# Electrical Technology Grade 12 NSC November 2015 Memo (Eng)

> Grade 12 Electrical Technology memorandum from the NSC November Exam 2015 (English), 15 pages. Read online or download the free PDF.

- Page: https://www.hlayiso.com/library/electrical-technology-nov-2015-memo-eng/1f341298-4704-431d-a487-a3ce44c4975b
- Updated: 2026-09-27
- Subject: Electrical Technology
- Grade: Grade 12
- Document type: Memorandum
- Year: 2015
- Exam period: NSC November Exam
- Curriculum: CAPS
- Pages: 15

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## About this document

Electrical Technology · Grade 12 · NSC November Exam · 2015. Memorandum, 15 pages. Read online or download the PDF.

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## Document text

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                                   GRAAD 12

                                  NATIONAL
                             SENIOR CERTIFICATE

                                   GRADE 12

                          ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY

                                 NOVEMBER 2015

                                 MEMORANDUM

MARKS: 200

                       This memorandum consists of 15 pages.

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Electrical Technology                             2                           DBE/November 2015
                                          NSC – Memorandum

INSTRUCTIONS TO THE MARKERS

1.        All questions with multiple answers imply that any relevant, acceptable
          answer should be considered.

2.        Calculations:

          2.1           All calculations must show the formulae.

          2.2           Substitution of values must be done correctly.

          2.3           All answers MUST contain the correct unit to be considered.

          2.4           Alternative methods must be considered, provided that the correct
                        answer is obtained.

          2.5           Where an incorrect answer is used in a next calculation, the first
                        answer will be deemed incorrect. However, should the incorrect
                        answer be applied correctly, the marker has to re-calculate the
                        answer using the incorrect values. If the candidate used the initial
                        incorrect answer correctly thereafter, the candidate should receive
                        the full marks for subsequent correct calculations.

3.        This memorandum is only a guide with model answers. Alternative
          interpretations must be considered and marked on merit. This principle should
          be applied consistently throughout the marking session at ALL marking
          centres.

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Electrical Technology                        3                            DBE/November 2015
                                     NSC – Memorandum

QUESTION 1: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

1.1       -    Working on a installation with exposed live conductors. 
          -    Working with portable electric equipment that is not insulated correctly.
          -    Using electrical machines without using the required safety equipment
               and/or clothing.                                                                  (1)

1.2       Dangerous practices are defined as processes or activities that have some
          form of risk or hazard when performed that could lead to serious injury or
          death. 
          List the action - 1 Mark
          Reference an example – 1 Mark                                                          (2)

1.3       -    Insufficient ventilation
          -    Insufficient lighting 
          -    Inadequate guards around machinery.
          -    Loose and dangerous components on moving machinery.                               (2)

1.4       Human rights are designed to protect a worker in the workplace regardless of
          their race, religion, etc.  To ensure that the worker is treated with
          dignity. 

          It can be explained as the correct and acceptable manner in which all people
          are entitled to be treated in the workplace.

          Human rights are the fundamental rights to which all human beings must have
          access to. These are amongst others, the right to life without persecution,
          freedom, education.                                                                    (2)

1.5       Risk management is important in maintaining safety in a workshop in terms
          of:
          - Employee wellbeing 
          - Customer wellbeing 
          - Income and profits 
          - Assets and property
          - Productivity
          - Risk management considers risk from the worker to the employer and the
              company as well as the end user.
          - Identification of risk and prevention of loss / alleviation of danger as a
              preventative measure.                                                              (3)
                                                                                                 [10]

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Electrical Technology                                 4                      DBE/November 2015
                                              NSC – Memorandum

QUESTION 2: THREE-PHASE AC GENERATION

2.1          -   Active power refers to the power component✓ (voltage and current
                 values) through which work is done. ✓

             -   Active power is the power that is effectively being used by the load or the
                 circuit. Active power is the product of the voltage and current values that
                 are in phase with each other.

             -   Active power is the portion of power that, averaged over a complete cycle
                 of the AC wave form, results in net transfer of energy in one direction.

             -   Active power is the electrical power component that can be converted into
                 mechanical power or heat.

         -                    θ
                 P = 3 Vl Il Cos                                                                    (2)

2.2
                 ✓                                     ✓
                 Vl(3)                              Rotation direction
                                      ✓
                                     120°
                                                      ✓
                         120°                       Vl(1)
                                      120°
                 V✓
                  l(2)

          The candidate MUST show the degree symbol for the 120o to be considered
          as correct.
          Colours of the phases are acceptable as labels of the 3 phases.
          E for EMF is also acceptable. The phasor diagram must have labels to be
          marked as correct.                                                                        (5)

2.3       2.3.1            Pin = 3 Vl x Il x Cosθ
                                        Pin
                            Il =                        ✓
                                    3 x Vl x Cosθ
                                      50 000            ✓
                                =
                                   3 x 380 x 0,95
                                = 79,96 A               ✓                                           (3)

          2.3.2           S = 3 Vl x Il                 ✓
                           = 3 x 380 x 79,96            ✓
                           = 52,62 kVA                  ✓                                           (3)

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Electrical Technology                            5                      DBE/November 2015
                                         NSC – Memorandum

2.4       The advantages of power factor correction are:
          - It results in cost savings due to less power being drawn from the supplier
              due to power factor correction of the load. ✓
          - Equipment lasts longer as it experiences less energy wastage due to
              dissipated heat energy. ✓
          - Due to less current drawn from the supply switch gear and cables may be
              rated at a lower current reducing costs.
          - More efficient installation allows for longer periods between services and
              maintenance due to reduced wear and tear.                                        (2)

2.5       The function of the wattmeter is to measure the active power ✓ consumed in
          an installation. ✓                                                                   (2)

2.6       Power = P 1 + P 2          ✓
                     = 2 500 + 500   ✓
                     = 3 000 W       ✓

                     = 3 kW
                                                                                               (3)
                                                                                               [20]

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Electrical Technology                                       6                  DBE/November 2015
                                                    NSC – Memorandum

QUESTION 3: THREE-PHASE TRANSFORMERS

3.1       Protection devices in transformers include:
          - Fuses ✓
          - Over-current relay
          - Differential current relay
          - Buchholz relay (electrical or mechanical)                                                (1)

3.2       Losses in transformers lead to:
          - Increase in current drawn✓
          - Generation of more heat
          - Increase in I2R losses
          - Reduced efficiency                                                                       (1)

3.3       The methods of cooling transformers include:
          - Oil cooling ✓
          - Water cooling ✓
          - Air cooling✓
          - Gas cooling                                                                              (3)

3.4       If the load is increased the power output would increase ✓therefore the primary
          current would increase✓ as the voltages remain constant. ✓                                 (3)

3.5       3.5.1                                           P                ✓
                        Il (secondary) =
                                               3 × Vl (secondary) × cosθ
                                                 60 000                    ✓
                                         =
                                            3 × 380 × 0,8
                                                                           ✓
                                         = 113,95 A                                                  (3)

          3.5.2                                       P                    ✓
                        Il (primary) =
                                             3 × Vl (primary) × cosθ
                                                60 000
                                    =                                      ✓
                                        3 × 11 000 × 0,8
                                    = 3,94 A                               ✓
                                                                                                     (3)

          3.5.3         S = 3 × Vl (primary) × I l (primary)               ✓

                           = 3 ×11 000 × 3,94                              ✓
                           = 75,07 kVA                                     ✓                         (3)

          3.5.4         Q = 3 × Vl (primary) × Il (primary) sin 36,87 ✓
                           = 3 ×11 000 × 3,94 × 0,6                        ✓
                           = 45,04 kVA R                                   ✓                         (3)
                                                                                                     [20]
Note to marker: Candidates may use the secondary line voltage and line current to do this
calculation.

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Electrical Technology                             7                             DBE/November 2015
                                          NSC – Memorandum

QUESTION 4: THREE-PHASE MOTORS AND STARTERS

4.1       -    Stator 
          -    Rotor 
          -    End plates                                                                              (2)

4.2       -    For the same size frame a three-phase motor delivers more power than a
               single-phase motor. ✓
          -    A three-phase motor is self-starting. ✓
          -    A three-phase motor develops a higher torque for the same size than a
               single-phase motor.                                                                     (2)

4.3       It is important to carry out electrical inspections before energising a motor to
          ensure that there are no electrical faults ✓which may lead to electric shock or
          damage to the motor. ✓                                                                       (2)

4.4       4.4.1         If the motor draws a current greater than the setting on the
                        overload,  the overload will open  removing power to the
                        control circuit and the power circuit, switching the motor off.               (3)

          4.4.2         -   In the forward direction the coil MC 1 is energised
                        -   The normally closed contact of MC 1 is now open
                        -   The open contact of MC 1 prevents the MC 2 coil from
                            energising. 
                        -   Only once the coil MC 1 is de-energised will the contact MC 2
                            close. 
                        -   The closing of normally closed MC 1 contact will allow for the coil
                            of MC 2 to be energised when the reverse button is
                            depressed. 
                        -   Similarly the normally closed MC 2 (N/C) contact will prevent the
                            coil of MC 1 to be energised while the direction of rotation of the
                            motor is in reverse.                                                       (5)

4.5       The function of the star-delta starter is to start a motor in the star mode  to
          reduce the current drawn by the motor at start  and to switch the motor into
          the delta mode once the motor has started. 
          Note to marker: The purpose of the starter is also acceptable.                               (3)

4.6       The function of a no-volt coil in a motor starter is to prevent the automatic
          starting of a motor when the power is restored after a power failure.                      (3)

4.7       By swopping the connections of any two of the three phases.                                (2)

4.8       -   Power factor 
          -   Frequency 
          -   Power rating 
          -   Phase
          -   Type of connection                                                                       (3)

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Electrical Technology                                8                             DBE/November 2015
                                             NSC – Memorandum

4.9       4.9.1
                               f            
                        ns =      × 60
                              P
                                            
                               50
                            =      × 60
                                6           
                            = 500 r / min                                                                (3)
                        If Pole Pairs are taken as two per phase then the following
                        calculation will apply:
                               f
                         ns = × 60
                              P
                              50
                            =      × 60
                               2
                            = 1500 r / min

          4.9.2         nr = ns(1 − 0,04)    
                           = 500(0,96)       
                           = 480 r / min     
                                                                                                         (3)
                        Alternative Answer following previous alternative answer
                        nr = ns (1 − 0,04)   P is taken as 2
                           = 1500(0,96)
                           = 1440 r / min

4.10      4.10.1                 Pout
                          P100 =                 
                                  η
                                29 700           
                         P100 =
                                  0,9
                               = 33 000 W        
                               = 33 kW                                                                   (3)

          4.10.2               P100%
                        Il =                         
                               3 Vl Cosθ

                                   33 000
                        Il =                         
                               3 x 380 x 0,85

                          = 58,98 A                  
                                                                                                         (3)

4.11      The current drawn from the supply will decrease. With an improved power
          factor the motor will still deliver the same power  at the same voltage  but
          will draw a lower current to do this.                                                          (3)
                                                                                                         [40]

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Electrical Technology                                 9                     DBE/November 2015
                                              NSC – Memorandum

QUESTION 5: RLC

5.1                 1                           
           XC =
                   2πfC
                                    1           
               =
                 2 × π × 50 × 120 × 10 −6
               = 26,52 Ω                                                                          (3)

5.2       -   The capacitive reactance is equal to the inductive reactance at
              resonance 
          -   Therefore the resultant reactance is zero. 
          -   The impedance (Z) drops to the resistor value (R) which results in a
              minimum impedance
          -   Therefore the current will be maximum.                                              (4)

5.3       5.3.1                 2                 
                     It = Ir + (Ic − Il ) 2

                        = 2,5 2 + (6 − 3,6) 2     
                                                  
                        = 3,47 A                                                                   (3)

          5.3.2               Vsup ply
                     Xl =                 
                                    Il
                            240           
                          =
                            3,6
                                          
                          = 66,67 Ω                                                                (3)

          5.3.3      If the frequency increases, the inductive reactance of the coil will
                     increase because the inductive reactance is directly proportional to
                     the frequency thus reducing the current through the inductor                (3)

5.4       The magnification factor of the circulating currents in the inductor and
          capacitor in relation to the supply current when the circuit is at
          resonance                                                                               (4)
                                                                                                   [20]

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Electrical Technology                             10                             DBE/November 2015
                                           NSC – Memorandum

QUESTION 6: LOGIC

6.1       6.1.1         -   Sensing device 
                        -   Switches 
                        -   Push buttons
                        -   Limit switches
                        -   Pressure switches                                                           (2)

          6.1.2         -   Ladder diagrams
                        -   Function block diagrams
                        -   Sequential function
                        -   Flow charts / Flow Diagrams
                        -   Instructional list
                        -   Structured text                                                             (3)

          6.1.3         -   Step 1 (INPUT) – The PLC checks the input parameters via the
                            input interface.

                        -   Step 2 (PROCESS) - The PLC will go through its programme
                            from the first instruction and execute it line by line.

                        -   Step 3 (OUTPUT) – The PLC will update the outputs after the
                            execution of every instruction                                             (6)

          6.1.4         The transistor output PLC operates on low voltage and low
                        currents  which makes it unable to control heavy current devices
                        as the output transistors may be damaged.                                      (3)

          6.1.5         -   In order to switch on heavy current electrical devices, a transistor
                            output PLC makes use of a relay.
                        -   The relay used with the output circuit allows for the electrical
                            separation/isolation between the load and the PLC. 
                        -   The relay’s output contacts are connected to the load, and not
                            the PLC, thus protecting the PLC.                                          (3)

6.2       -   PLC control allows for easy quick change to be made to a system without
              having to do major rewire. 
          -   PLC programs can be stored electronically. 
          -   PLC control reduces components therefore reducing the size of control
              panels.
          -   Reduction in the components used reduces cost.
          -   Less/No moving parts depending on the type of PLC
          -   More reliable                                                                             (2)

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Electrical Technology                          11                             DBE/November 2015
                                        NSC – Memorandum

6.3        X = A BCD + A BCD + A BCD + A BCD + A BCD

          6.3.1

                                                        ✓

                                        0         0          0          0
                                                         ✓
                                                  ✓          ✓          ✓
                                        1✓        1          1          1
                                          ✓
                         ✓               ✓
                                        1
                                                  0          0          0

                                        0         0          0          0
                                                                                                    (9)

                     Alternative labelling methods must be marked on merit.

          6.3.2      X = ABD + CD
                     (One tick per term and one tick for OR function)                               (3)

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Electrical Technology                         12                          DBE/November 2015
                                       NSC – Memorandum

6.4       6.4.1
                              ✓              ✓
                             O/L STOP     START 1

                                                             ✓
                                         HOLD IN ✓        MC1
                                         MC1 (N/O)        OUTPUT
                                                          LAMP

                                               ✓
                                          START 2

                             ✓          HOLD IN           MC2 –
                            MC1         MC2 (N/O)         OUTPUT
                                                          FAN ✓

                                            ✓
                                                                                                (8)
                     OR

                             ✓
                             O/L STOP     ON 1 ✓

                                                           ✓
                                         HOLD IN          OUTPUT
                                         MC1 (N/O)        LAMP MC1
                            ✓
                           HOLD IN                           ✓
                           MC1 (N/O)                         M01
                                          O/L

                                          ON 2

                          ✓             HOLD IN        OUTPUT
                           M01          MC2 (N/O)      FAN MC2
                                                            ✓
                                          ✓

          Note: It is important that the circuit must work in sequence.

          6.4.2      A timer function  must be included in the diagram after removing
                     the second start function.                                                 (1)
                                                                                                [40]

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Electrical Technology                          13                        DBE/November 2015
                                        NSC – Memorandum

QUESTION 7: AMPLIFIERS

7.1       -   Open-loop voltage gain A v = infinite
          -   Input impedance Z in = infinite
          -   Output impedance Z o = zero 
          -   Bandwidth = infinite
          -   Stability/Linearity of operation
          -   Differential inputs (two inputs)
          -   Infinite common-mode rejection ratio                                              (3)

7.2       The bandwidth is the range of frequencies  an amplifier can amplify
          without distorting  the output signal or losing gain.                               (3)

7.3       -   The bandwidth is increased. 
          -   The level of noise (hiss) is decreased. 
          -   The deformation of the input signal is reduced.
          -   The gain is more predictable                                                      (2)

7.4       Positive feedback is when part of the output signal is fed back into the input
          signal in phase with the input therefore increasing the output.                    (3)

7.5       Stability in op amps means that the operation/linearity of the op amp is not
          affected  despite changes to the conditions under which the amplifier
          operates                                                                             (2)

7.6       7.6.1         Inverting op amp.                                                      (1)

          7.6.2

                              0V                           Input

                              0V                           Output

                                                                                                (3)

                        •   Inversion
                        •   Amplification
                        •   Frequency must be the same

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Electrical Technology                                 14                         DBE/November 2015
                                               NSC – Memorandum

          7.6.3                  Rf
                         Av =-             
                                 R in
                              15           
                           =-
                               5
                           = -3                                                                         (3)

          7.6.4                  Vout
                         Av =-
                                 Vin
                         ∴ Vout = - A v Vin    
                             = - 3 x 1,5       
                             = - 4,5 V                                                                  (3)

7.7       7.7.1          The Schmitt trigger is used to/as a:
                         - Voltage sensitive switch 
                         - Supplies a digital output 
                         - Used to measure the frequency of an AC signal
                         - Day night switches
                         - Wave form recovery circuit.                                                   (2)

          7.7.2
                                                                      Upper trigger level

                            0V                                         Input signal

                                                                      Lower trigger level
                            +Vcc                              

                                                                      Square wave
                           0V

                              
                            -Vcc
                                                                                                         (6)

7.8                  1
          fr =                                        
                 2π L t C
                                 1
             =                                        
                 2π 80 × 10 −3 × 0,65 × 10 −6
             = 697,94 Hz                                                                                (3)

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Electrical Technology                             15                       DBE/November 2015
                                           NSC – Memorandum

7.9       7.9.1         Mono-stable multivibrator.                                            (1)

          7.9.2         Timing circuit                                                        (1)

          7.9.3         T = 5 × R 2 ×C 2
                                                     
                        = 5 × 550 000 × 22 × 10 −9
                        = 0,0605 s                   
                        = 60,5 ms                                                             (3)

          7.9.4

                                                                       Trigger pulse

                                                                     Output wave
                            +Vcc               

                             0V

                            -Vcc 
                                           

                                                                                               (5)

          Note: The output may also start from 0 volts

7.10      7.10.1        -   Set and reset switch. 
                        -   Electronic on-off switch
                        -   Memory element                                                     (1)

          7.10.2        The output would change to match +V cc as the input is connected
                        to the inverting input.                                               (2)

7.11      The dual DC supply supplies energy to the op amp to amplify an input
          signal. The dual power supply allows the op amp to operate with a positive
          and negative supply (+V cc and –V cc ) thus allowing negative and positive
          amplification with reference to zero volts.                                        (3)
                                                                                               [50]

                                                                                 TOTAL:        200

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