PRC EPLE flashcards
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32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Ohm's law
- The relationship V = I·R linking voltage, current, and resistance in a linear conductor at constant temperature. It underpins circuit analysis and power calculations.
- Power factor
- The ratio of real power to apparent power in an AC circuit, equal to cos φ. A low power factor means more current for the same real power.
- Series resonance
- Condition in an RLC series circuit where inductive and capacitive reactances cancel, at f₀ = 1/(2π√(LC)). Impedance is minimum and purely resistive.
- Quality factor Q
- A dimensionless measure of resonator selectivity, Q = f₀/BW. Higher Q indicates a narrower bandwidth and sharper frequency response.
- De Morgan's laws
- Boolean identities stating (A·B)' = A' + B' and (A+B)' = A'·B'. They allow conversion between AND and OR forms using inversion.
- Karnaugh map
- A grid method for simplifying combinational logic by grouping adjacent 1s in powers of two. Groups must be rectangular and as large as possible.
- Zener diode regulation
- A reverse-biased diode operated in breakdown to hold a nearly constant voltage. It provides simple voltage regulation and reference levels in circuits.
- BJT active region
- Operating mode where the base-emitter junction is forward biased and the base-collector junction is reverse biased. Used for amplification with current gain β.
- MOSFET threshold voltage
- The gate-source voltage V_GS at which an enhancement-mode MOSFET begins to conduct. Below it, the channel is effectively off.
- Nyquist criterion
- Rule that sampling frequency must exceed twice the highest signal frequency to avoid aliasing. An anti-aliasing filter is applied before sampling.
- ADC resolution
- The smallest voltage step an n-bit converter can resolve, equal to full-scale range divided by 2^n. More bits give finer resolution.
- Characteristic impedance
- The ratio of voltage to current for a wave traveling on a transmission line, Z₀ = √(L/C). Matching load to Z₀ eliminates reflections.
- Reflection coefficient
- Γ = (Z_L − Z₀)/(Z_L + Z₀), describing the fraction of a wave reflected at a load. Zero Γ indicates a perfectly matched line.
- VSWR
- Voltage standing wave ratio, VSWR = (1+|Γ|)/(1−|Γ|). A value of 1 indicates a perfect match; higher values indicate mismatch.
- Kirchhoff's voltage law
- The sum of voltages around any closed loop in a circuit equals zero. It expresses conservation of energy in electrical networks.
- Kirchhoff's current law
- The sum of currents entering a node equals the sum leaving it. It expresses conservation of charge at circuit junctions.
- Thevenin equivalent
- Any linear two-terminal network can be replaced by one voltage source in series with one resistance, simplifying load analysis.
- Operational amplifier
- A high-gain differential amplifier used with feedback to perform amplification, filtering, and arithmetic functions. Ideal op-amps have infinite input impedance.
- CMOS static power
- Complementary MOS logic draws substantial current only during switching, so static power is very low. This makes it dominant in low-power digital design.
- Continuing Professional Development
- Mandatory ongoing learning required to maintain professional registration. Activities must be documented and relevant to the practitioner's field of practice.
- CPD record keeping
- Documentation of each learning activity with date, provider, hours, and outcome. Unverifiable or undocumented activities are typically not credited toward renewal.
- Registration versus licensing
- Registration confirms professional status; a practising licence authorizes active work and is renewed periodically. Both may be required to practise lawfully.
- Scope of practice
- The defined boundary of work a registered professional is authorized to perform. Working outside it can be misconduct even with technical competence.
- Professional code of ethics
- Rules requiring competence, honesty, confidentiality, conflict disclosure, and public safety priority. Breaches are grounds for disciplinary action.
- Conflict of interest disclosure
- The obligation to declare personal or financial interests that could bias professional judgment. Undisclosed conflicts undermine impartiality and public trust.
- Professional seal use
- Restriction of stamps and seals to the registered individual for work personally performed or supervised. Sealing others' work is a serious violation.
- Firm licence
- Authorization required for an entity to offer regulated engineering services. The firm must employ a registered professional responsible for the work.
- Disciplinary process
- A regulatory sequence of complaint, investigation, hearing, and sanction. Outcomes range from caution to suspension or revocation of registration.
- Public safety paramountcy
- The principle that public welfare overrides employer or client interests in professional decisions. It is a core duty in engineering codes.
- Renewal cycle
- The periodic interval at which registration or licence must be renewed, commonly annually or per defined cycle. CPD compliance is usually a condition.
- Practising outside competence
- Accepting work beyond one's knowledge or skill without disclosure or support. It violates ethical duties and can endanger public safety.
- Mandatory reporting
- A duty to report serious professional misconduct or unsafe practice to the regulator. It supports public protection and regulatory integrity.