TheoryJourneyman Electrician 26
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30 free Journeyman Electrician 26 questions
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Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
According to the NEC, what is the definition of a branch circuit?
Correct — C. A branch circuit is defined as the circuit conductors between the final overcurrent device protecting the circuit and the outlet(s). Everything upstream of that last OCPD is considered a feeder or service. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
Which of the following is a standard branch circuit rating recognized by the NEC?
Correct — B. The NEC recognizes standard branch circuit ratings of 15, 20, 30, 40, and 50 amperes. 25, 35, and 45 amperes are not standard branch circuit ratings. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
What is the maximum rating for a residential general-purpose branch circuit supplying receptacle outlets?
Correct — A. Residential general-purpose branch circuits for receptacle outlets are limited to a maximum of 20 amperes. Higher ratings are reserved for specific appliance and large-load circuits. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
How many small-appliance branch circuits are required by the NEC for kitchen receptacle outlets in a dwelling unit?
Correct — D. NEC 210.11(C)(1) requires at least two 20-ampere small-appliance branch circuits for receptacles in kitchens, pantries, breakfast rooms, dining rooms, and similar areas of dwelling units. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
The NEC requires at least one 20-ampere branch circuit for laundry receptacles in a dwelling unit. This circuit shall supply:
Correct — B. NEC 210.11(C)(2) requires at least one 20-ampere branch circuit for the laundry area. This circuit shall have no other outlets — it is dedicated to laundry receptacles only. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
What is the minimum conductor size (copper) required for a 20-ampere branch circuit?
Correct — A. A 20-ampere branch circuit requires a minimum of 12 AWG copper conductors. 14 AWG is rated for only 15 amperes, which would be undersized for a 20-ampere circuit. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
Which minimum copper conductor size is required for a 15-ampere branch circuit?
Correct — C. 14 AWG copper conductors are the minimum size for 15-ampere branch circuits. Smaller gauges such as 16 AWG are not permitted for general wiring branch circuits. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
A multiwire branch circuit must have a means to disconnect all ungrounded conductors simultaneously at the panelboard. This requirement is satisfied by:
Correct — D. NEC 210.4(B) requires that multiwire branch circuits have a means to simultaneously disconnect all ungrounded conductors. This can be accomplished with a 2-pole breaker or single-pole breakers equipped with an identified handle tie. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
In a multiwire branch circuit, the ungrounded conductors must be connected to:
Correct — B. The ungrounded conductors of a multiwire branch circuit must be connected to different phases (legs) so the neutral carries only the unbalanced current, which prevents overloading the neutral conductor. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
What is the general lighting load per square foot used for dwelling units in NEC load calculations?
Correct — A. NEC Table 220.12 specifies a general lighting load of 3 VA per square foot for dwelling units. This value is used as the basis for calculating required branch circuits and service sizing. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
A dwelling unit has 2,000 square feet of living area. Using the NEC general lighting load calculation, what is the minimum VA load assigned for general lighting?
Correct — C. At 3 VA per square foot (NEC Table 220.12), a 2,000 sq ft dwelling requires 2,000 × 3 = 6,000 VA for general lighting load before applying any demand factors. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
How many VA is added for each two-wire small-appliance branch circuit when calculating dwelling unit loads?
Correct — B. NEC 220.52(A) requires that each 20-ampere small-appliance branch circuit be counted at 1,500 VA when calculating dwelling unit feeder and service loads. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
According to NEC Table 220.42, what demand factor applies to the first 3,000 VA of general lighting load for a dwelling unit?
Correct — D. NEC Table 220.42 (formerly Table 220.11) requires that the first 3,000 VA of general lighting load for dwelling units be calculated at 100% demand factor. The remaining load receives reduced demand factors. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
For a dwelling unit, NEC Table 220.42 applies what demand factor to general lighting load from 3,001 VA to 120,000 VA?
Correct — A. NEC Table 220.42 specifies that the portion of general lighting load from 3,001 VA to 120,000 VA is calculated at a 35% demand factor, acknowledging that not all loads operate simultaneously. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
Feeder conductors must have sufficient ampacity to serve the loads they supply. At minimum, feeder ampacity must not be less than:
Correct — C. NEC 215.2 requires feeder conductors to have ampacity not less than 125% of the continuous load plus 100% of the non-continuous load, before applying any demand factors. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
A feeder supplies a continuous load of 40 amperes and a non-continuous load of 20 amperes. What is the minimum required feeder conductor ampacity?
Correct — B. Continuous load: 40 A × 125% = 50 A; Non-continuous load: 20 A × 100% = 20 A; Total = 70 A minimum. This is per NEC 215.2(A)(1). -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
What is the minimum service size required for a new single-family dwelling unit according to the NEC?
Correct — D. NEC 230.79(C) requires a minimum 100-ampere, 3-wire service for any single-family dwelling unit. This ensures adequate capacity for modern electrical loads. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
Service entrance conductors run above ground outside a building must maintain a minimum clearance of how many feet above finished grade where subject to pedestrian traffic only?
Correct — A. NEC 230.24(B) requires service conductors above roofs or over pedestrian areas to maintain at least 10 feet above finished grade for areas accessible only to pedestrians. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
Overhead service conductors crossing a public street with truck traffic must maintain a minimum vertical clearance of:
Correct — C. NEC 230.24(B)(4) requires 18 feet of clearance over public streets, alleys, roads, or driveways subject to truck traffic to prevent contact with tall vehicles. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
The NEC limits the number of disconnects permitted at the service to a maximum of:
Correct — B. NEC 230.71(A) permits a maximum of six disconnecting means grouped at one location for a service. This is commonly called the 'rule of six' for service disconnects. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
Where must the service disconnecting means be located?
Correct — D. NEC 230.70(A)(1) requires the service disconnecting means to be installed at a readily accessible location, either outside the building/structure or inside nearest the point of entry of the service conductors. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
Branch circuit conductors must be protected by an overcurrent device at the point where:
Correct — A. Overcurrent protection for branch circuit conductors must be located at the point where the conductors receive their supply (the panelboard or source). This protects the conductors from excessive current. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
A single non-motor load is rated as a continuous load. The branch circuit overcurrent device must be rated at no less than:
Correct — C. Per NEC 210.20(A), the overcurrent device for a branch circuit supplying a continuous load must have a rating of at least 125% of the continuous load current to prevent nuisance tripping during sustained operation. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
Under the 10-foot tap rule, which condition must be met regarding conductor ampacity?
Correct — B. NEC 240.21(B)(1) allows a 10-foot tap without overcurrent protection at the tap point if the tap conductor has an ampacity at least 1/10 (10%) of the feeder OCPD rating, the tap is in a raceway, and it terminates in a single OCPD. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
The 25-foot feeder tap rule (NEC 240.21(B)(2)) requires that the tap conductors have an ampacity of at least:
Correct — D. Under the 25-foot tap rule, the tap conductors must have an ampacity not less than 1/3 of the rating of the overcurrent device protecting the feeder conductors, and they must terminate in a single breaker or set of fuses. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
What is the 60°C column ampacity of 10 AWG copper in NEC Table 310.12 for residential branch circuits?
Correct — A. Per NEC Table 310.12, 10 AWG copper conductors have an ampacity of 30 amperes at 60°C, which is the temperature column used for 15- and 20-ampere residential branch circuits when termination temperature is unknown. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
When more than three current-carrying conductors are in a raceway, the conductor ampacity must be reduced. What correction factor applies for 4–6 current-carrying conductors in a conduit?
Correct — C. NEC Table 310.15(C)(1) specifies an 80% (0.80) adjustment factor when 4 to 6 current-carrying conductors are bundled in a raceway or cable to account for heat buildup. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
GFCI protection for receptacles in bathrooms of dwelling units is required by which NEC article section?
Correct — B. NEC 210.8(A)(1) requires GFCI protection for all 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles in bathrooms of dwelling units to protect against electric shock in wet locations. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
GFCI protection is required for receptacles located outdoors at dwelling units when:
Correct — D. NEC 210.8(A)(3) requires GFCI protection for all 125-volt, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed outdoors at dwelling units, without restriction to specific outdoor locations. -
Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services
Ground-fault protection of equipment (GFPE) at the service disconnect is required for solidly grounded wye services of more than 150 volts to ground but not exceeding 600 volts phase-to-phase when the service exceeds:
Correct — A. NEC 230.95 requires GFPE at the service disconnect for solidly grounded wye services over 150V to ground (not exceeding 600V phase-to-phase) where the service exceeds 1,000 amperes. This protects against arcing ground faults.
Journeyman Electrician 26 sample questions
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Branch Circuits, Feeders & Services AFCI protection is required for all 120-volt, 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets in which rooms of a dwelling unit?
A. Kitchens and bathrooms only
B. Living rooms and bedrooms only
C. All areas listed in NEC 210.12(A), including bedrooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas, and similar rooms ✓
D. Kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms only
Correct — C. NEC 210.12(A) requires AFCI protection in virtually all rooms of a dwelling, including bedrooms, living areas, hallways, closets, laundry rooms, and similar spaces to protect against arcing faults that can cause fires.
Conductors, Boxes & Conduit Fill Per NEC Table 310.16, what is the 60°C ampacity of a 12 AWG copper conductor?
A. 20 A ✓
B. 25 A
C. 30 A
D. 15 A
Correct — A. NEC Table 310.16 lists 12 AWG copper at 20 A in the 60°C column, 25 A in the 75°C column, and 30 A in the 90°C column. The 60°C rating governs most residential terminations.
Grounding & Bonding What is the primary purpose of grounding electrical equipment?
A. To increase the efficiency of the electrical system
B. To reduce voltage drop across long runs
C. To provide a low-impedance path for fault current and limit voltage rise on equipment enclosures ✓
D. To balance loads across phases
Correct — C. Grounding establishes a low-impedance path so fault current flows back to the source, causing the overcurrent device to open and limiting dangerous voltage buildup on equipment enclosures.
Motors, Transformers & Controls Which type of AC motor operates at a speed that is always slightly less than synchronous speed?
A. Induction motor ✓
B. Synchronous motor
C. Universal motor
D. Reluctance motor
Correct — A. An induction motor's rotor turns slightly slower than the rotating magnetic field (synchronous speed), creating slip. This slip is necessary to induce rotor current and produce torque.
Overcurrent Protection & OCPDs What is the primary purpose of an overcurrent protective device (OCPD)?
A. To open the circuit when current exceeds a safe level ✓
B. To increase voltage during a fault
C. To measure power consumption
D. To regulate frequency
Correct — A. An OCPD (fuse or circuit breaker) opens the circuit when current exceeds its rating, protecting conductors and equipment from damage caused by overloads and short circuits.
Special Occupancies, Equipment & Safety A Class I, Division 1 location is defined as one where ignitable concentrations of flammable gases or vapors:
A. Exist under normal operating conditions ✓
B. Exist only during abnormal operations or equipment failure
C. Are not likely to exist in quantities sufficient to produce an ignitable mixture
D. Exist only in outdoor areas
Correct — A. Class I, Division 1 locations are those where ignitable concentrations of flammable gases or vapors can exist under normal operating conditions, or where ignitable concentrations may exist frequently because of repair/maintenance operations.
Electrical Theory & Calculations A circuit has a voltage of 120 V and a resistance of 40 Ω. What is the current flowing through the circuit?
A. 3 A ✓
B. 4800 A
C. 0.33 A
D. 80 A
Correct — A. Ohm's Law: I = V / R = 120 / 40 = 3 A. Current equals voltage divided by resistance.
Wiring Methods & Materials Which conduit type is permitted for direct burial without additional protection?
A. Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Conduit (PVC Schedule 40) ✓
B. Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT)
C. Flexible Metal Conduit (FMC)
D. Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing (ENT)
Correct — A. PVC Schedule 40 conduit is listed for direct burial per NEC Article 352. EMT, FMC, and ENT are not rated for direct burial applications.
About the Journeyman Electrician 26 test
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