NZQA Expiring unit standard / 5464 version 5
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Title / Explain automotive electrical and electronic applications
Level / 3 / Credits / 12
Purpose / This theory based unit standard is for people in the automotive repair industry. People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate knowledge of the following used in automotive circuits: inductance; capacitors and chokes; resistors; AC (alternating current); semi-conductors; transistors; amplifier application; silicon controlled rectifiers (SCR's) and thyristors; digital fundamentals; display devices; multiplex wiring; microprocessors. People are also able to create series-parallel circuits using resistors, calculate voltage and current distribution, and calculate values of power, given any two of voltage, current, or resistance values.
Classification / Motor Industry > Automotive Electrical and Electronics
Available grade / Achieved
Entry information
Critical health and safety prerequisites / Unit 232, Test an automotive electrical circuit, or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.

Explanatory notes

None.

Outcomes and evidence requirements

Outcome 1

Demonstrate knowledge of inductance for automotive applications.

Evidence requirements

1.1Types of magnetic fields are described by showing the lines of flux.

Rangearound a coil, around a magnet, around a conductor.

1.2The principle of inductance is described according to Lenz's Law.

Rangeself inductance, mutual inductance.

1.3Magnetic properties of materials are identified.

Rangeair, ferrite.

1.4Magnetic curves are expressed in diagram form.

Rangehysteresis of hard and soft iron.

Outcome 2

Demonstrate knowledge of capacitors and chokes for automotive applications.

Evidence requirements

2.1Factors that affect capacitance are explained in terms of plate area, distance apart, and dielectric material.

2.2Types of capacitors are identified and their applications defined.

Rangeoil, electrolytic, plastic.

2.3Capacitor operation is described by plotting charge and discharge of voltage and current.

2.4Types of chokes and their application are described according to manufacturer’s specifications.

Rangeiron (ferrite) cored, air cored.

Outcome 3

Demonstrate knowledge of resistors used in automotive electronic applications.

Rangelight dependent resistor (LDR), voltage dependent resistor (VDR), temperature dependent resistor (TDR).

Evidence requirements

3.1Types of resistors used for automotive electronic circuits are identified from manufacturer's manuals and catalogues.

3.2Operational characteristics of each of the range of resistors are explained according to manufacturer’s specifications.

3.3The effects of temperature change on resistors are explained according to manufacturer’s specifications.

Rangepositive temperature co-efficient (PTC), negative temperature co-efficient (NTC).

Outcome 4

Demonstrate knowledge of AC (alternating current) used in automotive applications.

Evidence requirements

4.1Frequency of AC is calculated from a given signal on an oscilloscope.

Rangesine curve terms.

4.2AC values relating to automotive applications are derived by reference to an oscilloscope trace of a signal generator and transformer.

Rangepeak values, average value, RMS (root mean square).

4.3Impedance in an AC circuit containing capacitance, inductance, and resistance is explained in terms of the effects on lead and lag of voltage and current.

Outcome 5

Demonstrate knowledge of semi-conductors used in automotive applications.

Evidence requirements

5.1p-n junction characteristics are identified.

Rangepositive and negative charged electron transfer, forward bias, reverse bias.

5.2Diode operation is identified.

Rangerectifier diode, Zener diode, light emitting diode (LED), photo diode.

5.3Rectification patterns are identified by sketching AC halfwave and fullwave forms.

5.4Diode ratings for a given automotive application are stated.

Rangewattage, current, forward and reverse voltage.

5.5Use of diodes in an automotive application is described in terms of a dual charging system, transient protection, and a Zener diode as a voltage stabiliser.

5.6Replacement procedure for a diode in an automotive circuit is described according to diode manufacturer's specifications.

Rangerectifier diode, LED.

Outcome 6

Demonstrate knowledge of transistors used in automotive circuits.

Evidence requirements

6.1The symbols, operation, and terminal layout of transistors are described according to manufacturer’s specifications.

RangeBJT (bipolar junction transistor), FET (field effect transistor).

6.2The use of a BJT as a switch in an automotive circuit is described according to manufacturer’s specifications.

Rangeon and off, high and low resistance.

6.3Common emitter amplifier function is described in terms of signal inversion and application.

6.4Automotive transistor testing procedures are described according to manufacturer's specifications.

Rangemanufacturer's forward and reverse junction resistance specifications.

6.5Transistor bias is explained according to manufacturer’s specifications.

Rangeforward and reverse junction.

Outcome 7

Demonstrate knowledge of amplifier application for automotive circuits.

Evidence requirements

7.1Amplifier couplings for an automotive circuit are described in block form.

Rangedirect AC, transformer.

7.2Darlington amplifier function and operation are described in terms of current gain and application.

7.3Amplifier operation in an automotive circuit is described according to manufacturer’s specifications.

Rangedescription in block form;

amplifying analogue transducer signals.

Outcome 8

Demonstrate knowledge of silicon controlled rectifiers (SCR's) and thyristors in

automotive circuits.

Evidence requirements

8.1SCR and thyristor operation in an automotive circuit is described according to manufacturer’s specifications.

Rangesymbol, action in a DC ignition circuit.

8.2SCR and thyristor ratings for automotive circuits are described according to manufacturer’s specifications.

Rangevoltage and current handling.

Outcome 9

Demonstrate knowledge of digital fundamentals for automotive circuits.

Evidence requirements

9.1The differences between analogue and digital electronics are compared.

Rangechart differences in on-off characteristics.

9.2Logic gate operation is described according to manufacturer’s specifications.

Rangeor, and, not, truth tables.

Outcome 10

Demonstrate knowledge of display devices for automotive applications.

Evidence requirements

10.1Display device function and operation are described according to manufacturer’s specifications.

Rangeseven digit, liquid crystal, dot matrix.

10.2Repair requirements for display devices are identified.

Rangetesting procedures, replacement of unit.

Outcome 11

Demonstrate knowledge of multiplex wiring for automotive circuits.

Evidence requirements

11.1The use of multiplexing for automotive circuits is identified.

Rangecolour coding, digital buss.

Outcome 12

Demonstrate knowledge of microprocessors used in automotive circuits.

Evidence requirements

12.1The operation of memory devices for automotive circuits are described according to manufacturer’s specifications.

Rangestoring the programme, holding information data for inputs and outputs.

12.2Terminology associated with microprocessors is described according to manufacturer’s specifications.

RangeRAM (random access memory), ROM (read only memory), ECM (Electronic Control Module), input/output, KAM (Keep Alive Memory).

12.3Parts of a microprocessor are described according to manufacturer’s specifications.

Rangedescription in block form;

control module, arithmetic and logical unit, registers, accumulator, clock.

12.4The use of microprocessors for automotive systems is described according to manufacturer’s specifications.

Rangeas an Electronic Control Module (ECM), controlling a system, signal recognition.

12.5Sections of an ECM are described according to manufacturer’s specifications.

Rangedescription in block form;

microprocessor, memory section, input-output section.

Outcome 13

Create series-parallel circuits using resistors, and calculate voltage and current

distribution.

Rangephysically assembled from components, drawing a diagram.

Evidence requirements

13.1Circuits are produced with three resistors and with four resistors.

13.2The voltage across each resistor is calculated and measured.

Rangeusing Ohm's Law, using test instruments.

13.3The current through each resistor is calculated and measured.

Rangeusing Ohm's Law, using test instruments.

Outcome 14

Calculate values of power, given any two of voltage, current, or resistance values.

Rangeseries circuit, parallel circuit, series-parallel circuit.

Evidence requirements

14.1Formulas chosen are correct for the values given.

14.2Answers are expressed using correct multiples and sub-multiples of the unit.

Rangemega, kilo, milli, micro.

Replacement information / This unit standard has been by replaced unit standard 24129, unit standard 24130, unit standard 24131, and unit standard 24132.

This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by the last date for assessment set out below.

Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions

Process / Version / Date / Last Date for Assessment
Registration / 1 / 31 October 1995 / 31 December 2016
Review / 2 / 29 March 1999 / 31 December 2016
Review / 3 / 25 January 2008 / 31 December 2016
Rollover / 4 / 19 November 2010 / 31 December 2016
Rollover / 5 / 18 February 2016 / 31 December 2020
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0014

This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.

Please note

Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.

Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.

Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.

Consent requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Conesnt and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.

NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation (Incorporated)
SSB Code 101542 /  New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2019