New CAPS Subject: Electrical Technology

The Electronic Technology subject equips students with the skills and knowledge to understand electrical and electronic principles. It has a wide career choice.

Electrical Technology is one of the new CAPS Elective Occupational Subjects that was introduced in the South African school system. The following are the other subjects that were introduced: 

What Is Electrical Technology?

Electrical Technology is a subject that focuses on the understanding of electrical and electrical principles. This subject centres on the following areas of specialisation:

  • Electrical Systems
  • Electronic Systems
  • Digital Systems

What Are The Aims Of The Electrical Technology Subject?

The aim of the Electrical Technology subject is to equip learners with a foundation in electronic and electrical principles. The foundation that this subject offers is aimed to be translated from a knowledge base into practical skills by the end of Grade 12.

Which Skills Will I Gain From Studying Electrical Technology?

Through the integration of theory, practical assessment and tasks, the following skills can be developed:

  • Safe work practices
  • Good housekeeping
  • First Aid practices
  • Interpreting circuit diagrams
  • Sourcing components
  • Constructing circuits
  • Installation, testing and troubleshooting of circuits
  • Taking measurements
  • Workshop practice

Why Is Electrical Technology Important?

We use electricity every minute of our lives. Starting from where we live in our houses, electricity is dominant for lighting, cooking, washing, bathing, entertainment and more. As soon as we leave the house, the use of electricity is also abundant. The traffic lights that we use, street lighting, street signage, elevators fuel pumps all use electrical energy. This is to mention but a few. 

Where Does Electrical Power Come From?

Here are some of the sources of electrical power:

  • Wind – Wind energy is generated by windmills
  • Water – Hydroelectric power is generated by water 
  • Coal – Burning coal produces electrical energy 
  • Sun –  The sun produces photovoltaic energy also, known as solar energy   

Which Topics Will I Cover?

Electrical Technology covers the following topic for the following Grades:

GRADE 10 –  ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY TOPICS

GRADE 11 – ELECTRICAL ENERGY TOPICS

GRADE12 – ELECTRICAL ENERGY TOPICS

  • Occupational Health and Safety
  • Tools and Measuring Instruments
  • Electric Circuits
  • Magnetism
  • Principles of Electricity
  • Protective Devices
  • Electronic Components
  • Power Sources
  • Logic
  • Communications
  • Occupational Health and Safety
  • Tools and Measuring Instruments
  • Single Phase AC (Alternating Current) Generation
  • Single Phase Transformers
  • Single Phase Motors
  • RLC (This includes important components such as: Resistance, Inductance and Capacitance)
  • Protective Devices
  • Semi-Conductor Devices
  • Power Supplies
  • Amplifiers
  • Logic
  • Communications
  • Occupational Health and Safety
  • Three Phase AC (Alternating Current) Generation
  • Three Phase Transformers
  • Three Phase Motors and Starters
  • RLC (This includes important components such as: Resistance, Inductance and Capacitance)
  • Amplifiers 
  • Logic 

What Will I Learn?

Here is what you will learn in the following Grades:

Grade 10

TOPIC 

CONTENT

  • Occupational Health and Safety

Workshop rules and procedures

  • Tools and Measuring Instruments

Tools and how to use them

  • Electric Circuits

Draw single-phase circuits with reference to distribution and switching circuits

  • Magnetism

Principles of magnetism and the relevant laws

  • Principles of Electricity

Introduction to electricity

  • Protective Devices
  • Fuses and fuse types
  • MCB’s (Miniature Circuit Breaker) and earth leakage protection
  • Electronic Components

Basic electronic components and how they operate

  • Power Sources

Basic power sources and how they operate

  • Logic
  • Boolean Logic
  • Basic logic gates and their application
  • Communications

Basic communication principles and modulation

Grade 11

TOPIC

CONTENT

  • Occupational Health and Safety
  • Introducing the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act
  • Housekeeping and personal safety
  • Tools and Measuring Instruments

Measuring instruments and how to use them

  • Single Phase AC (Alternating Current) Generation

How electricity is generated

  • Single Phase Transformers
  • Induction
  • The operation of transformers
  • Types of transformers
  • Single Phase Motors
  • The universal motor
  • Split phase motor and its application
  • RLC (This includes important components such as: Resistance, Inductance and Capacitance)

The effect of AC (Alternating Current) on series RLC circuit

  • Protective Devices

The Direct Online Starter and its application

  • Semi-Conductor Devices
  • The diode, transistor, thyristor
  • DIAC (diode for alternating current) and TRIAC (triode for alternating current) and applications
  • Power Supplies

Principle of operation of linear power supplies

  • Amplifiers

Principle of operation and application of transistor amplifiers

  • Logic
  • Intermediate logic principles
  • Using logic gates to express Boolean equations 
  • Communications
  • Radio communications
  • Antennas
  • Modes of modulation
  • Transmitters and receivers

Grade 12

TOPIC

CONTENT

  • Occupational Health and Safety
  • The consequences of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act
  • Risk assessment
  • Human rights in the workplace
  • Work ethics and emergencies
  • Three Phase AC (Alternating Current) Generation
  • Power in three-phase systems
  • Power measurement and calculations
  • Three Phase Transformers

Principles of operation, calculations and application

  • Three Phase Motors and Starters

Principle of operation, testing and commissioning 

  • RLC (This includes important components such as: Resistance, Inductance and Capacitance)

The effect of AC (Alternating Current) on series and parallel RLC circuits

  • Amplifiers 

Principle of operation and application of operational amplifiers

  • Logic 
  • Introduction of programmable logic control
  • Application of Boolean expressions
  • Combination of logic networks

How Will I Be Assessed?

Assessments will provide you with information on how well you are progressing in this subject. These will include the following:

  • Projects
  • Oral presentations
  • Demonstrations
  • Performances
  • Tests
  • Examinations
  • Practical tasks

Programme Of Assessment

Here is the breakdown of your assessment programme:

Final Examination – 50%

What Can I Study Further With This Occupational Subject?

On completion of your Matric you have the following options:

Note: For you to be admitted to Institutions of Higher Learning, you must meet the relevant entry requirements

What Are The Career Opportunities In Electrical Technology?

Here are some of the career opportunities that are in Electrical Technology:

  • Electrical Fitter
  • Electrical or Electronic Engineer
  • Electrical Draughtsperson
  • Electrical or Electronic technician
  • Electrical or Electronic Technologist
  • Digital / Software Engineer
  • Electrical Technology Lecturer
  • Electronic Mechanic
  • Auto-Electrician
  • Electrician
  • Radio Technician
  • Cell Phone Technician
  • Communications Technician
  • PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) programming Expert
  • Electronics Programming Engineer
  • Computer Technician
  • Robotics Engineer
  • Mechatronics Technician
  • Installation Electrician
  • Radio Amateur
  • Electronic Hobbyist
  • Radio Control Enthusiast
  • Production Manager

What Are The Types Of Technology?

There are 8 types of technology, and they are the following:

  1. Information technology
  2. Biotechnology
  3. Nuclear technology
  4. Communication technology
  5. Electronic technology
  6. Medical technology
  7. Mechanical technology
  8. Materials technology