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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Measure frequency using frequency counters

SAQA US ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119251	Measure frequency using frequency counters
ORIGINATOR
SGB Engineering
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-
FIELD			SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology			Engineering and Related Design
ABET BAND	UNIT STANDARD TYPE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	CREDITS
Undefined	Regular	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	3
REGISTRATION STATUS		REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE	SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		2018-07-01	2023-06-30	SAQA 06120/18
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30		2029-06-30

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard.

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD

This unit standard will be useful to people who are required to measure frequency in a multi-parameter measurement set-up where frequency is one of the parameters being measured. Persons credited with this unit standard are able to measure frequency using frequency counters taking into account the effects of signal quality, level and wave shape.

Learners will be able to

Understand the fundamentals of frequency measurement.

Measure frequency using a reference frequency counter.

Record and evaluate results.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Competence in the following:

Mathematics at level 5.

Natural Science at level 5.

Define the role, functions and operation of the international measurement system.

Statistics at level 5.

Apply the ISO document "Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement" to estimate uncertainty of measurement.

Develop calibration and test methods and procedures.

Reporting measurement results.

Use and maintenance of hand tools, power tools and measuring instruments.

Draw, read and interpret basic electrical/electronic circuit drawings.

UNIT STANDARD RANGE

N/A

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria:

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1

Understand the fundamentals of frequency measurement.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Explain the principles of periodic wave, duty cycle, rise time, slew rate, pulse width, DC offset, distortion, harmonics, pulse aberrations.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Explain the basic operation of a frequency counter.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Identify the most suitable type of frequency counter for a given application.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2

Measure frequency using a reference frequency counter.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Select a suitable frequency counter for a given frequency measurement.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Reference frequency counter's source of traceability selected has national equivalence.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

The frequency counter is maintained in a condition fit for purpose.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Analyse the wave shape to be measured and select optimum counter settings that satisfies the required frequency range and accuracy.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

Number of measurements performed, satisfies precision required.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6

Frequencies are measured and recorded.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3

Record and evaluate results.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Record raw measurement data as per given procedure.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Estimate uncertainty of raw measurement data.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Evaluate raw data for conformance to required accuracy specifications.

UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS

Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be a registered SANAS Technical Assessor and registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.

Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures.

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE

Essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate's performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard.

The following embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:

2.1. Principles of Frequency.
Periodic wave, duty cycle, rise time, slew rate, pulse width, DC offset, distortion, harmonics, pulse aberrations.

2.2. Operation of Frequency Counters.
Reciprocal and conventional counters, Beating or heterodyning counting,

2.3. Maintenance of Frequency Counters.
Determining of calibration intervals,

2.4. Measurement of Frequency.
Use of external frequency references.

UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME

N/A

UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES

N/A

Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO):

UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING

Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.
Note: The ability of the candidate to identify the need to measure frequency and to select a suitable frequency counter for a specific measurement, assess the impact and take appropriate action. Refer to specific outcomes 1 "Understand the fundamentals of frequency measurement." and 2 "Measure frequency using a reference frequency counter."

UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING

Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.
Note: The ability and willingness of the candidate to accept and interpret work instructions and calibration/measurement procedures from customer's correctly and to request assistance in an appropriate manner as a team member. Refer to specific outcome 2 "Measure frequency using a reference frequency counter."

UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING

Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
Note: The preparation for measurement of frequency, the maintenance of reference standards, the candidate must indicate what equipment, set-up and measurement procedures are required and communicates to fellow workers and laboratory manager his/her intentions. Refer to all specific outcomes.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING

Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
Note: The ability of the candidate to reconcile the measured data and information from the visual examination and constantly evaluate the changing situation. Refer to specific outcomes 2 "Measure frequency using a reference frequency counter." and 3 "Record and evaluate results."

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING

Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and / or language skills in the modes of oral and / or written presentations.
Note: The appropriate communication with customers, laboratory manager and personnel with regard to frequency measurements and its impact in calibration and/or testing of equipment and artifacts and the measurement results achieved, will indicate his/her proficiency in effective communication. Refer to all specific outcomes.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE

Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
Note: The ability of the candidate to effectively use the knowledge gained to inform and protect the broader environment and health of others. Refer to all specific outcomes.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING

Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
Note: The ability of the candidate to understand the inter relationship of frequency and other metrological quantities in performing measurements, reporting of results and their effect on global activities. Refer to all specific outcomes.

UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA

N/A

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015.

UNIT STANDARD NOTES

Notes to assessors

Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:

Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.

Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.

Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.

The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.

The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.

All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent

Unit standard justification

1. Level

Attribute-Level
Applied Competence-5
Autonomy of Learning-5

Actual Level Assigned: 5

2. Credits

Total hours required by the learner to achieve the required outcome:

Activity-Hours
Classroom Teaching-15
On-The-Job Training-10
Mentoring required-5
Other (Specify)--
Total-3

Credits Assigned: 3

QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD:

	ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	STATUS	END DATE	PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
Elective	57228	National Certificate: Metrology	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2023-06-30	EWSETA

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

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