DC BASICS (EM1) – of the Associate C.E.T.

BASIC ELECTRONICS CERTIFICATION COMPETENCIES

(As suggested for segmenting the Associate CET Competencies into BASIC areas:
DC; AC; Analog; Digital; and Comprehensive)

While each of the Electronics Modules (EMs) are based upon a separate section of the full Associate CET
certification program, there are basic fundamental competencies that are covered and apply to all of the
modules. A technician’s job may require only one EM; therefore, the same competency may appear in more
than one EM certification. Additionally, most, if not all, of these competencies appear in the EM3 Analog Basics
Study Guide chapters and or review pages.

1.0 Basic Electronic/Electrical Safety

1.1 Describe digital electronics safe practices and standards to include:
1.1.1 personal safety precautions for working with electric and electronic devices, such as
OSHA safety regulations and the One Hand Rule
1.1.2 use of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as eye and ear protection
1.1.3 the NEC (National Electrical Code) and the NFPA 70 (National Fire Protection
Association) and describe various rules to which technicians must abide
1.2 Describe electrical shock, causes, and emergency responses
1.2.1 Describe the human physiological reactions electrical shock causes
1.2.2 List various degrees of current the human body can tolerate
1.2.3 Describe emergency responses/treatment for a person in electrical shock without
endangering yourself or others
1.3 Explain additional Emergency response(s), First Aid concepts and importance to workers in
electronic and electric fields
1.4 Define Fire Safety
1.4.1 Differentiate the classes (A, B, C, D, & K) of fires and the type of extinguishers used to
fight them
1.4.2 List applicable fire safety regulations in the NFPA® and NEC®
1.5 Explain precautions needed in the area of electronics safety, static causes, electrostatic
discharge (ESD)

2.0 Basic Electronic/Electrical Theory

2.1 Describe atomic structure, the components of the atom, their charges and importance to
electronics technology
2.1.1 Describe a molecule and molecular movement
2.2 Explain electronic physics terminology of work and energy
2.2.1 Electromotive Force (EMF), energy per electrical charges
2.3 Explain the different forms of energy and their applications
2.4 Describe the causes and effects of static electricity including electrostatic discharge (ESD)
2.5 Explain basic uses for DC electricity

3.0 Magnetism
3.1 Explain basic electrical and magnetic properties and differences
3.2 Describe the properties of magnetic and non-magnetic materials
3.3 Explain magnetomotive force (MMF)
3.4 Explain magnetic fields and lines of force
3.4.1 Describe magnetic flux
3.4.2 Describe flux density

4.0 Electronic Components

4.1 Identify the following electronic components and their basic usages
4.1.1 Capacitors
4.1.2 Resistors and band color code
4.1.3 Insulators
4.1.4 Conductors
4.1.5 Switches
4.1.6 Fuses
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4.1.7 Circuit Breakers

4.1.8 Batteries

5.0 Ohms Law and Watts law for Electronics

5.1 Summarize Ohms law
5.2 Explain how to calculate current, voltage or resistance using Ohms Law
5.3 Define Joules and Kilowatt-hour as energy units
5.4 Describe Watts Law
5.5 Explain how to calculate current, voltage or power using Watts Law
5.6 Explain the characteristics of DC resistance

6.0 Basic Mathematics for Electronics

6.1 Describe the basic functions of a scientific calculator
6.2 Explain basic algebraic math and its application in DC electronics
6.2.1 Explain algebraic equations relevant to DC circuitry
6.3 Identify the scientific symbols used in DC electronics
6.4 Convert fixed numbers to scientific notation
6.5 Identify the fundamental and supplementary units that are the bases of the International System of
Units (SI)
6.6 Explain the following common metric prefixes:
6.6.1 tera
6.6.2 giga
6.6.3 mega
6.6.4 kilo
6.6.5 deci
6.6.6 milli
6.6.7 micro
6.6.8 nano
6.6.9 pico
6.7 Demonstrate standard metric conversions

7.0 Electronic Measurements and Equipment

7.1 Describe the following electronic measurements and their applications to DC electronics:
7.1.1 Current
7.1.2 Voltage
7.1.3 Resistance
7.1.4 Power
7.2 Explain “meter” construction, components and usage
7.3 Differentiate between a digital multimeter and an analog meter

8.0 Series Circuits for DC Electronics

8.1 Explain how a series circuit is used in DC electronic equipment
8.2 Find total resistance in a series circuit
8.3 Calculate an unknown current, voltage or resistance in a series circuit, using Ohms law
8.4 Describe Kirchhoff’s voltage law in a series circuit

9.0 Parallel Circuits for DC Electronics

9.1 Explain how a parallel circuit is used in DC electronic equipment
9.2 Solve for total resistance of a parallel circuit
9.3 Apply Kirchhoff’s current law in a parallel circuit
9.4 Calculate current, in a parallel circuit, using the current-divider rule

10.0 Series/Parallel Combination Circuits for Electronics

10.1 Describe the basic series/parallel combination circuit
10.2 Calculate current, voltage, and resistance in a combination circuit
10.3 Describe how Thevenin’s theorem is used to simplify an equivalent series/parallel circuit
10.4 Solve for an unknown value in a combination circuit using Kirchhoff’s law
10.5 Define Wheatstone bridge circuit and its usage
10.6 Identify unknown voltages, currents, resistances and power dissipation in a loaded voltage divider
circuit
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11.0 Battery Power Supplies

11.1 Describe battery construction
11.2 Describe battery ratings/outputs
11.3 Explain charging and re-charging principles (electrochemical reactions)

End of DC BASICS Electronics Competencies Listing

Notes: ETA® International and allied associations encourage the nation’s school systems to adopt these competencies
for their basic digital electronics courses. Dedicated to Mr. Karl Eilers, CAT.

Find An ETA Test Site: https://www.etai.org/test_sites.html

ETA Basic Electronics Certification Subject Matter Advisory Board:

Abel, CETma, Randy Texas jr@vlnet.us
Agard, RESIma, Rich Philadelphia, PA
Ahmed, SGM Saleh A. Virginia / N.C.
Arcaro, CETsr, Jim Ohio
Ashton, James L. Tobyhanna, PA
Atkins, Mark David Indiana
Bailey, PhD, William C. IN; S.C. wcbjrphd1@att.net
Bakkeren, CESma,CESms(RF), John ON, Canada Johannes.bakkeren@iname.com
Baldwin, CETsr, John Minnesota jbaldwin@hickorytech.net
Barrett, CETsr, GVT Zachary Rhode Island
Bates, CET, Dave Minnesota batesd13@gmail.com
Berlin, CETsr, Bob Orlando, FL
Booth, FOT, Richard W. Tucson, AZ richard.w.booth@gmail.com
Boyd, CETsr, Gerry Beltsville, MD gerry.boyd@teltronic.com
Brinker, CETma, Bill Shawnee, KS
Carroll, Dave davec@nida.com
Cerniglia, Vic Mississippi
Chisum, CETsr, John E. Utica, MS jchisum@accesscontrolgroup.net
Collum, James Mississippi
Crotts, CETsr, Jim w3atv@aol.com
Crozier, Gary Ladson, SC gcrozier@comcast.net
Dolly, CETma, Clyde J. Melbourne, FL
Douglas, CETa, CSS, Mikel Idaho
Felix, Ron Bellingham, WA
Fleeman, Prof., Stephen S.Fleeman@RockValleyCollege.edu
Garmon, CETa, Michael Gadsden, AL
Geiger, CETsr; Dan
Glass, CETsr; Dick Greencastle, IN
Gossick, CET, Louis C. OH; S.C.
Goudy, CETsr, J. Joe Iowa
Gray, CETma; Mark L. Cape Fear, NC
Hartline, Thomas Gadsden, AL
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Heller, Jr, CETsr, Don Speedway, IN

Hinds, Sr, CETsr, Edwin R. Jamaica, NY ehinds6062@aol.com
Hoch, CETma, Chris AZ; IN
Holmes-Smith, Dr. David CO, HI, Japan; AR; AZ
Hopkins, FOI, Jason D. Arlington, WA
Janik, CETsr, Louis A. Jacksonville, FL
Keller, CETma; Charles San Diego, CA crkeller2@yahoo.com
Kirkpatrick, PVI, CSS, Ed Greencastle, IN
Koch, CETma, Gordon P. Grand Junction, CO gkoch@mesastate.edu
Lister, CETma, George gplister@tstc.edu or supertech@suddenlink.net
Matthews, CETa, Frank Pinetops, NC
Martini, PVI, John Ft. Smith, AR
McCauley, CST, Phillip W. Albuquerque, NM
McNair, Barry AL barry_mcnair@ecboe.org
McNease, Sam MS
McNeill, CETsr, Dr. Dennis mcneill.dennis@pti.edu
Miller, CETsr, Chris chris.miller@heartland.edu
Morris, CETma, CETms(RF), CETms(IT), Shane
Mueller, James PA
Novak, Robert T. ID
Okerberg, CETsr, Rollin R. UT
Parady Sr., CETsr, Edward E. Pitcairn, PA
Pinkava, CST, Rick rick.pinkava@cvccworks.edu
Retzinger, FOI, Dan Anchorage, AK
Rondeau, Robert L. Tyngsboro, MA brondeau@gltech.org
Salmons, CETma, Cliff Mason, IA
Smalling, CETsr, Andre Richmond Hills, NY gent2001@hotmail.com
Stover, Robert VA
Thompson, CETsr, Jay IN and AZ
Trepka, CSS, Jim Cedar Rapids, IA
Walters, Jason E. MS
Weiss, CET; Fred FL
Wiesenfeld, CETms(RF), PE; Ira Dallas, TX ira@iwatsi.com
Wilcher, CETa, Don Madison, AL mrdon219@aol.com
Williams, CETa, Robert R. Tobyhanna, PA
Woodward, FOD, PE, Bill
Yager, Ed Middleburg Hts, OH
Zielinski, CETma, John johnzielinski0@gmail.com

EM1 DC Basics 4 © Copyright 2023, ETA®International, All Rights Reserved

Rev 8/Oct/2019 KE Electronics Modules 1 - Direct Current Basics ETA®International

Suggested additional study materials and resources:

EM Study Guide series; Karl Eilers; download through ETA at 800-288-3824 or www.etai.org
The Associate CET Study Guide, 6E; ISBN 1-891749-07-2; ETA International; 2016; —Available
through ETA at 800-288-3824, $60
Electronics; Principles and Applications,8E; Schuler; ISBN 978-0077567705; McGraw Hill; 2012
Introduction to Electricity, Electronics, and Electromagnetics, 5E; ISBN 978-0130105738;
Boylestad, Nashelsky; Prentice Hall; 2001
Teach Yourself Electricity and Electronics, 6E; ; Gibilisco ISBN 978-1259585531; McGraw-Hill / TAB
Books; 2016
Contemporary Electronics: Fundamentals, Devices, Circuits, and Systems; ISBN 978- 0073373805;
Frenzel; McGraw-Hill Education; 2013
Mastering Technical Mathematics, 3E; ISBN 978-0071494489; Gibilisco, Crowhurst; McGraw-Hill /
TAB Electronics; 2007
Electronics Principles, 8E; Malvino, Bates; ISBN 978-0073373881; McGraw-Hill Higher Ed; 2015
Electricity & Electronics, 10E;, Gerrish, Dugger & Roberts; ISBN 978-159070-883-5, Goodheart-Wilcox;
2008
Electricity; Principles and Applications, 8E; Fowler; ISBN 978-0077567620; McGraw Hill, 2012
Digital Electronics: Principles and Applications, 8E; Tokheim; ISBN 978-00733733775; McGraw Hill,
2013
Cabling: The Complete Guide to Copper and Fiber-Optic Networking, 5E; Oliviero & Woodward; ISBN
978-1-118-80732-3; Sybex, Inc.; 2014; Available through ETA at 800-288-3824 or www.eta-i.org
Introductory DC / AC Electronics, 6E; ISBN 978-0131139848; Cook; Prentice Hall; 2004
Electronic Communications, 6E; ISBN 978-0070571570; Shrader ; McGraw-Hill Co; 1990
How to Diagnose and Fix Everything Electronic; Geier; ISBN 978- 0071744225; McGraw-Hill/TAB
Elec. 2011
Basic Electronics Theory With Projects & Experiments, 4E; ISBN 978-0830642007; Horn; McGraw-
Hill/TAB Elec. 1993
The Soldering Handbook, 3E; ISBN 978-0871716187; Vianco; American Welding Society; 2000
Introduction to Electronics; ISBN 978-0534012434; Crozier; Breton Pub.; 1983
There Are No Electrons: Electronics for Earthlings; ISBN 978-0962781599; Amdahl; Clearwater
Pub.; 1991
Becoming An Electronics Technician, 4E; ISBN 978-0130932198; Reis; Prentice Hall; 2001

Review MasteringElectronicsDesign.com website; RMS material; Adrian S. Nastase; 2013

Review Electronics-notes.com website; electronics material; Ian Poole; 2001, 2006 and refined in 2016
Review AwesomeCube.com website; electronics projects; Jeff LeSueur; 2013
Review RSD Academy website; electronics tutorials; 2022
Review SparkFun website; electronics tutorials; 2022
Review tutorialspoint.com website; digital circuits; https://www.tutorialspoint.com/digital_circuits/index.htm
Review NIDA.com website; Nida Corporation, electronics training systems; 2022
Review NIST.gov website; Special Pub. 811, section 9.3; 2008

http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_4/index.html
NEETS Module 13 http://electriciantraining.tpub.com/14185/index.htm

Also see the list of electronics information websites: Available through ETA at 800-288-3824

ETA certification programs are accredited through ICAC,

complying with the ISO/IEC 17024 standard.

EM1 DC Basics 5 © Copyright 2023, ETA®International, All Rights Reserved