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

Understand basic electronic theory and components 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
258977  Understand basic electronic theory and components 
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 3  NQF Level 03  4 
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 replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
114406  Understand basic electronic theory and components  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4   

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

A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of basic electronic theory and electronic components.

    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 
    Learning assumed to be in place and Recognition of Prior Learning:

    The following knowledge, skills attitude and/or equivalent:
  • An understanding of the metric numbering system.
  • A basic knowledge of unit conversion.
  • A knowledge of fundamental electrical theory. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    This unit standard includes but is not limited to:
  • Fundamental electrical and electronic engineering quantities and applications thereof.
  • Electron- and semiconductor theory.
  • Electronic components and understanding of circuit operation.
  • Diodes, power supplies, transistors and opto-electronics. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Understand and explain electron theory in terms of current flow. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Material lattice structure, drift current, diffusion current, bonding, doping, semiconductor materials. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The structure of the atom is drawn and explained within the context of basic electron theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Free electrons are explained within the context of electron theory principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Conduction and different types of current is explained and understood within the context of electron theory principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The bonding processes between different molecule types are explained and lattice structures drawn within the context of valence electron principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Doping of intrinsic materials is understood and explained in terms of p-type and n-type semiconductor principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The effect of heat on semiconductor materials and conductors are explained in relation with its conductivity characteristics. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Understand and explain the operation of basic electronic components. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Resistors, capacitors, inductors. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The different types, values and symbols of resistors are listed and explained in relation with basic electronic theory and applications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The different types, values and symbols of capacitors are listed and explained in relation with basic electronic theory and applications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The different types, values and symbols of inductors are listed and explained in relation with basic electronic theory and applications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The combination and effect of different basic electronic components in one circuits is graphically illustrated and explained in relation with basic electronic theory and applications. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Understand the operation of a P-N junction diode. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The creation and biasing of a P-N junction is described and graphically illustrated within the context of semiconductor theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The effect of temperature on a P-N junction is described within the context of semiconductor theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The forward biasing and reverse biasing curves are drawn and described within the context of semiconductor theory. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Forward volt drop, load line, dynamic resistance.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The different types of specialised diodes are identified and described within the context of semiconductor theory. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Understand the operation and function of power supplies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The operation of various rectifier techniques is explained with the aid of graphics. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The operation of half wave and full wave rectifiers are explained with the aid of graphics. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A basic DC power supply consisting of a transformer and rectifier is explained with the aid of graphics and the output voltage demonstrated with the aid of an oscilloscope. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Half wave, full wave, centre tapped transformer and capacitor smoothing.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Basic calculations of the voltages and currents around rectifier circuits are done in relation with full wave and half wave rectification and verified with the aid of an oscilloscope. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Peak, RMS and average values.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Understand the operation and application of a transistor. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The operation of a correctly biased PNP and NPN transistor is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The output and input characteristics for PNP and NPN transistors are drawn and explained in terms of transistor theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The Quiescent point is defined correctly in relation with transistor theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Basic load line calculations are carried out in relation with transistor theory. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The operation of a transistor as a switch is explained with the aid of a circuit diagram. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The operation of a transistor as an amplifier is explained with the aid of a circuit diagram. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Understand the principles of opto-electronics and its applications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The operations of photo-emissive and photo-conductive devices are explained within the context of opto-electronic principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The characteristic curve for a photo diode is drawn and the shape explained within the context of opto-electronic principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The difference between photodiodes and light emitting diodes are explained within the context of opto-electronic principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The operation of a solar cell is graphically illustrated and explained within the context of photovoltaic power systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The number of solar cells required to deliver a particular current and voltage is calculated within the context of photovoltaic power systems. 


    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 
    Knowledge that will help me understand and that I will be able to explain:
  • A basic understanding of electronic theory, components and application thereof.
  • Application and use of applicable measuring and testing instruments. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify factors which impact on the performance of electronic devices. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Understand and manage electronic concepts and principles. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Describe basic electronic principles. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Understanding electronic theory and principles. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Understand electronic theory and principles in relation to other disciplines. 

    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 114406, "Understand basic electronic theory and components", Level 3, 4 credits. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  66009   National Certificate: Diesel Electric and Electric Fitting  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Core  72051   National Certificate: Electrical Engineering  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    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. Better Best Agri Development 
    2. CLEAN HEAT ENERGY SAVING SOLUTIONS (PTY) LTD 
    3. DR HE MAEPA INSTITUTE 
    4. ESKOM GENERATION - PALMIET PUMP STORAGE GRABOUW 
    5. KP ACADEMY (PTY) LTD 
    6. Majuba TVET College 
    7. MSC ARTISAN ACADEMY 
    8. POWER SYSTEMS TRAINING, CAPE TOWN 
    9. Protech Training (Pty) Ltd 


    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.