MARKING GUIDELINE

NATIONAL CERTIFICATE

ELECTRICAL TRADE THEORY N2

10 April 2024

This marking guideline consists of 7 pages.

Copyright reserved Please turn over

MARKING GUIDELINE -2-
ELECTRICAL TRADE THEORY N2

QUESTION 1: ALTERNATING CURRENT THEORY

1.1 OR

(1 for label + 2 for correct sketch) (3)

1.2 In a lagging power factor circuit, the current lags the voltage,  whilst in a
leading power factor circuit, the current leads the voltage.  (2)

1.3 1.3.1 𝐸 = 2𝜋𝐵𝐴𝑁𝑛

1 200
= 2𝜋 × 0,3 × [(2 × 10−2 ) × (4 × 10−2 )] × 1 000 × 
60

∴ = 30,159 V 

𝐸𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 0,707𝐸𝑚𝑎𝑥

∴ = 0,707 × 30,159 = 21,322 V (4)

1.3.2 𝐸𝑎𝑣𝑒 = 0,637𝐸𝑚𝑎𝑥

∴ = 0,637 × 30,159 = 19,211 V

𝐸𝑟𝑚𝑠 21,322
Form factor = =  = 1,11
𝐸𝑎𝑣𝑒 19,211 (3)
[12]

QUESTION 2: CONDUCTORS, INSULATORS AND CABLES

2.1 𝑉𝐿 400
𝑉𝑝 = = = 230,94 V
√3 √3

𝑉𝑑𝑟𝑜𝑝 = 230,94 × 5% = 11,547 V NOTE: The golden rule to

follow when dealing with
Allowable voltage at the point of supply: three-phase calculations is
that we work with phase
𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 = 230,94 − 11,547 = 219,393 V values only. (3)

Copyright reserved Please turn over

MARKING GUIDELINE -3-
ELECTRICAL TRADE THEORY N2

2.2 2.2.1 To keep the cores together and provide bedding for the wire
armouring

2.2.2 To provide mechanical protection for the cable and also serve as
an earth continuity conductor

OR

To provide mechanical protection, so that the cable can withstand

greater stresses and be used underground

2.2.3 To keep the strands of the wire armouring together and prevent
any moisture or water from entering the cable
(3 × 2) (6)

2.3  Easy to identify and trace a cable

 Easy to locate a fault
 Easy to repair a fault
 Easy to add cables to the same route
 Easy to replace a cable
 Well protected against mechanical damage
 Well protected against lightning and sun (Any 3 × 1) (3)
[12]

QUESTION 3: SWITCHGEAR AND PROTECTIVE DEVICES

3.1 3.1.1 Photocell senses natural light and switches load off or, if it senses
darkness, switches load on.

3.1.2  Security lighting circuits

 Street lighting circuits/ office light/ garden light/ warehouse light

3.1.3 Switched on and off by means of an electromagnet.

3.1.4  Vehicle light/ Hooter circuits/ sirens/ small motors

 Isolating a low-voltage circuit from a high-voltage circuit
(4 × 1) (4)

3.2 The overcurrent protection device protecting a three-phase motor must prevent
the motor from continuing to operate under load if single-phasing occurs. (2)

3.3 3.3.1 Circuit breakers/ fuses/ circuit-breaker disconnectors

3.3.2 Lightning arrestor
(2 × 1) (2)

3.4 A disconnector is an off-load isolator, and a switch disconnector is an onload

isolator. (2)
[10]

Copyright reserved Please turn over

MARKING GUIDELINE -4-
ELECTRICAL TRADE THEORY N2

QUESTION 4: BATTERIES

4.1 14,1 V and 14,7 V (1)

4.2 4.2.1 False

4.2.2 True
4.2.3 False
4.2.4 True
4.2.5 True
(5 × 1) (5)

4.3  Store batteries in a fully charged condition (not in an uncharged condition).

 Do not overcharge or undercharge a gel battery.
 Monitor the voltage every two or three months as they will self-discharge.
 Store the batteries in a clean, cool and dry area.
 Do not charge a gel battery with a regular car battery charger (use a special
gel charger for long-lasting battery life).
 After storage, recharge before use. (Any 4 × 1) (4)
[10]

QUESTION 5: DC MACHINES

5.1 An electrical motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy,  while
a generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.  (2)

5.2 Commutation is the reversal of the emf and current in the

short-circuited coil during its transfer from one commutator segment to the
next. 
Or Commutation is the reversal of current through a coil, occurring at the instant
when the segments to which the coil is connected are short-circuited by the
brushes. (2)

5.3

(1 for label + 3 for correct sketch) (4)

5.4 Back emf is the voltage generated by a running motor that acts to counter the
supplied voltage.  (2)
[10]

Copyright reserved Please turn over

MARKING GUIDELINE -5-
ELECTRICAL TRADE THEORY N2

QUESTION 6: AC MACHINES

6.1  Synchronous machines

 Induction machines (2)

6.2  Washing machines

 Fans
 Blowers
 Fridges
 Tumble dryers
 Motors for mixers
 Floor polishers
 Centrifugal pumps
 Small tools
 Drilling machines/ compressors/ conveyors/ bench grinders (Any 4 × 1) (4)

6.3 The direction of rotation of a single-phase motor is reversed by simply changing

the polarity across the main or the auxiliary winding, but not both at the same
time.  (2)
[8]

QUESTION 7: TRANSFORMERS

7.1 A transformer is made up of a laminated iron core and two sets of windings,
the primary and the secondary winding, which are wound around the core. (3)

7.2  Core-loss component

 Magnetising component (2)

7.3 7.3.1 𝑉𝐿1 380

𝑉𝑝1 = = = 219,393 V
√3 √3

𝑉𝑝2 = 𝑉𝐿2 = 2 200 V (3)

7.3.2 𝑉𝑃1 219,393

= = 0,1
𝑉𝑃2 2 200

∴ 𝑇𝑅 = 1: 10  𝑜𝑟 0,1: 1 (2)
[10]

Copyright reserved Please turn over

MARKING GUIDELINE -6-
ELECTRICAL TRADE THEORY N2

QUESTION 8: EARTHING

8.1 8.1.1 earthing

8.1.2 Earth continuity conductors
8.1.3 earth tag washer
8.1.4 protective conductor
8.1.5 consumer’s earth terminal
(5 × 1) (5)

8.2  Earthing and bonding

 Electrical separation of circuits
 Isolation transformer with an output voltage of 50 V or less
 Equipment that is double insulated
 Earth leakage protection for socket outlet circuits (5)
[10]

QUESTION 9: MEASURING INSTRUMENTS

9.1

(1 for label + 2 for correct sketch) (3)

9.2 𝑅𝑚 = 20 Ω, 𝐼𝑚 = 50 mA, 𝑉𝑇 = 200 V

𝑉𝑇
𝑅𝑠𝑒 = − 𝑅𝑚
𝐼𝑚

200
𝑅𝑠𝑒 = − 20
50 × 10−3

𝑅𝑠𝑒 = 3 980Ω (3)

[6]

Copyright reserved Please turn over

MARKING GUIDELINE -7-
ELECTRICAL TRADE THEORY N2

QUESTION 10: ELECTRICAL RETICULATION AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

10.1  Installation costs are very high.

 More cabling is needed.
 Maintenance costs are high. (3)

10.2 The flow of water down the penstock causes kinetic energy. This energy allows
the blades of the turbine to turn, producing mechanical energy. The turbine is
connected to the generator by means of a shaft or gears. With the turning of
the turbine, the generator also starts to turn. The generator converts the
mechanical energy into electrical energy. (4)
Or
In a hydroelectric power station, water from a large dam or reservoir is piped
into the turbine. The turbine converts the potential energy of the falling water
into mechanical energy. This mechanical energy is supplied to the alternator
which converts it into electrical energy.

10.3

(2 for correct sketch + 1 for label) (3)

Alternative:

10.4 It is used to step down the voltage whilst the current increases.  (2)
[12]

TOTAL: 100

Copyright reserved