Can You Answer All of These Questions an Electrician Should Know?


By: Kale Havervold

6 Min Quiz

Image: fstop123/E+/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Becoming an electrician is a popular way to make a living in the USA and the rest of the world. This is because you not only get to work out in the field, but the pay is also quite attractive as well. But unlike other jobs where you can just get hired off of the streets, becoming an electrician involves a few more steps than that. 

You need to go to school for it, and then prove your education level by taking an exam in order to become licensed or certified. This is because you are dealing with electricity, which can be very harmful or even deadly if you're not careful. These exams tend to cover everything from wiring methods to electrical knowledge to theory, and even safety measures and precautions. 

As a result, electricians must be knowledgeable in a wide range of different areas in order to pass these exams and officially get licensed. Being an electrician can sometimes put you in potentially harmful situations, so knowing your stuff and how to handle a variety of different challenges is of the utmost importance. If not, you or someone you work with could end up getting seriously hurt. 

Do you think you have the knowledge to pass a quiz on knowledge every electrician should know? If so, read on and get ready to challenge yourself. 

Which piece of jewelry is OK to wear while doing electrical work?

When doing electrical work of any kind, it's a good idea to just avoid wearing any sorts of jewelry at all. While you might be safe, there is also a chance that electricity could arc and hurt you.


What is the most commonly used material for electrical wiring?

The most commonly used material in electrical wiring is copper. It is used because it is low-cost, widely abundant and the fact that it's a great conductor. Other materials sometimes used include gold and aluminum.


When you are doing electrical work on a device, what is the first thing you need to do?

Before doing any sort of electrical work on a device or anything, you need to make sure it is powered off. If not, you could potentially shock yourself or fry the device while working on it.


Why do electrical overloads occur?

Seemingly everyone has blown their breaker or had an electrical overload at one time or another. These are often caused by too many devices or other things plugged into a circuit and being used at once.


When dealing with electricity, what material do you want on the soles of your shoes?

When it comes to insulating yourself and protecting yourself from shocks, rubber-soled shoes work the best. Rubber will not conduct electricity, so wearing shoes with rubber soles will not allow electricity to pass through you to the ground.


Where are bathrooms in the USA required to have an outlet?

That's right, U.S rules and regulations require homes to have an outlet within three feet of the edge of the sink. This is to ensure no cords need to hang over the sink, as this could lead to shock or damage.


You have been severely shocked. What should you do once you are a safe distance from where it occurred?

While you might feel fine after a larger shock, that doesn't mean that everything is fine. Some internal injuries can be very difficult to detect early, so it is better to be safe and visit the doctor to make sure you're OK.


How frequently should an electrician check extension cords they use?

Extension cords can be a huge help for electricians and a wide range of other people as well. However, these should be checked frequently, at least once a day. Frayed wires or other issues can lead to these cords being real hazards.


When talking about electricity, what is the point of grounding?

Electricity will always take the quickest pathway to the ground. Unfortunately, many times, the simplest and quickest pathway is through a person. Grounding is when you create a simpler pathway for electricity to travel, which reduces the likelihood of shocks occurring.


How many types of electrical currents are there?

There are two types of electrical current: alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC). AC is the power that comes from the wall, as it is always switching directions. DC comes from things like batteries, as the electricity only flows one way.


What should every electrician assume about a device before they begin to work on it?

Before any electrician begins to work on or touch a device, they should assume it is live. This will already put them in a cautious state of mind, which can reduce the chance of an accidental shock.


A cold room has what sort of electrical risk?

Condensation can form in a cold room and this can lead to an increase in moisture within the room. While sometimes fine, this could also lead to an increase in the risk of a shock occurring.


What piece of equipment must be in every bedroom and on every floor in U.S homes?

A smoke detector is one of the best safety features a home can have. As a result, it is required that all U.S homes have one in every bedroom and at least one on every floor.


Which material is best for an electrician's ladder?

While technically any ladder can be used by electricians, it should be ideally made of fiberglass. A wooden ladder can deteriorate, plastic ladders are low quality and aluminum ladders can conduct electricity.


What unit are electrical currents measured in?

Amperes, or amps, is the unit that electrical current is measured in. This unit got its name from the French scientist responsible for inventing the solenoid who is a founder of electrodynamics.


What is the "Let Go" threshold?

The "Let Go" threshold refers to the amount of electricity that will cause your muscles to contract. As a result, you will be unable to let go of the thing that is shocking you, which can lead to more damage and shocks. This is often anywhere between 6 and 30 milliamperes.


How many types of basic electricity exist?

In general, there are two different types of electricity. There is static electricity and dynamic (or current) electricity. Static is the buildup of charge on a surface, and dynamic is which is the flow of electricity across a conductor.


How much working space is required in front of an electrical panel?

In order for any work to be done on an electrical panel, there should be 30 inches of clear space in the front. This will help minimize risk by preventing the space from being overcrowded with people or items.


What is the source of most electricity in the USA?

Fossil fuels are still responsible for the large majority of electricity in the USA. In fact, coal and natural gas alone are responsible for over 60% of electricity in the country. Next is nuclear at nearly 20%, and then renewable sources with about 17%.


What is the first thing to do if someone is being electrocuted?

While helping them up or calling 911 might seem like the right thing to do, the first thing you need to do is turn off the power source. This will not only stop them from being shocked, but also prevent others from getting shocked as well.


What is the Megger test used to measure?

The Megger test is used to test and measure insulation resistance. It helps to verify the condition and quality of electrical insulation. It is small and portable, and can also give you simple and direct readings.


How many paths does a current have in a series circuit?

A series circuit is a circuit in which there is only one pathway that a current can take. This is because resistors are engaged in a chain, and the current is same through each and every resistor.


Are electrician fatalities on the rise or declining?

While being an electrician is still a dangerous job, the numbers of people suffering fatal injuries in the industry are thankfully dropping. This could be to a higher emphasis on safety, better training or a wide range of other things.


The area you are working in is damp. What should you do to minimize the risk of shock?

If you are working in a wet or damp environment, the chance of an electric shock occurring increases by a large margin. As a result, you should use a ground fault circuit interrupter. These will stop a circuit before a shock can take place.


How much electricity does the average American household use annually?

While the numbers will vary from home to home, the average American residential property will use about 10,000 kWh of power each year. A common reason for higher usage includes leaving lights or TV on all day when they don't need to be on.


What is Lockout/Tagout?

Lockout/Tagout refers to a safety procedure to ensure dangerous machines are locked and shut off when being worked on. The machine should also be tagged or labeled to ensure people don't turn it back on.


Which classification of fire is an electrical fire in the USA?

In the USA, there are 5 different classifications of fire. Class C refers to energized electrical equipment fires stemming from fuse boxes, circuit breakers and other machinery. In Europe, however, electrical fires are Class E.


Who is more likely to suffer from fatal electrical injuries?

While every age group has some risk associated with being an electrician, younger and more inexperienced workers have a higher chance of being injured on the job. For example, workers aged 18 or 19 have a 2.4 times greater chance of suffering a fatal injury than the average.


Which of these inventions was Thomas Edison not responsible for?

Nikola Tesla was actually the person who invented the AC motor. However, Edison is still one of the greatest inventors of all time, as he is credited with creating the motion picture camera, the phonograph and the first practical and long-lasting light bulb.


When was the first NEC published?

The NEC (National Electrical Code) was first published back in 1897 and is published every three years. It is the standard for the safe installation of electrical wiring and equipment in the USA.


How often should safety gloves be tested electrically?

Every 6 months, your safety gloves should be tested to ensure they can still protect you from electrical shocks. Sometimes, holes or other glove damage won't be visible to you, but could compromise the effectiveness of the gloves.


When was the ESFI founded?

The ESFI (Electrical Safety Foundation International) is a nonprofit organization all about promoting electrical safety at home and in the workplace. It was originally founded back in 1994.


In 2017, what percentage of fatal electrician injuries occurred in the construction industry?

While there are many different places where electric work is done, the construction industry is where most of the fatalities unfortunately occur. 54% of all fatalities occurred within that industry.


How large of a current is likely to become lethal?

While you will normally feel pain around 30 milliamperes, our bodies are capable of handling a lot more than that. A milliampere level of 10,000 or more is often what it will take for serious injury and death.


Which color should not be used for a grounded conductor?

The grounded conductor, also known as the neutral conductor, cannot be green. Green is the color used for a grounding conductor, which is much different from the grounded variety.


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