Cable Jointer (Electric Cable Jointer)

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as an Electric Cable Jointer. An Electric Cable Jointer plans, prepares, installs, joints and terminates low voltage (LV) (1000V) and medium voltage (MV) (up to and including 44kV) cables under dead (at zero potential) conditions. A qualified learner will be able to: • Plan and prepare for low voltage cable jointing equipment and operations and plan and conduct on-site preparation by setting up equipment for jointing procedures. • Install, test, joint and terminate low voltage cables (dead) complying with statutory requirements and manufacturer specifications. • Plan and prepare for medium voltage cable jointing equipment and operations and plan and conduct on-site preparation by setting up equipment for jointing procedures. • Install, test, joint and terminate medium voltage cables (dead) complying with statutory requirements and manufacturer specifications.

Electric Cable Jointers perform a critically important role in the economy in terms of the infrastructure for the supply of electricity to households, commercial enterprises, and industrial sites. The demand for the supply of electricity and electrical infrastructure is ever increasing and is directly linked to an ever-increasing need for qualified Electric Cable Jointers. It is important to recognise this occupation and the related skills and knowledge for the following reasons: • The complexity of cables and cable jointing systems has increased. • The renewal of the aging electrical infrastructure of South Africa requires formally qualified Electric Cable Jointers if the cable jointing and termination failures are not to persist. • Infrastructural development projects will require the services of formally qualified Electric Cable Jointers. • Electrical service providers, such as municipalities, find it difficult to identify contractors who have the required knowledge and skills. The above reasons provide clear motivation for the need for this qualification and the socio-economic contributions qualified Electrical Cable Jointers will make. The sector will benefit by an increased number of qualified Electrical Cable Jointers in terms of electrical infrastructural developments and replacement of aging electrical infrastructure. There are no similar qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework. The qualification is designed to provide for qualifying learners in two distinct groups, namely low voltage (0 up to and including 1000V) cable jointing in dead conditions and medium voltage (up to and including 44kV) cable jointing under dead (at zero potential) conditions. The qualification focuses on installing, jointing, and terminating cables. There is a focus on national standards and safe working practices. Learners will be enabled to become valuable members of the workforce responsible for the installation and maintenance of the electricity supply network in South Africa. No registration is needed for a person to operate as an Electric Cable Jointer. The Occupational Certificate: Electric Cable Jointer encompasses a part qualification, the Occupational Certificate: Low Voltage Electric Cable Jointer. This part qualification entails a set of employable skills which will allow the learner direct access into employment for the termination and jointing of LV cables, a much-needed subset of skills in the industry to supply and maintain electrical infrastructure to South African citizens. Two typical target groups are identified for enrolling for cable jointing training, namely school leavers with Grade 10 or N3 as well as currently employed persons with workplace experience in cable jointing but without formal qualifications. Possible employment for the two voltage ranges includes: • Low Voltage: Entrepreneurs (Small business), Electrical Contractors, Local Government, Eskom and Transnet. • Medium Voltage: Electrical Contractors, Local Government, Eskom and Transnet.

• Plan and prepare work site, equipment, tools, consumables, and materials for medium voltage cable laying, jointing and termination activities and operations.
• Understand and implement correct use of tools, materials, measuring and testing equipment and comply with the work permit system and ORHVS (operational regulations for medium voltage systems).
• Demonstrate the termination of electrical MV cables above 1000v up to and including 44kV onto medium voltage electrical equipment and apply the knowledge and skills in a variety of contexts.
• Apply the knowledge and skills obtained in a variety of contexts to joint electrical medium voltage cables from 1000v to and including 44kV.
• Demonstrate the testing of cables for continuity, insulation resistance, polarity, and moisture (PILC) prior to joining or terminating in a workshop situation.
• Understand and implement applicable legislation and regulations applicable to environment and workplace.
• Explain the application of electrical cable jointing theory and principles relevant to medium voltage cable jointing, termination, and testing.
• Apply the knowledge and skills obtained in a variety of contexts to terminate, joint and test electrical low voltage cables up to and including 1000v onto LV electrical equipment.