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Testing electrical and electronic equipment in yachts and boats

URN: SEMME3205
Business Sectors (Suites): Marine Engineering Suite 3
Developed by: Enginuity
Approved on: 2019

Overview

This standard identifies the competencies you need to carry out tests on electrical and electronic systems and equipment in yachts or boats, in accordance with approved procedures.  You will be required to carry out tests on a range of electrical and electronic equipment, such as communications equipment, computer equipment, navigation equipment, sensor equipment and systems.  You will also be required to use a range of test equipment, methods, procedures and diagnostic/analytical techniques, as applicable to the particular system under test.

Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the testing activities undertaken and to report any problems with these activities or with the equipment used that you cannot personally resolve, or are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to work with minimum 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 appropriate test procedures to yacht or boat electrical and electronic systems and equipment. You will understand the system under test, the various test procedures, and their application, and will know about the appropriate test equipment, in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities to the required specification.  In addition, you will be expected to review the outcome of the tests, to compare the results with appropriate standards, to determine the action required and to record and report the results in the appropriate format.  

You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the test activities, especially those for isolating the equipment and taking the necessary safeguards to protect yourself and others in the workplace. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

  1. work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation, regulations, directives and other relevant 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
  6. complete relevant documentation in line with organisational procedures

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

  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. how to recognise and deal with emergencies and the procedures to be followed (such as methods of safely evacuating and closing down of compartments in the case of fire or other major incident, first aid, fire fighting and resuscitation of personnel)
  3. the safety procedures that must be carried out before work is started on the yacht or boat and the specific health and safety precautions to be applied during the testing procedure

  4. the importance of wearing protective clothing and other appropriate safety equipment (PPE) during the testing process 

  5. hazards associated with carrying out testing activities on yacht and boat electrical/electronic equipment (such as exposure to live conductors, misuse of tools) and how they can be minimised

  6. the importance of applying electro static discharge procedures (ESD) when working on sensitive equipment or devices

  7. what constitutes a hazardous voltage and how to recognise victims of electric shock

  8. how to reduce the risks of a phase to earth shock (such as insulated tools, rubber matting and isolating transformers)

  9. how to obtain the required test schedules and specifications for the equipment and system being tested

  10. how to carry out currency/issue checks of the specifications you are working with
  11. how to read and interpret the test schedules and specifications and whom you can seek assistance from if you have problems or issues regarding the test schedules or specifications
  12. the methods to be followed to comply with company procedures for the testing of yacht and boat electrical/electronic equipment
  13. the basic principle of operation of the equipment/circuits being tested and the purpose of individual components within the circuit
  14. the correct operating procedures of the electrical/electronic equipment/system being tested
  15. the methods and procedures to be used to carry out the various tests on the yacht or boat electrical/electronic equipment and its system components
  16. the test equipment to be used and its selection and application for particular tests
  17. the calibration of test equipment (where applicable) and the requirement for currency/issue checks
  18. the techniques, methods and procedures to be used during the tests 
  19. the importance of carrying out the tests in the specified sequence, checking all readings, movements and levels at each stage
  20. the adjustments/corrections/tuning required to maintain the equipment/system at operational standard
  21. whom to seek authorisation from if you need to alter or change the test procedures
  22. how to record the results of each individual test and the documentation that must be used
  23. how to analyse the test results and make valid decisions about the acceptability of the system
  24. the procedures to be followed when the equipment or system fails to meet the test specification
  25. problems that can occur with the testing activities and how they can be overcome
  26. what may cause errors or discrepancies with the test results and how to avoid these
  27. any environmental controls required relating to the testing
  28. how to recognise defects in yacht and boat electrical/electronic equipment (such as under or over performance)
  29. how to compile testing and fault finding records/logs/reports which satisfy company policy and procedures
  30. the extent of your own authority and whom you should report to if you have problems that you cannot resolve

Scope/range

Scope Performance

1. Carry out all of the following during the testing activities:
1.1. use the correct issue of company and/or vessel/craft manufacturers drawings and testing documentation
1.2. adhere to procedures or systems in place for risk assessment, COSHH, personal protective equipment and other relevant safety regulations 
1.3. obtain the appropriate test equipment and check that it is in a safe and usable condition 
1.4. ensure the safe isolation of equipment 
1.5. provide safe access and working arrangements for the testing area
1.6. check all tools and test equipment are in date for calibration
1.7. carry out the testing activities using appropriate techniques and procedures
1.8. reconnect and return system to service on completion of activities
1.9. leave the work area in a safe condition and to the prescribed category of cleanliness 

2. Carry out tests on three of the following types of yacht or boat electrical equipment and systems:
2.1. power supply equipment (such as, batteries, generators, alternators, wind and solar)
2.2. power distribution panel
2.3. lighting (such as cabin lighting, navigation lighting, cockpit and deck lighting)
2.4. services/domestic equipment (such as heating, cooking, air conditioning and refrigeration systems) 
2.5. alarm systems (such as flood and liquid level detection, security/intruder detection, gas and fire detection)
2.6. motor/rotating equipment (such as bow thrusters, anchor windlasses, trim tabs winches and hoists)
2.7. pumping systems (such as freshwater systems, bilge pumping systems, sanitary systems)
2.8. entertainment systems (such as sound systems, video systems)
2.9. other specific electrical system

3. Carry out tests on three of the following types of yacht or boat electronic equipment and systems:
3.1. communications systems (such as very high frequency (VHF) radio, SSB, satellite communications (SATCOM), Navtex, weather fax, on-board entertainment systems, intercom)
3.2. positioning systems (such as chart plotter, global positioning system (GPS), long range navigation, compass, gyro)
3.3. instrument systems (such as speed, depth, wind, velocity made good)
3.4. autopilot systems
3.5. sensor systems (such as RADAR)
3.6. other specific electronic system

      plus carry out tests on three of the following components:
3.7. aerials
3.8. radar scanners
3.9. mast transducers
3.10. hull transducers
3.11. instrument heads
3.12. control units
3.13. compass or gyro units
3.14. visual display units
3.15. loudspeaker units
3.16. other specific component

4. Carry out five of the following checks on the electrical/electronic equipment/systems:
4.1. continuity checks
4.2. protective conductor resistance values
4.3. insulation resistance values
4.4. earth bonding tests
4.5. voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) checks 
4.6. signal injection tests
4.7. simulation tests
4.8. voltage levels
4.9. power output
4.10. current 
4.11. frequency checks
4.12. distortion checks
4.13. signal strength
4.14. signal-to-noise checks
4.15. receiver sensitivity
4.16. other specific checks

5. Carry out all of the following checks to ensure the accuracy and quality of the tests carried out:
5.1. the test equipment is correctly calibrated
5.2. the test equipment used is appropriate for the tests being carried out
5.3. test procedures used are as recommended in the appropriate specifications
5.4. test equipment is operated within its specification range

6. Test yacht or boat electrical and electronic equipment which complies with one of the following:
6.1. BS or ISO standards and procedures
6.2. customer (contractual) standards and requirements
6.3. company standards and procedures
6.4. specific equipment requirements/manufacturer’s data 
6.5. BS 7671/IET Wiring Regulations (current edition)
6.6. recognised compliance agency/body’s standards (such as Lloyds, Boat Safety Scheme, BMEA Code)
6.7. other accepted international standards

7. Deal with both of the following during the testing of the electrical/electronic equipment:
7.1. equipment with no faults
7.2. equipment with faults

8. Provide a record/report of the test outcome, using one of the following: 
8.1. job cards
8.2. craft/vessel log
8.3. maintenance log or reports 
8.4. inspection/test schedule
8.5. company specific test report
8.6. other specific recording method

Scope Knowledge

Values

Behaviours

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Behaviours:

You will be able to apply the appropriate behaviours required in the workplace to meet the job profile and overall company objectives, such as:

  • strong work ethic
  • positive attitude
  • team player
  • dependability
  • responsibility
  • honesty
  • integrity
  • motivation
  • commitment

Skills

Glossary

Links To Other NOS

External Links

Version Number

3

Indicative Review Date

2021

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Semta

Original URN

SEMME3205

Relevant Occupations

Marine Engineering Trades

SOC Code

5235

Keywords

Marine; engineering; yacht; boat; electrical; electronic; systems; equipment; testing; lighting; navigation; communication; VHF; SSB Satellite; RADAR; satellite; Navtex; GPS; LORAN