Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETA-I)
Electronics Associate Comprehensive (EM5)
Credential: Electronics Associate Comprehensive (EM5)
Credentialing Agency: Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETA-I)
Renewal Period: 4 years
The Electronics Associate Comprehensive (EM5) is an entry-level credential designed for technicians in the electricity and electronics field. Candidates must pass a written examination testing their knowledge of soldering, desoldering, tools, electrical conductors, AC power distribution, circuit protection, circuit controls, generators, motors, interfacing of electronics products, and technician work procedures. The EM5 credential is one in a group of five credential modules; once a technician attains all five credentials, ETA will issue the Associate CET certification.
More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.
Electronics Associate Comprehensive (EM5)
Eligibility Requirements (View Details)
- Credential Prerequisite
- Experience
- Education
- Training
- Membership
- Other
- Fee
Note: This credential may have multiple options for becoming eligible. Listed are the minimum requirements based on the minimum degree required.
To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.
Exam Requirements (View Details)
- Exam
- Written Exam
- Oral Exam
- Practical Exam
- Performance Assessment
Renewal Period: 4 years
- Continuing Education
- Exam
- Continuing Education OR Exam
- Fee
- Other
Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETA-I)
5 Depot Street
Greencastle, IN 46135
Phone: (800) 288-3824
Fax: (765) 653-4287
Email: eta@eta-i.org
Candidates with less than two years of experience or electronics technicians trade school training are encouraged to apply for Electronics Associate Comprehensive (EM5) exam.
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Soldering, Desoldering and Tools
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Describe solder safety as it pertains to burns and potential fires or damage to facilities or customer products
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Explain the cause of solder fumes and the effects of lead poisoning
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List causes and precautions to prevent or reduce solder splatter
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Explain the reasons for flux usage and describe types
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List types of solder and reasons for choosing each
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Explain heat shunts, why and how they are used
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Describe cold solder joints and explain causes
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Describe the differences between good and bad mechanical and electrical solder connections
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Describe proper care of solder and de-solder equipment and aids
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Explain de-soldering principles
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Describe various types of de-soldering equipment and how they are used
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Describe the use of braid-wick solder removers
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Electrical Conductors
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Define insulation resistance and dielectric strength
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Define mil-foot, square mil, circular mil and the mathematical equations for calculations for each
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Explain the meaning of “resistivity”
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Explain the American Wire Gauge system and how to measure wire using the AWG system
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Explain the factors required in selecting proper size wire
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State the advantages and disadvantages of copper, aluminum, and silver as conductors
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Describe the effects that temperature coefficient of a given wire type can have on its operation
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Describe types of insulation and factors in their selection for use
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Describe conductor types, both solid and stranded, as well as the various bundling techniques
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Describe the proper splicing and termination techniques for both solid and stranded conductors
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Describe each of the following cable types, their construction, use, and termination:
– Coaxial cable
– Unshielded twisted pair
– Shielded twisted pair
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AC Power Distribution
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Describe the design of both single phase and multiphase AC power distribution
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Describe the typical use of both single phase and multiphase AC power distribution
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Describe the typical control and circuit protection devices used for AC power distribution
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Circuit Protection
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Describe the physical design of fuses and their current and voltage rating systems
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Describe the numbering marking system used with fuses and their schematic symbols
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Describe the physical design and current and voltage rating system of circuit breakers
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Describe the numbering marking system used with circuit breakers and their schematic symbols
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Circuit Controls
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List the general types of circuit control devices and their use
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Identify the schematic symbol for a switch, solenoid, and relay
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Describe the operating principles and characteristics of a solenoid, relay, and switch
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State the meaning of current and voltage ratings for a switch, solenoid, and relay
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Generators
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DC generators:
– State the principal by which generators convert mechanical energy to electrical energy
– State the left hand rule for generators
– Explain the process of commutation in DC Generators
– Describe the design and operation of a DC generator
– Describe the voltage and current variation from no load to full load in a DC generator
– Describe how and why field strength can and may be varied in a DC generator
– Describe the construction and operation of series wound, shunt wound, and compound wound generators
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AC generators:
– Describe the principle of magnetic induction as it applies to AC generators
– Describe the construction and operation of both rotating-armature and rotating-field alternators, and the advantages of each design
– Describe the construction and operation of single-phase, two-phase, and three phase alternators
– Describe the construction, operation and advantage of both delta and wye three-phase connections for AC generators
– Explain the principles of voltage control with AC generators
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Motors
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DC motors:
– State the factors that determine the direction of rotation of DC motors
– State the right hand rule for motors
– Explain the process of commutation in DC motors
– Describe the construction and operational characteristics of series, shunt, and compound DC motors
– Describe speed and direction control techniques for DC motors
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AC motors
– Describe the construction and operational characteristics of single-phase, two-phase, and three-phase AC motors
– Describe the construction, operation and advantage of both delta and wye three-phase connections for AC motors
– State the primary application of synchronous motors
– Describe the construction and operational characteristics of induction motors
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Interfacing of Electronics Products
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List input circuit signal levels which may be expected for various common electronics products or test equipment
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List anticipated signal or voltage levels for output circuits in audio and video equipment
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Explain the importance of impedance matching; list causes of mismatches
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Explain the purposes of plugs and connectors and why it is necessary to use the proper ones
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Explain grounding, proper and improper methods, and the results of power source mismatch
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List potential signal conflict symptoms
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List common wiring and splicing conventions for POTS (plain old telephone service)
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Technician Work Procedures
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Explain major invoice and billing concepts for service businesses
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Describe ways to procure service literature
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Describe how to locate and cross-reference parts and products in catalogs
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Explain the purposes and requirements for proper record keeping
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Calculate individual and departmental productivity for a specific period
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Describe how to contact product maker help desks and service departments
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Explain estimate concepts for service work
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Describe field technician work procedures which may differ from in-shop routines
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Explain project management and list steps to follow to achieve maximum results
There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Electronics Associate Comprehensive (EM5) examination:
Electronics Associate Comprehensive (EM5)
Renewal Period: 4 years
The Electronics Associate Comprehensive (EM5) credential has the following recertification information:
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ETA-I allows certified individuals to renew either annually or every four years. If an individual recertifies annually, ETA-I also renews membership. If an individual recertifies every four years; initial membership will expire after the one-year anniversary and will not be renewed until the individual recertifies at the end of the 4-year time period.
Additional information can be found on the ETA-I website.
- To provide a path for the technician leading to the Associate CET (CETa) credential, the five BASIC modules of the Associate CET can be acquired individually through the Electronics Modules (EM1-5) program. Once a technician attains all five module certifications, ETA will issue an official Associate CET certification (all five EM modules must be current).
MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty
Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
Registered Apprenticeship
This is an official U.S. Navy website
Updated: October 16, 2019
Federal Occupations Table Legend
Related As
The federal occupations shown in this table are related to this credential in one of three ways: Most, Some, or Other.
MOST
This credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the federal occupation (at least 80%). Note that the credential may require additional education, training or experience before you are eligible for it.
SOME
This credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the federal occupation (related 80% to at least one or more critical tasks but less than 80% of all of the entire military occupation). Note that the credential may require additional education, training or experience before you are eligible for it.
OTHER
This credential is related to this federal occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will most likely require additional education, training, or experience.
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