24036 version 1

Page 1 of 5

Maintain computer based and solid state interlocking equipment in position in a rail environment

Level / 4
Credits / 5

PurposePeople credited with this unit standard are able to, in a rail environment:prepare for the maintenance of computer based and solid state interlocking equipment; monitor system; diagnose faults and replace faulty modules; monitor, test, and adjust equipment.

Subfield / Rail Transport
Domain / Rail Infrastructure
Status / Registered
Status date / 21 May 2008
Date version published / 21 May 2008
Planned review date / 31 December 2013
Entry information / Open.
Accreditation / Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and industry.
Standard setting body (SSB) / Competenz
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference / 0013

This AMAP can be accessed at

Special notes

1Assessment against this unit standard is to be carried out within the context of an organisation operating under a current, valid Rail Licence issued in accordance with the provisions of the Railways Act 2005. The organisation’s operating rules, codes, and instructions, referred to in this unit standard, are those the organisation has in place to meet the requirements of the Rail Licence.

2Candidates must first hold the appropriate licence, qualification, and/or certification for any electrical work undertaken in the course of assessment for this unit standard. This condition will be in accordance with organisational procedures and/or regulatory requirements that govern live electrical work. Examples include: electrical service technician (A, B), registered electrician.

3Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, Railways Act 2005, Resource Management Act 1991, Electricity Act 1992, Electricity Regulations 1997.

4The following Code of Practice applies to this unit standard:

NZECP 60:1997, New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice for Inspection, Testing and Certification of Low Voltage A.C. Railway Signalling Control Circuits, Ministry of Commerce, Wellington.

5Computer based and solid state interlocking equipment may include but is not limited to: Westrace, VPI, Microlock systems.

6Computer and solid state equipment modules may include but are not limited to: main panel processor; panel processor module; DPM, CPU cards; I/O devices; memory modules.

7Maintenanceis to be undertaken on at least three occasions, using one or more items of computer based and solid state interlocking equipment and their respective modules.

8Tools and equipment for maintenance purposes may include but are not limited to: crimping tools; wire strippers; soldering irons/flux; printed circuit boards; modules; power supplies; computer equipment; diagnostic terminals; relays; cubicles; racks; brackets; cabling/connections; static protection devices.

9Operations may:

  • be conducted by day or night in all relevant weather conditions;
  • be conducted in restricted spaces or exposed conditions or controlled or open environments.
  • involve exposure to chemicals, dangerous or hazardous substances and movements of equipment, materials and vehicles.

10Competenz acknowledges the assistance provided by the Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council in permitting unit of competency TDTB5501A, Maintain Computer Based and SolidState Interlocking Equipment to be used as the basis for this unit standard.

11Definitions

In position refers to equipment located in its usual place within the rail network, as opposed to being temporarily off-site in, for example, an engineering workshop or other maintenance facility.

Organisational proceduresrefer to documents that include: worksite rules, codes, and practices; equipment operating instructions; routine maintenance schedules; technical specifications; documented quality management systems; material safety data sheets (MSDS), maintenance schedules; and health and safety requirements.

Elements and performance criteria

Element 1

Prepare for the maintenance of computer based and solid state interlocking equipment.

Performance criteria

1.1Relevant instructions and information are accessed in accordance with job requirements and organisational procedures.

1.2Work is planned to ensure safe maintenance activities and minimum disruption to train operations.

Rangemay include but is not limited to – rail permissions, track protection, Train Control bulletins, local work schedules, train movements, special circumstances.

1.3Personal protective equipment (PPE) is used in accordance with organisational requirements.

Rangemay include but is not limited to – high visibility clothing, hearing protection, gloves, sunscreen, sunglasses, safety glasses, insect repellent, safety headwear, safety footwear, portable radios, hand lamps, flags.

Element 2

Monitor system.

Performance criteria

2.1Up-to-date reports of fault logs are gained by accessing the diagnostics terminal.

Rangefault logs may include but is not limited to – indicators, displays, print outs;

diagnostics terminal may include but is not limited to – technician's terminal, VDU, hand held terminal, PC or laptop computer.

2.2Fault correction activities are prioritised by reviewing the fault reports and corrective actions are implemented in accordance with organisational procedures.

2.3Records of previously actioned faults are deleted/cleared from the terminal in accordance with organisational procedures.

Element 3

Diagnose faults and replace faulty modules.

Performance criteria

3.1The source of the fault is correctly identified by assessing the diagnostics terminal.

3.2The corrective action required is determined in accordance with fault type and organisational procedures.

3.3Actioned faults are deleted/cleared from the terminal.

3.4Faulty modules are correctly identified and removed as per organisational procedures.

3.5Replacement component is obtained from spare stock in accordance with fault type and organisational procedures.

3.6Replacement modules are correctly installed, connected, and equipment is powered up as per organisational procedures.

Element 4

Monitor, test, and adjust equipment.

Rangetest instruments may include but is not limited to – message generator/interrogator, oscilloscope, personal computer, go/no go tester.

Performance criteria

4.1Correct calibration of test instruments is verified in accordance with organisational procedures.

4.2Correct test procedures are identified and implemented to confirm all operations are in accordance with organisational procedures.

4.3Equipment operations are monitored to ensure system integrity.

Rangesystem integrity may include but is not limited to – any/all aspects of the installations, housing, connections and operations as defined by the relevant organisational procedures.

4.4Signal and voltage levels are monitored, checked, and adjusted if required to ensure compliance with organisational procedures.

4.5Complete statistical records and equipment/operational management information is accurately recorded and maintained in accordance with organisational procedures.

Element 5

Organise repair or replacement of faulty equipment.

Performance criteria

5.1Non-conforming equipment is identified and tagged for repair type and extent of fault is identified and recorded as per organisational procedures.

Rangetagging may include but is not limited to – stickers, cardboard labels, attached reports.

5.2Faulty equipment requiring repair is segregated and appropriate records are completed in preparation for dispatch to repairer.

Rangerecords may include but are not limited to – hard copy, electronic files, packaging slips, transmittal documents, fault records, equipment faults/maintenance history.

5.3Spare equipment stocks are reviewed to ensure adequate availability.

5.4Priority for repair or replacement of equipment is established by evaluation of stock levels and fault logs.

5.5Appropriate personnel are notified as to repair or replacement priorities in accordance with organisational procedures.

Rangeappropriate personnel may include but is not limited to – technicians, supervisors, stores personnel.

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 if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.

 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018