LADWP ELECTRICAL CRAFT HELPER EXAM
PREP ULTIMATE NEWEST 2026 | LOS ANGELS
DEPARTMENT OF WATER & POWER | ALL
SECTIONS COVERED | PASS GUARANTEED
2026
Question
What is the best tool to tighten a rigid 1-inch conduit coupling to a threaded conduit?
A) A monkey wrench
B) An adjustable wrench
C) Adjustable pliers
D) A crescent wrench
Expert Rationale: A monkey wrench is the best tool for tightening rigid conduit couplings
because its design provides the necessary grip and torque on the smooth, rounded
surfaces of conduit fittings. Adjustable wrenches and pliers may slip or damage the fitting;
crescent wrenches are better suited for hexagonal nuts.
Question
Which is the best tool to verify that equipment fastened to a wall is parallel to the ground?
A) A level
B) A square
C) A ruler
D) A laser
Expert Rationale: A level is the standard tool for verifying that equipment is parallel to the
ground (level) or plumb. A square checks right angles; a ruler measures length; a laser level
projects a reference line but is not the most basic tool for this task.
Question
One should remove drill bits and return drill motors to their cases and storage areas:
,A) At the completion of the last application of that tool
B) At the end of each application
C) At the completion of the whole job
D) At the end of the work day only
Expert Rationale: Tools should be cleaned and returned to their storage areas at the
completion of the last application of that tool to prevent loss, damage, and maintain
organization. This is a best practice for tool maintenance and workplace safety.
Question
If a ladder has a broken rung on it, the best practice would be to:
A) Repair the rung with duct tape
B) Repair the rung with tie wire
C) Repair the rung with electrical tape
D) Discard the ladder
Expert Rationale: A ladder with a broken rung is unsafe and should be discarded or tagged
out of service. Temporary repairs with tape or wire are not acceptable and could lead to
serious injury. Safety regulations require damaged ladders to be removed from service.
Question
When should portable electric tools and extension cords be checked for serviceability?
A) Before use
B) During use
C) After use
D) If it doesn't work
Expert Rationale: Portable electric tools and extension cords should be checked before
each use to identify damage, frayed cords, or other hazards. This prevents electrical shock
and equipment failure. Regular inspection is a key safety practice.
Question
How far out from a structure should the base of a portable ladder extended to 20 feet high
be placed?
, A) One foot
B) Two feet
C) Five feet
D) Ten feet
Expert Rationale: The base of a portable ladder should be placed 5 feet out from the
structure for a 20-foot ladder, using the 4-to-1 rule (1 foot of setback for every 4 feet of
height). This provides proper stability and safe climbing angle.
Question
Which one of the following hand tools has a handle, a shank, and a blade?
A) Pliers
B) Wrench
C) Hammer
D) Screwdriver
Expert Rationale: A screwdriver consists of a handle, a shank (the shaft), and a blade (the
tip). Pliers have handles and jaws; wrenches have a handle and head; hammers have a
handle and head. The screwdriver is the only tool with these three components.
Question
You are working inside a high voltage sub-station installing new equipment. What is the
best tool to verify the dimensions of the high voltage equipment room (125 ft x 75 ft, as
stated in the engineering design)?
A) Metallic measuring tape
B) Wooden folding rule
C) 100-foot cloth measuring tape
D) Pacing
Expert Rationale: A wooden folding rule is the best tool for measuring in high voltage
substations because it is non-conductive and safe around electrical equipment. Metallic
tapes and cloth tapes may conduct electricity or be less accurate; pacing is insufficient for
precise dimensions.
Question
The best tool used to measure 15 feet of wire is a:
PREP ULTIMATE NEWEST 2026 | LOS ANGELS
DEPARTMENT OF WATER & POWER | ALL
SECTIONS COVERED | PASS GUARANTEED
2026
Question
What is the best tool to tighten a rigid 1-inch conduit coupling to a threaded conduit?
A) A monkey wrench
B) An adjustable wrench
C) Adjustable pliers
D) A crescent wrench
Expert Rationale: A monkey wrench is the best tool for tightening rigid conduit couplings
because its design provides the necessary grip and torque on the smooth, rounded
surfaces of conduit fittings. Adjustable wrenches and pliers may slip or damage the fitting;
crescent wrenches are better suited for hexagonal nuts.
Question
Which is the best tool to verify that equipment fastened to a wall is parallel to the ground?
A) A level
B) A square
C) A ruler
D) A laser
Expert Rationale: A level is the standard tool for verifying that equipment is parallel to the
ground (level) or plumb. A square checks right angles; a ruler measures length; a laser level
projects a reference line but is not the most basic tool for this task.
Question
One should remove drill bits and return drill motors to their cases and storage areas:
,A) At the completion of the last application of that tool
B) At the end of each application
C) At the completion of the whole job
D) At the end of the work day only
Expert Rationale: Tools should be cleaned and returned to their storage areas at the
completion of the last application of that tool to prevent loss, damage, and maintain
organization. This is a best practice for tool maintenance and workplace safety.
Question
If a ladder has a broken rung on it, the best practice would be to:
A) Repair the rung with duct tape
B) Repair the rung with tie wire
C) Repair the rung with electrical tape
D) Discard the ladder
Expert Rationale: A ladder with a broken rung is unsafe and should be discarded or tagged
out of service. Temporary repairs with tape or wire are not acceptable and could lead to
serious injury. Safety regulations require damaged ladders to be removed from service.
Question
When should portable electric tools and extension cords be checked for serviceability?
A) Before use
B) During use
C) After use
D) If it doesn't work
Expert Rationale: Portable electric tools and extension cords should be checked before
each use to identify damage, frayed cords, or other hazards. This prevents electrical shock
and equipment failure. Regular inspection is a key safety practice.
Question
How far out from a structure should the base of a portable ladder extended to 20 feet high
be placed?
, A) One foot
B) Two feet
C) Five feet
D) Ten feet
Expert Rationale: The base of a portable ladder should be placed 5 feet out from the
structure for a 20-foot ladder, using the 4-to-1 rule (1 foot of setback for every 4 feet of
height). This provides proper stability and safe climbing angle.
Question
Which one of the following hand tools has a handle, a shank, and a blade?
A) Pliers
B) Wrench
C) Hammer
D) Screwdriver
Expert Rationale: A screwdriver consists of a handle, a shank (the shaft), and a blade (the
tip). Pliers have handles and jaws; wrenches have a handle and head; hammers have a
handle and head. The screwdriver is the only tool with these three components.
Question
You are working inside a high voltage sub-station installing new equipment. What is the
best tool to verify the dimensions of the high voltage equipment room (125 ft x 75 ft, as
stated in the engineering design)?
A) Metallic measuring tape
B) Wooden folding rule
C) 100-foot cloth measuring tape
D) Pacing
Expert Rationale: A wooden folding rule is the best tool for measuring in high voltage
substations because it is non-conductive and safe around electrical equipment. Metallic
tapes and cloth tapes may conduct electricity or be less accurate; pacing is insufficient for
precise dimensions.
Question
The best tool used to measure 15 feet of wire is a: