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: 

Install control cables for automatic irrigation systems 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
335974  Install control cables for automatic irrigation systems 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Horticulture 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  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 
A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Draw off armoured cable from a drum and install this in an irrigation trench.
  • Lay and connect cab-tyre cable to low voltage irrigation solenoids.
  • Fit conduits between irrigation valve manifolds and install single core cables.
  • Test all low voltage circuits with a battery pack before trenches are backfilled. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • It is assumed that learners are competent in Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 2 or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Lay armoured cables in irrigation trenches. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The range includes but is not limited to:
  • Trench depths, stone free bedding, SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), use of cable drum jacks, procedures for drawing off cable, provide slack, and warning tape. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The necessity of ensuring that cable trenches are excavated to the specified depth is explained with reference to the possible consequences if a lesser depth is used. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance of inspecting the base of a trench before installing an armoured cable is explained within the context of providing a stone free "bedding" for the cable. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Reasons for using drum jacks when drawing off armoured cable from a drum are explained in terms of preventing kinks. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Methods of drawing off armoured cable from a drum are demonstrated in accordance with the company's standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The importance of allowing slack in the trench is explained and the techniques to achieve this are demonstrated in accordance with the company's standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The necessity of installing warning tape at 100mm above an armoured cable is explained in terms of the prevention of damage to the cable and a possible safety incident. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Lay cab tyre cable in trenches and connect to low voltage irrigation equipment. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The range includes but is not limited to test and verify trench depths, remove cab tyre from a coil or drum, protect cable under or at mainline, provide slack, join cables with crimping ferrules, waterproof cable splices, and water proof sealant. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Procedures for testing and verifying the depth and bedding of trenches for irrigation control cables are demonstrated in accordance with the company's standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Methods of extracting cab tyre cable from a coil or drum to prevent twisting or kinking are demonstrated in accordance with the company's standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Reasons why the irrigation control cables should be secured to the side or under the mainline piping are described and the techniques to perform this are demonstrated in accordance with the company's standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The importance of providing adequate slack of cable in the trenches and at valve manifolds is explained and the methods of achieving this are demonstrated in accordance with the company's standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Reasons why cable joints must be waterproofed are explained in terms of the effects water will have on the corrosion of the copper and the loss of conductivity. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Various types of cable splicing enclosures that provide a water proof encasement for a cable joint are identified and the methods of filling these enclosures with the appropriate sealant are demonstrated in accordance with the company's standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Methods of joining cab tyre cable to low voltage irrigation solenoids or other control equipment using the appropriate crimping ferrules and waterproof joints are demonstrated in accordance with the company's standard operating procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Install conduits and single core cables to valve manifolds in an irrigation system. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The range includes but is not limited to areas where PVC covered cable must be installed in conduit, methods of sleeving/conduiting, draw cables through conduits, joining cables, fit waterproof enclosure and sealant, coil excess cables in valve boxes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The regions in South Africa where conduit/sleeving between valve manifolds is required are listed and the particular reasons why this is necessary are explained in terms of rodent problems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Methods of installing conduit/sleeving between valve manifolds and an irrigation controller are demonstrated in accordance with the company's standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Procedures for drawing single core cables through the conduits are demonstrated in accordance with the company's standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Methods of joining single core cable to low voltage irrigation solenoids or other control equipment using the appropriate crimping ferrules and waterproof joints are demonstrated in accordance with the company's standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Reasons why the cable slack in valve boxes must be neatly coiled are explained and the methods of achieving this are demonstrated in accordance with the company's standard operating procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Test low voltage cables and irrigation solenoids with a suitable battery pack. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The range includes but is not limited to:
  • Reasons for testing, DC (Direct Current), AC (Alternating Current), characteristics and polarity, 24 volt battery packs, consequences of using high amperage batteries, testing methods, fault location, effects of prolonged use of DC on AC solenoids. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Characteristics of low voltage DC and AC electrical power are described in terms of their polarity and their usage in irrigation automation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Examples of suitable 24 volt battery packs are identified and the consequences of using motor vehicle or other high amperage batteries are explained within the context of the damage to the cables that may occur. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Reasons why irrigation cables and their joints must be tested before backfilling trenches, are explained with regard to ensuring quality control and the possible consequences if this is neglected. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Methods of testing cables and cable joints with a 24 volt battery pack are demonstrated in accordance with the company's standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Procedures that must be followed to locate a faulty cable or cable joint are demonstrated in accordance with the company's standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Reasons why AC solenoids should not be operated from DC battery packs for extended periods, are explained with regard to the coils overheating and the reduction in the life of the solenoids. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor or moderator respectively with the relevant Education and Training Quality Assurance Body (ETQA), or with another ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA, or with another ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA, or by another ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA, according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal (provider-based) and external (ETQA-based) moderation of assessment, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment against this unit standard should encompass achievement of competencies described in the individual unit standard and may encompass achievement of integrated competencies with other unit standard(s).
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this unit standard may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    The learner is able to identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made by:
  • Applying knowledge of DC circuits to locate a faulty low voltage irrigation cable or cable joint. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    The learner is able to work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or communities by:
  • Participating with others in the laying and testing of irrigation cables. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    The learner is able to organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively by:
  • Preparing the conduits before drawing the single core cables to the irrigation valve manifolds. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    The learner is able to collect, organise and critically evaluate information by:
  • Assessing the number of single core cables that are necessary to install from the controller to the solenoid valves. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    The learner is able to communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation by:
  • Reporting on the status of the cables and cable joints prior to the closing of the irrigation trenches. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    The learner is able to use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others by:
  • Understanding the operation of a low voltage DC circuit and the factors that can cause a malfunction. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The learner is able to demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation:
  • Evident in all Specific Outcomes. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    The learner is able to contribute to the full personal development of themselves and the social and economic development of the society at large:
  • Evident in 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 
    The Learner:
  • Is expected to perform the specific outcomes reflected in this unit standard without direct supervision.
  • Should have access to work site procedures.
  • Should demonstrate an application of ethics and values.
  • Must apply basic principles of general safety and customer care.
  • Should demonstrate an awareness of the expectations and obligations of basic employee/employer relations including industrial relations principles.

    At this level the communication/reporting of issues arising in the workplace, is embedded in the specific outcomes and the related assessment criteria.

    It is understood that, due to the nature of the work environment and the skills level of the Learner, that the aspects of teamwork form an integral part of the necessary specific outcomes and related assessment criteria.

    The points included under the notes, should be included when the qualifying Learners are being assessed. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  73109   National Certificate: Landscape Irrigation  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 


    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.