MARYLAND MASTER ELECTRICIAN EXAM] – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND
WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM
UPDATE
Core Domains
1. Electrical Theory and Calculations
2. National Electrical Code (NEC) Requirements
3. Wiring Methods and Materials
4. Overcurrent Protection and Coordination
5. Grounding and Bonding
6. Services, Feeders, and Branch Circuits
7. Motors, Controllers, and Motor Circuits
8. Special Occupancies, Equipment, and Hazardous Locations
9. Electrical Safety and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
10. Blueprint Reading and Electrical System Design
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to rigorously assess the knowledge and applied skills
required of a Master Electrician in the state of Maryland. The questions evaluate a candidate's
mastery of the National Electrical Code, fundamental electrical theory, and the practical
application of safe and efficient electrical practices. The exam is structured to measure
competency across all key domains, from complex calculations and system design to the proper
interpretation of codes and regulations. Candidates will face a combination of multiple-choice
questions and realistic scenarios, emphasizing the critical thinking and decision-making skills
essential for ensuring public safety and project success in the field.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1 - 100
1. A commercial building has a continuous load of 85,000 VA on a 480/277-volt, 3-phase, 4-
wire feeder. What is the minimum feeder conductor ampacity required before the application
of any adjustment or correction factors?
A. 102.2 A
B. 118.0 A
,C. 127.7 A
D. 147.5 A
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 Explanation: For a continuous load, the feeder must have an ampacity of not less than
125% of the continuous load. First, calculate the load current: I = VA / (V x √3) = 85,000 / (480 x
1.732) = 102.2 A. Then, apply the 125% continuous load factor: 102.2 A x 1.25 = 127.75 A. The
minimum required ampacity is 127.7 A.
2. What is the maximum distance from a lighting outlet to a light fixture in a dwelling unit
hallway, as measured along the floor line?
A. 10 feet
B. 15 feet
C. 20 feet
D. 30 feet
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 Explanation: According to NEC 210.70(A)(1), in dwelling units, hallways of 10 feet or more in
length must have at least one lighting outlet. This outlet must be located so that no point in
the hallway is more than 15 feet from the outlet, measured along the floor line of the hallway.
3. A single-family dwelling has a computed general lighting load of 8,500 VA and a total of
three 10 kVA electric space heaters. What is the minimum service load for the heating
equipment after applying demand factors, if any?
A. 28,500 VA
B. 24,000 VA
C. 30,000 VA
D. 20,000 VA
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 Explanation: Electric space heating loads are considered continuous loads and are
calculated at 100% of the rating. The total heating load is the sum of the heaters: 10 kVA x 3 =
30 kVA, or 30,000 VA. For a dwelling unit, the service load is calculated at 100% of the
nameplate rating (NEC 220.51). Therefore, the minimum load is 30,000 VA.
4. Where must the main bonding jumper be installed in a service supplied by a separately
derived system?
,A. At the transformer
B. At the first disconnecting means
C. At the grounding electrode
D. At the meter base
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 Explanation: The main bonding jumper for a separately derived system must be installed at
the first disconnecting means (NEC 250.28). This connection bonds the neutral (grounded)
conductor to the equipment grounding conductors and the service equipment enclosure.
5. What is the minimum number of branch circuits required for a 1,500 square foot dwelling
unit with a 20A, 120V general lighting load?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 Explanation: The general lighting load is calculated at 3 VA per square foot (NEC 220.12):
1,500 sq ft x 3 VA/sq ft = 4,500 VA. The number of circuits is determined by dividing the load
by the circuit's VA rating: 4,500 VA / (120V x 20A) = 4,,400 = 1.875. Since you cannot
have a fraction of a circuit, you must round up to the next whole number, which is 2.
6. In a raceway system, what is the maximum number of 90-degree bends permitted between
pull points?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 Explanation: NEC 344.26 states that the total number of bends, including those at the end
of the conduit run, must not exceed the equivalent of four quarter bends (360 degrees). This
applies to the entire run between pull boxes, junction boxes, or conduit bodies.
7. The frame of a portable generator is required to be connected to the equipment grounding
conductor of the premises wiring system when:
, A. The generator is rated above 5 kW.
B. The generator is used as a separately derived system.
C. The generator is cord-and-plug connected.
D. The generator is used as a standby power source for life safety.
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 Explanation: When a portable generator is used as a separately derived system, its frame
must be connected to the equipment grounding conductor of the premises wiring system (NEC
250.34(B)). This is to ensure a low-impedance fault current path back to the source.
8. A transformer has a primary voltage of 4,160V and a secondary voltage of 480V. What is the
turns ratio?
A. 8.67:1
B. 1:8.67
C. 0.115:1
D. 1:0.115
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 Explanation: The turns ratio of a transformer is the ratio of the primary voltage to the
secondary voltage. VP / VS = 4, = 8.667. Therefore, the turns ratio is 8.67:1.
9. What is the minimum size of an equipment grounding conductor for a 200-ampere feeder?
A. #6 AWG copper
B. #4 AWG copper
C. #2 AWG copper
D. 1/0 AWG copper
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 Explanation: According to NEC Table 250.122, the minimum size equipment grounding
conductor for a 200-ampere overcurrent device is #6 AWG copper (or #4 AWG aluminum).
Note that the size is based on the overcurrent device rating, not the conductor ampacity.
10. Which type of motor has the highest starting torque?
A. Capacitor-start
B. Permanent split capacitor
C. Shaded-pole
D. Split-phase
WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM
UPDATE
Core Domains
1. Electrical Theory and Calculations
2. National Electrical Code (NEC) Requirements
3. Wiring Methods and Materials
4. Overcurrent Protection and Coordination
5. Grounding and Bonding
6. Services, Feeders, and Branch Circuits
7. Motors, Controllers, and Motor Circuits
8. Special Occupancies, Equipment, and Hazardous Locations
9. Electrical Safety and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
10. Blueprint Reading and Electrical System Design
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to rigorously assess the knowledge and applied skills
required of a Master Electrician in the state of Maryland. The questions evaluate a candidate's
mastery of the National Electrical Code, fundamental electrical theory, and the practical
application of safe and efficient electrical practices. The exam is structured to measure
competency across all key domains, from complex calculations and system design to the proper
interpretation of codes and regulations. Candidates will face a combination of multiple-choice
questions and realistic scenarios, emphasizing the critical thinking and decision-making skills
essential for ensuring public safety and project success in the field.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1 - 100
1. A commercial building has a continuous load of 85,000 VA on a 480/277-volt, 3-phase, 4-
wire feeder. What is the minimum feeder conductor ampacity required before the application
of any adjustment or correction factors?
A. 102.2 A
B. 118.0 A
,C. 127.7 A
D. 147.5 A
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 Explanation: For a continuous load, the feeder must have an ampacity of not less than
125% of the continuous load. First, calculate the load current: I = VA / (V x √3) = 85,000 / (480 x
1.732) = 102.2 A. Then, apply the 125% continuous load factor: 102.2 A x 1.25 = 127.75 A. The
minimum required ampacity is 127.7 A.
2. What is the maximum distance from a lighting outlet to a light fixture in a dwelling unit
hallway, as measured along the floor line?
A. 10 feet
B. 15 feet
C. 20 feet
D. 30 feet
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 Explanation: According to NEC 210.70(A)(1), in dwelling units, hallways of 10 feet or more in
length must have at least one lighting outlet. This outlet must be located so that no point in
the hallway is more than 15 feet from the outlet, measured along the floor line of the hallway.
3. A single-family dwelling has a computed general lighting load of 8,500 VA and a total of
three 10 kVA electric space heaters. What is the minimum service load for the heating
equipment after applying demand factors, if any?
A. 28,500 VA
B. 24,000 VA
C. 30,000 VA
D. 20,000 VA
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 Explanation: Electric space heating loads are considered continuous loads and are
calculated at 100% of the rating. The total heating load is the sum of the heaters: 10 kVA x 3 =
30 kVA, or 30,000 VA. For a dwelling unit, the service load is calculated at 100% of the
nameplate rating (NEC 220.51). Therefore, the minimum load is 30,000 VA.
4. Where must the main bonding jumper be installed in a service supplied by a separately
derived system?
,A. At the transformer
B. At the first disconnecting means
C. At the grounding electrode
D. At the meter base
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 Explanation: The main bonding jumper for a separately derived system must be installed at
the first disconnecting means (NEC 250.28). This connection bonds the neutral (grounded)
conductor to the equipment grounding conductors and the service equipment enclosure.
5. What is the minimum number of branch circuits required for a 1,500 square foot dwelling
unit with a 20A, 120V general lighting load?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 Explanation: The general lighting load is calculated at 3 VA per square foot (NEC 220.12):
1,500 sq ft x 3 VA/sq ft = 4,500 VA. The number of circuits is determined by dividing the load
by the circuit's VA rating: 4,500 VA / (120V x 20A) = 4,,400 = 1.875. Since you cannot
have a fraction of a circuit, you must round up to the next whole number, which is 2.
6. In a raceway system, what is the maximum number of 90-degree bends permitted between
pull points?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 Explanation: NEC 344.26 states that the total number of bends, including those at the end
of the conduit run, must not exceed the equivalent of four quarter bends (360 degrees). This
applies to the entire run between pull boxes, junction boxes, or conduit bodies.
7. The frame of a portable generator is required to be connected to the equipment grounding
conductor of the premises wiring system when:
, A. The generator is rated above 5 kW.
B. The generator is used as a separately derived system.
C. The generator is cord-and-plug connected.
D. The generator is used as a standby power source for life safety.
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 Explanation: When a portable generator is used as a separately derived system, its frame
must be connected to the equipment grounding conductor of the premises wiring system (NEC
250.34(B)). This is to ensure a low-impedance fault current path back to the source.
8. A transformer has a primary voltage of 4,160V and a secondary voltage of 480V. What is the
turns ratio?
A. 8.67:1
B. 1:8.67
C. 0.115:1
D. 1:0.115
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 Explanation: The turns ratio of a transformer is the ratio of the primary voltage to the
secondary voltage. VP / VS = 4, = 8.667. Therefore, the turns ratio is 8.67:1.
9. What is the minimum size of an equipment grounding conductor for a 200-ampere feeder?
A. #6 AWG copper
B. #4 AWG copper
C. #2 AWG copper
D. 1/0 AWG copper
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 Explanation: According to NEC Table 250.122, the minimum size equipment grounding
conductor for a 200-ampere overcurrent device is #6 AWG copper (or #4 AWG aluminum).
Note that the size is based on the overcurrent device rating, not the conductor ampacity.
10. Which type of motor has the highest starting torque?
A. Capacitor-start
B. Permanent split capacitor
C. Shaded-pole
D. Split-phase
