Where is the typical place to locate the high‑voltage service disconnect in an EV, and what should you do with it?

• A. In the engine bay or near the battery pack; switch it to OFF per OEM guidelines and mark with a lockout tag.
• B. In the trunk; switch it to ON.
• C. Under the vehicle floor; leave it ON during maintenance.
• D. Inside the vehicle cabin; disable with the ignition switch.

Answer: (A)

The essential safety step is isolating the high‑voltage system to prevent shock or arcing during maintenance. The service disconnect is placed where it’s easily accessible to trained technicians—typically in the engine bay or near the battery pack—so you can quickly cut power to the HV system. You switch it to OFF according to the vehicle maker’s guidelines and then apply a lockout tag to ensure the disconnect can’t be re-energized unintentionally while work is being done. This practice creates a physical and visual barrier that protects anyone servicing the vehicle.

Locations like in the trunk, under the vehicle floor, or inside the cabin aren’t standard for isolating the HV system, and simply leaving it ON or relying on the ignition switch doesn’t adequately disconnect the high‑voltage circuits. Always follow the OEM procedure for the specific vehicle and use proper lockout/tagout practices.