NYC Electrician Exam (Civil Service) Questions
With Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of a circuit breaker?
a) Increase voltage
b) Store electricity
c) Protect a circuit from overload
d) Reduce current
Circuit breakers are designed to interrupt current flow when it
exceeds a safe level, preventing damage to wiring and equipment.
2. What is the standard voltage for residential outlets in New York
City?
a) 120/208 V
b) 120 V
c) 240 V
d) 277 V
Most NYC homes use 120-volt outlets for standard appliances.
3. Which conductor color is typically used for a grounding wire?
a) Red
b) Black
c) Blue
d) Green
Green (or bare copper) wires are used for grounding in accordance
with NEC standards.
,4. What is the minimum gauge wire for a 20-ampere circuit?
a) 14 AWG
b) 12 AWG
c) 10 AWG
d) 8 AWG
According to NEC, 12 AWG copper wire is sufficient for 20A circuits.
5. Which type of conduit is most resistant to corrosion?
a) EMT
b) PVC
c) IMC
d) Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)
RMC is thick and highly resistant to mechanical damage and
corrosion.
6. What does GFCI stand for?
a) Ground Fault Current Interruptor
b) General Fault Circuit Indicator
c) Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
d) General Fuse Circuit Interrupter
GFCI devices protect people from electrical shocks by interrupting
the circuit when a ground fault occurs.
7. In a three-phase system, what is the voltage difference between
phases in a 208/120 V system?
a) 120 V
b) 208 V
c) 240 V
d) 480 V
, The line-to-line voltage in a 208/120 V three-phase system is 208
volts.
8. What is the NEC-required minimum distance for bending EMT
conduit around corners?
a) 1 inch
b) 2 inches
c) 3 inches
d) 4 inches
The NEC specifies minimum bending distances to prevent
conductor damage.
9. Which device measures electrical current?
a) Voltmeter
b) Ammeter
c) Ohmmeter
d) Wattmeter
Ammeters are designed to measure the flow of electrical current in
amperes.
10. What is the typical service amperage for a small NYC
apartment?
a) 50 A
b) 100 A
c) 200 A
d) 400 A
Most small apartments have a 100-amp service panel.
11. Which type of switch is commonly used to control lighting
from two locations?
a) Single-pole
With Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of a circuit breaker?
a) Increase voltage
b) Store electricity
c) Protect a circuit from overload
d) Reduce current
Circuit breakers are designed to interrupt current flow when it
exceeds a safe level, preventing damage to wiring and equipment.
2. What is the standard voltage for residential outlets in New York
City?
a) 120/208 V
b) 120 V
c) 240 V
d) 277 V
Most NYC homes use 120-volt outlets for standard appliances.
3. Which conductor color is typically used for a grounding wire?
a) Red
b) Black
c) Blue
d) Green
Green (or bare copper) wires are used for grounding in accordance
with NEC standards.
,4. What is the minimum gauge wire for a 20-ampere circuit?
a) 14 AWG
b) 12 AWG
c) 10 AWG
d) 8 AWG
According to NEC, 12 AWG copper wire is sufficient for 20A circuits.
5. Which type of conduit is most resistant to corrosion?
a) EMT
b) PVC
c) IMC
d) Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)
RMC is thick and highly resistant to mechanical damage and
corrosion.
6. What does GFCI stand for?
a) Ground Fault Current Interruptor
b) General Fault Circuit Indicator
c) Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
d) General Fuse Circuit Interrupter
GFCI devices protect people from electrical shocks by interrupting
the circuit when a ground fault occurs.
7. In a three-phase system, what is the voltage difference between
phases in a 208/120 V system?
a) 120 V
b) 208 V
c) 240 V
d) 480 V
, The line-to-line voltage in a 208/120 V three-phase system is 208
volts.
8. What is the NEC-required minimum distance for bending EMT
conduit around corners?
a) 1 inch
b) 2 inches
c) 3 inches
d) 4 inches
The NEC specifies minimum bending distances to prevent
conductor damage.
9. Which device measures electrical current?
a) Voltmeter
b) Ammeter
c) Ohmmeter
d) Wattmeter
Ammeters are designed to measure the flow of electrical current in
amperes.
10. What is the typical service amperage for a small NYC
apartment?
a) 50 A
b) 100 A
c) 200 A
d) 400 A
Most small apartments have a 100-amp service panel.
11. Which type of switch is commonly used to control lighting
from two locations?
a) Single-pole
