Ace the Alberta electrician apprenticeship
certification exam with this 2026/2027 prep
guide with solution, designed to enhance
knowledge, improve practical skills, and
ensure certification success.
1. According to the CEC, what is the maximum number of overcurrent devices
(circuit breakers or fuses) that a lighting and appliance branch-circuit
panelboard is permitted to have in a single enclosure?
A) 24
B) 42
C) 84
D) The number is limited by the panelboard rating and manufacturer's design, but
no specific maximum is set in the CEC.
Answer: D
Rationale: The CEC (Rule 8-304) does not impose a fixed maximum number of
overcurrent devices per panelboard. It specifies that the panelboard must be
approved for the purpose and installed within its rating. The maximum number is
determined by the manufacturer and listing.
2. A 15 A, 120 V branch circuit supplies a residential living room. The CEC
requires that the maximum number of outlets (receptacles) per circuit is
calculated based on what?
A) 1 outlet per 1 A of breaker rating, so 15 outlets
,B) 12 outlets per circuit
C) The circuit ampacity and load calculation, with each duplex receptacle counted
as 1.0 A or as per actual load if known; no fixed limit but load must not exceed
circuit rating.
D) 10 outlets
Answer: C
Rationale: The CEC (Rule 8-304) requires that the connected load must not
exceed the rating of the overcurrent device. For general-use receptacles in dwelling
units, each duplex receptacle is considered to have a load of not less than 1 A per
outlet (Rule 8-304(1)(c)) unless the actual load is known. There is no hard
maximum number; rather, the calculated load must be ≤ 80% of the circuit rating
for continuous loads or ≤ 100% for non-continuous.
3. For a dwelling unit, the CEC requires that at least one receptacle outlet be
installed for every _____ of wall space in living areas such as bedrooms and
living rooms.
A) 1.5 m
B) 2.5 m
C) 3.0 m
D) 4.5 m
Answer: C
Rationale: Rule 26-724(f) requires that in dwelling units, receptacles shall be
located so that no point along the floor line of any usable wall space is more than
1.5 m from a receptacle measured horizontally. The wall space must be at least
900 mm wide. This effectively means one receptacle for every 3.0 m of wall space.
,4. What is the minimum size of copper equipment grounding conductor
required for a circuit protected by a 100 A overcurrent device?
A) No. 8 AWG
B) No. 6 AWG
C) No. 10 AWG
D) No. 4 AWG
Answer: A
Rationale: CEC Table 16 specifies minimum grounding conductor sizes. For a 100
A overcurrent device, the minimum copper grounding conductor is No. 8 AWG.
5. A single dwelling unit has a floor area of 120 m² (excluding basement). What
is the minimum number of 15 A, 120 V lighting and receptacle branch circuits
required by the CEC for the basic load (exclusive of specific appliance
circuits)?
A) 2 circuits
B) 3 circuits
C) 4 circuits
D) 5 circuits
Answer: C
Rationale: Rule 8-200(1)(a) requires a minimum of two 15 A branch circuits for the
basic lighting and receptacle load. For dwellings, the basic load is calculated at 30
W/m² (Table 60). 120 m² × 30 W/m² = 3600 W. At 120 V, that's 30 A. A 15 A circuit
can provide 15 A × 120 V = 1800 W. So two circuits give 3600 W, meeting the load.
However, the rule also states that the minimum number of circuits is based on the
load, and additional circuits may be needed for specific areas. The CEC requires
that the number of circuits be sufficient to supply the load. Many questions use 2
circuits as the minimum for a typical dwelling, but the answer depends on the floor
, area: if load exceeds 15 A × 80% (continuous) etc. Actually, Rule 8-200(1)(a) says:
"For a dwelling unit, the basic load shall be provided by not fewer than two 15 A
branch circuits." That's independent of area. So the answer is 2 circuits. Wait, 120
m² is 120 x 10.76 = 1291 sq ft, the basic load would be 120 x 30 = 3600 W, which at
120 V is 30 A, so two 15 A circuits can handle it. The rule says "not fewer than two
15 A branch circuits" so minimum 2. So answer is 2. But some test questions might
consider that additional circuits are required for kitchen, laundry, etc. But the
question asks for "basic load" only. So I'll keep 2. However, I need to verify: Rule 8-
200(1)(a) states the minimum number of circuits for the basic load is two. So
answer is A) 2 circuits.
6. A transformer has a primary voltage of 600 V and a secondary voltage of
120/240 V. What is the turns ratio?
A) 5:1
B) 2.5:1
C) 10:1
D) 1:5
Answer: A
Rationale: Turns ratio = primary voltage / secondary voltage (assuming single-
phase). 600 V / 120 V = 5:1. For 240 V, it would be 2.5:1, but standard notation uses
the lower voltage. Usually, a 600 to 120/240 V transformer has a ratio of 5:1 when
considering the 120 V winding.
7. In a 3-phase, 4-wire, 347/600 V system, what is the voltage from a line
conductor to the neutral?
certification exam with this 2026/2027 prep
guide with solution, designed to enhance
knowledge, improve practical skills, and
ensure certification success.
1. According to the CEC, what is the maximum number of overcurrent devices
(circuit breakers or fuses) that a lighting and appliance branch-circuit
panelboard is permitted to have in a single enclosure?
A) 24
B) 42
C) 84
D) The number is limited by the panelboard rating and manufacturer's design, but
no specific maximum is set in the CEC.
Answer: D
Rationale: The CEC (Rule 8-304) does not impose a fixed maximum number of
overcurrent devices per panelboard. It specifies that the panelboard must be
approved for the purpose and installed within its rating. The maximum number is
determined by the manufacturer and listing.
2. A 15 A, 120 V branch circuit supplies a residential living room. The CEC
requires that the maximum number of outlets (receptacles) per circuit is
calculated based on what?
A) 1 outlet per 1 A of breaker rating, so 15 outlets
,B) 12 outlets per circuit
C) The circuit ampacity and load calculation, with each duplex receptacle counted
as 1.0 A or as per actual load if known; no fixed limit but load must not exceed
circuit rating.
D) 10 outlets
Answer: C
Rationale: The CEC (Rule 8-304) requires that the connected load must not
exceed the rating of the overcurrent device. For general-use receptacles in dwelling
units, each duplex receptacle is considered to have a load of not less than 1 A per
outlet (Rule 8-304(1)(c)) unless the actual load is known. There is no hard
maximum number; rather, the calculated load must be ≤ 80% of the circuit rating
for continuous loads or ≤ 100% for non-continuous.
3. For a dwelling unit, the CEC requires that at least one receptacle outlet be
installed for every _____ of wall space in living areas such as bedrooms and
living rooms.
A) 1.5 m
B) 2.5 m
C) 3.0 m
D) 4.5 m
Answer: C
Rationale: Rule 26-724(f) requires that in dwelling units, receptacles shall be
located so that no point along the floor line of any usable wall space is more than
1.5 m from a receptacle measured horizontally. The wall space must be at least
900 mm wide. This effectively means one receptacle for every 3.0 m of wall space.
,4. What is the minimum size of copper equipment grounding conductor
required for a circuit protected by a 100 A overcurrent device?
A) No. 8 AWG
B) No. 6 AWG
C) No. 10 AWG
D) No. 4 AWG
Answer: A
Rationale: CEC Table 16 specifies minimum grounding conductor sizes. For a 100
A overcurrent device, the minimum copper grounding conductor is No. 8 AWG.
5. A single dwelling unit has a floor area of 120 m² (excluding basement). What
is the minimum number of 15 A, 120 V lighting and receptacle branch circuits
required by the CEC for the basic load (exclusive of specific appliance
circuits)?
A) 2 circuits
B) 3 circuits
C) 4 circuits
D) 5 circuits
Answer: C
Rationale: Rule 8-200(1)(a) requires a minimum of two 15 A branch circuits for the
basic lighting and receptacle load. For dwellings, the basic load is calculated at 30
W/m² (Table 60). 120 m² × 30 W/m² = 3600 W. At 120 V, that's 30 A. A 15 A circuit
can provide 15 A × 120 V = 1800 W. So two circuits give 3600 W, meeting the load.
However, the rule also states that the minimum number of circuits is based on the
load, and additional circuits may be needed for specific areas. The CEC requires
that the number of circuits be sufficient to supply the load. Many questions use 2
circuits as the minimum for a typical dwelling, but the answer depends on the floor
, area: if load exceeds 15 A × 80% (continuous) etc. Actually, Rule 8-200(1)(a) says:
"For a dwelling unit, the basic load shall be provided by not fewer than two 15 A
branch circuits." That's independent of area. So the answer is 2 circuits. Wait, 120
m² is 120 x 10.76 = 1291 sq ft, the basic load would be 120 x 30 = 3600 W, which at
120 V is 30 A, so two 15 A circuits can handle it. The rule says "not fewer than two
15 A branch circuits" so minimum 2. So answer is 2. But some test questions might
consider that additional circuits are required for kitchen, laundry, etc. But the
question asks for "basic load" only. So I'll keep 2. However, I need to verify: Rule 8-
200(1)(a) states the minimum number of circuits for the basic load is two. So
answer is A) 2 circuits.
6. A transformer has a primary voltage of 600 V and a secondary voltage of
120/240 V. What is the turns ratio?
A) 5:1
B) 2.5:1
C) 10:1
D) 1:5
Answer: A
Rationale: Turns ratio = primary voltage / secondary voltage (assuming single-
phase). 600 V / 120 V = 5:1. For 240 V, it would be 2.5:1, but standard notation uses
the lower voltage. Usually, a 600 to 120/240 V transformer has a ratio of 5:1 when
considering the 120 V winding.
7. In a 3-phase, 4-wire, 347/600 V system, what is the voltage from a line
conductor to the neutral?
