Sample questions from the electrician certification

exam:
The following are actual questions that have been taken (and removed) from
the exam.

General Electrician

1) Among the following output characteristics, which one is NOT required to

be compatible with the output of a generator or electrical power producing
source operating in parallel with an electrical supply system?
Voltage
2. Amperage
3. Waveform
4.Frequency

2) What is the MINIMUM bend radius of a metallic shielded power and

control cable in a tray?
1. 6 times the outside diameter of the cable
2. 8 times the outside diameter of the cable
3. 10 times the outside diameter of the cable
4. 12 times the outside diameter of the cable

3) The working space in front of fire equipment or electrical apparatus can

be used to store
1. nothing.
2. electrical panels.
3. fluorescent lamps.
4. cleaning equipment.

4) Nonmetallic surface ductwork with limited smoke production

characteristics
1. must be listed for that purpose.
2. must be approved for use.
3. can be identified as such.
4. must be suitable for installation.

5) What is the MAXIMUM number of branch circuit conductors allowed in a

recognized wiring method between luminaires connected together to a
120/240 volt single phase system?
1. 2 conductors
2. 3 conductors
3. 4 conductors
4. 5 conductors

6) In which location are disconnecting means NOT required for individual

luminaires equipped with ballasts and fluorescent lamps with connectors at
both ends?
Dwelling units
2. Hazardous locations
3. Industrial establishments
4.Commercial establishments

7) The top of a 12-inch deep wall cabinet, installed in a room with electrical
space heating wiring integrated into the ceiling, shall be not less than
_________ below the ceiling.
1. 3 inches
2. 6 inches
3. 12 inches
4.18 inches

8) Terminals that are not part of the resistance heating panels of a fixed
outdoor recessed snow melting and deicing electrical system are permitted
to be protected by
1. non-metallic electrical tubing.
2. non-metallic rigid ducts.
3. grounding sleeves.
4. cable armor.

9) What is the MAXIMUM AC control voltage with respect to ground for

permanent amusement rides?
1. 30 volts
2. 50 volts
3. 120 volts
4.150 volts

10) The site isolation device installed at the distribution point for
agricultural buildings must be
1. surface mounted.
2. level mounted.
3. mounted on a pole.
4. isolated.

General Electrician Answers

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Residential Electrician

1) A MAXIMUM continuous load on an overcurrent device should be limited

to 90 percent of the device's rating. If the protective device has a rated
capacity of 80 A, what is the MAXIMUM continuous load allowed?
1. 40 TO
2. 60 TO
3. 72 TO
4.92 A

2) How many sets of 5-wire feeders are allowed, if they share a common
neutral?
One
2. Two
3. Three
4.Four

3) What type of receptacles are allowed on a 40 amp branch circuit with

multiple receptacles ?
1. 15 and 20 amperes.
2. 20 and 30 amperes.
3. 30 and 40 amperes.
4. 40 and 50 amps.

4) The equipment grounding conductor within a branch circuit cable and

subway feeder:
1. must be uncovered.
2. it must be isolated.
3. should not be isolated.
4. can be isolated or uncovered.

5) Which article of the National Electrical Code applies to external

telephone and telegraph wiring for fire and burglar alarm systems and
similar central station systems?
1. 500-1
2. 600-1
3. 700-1
4. 800-1

6) How far from your building entrance should metal-sheathed

communications cable be grounded or interrupted?
Within 5 feet of entry point
2. Within 10 feet of entry point
3. Within 20 feet of entry point
4.As close as practical to the point of entry

7) Multi-wire branch circuits supply only line-to-neutral loads EXCEPT if

supplying single-use equipment or:
1. if the circuit is rated 30 amps or less.
2. the circuit is rated less than 250 volts to ground.
3. if the ungrounded conductors are opened simultaneously by the branch
circuit overcurrent device.
4. if manipulation devices are used on the overcurrent devices feeding the
ungrounded conductors of the circuit.

8) In a dwelling unit garage, GFCI protection is required on 15 and 20 amp

receptacles for:
1. all receptacles.
2. all receptacles EXCEPT those supplying power to fire alarms.
3. all receptacles EXCEPT those for garage door openers.
4. all receptacles EXCEPT individual receptacles for dedicated
equipment.

9) If a countertop-mounted range is mounted on a corner, the space behind

the range is exempt from the spacing requirements for wall-mounted
countertop receptacles when the measurement from the back of the range
to the corner of the wall is less than:
1. 6 inches.
2. 12 inches.
3. 18 inches.
4. 24 inches.

10) When should drivers be protected?

When amperage exceeds 0.5 amps
2. When voltage exceeds 50 volts
3. When conductors are subject to physical damage
4. When circuit rating exceeds 50 volt-amperes

Residential Electrician Answers

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Fire-Life Safety Technician

1) Which component allows to increase or decrease the voltage?

Capacitor
2. Rectifier
3. Resistor
4. Transformer

2) When required, mitigation measures should be implemented during the

period a system is affected, but only when acceptable to
1.the owner.
2. the fire alarm company.
3. the insurer.
4. the authority having jurisdiction.

3) After installation, when should the sensitivity of a central station be

checked?
Within 30 days
2. Within 120 days
3. Within 6 months.
4. Within one year.

4) What is a touch notification device?

A notification device that marks exits and refuge areas using the sense of
hearing
2.A notification appliance that transmits a stream of audible information
3. A notification appliance that alerts using the sense of touch or by
vibration
4.A notification appliance that alerts using the sense of hearing

5) Smoke detectors with control output functions should be verified to

continue to be operational, even if the signal line circuit is in an alarm state
or
1.audible and visual notification devices have ground faults.
2. a panel shows a trouble signal on the secondary power supply.
3. all initiating devices connected to the same initiating device circuit are
in an alarm state.
4. the mechanical, electrosonic and water flow devices of the pressure
type are in reset mode.

6) Which best describes the purpose of inspection, testing and maintenance

of a fire alarm system?
 Evaluate the performance of system components
2. Evaluate solid state controls to ensure service
3. Ensure the operational integrity of the system
4.Adapt to the continual changes of modern buildings

7) One method of defining circuit integrity cable is to establish a MINIMUM

fire resistance rating of _________.
1. 1 hour
2. 2 hours
3. 3 hours
4.4 hours

8) Which of the following is an acceptable method of indicating detector

location and protected area on a remote alarm indicator?
A label written in pencil or ink
2. An embossed plastic tape
3. A permanently affixed sign
4.A label written with crayon permanently affixed sign

9) A circuit containing series and parallel elements is known as a

1. mixed circuit.
2. series branch circuit.
3. combination circuit.
4. multipurpose circuit.

10) What is the allowable location rule for a device with supplemental
visible notification?
Not more than 300 mm (12 inches) below the ceiling
2. Not more than 150 mm (6 inches) below the ceiling
3.Not greater than 2440 mm (96 inches)
4. Less than 2030 mm (80 inches)

Fire-Life Safety Technician Answers

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Voice Data Video Technician

1) Which of the following materials may NOT be used for antennas and their
input conductors?
Copper
2. Bronze
3. Aluminum
4.Plastic

2) What is the maximum diameter for Type CATVX cables that can be
installed in multi-family dwellings?
1. 0.175 inches
2. 0.375 inches
3. 0.525 inches
4. 0.725 inches

3) Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 circuits should be identified on terminal and

junction boxes because
1. wires should not be confused with abandoned wires.
2. this will help the installation technician during installation.
3. will eliminate the need for color coding of all conductors in the circuit.
4. avoids unintentional interference with other circuits during testing and
service.

4) Secondary protectors on circuits exposed to accidental contact with

electric light or power conductors operating at more than 300 volts to
ground:
1. are solely to provide a means of safely limiting current equal to the
current carrying capacity of approved indoor communications wire and
cable.
2. should be installed as close as practicable to the point of entry.
3. must be installed on cable runs of 42 m (140 ft.) or more.
4. should not be used without primary protectors.

5) Telecommunications primary shield ground rods driven to supplement

inter-system ground connections must be separated from the electrodes of
other systems AT LEAST by:
1. 1.5 m (5 ft).
2. 1.8 m (6 ft).
3. 2.4 m (8 feet).
4. 3 m (10 ft).

6) If a roof has a slope NOT less than 100 mm (4 inches) at 300 mm (12
inches) above the roof space of a communication cable of NOT less than
what distance will be allowed?
1. 1.0 m (40 inches)
2. 2.5 m (8 feet)
3. 1.2 m (4 feet)
4.900 mm (3 ft)

7) Class 1 circuit conductors sizes 18 Gauge and <P>18 Gauge shall be

installed as any type EXCEPT:
1. ZFF.
ZFFN.
3. TFF.
4. TFFN.

8) For radio and television distribution equipment, a bonding device intended

to provide a termination point for the grounding conductor must meet all of
the following conditions EXCEPT:
1. it must not interfere with the opening of an equipment enclosure.
2. it can be mounted on a non-detachable part.
3. can be mounted on a non-detachable door.
4. it should not be mounted on a cover.

9) If the MAXIMUM span between supports is greater than 35 feet, all of the
following materials are approved for use as input and antenna conductors
for receiving equipment EXCEPT:
1. aluminum alloy.
2. annealed drawn copper.
3. copper clad steel.
4. bronze.

10) All internal conductors associated with the interior installation of

transmitting stations shall be separated from the conductors of any electric
light, power or signaling circuits by at least:
1. four inches.
2. six inches.
3. eight inches.
4. twelve inches.

Voice Data Video Response Technician

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Lighting Technician - Non-Residential

1) In new construction, luminaires installed within 1.5 meters (5 feet) from

the water's edge or above a pool, fountain or similar body of water shall be
mounted at a vertical distance above the maximum water level of not less
than:
1. 1.5 meters (5 feet).
2. 3 meters (10 feet).
3. 3.7 meters (12 feet).
4. 4.4 meters (1 4.5 feet).

2) In Class I, Division 1 and 2 locations, flexible cords:

1. are not permitted for fixed equipment.
2. are allowed only for temporary illumination.
3. are permitted for fixed and mobile equipment in an industrial
environment if the cord is protected and maintained by qualified personnel.
4. are not permitted for any permanent equipment due to the potential for
physical damage and becoming a source of fire in a hazardous environment.

3) With no exceptions, the Flexible Metal Conduit (LFMC) must be securely

fastened in place by an approved means within how many inches of each
box, cabinet, conduit body or other conduit termination?
1. 10
2. 12
3. 14
4.16

4) Metal electrical conduits are intended to protect and:

1. ground conductors and cables.
2. routing of conductors and cables.
3. hide the conductors and cables.
4. secure conductors and cables.

5) Flexible metal pipe is considered as which of the following?

Cover
2. Pipe
3. Pipe
4.Channel

6) Which of the following is non-metallic electrical conduit used for

installation?
Light fixtures
2. Electrical fixtures
3. Electrical conductors
4.Lighting conductors

7) Cord-connected luminaires installed in tub and shower areas shall NOT

have any part within an area that measures:
1. 8 feet horizontally and three feet vertically.
2. 3 feet horizontally and eight feet vertically.
3. 3 feet horizontally and three feet vertically.
4. 8 feet horizontally and eight feet vertically.

8) When installing surface-mounted or recessed luminaires in a cabinet, the

lamp must be fully:
1. open.
2. hidden.
3. enclosed.
4. visible.

9) After installation, contact boxes must have a cover unless covered with
a(n):
1. junction box.
2. EMT.
3. conduit.
4. canopy for luminaires.

10) If a metal lampholder is connected to a flexible cord, the inlet must be

equipped with an insulated bushing that, if threaded, is NOT smaller than:
1. 3/8 inch pipe size.
2. 1/4 inch pipe size.
3. 1/2 inch pipe size.
4. 3/4-inch pipe size.

Lighting Technician - Non-Residential Responses

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