Mixed Deck — All CEA Topics Flashcards
100 cards from real CEA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 20 Mixed Deck — All CEA Topics flashcards as text
What is the term for the ratio of true power to apparent power in an AC circuit?
Answer: Power factor
Power factor (PF) = True Power (W) / Apparent Power (VA), ranging from 0 to 1.
Which pulling lubricant is acceptable for use with THHN wire being pulled through PVC conduit?
Answer: Wax-based or listed wire-pulling compound
Listed wire-pulling compounds (wax or water-based) are compatible with THHN insulation and PVC conduit and do not degrade either material.
Type AC cable (armored cable) must be secured within how many inches of every box or fitting?
Answer: 12 inches
Type AC cable must be secured within 12 inches of every box, cabinet, or fitting and at intervals not exceeding 4.5 feet.
Electrical metallic tubing (EMT) is NOT permitted to be used in which condition?
Answer: Subject to severe physical damage
NEC 358.12 prohibits EMT where it will be subject to severe physical damage due to its thin-wall construction.
Which color is OSHA-designated to indicate caution or a potential hazard on safety signs?
Answer: Yellow
OSHA designates yellow as the standard caution color, warning workers of potential hazards that are not immediately life-threatening.
A 'hot work permit' is typically required before performing which of the following tasks on a jobsite?
Answer: Grinding metal near flammable materials
Hot work permits are required for operations like grinding, welding, or cutting that produce sparks near flammable or combustible materials.
An apprentice is inspecting a long run of conduit with several offsets and notices a 'dog leg' in one of the bends. What does this term describe?
Answer: Two or more bends that are not in the same plane, creating a twist.
A 'dog leg' is a common bending flaw where multiple bends in a single run, like an offset, are not aligned on the same plane. This creates a crooked or twisted appearance in the conduit run instead of a straight, clean line.
Under OSHA 1926 Subpart K, which action is required when working within 10 feet of overhead power lines rated over 50kV?
Answer: Have the lines de-energized or maintain increased clearance per line voltage
OSHA 1926.1408 requires that for voltages over 50kV, clearance distances increase beyond 10 feet, and work may only proceed if lines are de-energized or proper clearance is maintained.
Three 120 V light bulbs are connected in series across 360 V. What voltage appears across each bulb?
Answer: 120 V
In series, voltage divides equally among identical loads: 360/3 = 120 V per bulb.
An apprentice is tasked with creating a 6-inch offset using 30-degree bends. Using the standard multiplier for a 30-degree bend, what is the required distance between the two bend marks?
Answer: 12 inches
The standard multiplier for a 30-degree offset bend is 2.0. To find the distance between the bends, you multiply the offset depth by the multiplier. Therefore, 6 inches (offset depth) x 2.0 (multiplier) = 12 inches.
What does a higher AWG number indicate about a wire?
Answer: Smaller diameter and lower current capacity
In the American Wire Gauge system, higher numbers indicate thinner wire with lower current-carrying capacity.
What is the minimum insulation rating required for conductors installed in a raceway exposed to direct sunlight on a rooftop?
Answer: 90°C (194°F)
Conductors in raceways exposed to direct sunlight on rooftops must have a 90°C insulation rating and may require ampacity correction for elevated ambient temperatures.
An electrician is wiring an outdoor receptacle on the exterior of a commercial building. The area is exposed to rain. Which of the following wiring methods and materials is most appropriate for this wet location?
Answer: Type XHHW conductors in Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC) with weatherproof fittings
For wet locations, the NEC requires wiring methods and materials listed for such use. Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC) with weatherproof fittings provides robust protection against moisture. Conductors like XHHW are rated for wet locations. Other options like standard NM cable, EMT with standard fittings, or standard MC cable are not suitable for direct exposure to weather.
Under NEC 352.10, rigid PVC conduit (Type PVC) is NOT permitted to be used in which of the following locations?
Answer: Support of luminaires or other equipment
NEC 352.10 lists permitted uses for PVC conduit, and 352.12(E) prohibits its use for the support of luminaires or other equipment not described in the Code.
What is the correct procedure for deburring the inside of a cut conduit end before pulling wire?
Answer: Use a conduit reamer or deburring tool to remove sharp edges
A conduit reamer or deburring tool removes sharp internal edges that could cut wire insulation during pulling.
An apprentice needs to calculate the minimum size THWN copper branch-circuit conductors for a 7.5 horsepower, 230-volt, 3-phase motor with a nameplate full-load current (FLC) of 22 amperes. The motor is on a continuous duty cycle. What is the minimum required ampacity for the conductors?
Answer: 27.5 amperes
According to NEC 430.22, branch-circuit conductors supplying a single continuous-duty motor must have an ampacity of not less than 125% of the motor's full-load current (FLC). The calculation is 22A (FLC) x 1.25 = 27.5A. Therefore, the conductors must have a minimum ampacity of 27.5 amperes.
What is the multiplier used to calculate the distance between bends for a 45-degree offset?
Answer: 1.414
A 45-degree offset uses a multiplier of approximately 1.414 (√2); the distance between bends equals the offset height times 1.414.
What NEC requirement applies to electrical panels installed in clothes closets?
Answer: Panels are not permitted in clothes closets
NEC 240.24(D) prohibits overcurrent devices (and therefore panels) from being located in the vicinity of easily ignitable material, which includes clothes closets.
An extension cord on a construction site is found to have a damaged outer jacket exposing the inner insulation. The correct action is to:
Answer: Remove it from service immediately and tag it as defective
Damaged extension cords must be removed from service immediately to prevent shock or fire hazard.
On a blueprint, what does the abbreviation 'TVSS' represent?
Answer: Transient Voltage Surge Suppressor
TVSS stands for Transient Voltage Surge Suppressor, a device that protects equipment from voltage spikes.