LADWP ELECTRICAL CRAFT HELPER EXAM
COMPLETE PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
2026–2027 STUDY GUIDE | DETAILED RATIONALES |
CIVIL SERVICE EXAM PREPARATION
SECTION ONE — QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A drawing uses a scale of 1 inch = 12 feet. A cable run measures 3 inches on the drawing.
What actual length is represented?
A) 15 feet
B) 4 feet
C) 36 feet
D) 3 feet
Correct Answer: C) 36 feet
Rationale: The scale means every inch represents 12 actual feet. Multiply 3 drawing inches by
12 feet per inch to obtain 36 feet. Adding or dividing does not apply the stated scale.
2. During a supervised utility maintenance activity, what is the primary purpose of wire
insulation?
A) Increase conductor resistance to infinity
B) Make every conductor safe to touch
C) Limit unintended contact and current paths
D) Replace grounding and protective devices
Correct Answer: C) Limit unintended contact and current paths
Rationale: Insulation separates conductors from other conductive surfaces under its rated
conditions. Damage, voltage stress, and environmental conditions can compromise it.
Insulation does not replace protective devices or safe-work procedures.
,3. A simple lever has an effort arm of 20 inches and a load arm of 11 inches. Ignoring
friction, what is the mechanical advantage?
A) 0.55
B) 31.00
C) 1.82
D) 220.00
Correct Answer: C) 1.82
Rationale: Ideal lever mechanical advantage is effort-arm length divided by load-arm length:
20/11 ≈ 1.82. The inverse describes the opposite ratio. Adding or multiplying the lengths does
not produce a dimensionless lever advantage.
4. While reviewing a new worksite scenario, an overhead conductor is down after a storm.
What should a helper do?
A) Move it with a wooden stick
B) Keep clear, secure the area, and notify authorized personnel
C) Step over it carefully
D) Assume it is de-energized because it is on the ground
Correct Answer: B) Keep clear, secure the area, and notify authorized personnel
Rationale: A downed line must be treated as energized until qualified personnel establish
otherwise. Contact, step potential, and nearby objects can be hazardous. Helpers should
maintain clearance and escalate the situation rather than attempting a rescue or repair by
touching the line.
5. During a supervised utility maintenance activity, a written work order says “inspect
before energizing.” Which sequence follows the instruction?
A) Energize first and inspect afterward
B) Skip inspection if the job is late
C) Inspect only after a fault occurs
D) Complete the required inspection before energizing
Correct Answer: D) Complete the required inspection before energizing
Rationale: The word “before” establishes the required sequence. Reversing the steps defeats
the work order and can expose defects during energization. Helpers should clarify any
ambiguous instructions before acting.
,6. A simple lever has an effort arm of 14 inches and a load arm of 8 inches. Ignoring friction,
what is the mechanical advantage?
A) 0.57
B) 1.75
C) 22.00
D) 112.00
Correct Answer: B) 1.75
Rationale: Ideal lever mechanical advantage is effort-arm length divided by load-arm length:
14/8 ≈ 1.75. The inverse describes the opposite ratio. Adding or multiplying the lengths does not
produce a dimensionless lever advantage.
7. A box holds 78 identical connectors. They are divided equally among 6 crews. How many
does each crew receive?
A) 468 connectors
B) 84 connectors
C) 72 connectors
D) 13 connectors
Correct Answer: D) 13 connectors
Rationale: Equal sharing requires division: 78/6 = 13 connectors per crew mathematically. If
whole connectors are required, any remainder must be managed separately; multiplying,
adding, or subtracting does not give an equal share.
8. A spool begins with 320 feet of wire. After cutting 59 feet and 41 feet, how much
remains?
A) 302 feet
B) 279 feet
C) 220 feet
D) 420 feet
Correct Answer: C) 220 feet
Rationale: Total wire used is 59+41=100 feet; subtract that from 320 to get 220 feet. Adding one
cut back, omitting a cut, or adding usage to inventory gives the wrong remainder.
, 9. While reviewing a new worksite scenario, what is the primary purpose of wire insulation?
A) Limit unintended contact and current paths
B) Increase conductor resistance to infinity
C) Make every conductor safe to touch
D) Replace grounding and protective devices
Correct Answer: A) Limit unintended contact and current paths
Rationale: Insulation separates conductors from other conductive surfaces under its rated
conditions. Damage, voltage stress, and environmental conditions can compromise it.
Insulation does not replace protective devices or safe-work procedures.
10. A materials order is 240 feet before a 24% allowance for waste. How many feet should
be ordered?
A) 264 feet
B) 182 feet
C) 240 feet
D) 297 feet
Correct Answer: D) 297 feet
Rationale: An allowance increases the base quantity: 240 × (1 + 24/100) = 297 feet. Subtracting
the percentage calculates a discount, while simply adding the percentage number ignores its
proportional meaning.
11. While reviewing a new worksite scenario, why is a torque specification important when
tightening an electrical connection?
A) It always makes a connection waterproof
B) It eliminates the need for inspection
C) It allows any fastener to be reused indefinitely
D) It helps achieve the manufacturer-required clamping force
Correct Answer: D) It helps achieve the manufacturer-required clamping force
Rationale: Connections that are too loose may overheat, while excessive torque can damage
terminals. Manufacturer instructions specify proper tools and torque values. Correct tightening
supports reliability but does not replace other inspection requirements.
COMPLETE PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
2026–2027 STUDY GUIDE | DETAILED RATIONALES |
CIVIL SERVICE EXAM PREPARATION
SECTION ONE — QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A drawing uses a scale of 1 inch = 12 feet. A cable run measures 3 inches on the drawing.
What actual length is represented?
A) 15 feet
B) 4 feet
C) 36 feet
D) 3 feet
Correct Answer: C) 36 feet
Rationale: The scale means every inch represents 12 actual feet. Multiply 3 drawing inches by
12 feet per inch to obtain 36 feet. Adding or dividing does not apply the stated scale.
2. During a supervised utility maintenance activity, what is the primary purpose of wire
insulation?
A) Increase conductor resistance to infinity
B) Make every conductor safe to touch
C) Limit unintended contact and current paths
D) Replace grounding and protective devices
Correct Answer: C) Limit unintended contact and current paths
Rationale: Insulation separates conductors from other conductive surfaces under its rated
conditions. Damage, voltage stress, and environmental conditions can compromise it.
Insulation does not replace protective devices or safe-work procedures.
,3. A simple lever has an effort arm of 20 inches and a load arm of 11 inches. Ignoring
friction, what is the mechanical advantage?
A) 0.55
B) 31.00
C) 1.82
D) 220.00
Correct Answer: C) 1.82
Rationale: Ideal lever mechanical advantage is effort-arm length divided by load-arm length:
20/11 ≈ 1.82. The inverse describes the opposite ratio. Adding or multiplying the lengths does
not produce a dimensionless lever advantage.
4. While reviewing a new worksite scenario, an overhead conductor is down after a storm.
What should a helper do?
A) Move it with a wooden stick
B) Keep clear, secure the area, and notify authorized personnel
C) Step over it carefully
D) Assume it is de-energized because it is on the ground
Correct Answer: B) Keep clear, secure the area, and notify authorized personnel
Rationale: A downed line must be treated as energized until qualified personnel establish
otherwise. Contact, step potential, and nearby objects can be hazardous. Helpers should
maintain clearance and escalate the situation rather than attempting a rescue or repair by
touching the line.
5. During a supervised utility maintenance activity, a written work order says “inspect
before energizing.” Which sequence follows the instruction?
A) Energize first and inspect afterward
B) Skip inspection if the job is late
C) Inspect only after a fault occurs
D) Complete the required inspection before energizing
Correct Answer: D) Complete the required inspection before energizing
Rationale: The word “before” establishes the required sequence. Reversing the steps defeats
the work order and can expose defects during energization. Helpers should clarify any
ambiguous instructions before acting.
,6. A simple lever has an effort arm of 14 inches and a load arm of 8 inches. Ignoring friction,
what is the mechanical advantage?
A) 0.57
B) 1.75
C) 22.00
D) 112.00
Correct Answer: B) 1.75
Rationale: Ideal lever mechanical advantage is effort-arm length divided by load-arm length:
14/8 ≈ 1.75. The inverse describes the opposite ratio. Adding or multiplying the lengths does not
produce a dimensionless lever advantage.
7. A box holds 78 identical connectors. They are divided equally among 6 crews. How many
does each crew receive?
A) 468 connectors
B) 84 connectors
C) 72 connectors
D) 13 connectors
Correct Answer: D) 13 connectors
Rationale: Equal sharing requires division: 78/6 = 13 connectors per crew mathematically. If
whole connectors are required, any remainder must be managed separately; multiplying,
adding, or subtracting does not give an equal share.
8. A spool begins with 320 feet of wire. After cutting 59 feet and 41 feet, how much
remains?
A) 302 feet
B) 279 feet
C) 220 feet
D) 420 feet
Correct Answer: C) 220 feet
Rationale: Total wire used is 59+41=100 feet; subtract that from 320 to get 220 feet. Adding one
cut back, omitting a cut, or adding usage to inventory gives the wrong remainder.
, 9. While reviewing a new worksite scenario, what is the primary purpose of wire insulation?
A) Limit unintended contact and current paths
B) Increase conductor resistance to infinity
C) Make every conductor safe to touch
D) Replace grounding and protective devices
Correct Answer: A) Limit unintended contact and current paths
Rationale: Insulation separates conductors from other conductive surfaces under its rated
conditions. Damage, voltage stress, and environmental conditions can compromise it.
Insulation does not replace protective devices or safe-work procedures.
10. A materials order is 240 feet before a 24% allowance for waste. How many feet should
be ordered?
A) 264 feet
B) 182 feet
C) 240 feet
D) 297 feet
Correct Answer: D) 297 feet
Rationale: An allowance increases the base quantity: 240 × (1 + 24/100) = 297 feet. Subtracting
the percentage calculates a discount, while simply adding the percentage number ignores its
proportional meaning.
11. While reviewing a new worksite scenario, why is a torque specification important when
tightening an electrical connection?
A) It always makes a connection waterproof
B) It eliminates the need for inspection
C) It allows any fastener to be reused indefinitely
D) It helps achieve the manufacturer-required clamping force
Correct Answer: D) It helps achieve the manufacturer-required clamping force
Rationale: Connections that are too loose may overheat, while excessive torque can damage
terminals. Manufacturer instructions specify proper tools and torque values. Correct tightening
supports reliability but does not replace other inspection requirements.
