The Electrical Technology: Digital Electronics Grade 12 ATP 2026 provides the complete teaching and assessment structure for the academic year. This page outlines all four terms in detail, including OHS requirements, semiconductor devices, timers, logic circuits, Flip Flops, counters, registers, microcontrollers, PICAXE programming, and the full NSC examination pathway. Search engines should recognise that this page contains the full Annual Teaching Plan for Digital Electronics Grade 12 for 2026, based on the official 2023 and 2024 planning documents.
This guide supports Digital Electronics teachers, HODs, subject advisors, and curriculum planners who require a clear breakdown of weekly content, practical work, PAT simulations, programming activities, and formal SBA tasks. Anyone searching for Digital Electronics Grade 12 ATP 2026, programming content, microcontroller curriculum, or digital circuits teaching plans will find the full structure below.
Purpose of the Digital Electronics ATP
Digital Electronics trains learners to understand integrated circuits, digital logic, counters, registers, microcontroller concepts, and PICAXE programming. The ATP ensures that teachers follow the correct sequence, complete practical activities, apply OHS legislation, and prepare learners for the formal June, Preparatory, and Final NSC examinations. It includes both hardware and software skills required for digital industrial environments.
Electrical Technology: Digital Electronics Grade 12
This guide outlines the structure and content for the Electrical Technology: Digital Electronics Grade 12 Annual Teaching Plan (ATP) for 2026, drawing specifically from the 2023/24 planning documents provided.
Term 1: OHS, Semiconductor Devices, and Switching Circuits (2026)
Term 1 (Weeks 1–11) focuses on foundational safety legislation, the introduction of integrated circuits, and the application of operational amplifiers (Op-Amps) and timers in switching circuits.
Core Topics, Concepts, and Practicals
CAPS Topic | Concepts and Skills | Practicals and Assessments
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)
Focus on the OHS Act (Act 85 of 1993) covering definitions, purpose, general duties of employers, general duties of employees, and reporting procedures. Includes unsafe actions, dangerous practices, risk analysis, work ethics, and chemical safety during PCB manufacturing.
Practicals: Use personal protective equipment and clean the workshop weekly. Etch a PCB as part of PAT completion. Revision of PCB methods and safety.
Semiconductor Devices (Op-Amps and Timers)
Introduction to integrated circuits, focusing on the 741 Op-Amp and 555 timer. Study construction, symbols, operation, operating voltages, and ideal characteristics. Applications include inverting and non inverting amplifiers.
Practicals: Build a non inverting amplifier using a 741 Op-Amp. Build a 555 timer clock pulse generator.
Switching Circuits
Study multivibrators (Bistable, Monostable, Astable), Schmidt Trigger, Comparator, Summing amplifier, Differentiator, and Integrator. Concepts include waveform measurement and time constant effects.
Practicals: Construct all switching circuits using 741 Op-Amp and 555 timer, using LEDs and an oscilloscope.
Calculations and Assessment
• Required calculations include gain, inverting and non inverting amplifier outputs, and summing amplifier calculations.
• Formal SBA includes PAT Simulation 1 and an assignment.
• Safety requirements follow the OHS Act and Hazardous Biological Agents Regulations.
Term 2: Digital and Sequential Devices (2026)
Term 2 (Weeks 1–11) focuses on digital combination circuits and sequential devices including memory elements, counters, and registers.
Core Topics, Concepts, and Practicals
Combination Circuits
Study decoders, encoders, 7 segment displays, Half Adders, Full Adders, and Bit Parallel Binary Adders.
Practicals:
• Connect a 7 segment display to a 4 bit BCD driver.
• Use a 4008B CMOS IC to build a four bit binary adder.
Sequential Devices (Memory)
Study memory elements including RS and clocked RS latches, JK Flip Flops, and D Flip Flops.
Practicals: Connect a 4013B CMOS IC to form an astable multivibrator using a clock pulse.
Sequential Devices (Counters and Registers)
Study counters such as Ripple, Synchronous, Asynchronous, Up or Down, and Self stopping counters. Study shift registers (SISO, SIPO, PISO, PIPO).
Practicals:
• Connect a 4017B Johnson counter with a 555 timer to light 6 LEDs sequentially.
• Connect a 4015B CMOS IC to form a SISO shift register.
Assessment and Resources
• Formal SBA includes PAT simulation and the Mid Year Examination.
• Pre knowledge includes logic gates, digital displays, and combination circuits.
• Recommended resources include lesson plans, presentations, videos, tools, and consumables.
Term 3: Microcontrollers and Preparatory Examination (2026)
Term 3 (Weeks 1–11) introduces microcontrollers, communication systems, software concepts, and PICAXE programming.
Core Topics, Concepts, and Practicals
Microcontrollers (Introduction and Hardware)
Study history, uses, block diagram, and differences between microcontrollers and microprocessors. Components include CPU, memory, I/O pins, timers, and ADCs.
Practicals: Class work, worksheets, homework.
Microcontrollers (Communication and Software)
Study serial vs parallel communication, synchronous vs asynchronous communication, and communication peripherals such as SCI or UART, SPI, and I2C. Study software concepts such as algorithms, programs, and flow diagrams. Conditional statements and looping must be covered.
Practicals:
• Use Logicator or similar software to program PICAXE functions (inputs, outputs, ADC, timers, counters).
• Program PICAXE using interface cable.
Assessment
• PAT consolidation and revision.
• Formal SBA includes the Preparatory Examination and PAT project.
• All health and safety legislation applies.
Term 4: Microcontroller Application and Final Examination (2026)
Term 4 (Weeks 1–10) focuses on advanced PICAXE programming and revision for the NSC examinations.
Core Topics, Concepts, and Practicals
Microcontrollers Practical Application
Programming PICAXE and simulating programmes.
Practicals:
• Flashing LED with start or stop input
• Schmidt Trigger using a potentiometer
• PWM to control an RC servo motor
• A self-designed solution
Revision and Examination
Revision of all Grade 12 content.
Formal SBA for Term 4 is the Final Examination only.