Armature Winders locate and repair or replace the broken parts of electric motors, or where the coils are burnt out or damaged, and repair or replace them, or completely rewind all the coils.
Wire coils constitute one of the most important parts of any electrical machine. Armature winders use various kinds of testing instruments to locate damaged coils. Once found, a decision has to be made whether to repair the damaged coil or to completely rewind the machine.
When the machine is dismantled, it is cleaned to remove all dirt, since even a speck of metal can cause short-circuiting in a coil. Armature winders work from diagrams that give details of the arrangement of coils, the number of turns required for each, etc. Sometimes they have to draw the diagrams themselves. Every coil is thoroughly checked and recorded in detail.
To wind coils with the correct number of turns and shape, coil-winding machines are used. The coils are then checked and fitted into the slots of motors and generators connecting them according to specified circuit requirements. The motor is finally assembled, ensuring that the insulation around the wires is not damaged. The motor or generators are then ready for use again.
Armature winders work at benches usually in well-lit workshops. Working conditions have to be kept very clean. The work can be rather monotonous when coils must be rewound, since the process must be watched the whole time. This can lead to eyestrain.
Satisfying Aspects
- getting motors and generators working again
- working with your hands
- working in a clean environment
Demanding aspects
- monotony
- making mistakes cause delays and waste money
- possible eyestrain
Requirements
An armature winder should:
- be at least 16 years old
- have mechanical and practical aptitude
- have some mathematical ability
- have ability to think logically
- have neat, methodical work habits
- have good concentration
- have manual dexterity and mental alertness
- have good health, vision and colour discrimination
School Subjects
Grade 9 Certificate but employers prefer higher educational qualifications.
Compulsory Subjects: None
Recommended Subjects: Mathematics
Training
There are three ways to qualify as a registered artisan:
1. An apprenticeship is a 4-year contract between company and apprentice, comprising a 12-week theoretical training, which includes 4 subjects at national exam level.
2. A learnership is a structured learning programme that leads to a qualification in a certain field. The learnership programme includes a theoretical and a practical component. It usually takes about a year to complete. The training takes place on-site (on the premises of the organisation). This has the advantage that the learner gets on-the-job experience whilst training.
3. FET colleges offer theoretical training to prospective artisans via the new National Certificate Vocational (NCV). During this 3-year programme (levels 2 to 4), learners complete a school-leaving certificate (this NCV) similar to the
new National Senior Certificate (NSC) in schools. They are also exposed to a practical workshop component.
All learners are required to complete a practical internship under the supervision of an experienced artisan. As an alternative to doing the full qualification, a learner can apply to do a skills programme at a FET College. Skills programmes are short practical hands-on courses.
For more information about qualifications and skills programmes, contact your nearest FET College. FET Colleges are accredited and funded by a SETA (Sector Education and Training Authority) such as MERSETA or CHIETA. They also receive bursary funding through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for the NCV programme.
Learners must all receive training in occupational safety and first aid, fire-fighting and preventative security measures. Learners study everything about the installation, maintenance and repair of all electrical equipment. They must also become familiar with municipal legislation relevant to electricity supply and consumption.
Employer
- Steel and engineering companies
- The electricity supply industry
- Motor vehicle manufacturers
- Motor vehicle repair companies and garages
- Independent armature winding shops
Contact
The Liaison Officer
The Steel & Engineering Industries Federation
of South Africa (SEIFSA)
P O Box 1338
Johannesburg, 2000
Tel: (011) 298-9400 Fax: (011) 298-9500
www.seifsa.co.za