Curriculum English for Automation Electricity Trường CĐ Hàng hải I

VIETNAM MARITIME ADMINISTRATION
MARITIME COLLEGE No. 1

ENGLISH FOR
AUTOMATION ELECTRICITY
COLLEGE LEVEL
(Issued in accordance with the decision No. ... QD / dated on ...... /........
/.... /2017 by the Rector of Maritime College No. 1)

2017
1


COPYRIGHT DECLARATION
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, stored in retrieval system,
or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or
other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission from
the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and
certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

2


ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We would like to express our gratitude to the teachers of Foreign language
Division and the department of Electrical – Electronics Engineering who provided
support, talked things over, read, offered comments, allowed us to quote their
remarks and assisted in the editing, proof-reading and design.
We would like to thank the Board of rector, the Education section, the
International Co-operation and technology section for their positive contribution to

the completing of this course book.
Our thankful words are sent to our loved ones for their encouragement and
assistance during the process of designing this material.
We beg forgiveness of all those who have been with us over the course of the
years and whose names we have failed to mention.
Last but not least, we would like to thank for all who will send us any
comments or suggestion to improve this material because the shortcomings are
inevitable during the process of producing the material.
Any comments or suggestion, please send to the following e-mails:
1.
2.
Authors: 1. Nguyen Thi Minh Thai M.A
2. Dang Thi Hoang Yen M.A

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INTRODUCTION
In the current industrialization and modernization of our country and the
exploitation of information in the global, English plays an important role in the
education and training, the development of the country in general and the industry
in particular.
To help students of Maritime College I meet the English language
requirement of the future job after graduation, the textbook “English for
Automation Electricity” is compiled for the third year students of the ElectroElectronics Department.
Based on the realities of the Vietnamese and global current industry, this
textbook provides students with advanced English grammar, electrical and
automatic vocabulary, as well as usage habits that have been developed specifically
for the automation profession.
The textbook consists of 5 units with the structure of each unit as follows:

1. Vocabulary
2. Language focus
3. Skills
4. Practice
5. Assessment
While compiling, editors have also used some electrical and automation
materials published locally, abroad and through web-sites.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
No.
Contents
1
Acknowledgements
2
Introduction
3
Table of contents
4
List of abbreviations
5
List of figures
6
Contents
Unit 1: Conductors, insulators and semiconductors
1. Vocabulary: Vocabulary: Electrical materials
2. Language focus: Passive voice
3. Skills:

3.1. Reading: Conductors, insulators and semiconductors
3.2. Speaking and listening: Describing functions and purposes
3.3. Writing: Describing a diagram 1
4. Practice:
4.1. Information transfer: Mathematical symbols 1
4.2. Exercises
5. Assessment
5.1. Evaluation sheet
5.2. Assessment methods
Unit 2: Circuit elements
1. Vocabulary: Circuit elements
2. Language focus: Relative clauses 1
3. Skills
3.1. Reading comprehension: Circuit elements
3.2. Speaking and Listening: Making definitions
3.3. Writing: Describing a diagram 2
4. Practice
4.1. Information transfer: Mathematical symbols 2
4.2. Exercises
5. Assessment
5.1. Evaluation sheet
5.2. Assessment methods
Unit 3: Electric motors
1. Vocabulary: Electric motor’s parts
2. Language focus: Reasons and results connective
3. Skills
3.1. Reading comprehension: Working principle of an Electric
motor
3.2. Speaking and Listening: Describing component parts
3.3. Writing:Writing instructions for testing a DC motor

4. Practice:
5

Pages
3
4
5
7
8
9
10

28

43


4.1. Information transfer: Mathematical symbols 3
5. Assessment
5.1. Evaluation sheet
5.2. Assessment methods
Unit 4: Process control
1. Vocabulary: Process control
2. Language focus: Expressing posibility
3. Skills
3.1. Reading comprehension: Process control
3.2. Speaking: Cause and effect
3.3. Listening: Automation technician
4. Practice:
4.1. Information transfer: Resistor values

4.2. Exercises
5. Assessment
5.1. Evaluation sheet
5.2. Assessment methods
Unit 5 : Logic gates
1. Vocabulary: Types of logic gates
2. Language focus: Making predictions
3. Skills
3.1. Reading comprehension: Logic gates
3.2. Speaking and Listening: Fault finding
3.3. Writing: Describing a system
4. Practice
4.1. Information transfer: Interpreting graphs
4.2. Exercises
5. Assessment
5.1. Evaluation sheet
5.2. Assessment methods
Appendices
Appendix 1. Circuit symbols
Appendix 2. Mathematical symbols
Appendix 3. Resistor color code
Appendix 4. List of magnetic materials
Answer keys
Tapescripts
Reference

6

56

70

79
97
98
104
106
112
113


List of Abbreviations
Abbreviations

Meaning

AC

Alternating current

DC

Direct current

O/C

Open circuit

S/C

Short circuit

adjective

adj

adverb

adv

noun

n

verb

v

verb in past participle

V-pp/P- II

verb + “-ing”

V-ing

subject

S

7


List of figures
No.

Name

Pages

1

Figure 1.1: Types of diode

22

2

Figure 2.1: Sliding switch

28

3

Figure 3.1. DC motor components

36

4

Figure 3.2. Working of electric motor

49

5

Figure 4.1. Resistor Color Chart

58

6

Figure 5.1.

59

7

Figure 5.2

59

8

Figure 5.3

60

9

Figure 5.4

61

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MODULE: ENGLISH FOR INDUSTRIAL CONTROLS AND
AUTOMATION
Module title: English for Industrial Controls and Automation
Module Code: MĐ. 6510305.26
Module framework:
- Pre-requisites: This module is taught in the first semester of the second
school year, after students have learnt general subjects.
- Scope:: This module is compulsory for students of Industrial Controls and
Automation.
- Aims:
The module provides students with intermediate English grammar and basic
electrical and automation vocabulary to help them gain confidence in
communication as well as in their work. In addition, with a good level of English
combined with confidence, students will have more opportunities to find a job after
graduation and meet the requirements of employers and companies.
Objectives:
On the completion of this module, students will be able to:
- For knowledge:
+ Name electrical materials; parts of an electric motor, circuit elements, process
control’s function and types of logic gates;
+ Demonstrate the classification of electrical materials; the function of circuit
elements; the function of parts of an electric motor; the working principle of an
electric motor, process control; the use of logic gates in industrial process control;

+ Demonstrate the form and the use of passive voice, relative clauses, reasons
and results connective; how to express possibility, make predictions;
- For skills:
+ Use grammar, vocabulary and professional terms leant to read, write, listen,
speak and make up conversations about electrical materials, circuit elements,
electric motor, process control and logic gates; the work of automation engineer;
+ Identify resistor values and interpret graphs;
+ Describe a diagram and write instructions for testing a DC motor;
- For attitudes:
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+ Raise the awareness of the importance of learning English for work,
essential elements: correct pronunciation, stress, intonation, accuracy, fluency in
communication and writing in English;
+ Rise awareness of practicing listening, speaking, reading and conversation
skills for students;
+ Be aware of the importance of practicing carefulness, accuracy, safe work,
flexibility and confidence when using English for work.
+ Be confident to use English for work, socializing or traveling.
Contents of the module:

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UNIT 1
CONDUCTORS, INSULATORS AND SEMICONDUCTORS
Code: MĐ6520227.32.01
Introduction:
This unit gives an overview of English grammar about passive voice and

vocabulary relating to conductors, insulators and semiconductors.
Objectives:
- Present the form and the use of passive voice, name of conductors, insulators
and semiconductors; names of non – magnetic materials.
- Using verbal phrases and adverb clauses of cause and result to speak, listen,
read and write about various types of conductors, insulators and semiconductors;
about non – magnetic materials.
- Be aware of the importance of English to future occupation, essential
elements: correct pronunciation, stress, intonation, accuracy, fluency in
communication and writing in English, the safety of working.
Main content:
1.Vocablary:
Vocabulary

Speech Transcription

Vietnamese meaning

battery

(n)

/'bætəri/

pin, ắc qui

category

(n)

/’kætəgri/

loại, hạng

classify

(v)

/’klæsɪfaɪ/

phân loại

conduct

(v)

/kən’dʌkt/

dẫn điện

conductor

(n)

/kən’dʌktər /

vật dẫn điện

copper

(n)

/’kɒpər /

đồng

electric current (n)

/ɪ’lektrɪk ‘kʌrənt/

dòng điện

electron

(n)

/ɪ’lektrɒn/

điện tử

fall

(v)

/fɔ:l/

giảm

flow

(v)

/fləʊ/

dòng

germanium

(n)

/dʒə’meɪniəm/

chất giéc-ma-ni

insulate

(v)

/’ɪnsjʊleɪt/

cách điện

insulator

(n)

/'insjuleitə/

vật cách điện
11

manganin

(n)

/’mæŋgənɪn/

măng gan

material

(n)

/mə’tɪəriəl/

vật liệu

metal

(n)

/’metəl/

kim loại

non-metal

(n)

/nɒn’metəl/

phi kim

path

(n)

/pɑ:θ/

đường dẫn điện

porcelain

(n)

/’pɔ:səlɪn/

sứ

rapidly

(adv) /’ræpɪdli/

nhanh

resistance

(n)

/rɪ’zɪstəns/

điện trở

rise

(v)

/raɪz/

tăng

rubber

(n)

/’rʌbər/

cao su

semiconductor (n)

/semikən’dʌktər/

bán dẫn

substance

/’sʌbstəns/

chất

(n)

temperature-sensing device (n)

/’temprətʃər - sensɪŋ - dɪ’vaɪs/
thiết bị cảm biến nhiệt

thermistor

(n)

/’θɜ:mɪstə/

nhiệt điện trở

Task 1. Look at these pictures and label the words in the box with the numbers.
porcelain
rubber

silver
silicon

copper
carbon

……………………..

1

12


……………………..

2

(a)…………………
…..
(b)…………………
…..

3

……………………..

4

……………………..

5

13


Task 2. Match the terms with their definitions.

A

B

1. An electric current

a. are all insulators.

2. Conductors

b. a metal which does not easily
release electrons.

3. Insulators

c. are midway between conductos and
insulators.

4. Semiconductors

d. a movement of free electrons
towards the positive end.

5. Rubber, nylon, porcelain and air

e. subtances which provide an easy
path for an electric current.

6. Copper

f. a chemical element – a soft reddish
brown metal used for making electric

wires.

7. Thermistor

g. a hard white shiny subtance, used
for making delicate cups, plates, bowl
and decorative objects.

8. Porcelain

h. the space above the ground or that is
around things

9. Air

i. a chemical element – existing in a
pure state as diamond.

10. Carbon

j. mixture of certain metallic oxides

.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
2. Language focus
Passive voice
1. Use of Passive
Passive voice is used when the focus is on the action. It is not important or not
known, however, who or what is performing the action.

14


Example: The parcel was loaded.
In the example above, the focus is on the fact that the parcel was loaded. I do not
know, however, who did it.
Sometimes a statement in passive is more polite than active voice, as the following
example shows:
Example: A mistake was made.
In this case, I focus on the fact that a mistake was made, but I do not blame anyone
(e.g. You have made a mistake.).
2. Form of Passive
Subject + finite form of to be + Past Participle (3rd column of irregular verbs)
Example: The machine was repaired.
When rewriting active sentences in passive voice, note the following:


the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence



the finite form of the verb is changed (to be + past participle)



the subject of the active sentence becomes the object of the passive sentence (or is
dropped)
3. Examples of Passive
Tense
Simple

Present

Active:
Passive:

Simple
Past

Active:

Present
Perfect

Active:

Passive:

Passive:

Future I Active:
Passive:

Subject

Verb

The Chief Electrician

checks

a generator.

is checked

by the Chief
Electrician.

checked

a generator.

A generator

was checked

by the Chief
Electrician.

The Chief Electrician

has checked

a generator.

has been checked

by the Chief
Electrician.

will check

a generator.

will be checked

by the Chief
Electrician.

A generator

The Chief Electrician

A generator

The Chief Electrician
A generator

15

Object


Active:

Modal
verbs

The Chief Electrician

Passive:

Tense

Subject

Active:
Present
Progressive
Passive:
Active:
Past
Progressive
Passive:
Past Perfect Active:
Passive:
Future II

A generator

Active:
Passive:

Conditional Active:
I
Passive:
Conditional Active:
II
Passive:

can check

a generator.

can be checked

by the Chief
Electrician.

Verb

Object

The Chief
Electrician

is checking

a generator.

A generator

is being checked

by the Chief
Electrician.

The Chief
Electrician

was checking

a generator.

A generator

was being checked

by the Chief
Electrician.

The Chief
Electrician

had checked

a generator.

A generator

had been checked

by the Chief
Electrician.

The Chief
Electrician

will have checked

a generator.

A generator

will have been checked

by the Chief
Electrician.

The Chief
Electrician

would check

a generator.

A generator

would be checked

by the Chief
Electrician.

The Chief
Electrician

would have checked

a generator.

A generator

would have been
checked

by the Chief
Electrician.

16


4. Passive Sentences with Two Objects
Rewriting an active sentence with two objects in passive voice means that one of
the two objects becomes the subject, the other one remains an object. Which object
to transform into a subject depends on what you want to put the focus on.
Subject
Active:

The captain

Verb

Object 1

sent

a letter

Passive:

A letter

was sent

Passive:

The company

was sent

Object 2
to the company.

to the company by the captain
a letter

by the captain

As you can see in the examples, adding by the captain does not sound very elegant.
That’s why it is usually dropped.
Task 3. Change the following sentences into passive
1. We can recharge secondary batteries by applying electrical current.

2. We can extend battery life by storing the batteries at a low temperature.

3. We can make a simple wet zinc-carbon battery in the laboratory using dilute
sulphuric acid as an electrolyte solution.

4. We can connect light bulbs to either AC or DC sources.

5. We can build the simple half wave retifier in two versions with the diode poiting

in opposite directions.

Task 4. Complete each sentence using an appropriate phrase from this list:
a. wound round

e. located within

b. connected across

f. applied to

c. mounted on

g. connected to

d. wired to

h. connected between

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1. The lamps are ________ the battery.

2. The core is_______ the pole pieces.

3. The 27pF capacitor is _______ the
collector and the base.

4. The antenna is _______ the coil.

5. Feedback voltage is _______ the base of
the transistor through C1.

6. The rotor is ________ the shaft.

7. The coil is ______ its iron core.

8. The negative pole of the battery is
______ earth.

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3. Skills
3.1. Reading: Conductors, Inductors and Semiconductors
If we connect a battery across a body, there is a movement of free electrons
towards the positive end. This movement of electrons is an electric current. All materials
can be classified into three groups according to how readily they permit an electric
current to flow. These are: conductors, insulators and semiconductors.
In the first category are substances which provide an easy path for an electric
current. All metals are conductors however some metals do not conduct well. Manganin,
for example, is a poor conductor. Copper is a good conductor, therefore it is widely used
for cables. A non-metal which conducts well is carbon. Salt water is an example of a
liquid conductor.
A material which does not easily release electrons is called an insulator. Rubber,
nylon, porcelain and air are all insulators. There are no perfect insulators. All insulators
will allow some flow of electrons; however this can be ignored because the flow they
permit is so small.
Semiconductors are midway between conductors and insulators. Under certain

condition they allow a current to flow easily but under others they behave as insulators.
Germanium and silicon are semiconductors. Mixture of certain metallic oxides also acts
as semiconductors. These are known as thermistors. The resistance of thermistors falls
rapidly as their temperature rises. They are therefore used in temperature - sensing
devices.
On the basis of the behavior of material towards magnet they can be classified
in two types.
Magnetic Materials: These materials are attracted by magnetic field. Iron,
nickel and cobalt objects such as iron nail, key, metal spade, needle and metal door
handle are magnetic in nature.
Non-Magnetic Materials: These materials are not attracted towards magnet.
For example; wood, rubber, plastics, coins, leather and feather are non-magnetic in
nature.
Task 5. Are the following statements True or False?
Statements

True

False

1. Electrons flow from positive to negative.

.............

.............

2. Copper provides an easy path for an electric current.

.............

.............

3. All metals are good conductors.

.............

.............

4. All good conductors are metals.

.............

.............

5. Air is not a perfect insulator.

.............

.............

19


6. Salt water is an example of a solid conductor.

.............

.............

7. There are no perfect insulators.

.............

.............

8. Semiconductors are midway between conductors and .............
insulators.

.............

Task 6. Answer the following questions.
1. What happens if we connect a battery across a body?
.............................................................................................................................
2. How many groups can all materials be classified into?
.............................................................................................................................
3. What are conductors?
.............................................................................................................................
4. Is copper an insulator?
.............................................................................................................................
5. Why is copper used for cables?
.............................................................................................................................
6. Name some insulators!
.............................................................................................................................
7. Is manganin a poor conductor?
.............................................................................................................................
8. What are known as thermistors?
.............................................................................................................................
9. Why does the resistance of themistors fall rapidly?
.............................................................................................................................
10. Where are thermistors used?

.............................................................................................................................

20


3.2 Speaking and listening
3.2.1 Speaking
Task 7. Describing functions and purposes about conductors, insulators and
semiconductors
Task 8. Work in pairs and make up dialoge using these cues:
1. A: Be/ copper/ good/ conductor?
B: …………..
A: What/ be/ copper/ use/ for?
B: …………..
2. A: Which group/ be/ rubber/ nylon/ porcelain/ air?
B: …………..
A: Why?
B: …………..
3. A: Be/ silicon/ conductor/ semiconductor?
B: …………..
A: Why?
B: …………..

3.2.2 Listening
Task 9. Listen and choose a correct word from the box to fill in the gap

freedom

atoms

forces

materials

insulators

electrons

conductivity

nucleus

The electrons of different types of atoms have different degrees of (1)________to
move around. With some types of (2)________, such as metal, the outermost
(3)______ in the atoms are loosely bound that they chaotically move in the space
between the atoms of that material by nothing more than the influence of room –
temperature heat energy. Because these virtually unbound electrons are free to leave
their respective atoms and float around in the space between adjacent atoms, they are
often called free electrons.
21


In other types of materials such as glass, the atom’s electrons have very little freedom
to move around. While external (4)________such as physical rubbing can force
some of these electrons to leave their respective atoms and transfer to the atoms of
another material, they do not move between atoms within that material very easily.

This relative mobility of electrons within a material is known as electric
(5)________. Conductivity is determined by the types of (6)_______in a material
(the number of protons in each atom’s(7)_______, determining its chemical identity)

and how the atoms are linked together with one another. Materials with high electron
mobility (many free electrons) are called conductors, while materials with low
electron mobility (few or no free elcetrons) are called (8)_______.

3.3 Writing
Task 10. Describe the following diagram
A. Look at the following diagram
Semi conductors

Silicon
diodes

Schottky
diodes

Transistors

Bi-polar
transistors

LEDs

Thyristors

Field - effect
transistors

The diagram classifies semiconductor devices in electronics. To describe this
diagram, you can use classifying sentences as below:
22

1. Semi conductor devices in electronics can be classified as/ divided into silicon
diodes, transistors and thysistors.
2. There are three main kinds/ types of semiconductor devices in electronics:
silicon diodes, transistors and thysistors.
3. Semiconductor devices in electronics iinclude/ consist of three main types/
kinds: silicon diodes, transistors and thysistors.
Classifying sentences are often supported by giving examples as followed:
4. There are three main kinds/ types of semiconductor devices: silicon diodes,
transistors and thysistors. An example of transistor is bi-polar transistor.
Schottky diode is an example of silicon diode.
B. In the same way, describe the following diagram
Electric
motors

DC motors

AC motors

Synchronous

Induction

Commuta
-tor

Compound
wound

Series
wound

........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
23

Shunt
wound


........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................

Task 11. Categorize the words under the two headings and writing each word
into the correct column.

Conductors

Insulators

(provide easy path for an
electric current)

(does not release electrons
easily)

silver

copper

gold

aluminium

iron

steel brass

bronze

mercury

graphite

dirty wate

concrete

lead

glass

rubber

diamond

plastic

air

fiberglass

porcelain

ceramic

oil

asphalt

quartz

pure

water

cotton

paper

wood (dry)

24

Task 12. Categorize the words under magnetic material and non – magnetic
material headings
Non – magnetic materials

Magnetic materials
(materials are attracted by
magnetic field)

(materials are not attracted
towards magnetic field)

metallic

metallic oxide

ceramics

laminated steel

iron powder

ferrit

maganese

zinc

wood

plastics

rubber

glass

gold

platinum

aluminum

Task 13. Complete the following sentences using suggested words.
1. All materials / classify / three groups.
...................................................................................................................
2. The flow / free electrons/ electric current.
........................................................................................................................
3. All insulators / permit / flow / electrons.
........................................................................................................................
4. Germanium / act / insulator / and / conductor.
25