New Jersey Electrical Contractor Exam 2026 – 190 Practice
Questions with Answers & Detailed Rationales, 2023 NEC Code
Application, Wiring Methods, Circuit Calculations, Grounding &
Bonding, Electrical Safety & NJ Licensing Rules
Question 1
A dwelling unit has a 1,200-square-foot living area, a 1,000-square-foot garage, and a 500-
square-foot unfinished basement. When calculating the general lighting load for the service,
what total floor area must be included?
A. 1,200 sq ft
B. 2,200 sq ft
C. 2,700 sq ft
D. 1,700 sq ft
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The 2023 NEC requires garages to be included in the general lighting load
calculation for dwelling units (220.5(C)). The unfinished basement is also included unless
expressly excluded. Total: 1,200 + 1,000 + 500 = 2,700 sq ft.
Question 2
An electrician is installing a 125V, 20A receptacle in a residential kitchen. The receptacle is
located within 6 feet of the kitchen sink. What protection is required?
A. AFCI protection only
B. GFCI protection
C. No additional protection beyond the branch circuit breaker
D. Surge protection
,Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The 2023 NEC expanded GFCI requirements to all kitchen receptacles, not just
countertop surfaces (210.8(A)). Any 125V–250V receptacle in a kitchen requires GFCI
protection.
Question 3
A commercial building has a 480V, 3-phase service. The electrical contractor must install a
service disconnect. What is the minimum required working space depth in front of the 480V
switchboard if it is installed facing a concrete wall?
A. 36 inches
B. 42 inches
C. 48 inches
D. 30 inches
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: NEC Table 110.26(A)(1) requires 48 inches of working space depth for
equipment rated 277V to ground or more, with exposed live parts on one side and grounded
parts on the other.
Question 4
A commercial kitchen has eight 20A, 120V countertop receptacles on a single 20A branch
circuit. The total connected load is 1,800 VA. Is this installation compliant?
A. Yes, because the load is under 2,400 VA
B. No, because commercial kitchen receptacles require individual branch circuits
C. No, because the load exceeds 80% of the branch circuit rating
,D. Yes, because commercial kitchens have no receptacle load restrictions
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A 20A branch circuit at 120V has a capacity of 2,400 VA. Continuous loads
cannot exceed 80% (1,920 VA). The 1,800 VA load exceeds 80% only if considered
continuous; however, the NEC limits multiple-outlet branch circuits in commercial
occupancies to 80% for receptacle loads unless otherwise permitted.
Question 5
An electrical contractor is installing a 200A residential service. The utility provides a
120/240V, single-phase, 3-wire system. What minimum size copper grounding electrode
conductor is required for a 2/0 AWG service-entrance conductor?
A. 6 AWG
B. 4 AWG
C. 2 AWG
D. 8 AWG
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: NEC Table 250.66 requires a 4 AWG copper grounding electrode conductor for
service-entrance conductors of 2/0 AWG through 3/0 AWG.
Question 6
A journeyman electrician is installing a 50A, 240V receptacle for a residential electric range.
The receptacle is located 4 feet from the range. What minimum conductor size is required if
using THHN copper?
A. 8 AWG
, B. 6 AWG
C. 10 AWG
D. 12 AWG
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: NEC Table 310.16 shows 6 AWG THHN copper conductors are rated for 65A at
75°C. For a 50A circuit, 6 AWG copper is the minimum standard size, though 8 AWG is
sometimes permitted for specific applications.
Question 7
An electrical contractor is installing a 100A subpanel in a detached garage. The feeder
originates from the main service panel in the house. What minimum size copper equipment
grounding conductor is required for the feeder if the overcurrent device is 100A?
A. 8 AWG
B. 6 AWG
C. 10 AWG
D. 4 AWG
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: NEC Table 250.122 requires an 8 AWG copper equipment grounding conductor
for a 100A overcurrent protective device.
Question 8
A homeowner reports that a 15A circuit breaker trips repeatedly when a 12A space heater
and a 500W television are operated simultaneously on the same circuit. What is the most
likely cause?
Questions with Answers & Detailed Rationales, 2023 NEC Code
Application, Wiring Methods, Circuit Calculations, Grounding &
Bonding, Electrical Safety & NJ Licensing Rules
Question 1
A dwelling unit has a 1,200-square-foot living area, a 1,000-square-foot garage, and a 500-
square-foot unfinished basement. When calculating the general lighting load for the service,
what total floor area must be included?
A. 1,200 sq ft
B. 2,200 sq ft
C. 2,700 sq ft
D. 1,700 sq ft
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The 2023 NEC requires garages to be included in the general lighting load
calculation for dwelling units (220.5(C)). The unfinished basement is also included unless
expressly excluded. Total: 1,200 + 1,000 + 500 = 2,700 sq ft.
Question 2
An electrician is installing a 125V, 20A receptacle in a residential kitchen. The receptacle is
located within 6 feet of the kitchen sink. What protection is required?
A. AFCI protection only
B. GFCI protection
C. No additional protection beyond the branch circuit breaker
D. Surge protection
,Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The 2023 NEC expanded GFCI requirements to all kitchen receptacles, not just
countertop surfaces (210.8(A)). Any 125V–250V receptacle in a kitchen requires GFCI
protection.
Question 3
A commercial building has a 480V, 3-phase service. The electrical contractor must install a
service disconnect. What is the minimum required working space depth in front of the 480V
switchboard if it is installed facing a concrete wall?
A. 36 inches
B. 42 inches
C. 48 inches
D. 30 inches
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: NEC Table 110.26(A)(1) requires 48 inches of working space depth for
equipment rated 277V to ground or more, with exposed live parts on one side and grounded
parts on the other.
Question 4
A commercial kitchen has eight 20A, 120V countertop receptacles on a single 20A branch
circuit. The total connected load is 1,800 VA. Is this installation compliant?
A. Yes, because the load is under 2,400 VA
B. No, because commercial kitchen receptacles require individual branch circuits
C. No, because the load exceeds 80% of the branch circuit rating
,D. Yes, because commercial kitchens have no receptacle load restrictions
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A 20A branch circuit at 120V has a capacity of 2,400 VA. Continuous loads
cannot exceed 80% (1,920 VA). The 1,800 VA load exceeds 80% only if considered
continuous; however, the NEC limits multiple-outlet branch circuits in commercial
occupancies to 80% for receptacle loads unless otherwise permitted.
Question 5
An electrical contractor is installing a 200A residential service. The utility provides a
120/240V, single-phase, 3-wire system. What minimum size copper grounding electrode
conductor is required for a 2/0 AWG service-entrance conductor?
A. 6 AWG
B. 4 AWG
C. 2 AWG
D. 8 AWG
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: NEC Table 250.66 requires a 4 AWG copper grounding electrode conductor for
service-entrance conductors of 2/0 AWG through 3/0 AWG.
Question 6
A journeyman electrician is installing a 50A, 240V receptacle for a residential electric range.
The receptacle is located 4 feet from the range. What minimum conductor size is required if
using THHN copper?
A. 8 AWG
, B. 6 AWG
C. 10 AWG
D. 12 AWG
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: NEC Table 310.16 shows 6 AWG THHN copper conductors are rated for 65A at
75°C. For a 50A circuit, 6 AWG copper is the minimum standard size, though 8 AWG is
sometimes permitted for specific applications.
Question 7
An electrical contractor is installing a 100A subpanel in a detached garage. The feeder
originates from the main service panel in the house. What minimum size copper equipment
grounding conductor is required for the feeder if the overcurrent device is 100A?
A. 8 AWG
B. 6 AWG
C. 10 AWG
D. 4 AWG
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: NEC Table 250.122 requires an 8 AWG copper equipment grounding conductor
for a 100A overcurrent protective device.
Question 8
A homeowner reports that a 15A circuit breaker trips repeatedly when a 12A space heater
and a 500W television are operated simultaneously on the same circuit. What is the most
likely cause?
