RESIDENTIAL BRANCH CIRCUIT
INSPECTION EXAMINATION WITH ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS,
PLUS EXPLAINED RATIONALES/EXPERT
VERIFIED FOR GUARANTEED 100% PASS
2026/LATEST UPDATE/INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. During inspection of a new dwelling, an inspector finds a 20-ampere
branch circuit supplying several general-use receptacles. The circuit uses
12 AWG copper conductors and is protected by a 20-ampere circuit
breaker. Which condition would most clearly indicate that the circuit is
improperly protected?
A. The circuit contains six duplex receptacles
B. The circuit contains a combination AFCI/GFCI breaker
C. The circuit contains 14 AWG copper conductors downstream of the
breaker
D. The circuit contains a grounded metal device box
Answer: C.
Rationale: A 20-ampere overcurrent protective device generally
requires conductors sized to safely carry the circuit current.
Introducing 14 AWG copper conductors on an ordinary 20-ampere
branch circuit creates an overcurrent protection mismatch unless a
specifically permitted exception applies. The inspector should verify
conductor size throughout the circuit rather than assuming that the
wiring at the panel represents the entire branch circuit.
2. A residential inspector is evaluating a 15-ampere branch circuit
supplying bedroom receptacles. The circuit uses 14 AWG copper
1
,conductors. Which breaker rating is ordinarily appropriate for this
circuit?
A. 10 amperes
B. 15 amperes
C. 20 amperes
D. 30 amperes
Answer: B.
Rationale: A standard 15-ampere branch circuit using 14 AWG copper
conductors is ordinarily protected at 15 amperes. The overcurrent
protective device must be coordinated with the ampacity of the
conductors and the equipment being protected. Installing a larger
breaker simply because the circuit occasionally trips is not an
acceptable solution.
3. During inspection, an inspector finds a receptacle with a loose
terminal connection. The receptacle is energized and appears otherwise
functional. What is the principal concern with the loose termination?
A. It can increase circuit voltage
B. It can create a high-resistance connection and generate heat
C. It automatically converts the circuit to a multiwire branch circuit
D. It increases the grounding-electrode conductor size
Answer: B.
Rationale: A loose electrical termination can create increased contact
resistance. Under load, that resistance can produce localized heating,
arcing, and eventual failure of the device or conductor. Inspectors
should treat loose or poorly terminated connections as potentially
significant fire and reliability hazards.
2
,4. An inspector discovers that a residential receptacle has been installed
with the grounding terminal disconnected because the branch circuit
contains only two ungrounded conductors and no equipment grounding
conductor. Which statement is most accurate?
A. The receptacle is automatically compliant because it is polarized
B. The grounding terminal can simply be connected to the neutral
C. The inspector should determine whether an approved grounding or
replacement method is available
D. The receptacle should always be connected to the nearest water pipe
Answer: C.
Rationale: A grounding-type receptacle cannot simply be made safe by
connecting its grounding terminal to a random conductor or plumbing
system. Where older two-wire branch circuits are encountered, the
inspector must evaluate the applicable requirements for replacement
receptacles, GFCI protection, grounding, and equipment grounding
conductors.
5. A 120-volt receptacle is tested and shows approximately 120 volts
between the ungrounded conductor and equipment grounding conductor,
but approximately 0 volts between neutral and equipment grounding
conductor. What does this generally suggest?
A. Normal voltage relationships
B. Reversed polarity
C. An open equipment grounding conductor
D. An open neutral
Answer: A.
Rationale: On a properly functioning 120-volt branch circuit, the
ungrounded-to-grounding conductor measurement should be
approximately line voltage, while the neutral-to-grounding conductor
3
, voltage should normally be close to zero under typical no-load testing
conditions. The inspector should still evaluate the complete circuit
rather than relying on one measurement alone.
6. An inspector identifies an open neutral at a receptacle on a 120-volt
branch circuit. Which symptom is most likely at that receptacle?
A. Approximately normal voltage from neutral to ground
B. Loss of the intended voltage across the connected load
C. Increased grounding-electrode resistance
D. Automatic tripping of every breaker in the panel
Answer: B.
Rationale: The neutral provides the return path for ordinary line-to-
neutral loads. An open neutral interrupts that return path, so the
connected load may not operate normally. Depending on circuit
configuration and connected loads, unusual or misleading voltage
readings can also occur, making systematic troubleshooting important.
7. A receptacle tester indicates reversed polarity. Which conductor
arrangement is most likely responsible?
A. Neutral connected to the brass terminal and hot to the silver terminal
B. Hot connected to the grounding terminal
C. Hot and neutral reversed at the receptacle
D. Equipment grounding conductor connected to the neutral bar only
Answer: C.
Rationale: A conventional receptacle has identified terminals for the
ungrounded and grounded conductors. Reversing hot and neutral
places the energized conductor on the terminal intended for the
grounded conductor. This can create a shock hazard because portions
4
INSPECTION EXAMINATION WITH ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS,
PLUS EXPLAINED RATIONALES/EXPERT
VERIFIED FOR GUARANTEED 100% PASS
2026/LATEST UPDATE/INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. During inspection of a new dwelling, an inspector finds a 20-ampere
branch circuit supplying several general-use receptacles. The circuit uses
12 AWG copper conductors and is protected by a 20-ampere circuit
breaker. Which condition would most clearly indicate that the circuit is
improperly protected?
A. The circuit contains six duplex receptacles
B. The circuit contains a combination AFCI/GFCI breaker
C. The circuit contains 14 AWG copper conductors downstream of the
breaker
D. The circuit contains a grounded metal device box
Answer: C.
Rationale: A 20-ampere overcurrent protective device generally
requires conductors sized to safely carry the circuit current.
Introducing 14 AWG copper conductors on an ordinary 20-ampere
branch circuit creates an overcurrent protection mismatch unless a
specifically permitted exception applies. The inspector should verify
conductor size throughout the circuit rather than assuming that the
wiring at the panel represents the entire branch circuit.
2. A residential inspector is evaluating a 15-ampere branch circuit
supplying bedroom receptacles. The circuit uses 14 AWG copper
1
,conductors. Which breaker rating is ordinarily appropriate for this
circuit?
A. 10 amperes
B. 15 amperes
C. 20 amperes
D. 30 amperes
Answer: B.
Rationale: A standard 15-ampere branch circuit using 14 AWG copper
conductors is ordinarily protected at 15 amperes. The overcurrent
protective device must be coordinated with the ampacity of the
conductors and the equipment being protected. Installing a larger
breaker simply because the circuit occasionally trips is not an
acceptable solution.
3. During inspection, an inspector finds a receptacle with a loose
terminal connection. The receptacle is energized and appears otherwise
functional. What is the principal concern with the loose termination?
A. It can increase circuit voltage
B. It can create a high-resistance connection and generate heat
C. It automatically converts the circuit to a multiwire branch circuit
D. It increases the grounding-electrode conductor size
Answer: B.
Rationale: A loose electrical termination can create increased contact
resistance. Under load, that resistance can produce localized heating,
arcing, and eventual failure of the device or conductor. Inspectors
should treat loose or poorly terminated connections as potentially
significant fire and reliability hazards.
2
,4. An inspector discovers that a residential receptacle has been installed
with the grounding terminal disconnected because the branch circuit
contains only two ungrounded conductors and no equipment grounding
conductor. Which statement is most accurate?
A. The receptacle is automatically compliant because it is polarized
B. The grounding terminal can simply be connected to the neutral
C. The inspector should determine whether an approved grounding or
replacement method is available
D. The receptacle should always be connected to the nearest water pipe
Answer: C.
Rationale: A grounding-type receptacle cannot simply be made safe by
connecting its grounding terminal to a random conductor or plumbing
system. Where older two-wire branch circuits are encountered, the
inspector must evaluate the applicable requirements for replacement
receptacles, GFCI protection, grounding, and equipment grounding
conductors.
5. A 120-volt receptacle is tested and shows approximately 120 volts
between the ungrounded conductor and equipment grounding conductor,
but approximately 0 volts between neutral and equipment grounding
conductor. What does this generally suggest?
A. Normal voltage relationships
B. Reversed polarity
C. An open equipment grounding conductor
D. An open neutral
Answer: A.
Rationale: On a properly functioning 120-volt branch circuit, the
ungrounded-to-grounding conductor measurement should be
approximately line voltage, while the neutral-to-grounding conductor
3
, voltage should normally be close to zero under typical no-load testing
conditions. The inspector should still evaluate the complete circuit
rather than relying on one measurement alone.
6. An inspector identifies an open neutral at a receptacle on a 120-volt
branch circuit. Which symptom is most likely at that receptacle?
A. Approximately normal voltage from neutral to ground
B. Loss of the intended voltage across the connected load
C. Increased grounding-electrode resistance
D. Automatic tripping of every breaker in the panel
Answer: B.
Rationale: The neutral provides the return path for ordinary line-to-
neutral loads. An open neutral interrupts that return path, so the
connected load may not operate normally. Depending on circuit
configuration and connected loads, unusual or misleading voltage
readings can also occur, making systematic troubleshooting important.
7. A receptacle tester indicates reversed polarity. Which conductor
arrangement is most likely responsible?
A. Neutral connected to the brass terminal and hot to the silver terminal
B. Hot connected to the grounding terminal
C. Hot and neutral reversed at the receptacle
D. Equipment grounding conductor connected to the neutral bar only
Answer: C.
Rationale: A conventional receptacle has identified terminals for the
ungrounded and grounded conductors. Reversing hot and neutral
places the energized conductor on the terminal intended for the
grounded conductor. This can create a shock hazard because portions
4
