New Curriculum Third Term Solar PV Installation and Maintenance examination for SS 1

Class: SS 1
Term: Third Term
Subject: Solar PV Installation and Maintenance
Time: 2 hours
Total Marks: 70

SECTION A: OBJECTIVES (40 Marks)
Instruction: Answer all questions. Each question carries 1 mark. Choose the best option (a), (b), (c) or (d).

1. Why may inverter sizing require a margin above calculated normal running load? (a) To make the daily energy consumption automatically zero    (b) Because higher ratings eliminate all wiring protection    (c) Equipment conditions and suitable allowance for demand and starting characteristics    (d) Because an inverter can exceed its continuous rating indefinitely
2. Which of these is NOT appropriate when selecting an electrical test lead? (a) Correct rating    (b) Exposed conductor and damaged insulation accepted to save money    (c) Undamaged insulation    (d) Secure connection to the test instrument
3. Which activity should NOT be sold as a professional service? (a) Providing written quotation    (b) Declaring an installation safe without inspection or testing    (c) Maintaining service records    (d) Explaining system limits to users
4. A mounting bracket must be installed level and firmly fixed. Which instruments are relevant? (a) A thermometer only    (b) A water pH meter and stopwatch    (c) A kitchen sieve and weighing scale    (d) Spirit level and suitable marking or fastening tools
5. A customer was overcharged because of an invoice error. The best corrective action is ________. (a) retain the excess as an unannounced service fee    (b) alter the old invoice after closing the complaint    (c) avoid the customer until the next service call    (d) explain and refund or adjust the incorrect charge with a clear record
6. Which is NOT acceptable professional behaviour? (a) Claiming a safety test was performed when it was not    (b) Giving clear estimates    (c) Using suitably rated parts    (d) Reporting unresolved hazards
7. A technician discovers a wiring fault that is expensive to correct. The ethical response is ________. (a) hide the defect and sign off the job    (b) explain the fault, risks and appropriate remedy truthfully before work proceeds    (c) delete the test data to avoid disputes    (d) energise the system to make the fault less obvious
8. Which datum would most improve the ranking of a proposed inverter-maintenance service? (a) A list of unrelated celebrity endorsements    (b) A general promise of profit without records of local fault frequency    (c) Verified frequency and type of customer faults plus realistic servicing costs    (d) A claim that every inverter fails monthly
9. A shop’s inverter repeatedly trips when a motor starts despite adequate normal running capacity. What should be examined first? (a) The inverter’s operating-hours display without checking surge behaviour    (b) The typeface used on the fuse label    (c) Its continuous rating alone without checking the motor’s starting current    (d) Motor start-up demand relative to the inverter’s permitted surge capability
10. ________ is a defensible input to a preliminary inverter size estimate. (a) Verified simultaneous load and starting characteristics    (b) The inverter’s outside dimensions without any load measurements    (c) The unit’s advertised standby efficiency without estimating concurrent loads    (d) The battery warranty period alone without checking operating power
11. Which gainful activity is appropriate to a properly trained solar worker? (a) Forging electrical safety certificates    (b) Selling used batteries as new    (c) Bypassing protective devices to speed repairs    (d) Documented load assessment and supervised system servicing
12. A solar installer offers after-sales checks in a community. Why might this add value? (a) It addresses continued system reliability and customer support    (b) It replaces all equipment protection    (c) It makes the installer the electricity source    (d) It guarantees panels never deteriorate
13. Why should electrical safety records be retained accurately? (a) They support accountability, diagnosis and later maintenance decisions    (b) They convert battery DC into AC    (c) They replace protective devices    (d) They make unsafe connections acceptable
14. Which is NOT an appropriate ranking factor? (a) Local customer demand    (b) Qualified labour availability    (c) Regulatory and safety obligations    (d) The owner’s lucky number
15. A technician completes five safe inspection jobs at ₦8,000 each, incurring ₦13,000 direct costs. The simple contribution is ________. (a) ₦13,000    (b) ₦40,000    (c) ₦53,000    (d) ₦27,000
16. To verify a de-energised circuit during inverter installation, the trainee should use ________. (a) an appropriately rated test instrument and the specified safe verification procedure    (b) bare fingers to feel for voltage    (c) a metal ruler across exposed terminals    (d) a continuity tester used as proof of zero voltage without an approved check
17. What is the central principle of ethics in a solar-service business? (a) Maximising income regardless of safety    (b) Making unsupported claims about battery life    (c) Treating all safety records as optional    (d) Honest, competent actions that protect customers and others
18. The strongest sign of a viable PV service is ________. (a) a guarantee of work despite no demand    (b) large social-media following with no qualified technicians    (c) equipment bought before calculating costs    (d) customers who need the service, competent staff and a price covering sustainable costs
19. A business idea should be evaluated against ________. (a) the number of service enquiries without examining costs and competence    (b) the number of business cards already printed    (c) local demand, equipment access, safety competence and cost    (d) a promise that every solar customer will pay
20. Which is NOT a guaranteed benefit of ethical business practice? (a) Improved customer confidence    (b) A permanent absence of equipment failure or market competition    (c) More reliable dispute resolution    (d) Stronger professional reputation
21. Which tool is most directly suited to checking electrical voltage? (a) A hacksaw    (b) A correctly rated multimeter    (c) A spirit level alone    (d) A paint scraper
22. An inverter installation firm has steady enquiries but no safe work procedure. What is its principal weakness? (a) Inadequate operational safety capacity    (b) Excessive customer demand verification    (c) A clear technical service description    (d) Documented customer requirements
23. Which is NOT an example of desirable conduct in PV trading? (a) Providing itemised estimates    (b) Selling counterfeit protective equipment as genuine    (c) Keeping accurate inspection reports    (d) Respecting safe-installation limits
24. A customer asks for a shortcut that would defeat required protection. What should the installer do? (a) Comply to avoid losing the sale    (b) Remove protection only when the owner is absent    (c) Decline the unsafe shortcut and explain a compliant alternative    (d) Alter the documentation after installation
25. A town has many failing inverter installations but few competent technicians. What business opportunity fits the gap? (a) Selling counterfeit electrical protection    (b) Advertising free installation without safety competence    (c) Evidence-based inspection and maintenance service offered by trained personnel    (d) Repairing live equipment without isolation
26. Two service ideas are compared for demand, cost, technical competence and safety. This is ________. (a) structured business-opportunity ranking    (b) random advertising preference    (c) an equipment wiring diagram    (d) energy-meter calibration
27. Which is NOT a proper installation step? (a) Planning the mounting position    (b) Following manufacturer wiring instructions    (c) Using a cable selected solely because it looks thick    (d) Testing before normal use
28. The ________ before commissioning an inverter checks wiring, protection and compatibility against the installation plan. (a) final advertising approval    (b) post-sale customer survey    (c) monthly sales forecast    (d) pre-commissioning inspection
29. Which is NOT a quality of a good technical business opportunity? (a) Identifiable customer problem    (b) Routine disregard of safety requirements to reduce time    (c) Available skills and tools    (d) Manageable operational risk
30. Which opportunity is NOT credible without further investigation? (a) A verified maintenance gap    (b) A supported training and inspection service    (c) Guaranteed profit from an unpriced service with unknown demand    (d) A spare-parts supply arrangement with tested suppliers
31. The correct step when a customer disputes a PV inspection report is ________. (a) to review the recorded evidence, correct any error and explain the findings    (b) to delete the original test records    (c) to certify any equipment as safe without reinspection    (d) to accuse the customer before checking the facts
32. A technician promises eight hours of backup without a load study. The main ethical problem is ________. (a) maintaining transparent technical records    (b) making an unsupported performance claim    (c) explaining expected system limits    (d) asking about usage patterns
33. Which of the following is NOT a sound inverter-sizing practice? (a) Selecting a device from price alone without identifying loads    (b) Checking total simultaneous demand    (c) Considering start-up surges where relevant    (d) Matching DC input and AC output characteristics
34. A worker accidentally damages a customer’s inverter cover. The appropriate response is ________. (a) hide the damage under tape without telling the customer    (b) blame the battery without examining the incident    (c) alter the delivery note to remove responsibility    (d) disclose the damage and arrange a fair repair or replacement
35. Project A expects ₦55,000 monthly margin but requires unfamiliar hazardous work; B expects ₦45,000 with trained staff and reliable demand. Which may rank higher? (a) A automatically because projected margin is larger    (b) Neither because risk never matters    (c) B when safety competence and risk are properly weighted    (d) Both must always earn exactly the estimate
36. After completing an inspection, a worker finds a loose terminal. Which ethical action is best? (a) Conceal it because the customer may complain    (b) Mark the test as passed without rechecking    (c) Record the finding and ensure a competent, safe correction before approval    (d) Ask the customer to ignore abnormal heating
37. Before commissioning an inverter installation, the technician should ________. (a) verify wiring, protection, ratings and safety checks against the design and instructions    (b) energise it before confirming wiring    (c) bypass protective devices during normal operation    (d) leave unidentified terminals accessible
38. The main reason for calculating tool and inspection costs before offering a solar service is ________. (a) to guarantee every customer will purchase a new system    (b) to replace safety training with an advertised price    (c) to test whether the planned paid activity is financially and operationally feasible    (d) to avoid budgeting for suitable test equipment
39. A diagram labels battery terminals plus and minus. Why must polarity be verified against the actual equipment? (a) Any reverse connection is safe if the output breaker is open    (b) Reversed DC connections can damage equipment and create hazards    (c) A green casing always indicates the positive terminal    (d) Every inverter can automatically correct reversed wiring
40. All of the following support a credible technical service business except ________. (a) employing workers with verified competence    (b) claiming installation tests are unnecessary once customers have paid    (c) using suitable test instruments    (d) documenting safety procedures

SECTION B: THEORY (30 Marks)
Instruction: Answer Question 1 and any other TWO questions. Each answered question carries 10 marks. Show your working where applicable.

Question 1 (10 marks). An office estimates 1,200 W simultaneous demand and applies a 25% illustrative sizing margin. (a) Calculate the resulting continuous-power target and identify FOUR further considerations before purchasing an inverter. (5 marks) (b) Explain FIVE pre-installation safety and equipment checks. (5 marks)

Question 2 (10 marks). A proposed inverter installation location is damp and poorly ventilated. (a) Explain FIVE reasons the site requires review or redesign. (5 marks) (b) Explain the safe intended use of FIVE tools, measuring devices or protective items for a supervised inverter installation. (5 marks)

Question 3 (10 marks). A trainee proposes a small maintenance venture and estimates five jobs per month at ₦8,000 each, with ₦13,000 monthly direct costs. (a) Calculate revenue and simple contribution, then give THREE realistic limitations of this forecast. (5 marks) (b) Apply FIVE criteria to rank the proposal against another solar-service business idea. (5 marks)

Question 4 (10 marks). A technician discovers an unsafe connection after a customer pressures the team to approve the installation quickly. (a) Explain FIVE ethical reasons to refuse approval without proper correction. (5 marks) (b) State FIVE procedures that protect safety, evidence and customer trust after a fault is detected. (5 marks)

Objective Marking Scheme
Question 1 – ✅ (c) Equipment conditions and suitable allowance for demand and starting characteristics
Question 2 – ✅ (b) Exposed conductor and damaged insulation accepted to save money
Question 3 – ✅ (b) Declaring an installation safe without inspection or testing
Question 4 – ✅ (d) Spirit level and suitable marking or fastening tools
Question 5 – ✅ (d) explain and refund or adjust the incorrect charge with a clear record
Question 6 – ✅ (a) Claiming a safety test was performed when it was not
Question 7 – ✅ (b) explain the fault, risks and appropriate remedy truthfully before work proceeds
Question 8 – ✅ (c) Verified frequency and type of customer faults plus realistic servicing costs
Question 9 – ✅ (d) Motor start-up demand relative to the inverter’s permitted surge capability
Question 10 – ✅ (a) Verified simultaneous load and starting characteristics
Question 11 – ✅ (d) Documented load assessment and supervised system servicing
Question 12 – ✅ (a) It addresses continued system reliability and customer support
Question 13 – ✅ (a) They support accountability, diagnosis and later maintenance decisions
Question 14 – ✅ (d) The owner’s lucky number
Question 15 – ✅ (d) ₦27,000
Question 16 – ✅ (a) an appropriately rated test instrument and the specified safe verification procedure
Question 17 – ✅ (d) Honest, competent actions that protect customers and others
Question 18 – ✅ (d) customers who need the service, competent staff and a price covering sustainable costs
Question 19 – ✅ (c) local demand, equipment access, safety competence and cost
Question 20 – ✅ (b) A permanent absence of equipment failure or market competition
Question 21 – ✅ (b) A correctly rated multimeter
Question 22 – ✅ (a) Inadequate operational safety capacity
Question 23 – ✅ (b) Selling counterfeit protective equipment as genuine
Question 24 – ✅ (c) Decline the unsafe shortcut and explain a compliant alternative
Question 25 – ✅ (c) Evidence-based inspection and maintenance service offered by trained personnel
Question 26 – ✅ (a) structured business-opportunity ranking
Question 27 – ✅ (c) Using a cable selected solely because it looks thick
Question 28 – ✅ (d) pre-commissioning inspection
Question 29 – ✅ (b) Routine disregard of safety requirements to reduce time
Question 30 – ✅ (c) Guaranteed profit from an unpriced service with unknown demand
Question 31 – ✅ (a) to review the recorded evidence, correct any error and explain the findings
Question 32 – ✅ (b) making an unsupported performance claim
Question 33 – ✅ (a) Selecting a device from price alone without identifying loads
Question 34 – ✅ (d) disclose the damage and arrange a fair repair or replacement
Question 35 – ✅ (c) B when safety competence and risk are properly weighted
Question 36 – ✅ (c) Record the finding and ensure a competent, safe correction before approval
Question 37 – ✅ (a) verify wiring, protection, ratings and safety checks against the design and instructions
Question 38 – ✅ (c) to test whether the planned paid activity is financially and operationally feasible
Question 39 – ✅ (b) Reversed DC connections can damage equipment and create hazards
Question 40 – ✅ (b) claiming installation tests are unnecessary once customers have paid

Theory Marking Scheme
Question 1 (10 marks)
(a) 1,500 W 1, start surge, DC voltage, AC ratings, environment, duty/derating (four 1 each)
(b) Competence, circuit isolation, documentation, protection, test equipment, mount ventilation, PPE; five 1 each

Question 2 (10 marks)
(a) Moisture hazard, heat, clearance, fire, access, structural mounting, corrosion; five 1 each
(b) Multimeter appropriately rated, test leads, spirit level, PPE, insulated tools, cable identification, fastening tools; five 1 each

Question 3 (10 marks)
(a) ₦40,000, ₦27,000, three limitations such as demand, additional overhead, training, tools, safety, tax 1 each
(b) Demand, cost, competence, risks, training, tools, regulations, competition; five 1 each

Question 4 (10 marks)
(a) Safety, honesty, legal compliance, duty of care, liability, professional integrity; five 1 each
(b) Document, notify, isolate, propose rectification, qualified repair, retest, honest invoice and follow-up; five 1 each