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Free ISA CCST I Practice Questions

10 free, exam-style Certified Control Systems Technician Level I (ISA CCST I) practice questions with answers and explanations. No signup required. Work through them below, then take the full free ISA CCST I practice test to study every exam domain.

Question 1

A technician must select arc-rated protective clothing before working near energized switchgear. According to standard electrical safety practice, the level of PPE required is determined primarily by the:

  1. System voltage alone, since a higher operating voltage will always demand a greater level of protection
  2. The incident energy and arc-flash hazard/risk category of the task
  3. Distance from the nearest exit and the available escape time
  4. Technician's years of experience working on similar equipment
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - The incident energy and arc-flash hazard/risk category of the task

Question 2

A pressure transmitter is ranged 0-150 psi with a 4-20 mA output. At an applied pressure of 75 psi the technician records an as-found output of 13.6 mA. Expressed in engineering units, the error is:

  1. 1.6 mA high, which is within normal tolerance for any transmitter
  2. 10 psi low, because the output is below the expected current
  3. 1.6 psi high, equal to the milliamp deviation measured
  4. 15 psi high
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - 15 psi high

Question 3

A technician needs to measure the actual current flowing in an operating 4-20 mA control loop. The meter should be connected:

  1. In series with the circuit, with the loop energized
  2. In parallel across the load, with the loop energized
  3. In series with the circuit, after de-energizing the loop
  4. In parallel across the transmitter terminals, with power removed
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - In series with the circuit, with the loop energized

Question 4

A Type K thermocouple must be extended from the sensor head back to the transmitter. To avoid introducing measurement error, the extension wire must:

  1. Be ordinary copper conductor, because copper offers the lowest electrical resistance over the run
  2. Be any shielded twisted pair rated for the installation voltage
  3. Have the same thermo-electric properties as the thermocouple (Type KX)
  4. Match the color of the field wiring used elsewhere in the loop
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Have the same thermo-electric properties as the thermocouple (Type KX)

Question 5

In a bubbler (dip-tube) level measurement system, a bubble escapes from the bottom of the dip tube at the moment the supplied air pressure becomes:

  1. Greater than the atmospheric pressure measured at the top of the open tank
  2. Equal to the hydrostatic head of the liquid above the tube opening
  3. Independent of the liquid level once flow is established
  4. Less than the vapor pressure of the process liquid
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Equal to the hydrostatic head of the liquid above the tube opening

Question 6

While troubleshooting a transmitter that should output 4-20 mA, a technician measures exactly 0 mA at the loop terminals. This reading most likely indicates:

  1. The process variable is at 0% of the calibrated range
  2. The transmitter is correctly calibrated at its lower range value
  3. The process variable has briefly exceeded 100% of span
  4. An open circuit or loss of loop power
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - An open circuit or loss of loop power

Question 7

A plant trends bearing vibration data to estimate when a pump will require service, scheduling work only when the data indicates developing wear. This approach is best classified as:

  1. Predictive maintenance
  2. Preventive maintenance performed on a fixed calendar interval
  3. Corrective maintenance carried out after a functional failure
  4. Run-to-failure maintenance with no scheduled intervention
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - Predictive maintenance

Question 8

During a loop check, a technician simulates an increasing measured variable into a transmitter, but the controller indication moves downward instead of upward. The most likely cause is:

  1. The simulated signal is too small to register on the controller
  2. The process vessel is empty, so there is no real measurement to display at the controller
  3. Reversed signal polarity or an incorrect direct/reverse action setting
  4. The transmitter has not yet reached operating temperature
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Reversed signal polarity or an incorrect direct/reverse action setting

Question 9

After field-verifying an installation, a technician finds that the routing of a signal cable differs from the design drawing. The correct action is to mark the actual installed condition on the drawing - a practice known as:

  1. Bench calibrating the affected loop before start-up
  2. Redlining the documentation to reflect the as-built condition
  3. Commissioning the loop while it runs under live process conditions
  4. Decommissioning the cable until the drawing is reissued
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Redlining the documentation to reflect the as-built condition

Question 10

On a P&ID drawn to ISA-5.1, an instrument bubble is tagged 'FIC'. This identifies the device as a:

  1. Flow Indicating Controller
  2. Final Inspection Checkpoint in the loop
  3. Field Instrument Cabinet location
  4. Fluid Isolation Component on the line
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - Flow Indicating Controller

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