Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

1. Outline the specific safety practices and procedures that they need to observe
when assembling and testing electronic circuits (including any specific legislation,
regulations or codes of practice for the activities, equipment or materials).

When working with electronics you have to wear equipment so that yourself and other
don’t get injured and also behave in the right manner when working with electronics. Under
the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers like the college are responsible for
health and safety of the staff, students, and any other members of the public such as
visitors. It’s the college’s duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of us students and
other people who are associated with the college such as staff. The college must make sure
that students and others are protected from anything that may cause harm, effectively
controlling any risks to injury or health that could arise in the workshop or classroom. The
college have duties under health and safety law to assess risks in the workshop. Risk
assessments should be carried out that address all risks that might cause harm in the
workshop or classroom. The college must give me information about the risks in the
workshop and how am I protected. The college must also instruct and train me on how to
deal with the risks. As a student at the college, I have the responsibility to take reasonable
care of my own health and safety, to co-operate with the college, making sure I get proper
training and I understand and follow the college’s health and safety policies as well as using
machinery/equipment for its intended use. I also have the responsibility to report any
injuries, strains or illnesses.

Personal Equipment at Work Regulations is equipment that is given to us students, staff, and
any members of the public. An example of personal equipment given by the college is safety
boots, goggles, a helmet, and a pair of overalls which allows me and others to work in the
workshop safely. As a college, it is important that they understand their responsibilities and
take steps to keep us students and other members of the college safe. The college will need
to know what PPE they need to provide and what training they will need to provide to
students to ensure I use it correctly. As a student, I will need to understand my
responsibilities for the use, storage, and maintenance of my own PPE.

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER)

To keep work equipment in a safe and serviceable condition an employer must ensure that
all equipment adheres to PUWER guidelines. To comply with PUWER, all equipment must
be:

 Suitable for intended use

 Safe for use
 Well maintained and inspected to ensure it is correctly installed and will
continue to function safely

Page 1 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

 Only operated by people who have been adequately informed and trained.
 Equipped with appropriate safety measures like guarding, emergency stops,
effective isolation from power sources and easily visible markings and
warning devices

It is important to do isolation procedures before doing any installation of electronics, an

isolation procedure should be done to ensure the safety of the person carrying out the
work. To adhere to this procedure, you must:

 Obtain the permission required for the work being carried out
 Confirm that all test equipment is working correctly
 Identify the supply source using this test equipment
 Isolate the supply by removing the installation from the mains (or the rest of the
circuit)
 Appropriately secure/lock off the isolation so that it cannot be tampered with
 Use test equipment to ensure that the circuit is “dead” (no current is flowing
through it)
 Put up warning signs to show that the system has been isolated

The GS38 regulations outline the requirements that all electrical testing equipment must be
safe and suitable for the work being undertaken

An example of this would be test leads. Test lead that are used to measure voltages over
50V AC and 100V must meet the following:

 Probes are fused

 Leads are easily identifiable
 Leads are insulated (rated to 1000V), flexible and strong
 Connectors are shrouded
 Probe is equipped with finger guards
 Exposed tip between 2 and 4 mm (2mm, spring loaded is recommended)

Page 2 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

To check if equipment is safe to use, a perform a pre-use check should be done. A pre-use
check will allow you to see any damage to the equipment e.g., frayed wires, bent socket
pins, signs of heat damage. This allows any issues to be resolved before it’s a hazard to
yourself or others.

It’s important to PAT test electronic devices. This is usually done annually. PAT testing
involves visually checking the device and using PAT testing equipment. These tests include
earth continuity, lead polarity and insulation resistance checks.

Some equipment may also need periodic calibration tests to ensure that measurement
readings are accurate. After an instrument has been calibrated a sticker should be attached
to the equipment to show that it has been calibrated and to show when the next calibration
should be.

All tools with a VDE mark have been tested to ensure that they are safe to use for electrical
applications. The most important part of this testing is the voltage test. This is where tools
are immersed in water for 24 hours, after this period they are then subjected to 10,000V AC
and if no current is detected through the insulation, they are approved for up to 1000V AC.

To ensure safety and compatibility all components in the UK must comply with the
appropriate British Standard (BS) and must have a number that corresponds to a European
Standard (EN number). Products that are compliant with these standards are marked with a
“CE” mark. This is done so it is easy to see if a product has met the standards.

Before starting a new job/task, a risk assessment should be done to eliminate the potential
hazards that could be involved in that task and how they can be avoided/eliminated. A risk
assessment also rates how hazardous the task is. Risk assessments also include the current
control measures and implement new ones if these are not sufficient.

At college, before starting a soldering task I complete risk assessments to evaluate the
potential risks that may be involved while doing the soldering task (fumes, trip hazards,
heat). Risk assessment 1.3 attached below

Page 3 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

2. Describe the hazards associated with assembling and testing electronic circuits
(such as heat, toxic fumes, spilled/splashed chemicals/solder, static electricity,
using sharp instruments for stripping cable insulation, connecting clips/probes into
circuits), and how they can be minimised.

Hazards when assembling and testing electronic circuits include electric shock and burns
from contact with live parts, fire from faulty electrical equipment or installations, explosion
caused by unsuitable electrical apparatus or static electricity igniting flammable vapours or
dusts. Wet surroundings is unsuitable for equipment as it can cause corrosion of the metal
components.

Page 4 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

Cables, plugs, sockets and fittings must be protected while working on a task. Failing to do
so may result in trip hazards. It is also important to make sure that machinery has an
accessible switch or isolator to cut off the power quickly in an emergency.

While soldering, there is also an exposure to solder fumes. This is hazardous as it can cause
eye irritation and damage the lungs. This can be minimised by wearing eye protection and
having equipment like extractor fans which can remove fumes. Cuts from sharp tooling such
as side cutters and a craft knives can be minimised by wearing PPE, training, demonstrating
the correct use of tooling and Pre-Use checking of tools. Static can be minimised by wearing
an ESD wrist strap.

3. Explain the importance

of wearing appropriate protective clothing and equipment
(PPE), and keeping the work area safe and tidy.

PPE is important because it prepares you for any health and safety risks and gives you extra
protection while doing a task or in the event of an accident. Injuries and illnesses are
prevented when the workplace is neat and tidy. Cables should be stored securely, keeping
floors clean and dry to prevent trip hazards. Windows and extractor fans should be used to
get rid of germs and pollution. It is important to also use disinfectant sprays and hand
sanitiser to clean worktops and to stop the spread of germs and infections like COVID-19.

Page 5 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

4. Outline the precautions to be taken to prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD)

damage to electronic circuits and components (such as use of earthed wrist straps,
anti-Static mats, special packaging and handling areas) equipment safety features)

You should solder components on an antistatic surface, such as an antistatic discharge mat,
an antistatic bag, or a disposable antistatic mat to prevent electrostatic discharge. You could
also wear an antistatic grounding strap connected to a metal surface on the chassis while
soldering components to prevent the build-up of static electricity. The strap helps to
disperse static electricity generated from a person safely to ground. Static can destroy
electronic components such as Integrated Circuits as used in Jobs 2, 3 & 4. Wearing the ESD
strap will reduce the risks of static damage by grounding the user and any static build up.

5. Describe what constitutes a hazardous voltage and how to recognise victims of

electric shock.

DC and 50 volts AC are usually classed as hazardous voltage levels

but no matter what the voltage is, it should always be classed as
potentially hazardous. Harm can be caused when exposed to
live parts or through conducting objects and materials. Symptoms
to recognise of a victim of electric shock would be:

- muscle spasms
- breathing difficulties
- tingling or numbness
- seizures

Page 6 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

- burns

The level at which a voltage becomes hazardous depends on the type of current. For
alternating current a hazardous voltage is 50 volts and over and for direct current it’s usually
120 volts and over, but no matter what the voltage is, it should always be classed as
potentially hazardous. Harm can be caused when exposed to live parts or through
conducting objects and materials. Symptoms to recognise of a victim of electric shock would
be:

6. Explain how to reduce the risks of a phase to earth shock (such as insulated tools,
rubber matting and isolating transformers).

One method of reducing the risks of a phase to earth shock is using rubber mats.
Rubber acts as an insulator. So when a the user uses a rubber mat to solder, there is
no longer a path to earth which means that electricity cannot travel down through
the person.

Another method to reduce the risk of earth shock is to use insulated tools. Insulated
tooling can be linked to VDE rating of equipment it separates you with any live parts
of the installation or equipment. Isolating transformers have two parts input
(primary) and output (secondary), they are not electrically connected but
magnetically connected. The input is earthed but the output is isolated from earth.
Matting physically breaks the path to earth and helps reduce the chances of
Insulated tools can withstand voltages of 1000V.

Isolating transformers can used to protect against the risk of electric shock as there
is no conductive path between the source and the load. Only the input on the
transformer is earthed while the output is isolated from earth. Again, this prevents
electricity from flowing down a path that could result in injury.

7. explain the importance of applying the appropriate behaviours in the workplace

and the implications for both the learner and the business if these are not adhered
to.

Page 7 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

As an engineer, behaviours like working with others is important as it is a big part of my job.
If you can’t work well with others, it can have an impact on your quality of work whether
that’s in the workshop, class and in HMNB. Having good working relationships is important
as when struggling to complete a task you can ask fellow employee for a hand. following
health and safety regulations, wearing PPE, having good time management, being honest if
mistakes are made and representing the company (Ministry of Defence) in a professional
manner are expected as a student and employee. Not adhering to these behaviours could
have consequences for both me and my employer. For example, bad punctuality and work
ethic could cause delays, resulting in loss of business and contacts, giving the MOD, college
and myself and bad reputation. It’s important that these behaviours are adhered to in a
work environment because if it isn’t, your employment with the MOD or position in college
may have consequences such as suspension or termination.

8. Describe how to use and extract information from circuit diagrams, block and
schematic diagrams, equipment manuals, data sheets, test procedures and
instructions (to include symbols and conventions to appropriate BS or ISO
standards) in relation to work undertaken.

Circuit Diagrams:
Circuit diagrams in the UK follow a standard (BS3939) which determines the symbols that
are used for components so that they can easily be understood by anyone who is familiar
with this standard. They also always show the circuit in a de-energised state.

This is a circuit diagram I used to build an oscillator circuit, by using BS3939 I can determine
that the circuit contains transistors, capacitors, resistors, LEDs, a switch and a 9V battery.

Block Diagrams:
These diagrams are much less detailed than circuit diagrams as they are made up of labelled
blocks that state the function of a circuit (amplifier, rectifier, oscillator).

Page 8 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

A block diagram representing a FM transmitter

Schematics:
A schematic is a drawing that shows all important components, parts, or tasks of a circuit,
device, flow, process, or project by means of the standard symbols outlined in BS3939. A
schematic will also include details of the relevant interconnections. This level of complexity
can provide a knowledgeable viewer with detailed information about how the circuit works,
this makes it an effective tool for troubleshooting.

Equipment Manuals:
Equipment manuals are provided by the manufacturer and contain important information
regarding the setup, operation and maintenance of that particular piece of equipment.
These manuals usually convey their information in a variety of formats such as text, graphs,
and tables or sometimes pictures.

Data Sheets:
Every electronic component will come with a data sheet that will contain all of the necessary
information regarding the operation of that component. This will include numerical data
such as operating voltages or currents and, depending on the component, values like
resistance, capacitance, impedance, etc. It will also contain data related to the physical use
of the component like pin configuration, orientation, and polarity. It allows the user to tell if
a component is suitable for the intended purpose without having to test it first.

Test Procedures and Instructions:

Both provide clear instructions, via text
and diagrams, on how an engineer should
properly test and inspect a circuit. This
means that the test procedure will always
remain constant to ensure the most
accurate result. Having clear instructions
also minimises the chance that the
engineer will make an error or forget part
of the procedure.

Attached below is screenshots of 1.1 and

an example of a data sheet for a 555
integrated circuit.

Page 9 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

9. Describe the various types of circuit boards used (such as printed circuit boards,
thin film, thick film and flexible film circuitry).

Single sided PCB’s only have 1 layer of conductive material i.e., copper and
aluminium. Single sided PCB’s can be used for cameras, radio systems and
calculators.

Rigid PCB’s can be single, double, or multi-layered. They are often used on systems
like GPS systems and laptops.

Page 10 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

Multi-layer PCB have at least 3 layers of conductive

material. They are often used on more complex electronic systems like computers,
heart rate monitors and phones.

Flexible PCB’s have 4 conductive layers made

from polyimide. Flexible PCB’s are used to
make solar panels, fuel pumps and medical
devices like pacemakers.

Page 11 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

Thin firm PCB’s are usually 10 microns (10 um) thick and are used for analogue
circuits such as for microwave circuits, as they need high accuracy, greater stability
and better performance.

Thick film PCB’s are usually between 10 ~ 13 miron (um). Thick film PCB’s are ideal
for environments where a high level
of reliability is needed as they
can withstand a wider
temperature range and have higher
durability than normal PCB’s.
they are used for heating elements,
integrated passive devices and
sensors.

Attached below is a photo of a PCB I used in

college

10. Describe how to recognise, read the values and identify polarity and any other
orientation requirements for all electronic components being used in the
assemblies (such as capacitors, diodes, transistors, integrated circuit chips, and
other discrete through-Hole or surface-Mounted components).

Page 12 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

Capacitors often have a dotted line down one side which shows the cathode. The value of
the capacitor can be printed on the component. This value of the capacitor can also be
shown on data sheets

The orientation of a transistor will be indicated on the actual component. An example of this
would be on a BC108 transistor. This transistor will have a tag that shows the location of the
emitter leg. The correct orientation can then be obtained from the circuit diagram.

Integrated circuits have a small part cut out at one end which is located to the right of a
small dot that indicates the location of pin 1. From here the chip can be correctly oriented
consulting with the wiring diagram

Information about the operation of diodes is stated on a data sheet. Usually there is an
indication of polarity on the actual component. Some diodes will have a solid band on it
showing the cathode and another example of this would be LED’s. LED’s have a flat surface
to indicate the same.

Capacitor

Diode

Integrated Circuit Transistor

11. Explain how to check that components meet the required specification/operating
conditions (such as values, tolerance, current carrying capacity, voltage rating,
power rating, and working temperature range).

Page 13 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

There are many ways of ensuring that components meet the requirements of a circuit. This
can be done using data sheets. Data sheets will provide information like power and voltage
ratings. The data from data sheets can be used alongside with power laws and Ohm’s law to
calculate the current of a component.

Resistors have coloured bands on them and using a resistor colour chart you can calculate
the value and tolerance of a resistor. Attached below is a resistor chart

12. State the general principles of operation of the electronic circuits they have
assembled, and the purpose of the individual modules/components within the
circuits and how they interact.

In college I built the “oscillator circuit”, this circuit involved having two bistable transistor
oscillators to make LED’s flash at random. The oscillation at which the LEDs flash at is
controlled by the capacitor value and the resistance of the charging resistor.

Page 14 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

On the project brief (1.1 attached below) of this circuit, it states that, "The frequency of the
oscillators is dependent on how fast C1-C2 charge and discharge, increasing
the Capacitor value or decreasing the value of the charging Resistor (R6-R8) will increase the
flash rate."

13. Outline the application

and use of circuit
protection
equipment (such
as fuses and other
overload
protection
devices) .

Page 15 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

Circuit protection devices are made to protect overloading and short circuits. This is done by
breaking the circuit when the safety parameters of the circuit have been exceeded. There
are two common types of circuit protection equipment and these are fuses and circuit
breakers.

Fuses have a metal wire or strip which is made to melt because of the heat generated by a
high amount of current flow. The circuit is broken when the conductor melts and stops the
current from flowing into the circuit it’s protecting. This indicates that the fuse is broken,
and it will no longer work until replaced. Fuses are usually cheap and easy to replace. A
commonly used fuse is a BS3036 fuse and are mainly used in domestic electrical circuits.
Another example is a gM fuse and they are used for motor protection.

Circuit breakers work by flipping a switch when a high fault current is detected. This allows
the circuit breaker to be reset easily and reusable, making them more cost efficient. A
commonly used circuit breaker is a Type B Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB). These are used
to protect domestic electrical circuits and some light
industrial circuits.

gM Fuse

Type B Miniature Circuit

Breaker

14. Outline the preparation requirements for components to be used in the assembly
(such as pre-Forming component pins/legs).

Page 16 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

It’s important to pre-form legs/pins of components as this allows them to be soldered

securely on the board and unlikely to move. Pre-forming legs/pins of components also
prevents short circuits.

Attached below is a photo of me pre-forming a resistor when building the oscillator circuit

15. Describe methods of mounting and securing

electronic components to various surfaces (such as
the use of manual soldering techniques, surface mount technologies and
mechanical fixing devices, use of heat sinks/shunts).

A common method of mounting and securing electronic components to a surface is

soldering. This process involves using heat (soldering iron) to melt a small amount of solder
to join the legs/pins of a component to the circuit board

Attached below is a picture of me soldering a resistor to the oscillator circuit

Manual soldering has limitations when working with mass production of electronics.
Automated machinery has replaced manual soldering and has made the process faster,
cheaper and overall, a better standard of soldering.

Page 17 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

PCBs that are designed for surface mounting are flat and have conductive solder pads that
are covered with a sticky solder paste and do not have holes in them. A machine will place
the components into the board and the board will be put in a heated room where the solder
from the board is bonded to the components

Mechanical fixing devices have connectors that are placed onto the PCB. This is done to
allow transfer signals or power from one PCB to another. A common use of mechanical
fixings is in PC motherboards.

Edge connectors are mounted at the edge of a board so cables etc can be physically or
mechanically connected. Attached below is an image of me soldering and the use of Edge
Connectors.

16. Describe methods of attaching markers/labels to components or cables to assist

with identification (such as colour coding conductors, using coded tabs).

The most common methods of cable labelling are flags, wraps and heat-shrink tubes. Colour
coding wires/components when there are many of the same type is helpful as it can identify
which wire goes to which area. Coloured sleeving or numbering can be used for a wire at
both ends so it can be understood which wire goes to where. In most cases, black is used to
identify negative, and red is used to identify positive. AC Line is brown, Neutral is Blue and
Earth is Yellow and Green. Coded tabs are individual idents that can be placed on the cable
to identify an individual conductor, cable, or wire. This ident will link to the circuit and
wiring diagram.

17. Outline the use of calculations, and regulations,

when selecting wires and cables and when carrying
out tests on electronic circuits.

Page 18 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

BS6761 is not statutory but can be used in the court of law to criminally prosecute and
imprison anyone dealing with electronics if they have not correctly wired a circuit and harm
is caused. BS7671 wiring regulations applies to only the supply cabling and not the
electronic circuit.BS7671 part 4 contains correction factors, for example, Ca (correction
factors for ambient air temperature). Once all the correction factors are considered, the
tabulated current (It) can be calculated and then give you the cable size (Iz). BS7671 part 6
contains guidance on testing and inspection.

Attached below is 2.7 test sheet

Page 19 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

18. Explain the importance of making visual checks of the completed assembly (such as
examination for excessive solder or solder spikes which may allow short circuits to
occur, correct orientation of components for pin configuration or polarity, obvious
signs of damage (such as heat damage) or strain on terminations).

After completing a solder joint, you should visually inspect it to make sure the joint is good,
you can use a set of helping hands and gently wiggle the component to see if the joint is
stable. A good solder joint should be shiny and full. Too much solder on a joint may lead to
poor joints, if too much solder is used then it could spill over onto another track, causing a
short circuit. Its important to do visual checks as small mistakes such as having the polarity
of a capacitor in the wrong orientation can lead to it exploding, making it a hazard. Taking a
few minutes to complete visual checks will prevent any dangers, save time and cost. Pin
configuration could link to integrated circuits, if placed incorrectly onto a board they could
overheat and fail. Signs of damage and strain on terminations is burns, smoke and frayed
wires.

1.7 attached below

19. Describe the tools and equipment used in the electronic assembly activities
(including the use of cable stripping tools, crimping tools, soldering irons, specialist
assembly tools).

Page 20 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

Soldering irons are devices that heats up to form a connection between component and
board using heat. It is important that the solder is used in a safe and controlled manner
where not too much solder is used, and the soldering iron is held against the
component/board for a minimal amount of time so that no damage is made to the
components and the PCB itself.

ESD wristbands are worn when handling the integrated circuit to prevent damage and to
eliminate electrostatic discharge.

Helping hands are used to hold the board, enabling you to solder accurately and so that the
board can be seen more clearly

Cable stripping tool is used to strip insulated layer from the end of a cable to have access to
the wire. The cable must be stripped accurately so that there is no frayed wires or strands as
this could result in a broken or loose connections

Crimping tools are used to conjoin two pieces of metal by deforming one or both of them in
a way that makes them to hold on to each other. This must be done carefully crimping the
wire in the wrong area may cause damage in the connection, leading to a break or a fault
within the circuit.

Attached below is 1.5 and photos of me using some of these tools.

Page 21 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

20. Explain the importance of ensuring that

all tools are in a safe and serviceable
condition, are used correctly and are returned
to their correct location on completion of
the assembly activities.

It’s important to make sure a tool is in the correct condition and for it to be used for the task
you are about to do. Visual inspections allow you to check if a tool is safe to use for the duty
of care of you and others. Looking for damage in wiring as well as a PAT testing will ensure
that the tool is in good condition. For example, if a wire was exposed, it could cause
electrocution which could cause injury. Its also important to return tools to the correct
location so that they can be found next time if the tools are needed by yourself or others.
It’s also important that tools are not left round where they could get damaged or even
cause injury. Calibration stickers allows users to see if equipment like meters is calibrated
before use to allow reliable, accurate and repeatable measurements.

Page 22 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

21. Describe the care, handling and application of electronic test and measuring
instruments (such as multimeter, oscilloscope, signal generators, stabilised power
supplies, logic probes/analysers, and measuring bridges).

You can do “pre-use” checks which includes calibration and PAT testing

A pre-use check is when the tip of a soldering iron’s temperature is checked to see if it’s in
tolerance of the set temperature.

Pat testing is a routine inspection of electrical tools to check

they are safe to use. PAT testing is done to prevent electrical
accidents in the workplace. PAT testing includes earth
continuity, lead polarity, and insulation resistance checks.

Battery checks can be done using a multimeter. This would be

done by getting a 12v battery, connecting the multimeter to
the positive and negative battery terminals. If the multimeter
doesn’t show of around 12 volts, the battery should be
replaced/charged. Re-chargeable tools should be returned to
the correct location to re-charge for my peers to use and
access.

Multimeter can be used to measure a variety of values like AC & DC voltage, current,
resistance, diode check, continuity.

Oscilloscopes can be used to show the actual waveform to measure voltage, time, peak to
peak, amplitude, and frequency. Signal generators can also produce a series of waveforms
like sine wave, square wave, and pulse.

On a multimeter the display will show the battery level if low it may impact on accuracy of
readings. This would be a pre-use check for any equipment that uses an internal battery.
Include signal generators and logic probes.

Attached below is a photo of me using a signal generator when testing an audio amplifier
circuit

Page 23 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

22. Explain checking

that test
equipment is safe
to use (such as
condition of power cables, using suitably
fused test probes, clips and leads); pat tested; checking that the test equipment is
suitable for the tests they are to carry out and can cover the range and values they
are to measure.

Fused test probes protect the cable and the operator from excessive voltages and currents.
Manufacturer’s manual will often specify whether the test instrument is suitable for the
tests to be completed and the range of values required by the testing procedure. Check the
equipment is in overall good condition with no signs of damage before use, this can be done
using a set of helping hands. You should always put the test equipment back carefully after
use, making sure any equipment is switched off, cooled down and leads are disconnected
and wrapped up. When using test equipment like oscillators and multimeters, it is important
that the test leads are plugged into the corrects ports as it could damage the testing
equipment Performing a simple pre-use check would identify any issues with insulation or
condition of equipment including checking calibration sticker.

Attached below is a photo of me checking if the extension cable is in overall good condition
PAT tested before use and a photo of me retuning equipment back to the correct location.

Page 24 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

23. Explain connecting to an approved power supply and, where appropriate, signal
source; identifying correct test points in the circuit; how to position test
instruments into circuits without damaging circuit components (such as using test
probes, ensuring correct polarity, taking antistatic precautions); setting instrument
zero readings; obtaining instrument readings and comparing them with expected
results.

Connecting to power supply:

The best way to ensure I connect the power supply in the right place is to examine the
circuit diagram. For a DC circuit the diagram will usually show where the positive/negative
connections are, and their orientation. These simply need to be matched with the power
supply output.

Test points:

The circuit diagram should also show me where the test points on the circuit are, usually by
labelling them as input/output.

Voltage/Current measurements:
Any device measuring the voltage across a component must be measured in parallel as
devices in parallel have the same voltage, connecting it in series would give a false reading.
For current, the reverse is true as components in series have a common current.
When conducting these types of measurements, it is also important that I ensure that the
polarity of the test leads matches the polarity of the component being tested (red to
positive, black to negative).

Anti-static precautions:

When dealing with sensitive components such as integrated devices it is important that I
implement anti-static measures. ESD wristbands connected to a suitable ground are an
effective measure when trying to prevent electrostatic discharge damage as the ground
prevents the accumulation of charge. I could also use an anti-static mat alongside, or instead
of, the ESD band.

Zeroing meter and reading display:

Page 25 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

Before I measure anything, I should zero the equipment by shorting the test leads together
and measuring the resistance, which should appear as zero ohms on the display. This is also
where any other results should appear as most equipment of this type only has a numerical
display.

Ideal values:

Comparing my measured values with those found in the circuit manufacturer’s manual will
allow me to either evaluate the accuracy of the testing equipment or begin to find the fault
that is causing the deviation (if one is present).
Below is an image of me connecting a signal generator to a circuit, setting an output, and
testing the circuit using an oscilloscope:

Attached below is an image of me connecting and using a signal generator (Task 2).

24. Explain making adjustments to circuit

components; making decisions on circuit
performance and faulty components;
removal and replacement of faulty
components.

While constructing my oscillator circuit I misread

the circuit diagram and placed several resistors in
the wrong slots. While there was no reason to
assume that the components or their
connections were faulty at that point, their placement
would have affected the circuit performance and may have caused a fault. As a result, I had
to remove the affected resistors with a de-soldering tool and solder them into the correct
place.

Page 26 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

Whenever I complete a circuit, I have to determine how well the circuit performs in its
intended task. The exact test depends on the circuit function, so when I completed an
amplifier circuit, an appropriate test to conduct was using a signal generator and
oscilloscope to measure the gain of the amplifier.

1.7 attached below

25. Describe
the fault-
Finding

techniques to be used when the equipment fails to operate correctly (such as half
split, unit substitution and input/output).

Half split is when the circuit is spit systematically into half until the fault is found within the
circuit. Unit substitution is when a component that is suspected to be faulty, is replaced
with a serviceable component to see if the fault is corrected. Input/output is when a signal is
placed into a circuit to see if the correct output is achieved, if not, a fault exists within the
circuit.

If the tester suspects that a component is the source of a fault, they may choose to replace
it with a component they know is serviceable. If the fault has disappeared then the tester

Page 27 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

has confirmed their hypothesis and if the fault remains they know they have to look
elsewhere. This is known as unit substitution.

The input/output method is when a signal is injected into a circuit to see if the output signal
comes out as expected. If this is not achieved then there is a fault somewhere in the circuit
and the other two methods can be used to precisely locate the fault.

26. Describe the problems that can occur with the assembling and testing operations,
and how these can be overcome.

While constructing an oscillator for a college assessment I discovered that I had misread the
circuit diagram and soldered my resistors in the wrong place. To fix this, I had to confirm the
correct positions with my lecturer, de-solder and remove the resistors and finally, put them
back in the correct place. While none of the components were damaged, the error was still
costly in terms of the time it took to rectify the problem.

Before building the amplifier circuit I discovered that none of the available soldering irons
were PAT tested. I completed a pre-use check of an iron and consulted with my lecturer,
who confirmed that they were safe to use.

Another problem that occurred during the construction of the amplifier was that the circuit
diagram showed some of the resistors with the wrong value or none. Other resistors had
the correct values but no designation (R1, R2, R3, etc.). To counter this problem, I used the
rest of the information shown in 2.2 (photo of completed circuit and PCB layout) and
determined the correct values/designations of the resistors affected.

27. State when to act on their own initiative and when to seek help and advice from
others.

Page 28 of 29
Foundation Competence L2 (Elect) UPK 016

If there is a question, task, or problem I haven’t encountered before, I can ask for help from
my colleagues, lecturers and my line manager. Trying to attempt the problem may cause an
injury or dangerous a situation and may cause injury to others if I follow the
documentation/diagrams incorrectly. However, when there is a task, I will use my own
initiative if I am competent to solve it using previous experience, knowledge and
qualifications.

28. Explain the importance of leaving the work area in a safe and clean condition on
completion of the electronic assembly and testing activities (such as returning
hand tools and test equipment to the designated location, cleaning the work area,
removing and disposing of waste).

It is important to keep the work area must be clean, because job can be started immediately
the next time without having to find missing equipment and work pieces. It’s also important
to keep the whole workplace safe by putting equipment back to its secure location, this will
prevent hazards like trips. Another reason to tidy the work area is so that tools are easier to
find should others need the tools. Returning tools and equipment will prevent damage and
ensure that other engineers can access the tooling. After wiring activities it is important to
clear any pieces of excess wire up so they can be recycled. It is also important to also use
disinfectant sprays and hand sanitiser to clean worktops and to stop the spread of germs
and infections like COVID-19.

Attached below is photos of me returning tools, equipment and disposing of any waste
materials

Page 29 of 29