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: 

Fault find and repair Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC's) 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116056  Fault find and repair Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC's) 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Measurement, Control and Instrumentation 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Engineering and Related Design 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
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 persons in the Manufacturing Engineering and Technology field.

A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Explain the principles and procedures (techniques) to be applied during fault finding and repairing PLC Hardware
  • Plan and prepare for fault finding and repairing PLC Hardware.
  • Find faults on PLC Hardware.
  • Repair PLC Hardware.

    This unit standard will contribute to the full development of the learner within the Measurement Control and Instrumentation environment by providing recognition, further mobility and transportability within the field of Manufacturing Engineering and Technology. The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this unit standard are essential for social and economic transformation and development within the Measurement Control and Instrumentation environment. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The following knowledge, skills attitude and / or equivalent:
  • Safety procedures according to statutory and manufacturer requirements.
  • Communication systems.
  • Basic digital electronics.
  • Programmable logic controllers.
  • Knowledge of equipment according to range statement.
  • Interpret Instrumentation and Process drawings and sketches.
  • Fault finding techniques on Field Instrumentation.
  • Induction to industry.
  • Basic electrical safety.
  • Use and care of relevant testing, measuring equipment and hand tools. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Type of PLC's used include but is not limited to block PLC's, modular PLC's, screw mounted PLC's, din rail PLC's.

    The range of PLC equipment includes but is not limited to central processing unit, input modules, output modules, power supply, back plane.

    Programming languages appropriate to the PLC used include but are not limited to Ladder, STL and SFC.

    Safety precautions include the use of personal protective equipment, electrical and fire protection and process isolation.

    Requirements include but are not limited to Statutory requirements, National Standards and manufacturers specifications. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Establish conditions for fault finding and repairing PLC Hardware. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Work area is prepared as per procedure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Tools are selected as per job requirement. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Appropriate manuals are selected. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Safety equipment is obtained where necessary. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Documentation is obtained as per procedure. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Diagnose faults in PLC Hardware. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Appropriate test equipment is selected. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Test equipment is connected and set up according to manufacturer's instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Test is performed and statuses or parameters are verified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Decommission PLC Hardware in accordance with procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Repair PLC hardware. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Functional tests are performed according to manufacturer's instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Faulty components are identified and repaired or replaced. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    PLC is re-assembled according to manufacturer's instructions. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Establish normal operating conditions after completion. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Commission PLC Hardware in accordance with procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Work area is restored and tidied, and equipment is stored according to procedure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Documentation is completed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Test equipment is disconnected and stored according to procedure. 


    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 
  • Workshop procedures including house keeping practices according to statutory requirements.
  • Specific work site safety practices relating to PLC Hardware including the use of personal protective equipment, electrical and fire protection.
  • A basic understanding of:
    (a) The effects of fault finding, repairing and maintaining on production.
    (b) Applicable manufactures specifications.
    (c) Documentation required for activity.
    (d) Characteristics and procedures of equipment.
  • A comprehensive understanding of:
    (a) Applicable work site procedures.
    (b) Reporting systems.
    (c) Identification, location and function of appropriate tools, measuring instruments, materials, personal protective equipment.
    (d) Names and functions of equipment
    (e) Fault finding, repair and maintenance principles and procedures (techniques).
    (f) Interpret and draw schematic diagrams.
    (g) Potential faults on equipment.
    (h) Characteristics and properties of system operations.
    (i) Working principles associated with fault finding and repairing PLC Hardware are theoretically and practically explained.
  • Names, locations and functions of PLC Hardware and its accessories.
  • Hazards and preventive precautions associated with PLC Hardware.
  • Company standards. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identification and problem solving skills - faulty equipment identified and reported. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others - working under supervision. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication skills - reporting faulty PLC Hardware and interpreting job requirements. 

    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 
    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  74531   Further Education and Training Certificate: Measurement, Control and Instrumentation  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Core  48919   Further Education and Training Certificate: Measurement, Control and Instrumentation  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2009-04-08  Was EWSETA until Last Date for Achievement 


    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.