Overview of Kerala PSC Tradesman (Instrument Mechanic) Exam – 32/2016

The Tradesman (Instrument Mechanic) exam is designed to assess a candidate’s technical knowledge of instrumentation, maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting, along with general topics like current affairs, reasoning, and numerical ability.

Key Details of the Exam Paper:

• Exam Name: Tradesman – Instrument Mechanic
• Department: Technical Education
• Paper Code: 32/2016
• Date of Test: 19.02.2016
• Question Type: Objective Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
• Total Marks: Usually 100
• Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

Exam Syllabus & Topics Covered in the Question Paper

The Tradesman – Instrument Mechanic exam consists of technical subject knowledge related to instrumentation, general knowledge, and reasoning skills. Below is a detailed breakdown of the subjects covered in the question paper:

1. Technical Subject (Instrumentation & Control Systems)

✔️ Basic Concepts of Instrumentation

• Fundamentals of Instrumentation and Measurement
• Types of Instruments (Analog & Digital)
• Principles of Measurement Systems

✔️ Types of Measuring Instruments

• Pressure Measurement (Manometers, Bourdon Tubes)
• Temperature Measurement (Thermocouples, RTDs, Thermistors)
• Flow Measurement (Orifice Meter, Venturi Meter, Rotameter)
• Level Measurement (Float Type, Ultrasonic, Capacitive)
• Speed and Vibration Measurement

✔️ Calibration and Testing

• Calibration of Instruments (Standardization, Traceability)
• Testing and Certification of Industrial Instruments

✔️ Sensors & Transducers

• Types of Sensors – Optical, Piezoelectric, Hall Effect
• Transducers – Working, Types, and Applications

✔️ Control Systems & Automation

• Open-loop & Closed-loop Control Systems
• Basics of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)
• SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) Systems

✔️ Electrical & Electronic Instrumentation

• Basic Electrical Circuits – Ohm’s Law, Kirchhoff’s Law
• AC & DC Motors, Transformers, Power Supply Circuits
• Basic Digital Electronics – Logic Gates, Microcontrollers

✔️ Troubleshooting & Maintenance

• Common Faults in Measuring Instruments
• Preventive Maintenance & Repairing of Instruments

✔️ Industrial Safety & Standards

• Safety Practices in Instrumentation Labs
• Electrical Safety, Fire Protection, and First Aid
• ISO Standards & Regulatory Compliance

2. General Knowledge & Current Affairs

✔️ Indian & Kerala History – Major events, Freedom Struggles
✔️ Geography – Important Rivers, Mountains, Climate of Kerala
✔️ Indian Polity & Governance – Constitution, Political System
✔️ Science & Technology – Innovations, Digital India Initiatives
✔️ Current Affairs – National & International Events, Government Schemes

3. General English & Numerical Ability

✔️ English Language

• Grammar, Synonyms, Antonyms
• Sentence Correction & Comprehension
• Active & Passive Voice, Direct & Indirect Speech

✔️ Mathematics & Logical Reasoning

• Percentage, Profit & Loss, Time & Work
• Number Series, Coding-Decoding
• Logical Puzzles, Blood Relations