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: 

Design hydraulic systems 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
244684  Design hydraulic systems 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Manufacturing and Assembly Processes 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  11 
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 
The skills, values and knowledge reflected in this unit standard are required by people in the field of Fluid Power Engineering who are required to have a command of the underlying theory for the design of circuits for hydraulic systems from customers specifications. This includes the design of hydraulic power and control systems and the selection of components to be used in such systems. The learning outcomes in this unit standard also contribute to the exit level outcomes required for the fluid power NQF Level 5 qualification.

Persons credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Determine hydraulic system specifications.
  • Select actuator components.
  • Select control valves and specify control philosophy for a hydraulic system.
  • Design a hydraulic power unit. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation is based on the assumption that a person is already competent in terms of the following outcomes when starting to learn toward this unit standard:
  • Conduct basic pneumatic design at NQF Level 4.
  • Maintain and troubleshoot hydraulic systems at NQF Level 4.
  • Apply Functional Value to Engineering Design at NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The following scope and context applies to the whole unit standard:
  • The learner should demonstrate the ability to work autonomously and as part of a self-directed work team.
  • Assessment of various systems should exclude assessment against electrical proportional and servo valves. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Determine hydraulic system specifications. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Specifications include torque, force, rotational or linear speeds, cycle times, dwell times and duty cycle. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Time and motion diagrams are drawn up and explained in relation to given requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Limitations include motion, force, space, pressure and commercial.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Potential design limitations are identified and explained in accordance with the application requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Limitations include motion, force, space, pressure and commercial.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The pressure and flow cycle for the actuators are drawn up and explained in relation to the operating sequence of the machine. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The type of hydraulic circuit to be used is explained and the hydraulic circuit diagram is drawn up. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Hydraulic circuits include open and closed loop systems.
  • The evaluation will include the safety, design and cost benefits of the different selections.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The design is completed and documented in accordance with workplace and industry standards. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Select actuator components. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Hydraulic cylinders selected are in accordance with design and application requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Design requirements include cylinder size, cylinder speed and shaft buckling.
  • Type of cylinder includes light duty, tie rod, mill type and heavy duty cylinders, welded or screwed ends and cushioned or non cushioned.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The size and type of hydraulic motor specified is appropriate for the torque, speed and life expectancy requirements given. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Type of motor includes fixed or variable, low speed high torque or high speed motor or motor gearbox combinations.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The mechanical and volumetric efficiency of the type of actuator selected are described and calculated for given system requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The actuators selected satisfy environmental and safety requirements with respect to the relevant application. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Select control valves and specify control philosophy for a hydraulic system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Control methods are explained through the use of a pressure flow diagram. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Control methods include pressure compensation, load sensing, pressure and flow compensation, horse power control, high-low systems.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The hydraulic control valves selected satisfy the application control philosophy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Hydraulic accumulator system is calculated and designed in accordance with system requirements and relevant safety regulations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Pressure drop across valves is calculated in accordance with manufacturer specifications. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Design a hydraulic power unit. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Hydraulic pump and electric motor size are calculated and selected in relation to given design requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The hydraulic reservoir size is calculated and selected in accordance with the type of application. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    System efficiency and heat dissipation is calculated to determine the size of a cooling unit for the system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The layout of the power unit is explained with regards to the selected components. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Corrosion protection specified for the hydraulic power unit is appropriate to the application and environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Filtration specified is appropriate for the hydraulic system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Noise and vibration suppression is explained in accordance with given 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 and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate's performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard.

    The following embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:
  • Understanding and interpreting user requirements.
  • Methods of using the information to produce an operational hydraulic system design.
  • Hydraulic system design.
  • Applying formulae in designing a hydraulic system.
  • System layout. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.

    Note: The ability of the candidate to put together a hydraulic system from information received from the client. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.

    Note: The ability of the candidate to participate as a member of the design team. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.

    Note: The ability of the candidate to achieve an operational hydraulic design. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.

    Note: The ability of the candidate to plan for the proposed work to be undertaken. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.

    Note: The ability of the candidate to communicate project information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.

    Note: The ability of the candidate to design an operational hydraulic system taking all relevant environmental factors and safety into account. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

    Note: The ability of the candidate to integrate the various inputs into an operational system. 

    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 
    Terminology:

    Notes to Assessors:

    Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  58883   National Certificate: Fluid Power  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  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.
     
    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.