NYC DCAS Electrician Civil Service Exam
Study Guide | Complete Practice Exam
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. Before beginning work on an electrical circuit that can be de-
energized, the electrician should first:
A. Put on insulated gloves
B. Remove the circuit breaker
C. Identify the circuit and establish an electrically safe work
condition
D. Increase the circuit voltage
The circuit must be properly identified, disconnected, locked/tagged
as required, and verified before work begins.
2. The primary purpose of lockout/tagout is to:
A. Identify the electrician's employer
B. Prevent tools from being lost
C. Prevent unexpected energization or startup of equipment
D. Increase equipment efficiency
Lockout/tagout controls hazardous energy so equipment cannot
unexpectedly become energized while personnel are working.
3. A voltage tester should be checked against a known energized
source:
A. Only after testing the circuit
B. Only once per year
,C. Before and after testing when verifying absence of voltage
D. Only when the tester is new
The test instrument itself must be demonstrated to be functioning
properly before relying on a zero-voltage indication.
4. Which condition presents the greatest immediate electrical
hazard?
A. A clean junction box
B. A properly grounded receptacle
C. An exposed energized conductor
D. A labeled disconnect
Contact with an exposed energized conductor can result in shock,
burns, arc flash, or electrocution.
5. When an electrical panel contains exposed energized parts, an
appropriate approach is to:
A. Work faster
B. Use a longer screwdriver
C. Maintain appropriate approach boundaries and use required
protective measures
D. Remove all labels
Electrical safety procedures require controlling access and using
appropriate protection when energized parts are exposed.
6. What is the safest response if a coworker is receiving an
electrical shock from an energized source?
A. Grab the coworker immediately
B. Throw water on the equipment
C. De-energize the source if possible without exposing yourself to
the hazard
D. Stand on the same conductive surface
,Direct contact with a shocked person can make the rescuer part of
the electrical path.
7. Electrical arc flash can cause:
A. Only hearing loss
B. Only equipment damage
C. Thermal burns, pressure effects, and flying molten metal
D. Reduced circuit resistance only
Arc flash can produce intense heat, pressure, light, sound, and molten
metal.
8. A frayed extension cord should be:
A. Wrapped with paper
B. Used only at low voltage
C. Removed from service until properly repaired or replaced
D. Placed under a rug
Damaged cords can expose conductors and create shock, fire, and
short-circuit hazards.
9. When using a portable electric tool, the first concern should be:
A. Its paint color
B. Its weight
C. Its condition and suitability for the task
D. Its manufacturer's logo
Tools must be inspected and appropriate for the work before use.
10. Water and electricity are particularly dangerous together
because water can:
A. Increase insulation resistance
B. Provide a conductive path that increases shock risk
C. Prevent current flow
D. Eliminate grounding requirements
, Moisture can substantially reduce body resistance and provide
conductive paths.
11. Why should electrical equipment be kept free of excessive dust
and debris?
A. To improve appearance only
B. To increase wire resistance
C. To reduce overheating and contamination-related problems
D. To increase voltage
Accumulated contamination can interfere with cooling, insulation,
and reliable operation.
12. A circuit breaker that repeatedly trips should generally be:
A. Replaced with a larger breaker immediately
B. Held closed manually
C. Investigated to determine the cause of the trip
D. Bypassed
Repeated tripping can indicate overload, short circuit, ground fault,
equipment failure, or another problem.
13. Which practice is unsafe when using a multimeter?
A. Selecting the correct function
B. Inspecting test leads
C. Using an inappropriate current setting across a voltage source
D. Checking meter ratings
Connecting a meter configured for current measurement directly
across a voltage source can create a short circuit and damage the
meter.
14. A circuit should be considered energized until:
A. Someone says it is off
B. The lights go out
C. It has been properly isolated and absence of voltage has been
Study Guide | Complete Practice Exam
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. Before beginning work on an electrical circuit that can be de-
energized, the electrician should first:
A. Put on insulated gloves
B. Remove the circuit breaker
C. Identify the circuit and establish an electrically safe work
condition
D. Increase the circuit voltage
The circuit must be properly identified, disconnected, locked/tagged
as required, and verified before work begins.
2. The primary purpose of lockout/tagout is to:
A. Identify the electrician's employer
B. Prevent tools from being lost
C. Prevent unexpected energization or startup of equipment
D. Increase equipment efficiency
Lockout/tagout controls hazardous energy so equipment cannot
unexpectedly become energized while personnel are working.
3. A voltage tester should be checked against a known energized
source:
A. Only after testing the circuit
B. Only once per year
,C. Before and after testing when verifying absence of voltage
D. Only when the tester is new
The test instrument itself must be demonstrated to be functioning
properly before relying on a zero-voltage indication.
4. Which condition presents the greatest immediate electrical
hazard?
A. A clean junction box
B. A properly grounded receptacle
C. An exposed energized conductor
D. A labeled disconnect
Contact with an exposed energized conductor can result in shock,
burns, arc flash, or electrocution.
5. When an electrical panel contains exposed energized parts, an
appropriate approach is to:
A. Work faster
B. Use a longer screwdriver
C. Maintain appropriate approach boundaries and use required
protective measures
D. Remove all labels
Electrical safety procedures require controlling access and using
appropriate protection when energized parts are exposed.
6. What is the safest response if a coworker is receiving an
electrical shock from an energized source?
A. Grab the coworker immediately
B. Throw water on the equipment
C. De-energize the source if possible without exposing yourself to
the hazard
D. Stand on the same conductive surface
,Direct contact with a shocked person can make the rescuer part of
the electrical path.
7. Electrical arc flash can cause:
A. Only hearing loss
B. Only equipment damage
C. Thermal burns, pressure effects, and flying molten metal
D. Reduced circuit resistance only
Arc flash can produce intense heat, pressure, light, sound, and molten
metal.
8. A frayed extension cord should be:
A. Wrapped with paper
B. Used only at low voltage
C. Removed from service until properly repaired or replaced
D. Placed under a rug
Damaged cords can expose conductors and create shock, fire, and
short-circuit hazards.
9. When using a portable electric tool, the first concern should be:
A. Its paint color
B. Its weight
C. Its condition and suitability for the task
D. Its manufacturer's logo
Tools must be inspected and appropriate for the work before use.
10. Water and electricity are particularly dangerous together
because water can:
A. Increase insulation resistance
B. Provide a conductive path that increases shock risk
C. Prevent current flow
D. Eliminate grounding requirements
, Moisture can substantially reduce body resistance and provide
conductive paths.
11. Why should electrical equipment be kept free of excessive dust
and debris?
A. To improve appearance only
B. To increase wire resistance
C. To reduce overheating and contamination-related problems
D. To increase voltage
Accumulated contamination can interfere with cooling, insulation,
and reliable operation.
12. A circuit breaker that repeatedly trips should generally be:
A. Replaced with a larger breaker immediately
B. Held closed manually
C. Investigated to determine the cause of the trip
D. Bypassed
Repeated tripping can indicate overload, short circuit, ground fault,
equipment failure, or another problem.
13. Which practice is unsafe when using a multimeter?
A. Selecting the correct function
B. Inspecting test leads
C. Using an inappropriate current setting across a voltage source
D. Checking meter ratings
Connecting a meter configured for current measurement directly
across a voltage source can create a short circuit and damage the
meter.
14. A circuit should be considered energized until:
A. Someone says it is off
B. The lights go out
C. It has been properly isolated and absence of voltage has been
