Modifying and rewiring electrical circuits in yachts and boats
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to modify and rewire electrical circuits in yachts or boats, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to modify, rewire and update circuits in accordance with approved specifications and procedures, latest issue drawings and standards. The yacht or boat electrical circuits to be modified or rewired will include power supplies, distribution panels, control systems, motor and pumping systems, lighting circuits, entertainment systems, domestic systems, communication systems, positioning systems, instrument and autopilot systems. You will be expected to remove and replace cables, add new cables, change breakout points and change the routeing of cables. You will also be expected to change components or units. You will need to show proficiency in using various tools and equipment for cutting, stripping, crimping and soldering, and in the installation of the various wires, cables and components that make up the yacht and boat 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 modifying or rewiring 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 a minimum of 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 provide an informed approach to applying modification or rewiring procedures to yacht or boat electrical equipment and circuits. You will understand the modification or rewiring to be carried out and its application, and will know about the methods, tools and equipment to be used, in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities, correcting faults and ensuring that the modification or rewiring is carried out to the required specification.
You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the rewiring or modification activities. 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:
work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation, regulations, directives and other relevant guidelines
obtain and follow the relevant modification specifications and job instructions
- confirm and agree what modifications are to be carried out to meet the specification
- prepare the electrical system for the required modification
- carry out the system modification using approved materials, methods and procedures
- complete the modification within the agreed timescale
- ensure the modified electrical system meets the specified operating conditions
complete relevant documentation of all modification work carried out in line with organisational procedures
deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the specific safety precautions and procedures to be observed whilst carrying out the modifications or rewiring of the yacht or boat electrical systems (including any specific legislation, regulations or codes of practice relating to the activities, equipment or materials)
- the health and safety requirements of the work area in which you are carrying out the modification or rewiring activities and the responsibility they place on you
- 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)
- the hazards associated with carrying out modifications or rewiring of yacht or boat electrical systems and how they can be minimised
the personal protective equipment and clothing (PPE) to be worn during the modification or rewiring activities
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 matting and isolating transformers)
how to obtain and interpret drawings, circuit and physical layouts, charts, specifications, manufacturers' manuals, graphical electrical symbols, use of BS7671/IET wiring regulations and other documentation used during the modification or rewiring process
- how to carry out currency/issue checks of the specifications you are working with
- the basic principles of how the electrical system functions, its operating sequence, the working purpose of individual units/components and how they interact
- the different types of cabling and their application (such as multicore cables, single core cables, solid and multi-stranded cables, steel wire armoured (SWA), mineral insulated (MI), screened cables, data/communications cables, fibre optics)
- the different types of electrical components (such as plugs, switches, lighting and fittings, junction boxes, consumer units)
- preparations to be undertaken on the system prior to carrying out the modification or rewiring
- how to extract and insert cables in wiring enclosures (such as conduit, trunking and through-bulkhead penetration) without causing damage to cables or components
- the techniques used to terminate electrical cables (such as plugs and sockets; soldering; screwed, clamped and crimped connections, glands and sealed connectors) and the importance of adhering to these procedures
- the methods and techniques to be used for crimping and heat shrinking and the importance of adhering to these procedures
- the various mechanical fasteners that will be used and their method of installation
- the use of BS7671/IET wiring regulations when selecting wires and cables and when carrying out tests on systems
- methods of attaching markers/labels to components or cables to assist with identification (such as colour coding conductors, using coded tabs)
- the procedure for obtaining replacement parts, materials and other consumables necessary for the modification or rewiring activities
- the importance of ensuring that the modified/repaired electrical system/circuit is free from foreign objects and that all terminations are sound and secure
- the importance of conducting inspections and checks to ensure that the completed modification or rewiring complies with all required standards before reconnecting to the supply (such as visual examination for loose or exposed conductors, excessive solder or solder spikes which may allow short circuits to occur, strain on terminations, insufficient slack cable at terminations, continuity and polarity checks)
- why electrical bonding is critical and why it must be both mechanically and electrically secure
- how to check that tools and equipment are free from damage or defect, are in a safe, tested and usable condition and are configured correctly for the intended purpose
- why tool/equipment control is critical and what to do if a tool or piece of equipment is unaccounted for on completion of the activities
- the problems that can occur with the modification or rewiring operations and how these can be overcome
- the procedure for the safe disposal of waste materials
- the recording documentation to be completed for the activities undertaken
- the extent of your own authority and whom you should report to if you have problems that you cannot resolve
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
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