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Alberta Electrician Apprenticeship Certification Exam
(Third Period) Questions with Correct Answers and
explanations LATEST THIS YEAR -JUST RELEASED
Alberta Electrician Apprenticeship Certification Exam (Third Period)
Below is a summarized exam coverage for the Alberta Electrician Third Period Apprenticeship
Exam based on the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) curriculum, followed by 250
randomized, scenario-based MCQs with answers and italicized rationales. All questions are aligned with
the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) and third-period competencies including motors, transformers,
power distribution, protection systems, VFDs, and advanced electrical theory. Passing requirement
is 70% on the AIT Period Final Exam .
Summarized Exam Coverage — Alberta Electrician Third Period
The Third Period technical training builds on previous levels with advanced topics including: three-phase
power systems (wye/delta connections, line/phase relationships, power
calculations), transformers (single and three-phase connections, kVA ratings, turns ratio,
efficiency), AC/DC motors (synchronous speed, starting torque characteristics, NEMA designs, motor
starters), motor control circuits (VFDs, soft starters, reversing circuits), overcurrent protection (circuit
breakers, fuses, sizing), grounding and bonding (system grounding, equipment grounding, neutral
grounding resistors), power factor correction (capacitor banks, synchronous
condensers), instrumentation (CTs, PTs, metering), protective relaying (differential, overcurrent, ground
fault), hazardous locations, Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) calculations (voltage drop, conductor
ampacity, derating), lockout/tagout (CSA Z462), and arc flash hazard analysis .
1. A synchronous condenser is installed at the end of a long transmission line. What is its primary
purpose in this application?
A) Step down voltage for distribution
B) Provide reactive power for power factor correction
C) Convert AC to DC for transmission
D) Limit fault current during short circuits
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Answer: B
Rationale: Synchronous condensers generate or absorb reactive power (VARs) to regulate voltage and
improve power factor without consuming significant active power .
2. A capacitor-start induction motor fails to start but hums when power is applied. The running winding
draws current. What is the most likely faulty component?
A) Run capacitor
B) Start capacitor or centrifugal switch
C) Thermal overload element
D) Rotor bars
Answer: B
Rationale: Capacitor-start motors require the start capacitor and centrifugal switch to disconnect it. A
failed start capacitor or stuck open centrifugal switch prevents starting torque .
3. In a 120/208 V wye-connected three-phase system, what is the phase voltage (line-to-neutral) and
why is this configuration common for commercial buildings?
A) 120 V — provides both 120 V single-phase and 208 V three-phase
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B) 208 V — only three-phase loads are served
C) 277 V — for fluorescent lighting
D) 347 V — for industrial machinery
Answer: A
*Rationale: In a 120/208 V wye system, 120 V is line-to-neutral and 208 V is line-to-line, offering dual
voltages for general-purpose receptacles (120 V) and three-phase equipment (208 V) .*
4. What is the synchronous speed of an 8-pole, 60 Hz AC induction motor?
A) 600 rpm
B) 900 rpm
C) 1200 rpm
D) 1800 rpm
Answer: B
*Rationale: Synchronous speed formula: Ns = 120 × f / P = 120 × = 900 rpm .*
5. A transformer has 600 primary turns and 100 secondary turns with 240 V applied to the primary.
What is the secondary voltage?
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A) 24 V
B) 40 V
C) 60 V
D) 100 V
Answer: B
*Rationale: Turns ratio = Np/Ns = 600/100 = 6:1. Secondary voltage = Vp × Ns/Np = 240 × 100/600 = 40
V .*
6. You are selecting a transformer for a 15 kVA, 600 V primary to 120 V secondary single-phase
application. What is the primary full-load current?
A) 12.5 A
B) 18 A
C) 25 A
D) 50 A
Answer: C
*Rationale: I = (kVA × 1000) / V = 15, = 25 A .*
Alberta Electrician Apprenticeship Certification Exam
(Third Period) Questions with Correct Answers and
explanations LATEST THIS YEAR -JUST RELEASED
Alberta Electrician Apprenticeship Certification Exam (Third Period)
Below is a summarized exam coverage for the Alberta Electrician Third Period Apprenticeship
Exam based on the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) curriculum, followed by 250
randomized, scenario-based MCQs with answers and italicized rationales. All questions are aligned with
the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) and third-period competencies including motors, transformers,
power distribution, protection systems, VFDs, and advanced electrical theory. Passing requirement
is 70% on the AIT Period Final Exam .
Summarized Exam Coverage — Alberta Electrician Third Period
The Third Period technical training builds on previous levels with advanced topics including: three-phase
power systems (wye/delta connections, line/phase relationships, power
calculations), transformers (single and three-phase connections, kVA ratings, turns ratio,
efficiency), AC/DC motors (synchronous speed, starting torque characteristics, NEMA designs, motor
starters), motor control circuits (VFDs, soft starters, reversing circuits), overcurrent protection (circuit
breakers, fuses, sizing), grounding and bonding (system grounding, equipment grounding, neutral
grounding resistors), power factor correction (capacitor banks, synchronous
condensers), instrumentation (CTs, PTs, metering), protective relaying (differential, overcurrent, ground
fault), hazardous locations, Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) calculations (voltage drop, conductor
ampacity, derating), lockout/tagout (CSA Z462), and arc flash hazard analysis .
1. A synchronous condenser is installed at the end of a long transmission line. What is its primary
purpose in this application?
A) Step down voltage for distribution
B) Provide reactive power for power factor correction
C) Convert AC to DC for transmission
D) Limit fault current during short circuits
, Page 2 of 123
Answer: B
Rationale: Synchronous condensers generate or absorb reactive power (VARs) to regulate voltage and
improve power factor without consuming significant active power .
2. A capacitor-start induction motor fails to start but hums when power is applied. The running winding
draws current. What is the most likely faulty component?
A) Run capacitor
B) Start capacitor or centrifugal switch
C) Thermal overload element
D) Rotor bars
Answer: B
Rationale: Capacitor-start motors require the start capacitor and centrifugal switch to disconnect it. A
failed start capacitor or stuck open centrifugal switch prevents starting torque .
3. In a 120/208 V wye-connected three-phase system, what is the phase voltage (line-to-neutral) and
why is this configuration common for commercial buildings?
A) 120 V — provides both 120 V single-phase and 208 V three-phase
, Page 3 of 123
B) 208 V — only three-phase loads are served
C) 277 V — for fluorescent lighting
D) 347 V — for industrial machinery
Answer: A
*Rationale: In a 120/208 V wye system, 120 V is line-to-neutral and 208 V is line-to-line, offering dual
voltages for general-purpose receptacles (120 V) and three-phase equipment (208 V) .*
4. What is the synchronous speed of an 8-pole, 60 Hz AC induction motor?
A) 600 rpm
B) 900 rpm
C) 1200 rpm
D) 1800 rpm
Answer: B
*Rationale: Synchronous speed formula: Ns = 120 × f / P = 120 × = 900 rpm .*
5. A transformer has 600 primary turns and 100 secondary turns with 240 V applied to the primary.
What is the secondary voltage?
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A) 24 V
B) 40 V
C) 60 V
D) 100 V
Answer: B
*Rationale: Turns ratio = Np/Ns = 600/100 = 6:1. Secondary voltage = Vp × Ns/Np = 240 × 100/600 = 40
V .*
6. You are selecting a transformer for a 15 kVA, 600 V primary to 120 V secondary single-phase
application. What is the primary full-load current?
A) 12.5 A
B) 18 A
C) 25 A
D) 50 A
Answer: C
*Rationale: I = (kVA × 1000) / V = 15, = 25 A .*
