What is the Chargeman exam?
A Chargeman (Penjaga Jentera Elektrik, PJE) is the competent person who operates and looks after an electrical installation. The certificate of competency is issued by Suruhanjaya Tenaga (the Energy Commission) under the Electricity Supply Act 1990 and regulation 49 of the Electricity Regulations 1994. Restriction A0 covers low voltage systems without a power station or overhead lines; A1 adds low voltage overhead lines. Since 2013, A0 and A1 examinations are run through institutions accredited by the Energy Commission.
The exam and eligibility
| Certified by | Suruhanjaya Tenaga (Energy Commission) |
|---|---|
| Exam parts | Teori (written theory), Amali (practical) and Lisan (oral). You must pass all three. A failed theory part blocks the practical and oral; a failed practical or oral part can be repeated. |
| Theory format | Written answers to the questions set (regulation 49(3)). The number of questions, time allowed, pass mark and objective and subjective split are not published by the Energy Commission and may vary by accredited institution. |
| Eligibility | Malaysian citizen, at least 20 years old, completed Form 5 (SVM considered with a transcript), at least 3 years' experience controlling live equipment, able to speak and write Bahasa Malaysia, and knowledge of first aid and of the Act and Regulations |
| Shorter route | Holders of a Wireman (Pendawai) certificate or a polytechnic electrical engineering certificate need 2 years' experience instead of 3 |
| A1 | 1 year of low voltage overhead line experience or a certified TAVR module at an accredited institution, plus 1 year registered as PJE A0 |
| Fees | RM20 application processing fee plus RM110 examination fee (Energy Commission). Accredited institutions charge their own course fees. |
What this pack covers
This pack covers the written theory part only. The practical (Amali) and oral (Lisan) parts cannot be practised as written multiple choice, so they are not included.
- Laws and regulations: the Electricity Supply Act 1990, the Electricity Regulations 1994, voltage definitions and the duties of a competent person.
- Safety and first aid: safe work procedures, isolation, permits, electric shock and CPR.
- Electrical principles: Ohm's law, power, three-phase systems and power factor correction.
- Main switchboard: circuit breakers, protection relays, earth leakage protection and metering.
- Transformers and cables: losses, ratings, cable selection and installation.
- Motors, batteries and lighting: starters, motor protection, batteries and lighting systems.
- Earthing and testing: earth electrodes, earth fault loop impedance, insulation resistance and instruments.
- Overhead lines (A1): low voltage overhead lines, stays and clearances.
Free official resources, and what we add
The Energy Commission publishes the Penjaga Jentera Elektrik conditions and syllabus, and the Electricity Regulations 1994 are publicly available. There is no official question bank. Our questions are original, and every explanation says why the answer is right.
How to prepare
- Read regulation 49 and the voltage definitions in regulation 2 of the Electricity Regulations 1994 until you know them by heart.
- Learn the Malaysian low voltage supply: 230/400 V, 50 Hz, with tolerances of +10% and -6% since 2008.
- Practise power, current and power factor calculations by hand, including three-phase working.
- Know what each device on a main switchboard does, from the incoming breaker to the earth leakage relay and the maximum demand meter.
- Learn the test sequence for a new installation and what each instrument measures.
- Practise one topic at a time here, then sit full timed mocks.
Practice questions with answers
Tap a question to see the correct answer and explanation.
Under regulation 2 of the Electricity Regulations 1994, what is the upper limit of 'extra low voltage'?
- 30 V a.c. or 60 V d.c.
- 110 V a.c. or 150 V d.c.
- 240 V a.c. or 240 V d.c.
- 50 V a.c. or 120 V d.c.
Answer: D, 50 V a.c. or 120 V d.c.. Regulation 2 defines extra low voltage as a voltage normally not exceeding 50 volts a.c. or 120 volts d.c., between conductors or between conductor and earth.
Before work begins on a low voltage main switchboard, what does regulation 20 of the Electricity Regulations 1994 require?
- The supply must be reduced to half voltage
- The switchboard, or the section to be worked on, must be made dead and the conductors earthed
- Only the outgoing MCCBs need to be switched off, while the incomer and busbars stay live
- A fire extinguisher must be placed beside the board
Answer: B, The switchboard, or the section to be worked on, must be made dead and the conductors earthed. Regulation 20 requires the switchboard to be made dead and the conductor earthed, or, where it is sectionalised with screens, the section to be worked on made dead and every conductor earthed.
A heater of resistance 46 ohms is connected to 230 V. What current flows?
- 0.2 A
- 10.6 A
- 5 A
- 4.6 A
Answer: C, 5 A. By Ohm's law, I = V / R = 230 / 46 = 5 A.