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

Demonstrate understanding of the operating principles of pneumatic components 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
244714  Demonstrate understanding of the operating principles of pneumatic components 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Manufacturing and Assembly Processes 
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 
The skills, values and knowledge reflected in this unit standard are required by people in the field of Fluid Power Engineering who are required to understand the operation of advanced pneumatic components and be able to relate the operation in a pneumatic system. The learning outcomes in this unit standard contribute to the exit level outcomes required for a NQF Level 3 Qualification.

Persons credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Explain the operation of advanced pneumatic components.
  • Explain the operation of the components in relation to their function in a system.
  • Setup and calibrate these components. 

  • LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation is based on the assumption that a person is already competent in terms of the following outcomes when starting to learn toward this unit standard:
  • Demonstrate basic knowledge of pneumatic components at NQF Level 2. 

  • UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate understanding of advanced pneumatic components. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    This includes: positioner actuators, impact cylinders, shock absorbers, valve islands, field-bus systems, pressure switches & transducers, proportional valves & I-P converters, safety valves, pilot regulators, flow meters, oil removal & air breathing systems and air receivers. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Pneumatic components are explained with reference to their operating principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Components are identified based on physical characteristics and appearance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Mechanical mounting interfaces of fluid power components are recognised in terms of manufacturer's standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Components are explained with reference to their health and safety requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Graphical representation of symbols is explained in terms of the relationship to the component. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate understanding of applications for pneumatic components. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Valve islands are explained with reference to the operation of a pneumatic system. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    This will include standard and field bus islands.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The application for pneumatic components is explained with reference to industry or work place examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Alternative pneumatic components are discussed with reference to workplace or industry pneumatic schematics. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The effects of components on the pneumatic system are explained in terms of their function and setup. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Setup and calibrate various pneumatic components. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Setup procedures for specific components are conducted in accordance with manufacturer specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Test procedures for specific components are conducted in accordance with manufacturer specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Outputs of adjusted components are in accordance with manufacturer specifications. 


    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 institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 

  • UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate's performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard.

    The following embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:
  • How to interpret a circuit diagram.
  • Understanding the principles of operation for pneumatic components.
  • The ability to adjust pneumatic components and document their outputs.
  • The ability to recognise industry applications for pneumatic components.
  • Safety aspects of pneumatic components relevant to their operation. 

  • UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.
  • Note: The ability to identify alternative components to perform a given task. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.
  • Note: This outcome is not met in this unit standard. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Note: The ability to research, store and retrieve product information. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Note: The ability to identify health and safety requirements applicable to pneumatic systems. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.
  • Note: Use visual aids and written descriptions to explain the operation of components. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
  • Note: This outcome is not met in this unit standard. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
  • Note: The ability of the candidate to integrate the various inputs into an operational system. 

  • 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 
    Terminology:

    The terminology used in this unit standard is in accordance with general engineering practices.
  • Positioner: A device fitted to an actuator to proportionally control the movement of the actuator.
  • I-P converter: Current or voltage to pressure converter.

    Notes to Assessors:

    Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent. 

  • QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  58882   National Certificate: Fluid Power  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  MERSETA 


    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.