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: 

Demonstrate an understanding of basic programmable logic controllers 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
113899  Demonstrate an understanding of basic programmable logic controllers 
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 3  NQF Level 03 
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 is for persons in the Manufacturing Engineering and Technology field.

A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
Demonstrate an understanding of basic programmable logic controllers.

This unit standard will contribute to the full development of the learner within the Measurement Control and Instrumentation environment by providing recognition, further mobility and transportability within the field of Manufacturing Engineering and Technology. The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this unit standard are essential for social and economic transformation and upliftment within the Measurement Control and Instrumentation environment. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
The following knowledge, skills attitude and/or equivalent:
  • Safety procedures according to statutory and manufacturer requirements
  • Induction to industry
  • Basic computer literacy
  • Basic understanding of electricity
  • Basic digital electronics 

  • UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • Type of PLC`s used include but is not limited to block PLC`s, modular PLC`s, screw mounted PLC`s, din rail PLC`s.
  • The range of PLC equipment includes but is not limited to central processing unit, input modules, output modules, power supply, back plane.
  • Programming languages appropriate to the PLC used include but are not limited to Ladder, STL and SFC.
  • Safety precautions include the use of personal protective equipment, electrical and fire protection, process isolation.
  • Statutory requirements include but are not limited to SABS, OSH Act and manufacturers specifications. 

  • Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the input/output peripherals. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The correct peripheral is identified (input/output, discrete, digital, analogue, intelligent). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The manuals/specifications and drawings are selected according to the peripheral. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Hazards associated with the use of are recognised and necessary precautions taken according to work site procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The correct operation of the peripheral device must be demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The peripherals are correctly removed and replaced according to manufactures specifications. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of field devices interfaced to programmable logic controllers. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The correct field device is identified (pushbuttons, limits, level, pressure devices). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The operation of the field device is verified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The field device is correctly connected to the appropriate peripheral. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Personal safety equipment is selected according to activity requirement. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the processor in a programmable logic controller. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The functions of the indicator lights of the processor are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The battery of the processor is correctly identified, removed & replaced according to manufactures specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Faults are correctly diagnosed by utilising the indicator lights. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The processor mode switch is correctly identified and utilized according to the task instruction. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. Communication status indicators are correctly identified and the status correctly explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the back plane and power supply of a programmable logic controller. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Placement of the programmable logic peripherals and processor on the back plane are correct according to the address structure of the back plane. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Correct addressing modes are selected on the back plane for the peripheral modules selected. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Correct insertion of the power supply is carried out according to manufactures specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Correct connections for redundant power supply have been made. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the programming terminal. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Handheld or programming terminal must be correctly connected to the processor. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Communication between the programmer and the processor must be established. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The correct sequence must be used to monitor on-line the programme that resides in the processor. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Instruction mnemonics are explained with reference to the field devices. 


    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 in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Workshop procedures including house keeping practices according to statutory requirements.
  • Specific work site safety practices relating to the use of power tools including the use of personal protective equipment, electrical and fire protection.
  • Names, locations and functions of pressure equipment and their accessories.
  • Hazards and preventive precautions associated with pressure equipment.
  • Company quality standards. 

  • UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identification and problem solving skills - faulty equipment identified and reported. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others - working under supervision. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication skills - reporting faulty pressure equipment and interpreting job requirements. 

    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. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  58288   National Certificate: Electro-Mechanics  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Core  74532   National Certificate: Measurement, Control and Instrumentation  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Core  48696   National Certificate: Measurement, Control and Instrumentation  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2009-04-08  Was EWSETA until Last Date for Achievement 
    Core  72052   Further Education and Training Certificate: Electrical Engineering  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Reregistered  2024-12-05  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Core  58270   Further Education and Training Certificate: Electro-Mechanics  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Core  48474   National Certificate: Electrical Engineering  Level 4  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2009-02-18  Was EWSETA until Last Date for Achievement 
    Elective  57877   National Certificate: CNC Production Machining  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  MERSETA 
    Elective  58862   National Certificate: Electro-Mechanical Winding  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  MERSETA 
    Elective  58882   National Certificate: Fluid Power  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  MERSETA 
    Elective  50371   Further Education and Training Certificate: Domestic Appliance Repair  Level 4  NQF Level 04  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.
     
    1. DEVOLTAGE TRAINING CENTRE 
    2. DINALEDI MANAGEMENT AND SERVICES 
    3. ESKOM DISTRIBUTION NORTHERN REGION 
    4. ESKOM GENERATION - PALMIET PUMP STORAGE GRABOUW 
    5. INDUSTRIES EDUCATION & TRAINING INSTITUTE - PE TTC 
    6. Kgabo Engineering & Projects 
    7. KP ACADEMY (PTY) LTD 
    8. NEW HOPE REVIVAL ORGANISATION 
    9. OWETHU CONNECTIONS (PTY) LTD 
    10. POWER SYSTEMS TRAINING, CAPE TOWN 
    11. SOUTHERN AFRICAN YOUTH MOVEMENT 
    12. WILLIAM CULBERT CONSULTANT 



    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.