NATIONAL

SENIOR CERTIFICATE

GRADE 11

NOVEMBER 2019

ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY:
ELECTRONICS
MARKING GUIDELINE

MARKS: 200

This marking guideline consists of 13 pages.

2 ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY: ELECTRONICS (EC/NOVEMBER 2019)

INSTRUCTIONS TO THE MARKERS

1. All questions with multiple answers imply that any relevant, acceptable answer
should be considered.

2. Calculations:

2.1 All calculations must show the formulae.

2.2 Substitution of values must be done correctly.

2.3 All answers MUST contain the correct unit to be considered.

2.4 Alternative methods must be considered, provided that the correct

answer is obtained.

2.5 Where an incorrect answer could be carried over to the next step, the first
answer will be deemed incorrect. However, should the incorrect answer
be carried over correctly, the marker has to re-calculate the values, using
the incorrect answer from the first calculation. If correctly used, the
candidate should receive the full marks for subsequent calculations.

2.6 Markers should consider that candidates' answers may deviate slightly
from the marking guideline depending on how and where in the
calculation rounding off was used.

3. These marking guidelines are only a guide with model answers.

4. Alternative interpretations must be considered and marked on merit. However,

this principle should be applied consistently throughout the marking session.

Copyright reserved Please turn over

(EC/NOVEMBER 2019) ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY: ELECTRONICS 3

QUESTION 1: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

1.1 Regulations refer in general to the physical conditions of the work

environment including: thermal requirements, lighting, windows, ventilation,
housekeeping, precautions against flooding and fire precautions and
evacuations procedures (2)

1.2 Faulty tools or equipment 

Poor or missing guards on machinery 
Poor house-keeping
Excessive noise
Poor ventilations
Congestion in the workshop  (2)

1.3 Ergonomics is the science of fitting task, equipment and surroundings to the
end user to make their work more comfortable and to assist in their overall
performance.  (2)
[6]

QUESTION 2: TOOLS AND MEASURING INSTRUMENTS

2.1 It is used to present a visual display  of voltage being measured at its

inputs.  (2)

2.2 A jigsaw is used for the cutting and shaping of materials.  (2)

2.3 Maximum distance between tool rest and grinding wheel of grindstone is
3 mm  (1)

2.4 Better utilisation of electrical machines 

Better utilisation of electrical lines
Reduction of losses
Reduction of harmonics
Reduction of voltage drops (1)
[6]

Copyright reserved Please turn over

 4 ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY: ELECTRONICS (EC/NOVEMBER 2019)

QUESTION 3: COMMUCATION SYSTEMS

3.1 Modulations in radio transmission is to change a high frequency signal in such a
way that it is able to carry information.  (2)

3.2 Advantages:

Narrow bandwidth which needs less output power. 

It can be understood even under extreme noise conditions like when the receiver
is close to a loud operating machine or a thunderstorm.  (2)

3.3 The circuit’s output is fed to the detector which not only detects the RF carrier
signal and returns it to the tuned circuit amplifier but it also detects the wanted
audio and demodulates it into an audio signal which is passed to the AF amplifier
before feeding the speaker.  The signal which is fed back first passes through a
phase shifting circuit that ensures that it received a 180° phase shift.  On passing
through the RF amplifier the signal is again further amplified while also receiving
another 180° shift in phase. (4)

3.4 1 – RF amplifier 
2 – Mixer 
3 – IF amplifier  (3)

3.5

   
Balanced 
Modulator also
called Balanced Sideband Power Low-pass
RF Oscillator
Mixer filter Amplifier Filter


AF Amplifier

Microphone
(7)

3.6 SSB used in any areas where both power-saving  and low-band width  are
important.
Areas, land, mobile communication, telemetry, military communications, navigators
and amateur radio. (2)

3.7 Phase detector 

Low pass filter 
Voltage control oscillator  (3)

3.8 Is used mainly for radiotelegraphy communication using Morse code or another
coded signal.  it relies on the transmission of long and short pulses of energy 
that represent either a dot or dash in Morse code terms.  (3)
[26]

Copyright reserved Please turn over

(EC/NOVEMBER 2019) ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY: ELECTRONICS 5

QUESTION 4: WAVEFORMS

4.1 Sine wave 

Square wave 
Triangular wave 
Sawtooth wave
Ramp wave
Radio wave (3)

4.2 4.2.1 This is the value reached by a waveform  at any  instant during its
cycle. This could be at any point between 0˚ and 360˚.  (3)

4.2.2 This is the time a rising pulse takes  to make a change from the lower
“off” state “0”  to the higher “on” state “1”.  (3)

4.2.3 This is the average value  of voltage a circuit receives  when

supplied by a varying voltage.  (3)

4.2.4 The RMS value of a pure sine wave is equal to that DC  voltage value
that produces the same heat  as the AC wave.  (3)

4.2.5 This is the ratio of RMS  value to average value.  (2)

4.3 4.3.1 1
F= hz 
𝑇
1
= hz 
0,02
= 50 hz  (3)

4.4 The circuit relies on the charging rate of the RC circuit.  The output is
connected directly across the capacitor,  therefore the shape of the output
wave will be an exact representation of how the capacitor charges and
discharges.  (3)

4.5 Diode clipping circuits are used to:

Squares off the peaks of an incoming signal. 
Converts a sinusoidal input to a rectangular output. 
Eliminates any unwanted positive or negative portions of a waveform. 
Keep an input amplitude at a constant level.
Shift a waveform up or down to a present level. (3)
[26]

Copyright reserved Please turn over

6 ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY: ELECTRONICS (EC/NOVEMBER 2019)

QUESTION 5: RLC CIRCUITS

5.1 A vector is a line that identifies a quantity that shows both magnitude and
direction.  (1)

5.2 5.2.1 Capacitive reactance will increase  (1)

5.2.2 Inductive reactance will decrease  (1)

5.3 5.3.1 𝑍 = √𝑅2 + (𝑋𝐶 − 𝑋𝐿 )2 

 
𝑍 = √602 + (200 − 175)2 


𝑍 = 54,54 Ω  (3)

5.3.2 𝑉𝑇
𝑇= 
𝑍𝑇

280
𝐼𝑇 = 
54.54

𝐼𝑇 = 5,134 𝐴  (3)

5.3.3 𝑃 = 𝐼 2 𝑅

𝑃 = 5,1332 × 60 

𝑃= 1580,86 W  (3)

5.3.4 𝑃𝑟 = 𝐼 2 × (𝑋𝐶 − 𝑋𝐿) 

𝑃𝑟 = 5.1332 × (200 − 175) 

Pr = 658,69 𝑉𝐴𝑅  (3)

5.3.5 𝑃 = 𝐼2 𝑍 

𝑃 = (5.133)2 × 54,54 

𝑃 = 1437,002 VA  (3)

5.3.6 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟

𝑃𝐹 =
𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟

1580.86
𝑃𝐹 = 
1437.002

𝑃𝐹 = 1,100  (2)

Copyright reserved Please turn over

(EC/NOVEMBER 2019) ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY: ELECTRONICS 7

5.4 5.4.1 1
𝐹𝑟 = 
2𝜋√𝐿𝐶

1
𝐹𝑟 = 
2𝜋√(4×10−3 ×5×10−6

𝐹𝑟 = 355,9 𝐻𝑧 (3)

5.4.2 𝑋𝐿 = 2𝜋𝑓𝐿 
= 2𝜋 × 355,9 × 40 × 10−3 
= 89,44 Ω  (3)
[26]

Copyright reserved Please turn over

8 ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY: ELECTRONICS (EC/NOVEMBER 2019)

QUESTION 6: SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES

6.1 6.1.1 This is when impurities are added in a controlled manner to a silicon or
germanium crystal to form a semiconductor.  (1)

6.1.2 Once silicon or germanium has been doped  with the impurities,  we
call the new formed material an extrinsic material. (2)

6.1.3 A semiconductor extrinsic material  which has been doped with an

impurity with 3  valence electrons. (2)

6.2 In an N-Type material the minority charge carriers are holes,  as there are
more free electrons than holes.  (2)

6.3 When a diode is reversed biased,  the holes will attract the electrons and the
electrons will attract the holes.  This will cause the depletion region become
bigger around the PN Junction.  (3)

6.4 Stage 1: High reversed biased 

Stage 2: Reversed biased 
Stage 3: Low forward biased 
Stage 4: High forward biased  (4)

6.5 Maximum rating 

General description and mechanical properties 
Electrical properties
Dynamic electrical properties
Rating reduction (2)

6.6 In the forward biased position, the zener diode operates just like any other
diode, allowing current flow once the voltage has reached 0,6 V. 
However, in reverse biased position it initially does not allow current flow. As
soon as a very specific, pre-selected value is achieved, the zener breaks down
and allow current to flow.  (2)

6.7 6.7.1 𝐸
IF = mA 
𝑅
12
= mA 
15
= 800 mA  (3)

6.7.2 E = VF 
E = 12 V  (2)

Copyright reserved Please turn over

(EC/NOVEMBER 2019) ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY: ELECTRONICS 9

6.8 C


B



E
 (4)

6.9 Switches 
Digital logics 
Oscillators
H-Bridge
Amplifiers
Op-Amp (2)

6.10 Cut off region 

Active region 
Saturation region  (3)

6.11 Forward biasing the anode/cathode connectors,  and then applying a positive
gate signal 
By increasing the anode/cathode forward bias voltage  to a level that it would
break through the reverse biased PN junction.  This will cause the SCR to
start conducting immediately without any gate pulses. (4)

6.12 When one connector is positive with reference to the other connector, two of
the internal junctions are forward biased. 
The third connector is reversed biased and blocks any conduction, until the
supply voltage is higher than the breakthrough voltage. 
When this point is reached, avalanche breakdown  over the junction will
happen and the voltage across the DIAC will drop and it will start to conduct. 
As soon as the current is less than the holding current,  the connector voltage
drops to zero and switches off.  (6)

6.13

Terminal A



Terminal B
 (4)

6.14 The TRIAC can conduct for both,  positive and negative half cycles of a
waveform.  (2)
[44]

Copyright reserved Please turn over

10 ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY: ELECTRONICS (EC/NOVEMBER 2019)

QUESTION 7: POWER SUPPLIES

7.1 The transformer steps the supply voltage down to the correct level. 
During operation the voltage at terminals A and B alternately rise and fall 
in sympathy with the sinusoidal AC mains supply.  (3)

7.2 Capacitor filter 

Inductor filter 
𝜋 filter  (3)

7.3 7.3.1 𝑉𝑅𝑆

𝐼𝑅𝑆 =
𝑅𝑆
15−12,7
= 
100

𝐼𝑅𝑆 = 23 𝑚𝐴  (3)

7.3.2 𝐼𝐵 = 𝐼𝑅𝑆 − 𝐼𝑍 
= 23 𝑚𝐴 − 3 𝑚𝐴 
= 20 𝑚𝐴  (3)

7.3.3 𝐼𝐿= 𝐼𝐸 = (𝛽 + 1) × 𝐼𝐵 
= (100 + 1) × 20 𝑚𝐴 
= 2,02 𝐴  (4)

7.4

(4)
[20]

Copyright reserved Please turn over

(EC/NOVEMBER 2019) ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY: ELECTRONICS 11

QUESTION 8: SENSORS AND TRANSDUCERS

8.1 A proximity sensor is a device which detects objects without having any
physical contact with them.  (2)

8.2 A humidity sensor relies on the oxidation of a thin film of heated metal
oxide,  deposited on a silicon slice when it comes into contact with a
gas. This oxidation changes the metals resistance  (3)

8.3 A photodiode is semiconductor P-N junction device  that converts light 

into electric current  (3)

8.4 Negative Temperature coefficient 

Positive Temperature coefficient  (2)

8.5 Transducer is a device that changes energy  from one form into
another.  (2)
[12]

Copyright reserved Please turn over

12 ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY: ELECTRONICS (EC/NOVEMBER 2019)

QUESTION 9: AMPLIFIERS

9.1 Feedback is a process in which the effect or output of an action is returned to
modify the next action  (2)

9.2 Is to ensure that the transistor operational swings up and down. The
operating load lines are as wide as possibly can to ensure the largest
undistorted amplification possible.  (2)

9.3 9.3.1 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑣𝑜𝑡𝑙𝑎𝑔𝑒

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝐴𝑣 = 
𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒

2
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝐴𝑣 = 
500×10−3

𝐴𝑣 = 4  (3)

9.3.2 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡

𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝐴𝑖 = 
𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡

2
𝐴𝑖 =
40 × 10−3
= 50  (2)

9.3.3 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛 = 𝐴𝑣 × 𝐴𝑖 

4 × 50  = 200 (3)

9.4 9.4.1 Voltage amplifier stretches the voltage shape of the input signal.  
It may change the shape of the current waveform  but voltage
delivered by the voltage amplifier always remain a replica of the
input.  (3)

9.4.2 Current amplifier boosts the input current to a far higher output level.  (1)

9.4.3 Power amplifier provides a combination of both voltage amplification 

and current amplification.  (2)

9.5 +Vcc

RC 
RB1 
Ic

IE

RB2 Output
 RE


0V
(4)

Copyright reserved Please turn over

(EC/NOVEMBER 2019) ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY: ELECTRONICS 13

9.6 Saturation region 

Active region 
Cut-off region  (3)

9.7 Higher gain 

Increased noise 
Increased distortion  (3)

9.8
+Vcc

RC 
RB 
Ic

IE

Output

RE


0V
(4)
[32]

TOTAL: 200

Copyright reserved Please turn over