Question 1
- Define a battery.
- A 12V lead acid battery is being charged. After some time, there was an explosion and the electrolyte spilled on the auto electrical technician.
- The electrolyte level in a battery in use exposes parts of the plates.
State;
(i) Two possible causes of the explosion; (ii) The immediate treatment that should be given to the auto electrical technician.-
(i) What is the effect of this on the battery if it is left unattended to for a month?
(ii) State the precaution to be taken to avoid this situation.
Observation
The expected answers were;
- Definition of a battery (i)A battery is a device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy (ii) The assembly of two or more cells together
- (i) Causes of battery treatment (a)Overcharging (b) Spark from the battery terminal connection (c)Closed vent plugs during charge (d)If the battery electrolyte freezes
- (i) Effect of low level of electrolyte
(ii) First aid treatment
(a)Wash it thoroughly with clean water/baking soda/alkali (and apply petroleum jelly) (b)Give first aid treatment
(ii) Precautions against low level of electrolyte
The candidates were required to define a battery, state two possible causes of explosion during charging, how to administer treatment if someone is affected by the electrolyte spillage. They were to state the effect of not maintaining a battery with its plates exposed and state precautions to be taken when a battery’s plates are exposed.
The candidates’ performance was reported to be below average in this question.