Massachusetts Oil Burner Practice Exam
Questions With Verified Definitions
Updated 2026
1). The cross connection between two supply tanks shall not exceed?
✔ Ans: 660 gallons
2). When is an automatic draft control not required?
✔ Ans: When the equipment is designed to control the draft
3). Combustion performance testing can indicate:
✔ Ans: Improper air-oil mixture, too much combustion air, and low pump pressure
4). Oil lines buried in concrete should be:
✔ Ans: Sleeved in plastic or PVC pipe with no fittings below the floor
5). Fuel units (oil pumps) perform the following functions:
✔ Ans: Move oil from the tank to the burner and deliver oil at a constant regulated
pressure to the nozzle
6). The best way to clear a clogged oil line is to:
✔ Ans: Use a hand pump to pull the blockage out
7). If the oil level in the tank is 4 feet below the fuel unit and 10 feet away, the
approximate vacuum should be:
, ✔ Ans: 5 – 6 inches of vacuum
8). Increasing the fuel pump pressure will:
✔ Ans: Increase the flow rate
9). The purpose of an oil burner nozzle is to:
✔ Ans: Atomize the oil, provide a pattern of oil spray, and meter the amount of oil
burned
10). When replacing a nozzle:
✔ Ans: Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations
11). To reduce combustion problems caused by cold oil:
✔ Ans: Increase the pump pressure, install a nozzle line pre-heater, or use
additives/kerosene to lower viscosity
12). What is the minimum wire gauge allowed on oil burner circuits?
✔ Ans: 14 gauge minimum
13). How should an oil tank be supported?
✔ Ans: Rigid non-combustible supports to prevent settling, sliding, or lifting
14). How is an oil burner wired?
✔ Ans: Intermittent or interrupted
15). What does “intermittent” mean in oil burner wiring?
✔ Ans: The ignition transformer stays energized throughout the entire burner
on-cycle
Questions With Verified Definitions
Updated 2026
1). The cross connection between two supply tanks shall not exceed?
✔ Ans: 660 gallons
2). When is an automatic draft control not required?
✔ Ans: When the equipment is designed to control the draft
3). Combustion performance testing can indicate:
✔ Ans: Improper air-oil mixture, too much combustion air, and low pump pressure
4). Oil lines buried in concrete should be:
✔ Ans: Sleeved in plastic or PVC pipe with no fittings below the floor
5). Fuel units (oil pumps) perform the following functions:
✔ Ans: Move oil from the tank to the burner and deliver oil at a constant regulated
pressure to the nozzle
6). The best way to clear a clogged oil line is to:
✔ Ans: Use a hand pump to pull the blockage out
7). If the oil level in the tank is 4 feet below the fuel unit and 10 feet away, the
approximate vacuum should be:
, ✔ Ans: 5 – 6 inches of vacuum
8). Increasing the fuel pump pressure will:
✔ Ans: Increase the flow rate
9). The purpose of an oil burner nozzle is to:
✔ Ans: Atomize the oil, provide a pattern of oil spray, and meter the amount of oil
burned
10). When replacing a nozzle:
✔ Ans: Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations
11). To reduce combustion problems caused by cold oil:
✔ Ans: Increase the pump pressure, install a nozzle line pre-heater, or use
additives/kerosene to lower viscosity
12). What is the minimum wire gauge allowed on oil burner circuits?
✔ Ans: 14 gauge minimum
13). How should an oil tank be supported?
✔ Ans: Rigid non-combustible supports to prevent settling, sliding, or lifting
14). How is an oil burner wired?
✔ Ans: Intermittent or interrupted
15). What does “intermittent” mean in oil burner wiring?
✔ Ans: The ignition transformer stays energized throughout the entire burner
on-cycle
