Apply quality standards
What the exam tests
Quality questions test conformance to requirements: the Philippine Electrical Code, manufacturer instructions, project specifications, and your company's quality management system. The exam looks for inspection, testing, calibration, records, and corrective action.
Core rules
- Define quality as conformance to stated requirements, not "it looks fine."
- Inspect and test at defined hold points: before concealment, before energization, and at turnover.
- Use calibrated instruments and record the calibration due date.
- Follow torque specifications; loose terminals overheat and tight terminals damage conductors.
- Record nonconformances and corrective actions; rework must be re-inspected.
- Apply 5S and PDCA: plan the work, do it, check the result, act on the gap.
- Keep traceability: material batch, test results, technician, date.
Worked example
A terminal is tightened by feel. The specification calls for 2.0 N·m. You use a calibrated torque wrench, record the value, and mark the connection. Reasoning: "feel" is not repeatable; a loose connection causes heating, and an over-tightened one damages strands. The record proves conformance and supports later troubleshooting.
Traps that cost marks
- Accepting "customer did not complain" as quality evidence.
- Using an uncalibrated multimeter for final tests.
- Skipping re-inspection after rework.
- Recording a pass without the measured value.
- Treating cosmetic appearance as the only acceptance criterion.
Key points
- Quality means conformance to code and specification.
- Test at hold points and record measured values.
- Use calibrated instruments and note due dates.
- Rework must be re-inspected and documented.
- Apply PDCA and 5S to routine work.