UTAH ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR EXAMINATION
NEWEST EVALUATED EXAM PRACTICE 120
QUESTIONS 2026-2027|ORIGINAL QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS |DETAILED RATIONALES |*HINTED*
COMPLETE EXAM PREP GRADED A+**INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF**
1. A 120/240-volt single-phase dwelling service has a calculated load of 18,000
VA. What is the minimum service current before applying any optional
demand provisions?
A. 60 A
B. 75 A
C. 90 A
D. 100 A
Answer: C. 90 A
Calculation: 18,000 VA ÷ 240 V = 75 A. However, for a 120/240-V single-phase
service, the service load calculation must be evaluated according to the applicable
NEC dwelling/service provisions. For a straightforward full-load calculation, 18,000
÷ 240 = 75 A; therefore the correct calculated current is 75 A. The question tests
proper VA-to-ampere conversion.
2. A continuous load is calculated at 32 amperes. What is the minimum
ampacity required for the circuit conductors?
A. 32 A
B. 35 A
C. 40 A
D. 45 A
Answer: C. 40 A
,Continuous loads are generally calculated at 125%. 32 A × 1.25 = 40 A.
3. Which conductor is generally permitted to be used as an equipment
grounding conductor?
A. A conductor used solely as an ungrounded conductor
B. A copper or aluminum conductor identified for grounding use
C. Any conductor smaller than the circuit conductors
D. A grounded conductor regardless of installation method
Answer: B. A copper or aluminum conductor identified for grounding use
Equipment grounding conductors must meet the applicable NEC requirements for
material, identification, and sizing.
4. A 120/240-volt multiwire branch circuit supplies balanced 120-volt loads.
The two ungrounded conductors are connected to opposite phases. What is
the relationship of the neutral current to the two ungrounded conductor
currents?
A. It is always the sum of both currents
B. It is always zero
C. It is the difference between the two currents
D. It is always equal to the larger conductor current
Answer: C. It is the difference between the two currents
On opposite phases, the neutral carries the imbalance between the two
ungrounded conductors.
5. What is the primary purpose of bonding normally non-current-carrying
metal parts of an electrical installation?
A. To increase operating voltage
B. To provide a low-impedance fault-current path
C. To reduce conductor resistance
D. To eliminate the need for overcurrent protection
Answer: B. To provide a low-impedance fault-current path
,Bonding connects conductive parts so fault current can return effectively to the
source and operate the overcurrent protective device.
6. A 20-ampere branch circuit supplies a continuous load of 16 amperes. Is the
circuit adequately sized based solely on the continuous-load requirement?
A. Yes
B. No, because the load must be limited to 10 A
C. No, because 16 A exceeds 75% of the circuit rating
D. Yes, because 16 A is exactly 80% of 20 A
Answer: A. Yes
The 125% continuous-load calculation is 16 A × 1.25 = 20 A, which matches the
circuit rating.
7. What is the primary function of a circuit breaker?
A. To increase circuit voltage
B. To provide overcurrent protection
C. To correct power factor
D. To provide grounding electrode resistance
Answer: B. To provide overcurrent protection
Circuit breakers protect conductors and equipment from damaging overcurrent
conditions.
8. A copper conductor is installed in a raceway with several other current-
carrying conductors. What must be considered when determining its
allowable ampacity?
A. Only conductor length
B. Only insulation color
C. Ambient temperature and adjustment factors
D. Only the raceway diameter
Answer: C. Ambient temperature and adjustment factors
, The NEC requires conductor ampacity to be evaluated using applicable
temperature correction and adjustment factors.
9. What is the purpose of a grounding electrode system?
A. To carry normal branch-circuit current
B. To connect the electrical system to earth for grounding purposes
C. To replace equipment grounding conductors
D. To increase transformer efficiency
Answer: B. To connect the electrical system to earth for grounding purposes
Grounding electrodes establish the connection between the electrical system and
earth as required by the NEC.
10.Which conductor normally carries current under normal operating
conditions in a 120-volt circuit?
A. Equipment grounding conductor
B. Grounding electrode conductor
C. Ungrounded conductor
D. Bonding jumper
Answer: C. Ungrounded conductor
The ungrounded conductor supplies power to the load. The equipment grounding
conductor normally carries current only during abnormal conditions.
11.What is the maximum number of current-carrying conductors that can
generally be installed before adjustment factors must be considered?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 6
Answer: B. 3
Adjustment requirements are triggered when more than three current-carrying
conductors are installed together under the applicable NEC conditions.
NEWEST EVALUATED EXAM PRACTICE 120
QUESTIONS 2026-2027|ORIGINAL QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS |DETAILED RATIONALES |*HINTED*
COMPLETE EXAM PREP GRADED A+**INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF**
1. A 120/240-volt single-phase dwelling service has a calculated load of 18,000
VA. What is the minimum service current before applying any optional
demand provisions?
A. 60 A
B. 75 A
C. 90 A
D. 100 A
Answer: C. 90 A
Calculation: 18,000 VA ÷ 240 V = 75 A. However, for a 120/240-V single-phase
service, the service load calculation must be evaluated according to the applicable
NEC dwelling/service provisions. For a straightforward full-load calculation, 18,000
÷ 240 = 75 A; therefore the correct calculated current is 75 A. The question tests
proper VA-to-ampere conversion.
2. A continuous load is calculated at 32 amperes. What is the minimum
ampacity required for the circuit conductors?
A. 32 A
B. 35 A
C. 40 A
D. 45 A
Answer: C. 40 A
,Continuous loads are generally calculated at 125%. 32 A × 1.25 = 40 A.
3. Which conductor is generally permitted to be used as an equipment
grounding conductor?
A. A conductor used solely as an ungrounded conductor
B. A copper or aluminum conductor identified for grounding use
C. Any conductor smaller than the circuit conductors
D. A grounded conductor regardless of installation method
Answer: B. A copper or aluminum conductor identified for grounding use
Equipment grounding conductors must meet the applicable NEC requirements for
material, identification, and sizing.
4. A 120/240-volt multiwire branch circuit supplies balanced 120-volt loads.
The two ungrounded conductors are connected to opposite phases. What is
the relationship of the neutral current to the two ungrounded conductor
currents?
A. It is always the sum of both currents
B. It is always zero
C. It is the difference between the two currents
D. It is always equal to the larger conductor current
Answer: C. It is the difference between the two currents
On opposite phases, the neutral carries the imbalance between the two
ungrounded conductors.
5. What is the primary purpose of bonding normally non-current-carrying
metal parts of an electrical installation?
A. To increase operating voltage
B. To provide a low-impedance fault-current path
C. To reduce conductor resistance
D. To eliminate the need for overcurrent protection
Answer: B. To provide a low-impedance fault-current path
,Bonding connects conductive parts so fault current can return effectively to the
source and operate the overcurrent protective device.
6. A 20-ampere branch circuit supplies a continuous load of 16 amperes. Is the
circuit adequately sized based solely on the continuous-load requirement?
A. Yes
B. No, because the load must be limited to 10 A
C. No, because 16 A exceeds 75% of the circuit rating
D. Yes, because 16 A is exactly 80% of 20 A
Answer: A. Yes
The 125% continuous-load calculation is 16 A × 1.25 = 20 A, which matches the
circuit rating.
7. What is the primary function of a circuit breaker?
A. To increase circuit voltage
B. To provide overcurrent protection
C. To correct power factor
D. To provide grounding electrode resistance
Answer: B. To provide overcurrent protection
Circuit breakers protect conductors and equipment from damaging overcurrent
conditions.
8. A copper conductor is installed in a raceway with several other current-
carrying conductors. What must be considered when determining its
allowable ampacity?
A. Only conductor length
B. Only insulation color
C. Ambient temperature and adjustment factors
D. Only the raceway diameter
Answer: C. Ambient temperature and adjustment factors
, The NEC requires conductor ampacity to be evaluated using applicable
temperature correction and adjustment factors.
9. What is the purpose of a grounding electrode system?
A. To carry normal branch-circuit current
B. To connect the electrical system to earth for grounding purposes
C. To replace equipment grounding conductors
D. To increase transformer efficiency
Answer: B. To connect the electrical system to earth for grounding purposes
Grounding electrodes establish the connection between the electrical system and
earth as required by the NEC.
10.Which conductor normally carries current under normal operating
conditions in a 120-volt circuit?
A. Equipment grounding conductor
B. Grounding electrode conductor
C. Ungrounded conductor
D. Bonding jumper
Answer: C. Ungrounded conductor
The ungrounded conductor supplies power to the load. The equipment grounding
conductor normally carries current only during abnormal conditions.
11.What is the maximum number of current-carrying conductors that can
generally be installed before adjustment factors must be considered?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 6
Answer: B. 3
Adjustment requirements are triggered when more than three current-carrying
conductors are installed together under the applicable NEC conditions.
