ITI/NCVT Mechanic Consumer Electronics (AITT Theory) study materials
ITI/NCVT Mechanic Consumer Electronics (AITT Theory) study resources

ITI/NCVT Mechanic Consumer Electronics (AITT Theory) study plan

ITI/NCVT Mechanic Consumer Electronics (AITT Theory) · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 7 hours per week

Week 1

Basic Electricity and Electronic Components & Semiconductor Devices and Power Supplies

  • Apply Ohm's law, series/parallel network reduction and Kirchhoff's laws to solve at least 20 resistor-network problems without a calculator shortcut sheet.

  • Identify resistors, capacitors, inductors, transformers and relays by package marking and state the failure mode each shows in a consumer product.

  • Explain the forward and reverse behaviour of a PN junction diode and read a datasheet to extract Vf, If(max), Vr and power rating.

  • Draw and explain half-wave, full-wave centre-tap and bridge rectifier outputs with and without a filter capacitor, calculating ripple and PIV.

  • Compare zener, series-pass and three-terminal regulator circuits and choose the correct regulator topology for a stated load current and dropout requirement.

Your checkpoint

A handwritten formula-and-circuit notebook containing 20 solved network problems plus labelled sketches of four rectifier/regulator circuits with calculated DC output, ripple and PIV values.

Week 2

Safety, Environment and Workshop Practices & Measurement, Testing and Fault Diagnosis

  • Demonstrate safe isolation procedure: prove the tester on a known live source, isolate, lock off, re-prove dead and confirm no stored energy in capacitors.

  • Select the correct fuse rating, earth conductor size and RCD/ELCB type for a given appliance load, and explain why a fuse must never be uprated to stop nuisance blowing.

  • Use a digital multimeter to measure voltage, current, resistance, continuity and diode drop, and state the meter setting and lead placement for each.

  • Set up and read an oscilloscope for amplitude, period and frequency, including probe compensation and correct ground reference.

  • Apply a half-split and signal-injection method to localise a fault in a two-stage amplifier, documenting each measurement.

Your checkpoint

A fault-diagnosis log of five deliberately induced faults (open resistor, shorted diode, leaky capacitor, dry joint, blown fuse) with the measurement taken, the reading expected, the reading observed and the conclusion drawn.

Week 3

Digital Electronics and Microcontrollers & Basic Electricity and Electronic Components

  • Convert between binary, decimal, hexadecimal and BCD and perform addition/subtraction in two's complement.

  • Derive truth tables and simplified Boolean expressions for a given logic requirement, then implement it with NAND gates only.

  • Describe the function and pinout of flip-flops, counters, shift registers, decoders and multiplexers and identify them on a schematic.

  • Explain the architecture of a typical 8-bit microcontroller: CPU, program memory, data memory, ports, timers, ADC, interrupt unit and clock circuit.

  • Write and explain a short embedded routine that reads a digital input, debounces it and drives an output through a transistor.

Your checkpoint

A one-page design sheet containing a truth table, Karnaugh-map simplification, NAND-only gate diagram and the corresponding microcontroller port logic for a simple two-button appliance control function.

Week 4

Audio and Video Equipment Servicing & Analog Circuits and Amplifiers

  • Trace the signal path of a colour television or monitor from tuner/HDMI input through IF, video decoder, scaler and panel driver, naming the test point at each stage.

  • Explain the function of the SMPS, backlight/LED driver, T-CON board and inverter in a flat-panel display and state the symptom of each failing.

  • Diagnose common picture faults (no picture with sound, no backlight, vertical bars, colour cast) and map each symptom to a probable stage.

  • Analyse a two-stage RC-coupled common-emitter amplifier: calculate gain, input and output impedance, and explain the effect of emitter bypass and feedback.

  • Compare class A, AB and D audio output stages and identify the distortion and efficiency trade-offs relevant to consumer audio.

Your checkpoint

A symptom-to-stage troubleshooting chart for a flat-panel TV covering at least eight fault symptoms, each with the confirming measurement and the expected reading.

Week 5

Consumer Appliances and White Goods & Safety, Environment and Workshop Practices

  • Describe the electrical layout and sequence of operation of a washing machine, including motor, timer/controller, water-level switch, inlet valve and door interlock.

  • Explain the refrigeration cycle of a domestic refrigerator and state the electrical checks for compressor, PTC starter, overload protector and thermostat.

  • Interpret the colour code and insulation class of appliance wiring, and apply earthing and double-insulation requirements for Class I and Class II appliances.

  • Test a heating element, bimetallic thermostat and thermal fuse with a multimeter and decide replacement versus reuse.

  • Explain safe handling and recovery obligations for refrigerant, e-waste and lead-containing solder under common environmental regulations.

Your checkpoint

A component-level service checklist for one washing machine and one refrigerator, listing every electrical test, the instrument used, the acceptable reading and the action if out of tolerance.

Week 6

Communication and Mobile Devices & Measurement, Testing and Fault Diagnosis

  • Explain cellular network structure from handset to base station, and describe the roles of SIM, IMEI, antenna switch, PA, duplexer and transceiver.

  • Diagnose common handset faults (no charging, no network, no audio, dead display, water damage) and state the measurement sequence for each.

  • Perform and interpret a continuity and voltage-drop test on a charging path, and identify shorted or open components on a phone PCB.

  • Describe Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS sections of a smartphone and the checks that separate an antenna fault from a transceiver fault.

  • Use a signal generator and frequency counter to verify the output of an RF or IF stage against a stated specification.

Your checkpoint

A handset fault-flow document covering five fault categories, each with a step-by-step measurement path and a pass/fail criterion at every step.

Week 7

Installation, Maintenance and Customer Service & Semiconductor Devices and Power Supplies

  • Plan an installation: verify supply capacity, select cable and protective device, route and fix wiring, and record the test results before handover.

  • Write a preventive maintenance schedule for a consumer electronics workshop covering tool calibration, bench safety checks and stock rotation.

  • Explain the customer-service cycle from complaint logging to root-cause note, repair estimate, approval, repair and follow-up.

  • Demonstrate correct behaviour for an on-site visit: identify the customer's equipment, isolate safely, protect the work area and explain the fault in plain language.

  • Diagnose a switch-mode power supply fault from fuse, bridge, chopper, optocoupler and output-rail measurements, and state the safety precautions for live testing.

Your checkpoint

A complete installation and handover record for a mock appliance installation, including cable and protective-device selection, insulation-resistance and earth-continuity readings, and a customer-facing fault explanation of 100 words or more.

Week 8

Audio and Video Equipment Servicing & Consumer Appliances and White Goods & Communication and Mobile Devices & Measurement, Testing and Fault Diagnosis

  • Solve timed mixed-domain question sets under exam conditions and record the accuracy and time taken for each domain.

  • Re-teach the three weakest domains from memory on a blank sheet, then check against notes and correct every gap.

  • Recite the safety sequence for isolation, capacitor discharge and live testing without prompts.

  • Assemble a one-page reference card of formulas, colour codes, pinouts and standard test values permitted by the exam rules.

Your checkpoint

A full-length timed mock result sheet showing per-domain accuracy, a ranked list of remaining weak areas and the corrections made for each.

Milestones

Week 2: Perform safe isolation and a five-function multimeter check on a live bench circuit while explaining each step aloud, with no missed step and no unsafe action.

Week 4: Score at least 70 percent on a 30-question self-made test drawn from domains 2, 3, 5 and 9, and correctly trace a TV signal path from input to panel without notes.

Week 6: Complete the washing-machine and refrigerator service checklists on real or simulated equipment, and diagnose two handset faults end to end within 30 minutes each.

Week 8: Score at least 75 percent overall on the timed full-length mock with no domain below 60 percent, and hold a complete one-page reference card written from memory and then verified.