Mixed Deck — All CET Topics Flashcards

What power level does 0 dBm represent?

Answer: 1 mW

0 dBm is defined as a power of 1 milliwatt; it is the 0 dB reference point on the dBm scale.

A test engineer specifies a 6½-digit DMM for a precision measurement. Approximately how many displayable counts does this instrument provide?

Answer: 1,999,999

A 6½-digit meter displays up to 1,999,999 counts (the ½ digit can only display 0 or 1), providing very fine measurement resolution.

Which EIA standard governs the standard preferred number series (E12, E24, E96) for resistor values?

Answer: EIA-96

The EIA-96 standard defines the E96 series of preferred resistor values and is also commonly referenced for SMD coding using alphanumeric codes.

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.

Corrective Maintenance (CM) is distinguished from Preventive Maintenance (PM) in that CM is:

Answer: Triggered by an actual failure event

CM restores a failed item to service and is unplanned, whereas PM is scheduled to prevent failure before it occurs.

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).

A digital multimeter displays '0L' or 'OL' during a resistance measurement. This most likely indicates:

Answer: The resistance exceeds the selected range (overload)

OL (overload) on a DMM resistance measurement means the resistance is higher than the currently selected measurement range.

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.

The Gray code sequence after 0111 (decimal 7) is:

Answer: 1100

Gray code for decimal 8 is 1100; in Gray code only one bit changes between consecutive values, so 0111 transitions to 1100.

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.

The resonant frequency of a series RLC circuit is determined by which two components?

Answer: L and C

Resonant frequency f₀ = 1/(2π√(LC)); resistance affects Q and bandwidth but not the resonant frequency.

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.