Mixed Deck — All CET Topics Flashcards

A technician is asked to repair a device that may contain evidence in a criminal investigation. The technician should FIRST:

Answer: Consult with law enforcement or legal counsel before proceeding

Devices involved in legal investigations must be handled according to legal protocols; proceeding without guidance could compromise evidence or expose the technician to liability.

What is the primary purpose of a 'nonconformance report' (NCR) in electronics production?

Answer: To document products or processes that do not meet specified requirements

An NCR formally identifies and documents any product, component, or process that fails to meet defined specifications or standards.

A PNP transistor is suspected faulty. Using a DMM in diode-check mode, the base-emitter junction should read approximately:

Answer: 0.6–0.7V with positive lead on emitter, near OL reversed

For a PNP transistor, the base-emitter junction forward biases with the positive lead on the emitter (P-type).

What is 'data at rest' in the context of electronics security?

Answer: Data stored on a device or media not currently being transferred

Data at rest refers to inactive data stored physically on drives, SSDs, USB sticks, or other media, as opposed to data in transit or in use.

Which standard of practice is MOST important for ensuring quality in Follow-Up & Survival Analysis?

Answer: Following evidence-based protocols while adapting to specific circumstances

Evidence-based protocols provide a foundation of proven practices, but effective Certified Electronics Technician professionals must also adapt their approach based on specific circumstances and individual case needs within Follow-Up & Survival Analysis.

An inverting op-amp amplifier has a feedback resistor Rf = 10 kΩ and input resistor Rin = 2 kΩ. What is the closed-loop voltage gain?

Answer: -5

Inverting amplifier gain = -Rf/Rin = -10k/2k = -5.

Which standard of practice is MOST important for ensuring quality in Staging & Prognostic Factors?

Answer: Following evidence-based protocols while adapting to specific circumstances

Evidence-based protocols provide a foundation of proven practices, but effective Certified Electronics Technician professionals must also adapt their approach based on specific circumstances and individual case needs within Staging & Prognostic Factors.

What causes thermal runaway in a BJT power amplifier?

Answer: Increasing temperature raises collector current, which further raises temperature in a positive feedback loop

As junction temperature rises, ICEO increases, boosting IC, which generates more heat — a destructive positive feedback cycle called thermal runaway.

What is the total resistance in a parallel circuit?

Answer: The reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of the resistances.

In a parallel circuit, the total resistance (R_total) is calculated differently than in a series circuit. The formula for total resistance in parallel is 1/R_total = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + ... + 1/Rn. This means you sum the reciprocals of individual resistances and then take the reciprocal of that sum to find the total resistance, reflecting that adding more paths for current flow actually decreases the overall resistance.

When a conflict arises between standard procedures and a unique situation in Reporting Requirements & Standards, what should a CET professional prioritize?

Answer: Safety and ethical obligations while seeking expert consultation

Safety and ethics always take priority in Reporting Requirements & Standards. When standard procedures don't adequately address a unique situation, consulting with experienced colleagues or supervisors ensures both safety and professional standards are maintained.

Intermittent faults in electronics are often caused by:

Answer: Cold solder joints or mechanical connection issues

Cold solder joints expand and contract with temperature, creating intermittent electrical contact.

Which ICD-O-3 histology code range represents adenocarcinomas?

Answer: 8140–8389

Adenocarcinomas, which are glandular malignancies, are coded in the 8140–8389 range within the ICD-O-3 morphology classification.

How does a zener diode function as a voltage regulator in a shunt regulator circuit?

Answer: It maintains a nearly constant voltage across it by varying the current through it within its breakdown region

Operating in reverse breakdown, the zener holds a fixed voltage across itself while absorbing excess current, keeping output voltage stable.

A technician tests a power supply and finds output voltage is within tolerance. How should this result be recorded?

Answer: Measured value, specification limits, pass/fail result, and date/technician signature

Test records must include measured values, specification limits, pass/fail determination, date, and technician identification for traceability.

An electronics technician finds a device in the shop with no visible FCC ID. What is the most likely compliance issue?

Answer: The device may have been sold without required FCC equipment authorization

Devices subject to FCC authorization must display the FCC ID; absence of this marking suggests the device was marketed without obtaining required authorization.

What is the formula for calculating electrical power?

Answer: P = V * I

The formula for calculating electrical power (P) is the product of voltage (V) and current (I). This relationship, P = V * I, indicates that power is the rate at which electrical energy is transferred or consumed in a circuit. It is a fundamental equation used to determine the energy usage of electrical components and systems.

What is the primary purpose of a chain of custody document in electronics repair or forensics?

Answer: To document who handled evidence or devices and when

A chain of custody document records every person who handled a device or piece of evidence to maintain integrity and accountability.

What does the term 'Mean Time Between Failures' (MTBF) represent in electronics reliability reporting?

Answer: The average operating time between repairable failures of a system

MTBF is a reliability metric representing the average time a system operates between failures, used to predict reliability and schedule maintenance.

What is the primary purpose of a filter capacitor placed after the rectifier in a DC power supply?

Answer: Reduce output ripple by storing charge between rectifier pulses

The filter capacitor charges to the peak voltage and slowly discharges into the load between pulses, smoothing the pulsating DC.

What documentation practice is considered essential in Coding & Classification Systems within the Certified Electronics Technician field?

Answer: Recording actions, observations, and outcomes in real-time or as close to the event as possible

Real-time or near-real-time documentation in Coding & Classification Systems ensures accuracy, provides a contemporaneous record, and is considered the gold standard for professional accountability and legal defensibility.