UEE62122 Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology - Electrical

This foundational subject provides a comprehensive entry point into the Australian electrotechnology industry. It balances a high-level view of industry structure and environmental sustainability with the rigorous, life-saving technical skills required to manage workplace risks. Students move from theoretical safety legislation to practical, hands-on rescue and resuscitation techniques.

Topics include:

• Sustainable Practices: Applying environmentally sound procedures for energy efficiency and waste management.

   

•  Industry Framework: Understanding the sectors within electrotechnology and the role of regulatory bodies.

   

•  WHS Legislation: Interpreting the Work Health and Safety Act and its application to electrical contracting.

   

• Life-Saving Skills: Performing CPR (HLTAID009) and executing Low Voltage (LV) panel rescue procedures.

   

• Risk Mitigation: Identifying hazards, conducting Job Safety Analyses (JSA), and implementing Lock-Out Tag-Out (LOTO).

This subject strips electricity down to its physical roots, providing the mathematical and scientific “why” behind electrical behavior. You will learn to navigate the core relationship between voltage, current, and resistance while mastering the technical literacy required to read and document the blueprints of the trade.

Topics include:

• Electrical Physics: Mastery of atomic theory, electromotive force (EMF), and electron flow.
• Ohm’s Law & Power: Calculating circuit parameters and understanding the relationship between Work, Power, and Energy.
• Circuit Configuration: Analyzing the characteristics of series and parallel single-path DC circuits.
• Technical Documentation: Interpreting architectural floor plans, circuit schedules, and symbols per AS/NZS 1102.
• Engineering Software: Introduction to using digital tools for documentation and basic circuit simulation.

Electrical work is as much a mechanical trade as it is a theoretical science. This subject focuses on the physical installation of equipment, teaching you how to select the right fixings for different building materials and how to manipulate conduits and cables to create professional, compliant installations.

Topics include:

• Tool Mastery: Safe and effective use of hand and power tools specific to the electrical trade.
• Fabrication Techniques: Cutting, bending, and joining PVC and metallic conduits and trunking.
• Fixing & Securing: Selecting masonry anchors, cavity fixings, and chemical anchors based on weight and substrate.
• Termination Excellence: Mastering the techniques for stripping and terminating power cables and flexible cords.
• Soldering: Applying soft soldering techniques for permanent electrical connections.

Most modern electrical infrastructure operates on Alternating Current. This subject transitions you from DC to AC, exploring the complex world of magnetism, induction, and phase relationships. You will learn to solve circuit problems where resistance is joined by reactance and impedance.

Topics include:

• Electromagnetism: Understanding flux density, reluctance, and the operation of solenoids and relays.
• AC Fundamentals: Analyzing sine waves, frequency, RMS values, and phase angles.
• Reactance & Impedance: Calculating the effects of capacitors and inductors in AC circuits.
• Power Factor: Understanding the “efficiency” of an AC circuit and the methods for power factor correction.
• Phasor Diagrams: Using vector diagrams to represent and solve complex AC circuit values.

This subject provides the essential theoretical foundation for advanced engineering roles by bridging the gap between basic electrical theory and complex physics. Students analyse the properties of engineering materials and apply algebraic and physical principles to solve practical electrotechnology problems.

By the end of this subject, students will:

• Perform advanced mathematical calculations required for engineering modelling.
• Apply laws of physics to predict the behaviour of electrical and mechanical systems.
• Evaluate material science properties to ensure components meet specific environmental and technical demands.
• Implement industry and community standards within engineering workflows.

Focusing on high-level electrical theory, this subject prepares students to design and troubleshoot complex circuitry beyond standard domestic or commercial installations. Students utilize nodal and mesh analysis to provide engineering solutions for complex multiple-path and polyphase power systems.

Key learning outcomes include:

• Solving problems in complex multiple-path DC and AC circuits.
• Analysing balanced and unbalanced three-phase power systems.
• Calculating power factors and implementing correction strategies in polyphase circuits.
• Providing technical solutions for complex electrical network failures.

This subject transitions students from basic machine operation to performance evaluation and reporting on rotating machines and transformers. Students dive into the internal physics of DC and AC machines to calculate losses, efficiency, and torque characteristics.

Students will learn to:

• Analyse the operational characteristics of various DC machine configurations.
• Evaluate and report on the performance of low-voltage induction and synchronous machines.
• Calculate efficiency and predict performance outcomes under varying load conditions.
• Diagnose performance issues through technical testing and data analysis.

Centred on modern industrial automation; this subject teaches students how to program and integrate Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) into complex systems. Students move from basic discrete programming to advanced analogue and word-based control logic to manage external industrial hardware.

Students will master:

• Writing and verifying discrete control programs using ladder logic or functional blocks.
• Developing programs to manage analogue inputs and outputs, such as sensors and actuators.
• Implementing structured programming techniques for external device control.
• Designing basic HMI (Human-Machine Interface) layouts for system monitoring.

This subject focuses on the planning phase of integrated cabling and electrical protection systems, emphasizing compliance with Australian standards. Students learn to design structured cabling layouts that incorporate both extra-low voltage (ELV) and low-voltage systems.

In this subject, students will:

• Plan integrated cabling systems for data, security, and communication.
• Determine technical specifications for ELV wiring and accessories.
• Analyse and select appropriate protection and control devices for low-voltage installations.
• Design wiring systems that satisfy specific circuit requirements and safety codes.

Students develop professional-level drafting skills using industry-standard CAD software to produce detailed electrical schematics and panel layouts. The subject emphasizes the creation of complex multi-sheet project drawings that meet Australian drafting standards.

Learning objectives include:

• Interpreting and modifying complex electrotechnology schematics and single-line diagrams.
• Producing engineering drawings using manual drafting techniques and advanced CAD toolsets.
• Developing detailed control panel layouts and wiring schedules.
• Maintaining version control and standards compliance within a digital drafting environment.

This subject focuses on the “pre-construction” phase of engineering projects, teaching students how to document technical requirements and apparatus selections. Students learn to translate client needs into formal design briefs and technical specifications that guide the installation team.

Students will learn how to:

• Develop comprehensive design briefs that outline project scope and constraints.
• Write technical specifications for electrical materials, equipment, and labour.
• Plan and select low-voltage apparatus based on technical and environmental requirements.
• Analyse apparatus performance data to ensure suitability for specific engineering applications.

Designed for future engineering managers; this subject covers the lifecycle of large-scale electrical projects from initial scheduling to final reporting. Students learn to use project management tools to track progress and compile technical reports for stakeholders.

Key outcomes include:

• Developing Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and schedules for complex electrical projects.
• Managing resources, budgets, and timelines throughout the project lifecycle.
• Compiling detailed technical reports on energy sector activities and project outcomes.
• Implementing stakeholder communication strategies and variations management.

This final subject prepares students for the professional responsibilities of an engineer, including risk management, sustainability, and continuous learning. Students develop strategies for addressing environmental impacts and maintaining their technical currency in a rapidly evolving industry.

Students will focus on:

• Implementing comprehensive risk management strategies for electrotechnology activities.
• Developing energy efficiency and sustainability strategies for industrial energy users.
• Establishing personal competency development plans to maintain professional registration.
• Sourcing and managing procurement processes for engineering service jobs.