HKIE Professional Assessment - Electrical Discipline cheat sheet

Three-phase power: P = √3·V_L·I_L·cosφ; reactive power Q = √3·V_L·I_L·sinφ; apparent power S = √3·V_L·I_L.

Per-unit method: Z_pu = Z_actual/Z_base, with Z_base = V_base²/S_base; on a new base, Z_pu,new = Z_pu,old·(S_new/S_old)·(V_old/V_new)².

Transformer voltage regulation ≈ (I·R·cosφ ± I·X·sinφ)/V_rated for lagging/leading loads; efficiency peaks when copper loss equals iron loss.

Cable sizing for LV circuits: continuous current Iz ≥ In of protective device, and In ≤ Ib of the load current; also check voltage drop (≤4% at final circuit per typical HK practice) and adiabatic fault withstand.

Adiabatic equation for earth-fault withstand: S ≥ √(I²·t)/k, where k depends on conductor and insulation (e.g., k = 115 for PVC copper, 143 for XLPE copper).

Motor starting: star-delta reduces starting current and torque to one-third; auto-transformer with tap x reduces current and torque to x².

Protection coordination: IDMT relay grading uses time-multiplier (TMS) and plug-setting (PS) margins of at least 0.3 s between successive devices.

Power factor correction: Q_c = P·(tanφ₁ − tanφ₂); capacitor bank kVAr sized from target cosφ, and detuned reactors avoid resonance with supply harmonics.

Scheme "A" training is typically three years of structured, supervised graduate training; the logbook records each period with dates, project, supervisor sign-off.

Logbook entries must be contemporaneous and signed by the supervising engineer; retrospective bulk entries are not acceptable evidence.

Training objectives are mapped to competence areas: design, installation, testing/commissioning, project management, and professional conduct.

Each entry should state the task, the engineer's role, the technical content, and the learning outcome - not merely the project name.

Regular progress reviews (typically every 3–6 months) require supervisor and trainee signatures; missed reviews may delay completion.

A logbook is a confidential but auditable record: it can be requested by the assessment panel and must be retained after completion.

Formal training courses (short courses, workshops) are recorded separately with attendance evidence; they complement, not replace, on-the-job entries.

Where the trainee changes employer or supervisor, a handover entry should record the transfer date and the new supervising engineer.

Engineers must act within their competence; taking on work outside competence without supervision is a disciplinary matter.

Conflicts of interest must be declared in writing to the client and employer before accepting an engagement.

Confidentiality applies to client information obtained during work; disclosure requires consent or legal compulsion.

Public safety and safety of life take priority over commercial or contractual considerations when a defect is identified.

Only sign or certify work that you have personally supervised or can verify; signing off unverified work is misconduct.

Bribery and facilitation payments are prohibited; gifts/hospitality must be modest and recorded per employer policy.

Engineers must keep accurate records and not misrepresent qualifications, experience, or test results.

Whistleblowing: report unsafe or unlawful practice to the appropriate authority if internal escalation fails.

CPD is recorded in hours or points; typical requirement is a minimum annual CPD commitment (e.g., 30–50 hours/year, with a proportion in structured activities).

CPD categories: formal courses, conferences, technical visits, self-directed study, professional body volunteering, and mentoring.

Each CPD record should include date, activity, provider, hours, and a brief reflection on how it develops competence.

CPD must be relevant to the discipline or to professional/managerial competence; unrelated hobbies do not count.

A rolling multi-year record is normally required, not just the current year, so that audits can verify continuity.

Reflective statements distinguish CPD from mere attendance: state what was learned and how it changes practice.

CPD records may be audited by the professional body; unverifiable entries can be disallowed and may trigger a review.

Employer-supported training counts if it develops professional competence; routine induction or mandatory safety briefings generally do not.