COMPREHENSIVE BASICS (EM5) – 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 EM Basics Study
Guide chapters and or review pages.
1.0 Basic Safety Precautions
1.1 Describe safe practices and standards for working with electrical, magnetic and
electronic devices including:
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 what the NEC (National Electrical Code) and NFPA 70 (National Fire
Protection Association) are and describe various rules to which technicians
must abide
1.1.4 equipment and tools use hazards and danger mitigation
1.2 Describe electrical shock and its causes
1.2.1 Describe the human physiological reactions electrical shock affects
1.2.2 List various degrees of current the human body can tolerate
1.2.3 Explain how to help someone who is being shocked without unnecessarily
endangering yourself
1.2.4 List NEC® standards regarding safe AC, DC and wet-environment voltages
1.3 Define basic fire safety
1.3.1 Describe the different classes (A, B, C, D & K) of fire and types of extinguishers
used to fight them
1.3.2 Describe ignition hazards associated with items such as soldering irons, heat
guns and solvents, and proper precautions
1.3.3 List applicable governing fire safety regulations of the NFPA 70 and NEC
1.4 Identify sources of static charges and its damage to sensitive electronics components
1.4.1 Describe static charge prevention straps, mats and grounding precautions
2.0 Soldering, Desoldering and Tools
2.1 Describe solder safety as it pertains to burns and potential fires or damage to facilities or
customer products
2.2 Explain the cause of solder fumes and the effects of lead poisoning
2.3 Describe various types of soldering equipment and how they are used
2.4 Explain what tinning and tinning the tip are and its purpose
2.5 List causes and precautions to prevent or reduce solder splatter
2.6 Explain the reasons for flux usage and describe types
2.7 List types of solder and reasons for choosing each
2.8 Explain heat shunts (clip-on heat sinks), why and how they are used
2.9 Describe cold solder joints and explain causes
2.10 Differentiate between good and bad solder connections, both mechanically and electrically
constructed
2.11 Explain de-soldering principles
2.12 Describe various types of de-soldering equipment and how they are used
2.13 Describe the use of braid-wick solder removers
2.14 Describe proper care of solder and de-solder equipment
2.15 Explain the various solder and de-solder technical tooling aids
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Comprehensive Basic Electronics Module Competencies
3.0 Electrical Conductors
3.1 Define insulation resistance and dielectric strength
3.2 Define mil-foot, square mil, circular mil and applicable mathematical equations for
calculations for each
3.3 Explain the meaning of “resistivity”
3.4 Explain the American Wire Gauge (AWG) system and how to measure wire using the
AWG system
3.4.1 Explain the Ampacity factors required in selecting proper size wire
3.5 State the advantages and disadvantages of copper, aluminum, and silver as conductors
3.6 Describe the effects that temperature coefficient of a given wire type can have on its
operation (thermal properties)
3.7 Describe types of insulation and factors in their selection for use
3.8 Describe conductor types, both solid and stranded, as well as the various bundling
techniques
3.9 Describe the proper splicing and termination techniques for both solid and stranded
conductors
3.10 Describe each of the following cable types, their construction, use, and termination:
3.10.1 Coaxial cable (Coax)
3.10.2 Unshielded twisted pair (UTP)
3.10.3 Shielded twisted pair (STP)
4.0 Circuit Protection
4.1 Describe the physical design of fuses and their rating systems:
4.1.1 current
4.1.2 voltage
4.1.3 time delay
4.2 Describe the numbering marking system used with fuses and their schematic symbols
4.3 Describe the physical design and current and voltage rating system of circuit breakers
4.4 Describe the numbering marking system used with circuit breakers and their schematic
symbols
4.5 Explain how to check/inspect a fuse and/or a circuit breaker for overcurrent conditions
5.0 Circuit Controls
5.1 List the general types of circuit control devices and their use
5.2 Describe the operating principles and characteristics of a solenoid, relay, and switch
5.3 Identify the schematic symbol for a solenoid, relay, and switch
5.4 State the meaning of current and voltage ratings for a solenoid, relay, and switch
5.5 State the meaning of ampacity ratings for solenoids, relays, and switches
6.0 AC Power Distribution
6.1 Describe the design of both single-phase and multiphase AC power distribution
6.2 Describe the typical use of both single-phase and multiphase AC power distribution
6.3 Describe the typical control and circuit protection devices used for AC power distribution
7.0 Generator Theory
7.1 DC generators
7.1.1 State the principal by which generators convert mechanical energy to electrical
energy
7.1.2 State the left-hand rule for generators (Fleming’s)
7.1.3 Explain the process of commutation in DC generators
7.1.4 Describe the design and operation of a DC generator
7.1.4.1 Explain why lap windings help smooth the DC in high current applications
7.1.5 Describe the voltage and current variation from no load to full load in a DC generator
7.1.6 Describe how and why field strength can and may be varied in a DC generator
7.1.7 Describe the construction and operation of series-wound, shunt-wound, and
compound-wound generators
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Comprehensive Basic Electronics Module Competencies
7.2 AC generators
7.2.1 Describe the components associated with an AC generator
7.2.2 Describe the principle of magnetic induction as it applies to AC generators
7.2.3 Define Lenz’s law for induction
7.2.4 Explain the Left-Hand rule for generators in terms of electron flow (Fleming’s)
7.2.4.1 Explain the Right-Hand rule for generators in conventional current terms
7.2.5 Describe the construction and operation of both rotating-armature and rotating-
field alternators, and the advantages of each design
7.2.5.1 Define ‘Slip-Rings”
7.2.5.2 Describe where and how they are used
7.2.6 Describe the construction and operation of single-phase, two-phase, and
three phase alternators
7.2.6.1 Differentiate between single- and three-phase power generation
7.2.6.2 Describe how three-phase power can be manipulated to obtain a
desired voltage and number of phases
7.2.7 Describe the construction, operation and advantage of both Delta and Wye
three-phase connections for AC generators/alternators
7.2.7.1 List the differences associated with Delta and Wye three-phase
power connections
7.2.8 Explain the principles of voltage control with AC generators
7.2.8.1 Calculate the number of pole pairs needed to produce desired RPM’s and
output frequency (revolutions per minute)
7.3 Identify the schematic symbol for a generator
8.0 Motor Theory
8.1 DC motors
8.1.1 State the factors that determine the direction of rotation of DC motors
8.1.2 State the Right-Hand Rule for motors (Fleming’s)
8.1.3 Explain the process of commutation in DC motors
8.1.4 Describe the construction and operational characteristics of series, shunt, and
compound DC motors
8.1.5 Describe speed and direction control techniques for DC motors
8.2 AC motors
8.2.1 List different types of AC motors and methods of operation
8.2.2 Describe the components and principles associated with the operation of an
AC motor
8.2.3 Describe the construction and operational characteristics of single-phase, two-
phase, and three-phase AC motors
8.2.4 Describe the construction, operation and advantage of both Delta and Wye
three-phase connections for AC motors
8.2.5 State the primary application of synchronous motors
8.2.6 Describe the construction and operational characteristics of induction motors
8.2.6.1 Describe the basic methods of using electricity to operate an induction
motor and how transferred mechanical motion causes a generator to
produce electrical current
8.2.7 Describe the various methods used for starting induction motors
8.2.8 Calculate the number of pole pairs needed to produce desired RPM’s
8.2.9 Explain the principle behind Shaded-pole and Split-phase induction motors
9.0 Interfacing of Electronics Products
9.1 List input circuit signal levels which may be expected for various common electronics
products or test equipment
9.2 List anticipated signal or voltage levels for output circuits in audio and video equipment
9.3 Explain the importance of impedance matching; list causes of mismatches
9.4 Explain the purposes of plugs and connectors
9.4.1 Explain why it is necessary to use the proper ones per application
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Comprehensive Basic Electronics Module Competencies
9.5 Explain grounding, proper and improper methods, and the results of power source
mismatch
9.6 List potential signal conflict symptoms
9.7 List common wiring and splicing conventions for various services
9.8 Explain various interfacing options for serial data/communication equipment
9.8.1 RS232 standard pin out
9.8.2 Universal Serial Bus (USB)
9.8.3 data communication environment (DCE)
9.8.4 data terminal equipment (DTE)
10.0 Basic Radio Frequency (RF) Communication
10.1 Describe basic radio frequency communications theory
10.2 Briefly explain the theory of modulated communications (adding intelligence to RF carrier):
10.2.1 Amplitude (AM) as a heterodyne process
10.2.2 Frequency (FM)
10.2.3 phase
10.2.4 digital
10.2.5 frequency shift-keying
10.3 Define the following modulation basics terms:
10.3.1 Period
10.3.2 Wavelength
10.3.3 Phase angle
10.3.4 Impedance (refer to 10.8 & 9.3)
10.4 Describe block diagrams and schematics of basic transmitters (Tx) and receivers (Rx)
10.5 Define the following terms that apply to radio transmitters and receivers:
10.5.1 Selectivity
10.5.2 Sensitivity
10.5.3 Detection
10.5.4 Noise
10.5.5 Fidelity
10.5.6 Simplex, half-duplex, full-duplex
10.5.7 Mixing
10.5.8 Frequency conversion
10.6 Explain the design and operation of basic control and oscillation circuits
10.7 Briefly describe wave propagation characteristics
10.8 Differentiate how transmission line characteristics/lengths are from shorter conductor cabling
10.9 Briefly describe and differentiate antenna radiation characteristics (azimuth):
10.9.1 RF, (i.e., omnidirectional vs. directional {yagi})
10.9.2 Microwave basics
11.0 Basic Test Equipment and Measurements
11.1 Explain how block and schematic diagrams are used for troubleshooting and maintenance
11.1.1 Describe common drafting principles used for electronic and electrical drawings
11.2 Describe “meter loading” and precautions
11.3 Explain the purposes of frequency counters and list their limitations
11.4 Explain how a signal generator is used for signal injection
11.5 Explain methods used for signal tracing
11.6 List the uses for pattern generators
11.7 Describe how to calculate a wave form period and wavelength
11.8 Explain basic proper use of the oscilloscope
11.9 Explain a fundamental block diagram of an oscilloscope, the function & purpose of each
11.10 Define ‘dummy load’, where and why it is used
11.11 Define ‘Duty Cycle’, where and why it is used
End of Comprehensive Basic Electronics Competencies Listing
EM5 - Comprehensive Basics 4 © Copyright 2025, ETA® International, All Rights Reserved
Comprehensive Basic Electronics Module Competencies
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 approved school and approved test site: http://www.etai.org/test_sites.html
ETA Basic Electronics Certification Subject Matter Advisory Board:
Randy Abel, CETma Texas
[email protected]Rich Agard, RESIma Pennsylvania
Saleh A. Ahmed, CET, SGM North Carolina
Jim Arcaro, CETsr Ohio
James L. Ashton, Pennsylvania
Jana Asplund Florida
Robin Asplund Florida
Mark David Atkins, Indiana
William C. Bailey, PhD, South Carolina & IN
[email protected]John Bakkeren, CESma, CESms(RF) Ontario, Canada
[email protected]John Baldwin, CETsr, Minnesota
[email protected]Zachary Barrett, CETsr, GVT Rhode Island
Dave Bates, CET, Minnesota
[email protected]Bob Berlin, CETsr Florida
Richard W. Booth, FOT Arizona
[email protected]Gerry Boyd, CETsr Maryland
[email protected]Bill Brinker, CETma Kansas
David W. Cannady, CETa Illinois
Dave Carroll
[email protected]Vic Cerniglia Mississippi
John E. Chisum, CETsr Mississippi
[email protected]James Collum Mississippi
Jim Crotts, CETsr
[email protected]Gary Crozier South Carolina
[email protected]Clyde J. Dolly, CETma Florida
Mikel Douglas, CETa, CSS Idaho
Ron Felix Washington
Prof. Stephen Fleeman
[email protected]Michael Garmon, CETa Alabama
Dan Geiger, CETsr
Dick Glass, CETsr Indiana
Louis C. Gossick, CET Ohio and S.C.
J. Joe Goudy, CETsr Iowa
Mark L. Gray, CETma North Carolina
Thomas Hartline Alabama
Don Heller, Jr, CETsr Indiana
Edwin R. Hinds, Sr, CETsr Jamaica, NY
[email protected]Chris Hoch, CETma Indiana
Dr. David Holmes-Smith CO, HI, Japan; AR; AZ
Jason D. Hopkins, FOI Washington
Daniel Hutchens North Carolina
Tom Janca New Mexico
Louis A. Janik, CETsr Florida
Charles Keller, CETma California
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Comprehensive Basic Electronics Module Competencies
Ed Kirkpatrick, PVI, CSS Indiana
Gordon P. Koch, CETma Colorado
[email protected]George Lister, CETma
[email protected] or
[email protected]Frank Matthews, CETa North Carolina
John Martini, PVI Arkansas
Phillip W. McCauley, CST New Mexico
Barry McNair Alabama
[email protected]Sam McNease Mississippi
Dr. Dennis McNeill, CETsr Pennsylvania
Chris Miller, CETsr
[email protected]Owen D. Minnick Utah
Shane Morris, CETma, CETms(RF), CETms(IT)
James Mueller Pennsylvania
Robert T. Novak Idaho
Rollin R. Okerberg, CETsr Utah
Rink Pinkava, CST
[email protected]Dan Retzinger, FOI Alaska
Robert L. Rondeau Massachusetts
[email protected]Cliff Salmons, CETma Iowa
Andre Smalling, CETsr New York
[email protected]Robert Stover, Virginia
Jay Thompson, CETsr Indiana & AZ
Jim Trepka, CSS Iowa
Jason E. Walters Mississippi
Fred Weiss, CET Florida
Ira Wiesenfeld, CETms(RF), PE Texas
[email protected]Don Wilcher, CETa Alabama
[email protected]Robert R. Williams, CETa Pennsylvania
Bill Woodward, FOD, PE
Ed Yager Ohio
John Zielinski, CETma
[email protected]EM5 - Comprehensive Basics 6 © Copyright 2025, ETA® International, All Rights Reserved
Comprehensive Basic Electronics Module Competencies
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; 2023
Review SparkFun website; electronics tutorials; 2023
Review tutorialspoint.com website; digital circuits; https://www.tutorialspoint.com/digital_circuits/index.htm
Review IPC.org website; IPC Corporation, electronics/solder standards/training; 2023
Review NIDA.com website; Nida Corporation, electronics training systems; 2023
Review control.com website; Control Automation; author pages, Dr. Don Wilcher, CETa, EE, MSEIT
Review http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_4/index.html
Review DesignNews.com/electronics website; “awesomely interesting” electronics material; Informa; 2025
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.
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