Kentucky Standard Master Electrician -
701_KY Contractor Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download
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1. What is the primary purpose of the National Electrical Code (NEC)?
A. To establish electrical utility rates
B. To provide practical safeguards for persons and property from hazards arising from electricity
C. To regulate electrician wages
D. To establish electrical equipment prices
Correct Answer: B. To provide practical safeguards for persons and property from
hazards arising from electricity
Explanation: The NEC is fundamentally a safety standard. It establishes minimum requirements
intended to protect people and property from electrical hazards such as shock, fire, and
equipment damage. It is not intended to function as a design manual or regulate business
practices such as wages and utility rates.
2. Which NEC article contains the general requirements for electrical installations?
A. Article 90
B. Article 100
C. Article 110
D. Article 200
Correct Answer: C. Article 110
Explanation: Article 110 contains general requirements for electrical installations, including
examination, identification, installation, and working-space requirements. Article 90 provides the
purpose, scope, and arrangement of the NEC, while Article 100 contains definitions.
3. What is the nominal voltage of a typical single-phase residential system supplied at
120/240 volts?
,A. 120 volts only
B. 208 volts
C. 240 volts line-to-line and 120 volts line-to-neutral
D. 480 volts
Correct Answer: C. 240 volts line-to-line and 120 volts line-to-neutral
Explanation: A standard 120/240-volt single-phase service has two ungrounded conductors with
approximately 240 volts between them. Each ungrounded conductor measures approximately
120 volts to the grounded neutral conductor.
4. What does the term “grounded conductor” normally identify?
A. Equipment grounding conductor
B. Neutral conductor intentionally connected to ground
C. Bonding jumper only
D. Ground rod conductor only
Correct Answer: B. Neutral conductor intentionally connected to ground
Explanation: A grounded conductor is intentionally connected to ground, usually at the service
disconnecting means. In a typical single-phase system, this is the neutral conductor. An
equipment grounding conductor is different because it normally carries fault current rather than
normal operating current.
5. Which conductor normally carries current under normal operating conditions?
A. Equipment grounding conductor
B. Grounding electrode conductor
C. Bonding jumper
D. Ungrounded conductor
Correct Answer: D. Ungrounded conductor
Explanation: Ungrounded conductors, commonly called hot conductors, supply power to loads
and normally carry current. Equipment grounding and grounding electrode conductors are
intended primarily for safety and generally do not carry normal load current.
6. What is the main function of an overcurrent protective device?
A. Increase voltage
B. Prevent excessive current from damaging conductors and equipment
C. Improve power factor
D. Ground the electrical system
Correct Answer: B. Prevent excessive current from damaging conductors and equipment
,Explanation: Circuit breakers and fuses protect conductors and equipment from excessive
current. An overcurrent condition can result from overloads, short circuits, or ground faults, and
excessive current can cause dangerous heating and fire.
7. Which device is designed to interrupt a circuit automatically when excessive current
occurs?
A. Transformer
B. Circuit breaker
C. Receptacle
D. Junction box
Correct Answer: B. Circuit breaker
Explanation: A circuit breaker automatically opens a circuit when its trip mechanism detects an
overcurrent condition. It can generally be reset after the fault or overload has been corrected.
8. What is the purpose of a disconnecting means?
A. To increase circuit voltage
B. To provide a means of disconnecting electrical equipment from its source
C. To reduce conductor resistance
D. To replace grounding
Correct Answer: B. To provide a means of disconnecting electrical equipment from its
source
Explanation: Disconnecting means allow equipment to be isolated from electrical energy for
servicing, maintenance, or emergency purposes. Proper accessibility and location are important
safety considerations.
9. What is the purpose of bonding?
A. To increase circuit voltage
B. To create an electrically continuous path for fault current
C. To reduce conductor size
D. To eliminate overcurrent protection
Correct Answer: B. To create an electrically continuous path for fault current
Explanation: Bonding connects normally non-current-carrying metallic parts together so that a
low-impedance path exists for fault current. This helps cause the overcurrent protective device to
operate quickly during a fault.
10. What is the purpose of the grounding electrode system?
, A. To carry normal load current
B. To connect the electrical system to earth
C. To replace circuit breakers
D. To increase available fault current
Correct Answer: B. To connect the electrical system to earth
Explanation: The grounding electrode system establishes a connection between the electrical
system and earth. System grounding and equipment bonding perform different functions, and an
earth connection should not be relied upon as the sole fault-current clearing path.
11. Which NEC article contains definitions of terms used throughout the NEC?
A. Article 90
B. Article 100
C. Article 110
D. Article 250
Correct Answer: B. Article 100
Explanation: Article 100 provides definitions that are essential for interpreting NEC
requirements. Understanding terms such as grounded conductor, grounding conductor, bonding,
and readily accessible is critical when working with code questions.
12. What is the purpose of Article 250?
A. Lighting design
B. Grounding and bonding
C. Motors
D. Communications
Correct Answer: B. Grounding and bonding
Explanation: Article 250 contains extensive requirements for grounding and bonding. It covers
grounding electrode systems, equipment grounding conductors, bonding, grounded conductors,
and related requirements.
13. A conductor identified by white or gray insulation is generally used as what?
A. Ungrounded conductor
B. Grounded conductor
C. Equipment grounding conductor
D. Switch leg only
Correct Answer: B. Grounded conductor
701_KY Contractor Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download
1. What is the primary purpose of the National Electrical Code (NEC)?
A. To establish electrical utility rates
B. To provide practical safeguards for persons and property from hazards arising from electricity
C. To regulate electrician wages
D. To establish electrical equipment prices
Correct Answer: B. To provide practical safeguards for persons and property from
hazards arising from electricity
Explanation: The NEC is fundamentally a safety standard. It establishes minimum requirements
intended to protect people and property from electrical hazards such as shock, fire, and
equipment damage. It is not intended to function as a design manual or regulate business
practices such as wages and utility rates.
2. Which NEC article contains the general requirements for electrical installations?
A. Article 90
B. Article 100
C. Article 110
D. Article 200
Correct Answer: C. Article 110
Explanation: Article 110 contains general requirements for electrical installations, including
examination, identification, installation, and working-space requirements. Article 90 provides the
purpose, scope, and arrangement of the NEC, while Article 100 contains definitions.
3. What is the nominal voltage of a typical single-phase residential system supplied at
120/240 volts?
,A. 120 volts only
B. 208 volts
C. 240 volts line-to-line and 120 volts line-to-neutral
D. 480 volts
Correct Answer: C. 240 volts line-to-line and 120 volts line-to-neutral
Explanation: A standard 120/240-volt single-phase service has two ungrounded conductors with
approximately 240 volts between them. Each ungrounded conductor measures approximately
120 volts to the grounded neutral conductor.
4. What does the term “grounded conductor” normally identify?
A. Equipment grounding conductor
B. Neutral conductor intentionally connected to ground
C. Bonding jumper only
D. Ground rod conductor only
Correct Answer: B. Neutral conductor intentionally connected to ground
Explanation: A grounded conductor is intentionally connected to ground, usually at the service
disconnecting means. In a typical single-phase system, this is the neutral conductor. An
equipment grounding conductor is different because it normally carries fault current rather than
normal operating current.
5. Which conductor normally carries current under normal operating conditions?
A. Equipment grounding conductor
B. Grounding electrode conductor
C. Bonding jumper
D. Ungrounded conductor
Correct Answer: D. Ungrounded conductor
Explanation: Ungrounded conductors, commonly called hot conductors, supply power to loads
and normally carry current. Equipment grounding and grounding electrode conductors are
intended primarily for safety and generally do not carry normal load current.
6. What is the main function of an overcurrent protective device?
A. Increase voltage
B. Prevent excessive current from damaging conductors and equipment
C. Improve power factor
D. Ground the electrical system
Correct Answer: B. Prevent excessive current from damaging conductors and equipment
,Explanation: Circuit breakers and fuses protect conductors and equipment from excessive
current. An overcurrent condition can result from overloads, short circuits, or ground faults, and
excessive current can cause dangerous heating and fire.
7. Which device is designed to interrupt a circuit automatically when excessive current
occurs?
A. Transformer
B. Circuit breaker
C. Receptacle
D. Junction box
Correct Answer: B. Circuit breaker
Explanation: A circuit breaker automatically opens a circuit when its trip mechanism detects an
overcurrent condition. It can generally be reset after the fault or overload has been corrected.
8. What is the purpose of a disconnecting means?
A. To increase circuit voltage
B. To provide a means of disconnecting electrical equipment from its source
C. To reduce conductor resistance
D. To replace grounding
Correct Answer: B. To provide a means of disconnecting electrical equipment from its
source
Explanation: Disconnecting means allow equipment to be isolated from electrical energy for
servicing, maintenance, or emergency purposes. Proper accessibility and location are important
safety considerations.
9. What is the purpose of bonding?
A. To increase circuit voltage
B. To create an electrically continuous path for fault current
C. To reduce conductor size
D. To eliminate overcurrent protection
Correct Answer: B. To create an electrically continuous path for fault current
Explanation: Bonding connects normally non-current-carrying metallic parts together so that a
low-impedance path exists for fault current. This helps cause the overcurrent protective device to
operate quickly during a fault.
10. What is the purpose of the grounding electrode system?
, A. To carry normal load current
B. To connect the electrical system to earth
C. To replace circuit breakers
D. To increase available fault current
Correct Answer: B. To connect the electrical system to earth
Explanation: The grounding electrode system establishes a connection between the electrical
system and earth. System grounding and equipment bonding perform different functions, and an
earth connection should not be relied upon as the sole fault-current clearing path.
11. Which NEC article contains definitions of terms used throughout the NEC?
A. Article 90
B. Article 100
C. Article 110
D. Article 250
Correct Answer: B. Article 100
Explanation: Article 100 provides definitions that are essential for interpreting NEC
requirements. Understanding terms such as grounded conductor, grounding conductor, bonding,
and readily accessible is critical when working with code questions.
12. What is the purpose of Article 250?
A. Lighting design
B. Grounding and bonding
C. Motors
D. Communications
Correct Answer: B. Grounding and bonding
Explanation: Article 250 contains extensive requirements for grounding and bonding. It covers
grounding electrode systems, equipment grounding conductors, bonding, grounded conductors,
and related requirements.
13. A conductor identified by white or gray insulation is generally used as what?
A. Ungrounded conductor
B. Grounded conductor
C. Equipment grounding conductor
D. Switch leg only
Correct Answer: B. Grounded conductor
