NYC Associate Inspector (Electrical) —
Exam 6020 Practice Test Questions and
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025|2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. Electrical Principles — Ohm's Law
A 120-volt circuit has a resistance of 20 ohms. What current should flow through
the circuit?
A. 2 A
B. 4 A
C. 6 A
D. 10 A
Correct Answer: C. 6 A
Rationale: Ohm's Law states that current equals voltage divided by resistance: I =
V/R. Therefore, 120 ÷ 20 = 6 amperes.
2. Electrical Principles — Power
A single-phase load operates at 120 volts and draws 10 amperes. Assuming a
unity power factor, what is its power consumption?
A. 1,200 W
B. 120 W
C. 12 W
D. 12,000 W
Correct Answer: A. 1,200 W
,Rationale: Electrical power is calculated as P = V × I when power factor is 1. Thus,
120 × 10 = 1,200 watts.
3. Inspection Responsibilities — Overheating
During an inspection, an inspector observes discoloration and melted insulation
around a conductor termination. What condition should this most directly
suggest?
A. Excessive conductor length
B. Possible overheating
C. Proper conductor loading
D. Normal insulation aging
Correct Answer: B. Possible overheating
Rationale: Discoloration and melted insulation near a termination are common
physical indicators of excessive heat. The condition warrants investigation rather
than being treated as normal.
4. National Electrical Code — Ground-Fault Protection
What is the primary purpose of a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)?
A. Prevent voltage fluctuations
B. Increase available circuit current
C. Detect an imbalance indicating current leakage and interrupt the circuit
D. Protect conductors from every type of overload
Correct Answer: C. Detect an imbalance indicating current leakage and interrupt
the circuit
Rationale: A GFCI monitors current flowing through the circuit conductors. When it
detects a difference consistent with current taking an unintended path, it rapidly
interrupts power to reduce shock risk.
5. Fire Alarm Systems
What is the primary function of a fire alarm initiating device?
A. Supply emergency lighting
B. Detect a condition indicating a possible fire and initiate an alarm signal
,C. Provide electrical power to elevators
D. Suppress a fire automatically
Correct Answer: B. Detect a condition indicating a possible fire and initiate an
alarm signal
Rationale: Initiating devices such as smoke detectors, heat detectors, and manual
pull stations detect conditions associated with fire and send a signal to the fire
alarm control equipment.
6. Inspection Responsibilities — Documentation
An electrical installation differs from the approved drawing in the location of
several major pieces of equipment. What should the inspector do first?
A. Ignore the difference if the equipment operates
B. Determine whether the change is authorized and compliant
C. Require immediate demolition of the installation
D. Approve the installation because the equipment is energized
Correct Answer: B. Determine whether the change is authorized and compliant
Rationale: A deviation from approved plans must be evaluated for compliance and
authorization. Proper inspection requires comparing the field condition with the
applicable approved documents and requirements.
7. Electrical Safety — Lockout/Tagout
What is the principal purpose of lockout/tagout procedures?
A. Increase circuit capacity
B. Prevent unauthorized or unexpected energization during servicing
C. Reduce electrical resistance
D. Improve equipment efficiency
Correct Answer: B. Prevent unauthorized or unexpected energization during
servicing
Rationale: Lockout/tagout controls hazardous energy by preventing equipment
from being energized while workers are performing servicing or maintenance.
8. Fire Protection — Detection
, Which condition generally causes a heat detector to operate?
A. A predetermined temperature or rate-of-rise condition
B. A reduction in circuit resistance caused by a switch
C. Activation of a sprinkler head
D. Loss of normal building lighting
Correct Answer: A. A predetermined temperature or rate-of-rise condition
Rationale: Heat detectors are designed to respond to specified thermal conditions.
Depending on the detector type, activation can result from reaching a fixed
temperature or experiencing a specified rate of temperature increase.
9. Mathematical Reasoning — Voltage Drop
A circuit has a resistance of 2 ohms and carries 15 amperes. What is the voltage
drop across that resistance?
A. 7.5 V
B. 15 V
C. 17 V
D. 30 V
Correct Answer: D. 30 V
Rationale: Using Ohm's Law, voltage equals current multiplied by resistance: V = I
× R. Therefore, 15 × 2 = 30 volts.
10. Technical Expertise — Transformers
What is the primary purpose of a transformer in an AC electrical system?
A. Convert alternating current directly into mechanical energy
B. Change voltage from one level to another
C. Eliminate all electrical resistance
D. Convert electrical energy into heat
Correct Answer: B. Change voltage from one level to another
Rationale: Transformers transfer electrical energy between circuits through
electromagnetic induction and are commonly used to step voltage up or down.
11. Plans and Schematics — Symbols
Exam 6020 Practice Test Questions and
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025|2026 Q&A | Instant
download Pdf
1. Electrical Principles — Ohm's Law
A 120-volt circuit has a resistance of 20 ohms. What current should flow through
the circuit?
A. 2 A
B. 4 A
C. 6 A
D. 10 A
Correct Answer: C. 6 A
Rationale: Ohm's Law states that current equals voltage divided by resistance: I =
V/R. Therefore, 120 ÷ 20 = 6 amperes.
2. Electrical Principles — Power
A single-phase load operates at 120 volts and draws 10 amperes. Assuming a
unity power factor, what is its power consumption?
A. 1,200 W
B. 120 W
C. 12 W
D. 12,000 W
Correct Answer: A. 1,200 W
,Rationale: Electrical power is calculated as P = V × I when power factor is 1. Thus,
120 × 10 = 1,200 watts.
3. Inspection Responsibilities — Overheating
During an inspection, an inspector observes discoloration and melted insulation
around a conductor termination. What condition should this most directly
suggest?
A. Excessive conductor length
B. Possible overheating
C. Proper conductor loading
D. Normal insulation aging
Correct Answer: B. Possible overheating
Rationale: Discoloration and melted insulation near a termination are common
physical indicators of excessive heat. The condition warrants investigation rather
than being treated as normal.
4. National Electrical Code — Ground-Fault Protection
What is the primary purpose of a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)?
A. Prevent voltage fluctuations
B. Increase available circuit current
C. Detect an imbalance indicating current leakage and interrupt the circuit
D. Protect conductors from every type of overload
Correct Answer: C. Detect an imbalance indicating current leakage and interrupt
the circuit
Rationale: A GFCI monitors current flowing through the circuit conductors. When it
detects a difference consistent with current taking an unintended path, it rapidly
interrupts power to reduce shock risk.
5. Fire Alarm Systems
What is the primary function of a fire alarm initiating device?
A. Supply emergency lighting
B. Detect a condition indicating a possible fire and initiate an alarm signal
,C. Provide electrical power to elevators
D. Suppress a fire automatically
Correct Answer: B. Detect a condition indicating a possible fire and initiate an
alarm signal
Rationale: Initiating devices such as smoke detectors, heat detectors, and manual
pull stations detect conditions associated with fire and send a signal to the fire
alarm control equipment.
6. Inspection Responsibilities — Documentation
An electrical installation differs from the approved drawing in the location of
several major pieces of equipment. What should the inspector do first?
A. Ignore the difference if the equipment operates
B. Determine whether the change is authorized and compliant
C. Require immediate demolition of the installation
D. Approve the installation because the equipment is energized
Correct Answer: B. Determine whether the change is authorized and compliant
Rationale: A deviation from approved plans must be evaluated for compliance and
authorization. Proper inspection requires comparing the field condition with the
applicable approved documents and requirements.
7. Electrical Safety — Lockout/Tagout
What is the principal purpose of lockout/tagout procedures?
A. Increase circuit capacity
B. Prevent unauthorized or unexpected energization during servicing
C. Reduce electrical resistance
D. Improve equipment efficiency
Correct Answer: B. Prevent unauthorized or unexpected energization during
servicing
Rationale: Lockout/tagout controls hazardous energy by preventing equipment
from being energized while workers are performing servicing or maintenance.
8. Fire Protection — Detection
, Which condition generally causes a heat detector to operate?
A. A predetermined temperature or rate-of-rise condition
B. A reduction in circuit resistance caused by a switch
C. Activation of a sprinkler head
D. Loss of normal building lighting
Correct Answer: A. A predetermined temperature or rate-of-rise condition
Rationale: Heat detectors are designed to respond to specified thermal conditions.
Depending on the detector type, activation can result from reaching a fixed
temperature or experiencing a specified rate of temperature increase.
9. Mathematical Reasoning — Voltage Drop
A circuit has a resistance of 2 ohms and carries 15 amperes. What is the voltage
drop across that resistance?
A. 7.5 V
B. 15 V
C. 17 V
D. 30 V
Correct Answer: D. 30 V
Rationale: Using Ohm's Law, voltage equals current multiplied by resistance: V = I
× R. Therefore, 15 × 2 = 30 volts.
10. Technical Expertise — Transformers
What is the primary purpose of a transformer in an AC electrical system?
A. Convert alternating current directly into mechanical energy
B. Change voltage from one level to another
C. Eliminate all electrical resistance
D. Convert electrical energy into heat
Correct Answer: B. Change voltage from one level to another
Rationale: Transformers transfer electrical energy between circuits through
electromagnetic induction and are commonly used to step voltage up or down.
11. Plans and Schematics — Symbols
