309A Electrician Study Guide 2026 — Free Cheat Sheet

Covers the safety responsibilities of construction electricians, including protecting themselves and others and following company, client and jurisdictional regulations.

• ✓A-1.01 Uses personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety equipment
• ✓A-1.02 Maintains safe work environment
• ✓A-1.03 Performs lock-out and tag-out procedures

Covers the safe and effective selection, use and maintenance of tools and equipment relevant to the task being performed.

• ✓A-2.01 Uses common and specialty tools and equipment
• ✓A-2.02 Uses access equipment
• ✓A-2.03 Uses rigging, hoisting and lifting equipment

Covers planning and organizing work activities including interpreting documentation, organizing materials, and preparing the worksite.

• ✓A-3.01 Interprets plans, drawings and specifications
• ✓A-3.02 Organizes materials and supplies
• ✓A-3.03 Plans project tasks and procedures
• ✓A-3.04 Prepares worksite
• ✓A-3.05 Finalizes required documentation

Covers fabricating and installing the structural support components used in electrical installations.

• ✓A-4.01 Fabricates support structures
• ✓A-4.02 Installs brackets, hangers and fasteners
• ✓A-4.03 Installs seismic restraint systems

Covers performing startup, shutdown, commissioning and decommissioning of electrical systems.

• ✓A-5.01 Performs startup and shutdown procedures
• ✓A-5.02 Performs commissioning and decommissioning of systems

Covers the communication and mentoring techniques used by construction electricians in the workplace.

• ✓A-6.01 Uses communication techniques
• ✓A-6.02 Uses mentoring techniques

Covers knowledge of hoisting, lifting and rigging equipment, their applications, limitations and procedures for use.

• ✓identify types of rigging equipment and accessories, and describe their applications and procedures for use
• ✓identify types of hoisting and lifting equipment and accessories, and describe their applications and procedures for use
• ✓identify potential hazards, and describe safe work practices pertaining to hoisting, lifting and rigging
• ✓describe procedures to inspect, maintain and store hoisting, lifting and rigging equipment

Covers knowledge of regulatory requirements pertaining to hoisting, lifting and rigging equipment.

• ✓identify and interpret codes and regulations pertaining to hoisting, lifting and rigging equipment

Covers knowledge of hoisting and lifting operations for electrical installations.

• ✓identify types of knots, hitches, splices and bends, and describe their applications and procedures to tie them
• ✓describe considerations when rigging material or equipment for lifting
• ✓identify and describe procedures to communicate during hoisting, lifting and rigging operations

Covers the practical steps to diagnose, repair and maintain power conditioning, UPS and surge suppression systems, from obtaining fault descriptions to updating maintenance logs.

• ✓obtain detailed description of operation and malfunction
• ✓determine source of malfunction
• ✓select tools and equipment
• ✓identify and remove defective components
• ✓repair malfunctioning components and verify repair
• ✓select replacement components
• ✓install replacement components
• ✓conduct tests after repair
• ✓clean, lubricate and adjust components
• ✓record tests in maintenance schedule
• ✓compare and analyze maintenance test results
• ✓update maintenance log

Covers understanding power quality, power factor correction, harmonics reduction, surge suppression and UPS equipment types and their applications.

• ✓interpret codes and regulations pertaining to power conditioning, UPS and surge suppression systems
• ✓explain power quality and its impact on equipment operation
• ✓explain single-phase and three-phase power factor correction and calculations
• ✓identify types of power factor correction equipment
• ✓identify equipment used to reduce harmonics
• ✓identify surge suppression equipment
• ✓identify types of UPS equipment

Covers the tools, equipment and procedures used to service and maintain power conditioning, UPS and surge suppression systems, including UPS hazards.

• ✓identify tools and equipment used to service and maintain systems
• ✓describe procedures to service and maintain systems
• ✓identify hazards with UPS systems when working with batteries, multiple sources and capacitors

Covers the knowledge required to install high-voltage transformers and their components, including tools, equipment and installation procedures as framed in learning outcome B-15.04.02L.

• ✓identify tools and equipment used to install high-voltage transformers and high-voltage transformer components, and describe their applications and procedures for use
• ✓describe procedures to install high-voltage transformers and high-voltage transformer components
• ✓describe procedures to install high-voltage transformers in parallel

Covers repairing malfunctioning components, selecting and installing replacement components, and testing after repair according to manufacturers' specifications and AHJ.

• ✓repair malfunctioning components and verify repair
• ✓select replacement components (OEM when mandated)
• ✓install replacement components
• ✓conduct tests of exit and emergency lighting system after repair
• ✓record tests in maintenance schedule
• ✓identify, remove, dispose of or recycle defective components

Topic covers types, components, characteristics, applications and operation of exit and emergency lighting systems.

• ✓identify types of exit and emergency lighting systems and describe characteristics, applications and operation
• ✓identify exit and emergency lighting system components and describe applications and operation

Topic covers tools, equipment and procedures used to diagnose, repair and replace exit and emergency lighting systems.

• ✓identify tools and equipment used to service and describe applications and procedures
• ✓describe procedures to diagnose exit and emergency lighting systems and their components
• ✓describe procedures to repair or replace systems and their components

Topic covers tools, equipment and procedures used to maintain exit and emergency lighting systems and their components.

• ✓identify tools and equipment used to maintain and describe applications and procedures
• ✓describe procedures to maintain systems and their components

Covers positioning, mounting and assembling fire alarm system components in locations according to electrical drawings and the authority having jurisdiction.

Covers terminating and interconnecting fire alarm system components and associated system devices per drawings, specifications and job requirements.

Covers testing fire alarm system components so they function according to drawings, specifications and jurisdictional regulations.

Covers verifying conductors have no opens and that all components are bonded to ground and clear of obstructions.

Covers performing sensory and spot tests and initial fire alarm system tests per drawings and specifications.

Covers conducting verification on fire alarm systems, components and associated systems per regulatory standards so devices function as intended.

Covers demonstrating knowledge of fire alarm systems, components, their characteristics, applications and operation.

• ✓interpret codes and regulations pertaining to fire alarm systems
• ✓interpret information pertaining to fire alarm systems found on drawings and specifications
• ✓identify types of fire alarm systems, and describe their characteristics, applications and operation
• ✓identify and describe types of associated systems that are interconnected with fire alarm systems
• ✓identify fire alarm system components, and describe their characteristics and applications
• ✓identify considerations and requirements for selecting fire alarm systems and components

Covers demonstrating knowledge of procedures to install, upgrade and connect fire alarm systems and components.

• ✓identify tools and equipment used to install, upgrade and connect fire alarm systems and components
• ✓describe procedures to install, upgrade and connect fire alarm systems and components
• ✓describe procedures for testing fire alarm systems and components
• ✓describe procedures for commissioning and verification of fire alarm systems

Defines grounding as a permanent, continuous conductive path to earth sized to carry any fault current and with low enough impedance to limit voltage rise and allow protective devices to operate.

• ✓Permanent and continuous conductive path to earth
• ✓Sufficient ampacity to carry fault current
• ✓Sufficiently low impedance to limit voltage rise above ground
• ✓Facilitates operation of protective devices in the circuit

Defines a high-voltage system per the CEC by its voltage thresholds.

• ✓Any voltage exceeding 1 000 V AC or 1 060 V DC as per CEC

Defines a low-energy power circuit based on limited power relative to open circuit voltage.

• ✓Power limited to 100 VA where V is the open circuit voltage

Defines a low-voltage system per the CEC by its AC and DC voltage ranges.

• ✓Exceeding 30 V AC but not exceeding 1 000 V AC
• ✓Exceeding 42.4 V DC but not exceeding 1 060 V DC as per CEC

Defines a luminaire as a complete lighting unit that accommodates lamps and connects them to circuit conductors.

• ✓Complete lighting unit designed to accommodate lamp(s)
• ✓Connects lamp(s) to circuit conductors
• ✓Examples: fluorescent, High Intensity Discharge (HID), incandescent

Defines a raceway as any channel designed to hold wires, cables or busbars, including the range of conduit and enclosure types recognized by the CEC.

• ✓Channel for holding wires, cables or busbars
• ✓Includes conduit (rigid, flexible, metal, non-metallic)
• ✓Electrical metallic and non-metallic tubing
• ✓Underfloor raceway, cellular floors, surface raceways
• ✓Wireways, cable trays, busways, and auxiliary gutters

Defines specifications as an explicit set of requirements a material, product or service must satisfy, drawn from codes, drawings, and various authorities.

• ✓Local and national building codes
• ✓Documentation holding legal obligations
• ✓Schematics and manufacturers' specifications
• ✓Local code and provincial/federal authority
• ✓Engineered drawings, diagrams and schematics
• ✓Client requirements and warranty documents
• ✓Site drawings, shop drawings, company requirements

Covers installation, servicing and maintenance of single-phase and three-phase consumer/supply services and metering equipment.

• ✓B-7.01 Installs single-phase consumer/supply services and metering equipment
• ✓B-7.02 Installs three-phase consumer/supply services and metering equipment
• ✓B-7.03 Performs servicing and maintenance of single-phase consumer/supply services and metering equipment
• ✓B-7.04 Performs servicing and maintenance of three-phase consumer/supply services and metering equipment

Covers installation, servicing and maintenance of overcurrent, ground fault, arc fault and surge protection devices.

• ✓B-8.01 Installs overcurrent protection devices
• ✓B-8.02 Installs ground fault, arc fault and surge protection devices
• ✓B-8.03 Performs servicing and maintenance of protection devices

Covers installation, servicing and maintenance of power distribution equipment.

• ✓B-9.01 Installs power distribution equipment
• ✓B-9.02 Performs servicing and maintenance of power distribution equipment

Covers installation, servicing and maintenance of bonding, grounding, ground fault protection and detection, and lightning protection systems.

• ✓B-11.01 Installs bonding and grounding systems
• ✓B-11.02 Installs ground fault protection and detection systems
• ✓B-11.03 Installs lightning protection systems
• ✓B-11.04 Performs servicing and maintenance of bonding and grounding systems

Covers installation, servicing and maintenance of extra-low, low and high-voltage transformers.

• ✓B-15.01 Installs extra-low-voltage transformers
• ✓B-15.02 Installs low-voltage single-phase transformers
• ✓B-15.03 Installs low-voltage three-phase transformers
• ✓B-15.04 Installs high-voltage transformers
• ✓B-15.05 Performs servicing and maintenance of transformers

Covers installation, servicing and maintenance of power conditioning, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and surge suppression systems.

• ✓B-10.01 Installs power conditioning, UPS and surge suppression systems
• ✓B-10.02 Performs servicing and maintenance of power conditioning, UPS and surge suppression systems

Covers installation, servicing and maintenance of AC and DC generating and conversion systems.

• ✓B-12.01 Installs alternating current (AC) generating systems
• ✓B-12.02 Performs servicing and maintenance of AC generating systems
• ✓B-12.03 Installs direct current (DC) generating and conversion systems
• ✓B-12.04 Performs servicing and maintenance of DC generating and conversion systems

Covers installation, servicing and maintenance of renewable energy generating and storage systems.

• ✓B-13.01 Installs renewable energy generating and storage systems
• ✓B-13.02 Performs servicing and maintenance of renewable energy generating and storage systems

Covers installation, servicing and maintenance of high-voltage equipment and cables.

• ✓B-14.01 Installs high-voltage equipment
• ✓B-14.02 Installs high-voltage cables
• ✓B-14.03 Performs servicing and maintenance of high-voltage systems

Covers identifying symbols and scaling, locating equipment/devices, cross-referencing information and verifying currency of drawings.

• ✓identify symbols and scaling
• ✓determine location of equipment and devices
• ✓locate and cross-reference information on plans, drawings, specifications and contract documents
• ✓visualize finished product based on information in plans, drawings and specifications
• ✓determine if plans, drawings, schematics and specifications are current

Covers knowledge of drawings, schematics and specifications and their applications.

• ✓identify types of drawings, schematics and specifications, and describe their applications
• ✓identify documentation requirements for modifying drawings and specifications
• ✓describe procedures to document changes made to equipment and wiring

Covers knowledge of imperial and SI (système international) measurement systems used in trade documentation.

• ✓identify imperial and SI units of measurement used in trade documentation

Covers knowledge of interpreting and extracting information from drawings, schematics and specifications.

• ✓interpret and extract information from drawings, schematics and specifications
• ✓explain how scaling is performed to position devices

Covers identifying, selecting, ordering, loading, storing, receiving, verifying and inventorying materials and supplies.

• ✓identify and select materials and supplies
• ✓locate, order and schedule delivery of materials and supplies
• ✓load, unload and store materials and supplies
• ✓identify required materials and supplies
• ✓coordinate receiving of materials and supplies
• ✓verify shipments for quality and quantity of materials and supplies
• ✓perform inventory control

Covers knowledge of procedures to plan and organize materials and supplies.

• ✓identify sources of information relevant to organize materials and supplies
• ✓describe considerations to organize materials and supplies

Covers determining job/material/labour/equipment requirements, scheduling, coordinating with trades and sketching layouts.

• ✓determine job requirements
• ✓determine material, labour and equipment requirements
• ✓establish and maintain schedules
• ✓coordinate work with other trades and end user
• ✓draw and sketch layouts

Covers knowledge of procedures to plan and organize job tasks.

• ✓identify sources of information relevant to planning job tasks and procedures
• ✓describe considerations to plan and organize job tasks and procedures
• ✓describe functions of project schedule charts

Covers pre-job assessment, identifying hazards and hazardous locations, wiring/equipment/sealing in hazardous locations, containing work zones and obtaining permits.

• ✓perform pre-job assessment
• ✓identify traffic areas and potential hazards
• ✓identify hazardous locations
• ✓identify wiring procedures in hazardous locations
• ✓identify equipment used in hazardous locations
• ✓identify locations for where sealing is required
• ✓contain work zone
• ✓create openings and penetrations in structures and equipment
• ✓ensure egress, lighting and ventilation in work area
• ✓ensure required materials and equipment are on site
• ✓control workplace and storage access
• ✓ensure surveys are completed and locates are marked-out
• ✓ensure hot work, building and safety permits are obtained

Covers knowledge of procedures to prepare the worksite.

• ✓identify sources of information to prepare worksite
• ✓identify potential hazards to prepare worksite
• ✓describe considerations to prepare worksite

Covers knowledge of procedures to locate elements encased in concrete and soil.

• ✓identify types of surveying equipment used to locate elements in concrete walls and floors, concrete slab on grade and in soil
• ✓describe safety requirements when using x-ray surveying equipment in occupied buildings

Covers knowledge of hazardous locations and the division system of classification.

• ✓identify types of hazardous locations and describe safe work procedures
• ✓identify types of potentially hazardous materials present and procedures to designate an area to be a hazardous location
• ✓identify equipment and fittings designed for installation and operation in hazardous locations
• ✓hazardous locations are identified according to division system of classification

Covers knowledge of hazardous locations wiring methods.

• ✓identify and describe wiring methods in hazardous locations

Covers documenting alterations, logging data, compiling maintenance manuals and submitting as-built drawings and O&M manuals.

• ✓document alterations
• ✓log data from various sources to assist with maintenance and replacement
• ✓compile maintenance manuals from installed equipment manufacturers' specifications
• ✓submit final documentation, including as-built drawings to client

Covers knowledge of documentation, its purpose, application and use.

• ✓describe and identify types of documentation developed from different tasks
• ✓describe procedures for finalizing documentation

Covers determining grounding electrodes, conductor sizes, layout, installation, termination and testing of grounding and bonding system components.

• ✓determine type of grounding electrodes
• ✓determine ground conductor size
• ✓determine layout and location of grounding system components
• ✓select tools and equipment
• ✓install grounding system components
• ✓terminate and interconnect grounding system components
• ✓terminate grounding conductor
• ✓perform ground resistance test
• ✓determine bonding method
• ✓install bonding components
• ✓terminate and interconnect bonding system components
• ✓terminate bonding conductor

Covers grounding and bonding methods, conductors, equipment, selection considerations and the distinction between grounding and bonding.

• ✓interpret codes and regulations pertaining to grounding and bonding
• ✓interpret information found on drawings and specifications
• ✓identify grounding methods
• ✓identify bonding methods
• ✓identify grounding conductors, equipment and components
• ✓identify bonding conductors, equipment and components
• ✓identify considerations for selecting grounding conductors and equipment
• ✓identify considerations for selecting bonding conductors and equipment
• ✓explain purpose and differences between grounding and bonding

Covers tools, equipment and procedures for installing grounding systems and calculating grounding conductor size.

• ✓identify tools and equipment used to install grounding systems
• ✓describe procedures to install grounding systems
• ✓describe procedures used to calculate grounding conductor size

Covers tools, equipment and procedures for installing bonding systems and calculating bonding conductor size.

• ✓identify tools and equipment used to install bonding systems
• ✓describe procedures to install bonding systems
• ✓describe procedures used to calculate bonding conductor size

Covers the skills to diagnose, remove, replace, test and maintain transformer components, restoring transformers to operating condition.

• ✓obtain detailed description of operation and malfunction
• ✓determine source of malfunction
• ✓select tools and equipment
• ✓identify and remove defective transformer components
• ✓select replacement components
• ✓install replacement components
• ✓conduct tests of transformers after repair
• ✓clean and adjust transformer components
• ✓record tests in maintenance log
• ✓compare and analyze maintenance test results

Covers knowledge of transformer types, components, characteristics, applications, operation and related codes as framed in B-15.05.01L.

• ✓identify types of transformers, and describe their characteristics, applications and operation
• ✓identify transformer components and describe their characteristics and applications
• ✓interpret codes and regulations pertaining to transformers
• ✓interpret information pertaining to transformers found on drawings and specifications
• ✓describe construction of transformers
• ✓interpret information contained on transformer nameplates

Covers knowledge of the tools, equipment and procedures used to service and maintain transformers and their components.

• ✓identify tools and equipment used to service and maintain transformers and transformer components, and describe their applications and procedures for use
• ✓describe procedures to service transformers and transformer components
• ✓describe procedures to maintain transformers and transformer components

Covers determining installation location, selecting and installing branch circuit wiring and systems, terminating conductors, testing operation, and removing existing systems.

• ✓determine installation location for cathodic protection systems
• ✓select branch circuit wiring
• ✓select tools and equipment
• ✓install branch circuit wiring
• ✓install cathodic protection systems
• ✓terminate conductors and cables
• ✓test operation
• ✓determine requirements for removal
• ✓remove existing systems when replacing and update documentation

Topic covers types, components, characteristics, applications and operation of cathodic protection systems, including drawings, specifications and codes.

• ✓identify types of cathodic protection systems and describe characteristics, applications and operation
• ✓identify cathodic protection system components and describe characteristics, applications and operation
• ✓interpret information found on drawings and specifications
• ✓interpret codes and regulations

Topic covers tools, equipment and procedures used to install, connect and test cathodic protection systems and components.

• ✓identify tools and equipment used and describe applications and procedures
• ✓describe procedures to install systems and components
• ✓describe procedures to connect systems and components
• ✓describe procedures to test systems and components

Covers determining source of malfunction, removing, repairing and replacing components, testing after repair, and recording tests.

• ✓determine source of malfunction
• ✓select tools and equipment
• ✓identify and remove defective components
• ✓repair malfunctioning components and verify repair
• ✓select replacement components (OEM when mandated)
• ✓install replacement components
• ✓conduct tests after repair
• ✓record tests in maintenance schedule

Topic covers tools, equipment and procedures to diagnose, repair and maintain cathodic protection systems.

• ✓identify types of systems and components and describe characteristics, applications and operation
• ✓identify tools and equipment used to service and maintain
• ✓describe procedures to diagnose and repair
• ✓describe procedures to maintain

Covers obtaining and documenting a detailed description of operation and malfunction issues from end user and CPU diagnostics.

Covers selecting tools and equipment according to the task.

Covers determining source of malfunction using field assessments and diagnostic and test equipment results.

Covers identifying existing fire alarm system and components using as-built drawings, maintenance log and site visit.

Covers performing tests per maintenance schedule with sensory and technical inspections using diagnostic and test equipment.

Covers analyzing test results by comparing manufacturers' certification report and communication log per client requirements.

Covers verifying system, component and associated systems function per manufacturers' specifications and inspecting per maintenance schedule.

Covers replacing, testing and verifying fire alarm system components.

Covers producing clear, detailed documentation of systems tested, results and changes per codes, standards and regulations.

Covers demonstrating knowledge of fire alarm systems, components, their characteristics, applications and operation for maintenance.

• ✓interpret codes and regulations pertaining to fire alarm systems
• ✓interpret information pertaining to fire alarm systems found on drawings and specifications
• ✓identify types of fire alarm systems, and describe their characteristics, applications and operation
• ✓identify fire alarm system components, and describe their characteristics and applications
• ✓identify considerations and requirements for selecting fire alarm systems and components
• ✓describe types of associated systems that interconnect with fire alarm systems
• ✓describe possible effects of service and maintenance of fire alarm system on associated systems

Covers demonstrating knowledge of procedures to service and maintain fire alarm systems and components.

• ✓identify tools and equipment used to service and maintain fire alarm systems and components
• ✓describe procedures to service and maintain fire alarm systems and components
• ✓describe procedures for testing fire alarm systems and components

Covers installation, servicing and maintenance of conductors, cables, conduit, raceways, boxes and enclosures.

• ✓C-16.01 Installs conductors and cables
• ✓C-16.02 Installs conduit and fittings
• ✓C-16.03 Installs raceways
• ✓C-16.04 Installs boxes and enclosures
• ✓C-16.05 Performs servicing and maintenance of raceways, conductors, cables and enclosures

• A. No additional protection is required because AC90 armour provides sufficient mechanical protection at that height. ✓ Answer
• B. A steel plate at least 1.6 mm thick must be installed wherever the cable is within 32 mm of the edge of a framing member.
• C. A non-metallic sleeve must enclose the cable wherever it is exposed and within 2.5 m of the floor.
• D. The cable must be enclosed in EMT conduit for the entire exposed run if accessible to physical damage.

• A. Any 3-phase motor rated over 10 hp at 600 V
• B. A motor where the stop of the motor could create a hazard, such as in a reversing application with dynamic braking
• C. A motor installed in a Class I, Division 1 hazardous location
• D. A single-phase motor where the controller is also used as the branch circuit disconnecting means ✓ Answer

• A. Overload protection must be provided in both the ungrounded and grounded conductors
• B. Overload protection is required only in the ungrounded conductor ✓ Answer
• C. No overload protection is required for single-phase motors under 1 hp on a 120 V circuit
• D. Overload protection must be provided in all conductors including the equipment grounding conductor

• A. 110 A
• B. 125 A
• C. 150 A ✓ Answer
• D. 175 A

• A. 22 A – the switch need only equal the motor full-load current
• B. 25.3 A – not less than 115% of the motor full-load current (a standard 30 A switch) ✓ Answer
• C. 27.5 A – not less than 125% of the motor full-load current
• D. 66 A – not less than 300% of the motor full-load current to withstand locked-rotor current

• A. A 1/2 hp roof-mounted exhaust fan motor that is difficult to reach and is fed from a 15 A branch circuit with no starter
• B. The burner motor of a domestic oil-burner furnace supplied as an approved assembly that is not normally subject to overloading and whose combustion safety controls also protect the motor against overload ✓ Answer
• C. A 5 hp three-phase pump motor mounted on a factory-built skid and controlled by a standard across-the-line magnetic starter
• D. A 2 hp air compressor motor wired by the contractor to an approved fusible disconnect switch located within sight of the motor