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New Mexico ES-1J Electrical Signs & Outline Lighting EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
New Mexico ES-1J Electrical Signs & Outline Lighting Exam
10-Line Exam Coverage in Points Form
1. Licensing & Regulations – ES-1J Journeyman Electrical Signs and Outline Lighting license
requires two years (4,000 hours) of experience ; licensees may work under an ES-1 or an
EE-98 contractor license ; the license must be renewed biennially (every 2 years) ; 16
hours of continuing education are required every three years (8 hours code changes, 8
hours industry-related) ; the New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) and PSI
administer the exam; the 2020 NEC is the adopted code (effective 3/28/2023) .
2. NEC Article 600: Signs & Outline Lighting – This is the primary code article for the exam ;
it covers scope, definitions, disconnects, branch circuits, clearances, secondary wiring,
voltage limitations, and transformers ; field-installed skeleton tubing for neon signs is
governed by Article 600 ; the continuous load on a sign circuit is limited to 20 A unless
the sign is specifically designed for higher current ; secondary voltage for neon-tube
signs is limited to 600 V ; signs must be listed for the voltage and conditions of their
intended use ; skeleton tubing is thin-walled metal that supports neon/cold-cathode
tubes ; the secondary circuit is the low-voltage portion that powers lighting elements
after the transformer .
3. Disconnects & Branch Circuits – NEC 600.7 requires the disconnect to be within sight
and not more than 50 ft from the sign ; signs must be on a dedicated branch circuit ; the
disconnecting means must be capable of being opened under load ; a sign’s transformer
primary at 480 V, 2 kVA draws ≈ 4.2 A; a 30 A disconnect is required (125% of full-load
current) ; signs may not share a branch circuit with a fire-alarm system ; circuit breakers
for sign circuits must be clearly labeled (e.g., “SIGN CIRCUIT – 20 A”) .
4. Transformers & Power Supplies – NEC Article 450 covers transformers for electric signs ;
a sign’s power-supply label must include input voltage range, manufacturer’s name, and
maximum operating temperature, but advertising slogans are not required ; the NEC
requires a sign’s disconnecting means to be capable of breaking the maximum fault
current at the point of installation (interrupting rating) ; a sign’s transformer primary is
480 V, 2 kVA, requiring a minimum 30 A disconnect ; LED drivers that meet Class 2 limits
must be marked accordingly ; the transformer’s voltage range (e.g., “120-277 V”)
indicates the sign is designed to operate on any voltage within that range .
5. Grounding & Bonding – The metal frame of a sign must be bonded to the equipment
grounding conductor to provide a low-impedance fault path ; a listed grounding screw or
clamp is required for bonding ; a #14 AWG copper EGC is required for a 20-A circuit using
12-AWG conductors (NEC Table 250.122) ; bonding and grounding ensure equal
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potential across metallic parts and safe fault current dissipation ; a metal-cased sign
must be connected directly to the equipment grounding conductor .
6. Conduits & Wiring Methods – Conduits protect wiring from physical damage and
environmental exposure ; PVC conduit is suitable for outdoor sign applications due to
corrosion resistance ; NEC 300.5 requires a minimum of 12 in. cover for PVC conduit in
residential and commercial applications ; the maximum number of 14-AWG conductors
in a ½-in. EMT conduit is 9 at 40% fill ; conduit must be verified free of excess moisture
and debris before installation ; flexible conduit allows for quick installation and routing
around obstacles ; support for conduit supporting a pole sign requires straps every 3 ft ;
liquid-tight flexible metal conduit (LFMC) in wet locations is governed by NEC Article
352 .
7. Load Calculations & Sizing – Total load for three identical 500 W LED signs (1500 W /
120 V = 12.5 A); apply 125% factor for continuous load → 15.6 A → next standard size ;
NEC Article 220 covers methods for calculating general electrical loads, including sign
lighting loads ; cable derating accounts for environmental factors that reduce the cable’s
ability to safely carry its rated current ; long-distance circuits carrying high currents are
prone to voltage drops if conductors are undersized ; a 70-volt distributed-speaker
system can support longer cable runs with less power loss, similar to sign circuits .
8. LED Technology & Drivers – LED lamps are highly energy-efficient, long-lasting, and
widely used in signage for bright illumination and low power consumption ; LED drivers
convert AC to DC to ensure optimal LED performance ; proper overcurrent protection
ensures the LED driver and connected components are protected from overloads and
short circuits ; LEDs have a longer operational lifespan and improved energy efficiency
compared to traditional lighting ; LED drivers that meet Class 2 limits must be marked
accordingly .
9. Hazardous Locations & Safety – In Class II hazardous areas, equipment must be
explosion-proof or otherwise approved for that classification ; OSHA requires fall
protection (PFAS or guardrails) for work >6 ft above a lower level ; GFCIs monitor current
flow to ground and trip when a ground-fault is detected, reducing shock risk ; GFCI
protection is mandatory for cord-and-plug devices in bathrooms ; the interrupting rating
is the maximum fault current a device can safely interrupt ; proper grounding provides a
low-resistance path to earth, preventing shock hazards .
10. Administrative & Regulatory – A sign contractor must submit a Certificate of Insurance
with a minimum liability coverage of $500,000 ; a contractor must obtain a permit and
plan review before installing a commercial sign ; performing work without a required
permit can lead to license suspension ; in case of a conflict between adopted NESC and
NEC, the more stringent of the two prevails (NMAC 14.10.5) ; the ES-1 license renews
biennially; NMAC 14.6.4.8(E) specifies the ES-1J classification requires two years of
experience .
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100 Practice Questions with Rationales
Question 1
According to New Mexico regulations, how many years of experience are required for the ES-1J
Journeyman Electrical Signs and Outline Lighting license?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 4 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: NMAC 14.6.4.8(E) specifies the ES-1J Journeyman Electrical Signs and Outline
Lighting classification requires two years (4,000 hours) of experience . This is less than the
general journeyman electrician classification, which requires four years of experience.
Question 2
Under New Mexico regulations, an ES-1J journeyman may work under which contractor’s
license?
A) EE-98 only
B) ER-1 only
C) EL-1 only
D) ES-1 or EE-98
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Correct Answer: D
Rationale: According to NMAC 14.6.4.8, an ES-1J Journeyman Electrical Signs and Outline
Lighting can work under an ES-1 or an EE-98 contractor license . This allows for flexibility in
employment while maintaining the specialized scope of work.
Question 3
How often must an ES-1 license be renewed in New Mexico?
A) Every 1 year
B) Every 2 years
C) Every 3 years
D) Every 5 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ES-1 license must be renewed biennially (every 2 years), with continuing
education credits required . This is consistent with other construction-industry licenses in New
Mexico.
Question 4
Which version of the NEC is adopted as the baseline for sign installations in New Mexico?
A) 2014 NEC
B) 2017 NEC
New Mexico ES-1J Electrical Signs & Outline Lighting EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
New Mexico ES-1J Electrical Signs & Outline Lighting Exam
10-Line Exam Coverage in Points Form
1. Licensing & Regulations – ES-1J Journeyman Electrical Signs and Outline Lighting license
requires two years (4,000 hours) of experience ; licensees may work under an ES-1 or an
EE-98 contractor license ; the license must be renewed biennially (every 2 years) ; 16
hours of continuing education are required every three years (8 hours code changes, 8
hours industry-related) ; the New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) and PSI
administer the exam; the 2020 NEC is the adopted code (effective 3/28/2023) .
2. NEC Article 600: Signs & Outline Lighting – This is the primary code article for the exam ;
it covers scope, definitions, disconnects, branch circuits, clearances, secondary wiring,
voltage limitations, and transformers ; field-installed skeleton tubing for neon signs is
governed by Article 600 ; the continuous load on a sign circuit is limited to 20 A unless
the sign is specifically designed for higher current ; secondary voltage for neon-tube
signs is limited to 600 V ; signs must be listed for the voltage and conditions of their
intended use ; skeleton tubing is thin-walled metal that supports neon/cold-cathode
tubes ; the secondary circuit is the low-voltage portion that powers lighting elements
after the transformer .
3. Disconnects & Branch Circuits – NEC 600.7 requires the disconnect to be within sight
and not more than 50 ft from the sign ; signs must be on a dedicated branch circuit ; the
disconnecting means must be capable of being opened under load ; a sign’s transformer
primary at 480 V, 2 kVA draws ≈ 4.2 A; a 30 A disconnect is required (125% of full-load
current) ; signs may not share a branch circuit with a fire-alarm system ; circuit breakers
for sign circuits must be clearly labeled (e.g., “SIGN CIRCUIT – 20 A”) .
4. Transformers & Power Supplies – NEC Article 450 covers transformers for electric signs ;
a sign’s power-supply label must include input voltage range, manufacturer’s name, and
maximum operating temperature, but advertising slogans are not required ; the NEC
requires a sign’s disconnecting means to be capable of breaking the maximum fault
current at the point of installation (interrupting rating) ; a sign’s transformer primary is
480 V, 2 kVA, requiring a minimum 30 A disconnect ; LED drivers that meet Class 2 limits
must be marked accordingly ; the transformer’s voltage range (e.g., “120-277 V”)
indicates the sign is designed to operate on any voltage within that range .
5. Grounding & Bonding – The metal frame of a sign must be bonded to the equipment
grounding conductor to provide a low-impedance fault path ; a listed grounding screw or
clamp is required for bonding ; a #14 AWG copper EGC is required for a 20-A circuit using
12-AWG conductors (NEC Table 250.122) ; bonding and grounding ensure equal
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potential across metallic parts and safe fault current dissipation ; a metal-cased sign
must be connected directly to the equipment grounding conductor .
6. Conduits & Wiring Methods – Conduits protect wiring from physical damage and
environmental exposure ; PVC conduit is suitable for outdoor sign applications due to
corrosion resistance ; NEC 300.5 requires a minimum of 12 in. cover for PVC conduit in
residential and commercial applications ; the maximum number of 14-AWG conductors
in a ½-in. EMT conduit is 9 at 40% fill ; conduit must be verified free of excess moisture
and debris before installation ; flexible conduit allows for quick installation and routing
around obstacles ; support for conduit supporting a pole sign requires straps every 3 ft ;
liquid-tight flexible metal conduit (LFMC) in wet locations is governed by NEC Article
352 .
7. Load Calculations & Sizing – Total load for three identical 500 W LED signs (1500 W /
120 V = 12.5 A); apply 125% factor for continuous load → 15.6 A → next standard size ;
NEC Article 220 covers methods for calculating general electrical loads, including sign
lighting loads ; cable derating accounts for environmental factors that reduce the cable’s
ability to safely carry its rated current ; long-distance circuits carrying high currents are
prone to voltage drops if conductors are undersized ; a 70-volt distributed-speaker
system can support longer cable runs with less power loss, similar to sign circuits .
8. LED Technology & Drivers – LED lamps are highly energy-efficient, long-lasting, and
widely used in signage for bright illumination and low power consumption ; LED drivers
convert AC to DC to ensure optimal LED performance ; proper overcurrent protection
ensures the LED driver and connected components are protected from overloads and
short circuits ; LEDs have a longer operational lifespan and improved energy efficiency
compared to traditional lighting ; LED drivers that meet Class 2 limits must be marked
accordingly .
9. Hazardous Locations & Safety – In Class II hazardous areas, equipment must be
explosion-proof or otherwise approved for that classification ; OSHA requires fall
protection (PFAS or guardrails) for work >6 ft above a lower level ; GFCIs monitor current
flow to ground and trip when a ground-fault is detected, reducing shock risk ; GFCI
protection is mandatory for cord-and-plug devices in bathrooms ; the interrupting rating
is the maximum fault current a device can safely interrupt ; proper grounding provides a
low-resistance path to earth, preventing shock hazards .
10. Administrative & Regulatory – A sign contractor must submit a Certificate of Insurance
with a minimum liability coverage of $500,000 ; a contractor must obtain a permit and
plan review before installing a commercial sign ; performing work without a required
permit can lead to license suspension ; in case of a conflict between adopted NESC and
NEC, the more stringent of the two prevails (NMAC 14.10.5) ; the ES-1 license renews
biennially; NMAC 14.6.4.8(E) specifies the ES-1J classification requires two years of
experience .
, Page 3 of 133
100 Practice Questions with Rationales
Question 1
According to New Mexico regulations, how many years of experience are required for the ES-1J
Journeyman Electrical Signs and Outline Lighting license?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 4 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: NMAC 14.6.4.8(E) specifies the ES-1J Journeyman Electrical Signs and Outline
Lighting classification requires two years (4,000 hours) of experience . This is less than the
general journeyman electrician classification, which requires four years of experience.
Question 2
Under New Mexico regulations, an ES-1J journeyman may work under which contractor’s
license?
A) EE-98 only
B) ER-1 only
C) EL-1 only
D) ES-1 or EE-98
, Page 4 of 133
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: According to NMAC 14.6.4.8, an ES-1J Journeyman Electrical Signs and Outline
Lighting can work under an ES-1 or an EE-98 contractor license . This allows for flexibility in
employment while maintaining the specialized scope of work.
Question 3
How often must an ES-1 license be renewed in New Mexico?
A) Every 1 year
B) Every 2 years
C) Every 3 years
D) Every 5 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ES-1 license must be renewed biennially (every 2 years), with continuing
education credits required . This is consistent with other construction-industry licenses in New
Mexico.
Question 4
Which version of the NEC is adopted as the baseline for sign installations in New Mexico?
A) 2014 NEC
B) 2017 NEC
