WASHINGTON 09 TELECOMMUNICATIONS
ADMINISTRATOR EXAM CURRENTLY TESTING REAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES AND
A STUDY GUIDE | 2 ACCURATE VERSIONS
Question 1
Under the NEC, which chapter primarily governs communications circuits?
A. Chapter 6
B. Chapter 8
C. Chapter 7
D. Chapter 3
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chapter 8 covers communications systems such as telephone, data, CATV, and fiber-
optic cabling.
Question 2
The minimum burial depth for underground communications cable in a residential yard (not
under a driveway) is:
A. 6 in.
B. 12 in.
C. 18 in.
D. 24 in.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: NEC 800.113 requires at least 12 in. of cover for direct-burial communications cable.
Question 3
,A telecommunications bonding backbone must be sized no smaller than:
A. 14 AWG
B. 12 AWG
C. 6 AWG copper
D. 4 AWG copper
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: NEC 770.100(B) and 800.100(B) specify a minimum of 6 AWG copper for the
bonding backbone.
Question 4
When installing fiber-optic cable in a plenum space, which cable type is required?
A. OFNR
B. OFNP
C. OFCR
D. OFNG
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: OFNP-rated cable is plenum-rated and meets fire-resistance and smoke requirements.
Question 5
In a telecommunications room, equipment grounding conductors must be bonded to:
A. The nearest luminaire
B. The building grounding electrode system
C. The main cold-water pipe only
D. A communications rack screw
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: All communications bonding must tie to the building’s grounding electrode system
for equal potential.
,Question 6
What is the maximum pulling tension for a typical 4-pair UTP Category 6 cable?
A. 10 lb
B. 15 lb
C. 25 lb
D. 40 lb
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: TIA-568 limits pulling tension to about 25 lb to avoid pair damage.
Question 7
Which conductor color is the tip wire of a standard telephone pair?
A. Red
B. Black
C. Green
D. Yellow
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tip conductors use green/white; ring conductors use red.
Question 8
The Washington Administrative Code (WAC) requires telecommunications administrators to
renew their license:
A. Every year
B. Every two years
C. Every three years
D. Every five years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: WAC 296-46B-940 sets a three-year renewal cycle for administrator certificates.
, Question 9
A listed primary protector is required when:
A. Cable is entirely inside the building
B. Telecom cable enters from outside and is not in a metallic conduit
C. Cable length is under 10 ft
D. Fiber optic cable is used
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: NEC 800.90 mandates a primary protector for outside conductors entering a building.
Question 10
Which of the following best describes a “star topology” for structured cabling?
A. Devices daisy-chained
B. All horizontal cables home-run to a central patch panel
C. Each device directly spliced to the next
D. Backbone wiring with loops for redundancy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In a star, each outlet runs directly to a central cross-connect.
Question 11
In Washington, who is responsible for ensuring telecom work complies with code?
A. Building owner only
B. Local building inspector
C. The assigned telecommunications administrator
D. Equipment manufacturer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: State law places responsibility for compliance on the designated administrator.
Question 12
ADMINISTRATOR EXAM CURRENTLY TESTING REAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES AND
A STUDY GUIDE | 2 ACCURATE VERSIONS
Question 1
Under the NEC, which chapter primarily governs communications circuits?
A. Chapter 6
B. Chapter 8
C. Chapter 7
D. Chapter 3
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chapter 8 covers communications systems such as telephone, data, CATV, and fiber-
optic cabling.
Question 2
The minimum burial depth for underground communications cable in a residential yard (not
under a driveway) is:
A. 6 in.
B. 12 in.
C. 18 in.
D. 24 in.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: NEC 800.113 requires at least 12 in. of cover for direct-burial communications cable.
Question 3
,A telecommunications bonding backbone must be sized no smaller than:
A. 14 AWG
B. 12 AWG
C. 6 AWG copper
D. 4 AWG copper
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: NEC 770.100(B) and 800.100(B) specify a minimum of 6 AWG copper for the
bonding backbone.
Question 4
When installing fiber-optic cable in a plenum space, which cable type is required?
A. OFNR
B. OFNP
C. OFCR
D. OFNG
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: OFNP-rated cable is plenum-rated and meets fire-resistance and smoke requirements.
Question 5
In a telecommunications room, equipment grounding conductors must be bonded to:
A. The nearest luminaire
B. The building grounding electrode system
C. The main cold-water pipe only
D. A communications rack screw
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: All communications bonding must tie to the building’s grounding electrode system
for equal potential.
,Question 6
What is the maximum pulling tension for a typical 4-pair UTP Category 6 cable?
A. 10 lb
B. 15 lb
C. 25 lb
D. 40 lb
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: TIA-568 limits pulling tension to about 25 lb to avoid pair damage.
Question 7
Which conductor color is the tip wire of a standard telephone pair?
A. Red
B. Black
C. Green
D. Yellow
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tip conductors use green/white; ring conductors use red.
Question 8
The Washington Administrative Code (WAC) requires telecommunications administrators to
renew their license:
A. Every year
B. Every two years
C. Every three years
D. Every five years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: WAC 296-46B-940 sets a three-year renewal cycle for administrator certificates.
, Question 9
A listed primary protector is required when:
A. Cable is entirely inside the building
B. Telecom cable enters from outside and is not in a metallic conduit
C. Cable length is under 10 ft
D. Fiber optic cable is used
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: NEC 800.90 mandates a primary protector for outside conductors entering a building.
Question 10
Which of the following best describes a “star topology” for structured cabling?
A. Devices daisy-chained
B. All horizontal cables home-run to a central patch panel
C. Each device directly spliced to the next
D. Backbone wiring with loops for redundancy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In a star, each outlet runs directly to a central cross-connect.
Question 11
In Washington, who is responsible for ensuring telecom work complies with code?
A. Building owner only
B. Local building inspector
C. The assigned telecommunications administrator
D. Equipment manufacturer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: State law places responsibility for compliance on the designated administrator.
Question 12
