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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Inspect, test and maintain Medium/High Voltage earthing systems 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
259205  Inspect, test and maintain Medium/High Voltage earthing systems 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Electrical Engineering & Construction 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction Electrical Infrastructure Construction 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
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 replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
113882  Inspect, test and maintain Medium / High Voltage earthing systems  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is for persons in the Medium/High Voltage reticulation/distribution environment.

A person credited with this unit standard will be able to do the following on earthing systems for Medium/High Voltage reticulation/distribution substations and lines:
  • Routine visual inspection and report defects.
  • Carry out routine maintenance.
  • Replace defective/missing sections of earthing.
  • Carry out tests on earthing systems.

    This unit standard will contribute to the full development of the learner within the electrical engineering and construction environment by providing recognition, further mobility and transportability within the field of Physical Planning and Construction. The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this unit standard are essential for social and economic transformation and upliftment within the electrical engineering and construction environment. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learning Assumed to be in Place and Recognition of Prior Learning:

    The following knowledge, skills attitude and/or equivalent:
  • Apply and adhere to electrical safety.
  • Read & interpret station electric/network diagrams.
  • Gas welding.
  • Select, use and care for electrical measuring instruments.
  • Use and care for hand tools. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • Earthed structures include but are not limited to fences, steel/wood/concrete poles and lattice steel structures.
  • Earthing conductors include, but are not limited to copper/steel rods, bars and multi-stranded conductors.
  • Earthed equipment will include, but are not limited to Medium/High Voltage ground/pole/structure mounted apparatus. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Plan and prepare to inspect, test and maintain/repair Medium/High Voltage earthing systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Job instructions are obtained and the section of earthing grid/network to be inspected/maintained/repaired is identified according to geographical/earthing network diagrams. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Task instructions are interpreted and operation planned. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Isolation of the affected section of the Medium/High Voltage network is arranged according to job instructions/maintenance schedules or reports where necessary. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Appropriate tools and test equipment are identified and selected to meet job requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Applicable safety gear and personal protective equipment required for maintaining/repairing/replacing earthing are selected and checked for functionality according to statutory requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Inspect Medium/High Voltage earthing grids/networks. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Conditions are assessed and safety measures implemented according to safe work procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The earthing grid/network is visually inspected according to routine inspection sheets for loose connections, corrosion and to ensure all earthing is intact/not damaged. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Ensure that the affected section of the Medium/High Voltage network is isolated and permits obtained where necessary when working in close proximity to live apparatus according to high voltage regulations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Safety precautions/procedures are followed before, during and after inspection of earthing installation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Test Medium/High Voltage earthing grids/networks. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Conditions are assessed and safety measures implemented according to safe work procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Ensure that the affected section of the Medium/High Voltage network is isolated and permits obtained where necessary when working in close proximity to live apparatus according to high voltage regulations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The underground earth connections are exposed and cleaned as per job procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Earth connections are bridged by means of a flexible earth lead prior to disconnecting as per safe work procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The applicable test instruments are selected and testing carried out according to specific task requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Safety precautions/procedures are followed before, during and after testing of earthing installation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Maintain and repair/replace earthing on Medium/High Voltage networks. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The affected earthing installation is assessed for possible safety risks and preventative measures implemented according to safety risk assessment/safe work procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Ensure that the affected section of the Medium/High Voltage network is isolated and permits obtained where necessary when working in close proximity to live apparatus according to high voltage regulations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Earth connections are bridged by means of a flexible earth lead prior to disconnecting as per safe work procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Earthing is maintained/repaired/replaced according to applicable maintenance procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Safety precautions/procedures are followed before, during and after inspection of earthing installation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Complete the work task. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Work area/excavations are restored to serviceable condition according to statutory requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Completion of job is reported and work permits cleared where necessary according to high voltage regulations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Ensure that the replaced earthing has been returned to the stores. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Appropriate tools and safety equipment are cared for and stored according to statutory requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Documentation is completed and submitted according to data management procedures. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any provider offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Knowledge that will help me understand and that I will be able to explain:
  • A broad understanding of Medium/High Voltage earthing systems, hardware and equipment.
  • A comprehensive understanding of testing procedure on Medium/High Voltage earthing systems.
  • An appropriate understanding of earthing theory, electrical induction and discharging principles.
  • Use relevant tools and test instruments safely, according to work site procedures.
  • Apply basic safety procedures related to the type of work and location. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems in which responsible decisions have been made regarding the inspecting, testing, maintaining, repairing and replacing of Medium/High Voltage earthing systems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others as a member of the maintenance team. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one`s activities, responsibly and effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicating effectively, using visual and/or language skills by means of oral/written reports. 

    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 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 113882, "Inspect, test and maintain Medium/High Voltage earthing systems", Level 4, 4 credits. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  72052   Further Education and Training Certificate: Electrical Engineering  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. ESKOM GENERATION - PALMIET PUMP STORAGE GRABOUW 
    2. KP ACADEMY (PTY) LTD 
    3. POWER SYSTEMS TRAINING, CAPE TOWN 


    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.