Page 1 of 127
South Carolina Burglar Alarm License Exam Questions
and Correct Answers with EXPLANATIONS LATEST THIS
YEAR
Summarized Exam Coverage
The South Carolina Burglar Alarm License Exam is administered by PSI and required for anyone engaging
in the alarm system business (installation, maintenance, or monitoring). Candidates must pass
the Burglar Alarm Exam (50 questions, 35 correct to pass, 3 hours, open-book) and the Alarm Code of
Laws Exam.
Key topics include: Ohm’s Law and electrical theory; circuit types (series, parallel); alarm system
components (control panels, sensors, contacts); NEC Articles 725 and 800 for low-voltage wiring;
detection technologies (PIR, dual-technology, glass-break); communication methods (POTS, cellular, IP);
SC licensing requirements and exemptions; qualifying party rules; registered employee requirements;
Enhanced Call Verification (ECV); NTS Level I certification; and financial group requirements ($10,000–
$250,000 net worth based on job limits).
1. What is the primary purpose of Ohm’s Law in electrical circuits?
A) To calculate frequency
B) To relate voltage, current, and resistance
C) To determine power factor
D) To measure energy consumption
Answer: B
Ohm’s Law states that voltage equals current multiplied by resistance (V = IR), defining the relationship
between these three fundamental quantities .
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2. Which unit is used to measure electrical current?
A) Volt
B) Ohm
C) Ampere
D) Watt
Answer: C
Electrical current is measured in amperes (amps), representing the rate of electron flow through a
conductor .
3. In alarm system wiring, which color is most commonly associated with the ground wire per NEC?
A) Black
B) White
C) Red
D) Green or bare
Answer: D
The National Electrical Code (NEC) designates green or bare copper for grounding conductors to ensure
safety and consistency .
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4. What does the term “AC” stand for in electrical systems?
A) Alternating Current
B) Absolute Current
C) Alternating Circuit
D) Active Conduction
Answer: A
AC stands for Alternating Current, where electrons periodically reverse direction, unlike DC which flows
constantly one way .
5. Which device is used to protect circuits from overcurrent?
A) Transformer
B) Capacitor
C) Circuit breaker
D) Diode
Answer: C
A circuit breaker protects circuits by automatically interrupting current flow when it exceeds a safe limit,
preventing fires and damage .
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6. What is the function of a resistor in an electrical circuit?
A) Store electrical energy
B) Increase current flow
C) Limit or control current
D) Convert AC to DC
Answer: C
Resistors limit or control current flow in a circuit, providing precise resistance values to protect
components .
7. In alarm systems, what component converts an analog signal to digital?
A) Sensor
B) Analog-to-digital converter
C) Relay
D) Transformer
Answer: B
An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) transforms continuous analog signals into discrete digital values for
processing by control panels .
South Carolina Burglar Alarm License Exam Questions
and Correct Answers with EXPLANATIONS LATEST THIS
YEAR
Summarized Exam Coverage
The South Carolina Burglar Alarm License Exam is administered by PSI and required for anyone engaging
in the alarm system business (installation, maintenance, or monitoring). Candidates must pass
the Burglar Alarm Exam (50 questions, 35 correct to pass, 3 hours, open-book) and the Alarm Code of
Laws Exam.
Key topics include: Ohm’s Law and electrical theory; circuit types (series, parallel); alarm system
components (control panels, sensors, contacts); NEC Articles 725 and 800 for low-voltage wiring;
detection technologies (PIR, dual-technology, glass-break); communication methods (POTS, cellular, IP);
SC licensing requirements and exemptions; qualifying party rules; registered employee requirements;
Enhanced Call Verification (ECV); NTS Level I certification; and financial group requirements ($10,000–
$250,000 net worth based on job limits).
1. What is the primary purpose of Ohm’s Law in electrical circuits?
A) To calculate frequency
B) To relate voltage, current, and resistance
C) To determine power factor
D) To measure energy consumption
Answer: B
Ohm’s Law states that voltage equals current multiplied by resistance (V = IR), defining the relationship
between these three fundamental quantities .
, Page 2 of 127
2. Which unit is used to measure electrical current?
A) Volt
B) Ohm
C) Ampere
D) Watt
Answer: C
Electrical current is measured in amperes (amps), representing the rate of electron flow through a
conductor .
3. In alarm system wiring, which color is most commonly associated with the ground wire per NEC?
A) Black
B) White
C) Red
D) Green or bare
Answer: D
The National Electrical Code (NEC) designates green or bare copper for grounding conductors to ensure
safety and consistency .
, Page 3 of 127
4. What does the term “AC” stand for in electrical systems?
A) Alternating Current
B) Absolute Current
C) Alternating Circuit
D) Active Conduction
Answer: A
AC stands for Alternating Current, where electrons periodically reverse direction, unlike DC which flows
constantly one way .
5. Which device is used to protect circuits from overcurrent?
A) Transformer
B) Capacitor
C) Circuit breaker
D) Diode
Answer: C
A circuit breaker protects circuits by automatically interrupting current flow when it exceeds a safe limit,
preventing fires and damage .
, Page 4 of 127
6. What is the function of a resistor in an electrical circuit?
A) Store electrical energy
B) Increase current flow
C) Limit or control current
D) Convert AC to DC
Answer: C
Resistors limit or control current flow in a circuit, providing precise resistance values to protect
components .
7. In alarm systems, what component converts an analog signal to digital?
A) Sensor
B) Analog-to-digital converter
C) Relay
D) Transformer
Answer: B
An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) transforms continuous analog signals into discrete digital values for
processing by control panels .
