LADWP ELECTRICAL CRAFT HELPER EXAM
PREP 2026-2027 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
BANK WITH RATIONALES
This complete, highly structured practice question bank
features expertly crafted multiple-choice questions with
verified answers and detailed, bolded rationales tailored
specifically for the LADWP Electrical Craft Helper civil
service exam. It systematically targets fundamental electrical
theory, series and parallel circuit math, tool operations, and
crucial OSHA and NFPA 70E utility safety protocols.
Optimized for students and job applicants aiming for a
perfect grade, this study guide is an exceptional, high-yield
resource guaranteed to drive maximum preparation
efficiency and study sales.
1. A 240-volt circuit supplies power to an electrical heater with
a resistance of 12 ohms. What is the total current drawn by
the heater?
A) 10 A
B) 20 A
C) 24 A
D) 12 A
Answer: B
Rationale: According to Ohm’s Law, Current (I) = Voltage
(V) / Resistance (R). Substituting the given values: I =
, 240 V / 12 ohms = 20 A. Therefore, the heater draws 20
amperes of current from the electrical source.
2. Which of the following electrical safety rules is most
important when using a portable ladder near overhead high-
voltage power lines?
A) Ensure the ladder is painted with bright safety colors.
B) Only use non-conductive ladders made of wood or
fiberglass.
C) Tie off the top of the ladder to the power line pole.
D) Clean the ladder rungs thoroughly before climbing up.
Answer: B
Rationale: Aluminum and other metal ladders are
excellent electrical conductors. When working near
overhead utility power lines, non-conductive fiberglass
or wood ladders must always be used to prevent an
accidental electrical arc or lethal path to ground.
3. Three resistors with values of 15 ohms, 20 ohms, and 25
ohms are connected in series. What is the total resistance of
this specific circuit?
A) 60 ohms
B) 20 ohms
C) 6.4 ohms
D) 15 ohms
Answer: A
Rationale: To find the total equivalent resistance in a
series circuit, you simply add the individual resistance
values together (Rt = R1 + R2 + R3). In this case: 15 + 20
+ 25 = 60 ohms.
,4. What is the primary function of a standard circuit breaker
installed in an electrical panelboard?
A) To increase the overall electrical line voltage.
B) To protect the circuit from damage caused by overcurrent
or short circuits.
C) To convert alternating current directly into direct current.
D) To measure total power consumption for utility billing.
Answer: B
Rationale: Circuit breakers are designed to
automatically open a circuit and interrupt the flow of
electricity when the current exceeds a safe
predetermined limit, preventing wiring damage and
electrical fires.
5. When using a manual hand hack saw to cut a piece of rigid
metal conduit, in which direction should the teeth face?
A) Away from the handle, cutting on the forward stroke.
B) Toward the handle, cutting on the backward stroke.
C) In alternating directions every five teeth.
D) The direction does not matter for cutting conduit.
Answer: A
Rationale: Standard hack saw blades are designed to
cut metal on the forward push stroke. Installing the
blade with teeth pointing forward away from the handle
ensures clean cuts and prevents blade binding or
premature dulling.
6. How much power is consumed by a 120-volt electrical
appliance that draws a steady current of 5 amperes?
A) 24 watts
B) 60 watts
, C) 600 watts
D) 1,200 watts
Answer: C
Rationale: Electrical power is calculated using the
power formula: Power (P) = Voltage (V) x Current (I).
Substituting the given numbers into the formula: P = 120
V x 5 A = 600 Watts.
7. What tool is specifically designed to safely test whether an
electrical circuit or wire conductor is energized before
beginning work?
A) Ohmmeter
B) Non-contact voltage detector
C) Wire stripper
D) Dial caliper
Answer: B
Rationale: A non-contact voltage tester allows an
electrical worker to verify the presence of voltage
without making physical contact with bare wires,
making it an essential primary safety tool before
handling lines.
8. In a parallel circuit containing three individual branch paths,
what happens to the total circuit voltage?
A) It is divided equally among the three separate branches.
B) It drops to zero volts at the final component branch.
C) It remains exactly the same across every individual
branch.
D) It multiplies by three across the overall circuit layout.
Answer: C
Rationale: A defining characteristic of a parallel
PREP 2026-2027 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
BANK WITH RATIONALES
This complete, highly structured practice question bank
features expertly crafted multiple-choice questions with
verified answers and detailed, bolded rationales tailored
specifically for the LADWP Electrical Craft Helper civil
service exam. It systematically targets fundamental electrical
theory, series and parallel circuit math, tool operations, and
crucial OSHA and NFPA 70E utility safety protocols.
Optimized for students and job applicants aiming for a
perfect grade, this study guide is an exceptional, high-yield
resource guaranteed to drive maximum preparation
efficiency and study sales.
1. A 240-volt circuit supplies power to an electrical heater with
a resistance of 12 ohms. What is the total current drawn by
the heater?
A) 10 A
B) 20 A
C) 24 A
D) 12 A
Answer: B
Rationale: According to Ohm’s Law, Current (I) = Voltage
(V) / Resistance (R). Substituting the given values: I =
, 240 V / 12 ohms = 20 A. Therefore, the heater draws 20
amperes of current from the electrical source.
2. Which of the following electrical safety rules is most
important when using a portable ladder near overhead high-
voltage power lines?
A) Ensure the ladder is painted with bright safety colors.
B) Only use non-conductive ladders made of wood or
fiberglass.
C) Tie off the top of the ladder to the power line pole.
D) Clean the ladder rungs thoroughly before climbing up.
Answer: B
Rationale: Aluminum and other metal ladders are
excellent electrical conductors. When working near
overhead utility power lines, non-conductive fiberglass
or wood ladders must always be used to prevent an
accidental electrical arc or lethal path to ground.
3. Three resistors with values of 15 ohms, 20 ohms, and 25
ohms are connected in series. What is the total resistance of
this specific circuit?
A) 60 ohms
B) 20 ohms
C) 6.4 ohms
D) 15 ohms
Answer: A
Rationale: To find the total equivalent resistance in a
series circuit, you simply add the individual resistance
values together (Rt = R1 + R2 + R3). In this case: 15 + 20
+ 25 = 60 ohms.
,4. What is the primary function of a standard circuit breaker
installed in an electrical panelboard?
A) To increase the overall electrical line voltage.
B) To protect the circuit from damage caused by overcurrent
or short circuits.
C) To convert alternating current directly into direct current.
D) To measure total power consumption for utility billing.
Answer: B
Rationale: Circuit breakers are designed to
automatically open a circuit and interrupt the flow of
electricity when the current exceeds a safe
predetermined limit, preventing wiring damage and
electrical fires.
5. When using a manual hand hack saw to cut a piece of rigid
metal conduit, in which direction should the teeth face?
A) Away from the handle, cutting on the forward stroke.
B) Toward the handle, cutting on the backward stroke.
C) In alternating directions every five teeth.
D) The direction does not matter for cutting conduit.
Answer: A
Rationale: Standard hack saw blades are designed to
cut metal on the forward push stroke. Installing the
blade with teeth pointing forward away from the handle
ensures clean cuts and prevents blade binding or
premature dulling.
6. How much power is consumed by a 120-volt electrical
appliance that draws a steady current of 5 amperes?
A) 24 watts
B) 60 watts
, C) 600 watts
D) 1,200 watts
Answer: C
Rationale: Electrical power is calculated using the
power formula: Power (P) = Voltage (V) x Current (I).
Substituting the given numbers into the formula: P = 120
V x 5 A = 600 Watts.
7. What tool is specifically designed to safely test whether an
electrical circuit or wire conductor is energized before
beginning work?
A) Ohmmeter
B) Non-contact voltage detector
C) Wire stripper
D) Dial caliper
Answer: B
Rationale: A non-contact voltage tester allows an
electrical worker to verify the presence of voltage
without making physical contact with bare wires,
making it an essential primary safety tool before
handling lines.
8. In a parallel circuit containing three individual branch paths,
what happens to the total circuit voltage?
A) It is divided equally among the three separate branches.
B) It drops to zero volts at the final component branch.
C) It remains exactly the same across every individual
branch.
D) It multiplies by three across the overall circuit layout.
Answer: C
Rationale: A defining characteristic of a parallel
