Tools & Equipment Operation Flashcards
7 cards from real AEP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Tools & Equipment Operation flashcards as text
A voltage detector (tick tracer) gives an intermittent signal near a junction box. The safest interpretation is:
Answer: Voltage may be present — treat as energized and verify with a meter
Intermittent signals can result from shielding or distance effects; the circuit must always be treated as energized until definitively proven otherwise.
When installing temporary protective grounds on a distribution line, the ground cluster must be attached in which order?
Answer: Ground end (earth) first, then the line conductor
Grounding the earth end first ensures any accidental contact with the conductor during attachment completes the circuit safely through the ground, not through the worker.
A pneumatic impact wrench used for substation hardware has a rating of 150 ft-lbs. To apply a specified 120 ft-lbs torque accurately, the technician should:
Answer: Use a torque stick or follow up with a calibrated torque wrench to verify
Impact wrenches do not apply precise torque; a torque stick (torsion adapter) or a final check with a calibrated torque wrench is required for accuracy.
When using a conduit bender to make a 90-degree stub-up in metallic conduit, the 'shrink' must be accounted for to achieve the correct finished height. This means the bender mark should be placed:
Answer: At the finished height minus the shrink amount
The stub-up shortens due to the bend arc (shrink), so the mark is placed at the desired height minus the shrink to achieve the correct finished dimension.
Which safety feature on an aerial bucket truck prevents the boom from being elevated if an outrigger is not fully deployed?
Answer: Interlock system tied to the outrigger position sensors
Interlock systems sense outrigger position and electrically or hydraulically prevent boom operation until all outriggers are properly set.
A lineman discovers that the cable reel brake on a cable trailer is not holding during a downhill move. The correct action is to:
Answer: Stop the move immediately and tag the equipment out of service
A failed reel brake creates an uncontrolled cable release hazard; the equipment must be tagged out and repaired before any further use.
When de-energizing a padmount transformer for maintenance, the correct switching sequence using an elbow (200A) disconnect stick is:
Answer: Load-break elbow pull in any order, then isolate with a visible air gap
200A load-break elbows are designed to interrupt load current; pulling each elbow creates a visible open point (air gap) confirming isolation.