Electrical safety: past paper questions

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• Question 30Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement explains where the switch for an electric lamp is connected?

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• Question 30Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  The mains voltage is 120 V. Which fuse should be fitted to an electric kettle with a power of 1.5 kW?

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• Question 30Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  An electric heater is plugged into the mains supply using a fused plug. The current in the heater is $10\text{ A}$. The cable attached to the heater is rated at $15\text{ A}$.

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• Question 34May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement is correct for a hair dryer with a double-insulated outer casing?

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• Question 31Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A student constructs four circuits, each containing a fuse. The fuse blows in one circuit and both lamps in the circuit go out. In which circuit does the fuse blow and both lamps go out?

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• Question 30Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows the safety label on an electric oven.

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• Question 30Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement is correct?

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• Question 33Oct/Nov 2025, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Which component is not needed when using an appliance that is double-insulated?

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• Question 30Oct/Nov 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a three-core cable connecting a three-pin socket to an electric fire with a metal frame. The earth, live and neutral connections of the socket are labelled E, L and N respectively.

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• Question 30Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  The current in an electrical heater is $5.0\text{ A}$. The heater is connected to the mains by a flexible cable that can carry a current of up to $15\text{ A}$. The mains circuit can carry a current of up to $30\text{ A}$.

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• Question 33May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  The circuits in a house are protected by trip switches.

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• Question 29Oct/Nov 2025, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  An electrical appliance has a symbol on it to indicate it is double-insulated. Which statement is correct?

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• Question 10Oct/Nov 2024, paper 31Structured8 marks

  In an experiment, a student uses an electrical heater connected to a power supply. The current in the electrical heater is $2.2\text{ A}$. The voltage (p.d.) across the heater is $12\text{ V}$.

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• Question 9Oct/Nov 2023, paper 32Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 9.1 shows an electric water heater. The heater is connected to the mains electrical supply. Fig. 9.2 shows the electrical safety label for the heater.

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• Question 9Oct/Nov 2024, paper 32Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 9.1 represents part of a d.c. electric motor. The coil of wire rotates at a steady speed.

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• Question 29May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  The metal case of an electrical appliance is fitted with an earth connection. What is the purpose of this?

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• Question 30May/June 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement about electrical safety is correct?

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• Question 30May/June 2026, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  Electrical appliances are connected to a mains circuit by an extension lead with multiple sockets. Which situation may cause the cable of the extension lead to overheat?

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• Question 30May/June 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Where must a fuse be connected in a mains electric circuit?

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• Question 29May/June 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  An electric heater has a metal frame. The heating element is connected to the live and neutral wires of an a.c. supply.

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• Question 30May/June 2026, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Multiple sockets can be connected to the mains electricity supply so that a lot of appliances can use the same socket. Why can this be a problem?

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• Question 29May/June 2025, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  In which mains electric wires are the fuse and the switch placed?

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• Question 29May/June 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Four statements about safety when designing electrical products are listed. 1 If the outer casing is a conductor, it should be earthed. 2 If the outer casing is a conductor, it should not be earthed.

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• Question 9May/June 2023, paper 32Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  A student has a desktop computer that connects to the $240\text{ V}$ a.c. mains electrical supply. Fig. 9.1 shows the desktop computer.

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• Question 8May/June 2026, paper 32Structured10 marks

  A heater is connected to a $230\text{ V}$ mains supply. The current in the heater is $11.5\text{ A}$. Calculate the resistance of the heater.

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• Question 9May/June 2025, paper 31Structured12 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 9.1 shows a router. The router emits Wi-Fi signals. The power input to the router circuit is $9.0\text{ W}$.

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• Question 30May/June 2024, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  Two electrical appliances are connected to the mains supply. The cable connected to one appliance includes an earth wire. The cable connected to the second appliance does not need an earth wire.

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• Question 8May/June 2025, paper 32Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 8.1 shows a mains-powered electric fan heater fixed on a bathroom wall. The pull cord switches the fan heater on and off. Suggest why a pull cord is safer than a push switch for a fan heater in a bathroom.

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• Question 9May/June 2024, paper 31Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 9.1 shows the power cable for connecting a desktop computer to the mains electricity circuit. State the name of each of the three wires inside the power cable.

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• Question 8May/June 2026, paper 41Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  Figure 8.1 shows a person cutting grass with a lawnmower. The lawnmower is connected to the mains supply of $230\text{ V}$. The power of the lawnmower is $1200\text{ W}$.

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