ABYC Marine Electrical Certification Exam
Review Questions and Answers
Question 1
According to ABYC Standard E-11, the distance from the shore power inlet to the
main circuit over current protection should be within
a. 10'
b. 12'
c. 7"
d. 72"
Correct Answer
a. 10'
Question 2
T or F: Boats that have an inverter installed must have a warning label noting such at
the main electrical panel
Correct Answer
True
Question 3
An electrical diode is a component that:
a. Is found in alternators
b. Is found in galvanic isolators
c. Is found in battery isolators
d. All of the above are correct
Correct Answer
d. All of the above are correct
Page 1 of 127
,Question 4
Why might a fully-discharged wet-cell type battery freeze?
Correct Answer
Most of the sulfuric acid has been absorbed into the lead plates, leaving mostly
water in the electrolyte.
Question 5
How many conductors may be attached to a single terminal stud?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
Correct Answer
d. 4
Question 6
Batteries must be secured to prevent movement of more than ______ inches in any
direction when a pulling force of _____ or _____, whichever is less, is applied through
the center of gravity of the battery for how long?
Correct Answer
1 inch, 90 lbs or 2x the battery weight, for 1 minute in each direction.
Question 7
T or F: Generators that are "self-limiting" do not require overcurrent protection if the
conductors used are of sufficient ampacity and sized for maximum current available.
Correct Answer
True (provided the generator's self-limiting current, AKA "overload current", does
not exceed 120% of it's rated current output)
Page 2 of 127
,Question 8
When testing a wet-cell battery with a hydrometer, what threshold is used to
determine a bad cell?
Correct Answer
050 points of specific gravity below other cells = bad cell.
Question 9
The minimum amp circuit breaker that should be used to protect a 120 volt water
heater with a 1600 watt element would be rated at ______ amps .
a. 10 amps
b. 15 amps
c. 20 amps
d. Overcurrent not listed
Correct Answer
b. 15 amps
Question 10
When installing a starter over current protection must be within inches of the battery.
A. 7"
B. 40"
C. 72"
D. None of the above
Correct Answer
D. None of the above
Page 3 of 127
, Question 11
Technician A says the AC system wiring must include a voltmeter installed on the main
panelboard if the system wiring is permanently connected to a genset. Technician B
says a voltmeter must be installed if the genset is connected to any permanently
installed motor or inverter circuit. Which is correct?
a. Technician A
b. Technician B
c. Neither A nor B
d. Both A and B
Correct Answer
d. Both A and B (see E-11.9.3.2)
Question 12
From the choices provided which device would typically not be fed from an inverter's
AC output?
a . Microwave oven
b. Galley lighting
c. Main battery charger
d. Refrigerator
Correct Answer
c. Main battery charger
Question 13
A system voltmeter shall be installed on the main panelboard if the system is
permanently connected to
a . an inverter
b. a generator
c. motor circuits
d. b and c above
e. a and b above
f. all of the above
Correct Answer
f. all of the above
Page 4 of 127
Review Questions and Answers
Question 1
According to ABYC Standard E-11, the distance from the shore power inlet to the
main circuit over current protection should be within
a. 10'
b. 12'
c. 7"
d. 72"
Correct Answer
a. 10'
Question 2
T or F: Boats that have an inverter installed must have a warning label noting such at
the main electrical panel
Correct Answer
True
Question 3
An electrical diode is a component that:
a. Is found in alternators
b. Is found in galvanic isolators
c. Is found in battery isolators
d. All of the above are correct
Correct Answer
d. All of the above are correct
Page 1 of 127
,Question 4
Why might a fully-discharged wet-cell type battery freeze?
Correct Answer
Most of the sulfuric acid has been absorbed into the lead plates, leaving mostly
water in the electrolyte.
Question 5
How many conductors may be attached to a single terminal stud?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
Correct Answer
d. 4
Question 6
Batteries must be secured to prevent movement of more than ______ inches in any
direction when a pulling force of _____ or _____, whichever is less, is applied through
the center of gravity of the battery for how long?
Correct Answer
1 inch, 90 lbs or 2x the battery weight, for 1 minute in each direction.
Question 7
T or F: Generators that are "self-limiting" do not require overcurrent protection if the
conductors used are of sufficient ampacity and sized for maximum current available.
Correct Answer
True (provided the generator's self-limiting current, AKA "overload current", does
not exceed 120% of it's rated current output)
Page 2 of 127
,Question 8
When testing a wet-cell battery with a hydrometer, what threshold is used to
determine a bad cell?
Correct Answer
050 points of specific gravity below other cells = bad cell.
Question 9
The minimum amp circuit breaker that should be used to protect a 120 volt water
heater with a 1600 watt element would be rated at ______ amps .
a. 10 amps
b. 15 amps
c. 20 amps
d. Overcurrent not listed
Correct Answer
b. 15 amps
Question 10
When installing a starter over current protection must be within inches of the battery.
A. 7"
B. 40"
C. 72"
D. None of the above
Correct Answer
D. None of the above
Page 3 of 127
, Question 11
Technician A says the AC system wiring must include a voltmeter installed on the main
panelboard if the system wiring is permanently connected to a genset. Technician B
says a voltmeter must be installed if the genset is connected to any permanently
installed motor or inverter circuit. Which is correct?
a. Technician A
b. Technician B
c. Neither A nor B
d. Both A and B
Correct Answer
d. Both A and B (see E-11.9.3.2)
Question 12
From the choices provided which device would typically not be fed from an inverter's
AC output?
a . Microwave oven
b. Galley lighting
c. Main battery charger
d. Refrigerator
Correct Answer
c. Main battery charger
Question 13
A system voltmeter shall be installed on the main panelboard if the system is
permanently connected to
a . an inverter
b. a generator
c. motor circuits
d. b and c above
e. a and b above
f. all of the above
Correct Answer
f. all of the above
Page 4 of 127
