South Carolina SC Lightning Protection Exam Prep 2026/2027 |
NFPA 780, UL 96A, Grounding, Bonding & Installation
Questions 1–50: Fundamentals & NFPA 780
1. What is the primary purpose of a lightning protection system (LPS)?
A. Prevent lightning from occurring
B. Provide a controlled path for lightning current to ground
C. Eliminate all electrical surges
D. Replace the building grounding system
Answer: B
Rationale: An LPS provides a preferred, controlled path for lightning
current from strike termination points through conductors to grounding
electrodes.
2. NFPA 780 is primarily concerned with:
A. Fire alarm design
B. Lightning protection system installation
C. Plumbing installation
D. HVAC design
Answer: B
Rationale: NFPA 780 is the Standard for the Installation of Lightning
Protection Systems. (NFPA Document Information)
3. UL 96A primarily addresses:
A. Lightning protection component manufacturing
B. Installation requirements for lightning protection systems
C. Electrical wiring methods only
D. Fire sprinkler testing
,Answer: B
Rationale: UL 96A is the Standard for Installation Requirements for
Lightning Protection Systems. (UL Solutions)
4. UL 96 primarily addresses:
A. Lightning protection components
B. Building foundations
C. Electrical transformers
D. Fire pumps
Answer: A
Rationale: UL 96 covers lightning protection components, while UL 96A
addresses system installation requirements. (UL Solutions)
5. Which organization publishes NFPA 780?
A. UL Solutions
B. NFPA
C. OSHA
D. ICC
Answer: B
Rationale: NFPA publishes NFPA 780.
6. A complete lightning protection system normally includes:
A. Only air terminals
B. Only grounding electrodes
C. Strike termination devices, conductors, grounding electrodes,
bonding and associated components
D. Only surge protectors
Answer: C
Rationale: A complete system contains interconnected components
designed to provide a controlled lightning-current path. (UL Solutions)
,7. An air terminal is commonly called a:
A. Ground rod
B. Lightning rod
C. Bonding jumper
D. Surge suppressor
Answer: B
Rationale: An air terminal is commonly referred to as a lightning rod.
8. The principal function of an air terminal is to:
A. Ground electrical receptacles
B. Provide a strike termination point
C. Protect circuit breakers
D. Replace an SPD
Answer: B
Rationale: Air terminals are strike termination devices.
9. A down conductor provides a path between:
A. An air terminal system and grounding system
B. An outlet and panel
C. A transformer and generator
D. A sprinkler and water tank
Answer: A
Rationale: Down conductors carry lightning current from the roof/strike
termination system toward grounding electrodes.
10. Lightning protection is intended primarily to protect:
A. Only people
B. Structures and associated systems from lightning damage
C. Only electrical appliances
D. Only roofs
, Answer: B
Rationale: A properly installed LPS helps reduce fire, structural damage
and dangerous potential differences caused by lightning.
11. Which is a major principle of lightning protection?
A. Make lightning disappear
B. Provide a low-impedance path to earth
C. Use only plastic components
D. Isolate every metal object
Answer: B
Rationale: Lightning currents require a suitable conductive path to
grounding electrodes.
12. Lightning protection components should generally be:
A. Randomly selected
B. Listed where required by the applicable standard
C. Made from household wire
D. Painted before installation
Answer: B
Rationale: NFPA 780 requires listed/labeled components where such
components are available. (NFPA)
13. Which standard can be used for lightning protection installation
where adopted by the applicable code?
A. NFPA 780
B. NFPA 13 only
C. NFPA 101 only
D. ASME B31.3
Answer: A
NFPA 780, UL 96A, Grounding, Bonding & Installation
Questions 1–50: Fundamentals & NFPA 780
1. What is the primary purpose of a lightning protection system (LPS)?
A. Prevent lightning from occurring
B. Provide a controlled path for lightning current to ground
C. Eliminate all electrical surges
D. Replace the building grounding system
Answer: B
Rationale: An LPS provides a preferred, controlled path for lightning
current from strike termination points through conductors to grounding
electrodes.
2. NFPA 780 is primarily concerned with:
A. Fire alarm design
B. Lightning protection system installation
C. Plumbing installation
D. HVAC design
Answer: B
Rationale: NFPA 780 is the Standard for the Installation of Lightning
Protection Systems. (NFPA Document Information)
3. UL 96A primarily addresses:
A. Lightning protection component manufacturing
B. Installation requirements for lightning protection systems
C. Electrical wiring methods only
D. Fire sprinkler testing
,Answer: B
Rationale: UL 96A is the Standard for Installation Requirements for
Lightning Protection Systems. (UL Solutions)
4. UL 96 primarily addresses:
A. Lightning protection components
B. Building foundations
C. Electrical transformers
D. Fire pumps
Answer: A
Rationale: UL 96 covers lightning protection components, while UL 96A
addresses system installation requirements. (UL Solutions)
5. Which organization publishes NFPA 780?
A. UL Solutions
B. NFPA
C. OSHA
D. ICC
Answer: B
Rationale: NFPA publishes NFPA 780.
6. A complete lightning protection system normally includes:
A. Only air terminals
B. Only grounding electrodes
C. Strike termination devices, conductors, grounding electrodes,
bonding and associated components
D. Only surge protectors
Answer: C
Rationale: A complete system contains interconnected components
designed to provide a controlled lightning-current path. (UL Solutions)
,7. An air terminal is commonly called a:
A. Ground rod
B. Lightning rod
C. Bonding jumper
D. Surge suppressor
Answer: B
Rationale: An air terminal is commonly referred to as a lightning rod.
8. The principal function of an air terminal is to:
A. Ground electrical receptacles
B. Provide a strike termination point
C. Protect circuit breakers
D. Replace an SPD
Answer: B
Rationale: Air terminals are strike termination devices.
9. A down conductor provides a path between:
A. An air terminal system and grounding system
B. An outlet and panel
C. A transformer and generator
D. A sprinkler and water tank
Answer: A
Rationale: Down conductors carry lightning current from the roof/strike
termination system toward grounding electrodes.
10. Lightning protection is intended primarily to protect:
A. Only people
B. Structures and associated systems from lightning damage
C. Only electrical appliances
D. Only roofs
, Answer: B
Rationale: A properly installed LPS helps reduce fire, structural damage
and dangerous potential differences caused by lightning.
11. Which is a major principle of lightning protection?
A. Make lightning disappear
B. Provide a low-impedance path to earth
C. Use only plastic components
D. Isolate every metal object
Answer: B
Rationale: Lightning currents require a suitable conductive path to
grounding electrodes.
12. Lightning protection components should generally be:
A. Randomly selected
B. Listed where required by the applicable standard
C. Made from household wire
D. Painted before installation
Answer: B
Rationale: NFPA 780 requires listed/labeled components where such
components are available. (NFPA)
13. Which standard can be used for lightning protection installation
where adopted by the applicable code?
A. NFPA 780
B. NFPA 13 only
C. NFPA 101 only
D. ASME B31.3
Answer: A
