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Electrical Principles & Troubleshooting RPL (QQI Level 6)

The overall aim of the Electrical Principles and Troubleshooting programme is that learners can safely fault-find on Industrial control circuits. (Excluding 3-phase motor control circuits). This will enable learners to contribute valuable productivity improvements to their employers by diagnosing down-time issues on automated industrial systems as well as suggesting modification and improvements to enhance productivity.

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Description

Learner Profile:

Learners must have achieved the QQI Level 6 Industrial Electrical Systems award in order to complete this 3-day RPL version

Learner prerequisites:

Learners must have achieved the QQI Level 6 Industrial Electrical Systems award in order to complete this 3-day RPL version within the last 12 months

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course the participants will be able to:

  • Apply a logical systematic strategy for approaching machine faults and narrowing to the cause, starting with visual symptoms and evidence gathering techniques, essential logical thinking approaches to narrow down a problem area to a specific circuit, navigation of the systems and testing and verification of a fix.
  • Evaluate which interventions are low risk and which carry the possibility of making things worse (by adding a second fault into the system).
  • Identify which components need a setup routine when changed-out versus those that are simple plug and play.
  • Read electrical schematics to enable cause and effect relationships to be determined and test points to be established.
  • Apply effective strategies for faults including: open circuits, faulty components pulling down the power supply voltage, faulty coils, machine interlock loop faults, DC & AC short circuits, faulty sensors, sticky contacts, timer faults.
  • Apply safe work practises for when to work live, de-energised and when and how to isolate, Lock and Tag for maintenance.
  • Communicate effectively to the next shift, document progress on an unresolved fault. A vital skill for avoiding repeated steps.

Course Content :

Unit 1: The Systematic Troubleshooting Method


At the end of the course the participants will be able to:
• Collect evidence of the as found faulted condition
• Maximise the harvesting of visual information prompts
• Use the 1 fault assumption to rule out sub-systems
• Develop binary testing methods, narrow by testing, identify cause, verify fix
• Ask the 5 whys to avoid re-occurrence.

Unit 2: Practice troubleshooting with simulations
At the end of the course the participants will be able to:
• Simutech troubleshooting software including 3 phase reversing motor circuit troubleshooting
• Filling and mixing tank process controlled by a plc. 20 faults

Unit 3: Machine Practice
At the end of the course the participants will:
• get lots of practice applying their troubleshooting strategy on equipment.
• Be fully functional, pre-wired leadscrew with locating solenoid and sensors. All cables labelled to match supporting schematics, one kit per learner. 10 faults

Assessment:
Demonstrate that you can troubleshoot safely and efficiently on a range of assessed faults.

Duration:

3 days

Exam/Continuous Assessment details:

Practical Examination 1 (Circuit construction) 20% 1 hour


Practical Examination 2 (Troubleshooting) 40% 90 mins


Note: Theory Examination 40% already completed as part of Industrial Electrical Systems programme.

Certification / Awarding Body/Credits:

Certification: QQI Level 6 Minor award in Electrical Principles


Awarding Body: QQI


Credits: 15

Progression Pathway:

6M5154 Maintenance Skills Technology Major Award