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Utilise a Distributed Control System (DCS) in the operation of an
electricity generation power station
Level
5
Credits
6
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are, in an electricity supply
environment, able to: demonstrate knowledge of DCSs; carry out operations
using a DCS; carry out alarm and event management; and manipulate data
using a DCS.
Subfield
Electricity Supply
Domain
Electricity Supply - Power System Management
Status
Registered
Status date
25 September 2006
Date version published
25 September 2006
Planned review date
31 December 2011
Entry information
Open.
Accreditation
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and
industry.
Standard setting body (SSB)
Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference
0120
This AMAP can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Special notes
1
This unit standard is intended for, but not restricted to, workplace assessment. The
range statements across the unit standard can be applied according to industry
specific equipment, procedures, and processes.
2
Safety of personnel and plant must be a priority throughout the assessment. If the
safety requirements are not met the assessment must stop and the candidate will be
assessed as not yet competent.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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3
Performance and work practices in relation to the elements and performance criteria
must comply with all current legislation, especially the Electricity Act 1992, and any
regulations and codes of practice recognised under that statute; Health and Safety in
Employment Act 1992; and the Resource Management Act 1991. Electricity supply
industry codes of practice and documented industry procedures include the Safety
Manual – Electricity Industry (SM-EI) (2004) Wellington: Electricity Engineers’
Association. A full list of current legislation and industry codes is available from the
Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation, PO Box 1245, Hamilton.
4
Industry requirements include all industry and workplace documented policies,
procedures, specifications, business and quality management requirements relevant
to the workplace in which assessment is carried out.
5
Practical exercises should be used for training and assessment wherever possible.
6
For the purpose of this unit standard the term distributed control system (DCS)
includes: Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Man Machine
Interfaces (MMI).
Elements and performance criteria
Element 1
Demonstrate knowledge of DCSs.
Performance criteria
1.1
Terminology and abbreviations associated with DCSs are identified and
explained.
1.2
System configuration is described.
Range
1.3
may include but is not limited to – operating system, digital inputs
and outputs, analogue inputs and outputs, central processing units
(CPU), back-up/redundancy system, integration with other plant
systems’ DCSs.
The control logic used in DCSs is demonstrated using a simple diagram.
Element 2
Carry out operations using a DCS.
Performance criteria
2.1
Navigation around screens is demonstrated.
Range
may include but is not limited to – dropdown menus, overview
screen, toolbar navigation, alarm point navigation, ‘quick’ buttons.
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2.2
Operating system is used to carry out functional operations.
Range
may include but is not limited to – printing, navigation, security,
screen/window management, profiles, ‘snapshots’, file
management.
2.3
Current status of plant is verified in accordance with industry requirements.
2.4
Plant sequences are operated and monitored in accordance with industry
requirements.
Range
2.5
Function groups are operated in accordance with industry requirements.
Range
2.6
may include but is not limited to – automatic plant sequence,
sequence tracking, auto/manual start/stop.
may include but is not limited to – manual/auto, start/stop, reset.
Valves and pumps are operated in accordance with industry requirements.
Range
may include but is not limited to – manual/auto, start/stop,
duty/standby, alter set points, control valve inching.
Element 3
Carry out alarm and event management.
Performance criteria
3.1
Types and priorities of alarms are identified.
Range
3.2
may include but is not limited to – alarm warning (advisory or
critical), alarm tolerance.
Alarms screens are interpreted and explained.
Range
may include but is not limited to – new, current, acknowledged,
reset.
Element 4
Manipulate data using a DCS.
Range
current and historical.
Performance criteria
4.1
Data is used for event and process investigation.
Range
may include but is not limited to – filter, retrieve historical data,
trends, reports, logic diagrams, logs, sequence of events.
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4.2
Trends are set up to display data.
Range
4.3
may include but is not limited to – scale, range, add/remove tags,
retrieve historical data.
Screen dumps are carried out.
Range
may include but is not limited to – hard copy, electronic copy.
Please note
Providers must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority, or an inter-institutional body
with delegated authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from
assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority before
they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards
must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations
wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for
tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Electricity Supply Industry Training Organisation info@esito.org.nz if
you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016