Ten free Master Electrician exam practice questions.

Ten practice questions for Ontario's Master Electrician (ME) licensing exam, each with four options and one correct answer. ESA's Information Package describes the exam as 80 multiple-choice questions in three hours, in three sections of 33 per cent each: the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, Worker Safety, and Business Administration. These are original questions written by TicketPrep from the OESC rule numbers and the Ontario statutes; none of them comes from the exam. They are free to use, print and share. There is nothing to sign up for on this page.

01How to use these

The questions come from the TicketPrep ME bank and follow ESA's sections in order: four from Section 1 (the Ontario Electrical Safety Code), three from Section 2 (Worker Safety) and three from Section 3 (Business Administration), each on a different one of our objectives. ESA publishes the three equal sections but not how many questions each has, so the split is ours. One of the ten is a calculation. Answer each one before opening the explanation. Every explanation covers all four options, because knowing why a wrong answer is wrong is most of the skill.

• Pace. 80 questions in three hours is 2 min 15 s per question. Try these at that pace, with the book open.
• Books. The exam is open book: ESA's Information Package allows printed copies of the latest OESC, the ME Exam Relevant Legislation book and the Guideline to the Duties and Responsibilities of LECs and DMEs, with a non-programmable calculator. The questions cite the Rule or section they rest on, so you can practise finding it.
• Print. The printed version shows the questions and the answer key without the explanations, so it works as a handout. The explanations are on the web page. Print this page Download PDF
• Mark. ESA's pass rule has two parts: 70 per cent overall and at least 60 per cent in each section. Seven of ten here is 70 per cent; under ESA's rule, one weak section fails the exam even with a high total.

02The questions

1. Recall · Section 1 · Ontario Electrical Safety Code

   ESA issues a connection authorization to the supply authority for a new detached house on 2 March. Transformer delays mean the supply authority is not ready to connect the service until 15 October of the same year. Under Rule 2-012, what is the status of the authorization?

   1. It has lapsed; it was valid for up to 6 months from issue
   2. It is valid until the service is connected, however long
   3. It is valid for 12 months from issue, so it still stands
   4. It is valid if the LEC first gives ESA a fresh 48 h notice
   Show the answer

   A. Correct. Rule 2-012 2) makes a connection authorization issued to a supply authority valid for connecting the service for up to 6 months from its date of issue. Seven months on, ESA has to authorize the connection again.

   Why not the others

   B. Rule 2-012 2) puts a limit on it: up to 6 months from the date of issue, which has passed.

   C. No 12-month period applies to a connection authorization; Rule 2-012 2) allows up to 6 months from issue.

   D. The 48 h notice in Rule 2-004 5) is about completed work being ready; it does not revive a connection authorization that has passed the 6-month limit in Rule 2-012 2).

   Source: ESA exam outline, Section 1: Ontario Electrical Safety Code; OESC Rule 2-012

2. Recall · Section 1 · Ontario Electrical Safety Code

   An LEC proposes to wire a 200 A single-dwelling service with copper conductors whose insulation is rated 75 °C, sizing them from Ontario's Table 39. Is that permitted?

   1. Yes; Table 39 limits the load to the 75 °C ampacity anyway
   2. No; Table 39 may be used only for 90 °C-insulated conductors
   3. Yes; Table 39 applies to any copper service at a single dwelling
   4. No; Table 39 applies only to aluminum service conductors
   Show the answer

   B. Correct. Rule 4-004 26) allows Table 39 sizing only for conductors or cables with a 90 °C insulation rating, with the load held to their 75 °C ampacity. A 75 °C-insulated conductor is sized the normal way under Rules 4-004 and 4-006.

   Why not the others

   A. The 75 °C ampacity is the load limit, but Rule 4-004 26) also requires the 90 °C insulation rating; both conditions apply.

   C. Rule 4-004 26) has conditions: a 3-wire 120/240 V or 120/208 V service, 90 °C insulation, and the load within the 75 °C ampacity.

   D. Table 39 has copper and aluminum columns. The reason it cannot be used here is the 75 °C insulation.

   Source: ESA exam outline, Section 1: Ontario Electrical Safety Code; OESC Rule 4-004

3. Calculation · Section 1 · Ontario Electrical Safety Code

   A two-storey motel without cooking facilities in its units measures 800 m² on outside dimensions and has 6000 W of banquet-room lighting. Heating is gas, and no other loads are included. What is the Rule 8-208 demand load?

   1. 16 500 W
   2. 17 600 W
   3. 18 800 W
   4. 22 000 W
   Show the answer

   B. Correct. Rule 8-208 1): 20 W/m² × 800 m² = 16 000 W, plus the 6000 W of special-area lighting = 22 000 W. The building is not over 900 m², so 8-208 2) a) applies 80 % to the whole balance of the load: 0.80 × 22 000 W = 17 600 W.

   Why not the others

   A. This uses the 75 % school factor of Rule 8-204. Hotels, motels and dormitories of 900 m² or less take 80 % of the load other than space heating (Rule 8-208 2) a)).

   C. This applies 80 % to the basic area load only and keeps the banquet lighting at 100 % (12 800 W + 6000 W). Rule 8-208 2) a) applies the 80 % to all of the load other than space heating.

   D. This is the connected load with no demand factor. Rule 8-208 2) a) permits 80 % for a building of 900 m² or less.

   Source: ESA exam outline, Section 1: Ontario Electrical Safety Code; OESC Rule 8-208

4. Procedural · Section 1 · Ontario Electrical Safety Code

   A building's power system uses two driven rods as its grounding electrode. A communications provider now drives its own rod at the same building. What does Rule 10-104 require of the new rod?

   1. At least 3 m from the other electrodes, and interconnected with them
   2. At least 2 m from the other electrodes, and interconnected with them
   3. At least 2 m from the other electrodes, and isolated from them
   4. At least 6 m from the other electrodes, and isolated from them
   Show the answer

   B. Correct. Rule 10-104 requires multiple electrodes at a building to be separated by at least 2 m and interconnected with a conductor of grounding-conductor material and size, protected as a grounding conductor would be, so the systems stay at the same potential.

   Why not the others

   A. 3 m is the spacing between the two rods of a manufactured rod electrode (Rule 10-102 2) a)). Electrodes of different systems at a building need at least 2 m under Rule 10-104 a).

   C. Rule 10-104 b) requires the electrodes to be interconnected, not isolated, with a conductor sized and protected as for a grounding conductor.

   D. Rule 10-104 sets no 6 m spacing (6 m is the length of a field-assembled electrode in Rule 10-102 3)), and it requires interconnection, not isolation.

   Source: ESA exam outline, Section 1: Ontario Electrical Safety Code; OESC Rule 10-104

5. Procedural · Section 2 · Worker Safety

   At an LEC's shop that has a joint committee, an electrician refuses to use a hydraulic cable-reel stand he believes is likely to endanger him, and reports it to his supervisor. Under OHSA s. 43(4), in whose presence must the supervisor investigate?

   1. The electrician and a Ministry inspector called to the shop
   2. The electrician and a certified member representing the LEC
   3. The electrician and a worker member of the committee
   4. The electrician and both co-chairs of the joint committee
   Show the answer

   C. Correct. Section 43(4) has the employer or supervisor investigate forthwith in the presence of the worker and, where there is one, a committee member who represents workers (otherwise a representative or a worker chosen by the union or the workers), who must be made available and attend without delay.

   Why not the others

   A. An inspector comes in only at stage two, if the worker still has reasonable grounds after the employer's investigation (s. 43(6)). Stage one is the supervisor's investigation with a worker representative present.

   B. The person who attends with the worker is from the workers' side: a worker member of the committee, a representative, or a worker the union or workers select (s. 43(4)). A certified member for the employer has no role at this stage.

   D. Section 43(4) requires one person from the workers' side, not both co-chairs; the co-chair chosen by management does not represent workers.

   Source: ESA exam outline, Section 2: Worker Safety; Occupational Health and Safety Act

6. Recall · Section 2 · Worker Safety

   An LEC is buying manufactured portable ladders for its construction crews. Under O. Reg. 213/91 s. 80(1), which ladders may it use at a project?

   1. Any non-conductive ladder, whatever its CSA grade
   2. Ladders meeting CSA Z11 Grade 1, 1A, 1AA or 2
   3. Ladders meeting CSA Z11 Grade 1AA only
   4. Ladders meeting CSA Z11 Grade 1, 1A or 1AA
   Show the answer

   D. Correct. Section 80(1) requires a portable ladder at a project to be manufactured to, and meet the design, performance, test and marking requirements of, a Grade 1, Grade 1A or Grade 1AA ladder in CSA Z11-12. Section 80(2) separately allows certain custom-built single ladders.

   Why not the others

   A. A non-conductive material does not satisfy s. 80(1), which requires a CSA Z11 Grade 1, 1A or 1AA ladder. Keeping conductive ladders away from energized equipment is a separate rule (s. 187).

   B. Grade 2 is not on the s. 80(1) list: only CSA Z11 Grades 1, 1A and 1AA are permitted for a manufactured portable ladder at a project.

   C. Grade 1AA meets the rule, but s. 80(1) also permits Grade 1 and Grade 1A ladders; it does not restrict a project to 1AA.

   Source: ESA exam outline, Section 2: Worker Safety; O. Reg. 213/91

7. Procedural · Section 2 · Worker Safety

   In a factory, a maintenance electrician must trouble-shoot a fault on live 600 V conveyor controls because disconnecting them is not practical. Under Reg. 851 s. 42.1, must a rescue-capable competent person be available and able to see the worker?

   1. Yes; the exemption covers diagnostic testing only
   2. No; testing and trouble-shooting are exempt
   3. Yes; it applies to any live work at 300 V or more
   4. No; it applies only where the voltage exceeds 750 V
   Show the answer

   B. Correct. Section 42.1(3) requires, at a nominal 300 V or more, a suitably equipped competent person able to recognize the hazards and perform rescue, including artificial respiration, to be available and able to see the worker, but s. 42.1(4) exempts equipment testing and trouble-shooting operations.

   Why not the others

   A. Diagnostic testing only is the narrower O. Reg. 213/91 s. 191(9) exemption for projects. Reg. 851 s. 42.1(4) exempts equipment testing and trouble-shooting.

   C. The 300 V threshold is right, but s. 42.1(4) removes the requirement for equipment testing and trouble-shooting operations.

   D. The rescue-person rule starts at a nominal 300 V, not 750 V. This case is exempt only because it is trouble-shooting (s. 42.1(4)).

   Source: ESA exam outline, Section 2: Worker Safety; R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 851

8. Procedural · Section 3 · Business Administration

   An LEC gives notice of adjudication to a general contractor and the two agree on a registry adjudicator, who has not consented four days after the notice. The subcontract names a different person as the adjudicator for any dispute. Under Construction Act s. 13.9, the LEC must

   1. apply to the Superior Court of Justice for an order appointing an adjudicator
   2. proceed with the adjudicator named in the subcontract
   3. wait seven more days for the agreed adjudicator to consent
   4. ask the Authorized Nominating Authority to appoint a registry adjudicator
   Show the answer

   D. Correct. Under s. 13.9 (4), if the agreed registry adjudicator does not consent within four days after the notice, the party who gave the notice must request an appointment from the Authorized Nominating Authority, which appoints one, with that person's consent, within seven days (s. 13.9 (5)). A subcontract clause naming an adjudicator has no effect (s. 13.9 (3)).

   Why not the others

   A. The Act gives the appointing role to the Authorized Nominating Authority, not the court (ss. 13.3 (1) (d), 13.9 (4), (5)). The court's roles come later, in enforcing a filed determination (s. 13.20).

   B. Section 13.9 (3) makes a contract or subcontract provision that names the adjudicator of no force or effect, so the named person cannot be imposed. The next step is a request to the Authorized Nominating Authority (s. 13.9 (4)).

   C. Seven days is the Authority's time to appoint once asked (s. 13.9 (5)). The Act does not let the notifying party wait: after four days without consent it must request an appointment (s. 13.9 (4)).

   Source: ESA exam outline, Section 3: Business Administration; Construction Act

9. Recall · Section 3 · Business Administration

   An LEC's direct-agreement form for a homeowner's $9 800 service upgrade shows one lump-sum price. Under O. Reg. 17/05 s. 35 (1), besides the total payable and the payment terms, the agreement must set out

   1. a description of the work, with the lump sum as the only price
   2. a labour and materials split, with taxes left for the final invoice
   3. the lump sum and the 10 % estimate tolerance that applies to it
   4. an itemized price list for the goods and services, including taxes
   Show the answer

   D. Correct. O. Reg. 17/05 s. 35 (1) para. 9 requires an itemized list of the prices of the goods and services, including taxes and shipping charges, alongside the total payable (para. 7) and the terms of payment (para. 8). A lump sum alone does not meet s. 42, and a non-compliant copy extends the consumer's cancellation right to one year (s. 43 (2)).

   Why not the others

   A. A fair and accurate description of the work is required (s. 35 (1) para. 6), but para. 9 also requires an itemized list of the prices of the goods and services, including taxes; a lump sum alone does not meet it.

   B. Para. 9 of s. 35 (1) requires the itemized prices to include taxes in the agreement itself, not on a later invoice.

   C. The 10 % estimate limit applies by law (CPA s. 10) whether or not it is stated, and it is not a content item of s. 35 (1). Para. 9 requires an itemized price list for the goods and services, including taxes.

   Source: ESA exam outline, Section 3: Business Administration; O. Reg. 17/05; Consumer Protection Act, 2002

10. Recall · Section 3 · Business Administration

    An LEC apprentice employed for six months calls in sick for one day under Employment Standards Act, 2000 s. 50. The LEC's policy asks for a doctor's note for every sick day. What evidence may the LEC require?

    1. Reasonable evidence other than a medical certificate
    2. A note from a physician confirming the illness and its dates
    3. A certificate from a registered nurse or a psychologist
    4. No evidence at all, since sick days need no proof
    Show the answer

    A. Correct. Section 50 (6) lets the employer require evidence reasonable in the circumstances, and s. 50 (6.1) bars requiring a certificate from a qualified health practitioner (a physician, registered nurse or psychologist). The leave is up to three unpaid days a calendar year after two consecutive weeks of employment (s. 50 (1), (2)).

    Why not the others

    B. A physician's note is what s. 50 (6.1) forbids the employer to require for this leave. The LEC may ask for other evidence reasonable in the circumstances under s. 50 (6).

    C. Registered nurses and psychologists are also qualified health practitioners under s. 50 (0.1), so a certificate from them cannot be required either (s. 50 (6.1)).

    D. The Act does let the employer ask for proof: s. 50 (6) permits evidence reasonable in the circumstances. What it forbids is requiring a certificate from a physician, registered nurse or psychologist.

    Source: ESA exam outline, Section 3: Business Administration; Employment Standards Act, 2000

03Answer key

04More free questions

For the exam itself, the Ontario Master Electrician exam guide covers the three sections, the pass rule, the books you may bring and the fee, and the Master Electrician practice test page has five more sample questions and describes the full TicketPrep ME bank. Each section also has ten free questions of its own: Section 1, Section 2, Section 3. The same free format covers the electrical Red Seal trades too.

How these questions are written and checked: how our questions are made. Found a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it. TicketPrep is an independent study site; it is not affiliated with ESA (the Electrical Safety Authority) or CSA Group. Nothing here is taken from the exam, and no OESC text, table or definition is reproduced: the questions cite Rule numbers and explain each requirement in their own words.