NEW MEXICO EL-1J ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION
JOURNEYMAN LICENSING EXAM COMPLETE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
LATEST VERSION (100% VERIFIED ANSWERS) ALREADY
GRADED A+
1. A distribution line rated at 13.2 kV is considered part of which portion of the electrical
power system?
A. Generation
B. Transmission
C. Distribution
D. Utilization
Answer: C
Rationale: A 13.2-kV line is a common medium-voltage distribution circuit that delivers
electricity from substations to local service areas. Distribution systems typically operate from
about 2.4 kV to 35 kV, depending on utility design.
2. Which publication establishes the primary safety requirements for employees working on
electric supply and communication lines?
A. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 101)
B. National Electrical Code (NEC)
C. National Electrical Safety Code (NESC)
D. International Building Code (IBC)
Answer: C
,Rationale: The National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) establishes safety standards for the
installation, operation, and maintenance of electric supply and communication systems used
by utilities. Electrical distribution journeymen rely heavily on the NESC for safe work
practices.
3. Before beginning work on an energized distribution circuit, workers should first:
A. Begin climbing the pole
B. Identify hazards, conduct a job briefing, and review the work plan
C. Remove all grounds
D. Disconnect customer services
Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA and utility safety procedures require a job briefing before work begins. The
briefing identifies hazards, assigns responsibilities, reviews procedures, and ensures everyone
understands the work plan.
4. What is the primary purpose of grounding temporary protective grounds during line work?
A. Improve lighting
B. Reduce conductor resistance
C. Protect workers from accidental energization
D. Increase system voltage
Answer: C
Rationale: Temporary protective grounds provide a low-resistance path for fault current and
help protect workers if a line becomes accidentally energized while maintenance is being
performed.
5. Which device is commonly used to step distribution voltage down to customer service
voltage?
A. Capacitor bank
B. Voltage regulator
C. Distribution transformer
D. Recloser
,Answer: C
Rationale: Distribution transformers reduce primary distribution voltage to utilization
voltages such as 120/240 volts for residential customers or other secondary voltages for
commercial customers.
6. Which type of insulator is commonly used on overhead distribution lines to support
conductors mounted on crossarms?
A. Pin-type insulator
B. Cartridge fuse
C. Current transformer
D. Bus duct
Answer: A
Rationale: Pin-type insulators are widely used on overhead distribution systems to support
conductors while electrically isolating them from grounded structures.
7. Which OSHA regulation requires employers to provide appropriate personal protective
equipment for electrical workers?
A. OSHA 1910 Subpart I
B. OSHA 1910 Subpart M
C. OSHA 1926 Subpart X
D. OSHA 1910 Subpart Q
Answer: A
Rationale: OSHA 1910 Subpart I establishes requirements for employers to provide and
ensure the proper use of personal protective equipment to protect employees from
workplace hazards.
8. What is the primary function of a recloser on a distribution feeder?
A. Increase transformer efficiency
B. Automatically interrupt and restore power after temporary faults
C. Reduce customer voltage
D. Measure electrical demand
, Answer: B
Rationale: Reclosers automatically open during faults and then reclose after a preset interval.
Many distribution faults are temporary, such as tree branches or lightning, allowing service to
be restored without manual intervention.
9. Which instrument is commonly used to verify the absence of voltage before installing
protective grounds?
A. Clamp-on ammeter
B. Approved voltage detector
C. Megohmmeter
D. Wattmeter
Answer: B
Rationale: Workers must use an approved voltage detector to verify that conductors are de-
energized before applying protective grounds. Testing equipment should always be verified
before and after use.
10. Which conductor material is most commonly used for overhead distribution lines?
A. Copper-clad steel only
B. Aluminum or aluminum alloy
C. Stainless steel
D. Brass
Answer: B
Rationale: Aluminum conductors are widely used because they provide an excellent balance
of conductivity, weight, corrosion resistance, and cost.
11. The purpose of bonding metallic equipment is to:
A. Increase resistance
B. Maintain electrical continuity and reduce shock hazards
C. Increase system voltage
D. Improve lighting levels
Answer: B
JOURNEYMAN LICENSING EXAM COMPLETE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
LATEST VERSION (100% VERIFIED ANSWERS) ALREADY
GRADED A+
1. A distribution line rated at 13.2 kV is considered part of which portion of the electrical
power system?
A. Generation
B. Transmission
C. Distribution
D. Utilization
Answer: C
Rationale: A 13.2-kV line is a common medium-voltage distribution circuit that delivers
electricity from substations to local service areas. Distribution systems typically operate from
about 2.4 kV to 35 kV, depending on utility design.
2. Which publication establishes the primary safety requirements for employees working on
electric supply and communication lines?
A. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 101)
B. National Electrical Code (NEC)
C. National Electrical Safety Code (NESC)
D. International Building Code (IBC)
Answer: C
,Rationale: The National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) establishes safety standards for the
installation, operation, and maintenance of electric supply and communication systems used
by utilities. Electrical distribution journeymen rely heavily on the NESC for safe work
practices.
3. Before beginning work on an energized distribution circuit, workers should first:
A. Begin climbing the pole
B. Identify hazards, conduct a job briefing, and review the work plan
C. Remove all grounds
D. Disconnect customer services
Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA and utility safety procedures require a job briefing before work begins. The
briefing identifies hazards, assigns responsibilities, reviews procedures, and ensures everyone
understands the work plan.
4. What is the primary purpose of grounding temporary protective grounds during line work?
A. Improve lighting
B. Reduce conductor resistance
C. Protect workers from accidental energization
D. Increase system voltage
Answer: C
Rationale: Temporary protective grounds provide a low-resistance path for fault current and
help protect workers if a line becomes accidentally energized while maintenance is being
performed.
5. Which device is commonly used to step distribution voltage down to customer service
voltage?
A. Capacitor bank
B. Voltage regulator
C. Distribution transformer
D. Recloser
,Answer: C
Rationale: Distribution transformers reduce primary distribution voltage to utilization
voltages such as 120/240 volts for residential customers or other secondary voltages for
commercial customers.
6. Which type of insulator is commonly used on overhead distribution lines to support
conductors mounted on crossarms?
A. Pin-type insulator
B. Cartridge fuse
C. Current transformer
D. Bus duct
Answer: A
Rationale: Pin-type insulators are widely used on overhead distribution systems to support
conductors while electrically isolating them from grounded structures.
7. Which OSHA regulation requires employers to provide appropriate personal protective
equipment for electrical workers?
A. OSHA 1910 Subpart I
B. OSHA 1910 Subpart M
C. OSHA 1926 Subpart X
D. OSHA 1910 Subpart Q
Answer: A
Rationale: OSHA 1910 Subpart I establishes requirements for employers to provide and
ensure the proper use of personal protective equipment to protect employees from
workplace hazards.
8. What is the primary function of a recloser on a distribution feeder?
A. Increase transformer efficiency
B. Automatically interrupt and restore power after temporary faults
C. Reduce customer voltage
D. Measure electrical demand
, Answer: B
Rationale: Reclosers automatically open during faults and then reclose after a preset interval.
Many distribution faults are temporary, such as tree branches or lightning, allowing service to
be restored without manual intervention.
9. Which instrument is commonly used to verify the absence of voltage before installing
protective grounds?
A. Clamp-on ammeter
B. Approved voltage detector
C. Megohmmeter
D. Wattmeter
Answer: B
Rationale: Workers must use an approved voltage detector to verify that conductors are de-
energized before applying protective grounds. Testing equipment should always be verified
before and after use.
10. Which conductor material is most commonly used for overhead distribution lines?
A. Copper-clad steel only
B. Aluminum or aluminum alloy
C. Stainless steel
D. Brass
Answer: B
Rationale: Aluminum conductors are widely used because they provide an excellent balance
of conductivity, weight, corrosion resistance, and cost.
11. The purpose of bonding metallic equipment is to:
A. Increase resistance
B. Maintain electrical continuity and reduce shock hazards
C. Increase system voltage
D. Improve lighting levels
Answer: B
