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: 

Operate earthing devices on electrical networks 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116438  Operate earthing devices on electrical networks 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Power Plant Operations 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Manufacturing and Assembly 
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 a person who operates earthing devices on electrical network under instruction from a control centre. A learner credited with this unit standard can:

1. Safely operate electrical apparatus
2. Stabilize transient conditions
3. Service plant; monitor plant
4. Maintain regulatory requirements 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
1. The person has the knowledge to operate interrelated plant process and safety devices safely and efficiently.
2. The person has the knowledge for the accurate completion and processing of documentation.
3. The person understands the direct impact of decisions and actions on electrical apparatus
4. The person understands how to set priorities for self and own job requirements
5. The person is aware of and concerned about the impact his/her actions have on the environment.
6. The person knows and understands the theory of application of electrical and instrumentation components and it's interrelation to the plant.
7. The person understands mechanical components within his/her plant area
8. The person is aware of and understands the regulatory requirements, relevant to his/her plant area
9. The person understands the lessons learned from trends/incidents related to his/her specific plant. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
All types of portable and fixed earths used in Electrical Networks 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Operate electrical apparatus. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
Equipment is verified to be ready for service prior to operation according to administrative requirements 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
Electrical operations on apparatus performed according to operating requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
Out of normal conditions identified, reacted upon and communicated according to operating requirements 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
Necessary tools and or equipment obtained to operate apparatus according to operating requirements 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Stabilise transient emergency conditions. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
Emergency conditions are acknowledge, immediate situation analysed and acted upon according to procedural requirements 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
Operating activities are priorities during transient conditions according to requirements 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
Emergency conditions are communicated according to administrative requirements 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Sustain testing equipment operability. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
Tools and or equipment to service or operate electrical apparatus is tested for safe operability, according regulatory procedures 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
Servicing activities are communicated according to administrative requirements 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
House keeping standards are maintained according to work place procedures 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
Maintain safety and regulatory requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
Regulatory requirement relevant to the operation of earthing devices are adhered to. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
Personal protective equipment required to perform relevant operations on earthing devices is used according to organisational standards 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
Safety hazards are communicated according to organisational standards. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of earthing devices. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
Priority setting during plant operations is understood. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
Electrical plant components application and interrelation to the plant is known and understood according to relevant theories. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
Incidents and trends related to specific plant operation are known and understood. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
Operating philosophies pertaining to plant operating procedures are known and understood 


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.
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.

The assessment of qualifying learners against this standard should meet the requirements of established principles. Practical assessment activities will be used, which are appropriate to the contents in which qualifying learners are working. These activities will include an appropriate combination of self and peer assessment, practical and oral assessments, observations etc.

The assessment should ensure that all the specific outcomes, critical cross-field outcomes and essential embedded knowledge be assessed. The specific outcomes must be assessed in its own right, through oral and practical evidence. It cannot be assessed by observation only.

The specific outcomes and essential knowledge must be assessed in relation to each other. If a qualifying learner is able to explain the essential embedded knowledge, but is unable to perform the specific outcomes, then they should not be assessed as competent. Similarly, if a learner is able to perform specific outcomes, but is unable to explain or justify their performance in terms of the essential embedded knowledge, they should not be assessed as competent.

Evidence of the specified critical cross-field outcomes should be found, both in performance and in the essential embedded knowledge.

Performance of specific outcomes must actively affirm target groups of qualifying learners, not unfairly discriminate against them. Qualifying learners should be able to justify their performance in terms of these values. 

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
1. The person has the knowledge to operate interrelated plant process and safety devices safely and efficiently.
2. The person has the knowledge for the accurate completion and processing of documentation.
3. The person understands the direct impact of decisions and actions on electrical apparatus
4. The person understands how to set priorities for self and own job requirements
5. The person is aware of and concerned about the impact his/her actions have on the environment.
6. The person knows and understands the theory of application of electrical an instrumentation components and it's interrelation to the plant.
7. The person understands mechanical components within his/her plant area
8. The person is aware of and understands the regulatory requirements, relevant to his/her plant area
9. The person understands the lessons learned from trends/incidents related to his/her specific plant. 

UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
N/A 

UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
N/A 


Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
Identify and solve problems

Assessment Criteria reference
  • Out of normal conditions identified, reacted upon and communicated according to operating requirements
  • Emergency conditions are acknowledge, immediate situation analysed and acted upon according to procedural requirements
  • Operating activities are priorities during transient conditions according to requirements
  • Regulatory requirement relevant to the operation of earthing devices are adhered to. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others

    Assessment Criteria reference
  • Electrical operations on apparatus performed according to operating requirements.
  • Out of normal conditions identified, reacted upon and communicated according to operating requirements
  • Emergency conditions are acknowledge, immediate situation analysed and acted upon according to procedural requirements
  • Operating activities are priorities during transient conditions according to requirements
  • Emergency conditions are communicated according to administrative requirements
  • Tools and or equipment to service or operate electrical apparatus is tested for safe operability, according regulatory procedures
  • Regulatory requirement relevant to the operation of earthing devices are adhered to.
  • Personal protective equipment required to perform relevant operations on earthing devices is used according to organisational standards
  • Safety hazards are communicated according to organisational standards. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage myself and my activities

    Assessment Criteria reference
  • Equipment is verified to be ready for service prior to operation according to administrative requirements
  • Electrical operations on apparatus performed according to operating requirements.
  • Out of normal conditions identified, reacted upon and communicated according to operating requirements
  • Necessary tools and or equipment obtained to operate apparatus according to operating requirements
  • Emergency conditions are acknowledge, immediate situation analysed and acted upon according to procedural requirements
  • Operating activities are priorities during transient conditions according to requirements
  • Emergency conditions are communicated according to administrative requirements
  • Tools and or equipment to service or operate electrical apparatus is tested for safe operability, according regulatory procedures
  • Servicing activities are communicated according to administrative requirements
  • House keeping standards are maintained according to work place procedures
  • Regulatory requirement relevant to the operation of earthing devices are adhered to.
  • Personal protective equipment required to perform relevant operations on earthing devices is used according to organisational standards
  • Safety hazards are communicated according to organisational standards. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information

    Assessment Criteria reference
  • Out of normal conditions identified, reacted upon and communicated according to operating requirements
  • Necessary tools and or equipment obtained to operate apparatus according to operating requirements
  • Emergency conditions are acknowledge, immediate situation analysed and acted upon according to procedural requirements
  • Operating activities are priorities during transient conditions according to requirements
  • Regulatory requirement relevant to the operation of earthing devices are adhered to. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively

    Assessment Criteria reference
  • Equipment is verified to be ready for service prior to operation according to administrative requirements
  • Electrical operations on apparatus performed according to operating requirements.
  • Out of normal conditions identified, reacted upon and communicated according to operating requirements
  • Emergency conditions are acknowledge, immediate situation analysed and acted upon according to procedural requirements
  • Operating activities are priorities during transient conditions according to requirements
  • Emergency conditions are communicated according to administrative requirements
  • Servicing activities are communicated according to administrative requirements
  • Regulatory requirement relevant to the operation of earthing devices are adhered to.
  • Personal protective equipment required to perform relevant operations on earthing devices is used according to organisational standards
  • Safety hazards are communicated according to organisational standards. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically

    Assessment Criteria reference
  • Out of normal conditions identified, reacted upon and communicated according to operating requirements
  • Necessary tools and or equipment obtained to operate apparatus according to operating requirements
  • Emergency conditions are acknowledge, immediate situation analysed and acted upon according to procedural requirements
  • Operating activities are priorities during transient conditions according to requirements
  • Servicing activities are communicated according to administrative requirements
  • Regulatory requirement relevant to the operation of earthing devices are adhered to. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as set of related systems

    Assessment Criteria reference
  • Out of normal conditions identified, reacted upon and communicated according to operating requirements
  • Necessary tools and or equipment obtained to operate apparatus according to operating requirements
  • Emergency conditions are acknowledge, immediate situation analysed and acted upon according to procedural requirements
  • Operating activities are priorities during transient conditions according to requirements
  • Regulatory requirement relevant to the operation of earthing devices are adhered to. 

  • UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    The following references to control documents to be made available through out this unit standard:

    Operate portable and fixed earths used on high voltage radial feeders

    Terminology used in this unit standard is consistent with the following:
  • Electricity Supply Industry in South Africa
  • Occupational Health and Safety Standards (NOSA)
  • Dictionary for Electrical Systems Industry

    A candidate will be regarded not yet competent should the safety of people, plant and materials be jeopardised during any stage of the assessment on any criteria of this unit standard. 

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  50020   National Certificate: Construction and Maintenance of Overhead Track Equipment  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  TETA 
    Core  48978   Further Education and Training Certificate: Electrical Network Control  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. Kelvin Power (Pty) Ltd 
    2. Palesa Rail Academy 



    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.