Electrical Safety MCQs: Practice Quiz for Engineers

1. What is the primary purpose of a Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedure?

A) To ensure equipment is properly maintained. B) To prevent the unexpected energization of machinery during maintenance. C) To label electrical panels for easy identification. D) To ground excess voltage.

2. Which class of fire extinguisher is specifically designed for use on electrical fires?

A) Class A B) Class B C) Class C D) Class D

3. What is the generally recognized threshold of voltage where a shock can be lethal to humans?

A) 12 Volts B) 50 Volts C) 120 Volts D) 240 Volts

4. Which PPE is essential when working with live electrical circuits?

A) Steel-toed boots only B) Hard hat and safety glasses C) Insulated gloves and face shield D) Hearing protection

5. What is the first step you should take when someone receives an electric shock?

A) Pull the person away from the source with your bare hands. B) Immediately start CPR. C) Shut off the power source. D) Call for help and wait for professionals.

6. A “GFCI” (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) is designed to do what?

A) Protect against overloads and short circuits. B) Detect small imbalances in current and quickly shut off power. C) Regulate voltage levels. D) Provide a secondary ground path.

7. What color is typically used for the ground wire in a flexible cord in North America?

A) Black B) White C) Red D) Green or Green with Yellow Stripe

8. What is the minimum safe working distance from an exposed 480V energized part for an unqualified person?

A) 1 foot (0.3 m) B) 3 feet (1 m) C) 10 feet (3 m) D) There is no safe distance; you must be qualified.

9. Which of the following is a safe practice when using extension cords?

A) Daisy-chaining multiple cords together to reach further. B) Running cords through walls or ceilings to hide them. C) Using a cord rated for a higher current than the tool requires. D) Securing cords to the floor with metal staples.

10. An “Arc Flash” is a dangerous electrical event caused by:

A) A power surge from the utility. B) A rapid, violent release of energy due to a fault. C) Lightning striking a power line. D) A transformer overheating.

Electrical Safety MCQ Quiz