What should be done if sustained contact voltage is detected?

• A. Begin troubleshooting or stand by until relieved by appropriate personnel
• B. Immediately power down and replace the resistor
• C. Ignore and continue
• D. Notify supervisor after shift

Answer: (A)

When you detect sustained contact voltage, safety takes top priority. The correct course is to pause work and wait for qualified personnel to assess and troubleshoot. This moment demands care and proper procedures, because persistent voltage means there's a real shock hazard that you’re not authorized to resolve on the spot. Standing by or beginning troubleshooting only if you’re trained and cleared to do so ensures the system can be de-energized and checked safely, with the proper lockout/tagout and testing steps.

Why the other choices aren’t appropriate: trying to power down and replace a component on the fly can introduce additional risks if the shutdown isn’t done under the right safety procedures or if the repair isn’t within your scope. ignoring the situation entirely leaves people exposed to potential shock. delaying reporting until after the shift means the hazard remains unresolved for longer, increasing risk to anyone who encounters the equipment.