OHIO MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN EXAM
Questions & Answers with Rationales| Latest Update
Covering Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC/EPA 608, Carpentry, Appliances, Safety/OSHA, Locks
& Security, Fire & Life Safety, and Ohio Landlord-Tenant Law
,1. A standard residential electrical outlet in Ohio is wired for what voltage?
A. 110-120 volts
B. 208 volts
C. 240 volts
D. 480 volts
Answer: A
Rationale: Standard household receptacles supply 110-120 volts, single phase. 240 volts
is used for larger appliances like dryers and ranges, while 208/480 volts are typically
found in commercial/industrial three-phase systems.
2. What is the purpose of a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlet?
A. To protect wiring from overheating
B. To shut off power when it detects a difference between incoming and outgoing
current
C. To increase voltage in wet areas
D. To reduce the amperage of a circuit
Answer: B
Rationale: A GFCI monitors current flowing out on the hot wire versus returning on the
neutral wire. If it senses a leak (such as current passing through a person to ground), it
trips within milliseconds to prevent electrocution. This differs from a circuit breaker,
which protects against overload/overheating.
3. Where does the Ohio Residential Code/NEC require GFCI protection in a dwelling
unit?
A. Only in the garage
B. Bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and outdoor receptacles
C. Only bedrooms
D. Only in unfinished basements
Answer: B
Rationale: GFCI protection is required in areas with higher shock risk due to moisture or
grounding contact: bathrooms, kitchen countertop receptacles, garages, unfinished
basements, crawl spaces, and outdoor outlets.
4. A circuit breaker keeps tripping when a tenant runs a microwave and toaster on the
same outlet. What is the most likely cause?
A. Low water pressure
B. The circuit is overloaded beyond its amperage rating
, C. The GFCI is defective
D. The breaker box needs to be grounded
Answer: B
Rationale: Running multiple high-draw appliances on one circuit can exceed the
breaker's rated amperage (commonly 15-20 amps), causing it to trip as a safety
protection against overheating wires.
5. What color is the equipment grounding conductor typically insulated in residential
wiring?
A. Black
B. White
C. Green (or bare copper)
D. Red
Answer: C
Rationale: Green insulation or bare copper wire is the standard for the equipment
grounding conductor, which provides a safe path for fault current back to the panel.
Black and red are typically hot wires; white is the neutral.
6. Before replacing a light switch, what is the first safety step a maintenance
technician should take?
A. Test the switch with the power on
B. Turn off the breaker to that circuit and verify with a voltage tester
C. Wrap the wires in electrical tape
D. Call the tenant to confirm the light is broken
Answer: B
Rationale: Lockout of the circuit and verification with a non-contact or multimeter
voltage tester ensures the circuit is de-energized before work begins, preventing shock or
arc-flash injury.
7. What does 'AFCI' stand for and what does it protect against?
A. Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter; protects against fires caused by arcing faults
B. Amperage Fault Current Indicator; measures amp draw
C. Automatic Fuse Circuit Isolator; isolates blown fuses
D. Alternating Frequency Current Inverter; converts AC to DC
Answer: A
, Rationale: An AFCI detects the electrical signature of dangerous arcing (such as from
damaged cords or wiring) and interrupts the circuit to reduce the risk of electrical fires,
commonly required in bedrooms and living areas.
8. A tenant reports a burning smell near an outlet. What should the maintenance
technician do first?
A. Ignore it, since it is probably dust burning off
B. De-energize the circuit at the panel and inspect before restoring power
C. Spray the outlet with water
D. Cover the outlet with a childproof plug
Answer: B
Rationale: A burning smell can indicate overheating wiring, a loose connection, or arcing,
which are fire hazards. The circuit should be shut off immediately and inspected before
any further use.
9. What tool is used to safely check whether a wire is energized before touching it?
A. Tape measure
B. Non-contact voltage tester
C. Torque wrench
D. Stud finder
Answer: B
Rationale: A non-contact voltage tester detects the presence of voltage without
requiring direct contact with a bare conductor, providing a quick safety check before
handling wires.
10. What is the recommended action when a technician finds double-tapped breakers
(two wires under one breaker terminal) not rated for it?
A. Leave it, since it saves space in the panel
B. Correct it using a breaker rated for double taps or a sub-panel/pigtail
C. Wrap the wires together with tape
D. Increase the breaker size to compensate
Answer: B
Rationale: Most standard breakers are only listed for one wire per terminal. Double-
tapping an unrated breaker can cause loose connections, overheating, and fire risk, so it
must be corrected with proper listed hardware.
PLUMBING
Questions & Answers with Rationales| Latest Update
Covering Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC/EPA 608, Carpentry, Appliances, Safety/OSHA, Locks
& Security, Fire & Life Safety, and Ohio Landlord-Tenant Law
,1. A standard residential electrical outlet in Ohio is wired for what voltage?
A. 110-120 volts
B. 208 volts
C. 240 volts
D. 480 volts
Answer: A
Rationale: Standard household receptacles supply 110-120 volts, single phase. 240 volts
is used for larger appliances like dryers and ranges, while 208/480 volts are typically
found in commercial/industrial three-phase systems.
2. What is the purpose of a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlet?
A. To protect wiring from overheating
B. To shut off power when it detects a difference between incoming and outgoing
current
C. To increase voltage in wet areas
D. To reduce the amperage of a circuit
Answer: B
Rationale: A GFCI monitors current flowing out on the hot wire versus returning on the
neutral wire. If it senses a leak (such as current passing through a person to ground), it
trips within milliseconds to prevent electrocution. This differs from a circuit breaker,
which protects against overload/overheating.
3. Where does the Ohio Residential Code/NEC require GFCI protection in a dwelling
unit?
A. Only in the garage
B. Bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and outdoor receptacles
C. Only bedrooms
D. Only in unfinished basements
Answer: B
Rationale: GFCI protection is required in areas with higher shock risk due to moisture or
grounding contact: bathrooms, kitchen countertop receptacles, garages, unfinished
basements, crawl spaces, and outdoor outlets.
4. A circuit breaker keeps tripping when a tenant runs a microwave and toaster on the
same outlet. What is the most likely cause?
A. Low water pressure
B. The circuit is overloaded beyond its amperage rating
, C. The GFCI is defective
D. The breaker box needs to be grounded
Answer: B
Rationale: Running multiple high-draw appliances on one circuit can exceed the
breaker's rated amperage (commonly 15-20 amps), causing it to trip as a safety
protection against overheating wires.
5. What color is the equipment grounding conductor typically insulated in residential
wiring?
A. Black
B. White
C. Green (or bare copper)
D. Red
Answer: C
Rationale: Green insulation or bare copper wire is the standard for the equipment
grounding conductor, which provides a safe path for fault current back to the panel.
Black and red are typically hot wires; white is the neutral.
6. Before replacing a light switch, what is the first safety step a maintenance
technician should take?
A. Test the switch with the power on
B. Turn off the breaker to that circuit and verify with a voltage tester
C. Wrap the wires in electrical tape
D. Call the tenant to confirm the light is broken
Answer: B
Rationale: Lockout of the circuit and verification with a non-contact or multimeter
voltage tester ensures the circuit is de-energized before work begins, preventing shock or
arc-flash injury.
7. What does 'AFCI' stand for and what does it protect against?
A. Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter; protects against fires caused by arcing faults
B. Amperage Fault Current Indicator; measures amp draw
C. Automatic Fuse Circuit Isolator; isolates blown fuses
D. Alternating Frequency Current Inverter; converts AC to DC
Answer: A
, Rationale: An AFCI detects the electrical signature of dangerous arcing (such as from
damaged cords or wiring) and interrupts the circuit to reduce the risk of electrical fires,
commonly required in bedrooms and living areas.
8. A tenant reports a burning smell near an outlet. What should the maintenance
technician do first?
A. Ignore it, since it is probably dust burning off
B. De-energize the circuit at the panel and inspect before restoring power
C. Spray the outlet with water
D. Cover the outlet with a childproof plug
Answer: B
Rationale: A burning smell can indicate overheating wiring, a loose connection, or arcing,
which are fire hazards. The circuit should be shut off immediately and inspected before
any further use.
9. What tool is used to safely check whether a wire is energized before touching it?
A. Tape measure
B. Non-contact voltage tester
C. Torque wrench
D. Stud finder
Answer: B
Rationale: A non-contact voltage tester detects the presence of voltage without
requiring direct contact with a bare conductor, providing a quick safety check before
handling wires.
10. What is the recommended action when a technician finds double-tapped breakers
(two wires under one breaker terminal) not rated for it?
A. Leave it, since it saves space in the panel
B. Correct it using a breaker rated for double taps or a sub-panel/pigtail
C. Wrap the wires together with tape
D. Increase the breaker size to compensate
Answer: B
Rationale: Most standard breakers are only listed for one wire per terminal. Double-
tapping an unrated breaker can cause loose connections, overheating, and fire risk, so it
must be corrected with proper listed hardware.
PLUMBING
