NATIONAL CERTIFICATE

ELECTROTECHNICS N4
(8080074)

28 March 2023 (X-paper)

09:00–12:00

This question paper consists of 7 pages and a formula sheet of 2 pages.

020Q1A2328

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DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
NATIONAL CERTIFICATE
ELECTROTECHNICS N4
TIME: 3 HOURS
MARKS: 100

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION

1. Answer all the questions.

2. Read all the questions carefully.

3. Number the answers according to the numbering system used in this question paper.

4. Questions may be answered in any order but keep subsections of questions together.

5. Start each section on a new page.

6. Use only a black or blue pen.

7. Write neatly and legibly.

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SECTION A

QUESTION 1: MATERIAL, COMPONENTS AND INTERPRETATION OF DRAWINGS

1.1 Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE by writing only
'True' or 'False' next to the question number (1.1.1–1.1.10) in the
ANSWER BOOK. ☆
1.1.1 In order to gain insight into the nature of electric currents, it is
necessary to consider the structure of atoms.

1.1.2 A coil produces the magnetisation of a circuit and this property is

called the magnetomotive force of the coil.

1.1.3 If the armature is driven anticlockwise, the direction of the EMF

generated in the various conductors are represented by dots and
crosses.

1.1.4 When the shunt field of a compound generator is connected in

parallel with the armature only, the connection is called long-shunt.

1.1.5 The waveform of the EMF generated in a generator, undergoes one

☆ complete cycle of variation when the conductors move past a north

and a south pole.

1.1.6 The construction of a transformer is the simplest of all AC machines

and has the added advantage of not having rotating parts or
bearings and requiring very little care and maintenance.

1.1.7 As the reluctance of a magnetic circuit is low, the self-inductance of

the primary winding is large compared with its resistance.

1.1.8 A wound rotor differs from a squirrel-cage motor in construction.

1.1.9 Power stations are often situated at considerable distances from

centres of power consumption.

1.1.10 Dividers are used to limit the current through the meter to the value
that will give full-scale deflection when the supply to be measured is
at its maximum.
(10 × 1) (10)

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1.2 Choose a term from COLUMN B that matches a description in COLUMN A.

☆
Write only the letter (A–K) next to the question number (1.2.1–1.2.10) in the
ANSWER BOOK.

COLUMN A COLUMN B
1.2.1 An atom which has lost or gained one or A magnetic flux
more electrons
B Lenz's law
1.2.2 The algebraic sum of voltage drops in any
closed circuit is equal to the algebraic C electrolytic type
sum of the applied EMF
D magnetising force
1.2.3 Magnetic field or entire quantity of
magnetic lines surrounding a magnet E ion
taken as whole
F reluctance
1.2.4 Opposition offered to the establishment of
magnetic lines of force in a magnet circuit G self-induction

1.2.5 EMFs set up in the cores of rotating H back emf

electrical machinery or cores of
transformers, contactors, etc. causing I ampere
currents to circulate in them
J Kirchhoff's
1.2.6 The direction of an induced EMF is second law
always such that it tends to set up a
current opposing the motion or the K eddy currents
change of flux responsible for that emf.

1.2.7 Change in flux conditions is due to

changing current conditions within the
conductor itself.

1.2.8 Somewhat similar in construction to

paper-dielectric capacitors, but the paper
used is an absorbent type, impregnated
with a solution containing borax

1.2.9 According to Lenz’s law, any induced emf

acts to oppose the change that produces
it, a self-induced EMF is always in such a
direction as to oppose the change of
current in the circuit in which it is induced.

1.2.10
H=
NI
l
A/ m ☆
(10 × 1) (10)
[20]

TOTAL SECTION A: 20

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SECTION B

QUESTION 2: PRINCIPLES OF ELECTRICITY

☆
2.1 Why are certain alloys used in the manufacturing of standard resistors for
measuring instruments? (2)

2.2 Distinguish between a positive temperature coefficient of resistance and a

negative temperature coefficient of resistance. (2 + 2) (4)

2.3 Briefly explain Kirchhoff's first law. (2)

2.4 A coil, with 50 turns, of a conductor with a cross-sectional area of 0,2 mm² and
a mean length of 120 mm per turn, has an inductance of 0,3 H.

Calculate:
☆
2.4.1 The resistance of the windings if the specific resistance of the
conductor is 0,025 μΩm (3)

2.4.2 The average value of the EMF induced in the coil when a current of
7 A is reversed in 0,5 seconds (2)

2.5 A resistor of an unknown value and a resistor of 40 Ω are connected in parallel.

☆ A load of 27 W, which draws a current of 3 A, is connected in series with the

two resistors in parallel.

Calculate the value of the unknown resistor if the circuit is connected across a
48 V DC supply. (7)
[20]

QUESTION 3: DIRECT-CURRENT MACHINES

3.1 Name the THREE types of brushes normally used on DC machines. (3)

3.2 Is there any reason why one of the two DC machine types is called a separately
excited machine? (2)

3.3 Name THREE types of self-excited machines. (3)

3.4 Give TWO reasons why the voltage of a shunt generator may fail to excite. (2)

3.5 Show, by means of fully labelled load characteristics, how to represent THREE
types of DC motors. (5)

☆
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3.6 Name the type of DC generator that fits each of the following descriptions by

☆
writing it next to the question number (3.6.1–3.6.5) in the ANSWER BOOK.

3.6.1 Field excitation is supplied from an independent DC source such as

a battery or separate DC generator.

3.6.2 Field windings are connected to armature windings in various ways.

3.6.3 Field windings and loads are all connected in parallel to each other
where Ish = shunt field current.

3.6.4 Field windings and loads are connected in series to each other

☆ 3.6.5
where Ise = series field current.

A generator which has both series and shunt field windings in one
circuit, which normally comes as either a short-shunt or long-shunt
(5 × 1) (5)
[20]

QUESTION 4: ALTERNATING-CURRENT THEORY

4.1 Calculate the RMS and average value of a supply voltage with a maximum
value of 325 V. (2)

4.2 A coil with a resistance of 25 Ω and an inductance of 54 mH is connected in

series with a 322 μF capacitor. This circuit is connected across a 230 V, 50 Hz
supply. ☆
Calculate:

4.2.1 The inductive and capacitive reactance of the circuit (4)

4.2.2 The voltage drop across the coil (8)

4.2.3 The voltage drop across the capacitor (1)

[15]

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QUESTION 5: ALTERNATING-CURRENT MACHINES

5.1 What is the function of Buchholz's device on a transformer? (2)

5.2 What purpose does the capacitor serve on a capacitor-start single-phase

induction motor? (1)

☆
5.3 What is the purpose of the crystals commonly used in the breather of
transformers? (2)

5.4 Name TWO types of feeders used in transmission systems. (2)

5.5 In which system does failure of one interconnecting feeder interrupt the supply
to any of the other substations? (1)

5.6 What are the TWO main types of connections in a three-phase induction motor? (2)

5.7 Give THREE advantages of an induction motor as compared to a DC motor. (3)

5.8 Give TWO reasons why coal-fired power stations are usually built far away from
the main load points. (2)
[15]

QUESTION 6: MEASURING INSTRUMENTS

☆
A single-phase motor is connected to an AC supply with an ammeter, a voltmeter and a
wattmeter included in the circuit.

Draw a circuit diagram to show how these instruments should be connected to obtain a
full-load power factor of the motor. Calculate the power factor, the resistance and the
inductive reactance of the motor if the readings on the instruments are 12 A, 240 V and
1 550 W respectively. [10]

TOTAL SECTION B: 80

☆ GRAND TOTAL: 100

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FORMULA SHEET

Any applicable formula may also be used.

1. PRINCIPLES OF ELECTRICITY

1. E =V + I r 2. V = IR

3. RT = Rse = R1 + R2 + R3 + ...Rn 4. 1 1 1 1 1 1
= = + + + ...
RT Rp R1 R2 R3 Rn

5. V2 6. P0
P = V I = I 2R = =  100
R Pin

7.
R=
l 8. d2
A=
A 4

9. R1 1 +  0T1 10. Rt = R [1 +  (t −  )]
=
R2 1 +  0T2

11. mmf IN 12. IN

= = H=
S S l

13. F = BlI 14. E = Blv

15.  16. 
B= E= .N
a t

17. LI 18. 

E= L= .N
t l

19. Q = VC 20. Q
V=
C

21. Qse = Q1 = Q2 = Q3 ... = Qn 22. Qp = Q1 + Q2 + ...Qn

23. 1 24. C p = C1 + C2 + ...Cn

Cse =
1 1 1
+ + ...
C1 C2 Cn

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2. DIRECT-CURRENT MACHINES

25. 2ZNp 26. E = kN

E=
60c

27. c = 2a 28. I
E = I sh Rsh + L
t

29. (V − E ) 30. V
Rstart = − Ra I astart =
Ia Ra + Rstart

31. Egen = V + I a Ra 32. Emot = V − I a Ra

3. ALTERNATING-CURRENT THEORY

33. Em = 2 BANn 34. e = Em sin(2 f .t.57,3)0

35. Erms orI rms = 0,707 EmorI m 36. EaveorI ave = 0,637 I morI m

37. 1 38. Np
T= f =
f 60

39.  = 2 f 40. Z = R2 + X 2

41. R 42. X
cos  = tan  =
Z R

43. Z L = R + j L 44.
ZC = R − j
1
C

45. P = V I Cos = I 2 R 46.

pf = Cos =
R
Z

47. S =V I 48. Q = V I sin

4. ALTERNATING-CURRENT MACHINES

49. E = 4, 44 f m N 50. N1 V1 E1 I 2
kt = = = =
N 2 V2 E2 I1

5. MEASURING INSTRUMENTS

51. I m Rm 52. V
Rsh = Rx = − Ra
I sh I

53. Vt 54. V
Rse = − Rm Rx =
It I − Iv

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