Texas Journeyman Electrician Exam
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. During the installation of a new 120/240-volt single-phase residential
service, a journeyman electrician is instructed to determine the
minimum size grounded service conductor required for a service
entrance with ungrounded conductors sized at 4/0 AWG aluminum.
According to the National Electrical Code requirements commonly
enforced in Texas jurisdictions, which of the following conductor sizes
is the minimum permitted grounded conductor size for this
installation?
A. 6 AWG copper
B. 4 AWG aluminum
C. 2 AWG aluminum
D. 1/0 AWG copper
,The NEC permits the grounded conductor to be smaller than the
ungrounded conductors when properly calculated under Article 220 and
sized according to 250.24(C). For a 4/0 aluminum service conductor, a 2
AWG aluminum grounded conductor is commonly the minimum permitted
size based on the applicable tables and service calculations.
2. A commercial electrician is troubleshooting a three-phase motor
circuit protected by dual-element time-delay fuses. The motor
nameplate indicates a full-load current of 46 amperes. The electrician
must size the branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protection
in compliance with NEC Article 430. What is the maximum rating of a
dual-element time-delay fuse permitted for this motor circuit before
moving to the next standard size?
A. 50 amperes
B. 60 amperes
C. 80 amperes
D. 100 amperes
NEC Table 430.52 permits dual-element time-delay fuses to be sized at up
to 175% of motor full-load current. Multiplying 46 amperes by 175% equals
80.5 amperes, allowing the use of the next lower standard size of 80
amperes.
, 3. An electrician is installing receptacles in a dwelling unit kitchen
remodel. The homeowner requests countertop receptacles on a wall
space measuring 5 feet wide between the sink and refrigerator.
According to NEC spacing requirements for countertop receptacles,
what is the maximum allowable distance from any point along the wall
line to a receptacle outlet?
A. 12 inches
B. 24 inches
C. 36 inches
D. 48 inches
The NEC requires receptacle outlets serving countertops so that no point
along the wall line is more than 24 inches measured horizontally from a
receptacle. This ensures convenient appliance use and reduces reliance on
extension cords.
4. A journeyman electrician is asked to determine the minimum burial
depth for a residential branch circuit rated 20 amperes, protected by
GFCI protection, and installed using rigid metal conduit under a one-
family dwelling driveway. What is the minimum cover requirement for
this installation?
A. 6 inches
B. 12 inches
, C. 18 inches
D. 24 inches
Rigid metal conduit installed beneath residential driveways generally
requires a minimum cover of 12 inches under NEC Table 300.5. Reduced
cover allowances are permitted due to the mechanical protection provided
by the conduit system.
5. During a commercial renovation project, an electrician must install
conductors in an ambient temperature of 45°C. The conductors are
THHN copper rated 90°C, and there are six current-carrying
conductors in the raceway. What must the electrician do before
determining the allowable ampacity of the conductors?
A. Increase conductor size by one trade size automatically
B. Ignore temperature correction because THHN is 90°C rated
C. Apply both ambient temperature correction and adjustment factors
D. Apply only the adjustment factor for conductor quantity
NEC ampacity calculations require both ambient temperature correction
and conductor adjustment factors when conditions exceed standard
assumptions. Since the ambient temperature exceeds 30°C and more than
three current-carrying conductors are installed together, both derating
requirements apply.
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. During the installation of a new 120/240-volt single-phase residential
service, a journeyman electrician is instructed to determine the
minimum size grounded service conductor required for a service
entrance with ungrounded conductors sized at 4/0 AWG aluminum.
According to the National Electrical Code requirements commonly
enforced in Texas jurisdictions, which of the following conductor sizes
is the minimum permitted grounded conductor size for this
installation?
A. 6 AWG copper
B. 4 AWG aluminum
C. 2 AWG aluminum
D. 1/0 AWG copper
,The NEC permits the grounded conductor to be smaller than the
ungrounded conductors when properly calculated under Article 220 and
sized according to 250.24(C). For a 4/0 aluminum service conductor, a 2
AWG aluminum grounded conductor is commonly the minimum permitted
size based on the applicable tables and service calculations.
2. A commercial electrician is troubleshooting a three-phase motor
circuit protected by dual-element time-delay fuses. The motor
nameplate indicates a full-load current of 46 amperes. The electrician
must size the branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protection
in compliance with NEC Article 430. What is the maximum rating of a
dual-element time-delay fuse permitted for this motor circuit before
moving to the next standard size?
A. 50 amperes
B. 60 amperes
C. 80 amperes
D. 100 amperes
NEC Table 430.52 permits dual-element time-delay fuses to be sized at up
to 175% of motor full-load current. Multiplying 46 amperes by 175% equals
80.5 amperes, allowing the use of the next lower standard size of 80
amperes.
, 3. An electrician is installing receptacles in a dwelling unit kitchen
remodel. The homeowner requests countertop receptacles on a wall
space measuring 5 feet wide between the sink and refrigerator.
According to NEC spacing requirements for countertop receptacles,
what is the maximum allowable distance from any point along the wall
line to a receptacle outlet?
A. 12 inches
B. 24 inches
C. 36 inches
D. 48 inches
The NEC requires receptacle outlets serving countertops so that no point
along the wall line is more than 24 inches measured horizontally from a
receptacle. This ensures convenient appliance use and reduces reliance on
extension cords.
4. A journeyman electrician is asked to determine the minimum burial
depth for a residential branch circuit rated 20 amperes, protected by
GFCI protection, and installed using rigid metal conduit under a one-
family dwelling driveway. What is the minimum cover requirement for
this installation?
A. 6 inches
B. 12 inches
, C. 18 inches
D. 24 inches
Rigid metal conduit installed beneath residential driveways generally
requires a minimum cover of 12 inches under NEC Table 300.5. Reduced
cover allowances are permitted due to the mechanical protection provided
by the conduit system.
5. During a commercial renovation project, an electrician must install
conductors in an ambient temperature of 45°C. The conductors are
THHN copper rated 90°C, and there are six current-carrying
conductors in the raceway. What must the electrician do before
determining the allowable ampacity of the conductors?
A. Increase conductor size by one trade size automatically
B. Ignore temperature correction because THHN is 90°C rated
C. Apply both ambient temperature correction and adjustment factors
D. Apply only the adjustment factor for conductor quantity
NEC ampacity calculations require both ambient temperature correction
and conductor adjustment factors when conditions exceed standard
assumptions. Since the ambient temperature exceeds 30°C and more than
three current-carrying conductors are installed together, both derating
requirements apply.
