What kind of test would confirm a circuit is intact without external power?

• A. A continuity check across the two-wire circuit.
• B. A voltage test with power applied.
• C. A capacitance test.
• D. An insulation resistance test.

Answer: (A)

To know a circuit is intact when it isn’t powered, you need to confirm there is a continuous conductive path from one end to the other. A continuity check does exactly that: with the power off, you test across the two wires and verify that current can flow or that the tester beeps, indicating low resistance. If there’s a break anywhere, the path isn’t complete and the tester shows an open circuit. This method directly assesses the presence of an uninterrupted conductor, which is what “circuit is intact” means in this context. The other options involve applying voltage, testing for different electrical properties, or checking insulation quality, none of which specifically confirm a continuous path in a de-energized circuit. So a continuity check is the appropriate test for confirming the circuit is intact without external power.