Industrial Electrician - Exam Information

Table of Contents

Self-Assessment

This tool can be used to reflect on your own experience and knowledge in the trade compared with what is on the exam.

Exam Breakdown

Each Red Seal exam's questions are developed to assess the activities laid out in the Red Seal Occupational Standard. This trade's Red Seal exam has 100 questions Footnote *, which are distributed as follows:

Major Work Activity A - Performs common occupational skills - 9 questions
Task A-1 Performs safety-related functions
2 questions
Task A-2 Uses tools and equipment
2 questions
Task A-3 Organizes work
2 questions
Task A-4 Fabricates and installs support components
1 questions
Task A-5 Commissions and decommissions electrical systems
2 questions
Task A-6 Uses communication and mentoring techniques
0 questions
Major Work Activity B - Installs and maintains generating, distribution and service systems - 23 questions
Task B-7 Installs and maintains consumer/supply services and metering equipment
3 questions
Task B-8 Installs and maintains protection devices
4 questions
Task B-9 Installs and maintains low voltage distribution systems
3 questions
Task B-10 Installs and maintains power conditioning systems
2 questions
Task B-11 Installs and maintains bonding, grounding and ground fault detection systems
3 questions
Task B-12 Installs and maintains power generating systems
2 questions
Task B-13 Installs and maintains renewable energy generating and storage systems
1 questions
Task B-14 Installs and maintains high voltage systems
2 questions
Task B-15 Installs and maintains transformers
3 questions
Major Work Activity C - Installs and maintains wiring systems - 20 questions
Task C-16 Installs and maintains raceways, cables, conductors and enclosures
5 questions
Task C-17 Installs and maintains branch circuitry and devices
5 questions
Task C-18 Installs and maintains heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) electrical components
3 questions
Task C-19 Installs and maintains electric heating systems and controls
3 questions
Task C-20 Installs and maintains exit and emergency lighting systems
2 questions
Task C-21 Installs and maintains cathodic protection systems
2 questions
Major Work Activity D - Installs and maintains rotating and non-rotating equipment and control systems - 21 questions
Task D-22 Installs and maintains motor starters and control devices
7 questions
Task D-23 Installs and maintains drives
5 questions
Task D-24 Installs and maintains non-rotating equipment and associated controls
3 questions
Task D-25 Installs and maintains motors
6 questions
Major Work Activity E - Installs and maintains signalling and communication systems - 10 questions
Task E-26 Installs and maintains signalling systems
4 questions
Task E-27 Installs and maintains communication systems
3 questions
Task E-28 Installs and maintains building automation systems
3 questions
Major Work Activity F- Installs and maintains process control systems - 17 questions
Task F-29 Installs and maintains input/output (I/O) devices
8 questions
Task F-30 Installs, programs and maintains automated control systems
6 questions
Task F-31 Installs and maintains pneumatic and hydraulic control systems
3 questions

Types of Exam Questions

All Red Seal exam questions are written in multiple-choice format. A multiple-choice question consists of question followed by four possible responses (A, B, C, D). Every question has exactly one correct answer and three incorrect options. They are not misleading or trick questions, but the incorrect options are not always obvious.

There are three types of questions that you will see on Red Seal Exams:

  • Knowledge and Recall
  • Procedural and Application
  • Critical Thinking

Knowledge and Recall

This type of question tests your ability to recall and understand definitions, facts and principles.

For this trade, between 10 and 20% of questions that are this type.

Example of a Knowledge and Recall Question:

On a schematic diagram, which type of interlock is indicated by a dashed line between 2 motor starters?

  1. Mechanical.
  2. Electrical.
  3. Auxiliary contact.
  4. Push button.

Answer: A

Procedural and Application

This type of question tests your ability to apply your knowledge of procedures to a situation.

For this trade, between 35 and 45% of questions are this type.

Example of a Procedural and Application Question:

What is the procedure for testing an HPS lamp socket for power?

  1. Use digital VOM, then check from centre contact to ground.
  2. Use digital VOM, then check from shell to centre contact.
  3. Use analog VOM, then check from centre contact to ground.
  4. Use analog VOM, then check from shell to ground.

Answer: B

Critical Thinking

This type of question tests  your ability to interpret data, solve problems and arrive at valid conclusions.

For this trade, between 40 and 50% of questions are this type.

Example of a Critical Thinking Question:

Three 25 kVA transformers are connected in delta. One of the transformers fails and is reconnected as an open delta. What is the available capacity of the transformer bank?

  1. 38.5%
  2. 43.4%
  3. 51.6%
  4. 57.7%

Answer: D

Try more sample questions for this trade and check out the Exam Preparation Guide. It will give you practical insights on what goes into Red Seal exams, and how you can best prepare yourself to do well.

For more information about exam preparation materials contact your provincial/territorial apprenticeship office.