NORA Bronze Exam
1. What is the typical operating pressure for a residential oil burner pump?
A. 50 psi
B. 75 psi
C. 100 psi
D. 140 psi
✅ Answer: D. 140 psi
💡 Most modern residential oil burners operate at 100–140 psi; 140 psi is standard
for good atomization.
2. What is the main purpose of the cad cell in an oil burner?
A. Regulate fuel flow
B. Monitor flame presence
C. Control combustion air
D. Measure fuel pressure
✅ Answer: B. Monitor flame presence
💡 The cad cell senses light from the flame; if no light is detected, it shuts the burner
off for safety.
3. Which of the following fuels has the highest BTU content per gallon?
A. Kerosene
B. No. 1 fuel oil
C. No. 2 fuel oil
D. Diesel
✅ Answer: C. No. 2 fuel oil
💡 No. 2 fuel oil contains around 140,000 BTU per gallon — higher than kerosene or
diesel blends.
,4. A “delayed ignition” in an oil burner is most often caused by:
A. Too much primary air
B. Weak ignition transformer
C. Dirty nozzle
D. Faulty thermostat
✅ Answer: C. Dirty nozzle
💡 A dirty nozzle or poor atomization delays ignition and causes rumbling or
puffback.
5. The primary control lockout occurs when:
A. The thermostat fails
B. The cad cell doesn’t sense a flame
C. The oil pressure is too high
D. The stack temperature is too low
✅ Answer: B. The cad cell doesn’t sense a flame
💡 The control shuts down fuel flow to prevent flooding or unsafe firing.
6. Which component creates the spark for ignition in a conventional oil burner?
A. Solenoid valve
B. Ignition transformer
C. Motor relay
D. Cad cell
✅ Answer: B. Ignition transformer
💡 It steps up voltage (to about 10,000V) for arc ignition.
7. Proper draft in an oil-fired system is measured in:
A. PSI
B. Inches of water column
, C. BTUs
D. Cubic feet per minute
✅ Answer: B. Inches of water column
💡 Draft gauges measure negative pressure, typically −0.02 to −0.04 inches W.C.
8. The purpose of the barometric damper is to:
A. Increase combustion air
B. Maintain proper draft
C. Reduce stack temperature
D. Control fuel flow
✅ Answer: B. Maintain proper draft
💡 It stabilizes draft to ensure consistent combustion.
9. What color should a properly adjusted oil burner flame be?
A. Blue with orange tips
B. Yellow and smoky
C. Red and short
D. White and roaring
✅ Answer: A. Blue with orange tips
💡 Indicates complete combustion with minimal soot.
10. A vacuum reading of more than 10 inches of mercury on a fuel line usually
means:
A. Air leak
B. Dirty filter or restriction
C. Low pump pressure
D. Incorrect nozzle
✅ Answer: B. Dirty filter or restriction
💡 High vacuum means the pump struggles to pull oil due to blockage.
1. What is the typical operating pressure for a residential oil burner pump?
A. 50 psi
B. 75 psi
C. 100 psi
D. 140 psi
✅ Answer: D. 140 psi
💡 Most modern residential oil burners operate at 100–140 psi; 140 psi is standard
for good atomization.
2. What is the main purpose of the cad cell in an oil burner?
A. Regulate fuel flow
B. Monitor flame presence
C. Control combustion air
D. Measure fuel pressure
✅ Answer: B. Monitor flame presence
💡 The cad cell senses light from the flame; if no light is detected, it shuts the burner
off for safety.
3. Which of the following fuels has the highest BTU content per gallon?
A. Kerosene
B. No. 1 fuel oil
C. No. 2 fuel oil
D. Diesel
✅ Answer: C. No. 2 fuel oil
💡 No. 2 fuel oil contains around 140,000 BTU per gallon — higher than kerosene or
diesel blends.
,4. A “delayed ignition” in an oil burner is most often caused by:
A. Too much primary air
B. Weak ignition transformer
C. Dirty nozzle
D. Faulty thermostat
✅ Answer: C. Dirty nozzle
💡 A dirty nozzle or poor atomization delays ignition and causes rumbling or
puffback.
5. The primary control lockout occurs when:
A. The thermostat fails
B. The cad cell doesn’t sense a flame
C. The oil pressure is too high
D. The stack temperature is too low
✅ Answer: B. The cad cell doesn’t sense a flame
💡 The control shuts down fuel flow to prevent flooding or unsafe firing.
6. Which component creates the spark for ignition in a conventional oil burner?
A. Solenoid valve
B. Ignition transformer
C. Motor relay
D. Cad cell
✅ Answer: B. Ignition transformer
💡 It steps up voltage (to about 10,000V) for arc ignition.
7. Proper draft in an oil-fired system is measured in:
A. PSI
B. Inches of water column
, C. BTUs
D. Cubic feet per minute
✅ Answer: B. Inches of water column
💡 Draft gauges measure negative pressure, typically −0.02 to −0.04 inches W.C.
8. The purpose of the barometric damper is to:
A. Increase combustion air
B. Maintain proper draft
C. Reduce stack temperature
D. Control fuel flow
✅ Answer: B. Maintain proper draft
💡 It stabilizes draft to ensure consistent combustion.
9. What color should a properly adjusted oil burner flame be?
A. Blue with orange tips
B. Yellow and smoky
C. Red and short
D. White and roaring
✅ Answer: A. Blue with orange tips
💡 Indicates complete combustion with minimal soot.
10. A vacuum reading of more than 10 inches of mercury on a fuel line usually
means:
A. Air leak
B. Dirty filter or restriction
C. Low pump pressure
D. Incorrect nozzle
✅ Answer: B. Dirty filter or restriction
💡 High vacuum means the pump struggles to pull oil due to blockage.
