CERTIFIED POWER LINEMAN JOURNEYMAN LICENSING
EXAMINATION COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR JUST RELEASED
Coverage Summary
Electrical theory and calculations: Voltage, current, resistance, power, Ohm’s law, and AC
system fundamentals.
Safety regulations and PPE: OSHA requirements, minimum approach distances, grounding,
rubber goods, and fall protection.
Distribution system construction: Poles, crossarms, insulators, conductors, guying, and hardware
installation.
Transmission line fundamentals: Structure types, sag and tension, clearances, and conductor
behavior.
Transformer installation and maintenance: Single-phase and three-phase connections,
grounding, and troubleshooting.
Switching and tagging procedures: Isolation, lockout/tagout, protective devices, and switching
orders.
Grounding and bonding: Temporary protective grounds, equipotential zones, and system
grounding methods.
Underground distribution systems: Cable identification, splicing, terminations, and excavation
safety.
Troubleshooting and outage restoration: Fault indicators, sectionalizing, testing instruments,
and restoration priorities.
Rigging, climbing, and work methods: Knots, hoists, bucket operations, climbing techniques, and
job-site communication.
1. When calculating current in a resistive DC circuit, which formula should a
journeyman lineman apply first?
A. Power equals voltage divided by current
B. Voltage equals current multiplied by resistance
C. Current equals voltage divided by resistance
,D. Resistance equals power divided by current
Answer: C
Rationale: Ohm’s law states that current equals voltage divided by resistance,
making it the primary formula for determining current in a resistive DC circuit.
2. Before installing temporary protective grounds on a de-energized distribution
line, what must be verified first?
A. Conductor color coding
B. Absence of voltage
C. Pole ownership
D. Weather conditions
Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA and utility safety rules require testing and verifying the line is de-
energized before any temporary protective grounds are installed.
3. Which personal protective equipment is specifically designed to protect a
lineman from electrical contact while handling energized conductors?
A. Leather work gloves only
B. Class-rated rubber insulating gloves
C. Cotton gloves
D. Mechanics gloves
Answer: B
Rationale: Class-rated rubber insulating gloves provide electrical insulation and
are tested for specific voltage levels, unlike ordinary work gloves.
4. What is the primary purpose of maintaining minimum approach distance
while working near energized overhead lines?
,A. Improve communication between crew members
B. Prevent accidental electrical contact and arc exposure
C. Increase climbing speed
D. Reduce conductor sag
Answer: B
Rationale: Minimum approach distances are established to prevent both direct
contact and dangerous electrical arcing to workers and tools.
5. During pole climbing, why should a lineman keep the body centered between
the climbing gaffs?
A. To reduce tool weight
B. To improve balance and maintain secure footing
C. To avoid damaging the pole tag
D. To increase climbing height
Answer: B
Rationale: Centering the body distributes weight evenly, improving stability and
reducing the likelihood of slipping or losing footing.
6. Which component is primarily used to support and electrically isolate a
distribution conductor from the crossarm?
A. Guy wire
B. Insulator
C. Ground rod
D. Staple
Answer: B
, Rationale: Insulators provide both mechanical support and electrical isolation
between the energized conductor and grounded structure components.
7. What is the main function of a guy wire installed on a distribution pole?
A. Increase conductor voltage
B. Counteract unbalanced mechanical forces
C. Ground the transformer tank
D. Identify pole ownership
Answer: B
Rationale: Guy wires stabilize poles by opposing side or longitudinal forces
created by conductors, angles, or dead-end installations.
8. When a switching order is issued, what is the most important communication
practice for the employee receiving it?
A. Write it down later
B. Repeat the order back for confirmation
C. Ask another crew member
D. Perform the switch immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: Repeating the switching order back ensures accuracy and prevents
potentially dangerous misunderstandings during system operations.
9. Why are equipotential grounding techniques used during live-line or de-
energized line work?
A. Increase system voltage
B. Keep all work-zone components at nearly the same electrical potential
EXAMINATION COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR JUST RELEASED
Coverage Summary
Electrical theory and calculations: Voltage, current, resistance, power, Ohm’s law, and AC
system fundamentals.
Safety regulations and PPE: OSHA requirements, minimum approach distances, grounding,
rubber goods, and fall protection.
Distribution system construction: Poles, crossarms, insulators, conductors, guying, and hardware
installation.
Transmission line fundamentals: Structure types, sag and tension, clearances, and conductor
behavior.
Transformer installation and maintenance: Single-phase and three-phase connections,
grounding, and troubleshooting.
Switching and tagging procedures: Isolation, lockout/tagout, protective devices, and switching
orders.
Grounding and bonding: Temporary protective grounds, equipotential zones, and system
grounding methods.
Underground distribution systems: Cable identification, splicing, terminations, and excavation
safety.
Troubleshooting and outage restoration: Fault indicators, sectionalizing, testing instruments,
and restoration priorities.
Rigging, climbing, and work methods: Knots, hoists, bucket operations, climbing techniques, and
job-site communication.
1. When calculating current in a resistive DC circuit, which formula should a
journeyman lineman apply first?
A. Power equals voltage divided by current
B. Voltage equals current multiplied by resistance
C. Current equals voltage divided by resistance
,D. Resistance equals power divided by current
Answer: C
Rationale: Ohm’s law states that current equals voltage divided by resistance,
making it the primary formula for determining current in a resistive DC circuit.
2. Before installing temporary protective grounds on a de-energized distribution
line, what must be verified first?
A. Conductor color coding
B. Absence of voltage
C. Pole ownership
D. Weather conditions
Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA and utility safety rules require testing and verifying the line is de-
energized before any temporary protective grounds are installed.
3. Which personal protective equipment is specifically designed to protect a
lineman from electrical contact while handling energized conductors?
A. Leather work gloves only
B. Class-rated rubber insulating gloves
C. Cotton gloves
D. Mechanics gloves
Answer: B
Rationale: Class-rated rubber insulating gloves provide electrical insulation and
are tested for specific voltage levels, unlike ordinary work gloves.
4. What is the primary purpose of maintaining minimum approach distance
while working near energized overhead lines?
,A. Improve communication between crew members
B. Prevent accidental electrical contact and arc exposure
C. Increase climbing speed
D. Reduce conductor sag
Answer: B
Rationale: Minimum approach distances are established to prevent both direct
contact and dangerous electrical arcing to workers and tools.
5. During pole climbing, why should a lineman keep the body centered between
the climbing gaffs?
A. To reduce tool weight
B. To improve balance and maintain secure footing
C. To avoid damaging the pole tag
D. To increase climbing height
Answer: B
Rationale: Centering the body distributes weight evenly, improving stability and
reducing the likelihood of slipping or losing footing.
6. Which component is primarily used to support and electrically isolate a
distribution conductor from the crossarm?
A. Guy wire
B. Insulator
C. Ground rod
D. Staple
Answer: B
, Rationale: Insulators provide both mechanical support and electrical isolation
between the energized conductor and grounded structure components.
7. What is the main function of a guy wire installed on a distribution pole?
A. Increase conductor voltage
B. Counteract unbalanced mechanical forces
C. Ground the transformer tank
D. Identify pole ownership
Answer: B
Rationale: Guy wires stabilize poles by opposing side or longitudinal forces
created by conductors, angles, or dead-end installations.
8. When a switching order is issued, what is the most important communication
practice for the employee receiving it?
A. Write it down later
B. Repeat the order back for confirmation
C. Ask another crew member
D. Perform the switch immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: Repeating the switching order back ensures accuracy and prevents
potentially dangerous misunderstandings during system operations.
9. Why are equipotential grounding techniques used during live-line or de-
energized line work?
A. Increase system voltage
B. Keep all work-zone components at nearly the same electrical potential
