SEWA electrical exam practice (Sharjah)
The Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority's Rules and Regulations for Electrical Wiring Installations (3rd Edition, 2019) replaced the 1980 and 2003 documents and are based on BS 7671:2008 and IEC 60364.
SEWA is strict about process as well as technical rules: projects are studied before approval and construction, and supply is not given unless the rules are met in full. Expect questions on both, plus the BS 7671 fundamentals the regulations build on.
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: SEWA Rules and Regulations for Electrical Wiring Installations, 3rd Edition 2019.
Key values to know
- Rules and Regulations for Electrical Wiring Installations, 3rd Edition 2019
- Supersedes 1980 regulation and 2003 building rules
- Based on BS 7671:2008 and IEC 60364
- Projects submitted for SEWA study before approval and construction
- No supply unless the rules are met entirely
- 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. Which is the current edition of SEWA's Rules and Regulations for Electrical Wiring Installations referred to by consultants?
- 1st edition, 1980
- 2nd edition, 2003
- 3rd edition, 2019
- 5th edition, 2024
Show the answer
Answer: C - 3rd edition, 2019
The 3rd edition (2019) superseded the 1980 wiring regulation and the 2003 building rules and regulations. Always confirm with SEWA whether a newer revision is in force before your exam.
Reference: SEWA Rules & Regulations, 3rd Ed. 2019, introduction
2. SEWA's 2019 wiring regulations are based on and refer to:
- BS 7671:2008
- IEC 60364
- NFPA 70 (NEC)
- JIS C 0364
Show the answer
Answer: A, B - BS 7671:2008; IEC 60364
SEWA's 3rd edition is based on BS 7671:2008 and IEC 60364, plus AGCC wiring practice. American NEC and Japanese standards are not the basis.
Reference: SEWA Rules & Regulations, 3rd Ed. 2019
3. What happens if an installation does not fully meet SEWA's rules and regulations?
- Supply is given with a warning letter
- Supply is given temporarily for 6 months
- Electric power supply will not be made available
- A fine is issued but supply continues
Show the answer
Answer: C - Electric power supply will not be made available
Compliance is compulsory. SEWA states that electric supply will not be made available if the rules and regulations are not met entirely.
Reference: SEWA 2019, cl. 1.1.3
4. Which installations fall within the scope of SEWA's 2019 wiring regulations?
- Villas and similar domestic premises
- Low, medium and high rise buildings
- Street lighting
- Offshore oil platforms
Show the answer
Answer: A, B, C - Villas and similar domestic premises; Low, medium and high rise buildings; Street lighting
The scope covers buildings in general including villas, shops, offices, low to high rise buildings, residential developments, infrastructure and street lighting. Offshore platforms are outside a distribution utility's wiring rules.
Reference: SEWA 2019, cl. 1.1.1
5. When must projects be submitted to SEWA for detailed study?
- After construction is complete
- Before approval and commencement of site construction
- Only when the load exceeds 1 MW
- Only for villas
Show the answer
Answer: B - Before approval and commencement of site construction
All projects must be submitted to SEWA for detailed study before approval and before construction starts on site. Designs that skip this step cannot get a connection later.
Reference: SEWA 2019, cl. 1.1.2
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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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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.