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 and maintain irrigation controllers and climatic sensors 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
335994  Install and maintain irrigation controllers and climatic sensors 
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  10 
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:
  • Fit and maintain an electromechanical irrigation controller.
  • Mount electronic controllers and connect the solenoid cabling.
  • Fit rain cut-out equipment and other climatic sensors.
  • Conduct fault finding on various controllers and their sensors.
  • Carry out routine preventative checks on controllers. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners accessing this Qualification will have demonstrated competence in:
  • 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 
    Identify the different irrigation controllers and their applications in irrigation systems. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The range includes but is not limited to waterproof battery controllers-latching solenoids, electromechanical controllers, weatherproof controllers, indoor controllers, encoder controllers, central controllers, satellite controllers. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The landscaped areas that benefit from the use of waterproof battery controllers are indicated and their unique mode of operation is described in terms of the particular type of solenoid that they utilise. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The operating characteristics of electromechanical controllers are described in terms of their simplicity and reliability. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The situations in which a weatherproof controller should be installed, are indicated and the reasons for selecting an outdoor location for these units is explained in terms of the need for ease of access and proximity to planted areas. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The reasons why most controllers are installed indoors are explained with regards to their functionality and cost effectiveness. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The locations in which encoder controllers offer the most flexible options, are described in terms of the encoder/decoder's ability to be extended without affecting the original installation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The benefits of installing a central/satellite control system are explained and the sites to which this type of system is most suited to, are described with reference to the level of sophistication and control required. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Install irrigation controllers in different locations. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The range includes but is not limited to electrical safety precautions, limits of an installers electrical work, provision of power by an electrician, irrigation valve box, SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), trunking and conduits, install indoor controllers, install a controller outdoors, pedestal mounted controllers. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The necessity of adhering to electrical safety precautions is explained and the type of circuits that an irrigation installer may work with and those that must be provided by a qualified and registered electrician are described in terms of the SABS National Wiring Codes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The methods of installing a waterproof battery controller in an irrigation valve box and interconnecting it with latching solenoids are demonstrated in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines and the company's standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The necessity of encasing all exposed solenoid cables in trunking or conduits is explained in terms of abiding to industry standards for safety, protection and neatness. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The methods of installing an indoor controller and interconnecting it to the low voltage circuit of a "plug in" step down transformer and the solenoid cables are demonstrated in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines and the company's standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The methods of installing a weatherproof controller on an outdoor structure and interconnecting it with the solenoid cables are demonstrated in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines and the company's standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The methods of installing a pedestal mounted controller in an outdoor area and interconnecting it with the solenoid cables are demonstrated in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines and the company's standard operating procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Provide adequate lightning protection for irrigation controllers and their secondary circuits. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The range includes but is not limited to damage that lightning can cause, zero potential difference, multiple earthing conductors, surge arrestors, earth spikes, earth mats-triangular mat, and crow's foot. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The danger that lightning poses to electronic irrigation equipment is described and the necessity of providing the most suitable lightning protection for this equipment is explained in terms of ensuring the longevity of the controller and valves. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The primary objective to achieve a "zero potential difference" in the earthing of an installation, is explained in relation to the provision of multiple earthing conductors. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The function of lightning/surge arrestors is described and the pivotal role that good earthing plays in dissipating the arrested surges is explained with regard to the installation of earth spikes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The importance of installing an earth spike in close proximity to a controller is explained and the methods of installing a spike are demonstrated in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines and the company's standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The situations where multiple earth spikes are required, is explained in terms of achieving the lowest potential difference or resistance to earth for the lightning/surge arrestors. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Examples of multiple earthing points or "mats" are described and the techniques to install and interconnect these to controllers are demonstrated in accordance with the company's standard operating procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Install and connect a range of climatic sensors to irrigation controllers for water conservation. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Includes but is not limited to rain sensor/switches, ET controller ( Evapotranspiration) and climatic loggers, anemometer/wind velocity recorder, weather station. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The operation of a rain sensor is explained with respect to adjustments that can be made to precipitation settings and air flow selections to suit the landscape water requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance of selecting the appropriate position to mount a rain sensor is explained and the techniques to install and interconnect this to a controller are demonstrated in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines and the company's standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The function of an ET controller and its climatic loggers is explained and the methods of installing and interconnecting this to an irrigation controller are demonstrated in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines and the company's standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The function of an anemometer and its logger is explained and the methods of installing and interconnecting these to an irrigation controller are demonstrated in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines and the company's standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The function of a weather station is explained and the methods of installing and interconnecting these to an irrigation controller are demonstrated in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines and the company's standard operating procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Functions includes but is not limited to measuring all climatic conditions, is programmed to accept differing crop coefficients, computes water losses between irrigation cycles, and alters irrigation schedules to match the landscape's water requirements.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Maintain irrigation controllers and their accessories. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Includes but is not limited to time loss of electromechanical controllers, changing of back up batteries, power outages, fault finding for controllers, check status of surge arrestors, verify control of solenoid valves, replace faulty transformers and station modules, fault finding encoder/decoder systems, set and calibrate a rain sensor's cut-out. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The reasons why electromechanical controllers do not keep accurate time is explained with reference to power failures and the techniques to reset these are demonstrated in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines and the company's standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The necessity of changing the back up battery of electronic controllers at regular service intervals is explained in terms of retaining the irrigation schedules and programs during power outages. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The procedures for determining the source of an operational fault when a controller fails to activate an irrigation cycle are demonstrated in accordance with the company's standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The importance of checking the status of surge arrestors on a regular basis is explained and the techniques to replace these are demonstrated in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines and the company's standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The procedures to test and verify the operation of the solenoid valves from a controller are demonstrated in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines and the company's standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The techniques to replace a controller's transformer or the station modules are demonstrated in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines and the company's standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The fault finding techniques that must be employed when testing an encoder controller are demonstrated in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines and the company's standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    The procedures to test and calibrate the threshold of a rain sensor's cut-out is demonstrated in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines and the company's standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    The necessity to conduct regular preventative maintenance checks on controllers is explained and an example of the frequency and schedule of checks that must be completed is described in accordance with the company's standard operating procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Complete all necessary documentation. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The range includes but is not limited to importance of documentation, completion of servicing job card, impact of incorrect data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The necessity of noting all the materials used and the time involved in the maintenance of controllers is explained with respect to allocating the costs for the service. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The completion of the job card at the end of the service is demonstrated in accordance with the company's standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The consequences of incomplete documentation are explained in terms of the impact this will have on the finances and stock replenishment for the business/company. 


    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 the electrical safety procedures when working with controllers. 
    		•

    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 testing and verifying of a controllers activation of it's valves. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    The learner is able to organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively by:
  • Following the preventative maintenance procedures to ensure the effective operation of the controllers. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    The learner is able to collect, organise and critically evaluate information by:
  • Recording any undue maintenance frequencies to their superiors. 
    		•

    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 operation of the Et controller and it's sensors. 
    		•

    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 functions of a rain sensor when setting the cut-out threshold. 
    		•

    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.