Electrotechnology 2016 HSC exam pack (archive)

Question 16

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• providing an advantage and disadvantage of the use of coal and wind in respect to power generation
• recognising coal as an abundant resource despite being a non-renewable energy source
• recognising a disadvantage of coal is the production of greenhouse gas emissions
• discussing wind generation as a renewable energy source that produces no greenhouse gas emissions but is noisy, weather dependent and can potentially take up large areas.

Question 17

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• drawing on personal, particularly industry experiences (part a)
• listing safety instructions, such as awareness of being in a confined space, taking regular breaks in hot conditions, not working alone and taking care where walking when working in a roof cavity (part a).

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• justifying reasons for safety instructions, such as taking regular breaks during excessively hot conditions to avoid accidents (part a)
• providing a number of separate lifting procedures such as keeping the load close to the body, bending knees and keeping the back straight and planning the route before lifting and carrying (part b)
• understanding fundamental procedures for workers’ health and safety (part b).

Question 18

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• identifying the need for circuit isolation such as switching off the circuit breaker (part a)
• recognising the need to verify test equipment prior to its use (part b).

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• providing the full range of steps for isolating a circuit (part a)
• identifying the need to ‘test their tester’ such as using a multimeter on a known live source (part a)
• understanding fundamental procedures for workers’ health and safety (part a).

Question 19

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• providing relevant information about a legal issue affecting the electrotechnology industry
• demonstrating an understanding of workers’ rights in relation to safety in the workplace, the need for formal training and an awareness of the importance of not undertaking dangerous or unsafe tasks in the worksite.

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• providing specific information about government legislation such as the Work Health and Safety Act of 2011 (NSW)
• demonstrating an understanding of government legislation relating to environmental protection.

Question 20

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• demonstrating an understanding of how to wire 2 way switching, including the use of ‘strap’ wires, the light terminal, the loop terminal and switch operation
• drawing correct wiring to avoid short circuits
• drawing correct wiring to illuminate 2 lights at the same time
• drawing wiring clearly.

Question 21

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• correctly selecting the appropriate formula, that is, V=IR to calculate voltage drop (part a).
• selecting the correct formula (part b)
• attempting the substitution of formulas (part b).

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• correctly substituting values (part a)
• calculating a branch current through a 2Ω and 4Ω resistor (part b)
• using the correct Ohms Law formula, I=V/R (part b)
• demonstrating an understanding of voltage (part b)
• providing a correct resistance value (part b)
• calculating a total circuit current (part b)
• demonstrating a fundamental understanding of circuit analysis (part c)
• correctly calculating the power dissipated (part c)
• demonstrating an understanding of current flow (part d)
• identifying ‘G’ as being a galvanometer (part d).

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• listing general task procedures.

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• understanding the process of ‘chasing’ a conduit and wall box into a wall
• justifying procedures
• using specific terminology
• demonstrating an understanding of timings, for example, the timing of re-rendering of the wall upon completion of the task
• providing specific safety information such as the importance of wearing a dust mask and eye and gearing protection when using a grinder and cutting brickwork.

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• comparing LED lighting and fluorescent lights (part a)
• providing general information on the processes required to install a lighting system (part b)
• providing a structured and logical sequence of work required to complete a project (part b)
• providing information on work, health and safety requirements and procedures such as the need for barricades, signage and correct PPE (part b)
• identifying circuit wiring requirements such as installing underground conduits and wiring to lighting points under the roof space of a shelter (part b).

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• responding to all aspects of the question (part a)
• considering mounting options for a selected lighting system such as mounting fluorescent fittings along narrow roof beams (part b)
• providing an appropriate level of detail and planning involved in performing required work (part b)
• drawing on industry experience (part b).