1|Page
OHIO MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN ACTUAL
EXAM PREP 2026 ALL QUESTIONSAND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS ALREADY A
GRADED |HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BY
EXPERTS |NEW AND REVISED
1. According to OSHA lockout/tagout (LOTO) standards, what is
the FIRST step a maintenance technician must take before servicing
equipment?
A. Lock the main disconnect switch
B. Notify all affected employees that the equipment will be shut down
for servicing
C. Test the circuit with a voltage tester to confirm de-energization
D. Remove the fuses from the disconnect panel
Affected employees must be notified before shutdown so they know not
to restart or use the equipment. Locking, tagging, and testing occur
after proper notification and shutdown. The LOTO sequence is: notify,
shut down, isolate, lock, tag, and verify.
2. A maintenance technician is preparing to work on a commercial
HVAC unit. According to OSHA and Ohio BWC regulations, what
is the first step that must be taken before any work begins?
A. Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) the energy source
B. Notify the building manager
C. Perform a job hazard analysis and verify zero energy state
D. Put on all required PPE
While LOTO and PPE are critical, the overarching first step is
conducting a job hazard analysis to identify all potential hazards and
,2|Page
verify zero energy state before work begins. This ensures the
technician has identified all energy sources and hazards before
proceeding.
3. When using a multimeter to measure resistance, what must be
done first?
A. Set the meter to AC volts
B. De-energize the circuit and verify zero voltage
C. Connect the leads to the current jacks
D. Increase the range to maximum
Resistance measurements require a de-energized circuit to prevent
meter damage and electric shock. The ohmmeter uses its own internal
battery to measure resistance. Verifying zero voltage before testing is
the critical safety step.
4. Which location does NOT require GFCI protection in a dwelling
unit?
A. Bathroom
B. Garage
C. Bedroom
D. Kitchen countertop
GFCI protection is required in bathrooms, garages, kitchen
countertops, outdoors, and other damp locations. Bedrooms require
AFCI protection instead, which protects against arc faults rather than
ground faults.
5. A 20-amp circuit breaker repeatedly trips when multiple portable
heaters are connected. What is the MOST likely cause?
,3|Page
A. Short circuit in the wiring
B. The circuit is overloaded beyond its amperage rating
C. A ground fault in one of the heaters
D. The breaker is defective and needs replacement
When multiple high-draw appliances are connected to a single circuit,
the total amperage exceeds the breaker's rating, causing it to trip. This
is an overload condition, not a short circuit or ground fault. The
solution is to redistribute the load across multiple circuits.
6. A standard residential electrical outlet in Ohio is wired for what
voltage?
A. 208 volts
B. 240 volts
C. 110–120 volts
D. 480 volts
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 and industrial three-
phase systems.
7. 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
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
, 4|Page
through a person to ground), it trips within milliseconds to prevent
electrocution. This differs from a circuit breaker, which protects
against overload and overheating.
8. A tenant reports low water pressure at one faucet only. What is
the MOST likely first step?
A. Replace the entire main water line
B. Check and clean the faucet aerator for mineral buildup or debris
C. Increase the water heater temperature
D. Install a new pressure-reducing valve on the main
When only one fixture is affected, a clogged aerator or supply line
restriction is far more likely than a whole-building pressure issue. The
aerator should be checked and cleaned first before more invasive
work.
9. What does 'PEX' refer to in plumbing systems?
A. A type of copper piping
B. A brand of pipe insulation
C. Cross-linked polyethylene tubing
D. A pipe thread sealant
PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) is a flexible plastic tubing commonly
used in modern plumbing systems for both hot and cold water
distribution. It is resistant to corrosion and scale buildup and is easier
to install than copper or galvanized pipe.
10. A water heater's temperature and pressure relief valve is
leaking. What is the MOST appropriate first action?
OHIO MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN ACTUAL
EXAM PREP 2026 ALL QUESTIONSAND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS ALREADY A
GRADED |HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BY
EXPERTS |NEW AND REVISED
1. According to OSHA lockout/tagout (LOTO) standards, what is
the FIRST step a maintenance technician must take before servicing
equipment?
A. Lock the main disconnect switch
B. Notify all affected employees that the equipment will be shut down
for servicing
C. Test the circuit with a voltage tester to confirm de-energization
D. Remove the fuses from the disconnect panel
Affected employees must be notified before shutdown so they know not
to restart or use the equipment. Locking, tagging, and testing occur
after proper notification and shutdown. The LOTO sequence is: notify,
shut down, isolate, lock, tag, and verify.
2. A maintenance technician is preparing to work on a commercial
HVAC unit. According to OSHA and Ohio BWC regulations, what
is the first step that must be taken before any work begins?
A. Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) the energy source
B. Notify the building manager
C. Perform a job hazard analysis and verify zero energy state
D. Put on all required PPE
While LOTO and PPE are critical, the overarching first step is
conducting a job hazard analysis to identify all potential hazards and
,2|Page
verify zero energy state before work begins. This ensures the
technician has identified all energy sources and hazards before
proceeding.
3. When using a multimeter to measure resistance, what must be
done first?
A. Set the meter to AC volts
B. De-energize the circuit and verify zero voltage
C. Connect the leads to the current jacks
D. Increase the range to maximum
Resistance measurements require a de-energized circuit to prevent
meter damage and electric shock. The ohmmeter uses its own internal
battery to measure resistance. Verifying zero voltage before testing is
the critical safety step.
4. Which location does NOT require GFCI protection in a dwelling
unit?
A. Bathroom
B. Garage
C. Bedroom
D. Kitchen countertop
GFCI protection is required in bathrooms, garages, kitchen
countertops, outdoors, and other damp locations. Bedrooms require
AFCI protection instead, which protects against arc faults rather than
ground faults.
5. A 20-amp circuit breaker repeatedly trips when multiple portable
heaters are connected. What is the MOST likely cause?
,3|Page
A. Short circuit in the wiring
B. The circuit is overloaded beyond its amperage rating
C. A ground fault in one of the heaters
D. The breaker is defective and needs replacement
When multiple high-draw appliances are connected to a single circuit,
the total amperage exceeds the breaker's rating, causing it to trip. This
is an overload condition, not a short circuit or ground fault. The
solution is to redistribute the load across multiple circuits.
6. A standard residential electrical outlet in Ohio is wired for what
voltage?
A. 208 volts
B. 240 volts
C. 110–120 volts
D. 480 volts
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 and industrial three-
phase systems.
7. 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
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
, 4|Page
through a person to ground), it trips within milliseconds to prevent
electrocution. This differs from a circuit breaker, which protects
against overload and overheating.
8. A tenant reports low water pressure at one faucet only. What is
the MOST likely first step?
A. Replace the entire main water line
B. Check and clean the faucet aerator for mineral buildup or debris
C. Increase the water heater temperature
D. Install a new pressure-reducing valve on the main
When only one fixture is affected, a clogged aerator or supply line
restriction is far more likely than a whole-building pressure issue. The
aerator should be checked and cleaned first before more invasive
work.
9. What does 'PEX' refer to in plumbing systems?
A. A type of copper piping
B. A brand of pipe insulation
C. Cross-linked polyethylene tubing
D. A pipe thread sealant
PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) is a flexible plastic tubing commonly
used in modern plumbing systems for both hot and cold water
distribution. It is resistant to corrosion and scale buildup and is easier
to install than copper or galvanized pipe.
10. A water heater's temperature and pressure relief valve is
leaking. What is the MOST appropriate first action?
