ICC Residential Electrical Inspectors Practice Exam

What must be placed at least 12 inches above underground service conductors to identify their location?

1. Warning lights

2. Concrete barriers

3. Warning ribbon

4. Plastic markers

The correct answer is: Warning ribbon

The requirement to place a warning ribbon at least 12 inches above underground service conductors serves an important purpose in ensuring safety and preventing accidental damage during excavations. The warning ribbon acts as a clear signal that underground utilities are present in the area, alerting individuals who may be digging or conducting similar activities. The use of a warning ribbon is standard practice because it is designed to be easily recognizable and signals the presence of relevant underground infrastructure. It is typically brightly colored and labeled accordingly, making it a straightforward and effective method for indicating the proximity of buried cables and conduits. Other options, while they may have specific uses in different contexts, do not fulfill the specific safety requirement related to identifying the location of underground service conductors as effectively as a warning ribbon.