SECTION A

Multiple Choice: This section comprises FIFTEEN questions. Choose the

corresponding letter of the correct response to each question below. Each question is
worth 1 mark
1. An atom is said to be negatively charged when it gains one or more
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

Neutrons
Protons
Electrons
Magnetrons

2. Which of the following materials has a negative temperature coefficient?

(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

Brass
Silicon
Iron
Copper

3. What would be the colour code of a 3900 ohm resistor with a 5% tolerance?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

Yellow, white, yellow, gold

Yellow, grey, yellow, gold
Orange, white, red, gold
Orange, grey, orange, gold

4. Which of the following is true for TWO resistors connected in parallel?

(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

The current flow through each resistor is the same.

The voltage across each resistor is the same.
The combined value of the resistors is equal to the sum of the individual values.
Each resistor has the same resistance value.

5.

An electrician should always make sure that his tools are kept in good
condition because

(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
6.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

A good job cannot be done without perfect tools.

Tools that are in good condition require no care.
Defective tools may cause accidents.
Good tools make a good workman.
An open circuit has the effect of
Infinitely high resistance and zero current
Zero resistance and excessive current
Excessive current and excessive heat
Zero resistance and excessive voltage drop
1

7.

Which of the following should be done if a very acidic substance gets on the skin?
A.
B.
C.
D.

8.

Quickly wipe away the acidic substance

Dry then cover the area with clean dressing
Immediately, wash the skin with clean, running water
Dry the skin and cover the area with grease

Which of the following tests on an electrical installation will determine if the

neutral conductor is connected to the correct terminal of an Edison screw-type
lamp holder?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

Insulation
Polarity
Earth leakage
Earth continuity

9. When measuring voltage in a circuit where the approximate voltage value is not know,
always start with the
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

Highest scale in the meter

Lowest scale in the meter
Electrical supply off
Red lead first

10. It is advisable, not to use Water for extinguishing electrical fires because water
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

may cause corrosion

may transmit shock to the user
may damage wire insulation
will not extinguish the fire

11. If the opposite poles of two magnets are brought close to each other, the magnetic
lines of force will
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

repel each other

cross each other
pass through both magnets as a single unit
bend on reaching each other

12.

Which of the following symbols represents an intermediate switch?

13.

The r.m.s value of a sinusoidal alternating voltage is

D
D

(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
14.

An open circuit has the effect of

(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

15.

0.318 peak value

1.414 peak value
0.707 peak value
0.77 peak value

Infinitely high resistance and zero current

Zero resistance and excessive current
Excessive current and excessive heat
Zero resistance and excessive voltage drop

When removing insulation from a conductor the knife blade should be held
3

at
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

right angles
a straight angle
an obtuse angle
an acute angle

SECTION C
This section comprises FIVE questions. Candidates MUST attempt FOUR
questions from this section: Questions ONE and TWO and any other TWO.

1.

(A) Make a neat sketch of an a.c. sine wave.

(4 Marks)

(B) Indicate the following values on the sketch in part (A) above:
(i) One cycle
(ii) Positive Peak Voltage
(iii) Peak to peak voltage
(iv) R.m.s. voltage

2.

(4 Marks)

(C) Name TWO electrical characteristics of an a.c. sine wave.

(2 Marks)

(a) Give the definition for an electric circuit

(1 Marks)

(b) List the four main components of an electrical circuit and give their functions
(4 Marks)

3.

(a) Name THREE factors which affect the resistance of a metallic conductor. (3 marks)
4

(b) A copper cable 1500 m long has a cross-sectional area of 25 x 10-6 m2 at 20C.
The resistivity of copper is 1.7 x 10-8 m.
Calculate the (i)
(ii)

resistance of the cable

resistance of the cable if the temperature rises from 20C to 35C, and

the temperature coefficient of copper is 0.004 /C.

(c)

(4 Marks)
(4 Marks)

Describe the difference between positive and negative temperature

coefficients of materials.
(4 marks)

4.

(a)
(b)

Total resistance of the circuit

Voltage drop across the resistor R1 (VR1)

(8 Marks)
(3 marks)

(c)

Current flowing through the resistor R4 (IR4)

5.

(a) Sketch and label the schematic diagram for three lamps connected in parallel
that is to be controlled from four positions.
(10 Marks)

(4 Marks)

(b) Explain two advantages of connecting lamps in parallel as opposed to series.

(5 Marks)