ICC E1 Residential Electrical Inspector
Exam 2026 | Real Exam Q&A + Verified
Solutions (Pass Fast)
1. What is the minimum cover depth for direct burial UF cable under a residential
driveway?
A. 6 inches
B. 12 inches
C. 18 inches
D. 24 inches
Direct burial UF cable requires 18 inches of cover under residential driveways per NEC
Table 300.5.
2. What type of circuit is required for bathroom receptacles?
A. 15-amp general circuit
B. 20-amp dedicated circuit
C. 30-amp circuit
D. Lighting circuit
Bathrooms require at least one 20-amp branch circuit dedicated to receptacle outlets.
3. What is the maximum number of disconnects allowed for a service?
A. 4
B. 5
C. 6
D. 8
The NEC allows up to six service disconnects under the “six disconnect rule.”
4. Where must GFCI protection be provided in a dwelling?
A. Bedrooms
B. Living rooms
C. Bathrooms
D. Closets
Bathrooms are required to have GFCI protection due to moisture risk.
5. What is the minimum size copper conductor for a 20-amp circuit?
A. 14 AWG
B. 12 AWG
C. 10 AWG
D. 8 AWG
12 AWG copper is required for 20-amp circuits per NEC.
6. What is required for all 120V, 15- and 20-amp circuits in bedrooms?
A. GFCI protection
B. AFCI protection
C. Surge protection
D. Isolation transformer
AFCI protection is required to prevent arc faults in sleeping areas.
, 7. What is the minimum working space depth in front of electrical equipment?
A. 24 inches
B. 30 inches
C. 36 inches
D. 48 inches
36 inches ensures safe working clearance per NEC 110.26.
8. What is the minimum height for receptacles above kitchen countertops?
A. 6 inches
B. 10 inches
C. 12 inches
D. 18 inches
Receptacles must be no more than 12 inches below countertop unless exceptions apply.
9. What protection is required for NM cable passing through studs?
A. None
B. Nail plates if within 1.25 inches of edge
C. Conduit
D. Tape
Nail plates protect cables from physical damage.
10. What is the maximum breaker size for a 14 AWG conductor?
A. 10 amps
B. 15 amps
C. 20 amps
D. 25 amps
14 AWG copper is limited to 15 amps.
11. What type of outlet is required outdoors?
A. Standard
B. Weatherproof
C. Weather-resistant with GFCI
D. Tamper-proof only
Outdoor outlets must be weather-resistant and GFCI protected.
12. What is required for stairway lighting?
A. One switch
B. Timer
C. Switch at each level
D. Motion sensor
Switches must control lighting at top and bottom.
13. What is the purpose of bonding?
A. Increase voltage
B. Reduce resistance
C. Ensure electrical continuity and fault path
D. Improve efficiency
Bonding ensures safe fault current flow.
14. What is the minimum burial depth for PVC conduit (residential)?
A. 6 inches
B. 12 inches
C. 18 inches
Exam 2026 | Real Exam Q&A + Verified
Solutions (Pass Fast)
1. What is the minimum cover depth for direct burial UF cable under a residential
driveway?
A. 6 inches
B. 12 inches
C. 18 inches
D. 24 inches
Direct burial UF cable requires 18 inches of cover under residential driveways per NEC
Table 300.5.
2. What type of circuit is required for bathroom receptacles?
A. 15-amp general circuit
B. 20-amp dedicated circuit
C. 30-amp circuit
D. Lighting circuit
Bathrooms require at least one 20-amp branch circuit dedicated to receptacle outlets.
3. What is the maximum number of disconnects allowed for a service?
A. 4
B. 5
C. 6
D. 8
The NEC allows up to six service disconnects under the “six disconnect rule.”
4. Where must GFCI protection be provided in a dwelling?
A. Bedrooms
B. Living rooms
C. Bathrooms
D. Closets
Bathrooms are required to have GFCI protection due to moisture risk.
5. What is the minimum size copper conductor for a 20-amp circuit?
A. 14 AWG
B. 12 AWG
C. 10 AWG
D. 8 AWG
12 AWG copper is required for 20-amp circuits per NEC.
6. What is required for all 120V, 15- and 20-amp circuits in bedrooms?
A. GFCI protection
B. AFCI protection
C. Surge protection
D. Isolation transformer
AFCI protection is required to prevent arc faults in sleeping areas.
, 7. What is the minimum working space depth in front of electrical equipment?
A. 24 inches
B. 30 inches
C. 36 inches
D. 48 inches
36 inches ensures safe working clearance per NEC 110.26.
8. What is the minimum height for receptacles above kitchen countertops?
A. 6 inches
B. 10 inches
C. 12 inches
D. 18 inches
Receptacles must be no more than 12 inches below countertop unless exceptions apply.
9. What protection is required for NM cable passing through studs?
A. None
B. Nail plates if within 1.25 inches of edge
C. Conduit
D. Tape
Nail plates protect cables from physical damage.
10. What is the maximum breaker size for a 14 AWG conductor?
A. 10 amps
B. 15 amps
C. 20 amps
D. 25 amps
14 AWG copper is limited to 15 amps.
11. What type of outlet is required outdoors?
A. Standard
B. Weatherproof
C. Weather-resistant with GFCI
D. Tamper-proof only
Outdoor outlets must be weather-resistant and GFCI protected.
12. What is required for stairway lighting?
A. One switch
B. Timer
C. Switch at each level
D. Motion sensor
Switches must control lighting at top and bottom.
13. What is the purpose of bonding?
A. Increase voltage
B. Reduce resistance
C. Ensure electrical continuity and fault path
D. Improve efficiency
Bonding ensures safe fault current flow.
14. What is the minimum burial depth for PVC conduit (residential)?
A. 6 inches
B. 12 inches
C. 18 inches
