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

Understand fundamentals of electricity 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
258967  Understand fundamentals of electricity 
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
113877  Understand fundamentals of electricity  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 capable of:
  • Explaining the electron theory.
  • Explain magnetic theory.
  • Explain the basic fundamentals of power generation and distribution.
  • Apply Ohm's law to solve problems.
  • Configure series, parallel and series-parallel resistive circuits.

    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 engineering and construction environment. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The following knowledge, skills attitude and/or equivalent:
  • Communication, science, literacy and mathematical skills at NQF Level 1.
  • Introduction to industry (work environment). 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Electrical fundamentals includes:
  • Electron theory.
  • Magnetic theory.
  • Basic fundamentals of power generation and distribution.
  • Ohm's law.
  • Series, parallel and series-parallel resistive DC circuits.

    Electrical materials may include but not limited to:
  • Conductors.
  • Semi conductors.
  • Insulators.
  • Symbols are limited to SI units. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the basic concepts of electricity. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Atomic structures are explained in terms of electrical materials. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Electron flow in a conductor is explained with reference to electron theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The effect of an external power source on the electrons in a conductor is explained with reference to electron theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The principles of basic electrical circuits are explained in terms of a power source and a load. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The basic principles of voltage and current flow in an electrical circuit are explained in terms of electron theory. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain magnetic theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Permanent magnet concept is explained in terms of the molecular structure of materials. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    All five characteristics of magnetic lines of flux are explained in terms of magnetic theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The relationship between magnetic field and current flow is explained in terms of movement, field strength and conductor length within the magnetic field. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The electromagnet concept is explained in terms of magnetic lines of flux around a current carrying conductor and cores. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain the basic fundamentals of power generation and distribution. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The production of electricity is explained with reference to pressure, heat, light, friction, magnetism and chemical. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The conversion of resources into usable energy is explained with reference to coal, gas, nuclear, water, wind and solar. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Generation of DC is explained in terms of a single loop in a magnetic field. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Generation of single phase AC is explained in terms of a single loop in a magnetic field. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Apply and explain electrical units and symbols. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Electrical units and symbols are identified and applied in accordance with SI Units. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The relationship between voltage, current and resistance is explained and applied in terms of Ohm's law. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Factors influencing resistance is explained in terms of material type, length, diameter and temperature. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Power consumed by a simple resistive electrical circuit is calculated in terms of DC theory. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Draw and interpret series, parallel and series-parallel DC resistive circuits and calculate variables. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Series, parallel and series-parallel circuits are drawn and interpreted according to instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Resistance, voltage, current and power variances are interpreted and calculated in series circuits according to instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Resistance, voltage, current and power variances are interpreted and calculated in parallel circuits according to instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Resistance, voltage, current and power variances are interpreted and calculated in series-parallel circuits according to instructions. 


    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 
    An understanding of the manipulation of formulas. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organize and manage oneself. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology. 

    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 113877, "Understand fundamentals of electricity", 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:
  • OHS ACT.
  • SANS.
  • Applicable manufacturer's specifications.

    A glossary of terms about the terminology of:

    Context Specific:
  • Manufacturer's specifications and terminology.
  • Mushroom effect refer to flaring of metal resulting from continuous hammering. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  65129   National Certificate: Diesel Electric and Electric Fitting  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Core  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  49795   National Certificate: Rail Construction and Maintenance  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  TETA 


    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. AFRICA SKILLS VILLAGE 
    3. Better Best Agri Development 
    4. Double ST Training and Skills Development 
    5. ESKOM GENERATION - PALMIET PUMP STORAGE GRABOUW 
    6. Goitsebasadi Construction Project 
    7. KP ACADEMY (PTY) LTD 
    8. Majuba TVET College 
    9. MALAYSIAN SWITCHGEAR DISTRIBUTORS 
    10. MSC ARTISAN ACADEMY 
    11. PCD College cc 
    12. POWER SYSTEMS TRAINING, CAPE TOWN 
    13. Protech Training (Pty) Ltd 
    14. Transnet Rail Engineering Bloemfontein Centre 
    15. Transnet Rail Engineering Cape Town Centre 
    16. Transnet Rail Engineering Durban Training Centre 
    17. Transnet Rail Engineering UitenhageTraining Centre 
    18. Transnet SOC Ltd - Rail Engineering Bloemfontein Training Centre 
    19. 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.