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

Carry out basic electric arc welding in an electrical environment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
258939  Carry out basic electric arc welding in an electrical environment 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Electrical Engineering & Construction 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction Electrical Infrastructure Construction 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 2  NQF Level 02  8 
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
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
114669  Carry out basic electric arc welding in an electrical environment  Level 2  NQF Level 02  8   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is for persons in the Electrical Engineering; Generation; Distribution; Transmission, Construction and Renewable Energy Sector.

A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Set up an electric arc welder for welding different metal thickness.
  • Identify and select the correct welding rods for the required application.
  • Joining mild steel plates with the aid of basic down hand welding techniques.
  • Care for electric arc welding equipment.

    This unit standard will contribute to the full development of the learner within the electrical engineering and construction environment by providing recognition, further mobility and transportability within the field of Physical Planning and Construction. The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this unit standard are essential for social and economic transformation and upliftment within the electrical infrastructure construction and engineering environment. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The following knowledge, skills attitude and/or equivalent:
  • Application and maintenance of hand tools.
  • Application of safety in the work environment.
  • Basic fire fighting.
  • Basic first aid.
  • NQF Level 1 literacy and numeracy. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Electric arc welding is limited to mild steel with a maximum thickness of 6mm.

    Electric arc welding techniques include, but are not limited to:
  • Butt joints.
  • Lap joints.
  • Fillet joints (T-joints).

    Portable electric arc welding machines include but are not limited to:
  • Air-or oil cooled types.
  • Single phase AC units.

    Welding equipment includes, but is not limited to:
  • Welding cables.
  • Electrode holder and earth clamp.
  • Chipping hammer.

    Related materials include, but are not limited to:
  • Electrodes (welding rods).
  • Metal surface cleaning materials (files, wire brush, emery cloth, rags).

    Safety equipment include, but are not limited to:
  • Arc welding helmets and welding screens.
  • Leather gloves and aprons. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Prepare the electric arc welding equipment for the task. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The electric arc welding machine, equipment and related materials are identified and each item`s function described with reference to their inter-relationships. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The applicable safety equipment is obtained and inspected as per safe work procedures and statutory requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The electric arc welding equipment is set up and cable connections checked for tightness to ensure effective operation as per safe work procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The availability of the relevant welding materials required for the task is ensured and electrodes are selected to match the application. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare the metal surfaces for electric arc welding. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The cleaning materials for preparing the metal surfaces to be welded are correctly selected and applied as per task requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The appropriate personal protective equipment is worn as per safe work procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The edges of the metals to be welded are correctly bevelled where needed as per specific task requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The contact surfaces of the earth clamp, metals to be earthed and the electrode holder are cleaned thoroughly to ensure proper current flow during the welding process. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Apply basic electric arc welding techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The required current setting on the welding machine is correctly selected for electric arc welding according to application requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The appropriate personal protective equipment is worn throughout the operation as per safe work procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The joining of metals by means of electric arc welding is carried out and correct electrode positioning and movement are demonstrated according to application requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Safety precautions and proper workshop practices are maintained at all times. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Conclude the task. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Hot metal surfaces are allowed to cool down and all slag removed from the welding joints as per safe work procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Electric arc welding machine, equipment and materials are correctly stored as per applicable safety standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The work area is cleaned and waste materials disposed of according to local housekeeping standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Safety equipment is cleaned and stored according to statutory requirements. 


    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 in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Names, applications and functions of electric arc welding machines and equipment.
  • Handling procedures related to electric arc welding equipment.
  • Application of various types of electrodes and current settings during the electric arc welding process.
  • Safe work procedures and workshop practices. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in selecting, using and caring of electrical arc welding equipment. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively and safety conscious during the presence of others while carrying out electric arc welding. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself in the selection of the appropriate welding equipment, related materials and setting up of the task. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Critically evaluate the quality of the welding joints while carrying out the task. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate with bystanders regarding the effects that an electric arc has on the eyes and skin during direct exposure. 

    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 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 114669, "Carry out basic electric arc welding in an electrical environment", Level 2, 8 credits.

    Specified Requirements:

    Specified requirements include legal and legislative specific requirements and are contained in one or more of the following documents:
  • SANS.
  • OHS Act.
  • Manufacturer's manuals on test instruments. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  73313   National Certificate: Electrical Engineering  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Elective  74530   National Certificate: Measurement, Control and Instrumentation  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Elective  66449   National Certificate: Foundry Operations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2013-11-07  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.
     
    1. 4 TOPS ACADEMY 
    2. Better Best Agri Development 
    3. BOLAND COLLEGE (Paarl) 
    4. ESKOM GENERATION - PALMIET PUMP STORAGE GRABOUW 
    5. Goitsebasadi Construction Project 
    6. KP ACADEMY (PTY) LTD 
    7. MSC ARTISAN ACADEMY 
    8. PCD College cc 
    9. POWER SYSTEMS TRAINING, CAPE TOWN 
    10. Protech Training (Pty) Ltd 
    11. Umfolozi FET College 


    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.