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USCG Electrical, Electronic and Control Engineering Practice Test

300 Electrical, Electronic and Control Engineering questions from 7 of the National Maritime Center’s published sample exams, each with the NMC’s answer key. Questions that need an illustration, a chart or a reference book are left out.

60 of them come with the closest regulation or reference section, shown with the answer.

Take a quiz of 10 drawn at random, or read the 10 sample questions and answers below.

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Take a 10-question quiz

10 at random from all 300, with each answer as soon as you pick.

10 sample Electrical, Electronic and Control Engineering questions with answers

The same 10 on every visit. A related section is the closest match RegKnot found in the regulations and references; it is not part of the NMC’s answer key.

  1. Question 1 · Assistant Engineer – Limited

    While standing an "at sea watch" onboard an AC diesel-electric drive ship with a synchronous propulsion motor with the ability to vary the field excitation strength and still remain in synchronism. Ideally what would be the character of the power factor associated with the main power distribution system including all motors?

    • A.unity (correct answer)
    • B.zero
    • C.leading
    • D.lagging

    Answer: A. unity

    Related regulation: NVIC 15-14 Encl.4 — CH-6 to Guidelines on Qualification for STCW Endorsements as Chief Engineer Officer and Second Engineer Officer on Ships Powered by Main Propulsion Machinery of 3000 kW/4000 HP Propulsion Power or More (MANAGEMENT LEVEL), NVIC 15-14, COMDTPUB 16721 — Enclosure (4)

  2. Question 2 · Chief Engineer – Limited

    A three-phase, induction-type motor experiences an open in one phase. Which of the listed automatic protective devices will prevent the motor from being damaged?

    • A.Magnetic blowout coil
    • B.Thermal overload relay (correct answer)
    • C.Overspeed trip
    • D.Three-pole safety switch

    Answer: B. Thermal overload relay

    Related regulation: 46 CFR 169.684 ↗ — Overcurrent protection for motors and motor branch circuits

  3. Question 3 · OSV – Chief Engineer

    A three-phase, induction-type motor experiences an open in one phase. Which of the listed automatic protective devices will prevent the motor from being damaged?

    • A.Magnetic blowout coil
    • B.Thermal overload relay (correct answer)
    • C.Three-pole safety switch
    • D.Overspeed trip

    Answer: B. Thermal overload relay

    Related regulation: 46 CFR 169.684 ↗ — Overcurrent protection for motors and motor branch circuits

  4. Question 4 · DDE – Unlimited HP

    Assuming the vessel has an engine control room, where is an engineers' assistance needed alarm required to produce an audible signal-

    • A.The engineers' accommodation spaces (correct answer)
    • B.The engine room/machinery space
    • C.The crew's and officers' mess
    • D.The wheelhouse/navigational bridge

    Answer: A. The engineers' accommodation spaces

    Related regulation: 46 CFR 113.27-1 ↗ — Engineers' assistance-needed alarm

  5. Question 5 · First Assistant Engineer

    Under unusual circumstances, it may be required to operate a ship's service generator above its rated kVA. What supplemental casualty control action will be required?

    • A.While maintaining the rated system frequency, lower the operating voltage to at least 5% below the rated system voltage.
    • B.Increase the cooling water flow, while maintaining air temperatures above the dew point to avoid any condensation. (correct answer)
    • C.While maintaining the rated system voltage, lower the operating frequency to at least 5% below the rated system frequency.
    • D.Increase the cooling water flow, while maintaining air temperatures below the dew point for increased cooling effect.

    Answer: B. Increase the cooling water flow, while maintaining air temperatures above the dew point to avoid any condensation.

    Related regulation: 46 CFR 111.10-4 ↗ — Power requirements, generating sources

  6. Question 6 · DDE – Unlimited HP

    Suppose an ungrounded 3-phase distribution system is fitted with a lamp-type ground detecting circuit with 3 lamps. If an accidental ground is displayed continuously, what is the indication on the switchboard of a single grounded conductor?

    • A.One lamp would be extremely bright and the others would be extremely dim or go out
    • B.One lamp would be extremely dim or go out and the others would be extremely bright (correct answer)
    • C.All three lamps would be extremely dim or go out
    • D.All three lamps would be extremely bright

    Answer: B. One lamp would be extremely dim or go out and the others would be extremely bright

    Related regulation: 46 CFR 120.378 ↗ — Ungrounded systems

  7. Question 7 · DDE – Unlimited HP

    When testing insulation resistance of electric equipment and machinery, ideally when should the insulation resistance be tested for the lowest normal insulation values?

    • A.every time the brush rigging is adjusted
    • B.every 30 days whether the machine is in use or not
    • C.immediately after starting up the machine
    • D.immediately after shutting down the machine (correct answer)

    Answer: D. immediately after shutting down the machine

    Related regulation: NVIC 05-86 Encl.1 — Voluntary Standards for U.S. Uninspected Commercial Fishing Vessels — Enclosure (1)

  8. Question 8 · First Assistant Engineer

    How are fuses usually rated?

    • A.watts only
    • B.amps only
    • C.volts and amps only
    • D.volts, amps, and interrupting capacity (correct answer)

    Answer: D. volts, amps, and interrupting capacity

    Related regulation: 46 CFR 111.53-1 ↗ — General

  9. Question 9 · OSV – Assistant Engineer

    What is the primary means by which an electrical maintenance worker is protected from electrical hazards while performing work on an electrical circuit?

    • A.shutting down the necessary equipment
    • B.using the appropriate personal protective equipment
    • C.performing a lock-out/tag-out procedure (correct answer)
    • D.posting of safety warning signs

    Answer: C. performing a lock-out/tag-out procedure

    Related regulation: 33 CFR 142.90 ↗ — Lockout and tagout

  10. Question 10 · Third Assistant Engineer

    When a battery-operated megohmmeter (insulation tester) is used to perform a dielectric absorption test, the resistance is measured and recorded from each conductor to ground each minute for 10 consecutive minutes. What condition accounts for a gradual rise in resistance each successive minute?

    • A.The insulation has direct continuity with ground.
    • B.The insulation is in good condition. (correct answer)
    • C.The insulation is cracked and otherwise deteriorated.
    • D.The insulation is contaminated with moisture.

    Answer: B. The insulation is in good condition.

    Related regulation: NVIC 05-86 Encl.1 — Voluntary Standards for U.S. Uninspected Commercial Fishing Vessels — Enclosure (1)

Exams these questions come from

Choose one when you start the quiz. A question can appear in more than one exam, so these add up to more than 300.

  • OSV – Assistant Engineer53 questions
  • DDE – Unlimited HP48 questions
  • Third Assistant Engineer48 questions
  • Assistant Engineer – Limited47 questions
  • First Assistant Engineer45 questions
  • OSV – Chief Engineer44 questions
  • Chief Engineer – Limited37 questions

More USCG practice tests

The questions and answer keys are from the U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center’s published sample exams. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard or the National Maritime Center. A practice score does not predict your exam result; check the NMC for current exam requirements.