20 March 2018 the Secretary Commission of Examiners: Engineers’ Certificate of Competency Department of Labour Private Bag X117 PRETORIA 0001 Dear Sir / Madam, Examiner's Report - Plant Engineering: Factories. November 2017 ‘The folowing statistic include the remarks. The total number of candidates who registered for the above examination was 401 (414), of whom 303 (286) wrote the examination. Thre wera 48 (109) candidates who ‘scored 50% or higher, representing an moderated pass rate of 15,8 % (38,1 %). The. highest mark was 82 % (99%) by 2 candidate who wrote the @xamination at Durban Campus (5503) TVET college. ‘The graph shows that there i @ move back tothe left. Note: The previous exemination's statistics are in brackets. ‘The distribution of marks can be represented as follows: MODERATED MARK DISTRIBUTION NOVEMBER 2017 09 10- 20- 30: 40- 50- 60- 70- B0- 90- 19 29 39 49 59 69 79 69 10040 CANDIDATES 5p 2 10 0-9 10- 20- 30- 40- 50- 60- 70- 80- 90- 19 29 39 49 59 62 79 89 100Section A: Section A are compulsory question. Question 1 {Question 1.1: The candidates were asked to calculate the mass of the flue gases, heat to the flue gases and the efficiency of the steam generator. Only few candidates could answer this question correcty. Question 1.2: The candidates were asked to give the function of the forced draft fan, Induced draft fan, safety valve and blow down valve. It was surprising that a number of Candidates did not know the function of these components ‘Question 1.3: The candidates were asked to name items to be checked during normal shift operation on a steam generator. This question was faily answered, Question 2 Question 2.1: The candidates were asked to calculate the primary and secondary Currents, number of primary turns and maximum value of the flux on a single phase transformer. This question was well answered. Question 2.2 was on fuses. The candidates have to explain the operation of a fuse and the advantage and disadvaniage of fuses, Only a few candidates could answer this question, Question 2.3: The candidates were asked to three allemative energy sources for Generating electricity, except coal. This question was well answered. {Question 2.4: The candidates were asked the different options when choosing o earth a power system. Only a few cardidates could answer this question Question 3 Question 3.1: The candidates were asked to name the typical inputs as part of the Blenning phase of an occupational health and safety eystom. This question was woll angwered by those who have studied OHSAS 18001 Question 3.2: This question was based on risk assessment where the candidate were ‘asked how to determine the rsk level This question was fairy answered. Question 3.3 was a practical question where the candidates have to compile a checklist fora forklift This question was faly answered, Section B:Candidates have to choose two question from the next five questions, Question 4 {Question 4.1: The candidates have calculate the maximum speed of a train to maintain 2 certain average speed between stations. This question was poorly answered. Questions 4.2 was a calculation on a powerline where the effect of heat needed to be calculated. Only a few candidates could answer this question Question 5 Question 5.1: The candidates were asked to name five requirements for @ switch disconnector on a distribution board. This question was faily answered by a number of candidates. = ‘Question 5:2: The candidates were asked what to consider when choosing the tyre of wiring and method of installation. This question was fairly answered. Question 6.3 was on a capacitorstart motor where the candidates had to calculate the: ‘value of the capacitor. This question was well answered by a few candidates. Question 6 Question 6.1: This question was about ol fow in a pipe where the candidates have to calculate the flow. Only a few candidates could answer this question. Question 6.2 was on the failure of plain bearings for combustion engines. This question Was fairly answered. ‘Question 6.3: The candidates were asked fo give reasons why energy should be save: globally. The question was well answered. ‘Question 7: ‘Question 7.1: the candidates have to calculate the cost to supply electricity. Only a few candidates could answer this question. Question 7.2: This question was on the common mistakes made that cause wastage of lectilly. The question wes fely enewered Question 8: Question 8.1: The candidetes were asked to calculate the velocity of air leaving the: impeller. Only a few candidates could answer this question.Question 8.2: This question was on a d.c. motor where the candidates have to calculate the speed ‘when the current drops. This question was well answered by a few candidates. General comments ‘The common problems are as follow: + Candidates not prepared; + Lack of technical background in general; and + Does not understand the questions.