SUBELEMENT T0 – Electrical and RF Safety – 3 exam questions – 3 groups
 

T0A AC power circuits, hazardous voltages, fuses and circuit breakers, grounding, lightning protection, battery safety, electrical code compliance. 
 
What is a commonly accepted value for the lowest voltage that can cause a dangerous electric shock?
30 volts
 
What is the lowest amount of electrical current flowing through the human body that is likely to cause death?
100 milliamperes
 
What is connected to the green wire in a three-wire electrical plug?
Ground
 
What is the purpose of a fuse in an electrical circuit?
To interrupt power in case of overload
 
What might happen if you install a 20-ampere fuse in your transceiver in the place of a 5-ampere fuse?
Excessive current could cause a fire
 
What is a good way to guard against electrical shock at your station?
Use 3-wire cords and plugs for all AC powered equipment.
Connect all AC powered station equipment to a common ground.
Use a ground-fault interrupter at each electrical outlet.
All of these answers are correct:
 
What is the most important thing to consider when installing an emergency disconnect switch at your station?
Everyone should know where it is and how to use it
 
What precautions should be taken when a lightning storm is expected?
Disconnect the antenna cables from your station and move them away from your radio equipment.
Unplug all power cords from AC outlets.
Stop using your radio equipment and move to another room until the storm passes.
All of these answers are correct:
 
What is one way to recharge a 12-volt battery if the commercial power is out?
Connect the battery to a car's battery and run the engine
 
What kind of hazard is presented by a conventional 12-volt storage battery?
It contains dangerous acid that can spill and cause injury.
Short circuits can damage wiring and possibly cause a fire.
Explosive gas can collect if not properly vented.
All of these answers are correct:
 
What can happen if a storage battery is charged or discharged too quickly?
The battery could overheat and give off dangerous gas or explode
 
What is the most important reason to have a lightning protection system for your amateur radio station?
Fire prevention
 
What kind of hazard might exist in a power supply when it is turned off and disconnected?
You might receive an electric shock from stored charge in large capacitors
 

T0B Antenna installation, tower safety, overhead power lines.
 
Why should you wear a hard hat and safety glasses if you are on the ground helping someone work on an antenna tower?
To protect your head and eyes in case something accidentally falls from the tower
 
What is a good precaution to observe before climbing an antenna tower?
Put on your safety belt and safety glasses
 
What should you do before you climb a tower?
Arrange for a helper or observer.
Inspect the tower for damage or loose hardware.
Make sure there are no electrical storms nearby.
All of these answers are correct:
 
What is an important consideration when putting up an antenna?
Make sure people cannot accidentally come into contact with it
 
What must be considered when erecting an antenna near an airport?
The maximum allowed height with regard to nearby airports
 
What is the most important safety precaution to observe when putting up an antenna tower?
Look for and stay clear of any overhead electrical wires
 
How should the guy wires for an antenna tower be installed?
In accordance with the tower manufacturer's instructions
 
What is a safe distance from a power line to allow when installing an antenna?
So that if the antenna falls unexpectedly, no part of it can come closer than 10 feet to the power wires
 
What is the most important safety rule to remember when using a crank-up tower?
A crank-up tower should never be climbed unless it is in the fully lowered position
 
Why is stainless steel hardware used on many antennas instead of other metals?
Stainless steel parts are much less likely to corrode
 
What is considered to be an adequate ground for a tower?
Separate 8 foot long ground rods for each tower leg, bonded to the tower and each other
 

T0C RF hazards, radiation exposure, RF heating hazards, proximity to antennas, recognized safe power levels, hand held safety, exposure to others.
 
What type of radiation are VHF and UHF radio signals?
Non-ionizing radiation
 
When can radio waves cause injury to the human body?
Only if the combination of signal strength and frequency cause excessive power to be absorbed
 
What is the maximum power level that an amateur radio station may use at frequencies above 30 MHz before an RF exposure evaluation is required?
50 watts PEP at the antenna
 
What factors affect the RF exposure of people near an amateur transmitter?
Frequency and power level of the RF field.
Distance from the antenna to a person.
Radiation pattern of the antenna.
All of these answers are correct:
 
Why must the frequency of an RF source be considered when evaluating RF radiation exposure?
The human body absorbs more RF energy at some frequencies than others
 
How can you determine that your station complies with FCC RF exposure regulations?
By calculation based on FCC OET Bulletin 65.
By calculation based on computer modeling.
By measurement of field strength using calibrated equipment.
All of these answers are correct:
 
What could happen if a person accidentally touched your antenna while you were transmitting?
They might receive a painful RF burn injury
 
What action might amateur operators take to prevent exposure to RF radiation in excess of FCC supplied limits?
Alter antenna patterns.
Relocate antennas.
Change station parameters such as frequency or power.
All of these answers are correct:
 
How can you make sure your station stays in compliance with RF safety regulations?
By re-evaluating the station whenever an item of equipment is changed
 
Which of the following units of measurement is used to measure RF radiation exposure?
Milliwatts per square centimeter
 
Why is duty cycle one of the factors used to determine safe RF radiation exposure levels?
It takes into account the amount of time the transmitter is operating