Nov/Dec 2023

THE NYERI NATIONAL POLYTECHNIC

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL AND AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING

Qualification Code : 0716354A

Qualification : MOTOR VEHICLE ELECTRICIAN LEVEL 4

Unit Code : 0713341/06/A

Unit of Competency : BASIC ELECTRICAL PRINCIPLES

Class: MVE/4/23/S1

ASSESSOR’S GUIDE
This assessment requires you to demonstrate competence against unit of competency: basic
electrical principles.
In this assessment you are required to answer written questions.
Instructions to the assessor:
Time allocated is 2 hours to answer questions in Section A and B.
Marks for each question are indicated in the brackets ().

This paper consists of FOUR (4) printed pages.

TURN OVER
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SECTION A (10MKS)
In this section, correct answer for each question carries 1 mark.

1. A
2. A
3. B
4. B
5. B
6. B
7. C
8. C
9. A
10. C

SECTION B (40 MARKS)

The following are suggested answers to act as guidelines

11. State Ohms Law. [2 Marks]

Ohm's Law states that the current (I) flowing through a conductor between two
points is directly proportional to the voltage (V) across the two points and
inversely proportional to the resistance (R) between them.
12. Using simple diagrams compare and contrast series and parallel circuits.[4 Marks]
1. Parallel circuit. In a parallel circuit, components are connected in multiple
branches, providing multiple pathways for current to flow.

2. Series circuit. In a series circuit, components are connected end-to-end,

creating a single pathway for current to flow.

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13. Name TWO types of capacitors, inductors and resistors. [6

Marks]
1. Electrolytic Capacitor
2. Ceramic Capacitor
3. Film Capacitor
4. Air-Core Inductor
5. Variable Inductor
6. Solenoid Inductor
7. Wirewound Resistor
8. Metal Oxide Resistor

14. List the FOUR main components of an electric circuit. [2 Marks]

1) Voltage Source
2) Conductors
3) Resistors
4) Capacitors
5) Inductors
6) Load (or Resistive Element)
7) Switch (optional)

15. Define the terms below. [3 Marks]

(a) Current.
Current, in the context of electricity, refers to the flow of electric charge through
a conductor or circuit. It is a fundamental electrical quantity that measures the

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rate at which charged particles, typically electrons, move through a conductor in

response to an applied voltage.
(b) Resistance.
Resistance refers to the opposition or hindrance offered by a material or
component to the flow of electric current. It is a fundamental property that
quantifies how difficult it is for electric charges, typically electrons, to move
through a conductor or device when subjected to an electric potential (voltage).
(c) Power.
Power is a measure of the rate at which work is done, energy is transferred, or a
process occurs. In the context of electrical circuits, power specifically refers to
the rate at which electrical energy is consumed, produced, or transferred within
a circuit or device.
16. Briefly explain how dc voltage is produced by dry cells using a diagram. [5 Marks]
In the diagram:
The anode (negative electrode) releases electrons (e^-) during the chemical
reaction. The cathode (positive electrode) accepts these electrons. The ions in the
electrolyte solution facilitate the transfer of charge. The electrons flow from the
anode to the cathode through an external circuit (not shown in the diagram),
creating an electric current. This flow of electrons constitutes DC voltage, as it
consistently flows in one direction. The chemical reactions within the dry cell
continue until the reactants are consumed or the cell becomes depleted of its
energy, at which point the cell is considered "dead" or no longer able to produce
voltage.
17. If a resistor has a resistance of 100 ohms and a voltage of 50 volts is applied across it,
what is the current passing through the resistor? [3 Marks]
Using Ohm's Law (V = I * R),
the current (I) can be calculated as I = V / R.
I = 50 volts / 100 ohms = 0.5A.
18. How does doubling the resistance in a circuit affect the current, assuming the voltage
remains constant? [4 Marks]
Doubling the resistance while keeping the voltage constant will halve the current. This
relationship is described by Ohm's Law, where current (I) is inversely proportional to
resistance (R) when voltage (V) is constant.
19. What is the fundamental difference between DC and AC circuits? [3 Marks]

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The fundamental difference between DC and AC circuits is the direction of current

flow. In DC circuits, the current flows in one direction only, typically from a positive
voltage source to a negative voltage source. In AC circuits, the direction of current flow
alternates periodically, changing direction at a specific frequency. This alternating
direction is what characterizes AC circuits.
20. What is the primary advantage of using AC over DC (Direct Current) for long-distance
power transmission? [2 Marks]
The primary advantage of using AC for long-distance power transmission is that AC
voltages can be easily transformed to higher or lower values using transformers, which
reduces power losses during transmission.
21. Explain the concept of electrical resistivity and how it differs from electrical resistance.
[4 Marks]
Electrical resistivity is a fundamental property of materials that quantifies their ability
to resist the flow of electric current. It is a characteristic of the material itself and is
independent of the shape or size of the object made from that material. Resistivity is
typically denoted by the symbol ρ and is measured in ohm-meters (Ω·m).
In contrast, electrical resistance (R) depends on both the resistivity of the material and
the physical dimensions (length and cross-sectional area) of a specific object or
conductor. Resistance is a measure of how strongly a specific object or component
opposes the flow of electric current and is measured in ohms (Ω). The relationship
between resistivity, resistance, length (L), and cross-sectional area (A) is given by Ohm's
Law:
R=Aρ/L
So, resistivity is an inherent property of a material, while resistance is a property of a
specific component made from that material.

22. Define impedance in AC circuits. [2 Marks]

Impedance in AC (alternating current) circuits is a measure of the opposition
that an electrical component or circuit offers to the flow of alternating current.

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