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

Design proportional hydraulic systems 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
244695  Design proportional 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  5 
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 specify proportional systems for a hydraulic system in order to achieve a controlled movement to the manufacturer's specification. The learning outcomes in this unit standard contribute to the exit level outcomes required for a NQF Level 5 Qualification.

Persons credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding of proportional valves.
  • Explain the different types of proportional valves.
  • Select proportional valves for a given application.
  • Integrate electronics and the proportional valve in a hydraulic system. 
    		•

    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 towards this unit standard:
  • Design hydraulic systems at NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate understanding of proportional valves. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The differences between solenoid and proportional valves are explained in terms of their functions and operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The operation of proportional valves is explained in relation to their functions and operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Valves with feedback and without feedback.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The effects of contamination in a hydraulic system are explained in relation to the impact on the proportional valves. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the different types of proportional valves. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Types include pressure, flow and directional valves. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The different types of proportional valves are explained in terms of their operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Typical proportional applications are explained in terms of their integration in fluid power systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Proportional valves specified are appropriate for a given application. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Select proportional valves for a given application. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The application for the proportional valve is determined in relation to its function within the hydraulic system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Pressure drops across proportional valves are calculated for the hydraulic system from manufacturer specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Pressure drop and flow curves are explained in terms of the relationship between them. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Spool configuration selected is appropriate for the proportional directional control valve. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Filtration requirements are specified for the hydraulic system in accordance with manufacturer specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Power requirements and heat dissipation are calculated for a given hydraulic system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Pressure compensators are described in conjunction with proportional valves and the system. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Integrate electronics and the proportional valve in a hydraulic system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Electronic control methods are described in terms of their application in conjunction with proportional valves. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The differences between open loop and closed loop control is explained in terms of their applications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Various electronic cards are set up in conjunction with the proportional valve functionality in accordance with manufacturer setup 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 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:
  • Understand functioning of fluid power components.
  • Understand principles of fluid mechanics.
  • SHE requirements.
  • Understanding of the effect of filtration and contamination on system performance.
  • The integration of a proportional valve in a hydraulic system.
  • Various types of proportional valves and their functions.
  • Various electronic control systems. 
    		•

    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 understand the application of solenoid and proportional valves in a hydraulic system. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.
  • Note: The ability of the candidate to work as a member of a team. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Note: The ability of the candidate to conduct their work in accordance with workplace requirements. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Note: The ability of the candidate to follow guidelines to select and to apply these in designing of proportional hydraulic systems. 
    		•

    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 requirements. 
    		•

    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 apply electronics and fluid mechanics in the selection of proportional valves. 
    		•

    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 specify proportional valves for a given application. 
    		•

    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 
    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.