Alabama Electrical Contractor Licensing
Examination Journeyman Electrician
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A 20-amp, 120-volt circuit supplying general lighting in a dwelling is
required to have what minimum conductor size?
A. 14 AWG
B. 12 AWG
C. 10 AWG
D. 8 AWG
Rationale: 12 AWG copper conductors are the minimum permitted size for
a 20-amp branch circuit under standard electrical code rules. Using a
smaller conductor such as 14 AWG would create overheating risk due to
insufficient ampacity.
2. What is the primary purpose of a circuit breaker?
A. Increase voltage
B. Protect against overcurrent
C. Store electrical energy
D. Convert AC to DC
Rationale: A circuit breaker is designed to automatically open a circuit
when excessive current flows, protecting conductors and equipment from
overheating and fire hazards.
,3. Which color is typically used to identify a grounded (neutral) conductor?
A. Green
B. White
C. Black
D. Red
Rationale: White or gray insulation is commonly used to identify grounded
neutral conductors, helping electricians distinguish return paths from hot
conductors.
4. The function of a GFCI is to protect against:
A. Overvoltage
B. Ground faults and shock hazards
C. Short circuits only
D. Power surges
Rationale: A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter detects imbalance between
hot and neutral conductors and quickly disconnects power to prevent
electric shock.
5. What does Ohm’s Law state?
A. Power equals voltage times resistance
B. Voltage equals current times resistance
C. Current equals power divided by resistance
D. Resistance equals voltage times power
Rationale: Ohm’s Law defines the relationship V = I × R, which is
fundamental for calculating electrical values in circuits.
6. What is the standard voltage for most residential receptacles in the United
States?
A. 240V
B. 120V
C. 208V
D. 277V
Rationale: Most household outlets supply 120 volts for general-purpose
receptacles and lighting loads.
, 7. A short circuit occurs when:
A. Resistance increases
B. Current flows along an unintended low-resistance path
C. Voltage drops to zero
D. Load is balanced
Rationale: A short circuit bypasses normal load resistance, causing
excessive current flow that can damage wiring and equipment.
8. What device is used to protect motors from overload conditions?
A. Fuse only
B. Overload relay
C. Transformer
D. Capacitor
Rationale: Overload relays monitor current and disconnect motors when
excessive load conditions occur over time.
9. The purpose of grounding is to:
A. Increase resistance
B. Provide a safe fault current path to earth
C. Increase voltage stability
D. Reduce conductor size
Rationale: Grounding ensures fault currents are safely directed to earth,
reducing shock and fire hazards.
10.Which tool is used to measure electrical current?
A. Voltmeter
B. Ammeter
C. Ohmmeter
D. Tachometer
Rationale: An ammeter measures current flow in amperes by being placed
in series with the circuit.
11.A 240V circuit in residential wiring typically uses:
A. Single phase, two-wire
B. Single phase, three-wire (center tapped)
Examination Journeyman Electrician
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A 20-amp, 120-volt circuit supplying general lighting in a dwelling is
required to have what minimum conductor size?
A. 14 AWG
B. 12 AWG
C. 10 AWG
D. 8 AWG
Rationale: 12 AWG copper conductors are the minimum permitted size for
a 20-amp branch circuit under standard electrical code rules. Using a
smaller conductor such as 14 AWG would create overheating risk due to
insufficient ampacity.
2. What is the primary purpose of a circuit breaker?
A. Increase voltage
B. Protect against overcurrent
C. Store electrical energy
D. Convert AC to DC
Rationale: A circuit breaker is designed to automatically open a circuit
when excessive current flows, protecting conductors and equipment from
overheating and fire hazards.
,3. Which color is typically used to identify a grounded (neutral) conductor?
A. Green
B. White
C. Black
D. Red
Rationale: White or gray insulation is commonly used to identify grounded
neutral conductors, helping electricians distinguish return paths from hot
conductors.
4. The function of a GFCI is to protect against:
A. Overvoltage
B. Ground faults and shock hazards
C. Short circuits only
D. Power surges
Rationale: A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter detects imbalance between
hot and neutral conductors and quickly disconnects power to prevent
electric shock.
5. What does Ohm’s Law state?
A. Power equals voltage times resistance
B. Voltage equals current times resistance
C. Current equals power divided by resistance
D. Resistance equals voltage times power
Rationale: Ohm’s Law defines the relationship V = I × R, which is
fundamental for calculating electrical values in circuits.
6. What is the standard voltage for most residential receptacles in the United
States?
A. 240V
B. 120V
C. 208V
D. 277V
Rationale: Most household outlets supply 120 volts for general-purpose
receptacles and lighting loads.
, 7. A short circuit occurs when:
A. Resistance increases
B. Current flows along an unintended low-resistance path
C. Voltage drops to zero
D. Load is balanced
Rationale: A short circuit bypasses normal load resistance, causing
excessive current flow that can damage wiring and equipment.
8. What device is used to protect motors from overload conditions?
A. Fuse only
B. Overload relay
C. Transformer
D. Capacitor
Rationale: Overload relays monitor current and disconnect motors when
excessive load conditions occur over time.
9. The purpose of grounding is to:
A. Increase resistance
B. Provide a safe fault current path to earth
C. Increase voltage stability
D. Reduce conductor size
Rationale: Grounding ensures fault currents are safely directed to earth,
reducing shock and fire hazards.
10.Which tool is used to measure electrical current?
A. Voltmeter
B. Ammeter
C. Ohmmeter
D. Tachometer
Rationale: An ammeter measures current flow in amperes by being placed
in series with the circuit.
11.A 240V circuit in residential wiring typically uses:
A. Single phase, two-wire
B. Single phase, three-wire (center tapped)
