NYC ELECTRICIAN (CUNY) EXAM – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND
WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST
EXAM UPDATE
Core Domains:
- National Electrical Code (NEC) Compliance
- NYC Electrical Code Amendments
- AC and DC Machinery and Motor Controls
- Electrical Circuit Wiring, Methods, and Materials
- Transformers and Power Distribution Systems
- Systems Testing, Troubleshooting, and Maintenance
- Low-Voltage and Fire Alarm Systems
- Workplace Safety and OSHA Regulations
Introduction
The City University of New York (CUNY) NYC Electrician Exam is designed to evaluate the
competency and technical expertise of candidates seeking licensure or employment within
New York City facilities. This assessment evaluates essential skills and knowledge across
foundational electrical theory, applied professional practices, and specific regulatory
compliance structures, including local amendments. The exam uses a combination of
standard multiple-choice questions and complex scenario-based items to simulate field
conditions. Candidates must demonstrate deep analytical capacity, real-world application,
and critical decision-making under professional standards to ensure safe, legal, and
operational continuity throughout all CUNY infrastructure projects.
,Section One: Questions 1–100
Question 1
A continuous electrical load is defined as a load where the maximum current is expected to
continue for at least how many hours?
A. 1 hour
B. 2 hours
C. 3 hours
D. 4 hours
🟢 C. 3 hours
🔴 Explanation: According to NEC Article 100, a continuous load is a load where the
maximum current is expected to continue for 3 hours or more. Branch circuits and
overcurrent protection devices for continuous loads must be rated at 125% of the continuous
load.
Question 2
When working in a CUNY laboratory building, an electrician needs to run power to a brand-
new variable frequency drive (VFD). To prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI) from
,disrupting nearby research equipment, which type of raceway provides the best shielding
characteristics?
A. Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing (ENT)
B. Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)
C. Liquidtight Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit (LFNC)
D. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Conduit
🟢 B. Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)
🔴 Explanation: Thick-walled ferrous metal conduits like Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC) provide
superior electromagnetic shielding properties compared to nonmetallic or flexible metallic
raceways, attenuating both magnetic and electric fields that can cause EMI.
Question 3
An electrician is installing a 200-ampere, 120/240V single-phase service for a temporary
campus administration module. What is the minimum size of copper grounded conductor
required if the service-entrance ungrounded conductors are 3/0 AWG copper?
A. 8 AWG
B. 6 AWG
, C. 4 AWG
D. 2 AWG
🟢 C. 4 AWG
🔴 Explanation: Based on NEC Table 250.102(C)(1), for ungrounded service-entrance
conductors of size 3/0 AWG copper, the minimum size for a copper grounded or grounding
electrode conductor is 4 AWG.
Question 4
A 3-phase, 460V squirrel-cage induction motor trips its circuit breaker immediately upon
starting. Clamp-on ammeter testing shows an initial inrush current nearly six times higher
than the nameplate full-load current (FLA). What does this indicate?
A. The motor has a shorted field winding.
B. This is normal locked-rotor inrush current, suggesting the breaker trip characteristic is too
fast.
C. The motor is running backward due to phase reversal.
D. The supply voltage is dropping too low during start-up.
🟢 B. This is normal locked-rotor inrush current, suggesting the breaker trip characteristic is
too fast.
WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST
EXAM UPDATE
Core Domains:
- National Electrical Code (NEC) Compliance
- NYC Electrical Code Amendments
- AC and DC Machinery and Motor Controls
- Electrical Circuit Wiring, Methods, and Materials
- Transformers and Power Distribution Systems
- Systems Testing, Troubleshooting, and Maintenance
- Low-Voltage and Fire Alarm Systems
- Workplace Safety and OSHA Regulations
Introduction
The City University of New York (CUNY) NYC Electrician Exam is designed to evaluate the
competency and technical expertise of candidates seeking licensure or employment within
New York City facilities. This assessment evaluates essential skills and knowledge across
foundational electrical theory, applied professional practices, and specific regulatory
compliance structures, including local amendments. The exam uses a combination of
standard multiple-choice questions and complex scenario-based items to simulate field
conditions. Candidates must demonstrate deep analytical capacity, real-world application,
and critical decision-making under professional standards to ensure safe, legal, and
operational continuity throughout all CUNY infrastructure projects.
,Section One: Questions 1–100
Question 1
A continuous electrical load is defined as a load where the maximum current is expected to
continue for at least how many hours?
A. 1 hour
B. 2 hours
C. 3 hours
D. 4 hours
🟢 C. 3 hours
🔴 Explanation: According to NEC Article 100, a continuous load is a load where the
maximum current is expected to continue for 3 hours or more. Branch circuits and
overcurrent protection devices for continuous loads must be rated at 125% of the continuous
load.
Question 2
When working in a CUNY laboratory building, an electrician needs to run power to a brand-
new variable frequency drive (VFD). To prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI) from
,disrupting nearby research equipment, which type of raceway provides the best shielding
characteristics?
A. Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing (ENT)
B. Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)
C. Liquidtight Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit (LFNC)
D. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Conduit
🟢 B. Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)
🔴 Explanation: Thick-walled ferrous metal conduits like Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC) provide
superior electromagnetic shielding properties compared to nonmetallic or flexible metallic
raceways, attenuating both magnetic and electric fields that can cause EMI.
Question 3
An electrician is installing a 200-ampere, 120/240V single-phase service for a temporary
campus administration module. What is the minimum size of copper grounded conductor
required if the service-entrance ungrounded conductors are 3/0 AWG copper?
A. 8 AWG
B. 6 AWG
, C. 4 AWG
D. 2 AWG
🟢 C. 4 AWG
🔴 Explanation: Based on NEC Table 250.102(C)(1), for ungrounded service-entrance
conductors of size 3/0 AWG copper, the minimum size for a copper grounded or grounding
electrode conductor is 4 AWG.
Question 4
A 3-phase, 460V squirrel-cage induction motor trips its circuit breaker immediately upon
starting. Clamp-on ammeter testing shows an initial inrush current nearly six times higher
than the nameplate full-load current (FLA). What does this indicate?
A. The motor has a shorted field winding.
B. This is normal locked-rotor inrush current, suggesting the breaker trip characteristic is too
fast.
C. The motor is running backward due to phase reversal.
D. The supply voltage is dropping too low during start-up.
🟢 B. This is normal locked-rotor inrush current, suggesting the breaker trip characteristic is
too fast.
