Home Inspector Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (21–30)

Question 1

A home inspector finds that a 20-amp breaker is protecting a circuit wired with 14 AWG wire. This is a defect because:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

14 AWG wire is rated for 15 amps and could overheat before the 20-amp breaker trips. Overcurrent protection must be sized to protect the wiring. A 20-amp breaker allows twice the safe ampacity of 14 AWG wire (15A) to flow before tripping, risking insulation overheating and fire.

Question 2

The NEC limits the continuous load on a branch circuit to what percentage of the circuit's ampere rating?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

80%. NEC 210.20 limits continuous loads (lasting 3 or more hours) to 80% of the branch circuit's rating. This prevents conductors and overcurrent devices from operating at their maximum rated temperature for extended periods.

Question 3

GFCI protection is required for all receptacles in a bathroom. What does GFCI stand for?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. It monitors current balance and trips within milliseconds when it detects as little as 5 milliamps of leakage to ground, protecting against electrocution in wet locations.

Question 4

According to the NEC, GFCI protection is required for receptacles located within how many feet of a kitchen sink?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

6 feet. NEC 210.8(A)(6) requires GFCI protection for all kitchen receptacles that serve the countertop surfaces, and specifically those within 6 feet of a kitchen sink, because of the proximity to water.

Question 5

A home inspector tests a GFCI receptacle using a plug-in tester and the TEST button trips it, but the outlet does not lose power. This indicates:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

The receptacle may be wired incorrectly (line and load reversed) or the GFCI is defective. A GFCI that trips (indicator changes) but still passes power is wired with the line and load connections reversed (back-wired incorrectly) or is internally defective—it will not protect against ground faults in either case.

Question 6

GFCI protection is required for all 15- and 20-amp receptacles installed in which of the following locations?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Garages and detached accessory structures. NEC 210.8(A)(2) requires GFCI protection for garage receptacles and structures with floors at or below grade level, because these locations are prone to moisture and ground fault hazards.

Question 7

A home built in 1975 does not have GFCI protection in the bathrooms. As a home inspector, you should:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Report the absence of GFCI protection as a safety deficiency and recommend upgrading. Home inspectors report on current safety standards, not just whether something met the code when built. While the installation may have been code-compliant at the time, the absence of GFCI protection in a bathroom is a recognized safety concern that should be noted and an upgrade recommended.

Question 8

An outdoor receptacle installed under a covered patio — not directly exposed to rain — still requires GFCI protection because:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

NEC 210.8(A)(3) requires GFCI protection for all outdoor receptacles regardless of weather protection. The NEC requires GFCI protection for all outdoor receptacles on residential structures, whether or not they are sheltered from direct rain. Moisture, humidity, and extension cords still create shock hazards in covered outdoor areas.

Question 9

What type of hazard does an Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) breaker protect against?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Electrical arcing caused by damaged, deteriorated, or loose wiring that could ignite a fire. AFCIs detect the unique electrical signature of arcing faults—often from damaged cords or loose connections—and disconnect the circuit before the arc can ignite surrounding materials. GFCIs protect against shock; AFCIs protect against arc-ignited fires.

Question 10

Under modern NEC editions, AFCI protection is required for circuits supplying which of the following rooms in a dwelling?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, hallways, and similar areas. The NEC has expanded AFCI requirements over successive editions to include virtually all circuits in habitable spaces of a dwelling, starting with bedrooms in 1999 and now including living areas, hallways, and more. The bedroom was the historic starting point.

Home Inspector Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (21–30)

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