NZQA registered unit standard
28279 version 1
Page 1 of 3
Title
Demonstrate knowledge of electrical protection principles and the
effects of faults on distribution networks
Level
4
Purpose
Credits
4
This unit standard is intended for cable jointers in the electricity
supply industry.
People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate
knowledge of: electrical circuit protection terms and fuse link
operating principles; and the effects and causes of faults on
distribution networks.
Classification
Electricity Supply > Electricity Supply - Distribution Networks
Available grade
Achieved
Explanatory notes
1
This unit standard is intended for, but not restricted to, workplace assessment. The
range statements within the unit standard can be applied according to enterprise
specific equipment, procedures and processes.
2
Performance and work practices in relation to the outcomes and evidence
requirements must comply with all current legislation, especially the
Electricity Act 1992 and any subsequent amendments, and any regulations, codes of
practice recognised under that statute, Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992,
the Resource Management Act 1991, and their subsequent amendments, electricity
supply industry codes of practice and documented enterprise procedures. These
include the latest versions of, Safety Manual – Electricity Industry (SM-EI) Wellington:
Electricity Engineers’ Association.
A full list of current legislation and industry codes is available from:
Infrastructure Industry Training Organisation
PO Box 1245
Hamilton 3240.
3
The phrase in accordance with industry requirements is implicit in all outcomes and
evidence requirements in this unit standard.
4
Definitions
Industry requirements include all asset owner requirements; manufacturers’
specifications; and enterprise requirements which cover the documented workplace
policies, procedures, specifications, business, and quality management requirements
relevant to the workplace in which assessment is carried out.
Infrastructure ITO
SSB Code 101813
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
28279 version 1
Page 2 of 3
Asset owner refers to the owner of an electricity supply network that takes its point of
supply from Transpower NZ, and delivers electricity to industrial, commercial and
residential customers.
5
This unit standard is intended for use in the assessment of cable jointers, and all
terminology should be related to that sector of the industry.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge of electrical circuit protection terms and fuse link operating
principles.
Evidence requirements
1.1
Circuit protection terms are explained.
Range
1.2
The arc extinguishing and operating principles of fuse elements is explained.
Range
1.3
may include but is not limited to – current rating, voltage rating,
utilisation category, interrupting capacity (breaking capacity),
fusing and tripping factor, excess current protection (coarse and
close), prospective short circuit current (pscc), discrimination, coordination;
evidence of four is required.
may include but is not limited to – expulsion fuse, high rupturing
capacity fuse (HRC), liquid fuse link;
evidence of two is required.
Relationship between current rating, interrupting capacity and utilisation
category for a protection device is stated and explained.
Outcome 2
Demonstrate knowledge of the effects and causes of faults on distribution networks.
Evidence requirements
2.1
The causes of faults on distribution networks are explained.
Range
2.2
includes but is not limited to – insulation breakdown, leakage
current, over current, short circuit, physical damage, bird strike,
fallen tree, possums, accidents, lightning strikes and switching
surges.
The effects of faults on network primary and secondary equipment are
explained.
Infrastructure ITO
SSB Code 101813
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
28279 version 1
Page 3 of 3
includes but is not limited to – damage to cables, conductors,
equipment due to overheating or mechanical forces or magnetic
forces, non-operation of protection equipment during faults and
accidents.
Range
2.3
Importance of time in relation to the isolation of faults is explained.
2.4
The purpose and function of an auto-recloser and sectionalisers, and where
they are located in the electricity distribution networks, are described.
Planned review date
31 December 2019
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
18 September 2014
N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0120
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The
CMR 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 Infrastructure Industry Training Organisation
qualifications@infrastructureito.org.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this
unit standard.
Infrastructure ITO
SSB Code 101813
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016