Electrotechnology 2017 HSC exam pack (archive)

Students should:

• be able to calculate voltage drops, circuit and branch currents and equivalent resistances
• be able to calculate power consumption of individual circuit components such as resistors and total power consumption for a circuit
• bring a calculator
• be able to identify and understand a circuit operation using a circuit diagram
• respond correctly to the key words used, for example, ‘explain’, ‘outline’, ‘determine’ and ‘describe’
• communicate using appropriate electrotechnology industry terminology.

Students should expect:

• to make reference to relevant legislation for each focus area
• to provide relevant workplace examples
• questions to be of varying difficulty and be guided by the marks allocated for depth of response.

Students can prepare for this examination by:

• practising the calculation of voltage, current and resistive values using Ohm’s Law
• understanding circuit analysis using Ohm’s law calculations to calculate individual voltage drops and branch currents in parallel circuits and series parallel circuits
• practising the calculation of power consumption of both individual components and whole circuit consumption
• identifying circuit operation and being able to simplify circuits for equivalent resistive values
• understanding 2 way switching
• recognising the effect on circuit operation when switches are operated in a circuit to alter operation
• identifying short circuit scenarios and the impact this has on circuit function
• practising the application of the correct formulas to different calculations in the operation of a DC circuit
• calculating resistor values using the colour code table
• using resistor colour codes and banding
• providing the factors that affect conductor resistance
• accurately constructing ladder diagrams without fault for simple circuit operation
• calculating capacitance in series and parallel connection and time constant operation
• knowing the appropriate application for relevant legislation and standards
• applying relevant electrotechnology operations from student experience on work placement
• practising the application of workplace examples to the different focus areas
• providing well-constructed extended response questions based on their workplace experience
• providing thorough responses on effective work practices such as sustainable procedures which may include, recycling, waste minimisation, time management, co-operation between trades and stock management
• knowing which skills are relevant to various electrical installation requirements ‘on the job’ and using them in extended response answers
• practising past HSC examination questions from the different focus areas, referring to the marking guidelines.

In better responses, students were able to:

• provide good examples of advantages of solder joints and BP connector joints
• calculate minimum and maximum values of resistors and capacitors
• use circuit symbols to construct ladder diagrams
• provide good examples of considerations made to important features when purchasing battery-powered tools
• provide good examples relevant to the use of the risk matrix and hierarchy of control
• display a good knowledge of electrical symbols relevant in the drawing of floor plans used for installation of electrical accessories.