Scope of the licence system
Work area categories
The system has eight endorsements or work area categories. These categories relate to work on equipment in the functional areas. An applicant for a licence must show a need to do restricted electrical work in one or more of these categories. Few people need a licence to work in more than one or two work area categories.
Restricted electrical licence are usually issued for a work area category which is incidental to the holders' trade or calling.
Endorsements on a restricted licence include:
- Composite equipment
- High voltage electrical propulsion
- Plumbing/gas
- Electronics
- Pre-assembled signs
- Electric motor
- Refrigeration/air conditioning
- Instrumentation/process control.
Units of competence
There are six units of competence. These units may be grouped in ways to match the skill needed by workers required to perform particular electrical work in their normal employment. Restricted electrical licences will be issued on the units of competence achieved.
Unit of competence 1, occupational health and safety procedures is a compulsory unit common to all work area categories and must be completed before on-the-job training starts.
| Unit of competence | Descriptor |
|---|---|
| 1 | Occupational health and safety procedures associated with electrical work are followed. |
| 2 | Fixed wired equipment which is connected to a supply of up to 650 volts is disconnected and reconnected. |
| 3 | Faults are located and rectified in equipment which is connected to single phase 250 volt supply. |
| 4 | Faults are located and rectified in equipment which is connected to a supply of up to 650 volts. |
| 5 | Flexible cord and plug is attached to equipment which is connected to a single phase 250 volt supply. |
| 6 | Flexible cable and plug is attached to equipment which is connected to a supply of up to 650 volts. |
Limit of work permitted
The type of work covered by the restricted electrical licence is limited to equipment in work area categories as detailed in the work area categories and operating at voltages up to 250 volts or 650 volts AC. The work includes:
- fitting cords and plugs to flexible cords
- testing for the safe isolation and restoration of equipment to be disconnected and reconnected
- disconnection and reconnection of electrical wiring at equipment to the extent of allowing non-electrical work to be carried out
- replacement of electrically operated equipment on a like-for-like basis.
The restricted electrical licence does not permit installation of or alteration to any part of the fixed electrical wiring system as this is electrical installing work.