Transit Railcar Maintenance Technician
Exam 2026 | 350 Practice Questions &
Answers | Comprehensive Certification Study
Guide
Section 1: Safety & General Practices
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• 1. When performing maintenance on a railcar’s high-
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voltage traction system (750V DC), what is the FIRST and MOST CRITICAL step?
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• A. Place chocks under the wheels.
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• B. Notify the foreman of the work location.
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• C. Apply the parking brake and isolate the brake pipe.
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• D. De- hg
energize the third rail/catenary and apply a physical ground (Danger Tag/Lock-
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out Tag-out). hg
• 2. What is the Minimum Approach Distance (MAD) for an unqualified worker near
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a 750V DC overhead catenary system?
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• A. 1 foot (0.3 meters)
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• B. 3 feet (0.9 meters)
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• C. 6 feet (1.8 meters)
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• D. 12 feet (3.6 meters)
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• 3. Which fire extinguisher class is designated for energized electrical equipment fi
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res (e.g., in the high-voltage cabinet)?
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• A. Class A
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• B. Class C
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• C. Class D
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• D. Class K
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• 4. Prior to lifting a railcar with a hydraulic jack, what must be placed between the
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jack saddle and the railcar lifting pad?
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, • A. A wooden block or fiber pad to prevent slipping and damage.
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• B. A steel plate to distribute the weight.
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• C. A rubber mat to absorb vibration.
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• D. Nothing, the jack is designed to lift directly.
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Section 2: Mechanical Systems (Brakes, Wheels, Couplers)
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• 5. What is the normal operating pressure range for the main air reservoir (MR) on
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a standard transit railcar?
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• A. 50 – 70 PSI
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• B. 110 – 140 PSI
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• C. 250 – 300 PSI
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• D. 500 – 600 PSI
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• 6. A railcar’s wheels have a specified taper of 1:20 on the tread. What is the prima
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ry purpose of this taper?
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• A. To reduce the overall weight of the wheelset.
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• B. To facilitate steering through curves (differential action).
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• C. To allow the wheel to flex under heavy loads.
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• D. To improve braking friction.
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• 7. During a single car air brake test, you charge the system and observe a 15 PSI
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drop in the brake pipe over a 3-minute period. What does this indicate?
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• A. The brake cylinder is applying full pressure.
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• B. The main reservoir is overcharging.
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• C. There is an excessive leak in the brake pipe or associated fittings.
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• D. The triple valve/brake control valve is functioning normally.
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• 8. Which type of coupler is MOST commonly used on modern North American tra
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nsit railcars (heavy rail/subway)?
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• A. Janney / AAR Type E
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• B. Tomlinson (Tightlock)
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, • C. Alliance
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• D. Scharfenberg
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Section 3: Electrical & Propulsion Systems
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• 9. What is the function of a "Line Switch" (or "Battery Knife Switch") on a railcar?
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• A. To convert 750V DC to 120V AC for lighting.
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• B. To control the speed of the traction motors.
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• C. To isolate the car's battery from the low-
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voltage control circuits for safety during maintenance.
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• D. To connect the car to the third rail.
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• 10. The propulsion system inverter's primary function is to:
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• A. Step up the voltage from 750V to 1500V.
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• B. Convert DC voltage to AC voltage to control traction motor speed.
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• C. Convert AC voltage to DC voltage to charge the battery.
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• D. Dissipate excess heat from the dynamic braking system.
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• 11. Which electrical component is used to protect the traction motor from current
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spikes and short circuits?
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• A. Transformer
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• B. Resistor grid
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• C. Circuit Breaker or Fuse
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• D. Contactors
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• 12. A "GTO" (Gate Turn-
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Off) thyristor or "IGBT" (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) is primarily found in w
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hich system? hg
• A. The HVAC control panel.
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• B. The door control logic.
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• C. The traction power inverter/converter.
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• D. The emergency lighting ballast.
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, Section 4: Pneumatic & HVAC Systems
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• 13. What is the purpose of the "air dryer" in the main air supply system?
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• A. To increase the air pressure.
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• B. To store compressed air for emergency use.
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• C. To remove moisture and contaminants from the compressed air.
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• D. To cool the air before it enters the brake cylinders.
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• 14. A passenger reports "weak airflow" from the overhead diffusers. The HVAC sy
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stem is running. What is the MOST likely mechanical cause?
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• A. Low refrigerant charge.
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• B. A faulty thermostat sensor.
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• C. A clogged cabin air return filter or a dirty evaporator coil.
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• D. An overcharged compressor.
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• 15. The HVAC system fails to start. You check the 480V supply and it is present. T
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he control transformer is producing 120V. What component typically prevents the
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compressor from short-cycling and protects it?
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• A. The high-pressure switch.
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• B. The thermostat.
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• C. The time delay relay (or anti-short cycle timer).
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• D. The blower motor relay.
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Section 5: Door Systems & Troubleshooting
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• 16. An electric sliding door fails to close. The "door close" button is pressed and y
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ou hear the motor hum, but the door does not move. What is the MOST likely me
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chanical issue? hg
• A. The door control circuit breaker is tripped.
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• B. A broken door speed sensor.
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• C. A broken door drive belt or stripped gear.
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• D. The passenger emergency release is activated.
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Exam 2026 | 350 Practice Questions &
Answers | Comprehensive Certification Study
Guide
Section 1: Safety & General Practices
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• 1. When performing maintenance on a railcar’s high-
hg hg hg hg hg hg hg
voltage traction system (750V DC), what is the FIRST and MOST CRITICAL step?
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• A. Place chocks under the wheels.
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• B. Notify the foreman of the work location.
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• C. Apply the parking brake and isolate the brake pipe.
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• D. De- hg
energize the third rail/catenary and apply a physical ground (Danger Tag/Lock-
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out Tag-out). hg
• 2. What is the Minimum Approach Distance (MAD) for an unqualified worker near
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a 750V DC overhead catenary system?
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• A. 1 foot (0.3 meters)
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• B. 3 feet (0.9 meters)
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• C. 6 feet (1.8 meters)
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• D. 12 feet (3.6 meters)
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• 3. Which fire extinguisher class is designated for energized electrical equipment fi
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res (e.g., in the high-voltage cabinet)?
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• A. Class A
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• B. Class C
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• C. Class D
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• D. Class K
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• 4. Prior to lifting a railcar with a hydraulic jack, what must be placed between the
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jack saddle and the railcar lifting pad?
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, • A. A wooden block or fiber pad to prevent slipping and damage.
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• B. A steel plate to distribute the weight.
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• C. A rubber mat to absorb vibration.
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• D. Nothing, the jack is designed to lift directly.
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Section 2: Mechanical Systems (Brakes, Wheels, Couplers)
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• 5. What is the normal operating pressure range for the main air reservoir (MR) on
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a standard transit railcar?
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• A. 50 – 70 PSI
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• B. 110 – 140 PSI
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• C. 250 – 300 PSI
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• D. 500 – 600 PSI
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• 6. A railcar’s wheels have a specified taper of 1:20 on the tread. What is the prima
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ry purpose of this taper?
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• A. To reduce the overall weight of the wheelset.
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• B. To facilitate steering through curves (differential action).
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• C. To allow the wheel to flex under heavy loads.
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• D. To improve braking friction.
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• 7. During a single car air brake test, you charge the system and observe a 15 PSI
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drop in the brake pipe over a 3-minute period. What does this indicate?
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• A. The brake cylinder is applying full pressure.
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• B. The main reservoir is overcharging.
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• C. There is an excessive leak in the brake pipe or associated fittings.
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• D. The triple valve/brake control valve is functioning normally.
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• 8. Which type of coupler is MOST commonly used on modern North American tra
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nsit railcars (heavy rail/subway)?
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• A. Janney / AAR Type E
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• B. Tomlinson (Tightlock)
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, • C. Alliance
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• D. Scharfenberg
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Section 3: Electrical & Propulsion Systems
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• 9. What is the function of a "Line Switch" (or "Battery Knife Switch") on a railcar?
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• A. To convert 750V DC to 120V AC for lighting.
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• B. To control the speed of the traction motors.
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• C. To isolate the car's battery from the low-
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voltage control circuits for safety during maintenance.
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• D. To connect the car to the third rail.
hg hg hg hg hg hg hg hg
• 10. The propulsion system inverter's primary function is to:
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• A. Step up the voltage from 750V to 1500V.
hg hg hg hg hg hg hg hg
• B. Convert DC voltage to AC voltage to control traction motor speed.
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• C. Convert AC voltage to DC voltage to charge the battery.
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• D. Dissipate excess heat from the dynamic braking system.
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• 11. Which electrical component is used to protect the traction motor from current
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spikes and short circuits?
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• A. Transformer
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• B. Resistor grid
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• C. Circuit Breaker or Fuse
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• D. Contactors
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• 12. A "GTO" (Gate Turn-
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Off) thyristor or "IGBT" (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) is primarily found in w
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hich system? hg
• A. The HVAC control panel.
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• B. The door control logic.
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• C. The traction power inverter/converter.
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• D. The emergency lighting ballast.
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, Section 4: Pneumatic & HVAC Systems
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• 13. What is the purpose of the "air dryer" in the main air supply system?
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• A. To increase the air pressure.
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• B. To store compressed air for emergency use.
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• C. To remove moisture and contaminants from the compressed air.
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• D. To cool the air before it enters the brake cylinders.
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• 14. A passenger reports "weak airflow" from the overhead diffusers. The HVAC sy
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stem is running. What is the MOST likely mechanical cause?
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• A. Low refrigerant charge.
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• B. A faulty thermostat sensor.
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• C. A clogged cabin air return filter or a dirty evaporator coil.
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• D. An overcharged compressor.
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• 15. The HVAC system fails to start. You check the 480V supply and it is present. T
hg hg hg hg hg hg hg hg hg hg hg hg hg hg hg hg
he control transformer is producing 120V. What component typically prevents the
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compressor from short-cycling and protects it?
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• A. The high-pressure switch.
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• B. The thermostat.
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• C. The time delay relay (or anti-short cycle timer).
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• D. The blower motor relay.
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Section 5: Door Systems & Troubleshooting
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• 16. An electric sliding door fails to close. The "door close" button is pressed and y
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ou hear the motor hum, but the door does not move. What is the MOST likely me
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chanical issue? hg
• A. The door control circuit breaker is tripped.
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• B. A broken door speed sensor.
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• C. A broken door drive belt or stripped gear.
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• D. The passenger emergency release is activated.
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