CIC Grade A Electrical Trade Test cheat sheet

Japanese electrical installation practice separates 一般用電気工作物 (general-use, ≤600 V, ≤50 kW demand) from 事業用電気工作物 (business-use); business-use work requires a 電気工事士 or supervised 電気主任技術者.

Cable current-carrying capacity derating: apply ambient temperature correction factor and grouping (number of circuits in the same conduit or rack) factor multiplicatively to the base table value; never add them.

Voltage drop for a single-phase two-wire circuit: e = 2 × L × I × r (r in Ω/m); for three-phase three-wire use e = √3 × L × I × r. Keep drop within 2% for branch circuits and 5% total.

Conduit fill: for three or more conductors, total conductor cross-sectional area must not exceed 40% of the conduit internal area; two conductors 33%, one conductor 53%.

Grounding: 接地工事 types are A (400 V or less, 10 Ω or less in principle), C (200 V class, 100 Ω or less), and D (300 V or less low-current, 500 Ω or less); A-class applies to 400 V circuits and metal enclosures of high-voltage equipment.

Fire-resistant compartment penetration: seal with approved firestop rated to the same fire resistance as the wall or floor, and separate power and communication cables in dedicated raceways.

Protection coordination: an overcurrent device must clear a fault before conductor insulation is damaged, so the device rated current must not exceed the cable's allowable current after derating.

Cable tray and busway installation requires support spacing per manufacturer and seismic bracing in Japan per 建築設備耐震設計・施工指針 when the building requires it.

Insulation resistance acceptance: a 300 V or less circuit must read 0.1 MΩ or more with a 500 V insulation tester; 300 V to 750 V circuits require 0.2 MΩ or more.

Grade A (第一種電気工事士) scope covers general-use electrical work up to 600 V plus special high-voltage (高圧) work up to 7,000 V for certain installations; Grade B (第二種) is limited to general-use work at 600 V or less.

Practical exam (技能試験) time is 40 minutes for the standard problem and 60 minutes for the composite problem; points are lost for missing parts, wrong wiring, and unfinished work.

Common practical failures: reversing the 100 V/200 V polarity, leaving a conductor unconnected, wrong ring-sleeve crimp, and insufficient strip length causing exposed copper.

Wiring methods in the practical test: VVF cable is stripped with a VVF stripper, ring sleeves are crimped with a dedicated tool, and connections are made with 差込コネクタ (push-in connectors) or terminal screws.

Illumination circuit switching: a 3-way switch (3路スイッチ) uses three wires between the two switches; a 4-way switch (4路スイッチ) has four terminals and is placed between two 3-way switches.

Pilot lamp and switch wiring: connect the pilot lamp in parallel with the load so it indicates whether the load is energized, not in series with the load.

Leakage breaker (漏電遮断器) rating: select a sensitivity current of 30 mA or less for human protection and 200 mA or less for fire protection of circuits.

Conductor color convention in Japan: black = hot (非接地側), white = neutral (接地側), green = ground; green must never be used as a live conductor.

Cable bending radius: for fixed installation of low-voltage cable, keep the inner radius at 6 times the cable diameter or more; for movable/flexible cable use 4 times or more.

Cable support spacing for VVF on insulators is about 2 m; for vertical runs on a wall, support at every floor and within 1 m of the top and bottom.

Switch and outlet height in Japanese residential practice: switches about 1,200 mm above floor, outlets about 300 mm, and kitchen counter outlets about 1,000 mm above the counter.

Conduit bending: the total bend between pull points must not exceed 360 degrees, and every bend must be made with a bender to avoid kinking and reduced cross-section.

Ground-fault protection: a 漏電遮断器 with 30 mA sensitivity must be installed on wet-location circuits, outdoor outlets, and temporary construction power circuits.

Load calculation for a dwelling: general lighting load is calculated at 30 VA per square meter for the floor area, plus specific appliance loads; apply demand factors per the 内線規程.

Insulation resistance test: use a 500 V megohmmeter for 300 V or less circuits; disconnect the main breaker and appliances before testing to avoid damage and false readings.

The written exam has two parts: 筆記試験 with 一般問題 and 配線図問題; the practical exam (技能試験) is a separate pass/fail hurdle taken after passing the written exam.

General questions cover 電気理論, 配電理論, 配線設計, 電気機器, 発電・送電・変電, 電気応用, 電気工事用材料, and 施工方法.

配線図問題: read the single-line diagram and answer questions on wire size, breaker rating, switch connections, and grounding; check the legend for cable symbols.

Common trap: a 3-way switch circuit requires the traveler wires between the two switches; the common terminal must connect to the load or the source, not to a traveler.

Load current calculation: for a single-phase 100 V load, I = P / (V × power factor); for a three-phase 200 V load, I = P / (√3 × V × power factor).

Breaker selection for a motor: use a breaker rated at 3 times the motor's rated current for direct-on-line starting, or per the manufacturer's recommended table.

Cable ampacity: VVF 2.0 mm² in conduit carries about 24 A (single-phase two-wire, 30 °C ambient), and 1.6 mm² carries about 17 A; always apply derating factors.

Practical exam scoring: each connection point is checked for correct wiring, correct parts, and correct finish; a single wrong connection can fail the whole problem.

Fire alarm and emergency lighting are separate low-voltage systems: emergency lighting must maintain 30 minutes of illumination at 1 lx or more on the floor of the evacuation route.

Cable separation: keep power and signal cables at least 300 mm apart, or use a metal barrier, to reduce electromagnetic interference in communication and control circuits.

Bus duct (busway) installation requires a torque check on joint bolts per the manufacturer's table and a phase-sequence check before energizing.

Grounding conductor sizing: the grounding conductor cross-section must be at least the phase conductor up to 16 mm², and at least half the phase conductor for larger sizes, per the 内線規程.

Panelboard labeling: every circuit breaker must be labeled with the circuit name and rating, and a single-line diagram must be posted near the panel.

Testing before energizing: perform insulation resistance, continuity, and polarity checks, and verify that all terminal screws are torqued to the specified value.

Cable derating for buried conduit: apply a soil thermal resistivity correction and a depth correction in addition to ambient temperature and grouping factors.

Passing criteria: the written exam requires a score of 60% or more overall, and the practical exam is pass/fail based on completing the specified circuit correctly within the time limit.

Material identification: know the difference between VVF (vinyl insulated vinyl sheathed flat cable) and CV cable (cross-linked polyethylene insulated PVC sheathed), and where each is used.

Switch symbols in 配線図: a 3-way switch is drawn with three terminals, a 4-way switch with four; a 漏電遮断器 is drawn with a test button symbol.

Transformer and motor questions: for a single-phase transformer, V1/V2 = N1/N2; for a three-phase induction motor, synchronous speed Ns = 120 f / P.

Power factor correction: a capacitor bank connected in parallel raises the power factor; the required capacitor kvar = P × (tan θ1 − tan θ2).

Cable selection: use 1.6 mm² for lighting circuits, 2.0 mm² for general outlet circuits, and 2.0 mm² or larger for 200 V circuits, per the 内線規程.

Practical exam tools: bring wire strippers, crimping tool, screwdrivers, nippers, and a scale; the test site provides the cable, boxes, and parts.

Common mistake: using the wrong ring sleeve size for the conductor; the sleeve must match the conductor cross-section and the terminal screw size.

Conduit installation: use a 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch conduit for branch circuits; the conduit must be supported within 1 m of each box and at intervals of 2 m or less.

Cable tray fill: the total cable cross-section must not exceed 40% of the tray's usable cross-section for power cables, and 50% for control cables.

Switchboard clearance: maintain at least 1.2 m of working space in front of a switchboard, and 0.8 m at the sides and rear where access is required.

Grounding electrode: a copper-clad steel rod of 14 mm diameter and 1.5 m length is a standard 接地極; the resistance must be 10 Ω or less for A-class grounding.

Cable termination: strip the insulation to the correct length, crimp the terminal, and apply heat-shrink tubing; exposed copper strands are a defect.

Load balance: distribute single-phase loads evenly across the three phases to keep the neutral current low and avoid overload on one phase.

Exam-day checklist: bring the admission ticket, ID, writing tools, and a watch; the practical exam does not allow sharing tools.

Time management: in the 40-minute practical problem, allocate about 10 minutes for layout and stripping, 25 minutes for wiring, and 5 minutes for final inspection.

Wiring sequence: connect the ground first, then the neutral, then the hot; this reduces the risk of accidental short circuits during assembly.

Inspection points: check that all screws are tight, no copper is exposed, the cable is not pinched, and the circuit operates as specified.

Written exam strategy: answer the 配線図 questions first if you are confident, then return to calculation questions; do not leave blanks because there is no penalty for guessing.

Regulation reference: the 電気設備技術基準 and 内線規程 are the primary sources for installation rules; the exam tests their application, not memorization of article numbers.

Motor control: a magnetic contactor with a thermal overload relay provides overload protection; the thermal relay setting is usually the motor's rated current.

Cable color code in a three-phase system: black, red, and blue for the three phases, white for neutral, and green for ground.

Lightning protection: a lightning rod must be connected to a grounding electrode with a resistance of 10 Ω or less, and the down conductor must be as straight as possible.

Cable in a wet location: use a cable with a moisture-resistant sheath such as CV or a cable in a sealed conduit; VVF is not suitable for direct burial.

Panelboard grounding: the neutral bar and ground bar must be separate in a subpanel, and bonded only at the main service panel.

Firestop and penetration: after installing cables through a fire-rated wall, seal the opening with a firestop material rated for the same fire resistance as the wall.

Voltage drop in a long run: if the drop exceeds 5%, increase the conductor size rather than adding a second circuit, because the drop is proportional to the conductor resistance.

Insulation resistance: a reading below 0.1 MΩ indicates a fault; locate it by disconnecting sections and testing each segment separately.

Question types: 一般問題 are short-answer or multiple-choice; 配線図問題 are multiple-choice based on a diagram; the practical exam is a hands-on wiring task.

Common calculation: for a 100 V, 1 kW load, the current is 10 A; a 2.0 mm² VVF cable in conduit can carry this load with margin.

Transformer efficiency: η = output / input × 100%; losses are copper loss (proportional to current squared) plus iron loss (constant).

Illumination: the required illuminance for a living room is about 100 lx, for a kitchen about 300 lx, and for an office about 500 lx.

Cable derating example: a 2.0 mm² VVF cable rated 24 A at 30 °C, in a conduit with 4 circuits at 40 °C, applies a temperature factor of about 0.82 and a grouping factor of about 0.7, giving about 13.8 A.

Switch wiring: a single-pole switch is connected in the hot conductor, never in the neutral, so that the load is de-energized when the switch is off.

Practical exam parts: the test provides the cable, boxes, switches, outlets, and connectors; you must supply the tools and consumables such as tape and sleeves.

Cable support in a vertical shaft: support the cable at every floor and within 1 m of the top and bottom, and use a cable grip to relieve tension on the conductor.

Conduit expansion: install expansion fittings where the conduit run crosses a building expansion joint, and leave a gap of about 20 mm.

Grounding of metal enclosures: every metal box, panel, and conduit must be bonded to the grounding conductor with a listed bonding jumper or fitting.

Cable ampacity correction for ambient temperature: use the factor for the actual ambient, not the standard 30 °C, and apply the factor for the number of circuits in the same raceway.

Emergency power: a generator or battery must supply the emergency lighting and fire alarm circuits within 10 seconds of a power failure, per the 消防法.

Inspection before handover: verify the insulation resistance, grounding resistance, polarity, and breaker ratings, and record the results in the inspection report.

Exam schedule: the written exam is usually held in spring and autumn; the practical exam is held after the written results are announced, typically in summer and winter.

Eligibility: Grade A requires no work experience, but the practical exam must be taken within a set period after passing the written exam.

Common practical problem: a two-way switch circuit with a pilot lamp, an outlet, and a leakage breaker; practice the layout and wiring sequence until it is automatic.

Cable stripping: use a VVF stripper set to the correct size; strip about 15 mm for a ring sleeve and 10 mm for a push-in connector.

Ring sleeve crimping: insert the conductor fully into the sleeve, crimp with the dedicated tool, and check that the sleeve is not cracked and the conductor cannot be pulled out.

Continuity test: use a tester to confirm each connection before energizing; a missing connection is the most common cause of failure.

Regulation: the 電気工事士法 requires a qualified person for the work; the exam tests the knowledge and skill required by that law.

Time limit: the practical exam ends exactly at the time limit; unfinished work is scored as incomplete, so leave time for the final inspection.

Cable tray grounding: bond each section of the tray to the grounding conductor, and use a bonding jumper across the joint if the tray is painted.

Switchboard ventilation: keep the ventilation openings clear and maintain the manufacturer's clearance to walls and other equipment.

Cable derating for high ambient: in a boiler room or attic, use the correction factor for the actual temperature, which may be 0.5 or lower at 50 °C.

Grounding resistance measurement: use the fall-of-potential method with two auxiliary electrodes, and space them at least 20 m apart for accurate results.

Insulation resistance test voltage: use 500 V for 300 V or less circuits and 1000 V for 300 V to 750 V circuits; never use a higher voltage than the circuit rating.

Panelboard circuit identification: label each breaker with the room and load, and update the label when a circuit is changed.

Study focus: the 配線図 problem is often the deciding factor; practice reading single-line diagrams and identifying the correct wire size and breaker rating.

Common formula: for a three-phase load, I = P / (√3 × V × cos θ); for a single-phase load, I = P / (V × cos θ).

Cable size selection: use the 内線規程 table for the allowable current, then apply the temperature and grouping factors, and check the voltage drop.

Breaker coordination: the breaker rating must be less than or equal to the cable's allowable current after derating, and greater than the load current.

Practical exam layout: mark the positions of the boxes and switches on the board before wiring, and keep the cable runs straight and neat.

Common failure: reversed polarity at the outlet; check that the hot wire connects to the shorter slot and the neutral to the longer slot.

Exam tip: read the entire problem before starting, and identify the required parts and connections; a missed part is a lost point.

Cable in a hazardous location: use a cable with a flame-retardant sheath and seal the conduit at the boundary of the hazardous area.

Grounding of a transformer: the secondary neutral must be grounded at the transformer or at the first disconnect, and the grounding conductor must be sized per the 内線規程.

Cable support for a horizontal run: support at intervals of 2 m or less, and within 1 m of each box or fitting.

Insulation resistance of a motor: a reading below 1 MΩ indicates moisture or a fault; dry the motor before energizing.

Panelboard working space: maintain at least 1.2 m in front of the panel, and do not store materials in the working space.

Cable derating for a buried conduit: apply a soil thermal resistivity correction and a depth correction in addition to the ambient and grouping factors.

Question type: the written exam includes true/false and multiple-choice questions; the practical exam is a hands-on task scored by inspectors.

Common topic: the 電気設備技術基準 requires that a circuit be protected against overload and short circuit, and that the grounding be appropriate for the circuit voltage.

Cable ampacity: a 1.6 mm² VVF cable carries about 17 A at 30 °C; apply derating for higher ambient and for multiple circuits in the same conduit.

Switch connection: a 3-way switch has a common terminal and two traveler terminals; the common terminal connects to the source or the load.

Practical exam: the test board has pre-marked positions; follow the drawing exactly and do not improvise the layout.

Common mistake: using a ring sleeve that is too large for the conductor, which causes a loose connection and a failed inspection.

Exam tip: bring a spare tester and spare sleeves; a failed tool can end the practical exam.

Cable tray fill: for power cables, the total cross-section must not exceed 40% of the tray's usable cross-section; for control cables, 50%.

Grounding electrode: a copper-clad steel rod of 14 mm diameter and 1.5 m length is standard; the resistance must be 10 Ω or less for A-class grounding.

Cable termination: strip the insulation to the correct length, crimp the terminal, and apply heat-shrink tubing; exposed copper strands are a defect.

Load balance: distribute single-phase loads evenly across the three phases to keep the neutral current low.

Firestop: seal every penetration of a fire-rated wall or floor with a material rated for the same fire resistance.

Insulation resistance: a reading below 0.1 MΩ indicates a fault; locate it by testing each segment separately.

Exam structure: the written exam is 筆記試験 with 一般問題 and 配線図問題; the practical exam is 技能試験 with a 40-minute standard problem and a 60-minute composite problem.

Passing score: the written exam requires 60% or more overall; the practical exam is pass/fail based on completing the circuit correctly.

Common calculation: for a single-phase 100 V, 1 kW load, I = 10 A; for a three-phase 200 V, 5 kW load with power factor 0.8, I = 18 A.

Cable selection: use 1.6 mm² for lighting, 2.0 mm² for outlets, and 2.0 mm² or larger for 200 V circuits, per the 内線規程.

Practical exam: connect the ground first, then the neutral, then the hot; check all screws and connections before energizing.

Common trap: a 3-way switch circuit requires traveler wires between the switches; the common terminal must not connect to a traveler.

Regulation: the 電気工事士法 requires a qualified person for the work; the exam tests the knowledge and skill required by that law.

Cable in a wet location: use a cable with a moisture-resistant sheath such as CV or a cable in a sealed conduit; VVF is not suitable for direct burial.

Panelboard grounding: the neutral bar and ground bar must be separate in a subpanel, and bonded only at the main service panel.

Voltage drop: if the drop exceeds 5%, increase the conductor size rather than adding a second circuit.

Insulation resistance: use 500 V for 300 V or less circuits and 1000 V for 300 V to 750 V circuits.

Switchboard clearance: maintain at least 1.2 m of working space in front of a switchboard, and 0.8 m at the sides and rear where access is required.

Cable support: support at intervals of 2 m or less, and within 1 m of each box or fitting.

Question types: 一般問題 are short-answer or multiple-choice; 配線図問題 are multiple-choice based on a diagram; the practical exam is a hands-on wiring task.

Common calculation: for a 100 V, 1 kW load, the current is 10 A; a 2.0 mm² VVF cable in conduit can carry this load with margin.

Transformer efficiency: η = output / input × 100%; losses are copper loss (proportional to current squared) plus iron loss (constant).

Illumination: the required illuminance for a living room is about 100 lx, for a kitchen about 300 lx, and for an office about 500 lx.

Cable derating example: a 2.0 mm² VVF cable rated 24 A at 30 °C, in a conduit with 4 circuits at 40 °C, applies a temperature factor of about 0.82 and a grouping factor of about 0.7, giving about 13.8 A.

Switch wiring: a single-pole switch is connected in the hot conductor, never in the neutral, so that the load is de-energized when the switch is off.

Practical exam parts: the test provides the cable, boxes, switches, outlets, and connectors; you must supply the tools and consumables such as tape and sleeves.

Cable support in a vertical shaft: support the cable at every floor and within 1 m of the top and bottom, and use a cable grip to relieve tension on the conductor.

Conduit expansion: install expansion fittings where the conduit run crosses a building expansion joint, and leave a gap of about 20 mm.

Grounding of metal enclosures: every metal box, panel, and conduit must be bonded to the grounding conductor with a listed bonding jumper or fitting.

Cable ampacity correction for ambient temperature: use the factor for the actual ambient, not the standard 30 °C, and apply the factor for the number of circuits in the same raceway.

Emergency power: a generator or battery must supply the emergency lighting and fire alarm circuits within 10 seconds of a power failure, per the 消防法.

Inspection before handover: verify the insulation resistance, grounding resistance, polarity, and breaker ratings, and record the results in the inspection report.

Exam schedule: the written exam is usually held in spring and autumn; the practical exam is held after the written results are announced, typically in summer and winter.

Eligibility: Grade A requires no work experience, but the practical exam must be taken within a set period after passing the written exam.

Common practical problem: a two-way switch circuit with a pilot lamp, an outlet, and a leakage breaker; practice the layout and wiring sequence until it is automatic.

Cable stripping: use a VVF stripper set to the correct size; strip about 15 mm for a ring sleeve and 10 mm for a push-in connector.

Ring sleeve crimping: insert the conductor fully into the sleeve, crimp with the dedicated tool, and check that the sleeve is not cracked and the conductor cannot be pulled out.

Continuity test: use a tester to confirm each connection before energizing; a missing connection is the most common cause of failure.

Regulation: the 電気工事士法 requires a qualified person for the work; the exam tests the knowledge and skill required by that law.

Time limit: the practical exam ends exactly at the time limit; unfinished work is scored as incomplete, so leave time for the final inspection.

Cable tray grounding: bond each section of the tray to the grounding conductor, and use a bonding jumper across the joint if the tray is painted.

Switchboard ventilation: keep the ventilation openings clear and maintain the manufacturer's clearance to walls and other equipment.

Cable derating for high ambient: in a boiler room or attic, use the correction factor for the actual temperature, which may be 0.5 or lower at 50 °C.

Grounding resistance measurement: use the fall-of-potential method with two auxiliary electrodes, and space them at least 20 m apart for accurate results.

Insulation resistance test voltage: use 500 V for 300 V or less circuits and 1000 V for 300 V to 750 V circuits; never use a higher voltage than the circuit rating.

Panelboard circuit identification: label each breaker with the room and load, and update the label when a circuit is changed.

Study focus: the 配線図 problem is often the deciding factor; practice reading single-line diagrams and identifying the correct wire size and breaker rating.

Common formula: for a three-phase load, I = P / (√3 × V × cos θ); for a single-phase load, I = P / (V × cos θ).

Cable size selection: use the 内線規程 table for the allowable current, then apply the temperature and grouping factors, and check the voltage drop.

Breaker coordination: the breaker rating must be less than or equal to the cable's allowable current after derating, and greater than the load current.

Practical exam layout: mark the positions of the boxes and switches on the board before wiring, and keep the cable runs straight and neat.

Common failure: reversed polarity at the outlet; check that the hot wire connects to the shorter slot and the neutral to the longer slot.

Exam tip: read the entire problem before starting, and identify the required parts and connections; a missed part is a lost point.

Cable in a hazardous location: use a cable with a flame-retardant sheath and seal the conduit at the boundary of the hazardous area.

Grounding of a transformer: the secondary neutral must be grounded at the transformer or at the first disconnect, and the grounding conductor must be sized per the 内線規程.

Cable support for a horizontal run: support at intervals of 2 m or less, and within 1 m of each box or fitting.

Insulation resistance of a motor: a reading below 1 MΩ indicates moisture or a fault; dry the motor before energizing.

Panelboard working space: maintain at least 1.2 m in front of the panel, and do not store materials in the working space.

Cable derating for a buried conduit: apply a soil thermal resistivity correction and a depth correction in addition to the ambient and grouping factors.

Question type: the written exam includes true/false and multiple-choice questions; the practical exam is a hands-on task scored by inspectors.

Common topic: the 電気設備技術基準 requires that a circuit be protected against overload and short circuit, and that the grounding be appropriate for the circuit voltage.

Cable ampacity: a 1.6 mm² VVF cable carries about 17 A at 30 °C; apply derating for higher ambient and for multiple circuits in the same conduit.

Switch connection: a 3-way switch has a common terminal and two traveler terminals; the common terminal connects to the source or the load.

Practical exam: the test board has pre-marked positions; follow the drawing exactly and do not improvise the layout.

Common mistake: using a ring sleeve that is too large for the conductor, which causes a loose connection and a failed inspection.

Exam tip: bring a spare tester and spare sleeves; a failed tool can end the practical exam.