ANALOG BASICS (EM3) – 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 Analog 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 Explain how to help someone who is being shocked without unnecessarily endangering
yourself
1.2.3 List NEC® codes regarding safe AC, DC and wet-environment voltages
1.2.4 Explain the concept of First Aid and its particular importance to workers in electric and
electronic fields
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 Diodes
2.1 Describe the electrical characteristics of semiconductors
2.2 Differentiate between intrinsic and doped semiconductors
2.3 Explain the difference between an intrinsic semiconductor and a doped semiconductor as it
relates to current flow
2.4 Describe the construction of a PN junction diode
2.5 Explain the behavior of a:
2.5.1 forward biased diode
2.5.2 reverse biased diode
2.6 Identify diodes with a proper front to back ratio.
2.7 Describe the forward and reverse current-voltage characteristics of a typical zener diode.
2.8 Describe how the zener diode is used to provide voltage regulation.
2.9 Identify a zener voltage regulator diagram.
2.9.1 Explain how a simple zener voltage regulator operates
2.10 Describe how capacitance is produced in a varactor diode.
2.10.1 Explain how capacitance is affected by a change in a varicap’s operating voltage
2.11 Explain the operational and electrical characteristics of the following types of diodes:
2.11.1 Silicon
2.11.2 Germanium

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2.11.3 Tunnel and/or Gunn

2.11.4 Schottky
2.11.5 Laser Diodes
2.11.6 Light Emitting
2.11.7 Photodiodes (PIN diode, light-sensitive)
2.11.8 Super-Barrier
2.12 Identify types of diodes by their:
2.12.1 schematic symbols
2.12.2 alphanumerical designation
2.13 Explain the proper procedure for diode testing
2.14 List the safety precautions to be taken when working with diodes

3.0 Transistors
3.1 Explain the operational and electrical characteristics of bipolar junction transistors (BJT)
3.1.1 Describe the construction of PNP and NPN bipolar junction transistors
3.2 Explain the proper biasing of BJTs for normal operation
3.3 Explain the relationship between emitter, base, and collector currents in BJTs
3.4 Explain the function of the three basic (Emitter, Base and Collector) BJT amplifier circuits
3.4.1 Identify the schematic diagram for the three basic BJTs
3.5 Explain the differences between heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) and BJTs
3.6 Describe the operational and electrical characteristics of a unijunction transistor (UJT)
3.6.1 Explain the conditions necessary to turn on and off a UJT
3.7 Determine an amplifier gain using a transistor collector characteristic curve
3.8 Determine transistor amplifier circuit:
3.8.1 input resistance
3.8.2 output resistance
3.9 Explain the meaning of cutoff frequency and calculate:
3.9.1 alpha cutoff frequency
3.9.2 beta cutoff frequency
3.10 Explain the operational and electrical characteristics of junction field effect transistors (JFETs)
3.11 Explain the proper biasing of N-channel and P-channel JFETs for normal operation
3.12 Determine the transconductance of a device using an FET’s drain characteristic curve
3.13 Explain the operational and electrical characteristics of a metal oxide semiconductor field effect
transistor (MOSFET)
3.13.1 Identify enhancement mode MOSFET characteristics
3.13.2 Identify depletion mode MOSFET characteristics
3.14 Explain the operational and electrical characteristics of insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBT)
3.14.1 Describe the operational improvements IGBTs have over BJTs and MOSFETs
3.15 Identify various types of transistors by their:
3.15.1 schematic symbols
3.15.2 alphanumerical designation
3.15.3 color code
3.16 Explain the proper procedure for transistor testing
3.17 List the safety precautions to be taken when working with transistors

4.0 Thyristors
4.1 Describe the operational and electrical characteristics of a:
4.1.1 silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR)
4.1.2 diode for alternating current (DIAC)
4.1.3 bidirectional triode thyristor (TRIAC)
4.2 Identify types of thyristors by their:
4.2.1 schematic symbols
4.2.2 alphanumerical designation
4.3 Explain the proper procedure for thyristor testing
4.4 List the safety precautions to be taken when working with thyristors.

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 Analog Basic Electronics Module Competencies

5.0 Integrated Circuits

5.1 Describe the operational and electrical characteristics of integrated circuits
5.2 Explain the difference between linear and digital integrated circuits
5.3 Identify the types of integrated circuits and explain their use by their:
5.3.1 schematic symbols
5.3.2 alphanumerical designation
5.4 Explain the proper procedure for integrated circuit testing
5.5 List the safety precautions to be taken when working with integrated circuits

6.0 Optoelectronic Devices

6.1 Describe the basic characteristics of light
6.2 Given a light frequency, determine its wavelength
6.3 Describe the operational and electrical characteristics of light emitting devices
6.3.1 Define light emitting diodes (LEDs)
6.3.2 Define laser diodes
6.4 Describe the operational and electrical characteristics of light sensitive (photosensitive) devices
6.4.1 Define photoconductive devices
6.4.2 Define photovoltaic devices
6.5 Explain the proper optoelectronic interfaces for light sensitive and light emitting devices
6.6 Explain the operational and physical characteristics of light transmission media
6.6.1 Define Fiber Optic material
6.7 Explain the operation of optoelectronic couplers and isolators
6.8 Explain the operation of light amplifiers
6.9 Explain the proper procedure for optoelectronic device testing
6.9 List the safety precautions to be taken when working with optoelectronic devices

7.0 Power Supplies

7.1 Define “power supply”.
7.1.1 Describe a linear power supply
7.1.2 Describe a switching power supply
7.2 Describe the configuration of power supply filters:
7.2.1 Capacitor
7.2.2 Inductor
7.3 Describe the electrical and operational characteristics of and the configuration of:
7.3.1 rectifier circuits
7.3.2 voltage multipliers
7.3.3 voltage regulators
7.3.4 switching power supplies
7.3.5 series, shunt and biased clippers
7.3.6 clampers
7.3.7 inverters
7.4 Describe “synchronous rectification”
7.5 Describe “uninterruptible power supply”
7.6 List the shock hazards and safety precautions to be taken when working with power supplies

8.0 Mathematics and Formulas

8.1 Calculate wavelength, frequency and power values.
8.2 Explain decibels and show reasons for using dBs in signal level, voltage, and power level
calculations:
8.2.1 dBm
8.2.2 dBW
8.2.3 dBV
8.2.4 dB(SPL) sound pressure level including the dB(C) scale
8.2.4.1 differentiate between the dB(C) scale and dB(A)
8.2.5 dBu
8.3 Describe how graphs are used to demonstrate electronic functions
8.4 Calculate PRF/PRR (pulse recurring frequency/pulse recurring rate)

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 Analog Basic Electronics Module Competencies

9.0 Amplifiers
9.1 Describe basic amplifier configuration, biasing, coupling, classes and operation.
9.2 Describe the electrical and operational characteristics of the following types of amplifiers:
9.2.1 DC (direct-coupled, direct-current)
9.2.2 Audio
9.2.3 Video
9.2.4 IF
9.2.5 RF
9.3 Explain the proper procedure for amplifier testing
9.4 List the safety precautions to be taken when working with amplifiers.

10.0 Operational Amplifiers (Op Amp)

10.1 Describe operational amplifier configurations, biasing, coupling, and operation of an:
10.1.1 Inverting amplifier
10.1.2 Non-inverting amplifier
10.1.3 Voltage follower
10.1.4 Summing amplifier
10.1.5 Integrator
10.1.6 Differentiator
10.1.7 Comparator
10.2 Describe various operational amplifier circuits input and output:
10.2.1 impedance characteristics
10.2.2 phase relationships
10.2.3 gain characteristics
10.3 Explain the proper procedure for operational amplifier testing
10.4 List the safety precautions to be taken when working with operational amplifiers.

11.0 Oscillators
11.1 Describe the fundamentals of oscillation.
11.2 Describe the electrical and operational characteristics of and the configuration of:
11.2.1 Armstrong (aka Meissner) oscillator circuit
11.2.2 Hartley oscillator circuit
11.2.3 Colpitts oscillator circuit
11.2.4 Clapp oscillator circuit
11.2.5 crystal-controlled oscillator circuit (i.e. Pierce)
11.2.6 resistive-capacitive oscillator circuit
11.2.7 transformer oscillator circuit
11.2.7.1 Define blocking
11.3 Explain the piezoelectric effect
11.4 Explain regenerative feedback
11.5 Explain frequency multiplication
11.6 Explain the Barkhausen Criterion (tuned oscillation)
11.7 Explain the proper procedure for oscillator testing
11.8 List the safety precautions to be taken when working with oscillators.

12.0 Filters
12.1 Describe the electrical and operational characteristics of the various combinations of the following
filters:
12.1.1 RC
12.1.2 RL
12.1.3 LC
12.1.4 RLC
12.1.5 high pass
12.1.6 low pass
12.1.7 band pass
12.1.8 band stop

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 Analog Basic Electronics Module Competencies

12.1.9 parallel
12.1.10 L -type
12.1.11 PI()-type
12.1.12 T-type
12.1.13 “Notch”
12.1.14 “Knee”
12.2 Describe the configuration of various active filters:
12.2.1 Butterworth
12.2.2 Chebyshev
12.2.3 Bessel
12.2.4 Elliptical (Cauer)
12.2.5 Multiple-Feedback Bandpass
12.2.6 Phase-locked loop
12.3 Explain the relationship between frequency versus voltage of a filter circuit (frequency response)
12.4 Describe a filter’s transfer function
12.5 Describe selectivity;
12.5.1 Define Bandwidth
12.6 Describe the relationship between bandwidth and Q of a circuit.
12.7 Define Attenuation slopes
12.7.1 Describe how first-order filters are affected by slope

13.0 Wave-shaping Circuits

13.1 Describe the electrical, operational characteristics, and the configuration of:
13.1.1 a square wave generating circuit
13.1.2 a sawtooth wave generating circuit
13.1.3 a trapezoidal wave generating circuit
13.1.4 various differentiator and integrator circuits
13.1.5 a ramp generator circuit
13.2 Explain the proper procedure for wave-shaping circuit testing
13.3 List the safety precautions to be taken when working with wave-shaping circuits.

End of ANALOG 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 [email protected]
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. [email protected]
Bakkeren, CESma,CESms(RF), John ON, Canada [email protected]
Baldwin, CETsr, John Minnesota [email protected]
Barrett, CETsr, GVT Zachary Rhode Island
Bates, CET, Dave Minnesota [email protected]
Berlin, CETsr, Bob Orlando, FL
Booth, FOT, Richard W. Tucson, AZ [email protected]
Boyd, CETsr, Gerry Beltsville, MD [email protected]

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 Analog Basic Electronics Module Competencies

Brinker, CETma, Bill Shawnee, KS

Carroll, Dave [email protected]
Cerniglia, Vic Mississippi
Chisum, CETsr, John E. Utica, MS [email protected]
Collum, James Mississippi
Crotts, CETsr, Jim [email protected]
Crozier, Gary Ladson, SC [email protected]
Dolly, CETma, Clyde J. Melbourne, FL
Douglas, CETa, CSS, Mikel Idaho
Felix, Ron Bellingham, WA
Fleeman, Prof., Stephen [email protected]
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
Heller, Jr, CETsr, Don Speedway, IN
Hinds, Sr, CETsr, Edwin R. Jamaica, NY [email protected]
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 [email protected]
Kirkpatrick, PVI, CSS, Ed Greencastle, IN
Koch, CETma, Gordon P. Grand Junction, CO [email protected]
Lister, CETma, George [email protected] or [email protected]
Matthews, CETa, Frank Pinetops, NC
Martini, PVI, John Ft. Smith, AR
McCauley, CST, Phillip W. Albuquerque, NM
McNair, Barry AL [email protected]
McNease, Sam MS
McNeill, CETsr, Dr. Dennis [email protected]
Miller, CETsr, Chris [email protected]
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 [email protected]
Retzinger, FOI, Dan Anchorage, AK
Rondeau, Robert L. Tyngsboro, MA [email protected]
Salmons, CETma, Cliff Mason, IA
Smalling, CETsr, Andre Richmond Hills, NY [email protected]
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 [email protected]
Wilcher, CETa, Don Madison, AL [email protected]
Williams, CETa, Robert R. Tobyhanna, PA
Woodward, FOD, PE, Bill
Yager, Ed Middleburg Hts, OH
Zielinski, CETma, John [email protected]

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 Analog 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; 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.

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