LADWP ELECTRICAL HELPER EXAM
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALE 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
CORE DOMAINS
• Electrical Fundamentals & Circuit Theory
• Ohm's Law & Power Calculations
• Series, Parallel & Series-Parallel Circuits
• Hand & Power Tool Identification and Usage
• Workplace Safety, OSHA & NFPA 70E Standards
• Lockout/Tagout & Personal Protective Equipment
• Conduit Handling, Bending & Installation
• Electrical Materials, Wiring Methods & Grounding
• Knots, Bends, Hitches & Rigging
• Mechanical Aptitude & Basic Mathematics
• Situational Judgment & Field Operations
• LADWP Work Practices & Professional Standards
Introduction
The LADWP Electrical Helper (Electrical Craft Helper) examination is a civil
service assessment administered by the City of Los Angeles for entry-level
electrical support positions within the Los Angeles Department of Water and
,Power. The exam evaluates foundational electrical knowledge, practical trade
skills, safety awareness, calculations, equipment identification, blueprint
interpretation, and professional judgment. Questions are predominantly
multiple-choice and scenario-based, requiring the application of established
procedures to real-world field conditions. The examination emphasizes safety
consciousness, logical reasoning, and the ability to assist journey-level workers
in the construction, maintenance, and repair of electrical systems and
equipment. Success demands a solid understanding of electrical theory, tool
usage, hazard recognition, and the physical and technical demands of the
position.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
What is the unit of measurement for electrical resistance?
A. Volt
B. Ampere
C. Ohm
D. Watt
C. Ohm
RATIONALE: Resistance is measured in ohms (Ω), defined by Ohm's Law
as V = I × R. Volts measure electromotive force, amperes measure current, and
watts measure power.
Question 2
In an electrical distribution yard, a helper is instructed to identify the safest
procedure before assisting an electrician with maintenance on de-energized
equipment. Which action should be performed first to ensure worker safety?
A. Remove all warning signs from the work area
B. Verify the circuit is de-energized and properly locked out/tagged out
C. Begin disassembling the equipment immediately
D. Disconnect grounding conductors
, B. Verify the circuit is de-energized and properly locked out/tagged out
RATIONALE: Lockout/tagout procedures are mandatory before working
on de-energized equipment. Verification that the circuit is de-energized and
properly locked out/tagged out prevents accidental energization and protects
workers from electrical shock.
Question 3
Which hand tool is specifically designed for gripping, twisting, and cutting
electrical wire?
A. Ball-peen hammer
B. Adjustable wrench
C. Lineman's pliers
D. Pipe wrench
C. Lineman's pliers
RATIONALE: Lineman's pliers are specifically designed for electrical
work, featuring a gripping jaw, a cutting edge, and a crimping area for
gripping, twisting, and cutting electrical wire.
Question 4
What is the total resistance of two 10-ohm resistors connected in series?
A. 5 ohms
B. 10 ohms
C. 20 ohms
D. 100 ohms
C. 20 ohms
RATIONALE: In a series circuit, total resistance is the sum of individual
resistances: R_total = R₁ + R₂ = 10 + 10 = 20 ohms.
Question 5
What is the total resistance of two 10-ohm resistors connected in parallel?
, A. 5 ohms
B. 10 ohms
C. 20 ohms
D. 100 ohms
A. 5 ohms
RATIONALE: For parallel resistors: 1/R_total = 1/10 + 1/10 = 2/10, so
R_total = 5 ohms.
Question 6
According to Ohm's Law, what is the voltage across a resistor if the current
through it is 4 A and its resistance is 15 Ω?
A. 19 V
B. 60 V
C. 11 V
D. 3.75 V
B. 60 V
RATIONALE: Using Ohm's Law (V = I × R): V = 4 A × 15 Ω = 60 V.
Question 7
A 120-volt single-phase circuit supplies a resistive load drawing 10 amperes.
Using Ohm's law, what is the resistance of the load?
A. 0.83 Ω
B. 12 Ω
C. 120 Ω
D. 1,200 Ω
B. 12 Ω
RATIONALE: Using Ohm's Law (R = V / I): R = 120 V / 10 A = 12 Ω.
Question 8
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALE 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
CORE DOMAINS
• Electrical Fundamentals & Circuit Theory
• Ohm's Law & Power Calculations
• Series, Parallel & Series-Parallel Circuits
• Hand & Power Tool Identification and Usage
• Workplace Safety, OSHA & NFPA 70E Standards
• Lockout/Tagout & Personal Protective Equipment
• Conduit Handling, Bending & Installation
• Electrical Materials, Wiring Methods & Grounding
• Knots, Bends, Hitches & Rigging
• Mechanical Aptitude & Basic Mathematics
• Situational Judgment & Field Operations
• LADWP Work Practices & Professional Standards
Introduction
The LADWP Electrical Helper (Electrical Craft Helper) examination is a civil
service assessment administered by the City of Los Angeles for entry-level
electrical support positions within the Los Angeles Department of Water and
,Power. The exam evaluates foundational electrical knowledge, practical trade
skills, safety awareness, calculations, equipment identification, blueprint
interpretation, and professional judgment. Questions are predominantly
multiple-choice and scenario-based, requiring the application of established
procedures to real-world field conditions. The examination emphasizes safety
consciousness, logical reasoning, and the ability to assist journey-level workers
in the construction, maintenance, and repair of electrical systems and
equipment. Success demands a solid understanding of electrical theory, tool
usage, hazard recognition, and the physical and technical demands of the
position.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
What is the unit of measurement for electrical resistance?
A. Volt
B. Ampere
C. Ohm
D. Watt
C. Ohm
RATIONALE: Resistance is measured in ohms (Ω), defined by Ohm's Law
as V = I × R. Volts measure electromotive force, amperes measure current, and
watts measure power.
Question 2
In an electrical distribution yard, a helper is instructed to identify the safest
procedure before assisting an electrician with maintenance on de-energized
equipment. Which action should be performed first to ensure worker safety?
A. Remove all warning signs from the work area
B. Verify the circuit is de-energized and properly locked out/tagged out
C. Begin disassembling the equipment immediately
D. Disconnect grounding conductors
, B. Verify the circuit is de-energized and properly locked out/tagged out
RATIONALE: Lockout/tagout procedures are mandatory before working
on de-energized equipment. Verification that the circuit is de-energized and
properly locked out/tagged out prevents accidental energization and protects
workers from electrical shock.
Question 3
Which hand tool is specifically designed for gripping, twisting, and cutting
electrical wire?
A. Ball-peen hammer
B. Adjustable wrench
C. Lineman's pliers
D. Pipe wrench
C. Lineman's pliers
RATIONALE: Lineman's pliers are specifically designed for electrical
work, featuring a gripping jaw, a cutting edge, and a crimping area for
gripping, twisting, and cutting electrical wire.
Question 4
What is the total resistance of two 10-ohm resistors connected in series?
A. 5 ohms
B. 10 ohms
C. 20 ohms
D. 100 ohms
C. 20 ohms
RATIONALE: In a series circuit, total resistance is the sum of individual
resistances: R_total = R₁ + R₂ = 10 + 10 = 20 ohms.
Question 5
What is the total resistance of two 10-ohm resistors connected in parallel?
, A. 5 ohms
B. 10 ohms
C. 20 ohms
D. 100 ohms
A. 5 ohms
RATIONALE: For parallel resistors: 1/R_total = 1/10 + 1/10 = 2/10, so
R_total = 5 ohms.
Question 6
According to Ohm's Law, what is the voltage across a resistor if the current
through it is 4 A and its resistance is 15 Ω?
A. 19 V
B. 60 V
C. 11 V
D. 3.75 V
B. 60 V
RATIONALE: Using Ohm's Law (V = I × R): V = 4 A × 15 Ω = 60 V.
Question 7
A 120-volt single-phase circuit supplies a resistive load drawing 10 amperes.
Using Ohm's law, what is the resistance of the load?
A. 0.83 Ω
B. 12 Ω
C. 120 Ω
D. 1,200 Ω
B. 12 Ω
RATIONALE: Using Ohm's Law (R = V / I): R = 120 V / 10 A = 12 Ω.
Question 8
