Low Voltage Electric Cable Jointer

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as Low Voltage Electric Cable Jointer. Low Voltage Electric Cable Jointers terminate, joint and test electrical low voltage cables up to and including 1000v onto LV electrical equipment and apply the knowledge and skills obtained in a variety of contexts. 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.

Although Low Voltage Electric Cable Jointers perform a critically important role in the economy in terms of the provision of electricity to households and smaller commercial properties, there has to date been no formal recognition of their skills. Cable jointing and termination as an activity is captured within electrical qualifications but specialist cable jointers have had to rely on informal training acquired over a period of many years. The need for Low Voltage Electric Cable Jointers is growing, thus it has become 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, thus requiring an upskilling of existing Low Voltage Electric Cable Jointers. • The renewal of the aging electrical infrastructure of South Africa requires formally qualified people if the cable jointing and termination failures are not to persist. • Infrastructural development projects will require the services of formally qualified Low Voltage Electric Cable Jointers. • Electrical service providers, such as municipalities, find it difficult to identify contractors who have the required knowledge and skills. • Cable theft has a huge adverse effect on the economy. The above reasons provide clear motivation for the need for this qualification and the socio-economic contributions qualified Low Voltage Electric Cable Jointers will make. The sector will benefit by an increased number of qualified Low Voltage Electric Cable Jointers in terms of electrical infrastructural developments and replacement of aging electrical infrastructure. 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. This part qualification is designed to provide for qualifying learners in a distinct group, namely low voltage (0 up to and including 1000V) cable jointing in dead 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. The part qualification, the Occupational Certificate: Low Voltage Electric Cable Jointer 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. Possible employment for the Low Voltage Electric Cable Jointers includes Low Voltage: Entrepreneurs (Small business), Electrical Contractors, Local Government, Eskom, and Transnet.

• Plan and prepare work site, equipment, tools, consumables, and materials for low voltage cable laying, jointing and termination activities and operations.
• Understand and implement correct use of hand tools, hydraulic equipment, gas equipment, materials, measuring and testing equipment and comply with the work permit system and ORLVS (operational regulations for low voltage systems) (where applicable).
• Demonstrate the termination of electrical low voltage cables up to and including 1000v onto LV electrical equipment and apply the knowledge and skills obtained in a variety of contexts.
• Use applicable knowledge to joint electrical low voltage cables up to and including 1000v and apply the knowledge and skills obtained in a variety of contexts.
• Test low voltage cables for continuity and polarity, insulation resistance and voltage upon completion of joint.
• Understand and implement legislation and regulations applicable to environment and workplace.
• Explain the application of fundamentals of electricity and jointing principles relevant to LV cable jointing, termination, and testing.