Certified Power Lineman Journeyman Licensing Exam
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales
Question 1: When a journeyman lineman is preparing to perform
maintenance on an energized 12.47 kV distribution line using the hot stick
method, what is the minimum approach distance (MAD) that must be
maintained according to OSHA 1910.269 regulations for voltages between
50.1 kV and 200 kV, assuming no overvoltage factors are present?
A. 1 foot 2 inches
B. 2 feet 0 inches
C. 3 feet 0 inches
D. 4 feet 0 inches
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 2 feet 0 inches
Rationale: According to OSHA 1910.269 Table J-1, the minimum approach
distance for voltages ranging from 50.1 kV to 200 kV, without considering
additional overvoltage factors, is 2 feet 0 inches. This distance is critical to
prevent flashover and ensure worker safety.
Question 2: During a routine inspection of a pole-mounted three-phase
transformer bank connected in a delta-wye configuration, a lineman
notices that the neutral conductor on the secondary side is carrying a
significant amount of current under perfectly balanced loading conditions.
What is the most likely cause of this issue?
A. The primary side is experiencing a phase-to-phase fault.
B. The secondary loads are not actually balanced, or there is a neutral-to-
ground connection issue causing harmonic currents.
C. The transformer bank is incorrectly wired in a wye-wye configuration.
D. The lightning arresters on the primary side have shorted out.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The secondary loads are not actually balanced, or
there is a neutral-to-ground connection issue causing harmonic currents.
Rationale: In a perfectly balanced wye secondary system, the vector sum of
the currents is zero, meaning no current should flow in the neutral. If current
is present, the loads are unbalanced, or non-linear loads are introducing
triplen harmonics that add up in the neutral conductor.
Page 1 of 85
,Question 3: When establishing an equipotential grounding zone for a
lineman working on de-energized overhead conductors, which of the
following practices is essential to prevent hazardous step and touch
potentials?
A. Connecting the ground clamp to the nearest available guy wire regardless
of its grounding status.
B. Ensuring all conductors being worked on are bonded together and
connected to a reliable ground source at the worksite.
C. Using a single ground clamp on the phase conductor closest to the worker
to save time.
D. Relying solely on the substation breaker's ground switch without applying
personal protective grounds.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Ensuring all conductors being worked on are
bonded together and connected to a reliable ground source at the
worksite.
Rationale: Equipotential grounding requires bonding all phases together and
to the ground grid or a driven ground rod at the work location. This ensures
that if the line is accidentally energized, all points the worker can touch are
at the same electrical potential, preventing current from flowing through
their body.
Question 4: A lineman is using a megohmmeter to test the insulation
resistance of a newly installed 15 kV underground cable. What is the
primary purpose of this test, and what reading would indicate a healthy
cable?
A. To measure the continuous current capacity; a reading of 0 ohms indicates
a healthy cable.
B. To verify the phase rotation; a reading of 120 volts indicates a healthy
cable.
C. To check for insulation degradation or moisture ingress; a reading in the
hundreds or thousands of megohms indicates a healthy cable.
D. To test the dielectric breakdown voltage; a reading of 15 kV indicates a
healthy cable.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. To check for insulation degradation or moisture
ingress; a reading in the hundreds or thousands of megohms indicates a
healthy cable.
Rationale: A megohmmeter applies a high DC voltage to measure insulation
resistance. High resistance (megohms) indicates intact insulation, while a low
Page 2 of 85
,reading suggests moisture, dirt, or physical damage to the insulation layer.
Question 5: When stringing a new conductor on a 69 kV transmission line,
the crew must calculate the proper sag. If the ambient temperature
increases significantly during the sagging process, how will this affect the
conductor, and what adjustment must the crew make?
A. The conductor will contract, requiring the crew to increase the tension.
B. The conductor will expand and sag more, requiring the crew to increase
the tension to achieve the correct final sag at the maximum operating
temperature.
C. The conductor's weight will increase, requiring the crew to decrease the
tension.
D. The temperature has no effect on sag; the crew should maintain the initial
tension.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The conductor will expand and sag more, requiring
the crew to increase the tension to achieve the correct final sag at the
maximum operating temperature.
Rationale: Conductors expand when heated, causing them to sag more.
Sagging must be performed while accounting for temperature; if sagged at a
lower temperature without adjusting tension, the conductor will over-sag
when it heats up under load or in summer conditions.
Question 6: In a rubber gloving work method on an energized 12.47 kV
distribution line, what is the minimum required protective leather glove
configuration that must be worn over the rubber insulating gloves?
A. No leather gloves are required if the rubber gloves are rated for the
voltage.
B. A single lightweight cotton glove to absorb sweat.
C. Protective leather gloves designed specifically to cover and protect the
rubber insulating gloves from physical damage.
D. Heavy-duty welding gloves to prevent any possibility of an arc flash burn.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Protective leather gloves designed specifically to
cover and protect the rubber insulating gloves from physical damage.
Rationale: Rubber insulating gloves are highly susceptible to punctures, cuts,
and tears. OSHA and ASTM standards require the use of protective leather
cover gloves over the rubber gloves to provide mechanical protection
without compromising the electrical insulation.
Page 3 of 85
, Question 7: When installing a new single-phase distribution transformer, a
lineman connects the primary winding in a series configuration. What is
the primary reason for choosing a series connection over a parallel
connection for the primary windings?
A. To step up the voltage for the secondary side.
B. To allow the transformer to be connected to a higher primary voltage
system, such as connecting two 7200 V windings in series for a 14400 V
primary line.
C. To reduce the magnetic flux inside the transformer core.
D. To increase the kVA capacity of the transformer without changing the core
size.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To allow the transformer to be connected to a
higher primary voltage system, such as connecting two 7200 V windings in
series for a 14400 V primary line.
Rationale: Connecting primary windings in series adds their voltage ratings
together. This allows a transformer with lower voltage windings to be safely
utilized on a higher voltage distribution primary circuit.
Question 8: During a pole climbing rescue, the rescuer reaches the
unconscious lineman and determines that the atmosphere is safe and the
line is de-energized. What is the most critical immediate action the rescuer
must take before beginning to lower the victim?
A. Administer CPR immediately while still in the air.
B. Secure the victim to the rescuer's harness or a rescue device, ensuring the
victim's airway is protected and they are firmly attached to the lowering
system.
C. Call for additional backup before touching the victim.
D. Remove the victim's safety sleeve to speed up the descent.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Secure the victim to the rescuer's harness or a
rescue device, ensuring the victim's airway is protected and they are firmly
attached to the lowering system.
Rationale: The immediate priority in a pole top rescue, after confirming
safety, is to secure the victim to the rescue system. This prevents the victim
from falling during the transfer and descent, ensuring a controlled and safe
lowering to the ground for medical treatment.
Question 9: A journeyman lineman is tasked with replacing a failed
lightning arrester on a 12.47 kV pole-top installation. According to the
Page 4 of 85
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales
Question 1: When a journeyman lineman is preparing to perform
maintenance on an energized 12.47 kV distribution line using the hot stick
method, what is the minimum approach distance (MAD) that must be
maintained according to OSHA 1910.269 regulations for voltages between
50.1 kV and 200 kV, assuming no overvoltage factors are present?
A. 1 foot 2 inches
B. 2 feet 0 inches
C. 3 feet 0 inches
D. 4 feet 0 inches
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 2 feet 0 inches
Rationale: According to OSHA 1910.269 Table J-1, the minimum approach
distance for voltages ranging from 50.1 kV to 200 kV, without considering
additional overvoltage factors, is 2 feet 0 inches. This distance is critical to
prevent flashover and ensure worker safety.
Question 2: During a routine inspection of a pole-mounted three-phase
transformer bank connected in a delta-wye configuration, a lineman
notices that the neutral conductor on the secondary side is carrying a
significant amount of current under perfectly balanced loading conditions.
What is the most likely cause of this issue?
A. The primary side is experiencing a phase-to-phase fault.
B. The secondary loads are not actually balanced, or there is a neutral-to-
ground connection issue causing harmonic currents.
C. The transformer bank is incorrectly wired in a wye-wye configuration.
D. The lightning arresters on the primary side have shorted out.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The secondary loads are not actually balanced, or
there is a neutral-to-ground connection issue causing harmonic currents.
Rationale: In a perfectly balanced wye secondary system, the vector sum of
the currents is zero, meaning no current should flow in the neutral. If current
is present, the loads are unbalanced, or non-linear loads are introducing
triplen harmonics that add up in the neutral conductor.
Page 1 of 85
,Question 3: When establishing an equipotential grounding zone for a
lineman working on de-energized overhead conductors, which of the
following practices is essential to prevent hazardous step and touch
potentials?
A. Connecting the ground clamp to the nearest available guy wire regardless
of its grounding status.
B. Ensuring all conductors being worked on are bonded together and
connected to a reliable ground source at the worksite.
C. Using a single ground clamp on the phase conductor closest to the worker
to save time.
D. Relying solely on the substation breaker's ground switch without applying
personal protective grounds.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Ensuring all conductors being worked on are
bonded together and connected to a reliable ground source at the
worksite.
Rationale: Equipotential grounding requires bonding all phases together and
to the ground grid or a driven ground rod at the work location. This ensures
that if the line is accidentally energized, all points the worker can touch are
at the same electrical potential, preventing current from flowing through
their body.
Question 4: A lineman is using a megohmmeter to test the insulation
resistance of a newly installed 15 kV underground cable. What is the
primary purpose of this test, and what reading would indicate a healthy
cable?
A. To measure the continuous current capacity; a reading of 0 ohms indicates
a healthy cable.
B. To verify the phase rotation; a reading of 120 volts indicates a healthy
cable.
C. To check for insulation degradation or moisture ingress; a reading in the
hundreds or thousands of megohms indicates a healthy cable.
D. To test the dielectric breakdown voltage; a reading of 15 kV indicates a
healthy cable.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. To check for insulation degradation or moisture
ingress; a reading in the hundreds or thousands of megohms indicates a
healthy cable.
Rationale: A megohmmeter applies a high DC voltage to measure insulation
resistance. High resistance (megohms) indicates intact insulation, while a low
Page 2 of 85
,reading suggests moisture, dirt, or physical damage to the insulation layer.
Question 5: When stringing a new conductor on a 69 kV transmission line,
the crew must calculate the proper sag. If the ambient temperature
increases significantly during the sagging process, how will this affect the
conductor, and what adjustment must the crew make?
A. The conductor will contract, requiring the crew to increase the tension.
B. The conductor will expand and sag more, requiring the crew to increase
the tension to achieve the correct final sag at the maximum operating
temperature.
C. The conductor's weight will increase, requiring the crew to decrease the
tension.
D. The temperature has no effect on sag; the crew should maintain the initial
tension.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The conductor will expand and sag more, requiring
the crew to increase the tension to achieve the correct final sag at the
maximum operating temperature.
Rationale: Conductors expand when heated, causing them to sag more.
Sagging must be performed while accounting for temperature; if sagged at a
lower temperature without adjusting tension, the conductor will over-sag
when it heats up under load or in summer conditions.
Question 6: In a rubber gloving work method on an energized 12.47 kV
distribution line, what is the minimum required protective leather glove
configuration that must be worn over the rubber insulating gloves?
A. No leather gloves are required if the rubber gloves are rated for the
voltage.
B. A single lightweight cotton glove to absorb sweat.
C. Protective leather gloves designed specifically to cover and protect the
rubber insulating gloves from physical damage.
D. Heavy-duty welding gloves to prevent any possibility of an arc flash burn.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Protective leather gloves designed specifically to
cover and protect the rubber insulating gloves from physical damage.
Rationale: Rubber insulating gloves are highly susceptible to punctures, cuts,
and tears. OSHA and ASTM standards require the use of protective leather
cover gloves over the rubber gloves to provide mechanical protection
without compromising the electrical insulation.
Page 3 of 85
, Question 7: When installing a new single-phase distribution transformer, a
lineman connects the primary winding in a series configuration. What is
the primary reason for choosing a series connection over a parallel
connection for the primary windings?
A. To step up the voltage for the secondary side.
B. To allow the transformer to be connected to a higher primary voltage
system, such as connecting two 7200 V windings in series for a 14400 V
primary line.
C. To reduce the magnetic flux inside the transformer core.
D. To increase the kVA capacity of the transformer without changing the core
size.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To allow the transformer to be connected to a
higher primary voltage system, such as connecting two 7200 V windings in
series for a 14400 V primary line.
Rationale: Connecting primary windings in series adds their voltage ratings
together. This allows a transformer with lower voltage windings to be safely
utilized on a higher voltage distribution primary circuit.
Question 8: During a pole climbing rescue, the rescuer reaches the
unconscious lineman and determines that the atmosphere is safe and the
line is de-energized. What is the most critical immediate action the rescuer
must take before beginning to lower the victim?
A. Administer CPR immediately while still in the air.
B. Secure the victim to the rescuer's harness or a rescue device, ensuring the
victim's airway is protected and they are firmly attached to the lowering
system.
C. Call for additional backup before touching the victim.
D. Remove the victim's safety sleeve to speed up the descent.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Secure the victim to the rescuer's harness or a
rescue device, ensuring the victim's airway is protected and they are firmly
attached to the lowering system.
Rationale: The immediate priority in a pole top rescue, after confirming
safety, is to secure the victim to the rescue system. This prevents the victim
from falling during the transfer and descent, ensuring a controlled and safe
lowering to the ground for medical treatment.
Question 9: A journeyman lineman is tasked with replacing a failed
lightning arrester on a 12.47 kV pole-top installation. According to the
Page 4 of 85
