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

Install, use and maintain automatic weather stations (AWS) 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
246532  Install, use and maintain automatic weather stations (AWS) 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Weather 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Environmental Sciences 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  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
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 does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The person credited with this Unit Standard will be able to do fault finding and basic repair of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS). The learner will also be able to follow inspection processes and report on their findings. The learner will also be able to identify errors in an automatic weather station in order to take the necessary action.

A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Assemble automatic weather station (AWS).
  • Undertake full inspections of automatic weather stations.
  • Use the automatic weather station (AWS) operational keypad.
  • Conduct basic automatic weather station (AWS) circuitry and sensor fault finding and repair. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners accessing this Unit Standard are competent in the following:
  • Communication at NQF Level 4 or equivalent.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4 or equivalent.
  • Unit Standard: Code and Decode Meteorological Messages at NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Assemble automatic weather station (AWS). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The use and function of the various electronic components are explained with reference to how they are positioned in AWS station control boxes. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Electronic components may include a solar panel where necessary.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The various sensors are explained in relation to their function, location and power sources. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The various sensors include but are not limited to pressure, wind speed, wind direction, rainfall, temperature and humidity.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    All electronic components are installed within the control box according to the South African Weather Service AWS Manual. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Electronic sensors are prepared and installed in the weather camp according to the South African Weather Service AWS Manual. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The Loggernet Programme is loaded and tested according to the South African Weather Service AWS Manual. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The Short Messaging System (SMS) is explained according to the cell phone technology that can be used. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Undertake full inspections of automatic weather stations (AWS). 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Inspections are to be carried out according to the manual on AWS inspections. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Pre-inspection check lists are completed according to South African Weather Service (SAWS) regulations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Inspection procedures are carried out on all AWS instruments and meteorological instrument camps using the logger keypad. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    AWS instruments and meteorological instrument camps may include but are not limited to Stevenson screen, temperature and humidity probes, tipping bucket rain gauge, RM Young wind sensor, PA11 pressure sensor, pyranometer and determination of true north.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    AWS instruments are maintained in order to preserve their functionality and the quality of data collected. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The AWS weather camp is maintained in order to preserve the natural environment for weather measurement. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Post-inspection reports are completed according to the South African Weather Service (SAWS) regulations. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Use the automatic weather station (AWS) operational keypad. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The AWS operational keypad is installed and tested using the loggernet keypad. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Non-instrumented meteorological variables are entered according to South African Weather Service AWS Man-Machine manual. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Use of the operational keypad programme is demonstrated by the capturing of non-meteorological variables. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Conduct basic automatic weather station circuitry and sensor fault finding and repair. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Fault finding and repair must be carried out according to the instructions as laid down in the manual on South African Weather Service automatic weather station (AWS). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Errors in meteorological variables are identified using 5-minute AWS data. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Meteorological variables include temperature, humidity, pressure, wind direction and speed, rainfall, and radiation.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Errors in the AWS power circuitry are identified using 5-minute AWS data. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    AWS power circuitry includes 220 volt AC, 18 volt DC, solar panel and 12 volt DC battery.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Errors in the AWS data processing circuitry are identified using meteorological coded messages. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Errors in the Weather Information Display System (WIDS) are identified and rectified according to the South African Weather Service AWS manual. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Faulty electronic components and sensors are identified and replaced according to the South African Weather Service AWS manual. 


    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 or will assess this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider with 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 
  • The learner must be able to communicate (orally and written) in English.
  • The learner must be able to operate a computer and the Window Operating System.
  • Basic electronic concepts. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems when installing, using and maintaining automatic weather stations (AWS). 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities to ensure all inspection checklists are at hand as and when required. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate automatic weather stations (AWS) information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively with users when submitting reports and processing data. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology to record and process data regarding an automatic weather station (AWS). 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems where the successful installation, use and maintenance of an automatic weather station (AWS) leads to improved and accurate weather data being produced. 

    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
    Elective  58995   National Certificate: Weather Observation  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  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. South African Weather Service 


    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.