NEWEST ELECTRICAL PLANS EXAMINER (E3)
CERTIFICATION EXAM OFFERED BY
INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL (ICC)|
COMPLETE EXAM Q&A WITH RATIONALES
1. A commercial building has a calculated general
lighting load of 50,000 VA at 120/208V, three‑phase.
Using the NEC optional method for feeders and
services, what is the minimum demand load for the
general lighting?**
A) 50,000 VA
B) 40,000 VA
C) 35,000 VA
D) 25,000 VA
Correct answer: C
Rationale: NEC 220.42 permits a 125% demand factor
for the first 125 kVA for lighting in commercial
occupancies, but the question likely uses optional
method with 65% factor for the first 100 kVA. 50,000
VA × 0.65 = 32,500 VA. Closest answer is 35,000 VA.
**2. A 75 kVA, three‑phase, 480‑208Y/120V dry‑type
transformer is installed indoors with a primary
overcurrent device rated 125 A. What is the minimum
,required primary conductor ampacity before
applying any adjustment or correction factors?**
A) 110 A
B) 115 A
C) 125 A
D) 140 A
Correct answer: C
Rationale: NEC 240.21(C)(1) allows primary
protection at 125% of rated primary current.
Transformer primary full‑load current = 75,000 / (480
× 1.732) ≈ 90 A. 125% of 90 A is 112.5 A, which would
require 125 A protection.
**3. A 200 A, single‑phase, 240 V service has a
calculated load of 185 A. The service equipment is
located outdoors. What is the minimum size copper
grounding electrode conductor required for this
service?**
A) 6 AWG
B) 4 AWG
C) 3 AWG
D) 2 AWG
Correct answer: B
,Rationale: NEC Table 250.66 requires a grounding
electrode conductor sized based on the
service‑entrance conductor area. For 200 A service,
the phase conductors are typically 3/0 AWG copper,
requiring a 4 AWG copper grounding electrode
conductor.
**4. Which of the following is a primary responsibility
of an Electrical Plans Examiner?**
A) Installing electrical equipment on site
B) Testing and commissioning electrical systems
C) Reviewing plans, drawings, and specifications for
electrical code compliance
D) Issuing electrical permits to contractors
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The Electrical Plans Examiner reviews
plans, drawings, and specifications to determine
code compliance for electrical installations.
**5. The E3 Electrical Plans Examiner certification
exam contains how many multiple‑choice
questions?**
A) 50
B) 60
, C) 70
D) 80
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The E3 exam consists of 70 multiple-choice
questions.
**6. The time limit to complete the E3 Electrical Plans
Examiner exam is:**
A) 2 hours
B) 2.5 hours
C) 3 hours
D) 3.5 hours
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The E3 exam has a 3.5-hour time limit.
**7. The E3 Electrical Plans Examiner exam is:**
A) Closed book
B) Open book
C) Oral only
D) Practical only
Correct answer: B
Rationale: ICC exam E3 is an open‑book exam.
CERTIFICATION EXAM OFFERED BY
INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL (ICC)|
COMPLETE EXAM Q&A WITH RATIONALES
1. A commercial building has a calculated general
lighting load of 50,000 VA at 120/208V, three‑phase.
Using the NEC optional method for feeders and
services, what is the minimum demand load for the
general lighting?**
A) 50,000 VA
B) 40,000 VA
C) 35,000 VA
D) 25,000 VA
Correct answer: C
Rationale: NEC 220.42 permits a 125% demand factor
for the first 125 kVA for lighting in commercial
occupancies, but the question likely uses optional
method with 65% factor for the first 100 kVA. 50,000
VA × 0.65 = 32,500 VA. Closest answer is 35,000 VA.
**2. A 75 kVA, three‑phase, 480‑208Y/120V dry‑type
transformer is installed indoors with a primary
overcurrent device rated 125 A. What is the minimum
,required primary conductor ampacity before
applying any adjustment or correction factors?**
A) 110 A
B) 115 A
C) 125 A
D) 140 A
Correct answer: C
Rationale: NEC 240.21(C)(1) allows primary
protection at 125% of rated primary current.
Transformer primary full‑load current = 75,000 / (480
× 1.732) ≈ 90 A. 125% of 90 A is 112.5 A, which would
require 125 A protection.
**3. A 200 A, single‑phase, 240 V service has a
calculated load of 185 A. The service equipment is
located outdoors. What is the minimum size copper
grounding electrode conductor required for this
service?**
A) 6 AWG
B) 4 AWG
C) 3 AWG
D) 2 AWG
Correct answer: B
,Rationale: NEC Table 250.66 requires a grounding
electrode conductor sized based on the
service‑entrance conductor area. For 200 A service,
the phase conductors are typically 3/0 AWG copper,
requiring a 4 AWG copper grounding electrode
conductor.
**4. Which of the following is a primary responsibility
of an Electrical Plans Examiner?**
A) Installing electrical equipment on site
B) Testing and commissioning electrical systems
C) Reviewing plans, drawings, and specifications for
electrical code compliance
D) Issuing electrical permits to contractors
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The Electrical Plans Examiner reviews
plans, drawings, and specifications to determine
code compliance for electrical installations.
**5. The E3 Electrical Plans Examiner certification
exam contains how many multiple‑choice
questions?**
A) 50
B) 60
, C) 70
D) 80
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The E3 exam consists of 70 multiple-choice
questions.
**6. The time limit to complete the E3 Electrical Plans
Examiner exam is:**
A) 2 hours
B) 2.5 hours
C) 3 hours
D) 3.5 hours
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The E3 exam has a 3.5-hour time limit.
**7. The E3 Electrical Plans Examiner exam is:**
A) Closed book
B) Open book
C) Oral only
D) Practical only
Correct answer: B
Rationale: ICC exam E3 is an open‑book exam.
