EtihadWE electrical exam practice (formerly FEWA)
Etihad Water and Electricity, which replaced FEWA, is the utility for most of the northern emirates: Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
Its wiring regulations word some limits differently from DEWA, most notably the 20 V maximum voltage drop from the Customer Connection Point to the end of any final circuit. Knowing where the emirates differ is exactly what these questions test.
What the questions cover
Cables & voltage drop, Calculations, Earthing & bonding, Fire, life safety & ELV, Protection & RCDs, Regulations & procedures, Renewables & EV, Safety & isolation, Special locations, Supply & earthing, Switchgear & PFC, Testing & inspection.
Main references: EtihadWE / FEWA Electricity Wiring Regulations, 2020.
Key values to know
- EtihadWE (formerly FEWA): Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah
- Voltage drop ≤ 20 V from Customer Connection Point to end of any final circuit
- 4 categories of circuit defined for segregation
- TN final circuits ≤ 32 A: 0.4 s; TT: 0.2 s (Table 41.1)
- Distribution circuits: TN 5 s, TT 1 s
- TT: RA × IΔn ≤ 50 V
- RCD: ≤ 300 ms at 1 × IΔn, ≤ 40 ms at 5 × IΔn
- Insulation: 500 V d.c. ≥ 1 MΩ; SELV/PELV 250 V d.c. ≥ 0.5 MΩ
- Max Zs = 230 × 0.95 / Ia (B: 5 In, C: 10 In, D: 20 In)
- CPC (Table 54.7): ≤16 → same; 16-35 → 16; >35 → half
- Main bonding ≥ 6 mm² Cu; supplementary 4 mm² (2.5 mm² protected)
- Buried earthing conductor, no corrosion protection: 25 mm² Cu
- Adiabatic S = √(I²t) / k
Sample questions with answers
1. Etihad Water and Electricity (formerly FEWA) is the utility for most areas of which emirates?
- Dubai and Sharjah
- Abu Dhabi and Al Ain
- Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah
- Sharjah only
Show the answer
Answer: C - Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah
EtihadWE, the federal utility that replaced FEWA, serves the northern emirates: Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Dubai has DEWA, Sharjah has SEWA and Abu Dhabi has ADDC / AADC.
Reference: EtihadWE service area
2. Under the EtihadWE / FEWA wiring regulations, voltage drop from the Customer Connection Point to the remote end of any final circuit must not exceed:
- 4% of nominal
- 9.2 V
- 20 V
- 5% of nominal
Show the answer
Answer: C - 20 V
The EtihadWE regulations express the limit as an absolute value: 20 V from the connection point to the far end of any final circuit, except special cases designed for more and approved by the utility. Do not mix this up with DEWA's 4%.
Reference: EtihadWE Wiring Regulations 2020
3. How many categories of circuit are defined in the EtihadWE / FEWA wiring regulations?
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Show the answer
Answer: C - 4
The regulations define 4 categories of circuit. Category 1 is a circuit operating at low voltage that is not a Category 3 circuit. The categories exist so that circuits of different types can be identified and kept segregated.
Reference: EtihadWE Wiring Regulations 2020, definitions
4. The EtihadWE regulations describe a residual current device (ELCB/RCD) as a device that isolates the supply when:
- Current exceeds the cable rating
- The algebraic sum of currents in the phase and neutral conductors reaches a preset value
- Voltage falls below 80%
- The power factor drops below 0.9
Show the answer
Answer: B - The algebraic sum of currents in the phase and neutral conductors reaches a preset value
An RCD compares phase and neutral currents through a toroid. In a healthy circuit they cancel. Any difference is current leaking to earth, and once it reaches IΔn the device trips.
Reference: EtihadWE Wiring Regulations 2020, definitions
5. For a TT system, what is the maximum disconnection time for a final circuit rated not exceeding 32 A at 230 V?
- 0.1 s
- 0.2 s
- 0.4 s
- 5 s
Show the answer
Answer: B - 0.2 s
Table 41.1 of BS 7671 gives 0.2 s for TT final circuits ≤32 A at 230 V (0.4 s for TN). This short time is usually met by an RCD rather than an overcurrent device.
Reference: BS 7671 Table 41.1
6. Which steps form part of a safe isolation procedure?
- Lock off the isolator and fit a caution tag
- Prove the voltage indicator on a proving unit before and after testing
- Test between all conductor combinations, including line to earth
- Rely on the switch position indicator to confirm it is dead
Show the answer
Answer: A, B, C - Lock off the isolator and fit a caution tag; Prove the voltage indicator on a proving unit before and after testing; Test between all conductor combinations, including line to earth
Isolate, lock off and tag, prove the tester, test all combinations, then prove the tester again. The switch position alone never proves a circuit is dead; contacts can weld or the wrong circuit may be isolated.
Reference: GS38; BS 7671 537
7. What minimum illuminance does BS EN 1838 require for open area (anti-panic) emergency lighting?
- 0.2 lux
- 0.5 lux
- 1 lux
- 5 lux
Show the answer
Answer: B - 0.5 lux
Open area (anti-panic) lighting needs 0.5 lux minimum across the core area, excluding a 0.5 m border.
Reference: BS EN 1838
Practise the full paper
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Other exam guides
These questions are written from the published regulations and standards and are not copied from any real exam. Authorities and boards do not publish their question banks, and pass marks and formats can change, so confirm the current details with the body concerned.