
   10. temperature testing devices
   11. power meters
   12. valve tester
   13. spectrum analyser
   14. time domain reflectometer
   15. frequency counter
   16. protocol analyser
   17. breakout box
   18. automatic test equipment
   19. other specific test equipment

4. Carry out six of the following testing activities, as applicable to the equipment being tested:

   1. logic states
   2. DC voltage/current levels
   3. AC voltage/current levels
   4. clock/timer switching
   5. pulse width/rise time
   6. open/short circuit
   7. resistance
   8. heat dissipation
   9. frequency modulation/demodulation
   10. performance of system, sub-system or assembly
   11. conditions of assemblies and components
   12. signal noise/interference levels

5. Carry out all of all the following checks to ensure the accuracy and quality of the tests carried out:

   1. the test equipment is correctly calibrated
   2. test equipment used is appropriate for the tests being carried out
   3. test procedures to be used are up to date and follow laid-down procedures
   4. test equipment is operated within its specification range

6. Provide a record/report of the test outcomes, using one of the following:

   1. preventative maintenance log/report
   2. company-specific reporting procedure
   3. inspection schedule
   4. specific test report

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2

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30 Mar 2018

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Current

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Original

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Semta

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SEMEMI2-36

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Maintenance Fitter

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5223

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Engineering; maintenance; test; communication; electronic; transmitters; receivers; aerial systems; display systems

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