Electrical Technician Interview Questions UK: 8 Real Questions and What Interviewers Want

Most Electrical Technician interviews in the UK follow a pattern, and knowing it beats guessing. Below are eight questions from our bank of 16, each with a note on what the interviewer is really after.

Eight Electrical Technician interview questions, and what the interviewer is thinking

1. Talk me through the safe isolation procedure you would follow before working on an electrical circuit.

Why they ask: Safe isolation is the single most important practical procedure for a technician.

2. What tests would you carry out on a new circuit before energising it, and in what order?

Why they ask: Inspection and testing sequence is core knowledge for technicians working on installations.

3. How would you find a fault on a circuit that keeps tripping its RCD?

Why they ask: Fault finding is a core daily skill, and RCD trips are a very common job.

4. What is the difference between single-phase and three-phase supplies, and where would you use each?

Why they ask: They want to confirm you understand supplies that you will meet daily.

5. What are the main causes of a motor failing to start or tripping, and how do you check them?

Why they ask: Motor control is a daily task for many electrical technicians.

6. You arrive at a job and find the existing wiring is in a dangerous condition, with exposed conductors and burnt cable. What do you do?

Why they ask: They want to see how you handle unsafe findings and customer communication.

7. Tell me about a time you diagnosed and fixed a tricky electrical fault.

Why they ask: Fault finding is the essence of the job, and they want to see your method.

8. Why do you want to work as an electrical technician, and what do you enjoy about it?

Why they ask: They want to understand motivation and commitment to the trade.

A sample answer to question 1

Talk me through the safe isolation procedure you would follow before working on an electrical circuit.

First I identify the circuit and the source of supply, check the drawings and tell the people affected. I select an approved voltage indicator and proving unit that meet GS38. I then isolate the supply at the correct device, securing it with a personal lock and warning label, so it cannot be switched back on, and I keep the key. Before testing, I prove the voltage indicator works on a known supply or proving unit, then test between all live conductors and between each live conductor and earth at the point of work. I confirm the circuit is dead, then re-prove the indicator on the known source to make sure it did not fail during the test. Only then do I begin work. Where necessary, I also discharge stored energy from capacitors, and I follow any permit to work system. When the job is complete, I remove my lock and tag myself and inform everyone before reenergising.

Common mistake to avoid: Skipping the proving unit; relying on the switch position

Want the rest?

Full model answers, key points and common mistakes for all 16 questions are on the Electrical Technician interview questions page. The first five are free, no sign-up needed.