Electronic equipment inspector

Description

Electronic equipment inspectors check electronic equipment for any defects and malfunctions. They ensure that the equipment is correctly assembled according to specifications and national and international regulations.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to electronic equipment inspector:

electronics tester
tester of electronic equipment
electronic equipment QA inspector
electronic testing and inspection engineer
QA inspector for electronic equipment
inspector of electronic equipment
electronic testing engineer
inspector of electronics
electronics inspector
electronic QC inspector

Minimum qualifications

A high school diploma is generally required at least to work as an electronic equipment inspector.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Electronic equipment inspector is a Skill level 2 occupation.

Electronic equipment inspector career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to electronic equipment inspector.

automated optical inspection operator
electrical equipment inspector
precision device inspector
printed circuit board test technician
control panel tester

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of electronic equipment inspector. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of electronic equipment inspector with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

computer hardware test technician
calibration technician
avionics inspector
electronics engineering technician
electronics production supervisor

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of electronic equipment inspector.

  • Circuit diagrams: Read and comprehend circuit diagrams showing the connections between the devices, such as power and signal connections.
  • Electronic test procedures: Testing protocols that enable a variety of analyses of electronic systems, products, and components. These tests include the testing of electrical properties, such as voltage, current, resistance, capacitance, and inductance as well as the testing of specific electronic components, such as the electron tubes, semiconductors, integrated circuits, and batteries. These tests include visual inspection, performance tests, environment tests, and safety tests.
  • Quality assurance procedures: The procedures to inspect a product or system to ensure that it is according to specifications and requirements.
  • Electronic equipment standards: The national and international quality and safety standards and regulations with regards to the use and manufacture of electronic equipment and its components, such as semiconductors and printed circuit boards.
  • Types of electronics: The different categories of electronics, such as consumer electronics, medical devices, microelectronics, computers, information and communication equipment, and measuring equipment.
  • Instrument performance elements: Elements that indicate or influence instrument performance. A first indication of the performance of the instrument is the accuracy or precision of the instrument, such as its response time, resolution, and range. A second indication of performance is the technical performance of the instrument, such as its power level, the electromagnetic interference, and transient voltages. A third indication of performance are environmental factors that can influence instrument performance, such as humidity, operating temperatures, or dust.
  • Electronic components: Devices and components that can be found in electronic systems. These devices can range from simple components such as amplifiers and oscillators, to more complex integrated packages, such as integrated circuits and printed circuit boards.
  • Electronics: The functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications. Apply this knowledge to ensure electronic equipment runs smoothly.
  • Electrical testing methods: Test procedures performed on electrical equipment and machinery in order to check the performance and quality of the electrical equipment and their adherence to specifications. During these tests electrical properties, such as voltage, current, resistance, capacitance, and inductance, are measured using electrical measuring equipment, such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, and voltmeters.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of electronic equipment inspector.

  • Inspect quality of products: Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
  • Measure electrical characteristics: Measure voltage, current, resistance or other electrical characteristics by using electrical measuring equipment such as multimeters, voltmeters, and ammeters.
  • Read assembly drawings: Read and interpret drawings listing all the parts and subassemblies of a certain product. The drawing identifies the different components and materials and provides instructions on how to assemble a product.
  • Read standard blueprints: Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.
  • Use testing equipment: Use equipment to test performance and operation of machinery.
  • Analyse test data: Interpret and analyse data collected during testing in order to formulate conclusions, new insights or solutions.
  • Communicate test results to other departments: Communicate testing information such as testing schedules, samples testing statistics and test results, to the relevant departments.
  • Meet deadlines: Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.
  • Use measurement instruments: Use different measurement instruments depending on the property to be measured. Utilise various instruments to measure length, area, volume, speed, energy, force, and others.
  • Test electronic units: Test electronic units using appropriate equipment. Gather and analyse data. Monitor and evaluate system performance and take action if needed.
  • Ensure conformity to specifications: Ensure that the assembled products are conform to the specifications given.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of electronic equipment inspector. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Microelectronics: Microelectronics is a subdiscipline of electronics and relates the study, design, and manufacture of small electronic components, such as microchips.
  • Consumer electronics: The functioning of electronic consumer goods such as TVs, radios, cameras and other audio and video equipment.
  • Waste removal regulations: Know and understand the regulations and legal agreements governing the performance of waste removal activities.
  • Power electronics: The functioning, design, and usage of electronics that control and convert electric power. Power conversion systems are usually categorised as AC-DC or rectifiers, DC-AC or inverters, DC-DC converters, and AC-AC converters.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of electronic equipment inspector. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Resolve equipment malfunctions: Identify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions; communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.
  • Remove defective products: Remove defective materials from the production line.
  • Perform test run: Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.
  • Calibrate electronic instruments: Correct and adjust the reliability of an electronic instrument by measuring output and comparing results with the data of a reference device or a set of standardised results. This is done in regular intervals which are set by the manufacturer and using calibration devices.
  • Research equipment needs: Research equipment or required machine parts; compare sources, prices and delivery times.
  • Maintain test equipment: Maintain equipment used for testing the quality of systems and products.
  • Check system parameters against reference values: Make sure that the measurable factors which define the operation of a system correspond to the predetermined norms.
  • Liaise with engineers: Collaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement.
  • Send faulty equipment back to assembly line: Send equipment that didn’t pass inspection back to the assembly line for re-assembly.
  • Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
  • Write inspection reports: Write the results and conclusions of the inspection in a clear and intelligible way. Log the inspection’s processes such as contact, outcome, and steps taken.

ISCO group and title

7543 – Product graders and testers (excluding foods and beverages)


References
  1. Electronic equipment inspector – ESCO
Last updated on October 23, 2022

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