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Operate condensers and condensate systems in a thermal electricity generation power station

Level / 4
Credits / 4

PurposePeople credited with this standard are able to: demonstrate knowledge of condenser and condensate systems and controls; operate and monitor condenser and condensate systems; and identify and respond to deviations.

Subfield / Electricity Supply
Domain / Electricity Supply – Thermal Operations and Control
Status / Registered
Status date / 29 August 2000
Date version published / 25 June 2007
Planned review date / 31 December 2008
Entry information / Prerequisites:Unit 17409, Operate and monitor turbine steam systems in a thermal electricity generation power station; and Unit 17400, Operate cooling water systems in a thermal electricity generation power station; or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.
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

Special notes

1This unit standard is intended for, but not restricted to, workplace assessment. The range statements within the unit standard can be applied according to industry specific equipment, procedures and processes.

2Safety 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.

3Performance 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; the 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 the documented workplace policies, procedures, specifications, business and quality management requirements relevant to the workplace in which assessment is carried out.

5This unit standard covers condenser, condensate system, and air extraction system.

6The term ‘operate’ is defined as manual operation and testing of thermal electricity generation plant including plant adjustments, isolations and restorations.

Elements and performance criteria

Element 1

Demonstrate knowledge of condenser and condensate systems and controls.

Performance criteria

1.1The location, operation and components of condenser systems are described in accordance with industry requirements.

Rangeincludes but is not limited to – condenser construction, operating philosophy, steam and water flows, air extraction, deaeration.

1.2Condensate system, location and operation are described in accordance with industry requirements.

Rangeincludes but is not limited to – system layout, extraction pumps, condensate polisher, condensate re-circulation, valving.

1.3Controls are described in accordance with industry requirements.

Rangeincludes but is not limited to – condenser level, condenser temperature controls, air extraction control.

1.4Operating parameters are identified in accordance with industry requirements.

Rangeincludes but is not limited to – temperatures, pressures, level, flow.

Element 2

Operate and monitor condenser and condensate systems.

Performance criteria

2.1Current status of system is identified in accordance with industry requirements.

2.2Operations are carried out in accordance with industry requirements.

Rangeincludes but is not limited to – isolations and restorations, routine testing, plant changeover, routine testing, venting, condenser filling and draining, leakage detection.

2.3Operating and monitoring actions are logged in accordance with industry requirements.

2.4Operating decisions are determined in accordance with plant status and industry requirements.

Rangeincludes but is not limited to – plant availability and service condition, resource consent and loading limits, impact on operations, options.

2.5Plant and equipment are monitored in accordance with industry requirements.

Element 3

Identify and respond to deviations in the normal operation of condensers and condensate systems.

Performance criteria

3.1Deviations from normal operating conditions are identified, logged and acted upon in accordance with industry requirements.

Rangeincludes but is not limited to – tube leaks, air ingress, pump cavitation.

3.2Plant safety, fire and emergency procedures are followed in accordance with industry requirements.

3.3Isolations are prepared and checked in accordance with site procedures.

Please note

Providers must be accredited by NZQA, 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 NZQA 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 you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.

 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018