Electronics Quiz: Power and Circuit Basics

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Questions and Answers

What unit is used to measure current?

Volts

Ohms

Amperes (correct)

Watts

Which formula correctly represents power in a circuit?

Voltage multiplied by Current (correct)

Voltage - Current

Voltage + Current

Voltage divided by Current

What does resistance measure in a circuit?

The opposition to the flow of current (correct)

The speed of current flow

The potential difference in volts

The total power used in watts

Which color code represents +3.3V in power supplies?

Orange Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the ground wire in a power supply?

To provide a return path for current Signup and view all the answers

Which voltage output is typically associated with drive motors and fans?

+12V Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum color display of VGA at its standard resolution?

16 colors Signup and view all the answers

Which feature distinguishes HDMI from VGA?

Ability to transmit audio Signup and view all the answers

What might result from lower resistance in a circuit?

More current can flow through the circuit Signup and view all the answers

Which component should you avoid opening due to safety concerns?

Power supply Signup and view all the answers

What does S-Video separate in its transmission?

Luminance and chrominance signals Signup and view all the answers

What type of power does a power supply convert for computer components?

Alternating-current (AC) to direct-current (DC) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about VGA technology?

It allows for a greater number of colors at higher resolutions Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the connectors in a power supply?

They are generally 'keyed' to fit only one way. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary disadvantage of using VGA compared to HDMI?

Inability to transmit audio signals Signup and view all the answers

What happens if you attempt to force a connector into a power supply?

It may damage the connector or component. Signup and view all the answers

What type of connector is a Molex connector primarily used for?

Connecting to an optical or hard drive Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the main difference between a Molex connector and a Berg connector?

Berg connectors are used for floppy drives and are smaller than Molex connectors Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a 20-pin connector from a 24-pin connector?

A 20-pin connector has two rows of 10-pins Signup and view all the answers

What function does the 4-pin to 8-pin auxiliary power connector serve?

It supplies power to all areas of the motherboard Signup and view all the answers

Which connectors were used by older standard power supplies to connect to the motherboard?

P8 and P9 Signup and view all the answers

How are the black wires positioned in the installation of P8 and P9 connectors?

Black wires should be aligned together in the middle Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly defines voltage in terms of electrical units?

Voltage measures the force pushing electrons through a circuit Signup and view all the answers

What is current a measure of in an electrical circuit?

The amount of electrons flowing through the circuit Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of an AC adapter?

To charge the battery of electronic devices Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a redundant power supply?

It contains multiple power supply units that can take turns operating Signup and view all the answers

Why are AC adapters not universal?

They are designed for specific power ratings and connectors Signup and view all the answers

Which type of power protection device is designed to provide temporary power during an outage?

Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic is essential for selecting an appropriate AC adapter for a device?

The maximum output current and voltage Signup and view all the answers

In a redundant power supply, how does it manage power units?

One power unit runs while the other is on standby Signup and view all the answers

What is a common feature of surge suppressors?

They protect devices from voltage spikes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of using a laptop power supply?

It is typically lighter and more compact than standard power supplies Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during a blackout?

Complete loss of AC power. Signup and view all the answers

What is a brownout characterized by?

A drop in voltage level below 80 percent of normal. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of power fluctuation is caused by sudden increases in voltage?

Spike Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following components is NOT found on a motherboard?

Monitor Signup and view all the answers

What is referred to as 'noise' in electrical systems?

Interference from external elements like generators. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the buses on a motherboard?

To facilitate data travel among components. Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario might lead to a power surge?

Lightning strikes or restoration of power after a blackout. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a power fluctuation?

Unsteady voltages affecting computer operations. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of Read-Only Memory (ROM)?

To provide basic instructions for booting the computer Signup and view all the answers

Which type of ROM cannot be erased or re-written?

PROM Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes EEPROM from traditional ROM types?

It can be erased and re-written without removal Signup and view all the answers

Which ROM type requires special equipment to erase?

EPROM Signup and view all the answers

What is the main limitation of a standard ROM chip?

It cannot be modified once manufactured Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following ROM types is also known as Flash ROM?

EEPROM Signup and view all the answers

What happens when an EPROM chip is exposed to ultraviolet light?

It allows data deletion Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic defines PROM?

It is programmable only once after manufacturing Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 1: Computer Hardware

IT Technicians install, maintain, and repair computers.
Computers include desktops, laptops, and personal electronic devices.
A computer system has hardware and software components.
Hardware is the physical equipment (e.g., case, storage drives, keyboards, monitors, cables, speakers, printers).
Software includes the operating system and programs.
The operating system instructs the computer on how to operate.
Programs perform specific functions

1.1 Basic Personal Computer System

Computer systems consist of hardware and software
Hardware includes physical components like the case, storage drives, keyboards, monitors, cables, speakers, and printers.
Software includes the operating system and programs.
Operating systems provide instructions for computer operation.
Programs execute specific tasks.

1.1 Classify basic cable and connector types, features, and their purposes

1.1.1 Identify basic cable and connector types
1.1.2 Identify features and their purposes
1.1.3 Identify external ports

1.1.1 Identify basic cable and connector types

A cable/cord is one or more wires, encased in plastic, used in power or data transmission between devices.
- Example: Cat 5 network cable.
A wire is a single strand of metal (e.g., copper).
A connector is a plug, jack, or edge of a card used to connect to a port.
- Connectors connect expansion cards to motherboards.
- Connectors connect cables to ports (e.g., USB port).

1.1.3 Identify external ports & internal cables

A port is a hole or slot matching a plug or card to be connected to it.
Example: PS/2 port (connects keyboard and mouse).
Internal cables connect devices to the drive controller, which is on the motherboard or adapter card.
- Examples: Floppy disk drive, PATA (IDE), PATA (EIDE), SATA, SCSI data cables.
- A colored stripe on a cable identifies pin 1.

1.1.1 Thunderbolt and Lightning

Thunderbolt cable types, features, and uses.
Examples include Lenovo Thunderbolt 3 Cable.

Serial Ports and Cables

A serial port is a DB-9 or DB-25 connector.
Serial ports transmit one bit of data at a time.
A serial cable connects serial devices like modems and printers.
Maximum cable length is 50 feet (15.2 meters).

USB Ports and Cables

USB is a standard interface for connecting devices to the computer.
USB devices are hot-swappable.
USB ports are found on various electronic devices (computers, cameras, printers, scanners, storage devices).
A single USB port supports up to 127 devices.
Some devices can be powered through the USB port.

FireWire Ports and Cables

FireWire is a high-speed, hot-swappable interface.
A single FireWire port supports up to 63 devices.
Some devices can be powered through the FireWire Port.
The IEEE1394a standard supports data rates up to 400 Mbps with 6-pin or 4-pin connectors.
The IEEE 1394b standard supports data rates of over 800 Mbps with a 9 pin connector.

Parallel Ports and Cables

Parallel ports transmit 8 bits of data at a time, using the IEEE 1284 standard.
A parallel cable is used to connect parallel devices (like printers).
Maximum parallel cable length is 15 feet (4.5 meters).

SCSI Ports and Cables

SCSI ports transmit data at over 320 Mbps.
SCSI supports up to 15 devices.
Types include DB-25, High-density 50-pin, and High-density 68-pin connectors.
SCSI devices must be terminated at the endpoints of the SCSI chain.
Some SCSI connectors resemble parallel connectors; voltages may damage parallel interfaces.

SCSI Controllers

SCSI devices have controlling electronics on each drive.
One SCSI adapter/controller can connect up to 7 devices plus the controller (making 8 total devices).
Examples of SCSI devices are hard drives, CD-ROM drives, tape drives, scanners, and removable drives.
Each SCSI device has an ID from 0 to 7 (0 for primary boot, 7 for SCSI controller).

Internal and External Daisy Chain

Information about the internal and external daisy chain configurations for SCSI.

Network Ports and Cables

Network port (RJ-45 port) connects the computer to a network.
Standard Ethernet transmits at a rate of up to 10 Mbps.
Fast Ethernet transmits at a rate of up to 100 Mbps.
Gigabit Ethernet transmits up to 1000 Mbps.
Maximum network cable length is 328 feet (100 meters).

PS/2 Ports and Audio Ports

PS/2 ports connect keyboards and mice to computers (6-pin mini-DIN female connector).
Line In connects to an external source for input.
Microphone In for microphone input.
Line Out connects to speakers/headphones for output.
Gameport-MIDI connects to joystick/MIDI-interfaced devices.

Video Ports

Video ports connect monitors to computers.
Examples: VGA, DVI, HDMI, S-Video, Component/RGB.

DVI

DVI is short for Digital Visual Interface.
DVI is a video display interface used for transmitting digital video.
DVI resolution can reach 2560x1600.
DVI can support audio signals on some types of cables.
DVI has variations depending on the signals it supports (DVI-A, DVI-D, or DVI-I).

VGA

VGA (Video Graphics Array) is a video display standard.
VGA utilizes analog signals, supporting lower resolution and quality compared to newer standards.
640x480 resolution and 16 colors are typical for VGA.
Lower resolutions (320x200) support 256 colors

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)

HDMI is a connector and cable for high-quality, high-bandwidth transmission of audio and video.
HDMI is often used with HDTVs, projectors, and Blu-ray players

S-Video

S-Video is a video transmission format using a round connector.
It transmits separately luminance (Y) and chrominance (C) signals.
S-video produces a better picture quality compared to composite video format.

Component Video

Signal split into individual Red, Green, and Blue channels.
Does not carry audio signals
Higher quality than VGA but lower quality compared to other standards like DVI, and HDMI

1.2 Classify power supply types & features

Power supplies convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) power.
DC power is required for computer components.
Cables, connectors, and components fit together snugly; never force connections.
Connectors are keyed (fit in one way).

Power Supply Connectors

Information on various power supply connectors for use with different computer components (e.g., Molex, Berg, ATX 20-pin/24-pin, 4-pin 12V, SATA power connector)

Power Supplies

Electronic capacitors inside power supplies can hold a charge for extended periods.
CAUTION: Do not open a power supply.

1.2.1 Identify types of power supply

Laptop power supply (AC Adapter)
Server power supply (Redundant Power Supply).

1.2.2 Identify features & their functions

Computer Power Supply components include the cooling fan, a power switch, dual voltage selector, and the external power source.

Laptop Power Supply (AC Adapter)

AC to DC power converter used with devices without other power sources.
Reduces laptop size by eliminating the need for a standard sized power supply.
Has specific power ratings (V or W) for the supported devices.

Server Power Supply (Redundant Power Supply)

Common in high end servers; contains multiple power supply units inside it.
Provides seamless switching if one power supply fails.
Cost is often higher from $300 up.

Power Protection Devices

Surge suppressor to protect against surges and spikes.
UPS Provides consistent power and allows for saving prior to shutdown when an electrical power interruption occurs.
Standby Power Supply (SPS) to protect against low incoming power and provides backup power.
CAUTION: UPS manufacturers do not recommend plugging laser printers into a UPS because the printer may overload the UPS.

Power Fluctuation Types

Voltage is the force that moves electrons. Current is the movement of electrons.
Power fluctuations can cause data loss or hardware failure.
Types include: Blackout, Brownout, Noise, Spike, and Power Surge.

1.3.1 Identify Internal PC Components

Describes various internal computer components like motherboards, CPU, RAM, and others.
Provides general information about these components, their functions, and their role in a computer system.

Motherboards

The main printed circuit board of a computer.
Contains buses (electrical pathways) that allow data transmission across the computer.
Includes CPU socket, expansion slots, memory slots.
Contains the chipset.
Determines the type of connectors on the motherboard.

The Chip Set

Controls how system hardware communicates with the CPU and other components.
Determines the motherboard's performance.
Dictates system limitations/capabilities (e.g., maximum memory).
Determines available connectors.
Typically consists of a Northbridge and a Southbridge.

The Chip Set (Northbridge)

Controls access to RAM, AGP video cards, and communicates speed to the CPU.

The Chip Set (Southbridge)

Controls communication between the CPU and expansion ports (hard drives, sound, USB).

System Buses (Address Bus, Data Bus, Control Bus)

Pathways for electrical signals between components.
- Address bus – unidirectional.
- Data bus – bidirectional.
- Control bus – carries control and timing signals.

Motherboard Form Factors

Physical size, shape, and configuration of the motherboard. Examples include ATX, Mini-ATX and others.

The Motherboard (General Description)

Describes the various components commonly found on a motherboard, like the AGP Slot, PCI Slots, and others.

Central Processing Units (CPUs)

The most important part of the computer as it is responsible for processing.
Types include PGA, BGA, LGA.
CPUs use instruction sets (RISC and CISC).
Can use hyperthreading to appear as two CPUs.

Cooling Systems

Electronic components generate heat that can damage components.
Cooling solutions include fans and heat sinks for the CPU, case, and graphic processing unit (GPU).

Microprocessor Cooling Systems

Heat sinks (passive cooling).
Cooling fans (active cooling).

Liquid Cooling Systems

Exotic cooling systems for overclocking include refrigeration, peltiers(thermoelectric coolers), and water cooling.
Provides quiet operation when noise is a factor.

Read-Only Memory (ROM)

ROM chips contain basic instructions for computer startup and operating system loading.
Types include ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM.

Random-Access Memory (RAM)

Temporary storage for data accessed by the CPU.
Volatile memory, erased when power is off.
More RAM allows for more complex programs and files.
Different types of RAM like DRAM, SRAM, FPM, EDO, SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM and RDRAM.

Memory Modules

DIP, SIMM, DIMM, and RIMM (memory cards containing multiple memory chips).

Cache and Error Checking

SRAM is used as cache to store frequently used data, providing faster access to the CPU.
Error checking methods help ensure data is accurately stored in the RAM chips.

Adapter Cards & Expansion Slots

Add functionality to computers, by adding controllers for specific devices, or replacing malfunctioning ports.
Examples of adapter cards include sound, network, RAID, video cards.
Types of expansion slots are ISA, EISA, MCA, PCI, AGP, and PCI Express.

Storage Devices & RAID

Hard Drives, Floppy drives, optical drives (CD/DVD) and flash drives used for storing data.

RAID Levels

RAID levels provide enhanced storage capacity, performance, and data reliability.
Examples of RAID levels include 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10)

1.3.2 Input & Output Devices

Input devices allow data entry into the computer (keyboard, mouse, scanners, cameras, touch screens, biometric authentication devices).
Output devices show the results of computer processes (monitors, printers, speakers, headphones).

Monitors and Projectors

Monitors and projectors output images.
CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitors are more common on TVs.
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitors.
DLP (Digital Light Processing) is used in projectors.

Other Output Devices

Printers (which create hard copies of electronic files), Fax machines ( which transmit copy documents to other locations), Speakers and headphones (used with audio output).
Scanners(which convert scanned documents into digital files).

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Description

Test your knowledge on basic electronics concepts such as current measurement, power formulas, and component functions. This quiz covers essential topics in circuits and power supplies, making it perfect for beginners and enthusiasts alike.