IA Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the IA exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📚 IA Topics to Study (22)
✍️ Sample IA Questions & Answers
1. Net Positive Suction Head Available (NPSHa) must always be:
NPSHa must exceed NPSHr by at least 2–3 feet of safety margin to ensure the pump does not cavitate.
2. Which backflow prevention assembly provides the highest level of protection against both back-pressure and back-siphonage?
The RPZ assembly provides the highest mechanical protection because it maintains a zone of reduced pressure between two check valves and vents any backflow to the atmosphere via a relief valve.
3. A zone fails to activate but others work fine. What is the likely cause?
If only one irrigation zone fails to activate while all other zones function correctly, the most likely cause is a localized electrical issue specific to that zone. This typically points to a broken wire preventing the electrical signal from reaching the valve, or a faulty solenoid on that particular valve that cannot open even if it receives power.
4. What is the definition of a cross-connection?
A cross-connection is any physical link between a potable water system and any source that could introduce contaminants into the drinking water supply.
5. Total Dynamic Head (TDH) in a pump system is the sum of which components?
TDH = static head + friction head losses + velocity head + any pressure required at the point of delivery, representing total energy the pump must supply.
6. What is the purpose of the 'pump start relay' output on an irrigation controller?
The pump start relay (PSR) output sends a 24 VAC signal to an external relay, which in turn switches line voltage to the pump motor whenever irrigation is active.