NGA 21 Locating and Marking of Facilities Practice Test

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• Precise locations are indicated by notations of distances from property lines, street center lines, or other landmarks.
• Which grounding technique can bypass the ground return?
• How is the location of the metal facility determined?
• Which option is not listed as an acceptable direct connection location when locating mains and services up to the meter?
• Which factor is an important determinant in the transmission of the impressed signal?
• In Conductive Mode, where should the ground plate not be placed?
• What is the Low Frequencies range?
• Which color tag denotes Oil and Gas Distribution and Transmission and dangerous materials?
• Which part of the locating system is described as an antenna array made of copper coils?
• Which measurement helps identify distortions around the signal center?
• Which scenario would be considered hand digging?
• What steps summarize the process to locate underground structures safely?
• How can you establish the approximate pipe location using Visual Indication?
• For Telecommunication Systems and cable TV, and Police and Fire Communications, which color tag is used?
• Which of the following is a metallic conductor?
• A larger diameter pipe will cause the signal to weaken and cover less distance. What is the effect?
• If a proposed excavation is planned near an underground line that may be damaged, what action must the operator perform?
• Where should the transmitter ground lead be connected?
• When operating in the inductive mode, which factor should you consider?
• Damage Prevention includes which elements?
• What orientation yields maximum efficiency?
• Passive locating is generally used to avoid rather than identify buried lines. Which statement best describes passive locating?
• High frequencies range between 65 kHz and above. Which statement correctly describes this range?
• Notations are also used to indicate pipe size, installation dates, and work order numbers.
• If signal and record measurements do not match when using the inductive method, what could it indicate?
• Which statement describes ghost signal in locating buried conductors?
• In which mode should active locating of facilities ALWAYS be performed?
• Which method is used to measure the approximate depth of the buried line and to measure the signal current?
• Which method is utilized when there is no knowledge or indication of the buried facility and is a passive location?
• Induction may be less efficient because?
• What determines the path of the locating signal on a buried conductor?
• What do permanent aboveground gas pipeline markers indicate?
• Electromagnetic Characteristics all modern pipe locating equipment operate by inducing an electromagnetic signal on a metallic facility (pipe or wire/cable).
• Why is 8 kHz considered most useful?
• The Hertz is equivalent to which of the following?
• Energizing the water line may bleed off, resulting in what outcome?
• What is expected of field strength readings as you move away from the transmitter in Conductive Mode?
• Electronic Pipe Locators are the main method used to locate buried metal facilities or locator wires on polyethylene pipe.
• What does air coupling refer to in the inductive locating method?
• How does soil moisture around the grounding stake influence grounding effectiveness?
• What does 8000 Hz denote?
• A high frequency signal displays better ability to cross through sources of resistance. What is a potential drawback of using a high-frequency signal?
• What happens to peak and null locate responses if signal distortion is present?
• STL stands for which material?
• What information must line marker information include?
• Which mode is best for tracing and pinpointing the line in congested areas?
• Air coupling occurs when the transmitter's signal travels through open air and is received directly by the receiver. What is a consequence of this phenomenon?
• What do Modes of Operation refer to in locating buried conductors?
• According to best practice, where should the transmitter ground plate or rod be placed relative to the connection point?
• Terra Cotta is abbreviated as which code?
• Reinforced Concrete is abbreviated as which code?
• Plastic is abbreviated as which code?
• Which of the following describes planning for expansion or replacement?
• What distance should you avoid locating within of the transmitter?
• In Conductive Mode steps, to what should the positive lead be connected?
• When there is no knowledge or indication of the buried facility, which method is used?
• The most important reason for accurate and on-time locating is?
• For the induction method, which statement is accurate?
• For Potable water, which color tag is used?
• Which statement correctly describes low frequency signals in this context?
• What is a potential consequence of poor grounding when using the transmitter?
• What are the main types of responses used in general locating?
• The preferred method for placing a signal on the target conductor is by direct connection because it minimizes signal interference. Which option below represents this method?
• High frequencies are easy to apply by induction, but they also couple very easily to unwanted lines and do not travel far.
• Which statement best describes the overall goal of the damage prevention program?
• Which soil condition will cause the signal to spread into the large groundbed?
• In Conductive Mode, where should the grounding rod NOT be placed?
• During a utility locate, which frequency choice helps reduce coupling to adjacent lines?
• What must utility maps be?
• When you cannot electronically locate a facility and maps are inaccurate, what should you do?
• Which statement defines frequency in this context?
• The effectiveness of different instruments depends upon which factors?
• Transite is represented by which abbreviation?
• Induction uses the transmitter on the surface to induce a signal on the target line. Which statement best describes this method?
• Which grounding practice helps reduce bleed-over?
• Depth is measured to which part of the signal?
• High frequencies are useful when there is high resistance or grounding is poor. Which option correctly reflects this?
• Which color tag denotes Reclaimed water, slurry, and irrigation facilities?
• Visual Indication relies on what kind of information?
• What does bleed off or bleed over refer to in conductive locating?
• What is the Medium Frequencies range?
• Which method helps identify signal distortions by comparing locations?
• A directional radio type transmitter is used to generate what?
• What creates the locating signal?
• Null Mode provides what kind of response over the line?
• Peak Mode provides what kind of response over the line?
• Permanent aboveground gas pipeline markers indicate that a pipeline exists in the area, but they do not always provide the exact location of the pipe.
• Records of the geographic location of piping and other components of a gas distribution system are always provided on scale maps of the system.
• Which factors influence the operator's frequency selection?
• The deeper the conductor is buried the more difficult it is to induce the signal through the soil and onto the conductor. Which statement best reflects this?
• During a locate on a plastic pipeline, a sudden loss of signal most likely indicates what?
• Which device energizes the pipe with the induced voltage?
• Polyvinyl Chloride is abbreviated as which code?
• Passive locating uses which equipment?
• For Sewer and storm drainage systems, which color tag is used?
• Which statement about identifying and tracing lines is accurate?
• What is the first and most important method of locating underground gas pipes?
• Which item is not typically represented by symbols on facility maps?
• What is the function of grounding in this signaling system?
• Why is it important to keep utility maps current?
• Facilities adjacent to or in contact with the conductor may distort, disrupt, or totally impede the signal traveling along the conductor. Which statement best describes this effect?
• Which statement describes a characteristic of the Induction method's signal?
• If the transmitter and receiver units are oriented vertically and parallel to the buried pipe, what happens?
• To mitigate bleed-over, which practice is recommended?
• Why should you avoid using structures for grounding?
• In Conductive Mode, why is the signal less likely to jump to other structures?
• Which method should not be used to identify or trace a specific line?
• For Temporary Survey Marks, which color tag is used?
• What does kHz stand for?
• Depth Determination determines what?
• Which statement best describes the role of maps in locating gas pipelines?
• Close Induction uses a clamp around the line to induce a signal without a direct connection. Which option describes this method?
• What forms of output does the receiver provide for locating cues?
• What material is described as an excellent conductor buried with all plastic mains and services for locating?
• Which statement correctly maps a code to its material?
• Pipe locators consist of two major components?
• Which statement correctly maps a code to its material?
• Line markers must be placed and maintained as close as practical over which lines?
• In the induction method, the applied signal is generally less than the other connection methods because it travels through the ground to reach the line and may couple to adjacent lines. Which statement is true?
• Which code denotes Steel Cylinder Concrete?
• Which color tag denotes Electric Power distribution and transmission, and Municipal Electric Systems?
• What do locators detect?
• Depth is measured to which portion of the signal?
• Metallic conductors may be very conductive, such as which of the following?
• Why should you never place the transmitter directly on a metal pipe or valve box?
• A receiver is used to do what?
• SCC stands for which material?
• What is often a good idea at the start of a utility locate?
• Active locating can be used to estimate the depth of a buried line.
• Which statement about the trade-off of using a low frequency signal is true?
• When should a site survey be conducted?
• Before using the inductive method, what should you review to ensure accuracy?
• The buried pipe or cable being traced is referred to as what?
• Which factor reduces the distance a locating signal can travel due to pipe diameter?
• An insulator by its nature will totally stop the signal, whereas, stubs and joints will cause the signal to be reduced.
• A circuit is complete when which condition occurs?
• Short Dead End Branch Lines are difficult to locate using which method?
• A tracer placed too far away from the riser may fail to locate the line. Which outcome is most likely?
• There are two ways to induce a current onto a target utility in inductive locating. Which options describe these methods?
• Which locating method is generally more successful for finding stub ends or dead-end branch lines?
• Electromagnetic signals are described by their frequencies. Which option correctly names the property used to describe these signals?
• When energizing the conductive signal, what risk is described if an insulating material is missing or faulty?
• What is the role of the receiver in the locating process?
• Which code corresponds to Transite?
• What can distort the electromagnetic field surrounding a line?
• What depth comparison is recommended when testing for distortion?
• Determining the location of short dead end branch lines or stub ends shows what along the branch line?
• What is the primary objective of the trace method?
• Who selects the frequency when locating utilities?
• Which color tag denotes Telecommunication Systems and cable TV, and Police and Fire Communications?
• AC stands for which material?
• For Oil and Gas Distribution and Transmission and dangerous materials, which color tag is used?
• What is a recommended pre-operation check for Conductive Mode?
• What information must line markers include at minimum?
• These maps show the locations of the system components with respect to geographical features, such as streets, rivers, lakes, and railroads.
• Active locating uses both the receiver and transmitter. Which statement best describes active locating?
• How is hand digging defined?
• The abbreviation FM stands for which item?
• Which mode should never be used as a primary locating method?
• What does the locator receiver's antenna array do when exposed to a varying magnetic field?
• Which color tag denotes Temporary Survey Marks?
• Long-Range Planning addresses location of which items?
• Which mode is best for verifying peak mode results over a line if tracing for some distance?
• The primary function of the pipe locator is to do what?
• Maintenance of a natural gas system includes which types?
• Which color tag denotes Potable water?
• Which color tag denotes Sewer and storm drainage systems?
• Which mode impresses a signal directly onto the conductive material when hook-up is impractical?
• What should you do to compare peak and null location results?
• If field strength drops unevenly, what should you check?
• Symbols represent pipe accessories such as valves, insulating fittings, regulators, and corrosion control devices.
• To maximize signal, actively locate in which position?
• During a site survey, which statement reflects a required clarity?
• What is the function of the earth stake or grounding rod?
• Which factors affect a conductor's ability to be impressed with the signal?
• Which phenomenon can cause the signal to jump to a neighboring conductive path?
• Frequency is measured in which unit?
• Which color tag denotes proposed excavation or construction boundaries?
• As frequency increases, which statement best describes the relationship between current and signal loss?
• If the tracer wire is broken, what is the recommended course of action?
• Low Frequencies are used to locate what?
• Stubs and joints will cause the signal to be reduced.
• In soil conditions, high resistivity indicates what about conduction of an impressed signal?
• What does the receiver do with the induced voltage?
• Which statement best describes what operators must do to locate, mark, and excavate?
• If you are locating an area without a direct-hookup point and/or records, what method may be used?
• High frequencies are most suited to which method and should be used for shorter distances because they will easily couple to adjacent lines?
• What is the most preferred method for locating a buried piping when one position of the facility is known?
• For Electric Power distribution and transmission, and Municipal Electric Systems, which color tag is used?
• Which system must pipeline operators participate in to coordinate locating underground facilities?
• Medium connections are best described as suitable for what distance range?
• What should be verified during a site survey to ensure locate accuracy?
• Which code represents Terra Cotta?
• What is the required distance for marking the location of the underground line?
• What forms the basis of the signal that locators respond to?
• Under poor soil conditions, which action is NOT listed as a way to improve grounding?
• Which requirement obligates each operator to develop a written plan to prevent damage to pipelines during excavation?
• Conductive Mode requires which setup?
• What is the full name for the abbreviation FO?
• When the pipe is energized with induced voltage from the transmitter, what is produced around the pipe?
• CPR commonly represents which conductor material?
• To ease induction of the signal onto the conductor, you should
• Which component is described as the transmitter energizing the conductor to produce the electromagnetic field that radiates into the ground?
• Which frequency category is considered high frequency?
• Line markers must include which information to be useful?
• When you are close to the transmitter, what is true about signal strength?
• What type of information can be found on a gas system map?
• Medium Frequencies are described as having what characteristics?
• Be aware that electromagnetic fields surrounding the line can be distorted by return currents on other metallic lines.
• The signal from the transmitter always seeks which path?
• How can the magnetic field be used to locate the metal structure?
• Depth Determination uses triangulation starting at what?
• What is the role of the transmitter in the locating process?
• For gas distribution system records, why are scale maps used?
• Which connection method is preferred for locating lines when a direct connection is possible?
• Some locators provide continuous depth information; when is it accurate?
• Which of the following lists the three methods to apply an active signal?
• Which statement is the other main response type used in general locating besides Peak?
• Which statement describes how modern pipe locating equipment works?
• Which of the following can cause an increase in signal tone when locating buried metallic conductors?
• The trace method is also known as what?
• What does distortion affect when locating a pipeline?
• Map Verification is the process of?
• What term describes a buried metallic pipe or cable being traced?
• For Reclaimed water, slurry, and irrigation facilities, which color tag is used?
• Starting with the lowest power output and lowest frequency helps reduce what during a locate?
• Conductive (Direct Connection) method: Which statement is true?
• House Connections may be used to locate the service line from the main to the house at the shut-off valve. Which component serves as the reference point for this method?
• Which factor does NOT significantly influence the ability to impress the signal?
• Which statement best describes the role of the receiver in a locating system?
• In Conductive Mode for pipe locating, what is the first step?
• Systems Location Records Learning to read your company's facility map and the set of mapping symbols is an important skill that you must become familiar with.
• DI stands for which material?
• Which statement best describes high-frequency signals used in induction locating?
• CI stands for which material?
• In soil conditions, a dry, sandy, loosely packed soil provides which characteristic?
• Why are Low Frequencies useful for long distances?