SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Inspect and test electrical circuits 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119256  Inspect and test electrical circuits 
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 4  NQF Level 04  6 
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
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 inspect and test electrical circuits to ensure safety of public and personnel in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Read and interpret electric circuit diagrams.
  • Prepare work area.
  • Inspect electrical circuits.
  • Test electrical circuits.
  • Complete work activities. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation is based on the assumption that learners are already competent in terms of the following outcomes or areas of learning when starting to learn towards this unit standard:
  • Basic knowledge of electrical circuits and systems.
  • SABS standards and worksite safety procedures.
  • Applicable statutory requirements.
  • Working at heights and in confined places.
  • Use of relevant testing and measuring equipment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The following scope and context applies to the whole unit standard:
  • Electric circuits include lighting, plugs, distribution and control circuits.

    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Read and interpret electric circuit diagrams. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Electrical circuit diagrams are read and interpreted in terms of the symbols, components and functionality. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Reasons for the existence of circuit diagrams are given in terms of the function they perform in relation to the safe electrification of a unit. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Electrical components that require inspection and testing are identified in relation to the electrified unit. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Components include switches, plugs, conductors, circuit breakers, transformers, rectifiers, relays and contactors.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The basic principles of electricity pertaining to the circuit diagram are explained in accordance with electrical safety requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare the work area. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Authorisation to access the worksite is obtained according to worksite procedures, SABS safety requirements and company procedures. The consequences of not obtaining authorisation are explained in terms of work interruptions and liability. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Work area is prepared for inspection and testing according to statutory requirements and worksite procedures. Potential hazards are identified and rectified in accordance with safety legislation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Statutory requirements include OHS Act, relevant SABS specifications and local authority requirements.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Defects and potentially hazardous conditions are identified and corrective actions taken according to worksite procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Corrective actions include repairing and/or reporting.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Public access to the worksite is restricted in accordance with statutory requirements and worksite procedures. Consequences of not restricting public access are explained in terms of workflow and liability. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Inspect electrical circuits. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Work instructions are interpreted and a sequence of operation is determined according to worksite procedures, company standards and SABS safety requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Work instructions include manufacturer's technical information, worksite procedures and circuit diagrams.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The purpose of inspecting electrical circuits is explained in terms of legal and safety requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Tools, inspection equipment and materials selected are ensured to be appropriate for the requirements of the work activity. Reasons why specific tools and inspection equipment are selected are explained in terms of accuracy of work and required results. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Inspection equipment includes multimeters, tong testers and relevant hand tools.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Personal protective equipment (PPE) is selected and used in accordance with statutory requirements. The consequences of not using personal protective equipment are explained in terms of personal risk and liability. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Statutory requirements include OHS Act, relevant SABS specifications and local authority requirements.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Electrical circuits are inspected according to statutory requirements. The consequences of not inspecting all relevant components are explained in terms of potential risks and liability. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Inspection tools and equipment are used in accordance with their design and manufacturer recommendations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Deviances from acceptable standards are identified and reported according to statutory requirements and manufacturer's specifications. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Test electrical circuits. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Work instructions are interpreted and a sequence of operation is determined according to worksite procedures, company standards and SABS safety requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Work instructions include manufacturer's technical information, worksite procedures and circuit diagrams.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The purpose of testing electrical circuits is explained in terms of legal and safety requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Tools, test equipment and materials selected are ensured to be appropriate for the requirements of the work activity. Reasons why specific tools and testing equipment are selected are explained in terms of accuracy of work and required results. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Inspection equipment includes multimeters, tong testers and relevant hand tools.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Personal protective equipment (PPE) is selected and used in accordance with statutory requirements. The consequences of not using personal protective equipment are explained in terms of personal risk and liability. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Statutory requirements include OHS Act, relevant SABS specifications and local authority requirements.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Electrical circuits are tested according to statutory requirements. The consequences of not testing all relevant components are explained in terms of potential risks and liability. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Testing includes continuity, polarity, earth leakage, insulation resistance and functionality of parts.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Test tools and equipment are used in accordance with their design and manufacturer recommendations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Deviances from acceptable standards are identified and reported according to statutory requirements and manufacturer's specifications. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Complete work activities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The worksite is cleared, secured and restored to a safe and serviceable condition in accordance with statutory and worksite requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance of returning the worksite to a safe and serviceable condition is explained in terms of workflow and minimising hazards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Equipment and tools are checked, cleaned and stored according to company procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Work is completed and reported to appropriate personnel in accordance with company procedures. The importance of accurately completing documentation is explained in terms of legal responsibility. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Work activities are completed within agreed timeframes. The importance of completing work within agreed timeframes is explained in terms of customer service and work interruptions. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    1. Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

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

    3. 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:
  • The Occupational Health and Safety Act.
  • Manufacturers specifications and manuals. 
    		•

    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 appropriate equipment, hazardous conditions, assess and take appropriate action. 

    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 correctly and to report to relevant personnel. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and ones activities responsibly and effectively.
    Note: The ability of the candidate to interpret work instructions and make decisions regarding the required work procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
    Note: The ability of the candidate to reconcile the information from the visual inspection and constantly evaluate the situation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.
    Note: The ability of the candidate to communicate with the relevant personnel with regard to the reporting of hazards and sub-standard conditions and the completion of work activities. 

    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 use technical measuring instruments and equipment. 

    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 identify the role of inspection and testing of electrical circuits to ensure the safe working condition of electrified units. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    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. 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Terminology:
    Specific terminology has been clarified by the use of range statements where applicable. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  83446   National Certificate: Electronics  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MICTS 
    Core  49511   National Certificate: Lift Inspection  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MERSETA 
    Elective  59569   National Certificate: Electronics  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MICTS 
    Elective  80306   Further Education and Training Certificate: Electronics  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    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.
     
    1. Africa Learn (Pty) Ltd 
    2. ATTI (Advanced Technonogy Training Institute) 
    3. Columbus Consulting Pty Ltd 
    4. Epitome Villa (Pty)Ltd 
    5. Gert Sibande FET College 
    6. K Boneng Consulting Services P 
    7. Paramixed Pty Ltd 
    8. Schauenburg Systems Pty Ltd 
    9. SUPREME ICT CONSULTANTS 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.