renewable energy (RE) system electronics, including: fault-finding techniques encompassing: factors to consider in clarifying the nature of a fault: initial fault report confirmation of symptoms of the fault comparison of symptoms with normal operation effect to cause reasoning — assumptions of possible causes methods for testing assumptions: visual inspection sectional testing split-half tests component isolation dealing with intermittent faults semiconductor components encompassing: symbols for common semiconductor components, including rectifier diodes, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), zener diodes, bipolar transistors, darlington pairs, MOSFETs, IGBTs, SCRs and triacs basic function of these devices above major rating parameters of devices above applications for each device I-V curve characteristics of diodes and the current gain characteristic of bipolar transistors linear regulated direct current (d.c.) power supplies encompassing: label circuit diagrams for half wave and full wave, single phase and three phase rectifiers voltage and current waveforms for these rectifier circuits with and without capacitor filtering peak output voltages from single phase and three phase rectifier circuits block diagram showing the structure of a regulated d.c. power supply main features of linear integrated circuit and voltage regulator integrated circuits each of the major components and their physical location in a regulated power supply switching power control circuits encompassing: power dissipation of a transistor when operated as a switch how pulse width modulation (PWM) can provide a variable output voltage from a switch mode regulator advantages and disadvantages of switch mode power circuits compared with linear power circuits block diagram of a basic photovoltaic (PV) switching voltage regulator for battery charging applications of switch mode circuits found in RE systems how power control in alternating current (a.c.) circuits is achieved using SCRs and triacs methods used to reduce radio frequency interference (RFI) in d.c. and a.c. circuits utilising high-speed switching digital electronic circuits encompassing: characteristic features that distinguish analogue and digital devices and circuits how numbers or text information can be represented using binary numbers and how these are represented in digital circuits operation of voltage comparators, analogue to digital (A-D) converters, and digital to analogue (D-A) converters, and examples of each one's use in a RE application basic function of microcontrollers, volatile and non-volatile memory devices operation of a solar hot water (SHW) system pump differential controller as an example of the use of logic in digital circuits inverters encompassing: basic function of inverters and d.c converters and their use in RE systems the operation of an inverter bridge and half-bridge output voltage waveforms for square wave, modified square wave and synthesised sine wave inverters showing typical voltages and timing the function of PWM techniques in modified square wave and synthesised sine wave inverters block diagrams showing the structure of common forms of d.c converters and inverters used in RE applications maintenance encompassing: safety procedures for work on electronic systems, circuits and apparatus hazards that may be encountered when performing tests on inverters, battery chargers or other equipment containing low voltage (LV) circuits functionality of electronic equipment through appropriate client questioning and application of systematic tests and observation various types of common faults and their causes in RE electronic equipment typical test equipment used to repair electronic and electrical equipment safe and correct use of tools and test equipment to locate electronic equipment faults under the direction of an electronics technician replacement of circuit boards, observing appropriate handling precautions for static sensitive devices replacement of socketed integrated circuits such as EPROMs or microprocessors using appropriate tools and methods relevant manufacturer specifications relevant safe work method statements (SWMS)/job safety assessments or risk mitigation processes relevant WHS/OHS legislated requirements relevant workplace documentation relevant workplace policies and procedures RE control systems. |