Self-Test Electrical Basics

TEST YOUR AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE
Copyright 2020 AA1Car.com & CarleySoftware.com
This self-test can help you determine how much you really know about this subject.
Questions are written in the ASE style format and are multiple choice.
The answer key is on the last page.
There are also links to related articles on the https://www.AA1Car.com website.

Good luck!
__________________________________________________________________
BASIC ELECTRICAL SELF-TEST

1. All modern internal combustion engine powered cars and light truck have what kind of
basic electrical system?
A. Positive ground 12 volt

B. Positive ground 5 volt
C. Negative ground 12 volt
D. Negative ground 12 volt
2. VOLTAGE is what?:
a. The volume or amount of electricity flowing through a wire or circuit
b. The force that pushes electricity through a wire or circuit
c. The magnetic field around electricity moving through a wire or circuit
d. The power produced by electricity moving through a wire or circuit
3. CURRENT is what?
a. The volume or amount of electricity flowing through a wire or circuit
b. The force that pushes electricity through a wire or circuit
c. The magnetic field around electricity moving through a wire or circuit
d. The power produced by electricity moving through a wire or circuit
4. RESISTANCE is what?
a. An electrical property that slows the flow of electricity through a wire or circuit
b. The power consumed by a component in an electrical circuit
c. A force that repels or stops the flow of electricity in a wire or circuit
d. A force that increases the flow of electricity in a wire or circuit
5. Technician A says “OHMS LAW” explains the basic relationship between VOLTS, AMPS
and OHMS.
Technician B says the CURRENT (AMPs) equals COLTAGE divided by RESISTANCE.
Who is right?
a. Technician A only
b. Technician B only
c. BOTH Technician A and B
d. Neither Technician A nor B
6. If a wire or circuit has HIGH RESISTANCE, how will that affect CURRENT?
a. No effect on current
b. Increased current
c. Reduced current
d. No current
7. If a wiring connector or battery cable is loose or corroded and is making poor contact,
what effect would it have on that circuit?
a. It would reduce CURRRENT
b. It would increase RESISTANCE
c. It would reduce VOLTAGE
d. All of the above
8. RESISTANCE is measured in what units of measure?

a. Watts
b. Volts
c. Ohms
d. Amps
9. CURRENT is measured in what units of measure?

a. Watts
b. Volts
c. Ohms
d. Amps
10. Electrical POWER is measured in what units of measure?

a. Watts
b. Volts
c. Ohms
d. Amps
11. If an OHM meter measures ZERO resistance in a circuit, what does it mean?
a. There is an OPEN in the circuit
b. There is a SHORT circuit
c. There is no CURRENT in the circuit
d. There is no VOLTAGE in the circuit
12. If an OHM meter measures INFINITE resistance in a circuit, what does it mean?
b. There is a SHORT circuit
c. There is no CURRENT in the circuit
d. There is no VOLTAGE in the circuit
13. A basic DVOM can usually measure what?

a. Digital signals, Volts, Ohms and Mass airflow
b. AC & DC Volts, Ohms, Amps
c. Dwell, Voltage, Ohms, OBD2 Monitors
d. Sensor waveforms, OBD2 status, Fault Codes and More
14. A 12V Test Light is used for what?
a. To measure battery voltage
b. To check circuit continuity
c. To measure circuit current
d. To measure circuit resistance
15. An Ohm Meter should NEVER be connected to:

a. The positive and negative terminals on a car battery
b. A “live” circuit with power on
c. Terminals on a control module or engine computer
d. All of the above
16. Technician A says a 12 volt car battery or electrical circuit cannot shock you.
Technician B says high voltage hybrid batteries, electrical components or wiring can
produce a dangerous and possibly deadly shock.
Who is right?
c. Both Technician A and B
17. Electricity that flows in short pulses or with an on and off pattern is what ?
a. Alternating Current (AC)
b. Direct Current (DC)
c. A Digital Current
d. A defective current
18. A Voltage Drop Test will tell you if a battery cable or wiring connection is good or bad.
What is a “Good” voltage drop reading?
a. 12 volts
b. 10 volts
c. 1 volt
d. 0.1 volt
19. When electricity flows through a wire, what happens?

a. It creates a magnetic field around the wire
b. It may produce Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) or Electromagnetic Interference
(EMI)
c. It increases the temperature of the wire
d. All of the above
20. A HIGH CURRENT in a circuit with little resistance may do ANY of the following
EXCEPT:
a. Melt insulation around the wiring or start a fire
b. Damage components or modules in the circuit
c. Blow a fuse
d. Increase the VOLTAGE in the circuit
21. Technician A says the diameter or GAUGE SIZE of a wire determines how much
CURRENT it can safely handle.
Technician B says an 18 gauge wire can handle more CURRENT than a 12 gauge wire.
Who is right?
22. Technician A says you can replace a blown fuse with one that has a HIGHER amp rating
than the original to prevent the fuse from blowing again.
Technician B says when a fuse blows, it stops the CURRENT in a circuit to prevent an
overload.
Who is right?
23. If a circuit repeatedly blows a fuse as soon as you replace it, it means what?
b. There is a SHORT in the circuit
c. There is too much RESISTANCE in the circuit
d. There is not enough VOLTAGE in the circuit
24. Technician A says a RELAY is a device that uses a small control current to switch a
larger current on and off.
Technician B says you can test a RELAY by applying voltage to the control circuit sideo
f the relay to see if it turns the output circuit on or off.
Who is right?
25. If you replace a RELAY in a circuit that is not working with a new RELAY, and the circuit
still does not work, what does it mean?
a. The original relay was not defective
b. There may be a wiring problem in the circuit or a defective component
c. The circuit may have a blown fuse
d. ANY of the above
(Answer Key on Next Page)

ANSWER KEY:
1C, 2B, 3A, 4A, 5C, 6C, 7D, 8C, 9D, 10A, 11B, 12A, 13B, 14B, 15D, 16D,
17C, 18D, 19D, 20D, 21A, 22B, 23B, 24C, 25D
Electrical Related Articles on AA1Car.com:
Battery Safety & Jump Starting
Hybrid Safety Hazards
Starting & Charging System Troubleshooting
Charging System Checks (alternator testing)
Troubleshooting electrical problems
Electrical Loads for Automotive Systems, Lighting and Accessories
Voltage Drop Testing
Automotive Electrical Circuits
Power Centers: Relays & Fuses
Troubleshooting Power Windows
Troubleshoot Electronic Instrument Cluster
Troubleshooting Headlights
Lights (headlights & bulbs)
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Headlights
Headlight Frequently Asked Questions
Battery, Charging, Starting Systems Self-Test Quiz

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TEST YOUR AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE

Copyright 2020 AA1Car.com & CarleySoftware.com

The answer key is on the last page.

There are also links to related articles on the https://www.AA1Car.com website.

BASIC ELECTRICAL SELF-TEST

A. Positive ground 12 volt

8. RESISTANCE is measured in what units of measure?

9. CURRENT is measured in what units of measure?

10. Electrical POWER is measured in what units of measure?

13. A basic DVOM can usually measure what?

15. An Ohm Meter should NEVER be connected to:

19. When electricity flows through a wire, what happens?

(Answer Key on Next Page)

Electrical Related Articles on AA1Car.com:

Battery Safety & Jump Starting

Hybrid Safety Hazards

Starting & Charging System Troubleshooting

Charging System Checks (alternator testing)

Troubleshooting electrical problems

Electrical Loads for Automotive Systems, Lighting and Accessories

Voltage Drop Testing

Automotive Electrical Circuits

Power Centers: Relays & Fuses

Troubleshooting Power Windows

Troubleshoot Electronic Instrument Cluster

Lights (headlights & bulbs)

High Intensity Discharge (HID) Headlights

Headlight Frequently Asked Questions

Battery, Charging, Starting Systems Self-Test Quiz

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