T6 — Electronic and Electrical Components
4 exam questions · 4 groups · 47 questions in pool
The parts themselves: resistors, capacitors, inductors, switches, fuses, batteries, diodes, transistors, and the functional building blocks (rectifiers, regulators, transformers, ICs). Two groups (T6C, T6D) require reading schematic symbols off three figures, which are included below. No FCC citations.
T6A — Resistors, Capacitors, Inductors, Fuses, Switches, Batteries
12 questions
What this group tests: what each passive component does and a couple of facts about switches and battery chemistry.
Foundational concepts
The three fundamental passives map directly onto the quantities from T5:
- A resistor opposes current flow. A potentiometer is a variable resistor used as an adjustable control (like a volume knob); the parameter it varies is resistance.
- A capacitor stores energy in an electric field and is physically two conductive surfaces separated by an insulator (dielectric).
- An inductor stores energy in a magnetic field and is typically a coil of wire.
A fuse protects a circuit by breaking the connection during a current overload. Switches are described by poles and throws: an SPDT (single-pole double-throw) switch routes one circuit to one of two others; an SPST (single-pole single-throw) is a simple on/off — that’s component 3 in figure T-2.
Battery chemistry: the rechargeable ones include lithium-ion, nickel-metal-hydride, and lead-acid — “all of these” are rechargeable — while carbon-zinc is a common non- rechargeable (primary) chemistry.
Key facts to retain
- Resistor opposes current; potentiometer = variable resistor (controls resistance).
- Capacitor = conductors + insulator, stores in electric field; inductor = coil, magnetic field.
- Fuse protects against overcurrent; SPDT = one circuit to one of two; SPST = on/off.
- Carbon-zinc = not rechargeable.
External reference anchors
- NCVEC syllabus: T6A — Fixed and variable resistors; Capacitors; Inductors; Fuses; Switches; Batteries
Per-question map
| Q | Asks for | Resolved by |
|---|---|---|
| T6A01 | Opposes DC current | Resistor |
| T6A02 | Adjustable volume control | Potentiometer |
| T6A03 | Parameter a pot controls | Resistance |
| T6A04 | Stores energy in electric field | Capacitor |
| T6A05 | Conductors + insulator | Capacitor |
| T6A06 | Stores energy in magnetic field | Inductor |
| T6A07 | Built as a coil of wire | Inductor |
| T6A08 | SPDT switch function | One circuit to one of two |
| T6A09 | Protects from overcurrent | Fuse |
| T6A10 | Rechargeable chemistry | All these choices |
| T6A11 | Non-rechargeable chemistry | Carbon-zinc |
| T6A12 | Switch component 3, fig T-2 | SPST |
T6B — Semiconductors: Diodes and Transistors
12 questions
What this group tests: the two workhorse semiconductors — diodes and transistors — their electrodes, behavior, and terminology.
Foundational concepts
A diode allows current to flow in only one direction. Its two electrodes are the anode and cathode, and the cathode end is usually marked with a stripe on the package. Diodes have a forward voltage drop that varies by type (silicon ~0.7 V, Schottky lower, LEDs higher). A light-emitting diode (LED) emits light when forward current flows through it, which makes it a common visual indicator.
A transistor can act as an electronic switch and, crucially, can provide gain — the ability to amplify a signal (it provides power gain, unlike a passive part). The two main families: a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) is built from three regions of semiconductor and its electrodes are emitter, base, collector; a field-effect transistor (FET) has a gate, drain, and source. “FET” stands for Field Effect Transistor.
Key facts to retain
- Diode = one-way current; electrodes anode/cathode; cathode = striped end.
- Forward voltage drop differs by diode type; LED lights on forward current.
- Transistor = switch + amplifier; provides gain (power gain).
- BJT = emitter/base/collector (three regions); FET = gate/drain/source.
External reference anchors
- NCVEC syllabus: T6B — Semiconductors: solid-state devices, diodes and transistors
Per-question map
| Q | Asks for | Resolved by |
|---|---|---|
| T6B01 | Diode forward voltage drop | Lower in some types than others |
| T6B02 | One-direction current | Diode |
| T6B03 | Electronic switch | Transistor |
| T6B04 | Three regions of semiconductor | Transistor |
| T6B05 | Gate, drain, source | Field-effect transistor |
| T6B06 | Cathode marking | A stripe |
| T6B07 | What makes an LED emit | Forward current |
| T6B08 | “FET” stands for | Field Effect Transistor |
| T6B09 | Diode electrodes | Anode and cathode |
| T6B10 | Provides power gain | Transistor |
| T6B11 | Ability to amplify | Gain |
| T6B12 | BJT electrodes | Emitter, base, collector |
T6C — Circuit Diagrams; Schematic Symbols
12 questions
What this group tests: reading a schematic — recognizing standard component symbols in figures T-1, T-2, and T-3.
Foundational concepts
A schematic is a wiring diagram that uses standard component symbols; what it accurately represents is the electrical connections between components (not their physical size or placement). Learn to recognize each symbol on sight:
- Resistor — a zigzag (or rectangle).
- Capacitor — two parallel plates/lines.
- Inductor — a series of loops/coils.
- Diode — a triangle pointing into a bar; LED adds little arrows pointing away.
- Transistor — a circle with base bar and emitter/collector leads.
- Battery — alternating long/short parallel lines.
- Transformer — two coils facing each other (often with core lines between).
- Variable components — an arrow drawn through the symbol (variable resistor, variable capacitor, variable inductor).
- Antenna — a triangle/”tree” at the end of a line.
- Lamp — a loop or circle (incandescent filament).
In Figure T-1: ① resistor, ② transistor, ③ lamp, ④ battery, ⑤ ground.
In Figure T-2: ④ transformer, ⑥ capacitor, ⑧ light-emitting diode, ⑨ variable resistor (plus ② fuse, ③ SPST switch, ⑤ diode from other groups).
In Figure T-3: ③ variable inductor, ④ antenna (with ② a variable capacitor).
Key facts to retain
- A schematic uses standard symbols and shows connections.
- Memorize the symbols above; an arrow through a symbol means it’s variable.
- Figure T-1: R, transistor, lamp, battery. Figure T-2: transformer, capacitor, LED, variable resistor. Figure T-3: variable inductor, antenna.
External reference anchors
- NCVEC syllabus: T6C — Circuit diagrams; schematic symbols
- Figures T-1, T-2, T-3 (included above; required for T6C/T6D).
Per-question map
| Q | Asks for | Resolved by |
|---|---|---|
| T6C01 | Diagram with standard symbols | Schematic |
| T6C02 | Fig T-1, component 1 | Resistor |
| T6C03 | Fig T-1, component 2 | Transistor |
| T6C04 | Fig T-1, component 3 | Lamp |
| T6C05 | Fig T-1, component 4 | Battery |
| T6C06 | Fig T-2, component 6 | Capacitor |
| T6C07 | Fig T-2, component 8 | Light-emitting diode |
| T6C08 | Fig T-2, component 9 | Variable resistor |
| T6C09 | Fig T-2, component 4 | Transformer |
| T6C10 | Fig T-3, component 3 | Variable inductor |
| T6C11 | Fig T-3, component 4 | Antenna |
| T6C12 | What schematics represent | Component connections |
T6D — Component Functions; Resonant Circuit; Shielding
11 questions
What this group tests: what functional parts do — rectifiers, relays, regulators, meters, transformers, ICs — plus the LC resonant circuit and why we shield wire.
Foundational concepts
Several parts are defined by their job:
- A rectifier changes AC into varying DC (the first stage of a power supply).
- A regulator controls/holds the output voltage of a supply steady.
- A transformer changes one AC voltage to another — e.g., 120 V AC down to a lower AC voltage.
- A relay is an electrically controlled switch.
- A meter displays an electrical quantity as a numeric value; an LED is a common visual indicator.
- An integrated circuit (IC) combines many semiconductors and other components in one package.
Two recurring concepts: a resonant (tuned) circuit is an inductor and capacitor in series or parallel — you combine an inductor with a capacitor to make one (figure T-3 is exactly such a network feeding an antenna). And shielded wire is used to prevent unwanted signals coupling to or from the wire. The function of the transistor (component 2 in figure T-1) in that circuit is to control the flow of current.
Key facts to retain
- Rectifier: AC → varying DC. Regulator: holds voltage. Transformer: changes AC voltage.
- Relay = electrically controlled switch; meter = numeric display; IC = many parts in one package.
- Resonant circuit = inductor + capacitor (series or parallel).
- Shielded wire prevents signal coupling in/out.
External reference anchors
- NCVEC syllabus: T6D — Component functions; Resonant circuit; Shielding
- Figure T-1 (component 2 function).
Per-question map
| Q | Asks for | Resolved by |
|---|---|---|
| T6D01 | AC to varying DC | Rectifier |
| T6D02 | What a relay is | Electrically controlled switch |
| T6D03 | Reason for shielded wire | Prevent unwanted coupling |
| T6D04 | Numeric display of a quantity | Meter |
| T6D05 | Controls supply voltage | Regulator |
| T6D06 | 120 V AC to lower AC | Transformer |
| T6D07 | Common visual indicator | LED |
| T6D08 | Combined with inductor for resonance | Capacitor |
| T6D09 | Many semiconductors in one package | Integrated circuit |
| T6D10 | Fig T-1 component 2 function | Control the flow of current |
| T6D11 | A resonant/tuned circuit | Inductor + capacitor (series/parallel) |