BTEC First Diploma in Engineering

Unit 19

Electronic Circuit Construction

Unit Name and Number / Student / Assessor
Task book issue date / Completion date (pass outcomes) / Learner Signature
The following grid gives details of the submission and referral deadlines for each of the pass outcomes listed. The deadline for each outcome will be indicated in the same box as the outcome criteria.
Outcomes included in this task book
Tasks are ordered in accordance with the outcomes listed / Submitted
(Date) / Achieved?
(Sign and date) / Referred
(Resubmit by?) / Re-submitted
(Date)
P1
Describe the potential hazards related to constructing electronic circuits
Deadline:
Module Week 4
P2
Use safe working practices in the electronics workshop/laboratory
Deadline:
Module Week 4
P3
Describe the purpose of six different types of electronic component
Deadline:
Module Week 6
P4
Read a given circuit diagram to identify the electronic components in the circuit
Deadline:
Module Week 7
P5
Describe the manufacture of three types of electronic circuit board
Deadline:
Module Week 8
P6
Use two methods of construction for a given electronic circuit
Deadline:
Module week 16
M1
Explain the function and operation of four different electronic components
Deadline:
By the end of the module
M2
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the three types of electronic circuit board
Deadline:
By the end of the module
D1
Propose a method used to construct a given electronic circuit and justify your choice
Deadline:
By the end of the module

Learner Declaration

I confirm that the work submitted to complete the given tasks is my own. I have indicated where research and other resources have been used to confirm the conclusions reached within the submission and listed those resources in a bibliography

Sign and date for each task

P1 / P2 / P3 / P4
P5 / P6
M1
M2 / D1

Task 1 (P1)

Describe the potential hazards related to constructing electronic Circuits (P1)

Guidance

Consider the three main approaches to constructing electronic circuit boards and describe the main hazards associated with them. Your evidence should include the following areas:

  1. Sharp edged hand tools
  2. Cuts and abrasions
  3. Swarf from cutting component leads
  4. Soldering irons (burns and fumes)
  5. Toxic substances such as lead in solder
  6. Solvents and etching fluids

Task 2 (P2)

Use safe working practices in the electronics workshop/laboratory

This is to certify that the learner:

Demonstrated the safe and correct use of hand tools

Signed Lecturer ………………………………………………… Date ………………………………………………

Used the correct PPE when manufacturing a PCB in the etch bath

Signed Lecturer ………………………………………………… Date ………………………………………………

Used correct PPE when drilling the holes for a PCB

Signed Lecturer ………………………………………………… Date ………………………………………………

Demonstrated the correct procedure for the treatment of a victim of electric shock

Signed Lecturer ………………………………………………… Date ………………………………………………

Correctly wired a mains plug and selected the correct fuse for a given application

Signed Lecturer ………………………………………………… Date ………………………………………………

In addition to the witness statement above the learner must:

Describe the problems which can occur if a polarity dependant device (battery, electrolytic capacitor) is connected incorrectly to a circuit.

Calculate the correct fuse for a 1 kW kettle operating on a 240 volts mains supply. You must show your calculations.

Task 3 (P3 & M1)

Describe the purpose of six different types of electronic component.

Guidance

Your description should include a circuit symbol for each component, the unit of measurement for each component e.g. (a resistor produces electrical resistance measured in ohms Ω), a selection of the different varieties of component available e.g. (there are many different types of capacitor) and at least one typical use for each of the listed components. To distinguish between purpose and function consider the following.

An LED is connected in series with a resistor in a given circuit.

The purpose of the resistor is to restrict the flow of current in that branch of the circuit

However the function of the resistor is to permit enough current to flow so that the LED gives out adequate light but not so much current that the LED burns out. Selecting the correct value resistor will accomplish this task. So while the purpose of a resistor is a fairly universal concept, its function depends upon the circuit requirements.

Describe the purpose of the following components(P1)

  1. The resistor
  2. The capacitor
  3. The diode
  4. The inductor
  5. The transistor
  6. The transformer or power supply

Choose 4 of the components listed above and explain their function and operation (M2)

Task 4 (P4)

Read the following circuit diagram and identify the components in the circuit. To accomplish this you should print out the circuit on a separate piece of paper and label each of the different types of component available (including power supplies and ground).

Task 5 (P5, M2 & D1)

Describe the manufacture of the three types of construction for a given electronic circuit.

Use diagrams and illustrations as an aid to describing how electronic circuits are manufactured using the following three methods (M1):

  1. Bread board construction
  2. Strip board construction
  3. Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Construction

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the three types of electronic circuit board construction (M2)

Given that you are required to build the audio amplifier circuit, propose a preferred method either strip-board, bread-board or PCB, bearing in mind the following criteria: (D1)

  1. Your own experience as an electronic engineer
  2. How often you make mistakes when constructing a circuit board
  3. Your skills in soldering
  4. The cost of replacing components, PCB or strip-board
  5. The time required to build the circuits
  6. The time required to modify the circuit
  7. The reliability of the circuit

Task 6 (P6)

Use two methods of construction for a given electronic circuit.

You are required to build and test the audio amplifier. You are free to choose 2 of the three methods available. You must provide the following evidence:

  1. One working circuit using either of the two chosen methods
  2. You should provide a plan for each of the circuits
  3. You should complete a risk assessment for one of the two chosen methods
  4. Photographic evidence and a witness statement from the lecturer or trainer demonstrator that the work belongs to you

This work must be completed by each individual student i.e. you can’t work in teams to accomplish this task.