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Title / Demonstrate and apply knowledge of switching power supplies
Level / 4 / Credits / 4
Purpose / This unit standard covers the theory and application of switched mode and self-oscillating power supplies for electronics technicians.
People credited with this unit standard are able todemonstrate:
–knowledge of switching power supplies; and
–apply knowledge of switching power supplies.
Classification / Electronic Engineering > Core Electronics
Available grade / Achieved
Entry information
Recommended skills and knowledge / Unit 10933,Demonstrate knowledge of electrical theory for Electrical Service Technicians - A; Unit 10934, Demonstrate knowledge of safety, protection, and testing for Electrical Service Technicians - A; Unit 10935, Demonstrate knowledge of regulations and codes of practice for Electrical Service Technicians - A; and Unit 10936, Demonstrate practical skills required for Electrical Service Technicians - A; or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.
Explanatory notes
1This unit standard has been developed for learning and assessment off-job.
2References
Electricity Act 1992;
Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010;
Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 and associated regulations;
and all subsequent amendments and replacements.
3Definitions
d.c.– direct current.
Enterprise practice – those practices and procedures that have been promulgated by the company or enterprise for use by their employees.
Industry practice – those practices that competent practitioners within the industry recognise as current industry best practice.
SMPS – switched mode power supply.
SOPS – selfoscillating power supply.
4Range
aElectrical, radiation, and workshop or laboratory safety practices are to be observed at all times.
bAll activities and evidence presented for all outcomes and evidence requirements in this unit standard must be in accordance with legislation, policies, procedures, ethical codes, Standards, applicable site and enterprise practice, and industry practice; and, where appropriate, manufacturers’ instructions, specifications, and data sheets.
cEvidence for the number and type of equipment chosen are left to the discretion of the assessor, but must be sufficient to assess competence in all outcomes of the unit standard.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge of switching power supplies.
RangeSMPS, SOPS.
Evidence requirements
1.1Labelled block diagrams are drawn from memory, and waveforms at each block shown.
1.2The operation of individual circuit blocks are explained with reference to circuit diagrams.
1.3The differences between SMPS and SOPS, and between primary and secondary switching are outlined.
1.4Switching power supply terminology is explained with reference to diagrams where applicable.
Rangeterminology – buck converter, boost converter, flyback converter, forward converter, hot and cold chassis, over-voltage and current protection, short circuit protection, pulse width modulation.
Outcome 2
Demonstrate and apply knowledge of switching power supplies.
Evidence requirements
2.1Waveforms and d.c. voltages are measured at points specified by the manufacturer.
2.2The characteristics of switching power supplies are compared with those of linear supplies.
Rangecharacteristics – regulation, efficiency, cost, physical size, radio frequency interference, circuit complexity.
Planned review date / 31 December 2016Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 29 October 1996 / 31 December 2011
Revision / 2 / 3 April 2001 / 31 December 2011
Review / 3 / 26 July 2004 / 31 December 2012
Review / 4 / 21 July 2011 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0003
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, 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.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMRs). 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.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the ElectroTechnology Industry Training Organisation if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
ElectroTechnology Industry Training OrganisationSSB Code 100401 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018