Application

This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required for installing or modifying in cabin air conditioning systems installed in mobile plant and rail vehicles.

The unit covers systems supplying heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) and cooling systems to operator compartments and includes installing new air conditioning systems into new or operating mobile plant or rail vehicles, modification of existing air conditioning systems, commissioning of systems and replacement and recovery of refrigerant.

This unit forms part of the requirements to obtain an Australian Refrigerant Council (ARC) Refrigerant handling licence – qualified persons (Automotive Air Conditioning Licence).

In some jurisdictions, an occupational licence for refrigeration/air conditioning or electrical restricted licence may be required.

What You'll Learn

Assessment Requirements

Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least two (2) occasions and include:

following work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safe work practices, including refrigerant safe handling procedures

obtaining and interpreting specifications, air conditioning system/circuit diagrams, system operation and control data records and identifying and inspecting system components for compliance with specifications

checking of new air conditioning systems and components for quality and completeness

planning installation, retrofitting or modification to ensure efficient assembly/disassembly of air conditioning systems and compliance with manufacturer specifications and regulatory requirements

checking and adjusting control and system operation using appropriate test equipment, including checking for:

ambient and vent temperature

condenser and suction temperature

manifold gauge pressure

refrigerant leaks

heater core and system water coolant leaks

ensuring that the sequence of operations conforms to specifications and operational requirements

recording/reporting any required modifications/alterations to new/retrofitted units in accordance with SOPs

testing air conditioning systems controls and circuits using appropriate test equipment

repairing/replacing faulty items after testing for compliance to specifications using appropriate tools, equipment and techniques

reassembling of air conditioning system to meet specifications

verifying correct operation of air conditioning system after service and repair.

Knowledge Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate the required knowledge for this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

safe work practices and procedures and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

types of air conditioning systems used in mobile applications, including:

piston, scroll and rotary vane compressors

electric compressors

variable displacement compressors

clutchless compressors

single and multi-zone

system operational and control requirements and specifications, including:

high and low pressure switches

pressure relief valves

temperature sensors

sunlight sensors

zone temperature sensors

carbon dioxide sensors

heating system components, including core, control valve, blower motor and fan, ducts, controls and sensors

typical mobile systems refrigerants, their features and applications and relationship to Australian Refrigerant Council (ARC) regulatory requirements

lubricating oils

application of air conditioning system components and controls

digital controllers in mobile fieldbus systems (e.g. controller area network (CAN) bus) and their function and capabilities in regards to air conditioning systems

controller fault code interrogation and interpretation where installed

circuit sensors and controllers

special system installation requirements

air conditioning system test equipment and test procedures, including use of:

manifold gauges

surface probe thermocouples

temperature gauges

scan tools

electrical test equipment

electronic leak detectors

recovery units

vacuum pumps

electronic scales

other test equipment relevant to the vehicle system

correct operational sequence of the system

typical adjustments to correct sequencing variations from specification

procedures for recording/reporting modifications/alterations and consequences of not recording/reporting

air conditioning system commissioning procedures

cause of the faulty condition in new components and appropriate procedures for rectifying the faulty condition

appropriate control component connection procedures

typical test equipment and its application

common adjustments that can be made to control systems and their effects.

Assessment Conditions

Assessors must:

have vocational competency in installing or modifying mobile plant air conditioning systems at least to the level being assessed with relevant industry knowledge and experience

satisfy the assessor requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015 or its replacement and comply with the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011, its replacement or equivalent legislation covering VET regulation in a non-referring state/territory as the case requires

Where possible assessment must occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment that reflects realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills

Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Foundation Skills

• text: This section describes those required skills (reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy) that are essential to workplace performance in this unit of competency. Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Prerequisite Units

• {'code': 'MEM09002', 'title': 'Interpret technical drawing'}
• {'code': 'MEM11011', 'title': 'Undertake manual handling'}
• {'code': 'MEM12023', 'title': 'Perform engineering measurements'}
• {'code': 'MEM13015', 'title': 'Work safely and effectively in manufacturing and engineering'}
• {'code': 'MEM16006', 'title': 'Organise and communicate information'}
• {'code': 'MEM18001', 'title': 'Use hand tools'}
• {'code': 'MEM18002', 'title': 'Use power tools/hand held operations'}
• {'code': 'MEM18055', 'title': 'Dismantle, replace and assemble engineering components'}

Parent Qualifications

• MEM40119 — Certificate IV in Engineering
  MEM

Related Units

• MEM30012 — Apply mathematical techniques in a manufacturing engineering or related environment
  Same training package
• MEM11006 — Perform production packaging
  Same training package
• MEM07004 — Perform complex machine setting
  Same training package
• MEM20026 — Install and maintain door control devices and systems
  Same training package
• MEM04027 — Develop and manufacture bevel gear patterns
  Same training package
• MEM18096 — Maintain, repair/replace and adjust refrigerant flow controls and associated equipment
  Same training package