JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN CODE
EXAMINATION WITH ACTUAL QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS, PLUS
EXPLAINED RATIONALES/EXPERT
VERIFIED FOR GUARANTEED 100% PASS
2026/LATEST UPDATE/INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
Questions 1–50
1. A 120/240-volt, single-phase dwelling service supplies a calculated
load of 150 amperes. The service disconnecting means is located at
the point where the service conductors enter the building. Which
conductor arrangement is generally required for a typical grounded
residential service?
A. Two ungrounded conductors and one grounded conductor
B. One ungrounded conductor and one equipment grounding conductor
C. Two grounded conductors and one ungrounded conductor
D. Three ungrounded conductors and one grounded conductor
Answer: A. Two ungrounded conductors and one grounded
conductor
Rationale: A typical 120/240-volt, single-phase, three-wire residential
service consists of two ungrounded (hot) conductors and one grounded
(neutral) conductor. The grounded conductor provides the 120-volt
return path for line-to-neutral loads, while the two ungrounded
conductors provide 240 volts between them. An equipment grounding
conductor is also required as part of the grounding and bonding
system, but it is not one of the three service conductors described.
1
, 2. A branch circuit supplies a continuous load of 16 amperes. No
special derating or adjustment factors apply. What is the minimum
ampere rating of the branch-circuit overcurrent protective device
required under the standard 125-percent continuous-load rule?
A. 16 A
B. 18 A
C. 20 A
D. 25 A
Answer: C. 20 A
Rationale: A continuous load is generally calculated at 125 percent for
branch-circuit and feeder sizing. Therefore, 16 A × 125% = 20 A. A
20-ampere overcurrent protective device is the appropriate standard
rating. The purpose is to prevent prolonged operation at the maximum
rating of the circuit and reduce overheating risk.
3. An electrician is installing copper conductors in a raceway
supplying a 75°C-rated distribution panel. The terminals are also
marked for 75°C conductors. Which ampacity column is generally
permitted for conductors rated 75°C when the applicable
conditions allow its use?
A. 60°C column
B. 75°C column
C. 90°C column only
D. 100°C column
Answer: B. 75°C column
Rationale: When equipment terminals are identified for 75°C
conductors and the applicable installation conditions permit it, the
75°C ampacity column may be used. The 90°C rating can sometimes
2
,be used for derating calculations, but the final conductor ampacity is
limited by the applicable terminal-temperature limitation.
4. A motor branch circuit has a motor with a nameplate full-load
current of 40 amperes. Under the general NEC motor-circuit sizing
methodology, why may the branch-circuit short-circuit and
ground-fault protective device have an ampere rating significantly
higher than the motor's nameplate current?
A. Motors are never required to have overcurrent protection
B. Motor starting current can be substantially higher than running
current
C. The equipment grounding conductor carries the motor's starting
current
D. The motor nameplate current is always an instantaneous fault current
Answer: B. Motor starting current can be substantially higher than
running current
Rationale: Motor circuits must accommodate high inrush or locked-
rotor current during starting. The branch-circuit short-circuit and
ground-fault protective device is therefore permitted to be sized
differently from the motor overload protection. Motor overload
protection is intended to protect the motor against excessive operating
current, while the branch-circuit protective device primarily protects
conductors and equipment against short circuits and ground faults.
5. A receptacle is installed in a location where it may be exposed to
water or other weather conditions. Which type of receptacle
protection is generally required where the NEC identifies the
location as requiring GFCI protection?
3
, A. AFCI protection only
B. GFCI protection
C. Surge protection only
D. No additional protection
Answer: B. GFCI protection
Rationale: Ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection is intended to
reduce the risk of electric shock by interrupting a circuit when current
imbalance indicates that some current may be flowing through an
unintended path, potentially including a person. The NEC identifies
numerous locations where GFCI protection is required, particularly
locations associated with moisture, outdoors, garages, unfinished
areas, and other specified conditions.
6. A 120-volt branch circuit supplies several receptacles in a dwelling
unit. The circuit conductors are copper, and the branch-circuit
overcurrent device is rated 20 amperes. Which conductor size is
generally associated with a standard 20-ampere branch circuit,
assuming no derating or special conditions?
A. 14 AWG copper
B. 12 AWG copper
C. 10 AWG copper
D. 8 AWG copper
Answer: B. 12 AWG copper
Rationale: Under standard NEC conditions, 12 AWG copper is
commonly used for 20-ampere branch circuits. However, actual
conductor sizing must consider the complete installation, including
temperature limitations, adjustment and correction factors, conductor
material, insulation rating, ambient temperature, and the specific
requirements of the applicable circuit.
4
EXAMINATION WITH ACTUAL QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS, PLUS
EXPLAINED RATIONALES/EXPERT
VERIFIED FOR GUARANTEED 100% PASS
2026/LATEST UPDATE/INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
Questions 1–50
1. A 120/240-volt, single-phase dwelling service supplies a calculated
load of 150 amperes. The service disconnecting means is located at
the point where the service conductors enter the building. Which
conductor arrangement is generally required for a typical grounded
residential service?
A. Two ungrounded conductors and one grounded conductor
B. One ungrounded conductor and one equipment grounding conductor
C. Two grounded conductors and one ungrounded conductor
D. Three ungrounded conductors and one grounded conductor
Answer: A. Two ungrounded conductors and one grounded
conductor
Rationale: A typical 120/240-volt, single-phase, three-wire residential
service consists of two ungrounded (hot) conductors and one grounded
(neutral) conductor. The grounded conductor provides the 120-volt
return path for line-to-neutral loads, while the two ungrounded
conductors provide 240 volts between them. An equipment grounding
conductor is also required as part of the grounding and bonding
system, but it is not one of the three service conductors described.
1
, 2. A branch circuit supplies a continuous load of 16 amperes. No
special derating or adjustment factors apply. What is the minimum
ampere rating of the branch-circuit overcurrent protective device
required under the standard 125-percent continuous-load rule?
A. 16 A
B. 18 A
C. 20 A
D. 25 A
Answer: C. 20 A
Rationale: A continuous load is generally calculated at 125 percent for
branch-circuit and feeder sizing. Therefore, 16 A × 125% = 20 A. A
20-ampere overcurrent protective device is the appropriate standard
rating. The purpose is to prevent prolonged operation at the maximum
rating of the circuit and reduce overheating risk.
3. An electrician is installing copper conductors in a raceway
supplying a 75°C-rated distribution panel. The terminals are also
marked for 75°C conductors. Which ampacity column is generally
permitted for conductors rated 75°C when the applicable
conditions allow its use?
A. 60°C column
B. 75°C column
C. 90°C column only
D. 100°C column
Answer: B. 75°C column
Rationale: When equipment terminals are identified for 75°C
conductors and the applicable installation conditions permit it, the
75°C ampacity column may be used. The 90°C rating can sometimes
2
,be used for derating calculations, but the final conductor ampacity is
limited by the applicable terminal-temperature limitation.
4. A motor branch circuit has a motor with a nameplate full-load
current of 40 amperes. Under the general NEC motor-circuit sizing
methodology, why may the branch-circuit short-circuit and
ground-fault protective device have an ampere rating significantly
higher than the motor's nameplate current?
A. Motors are never required to have overcurrent protection
B. Motor starting current can be substantially higher than running
current
C. The equipment grounding conductor carries the motor's starting
current
D. The motor nameplate current is always an instantaneous fault current
Answer: B. Motor starting current can be substantially higher than
running current
Rationale: Motor circuits must accommodate high inrush or locked-
rotor current during starting. The branch-circuit short-circuit and
ground-fault protective device is therefore permitted to be sized
differently from the motor overload protection. Motor overload
protection is intended to protect the motor against excessive operating
current, while the branch-circuit protective device primarily protects
conductors and equipment against short circuits and ground faults.
5. A receptacle is installed in a location where it may be exposed to
water or other weather conditions. Which type of receptacle
protection is generally required where the NEC identifies the
location as requiring GFCI protection?
3
, A. AFCI protection only
B. GFCI protection
C. Surge protection only
D. No additional protection
Answer: B. GFCI protection
Rationale: Ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection is intended to
reduce the risk of electric shock by interrupting a circuit when current
imbalance indicates that some current may be flowing through an
unintended path, potentially including a person. The NEC identifies
numerous locations where GFCI protection is required, particularly
locations associated with moisture, outdoors, garages, unfinished
areas, and other specified conditions.
6. A 120-volt branch circuit supplies several receptacles in a dwelling
unit. The circuit conductors are copper, and the branch-circuit
overcurrent device is rated 20 amperes. Which conductor size is
generally associated with a standard 20-ampere branch circuit,
assuming no derating or special conditions?
A. 14 AWG copper
B. 12 AWG copper
C. 10 AWG copper
D. 8 AWG copper
Answer: B. 12 AWG copper
Rationale: Under standard NEC conditions, 12 AWG copper is
commonly used for 20-ampere branch circuits. However, actual
conductor sizing must consider the complete installation, including
temperature limitations, adjustment and correction factors, conductor
material, insulation rating, ambient temperature, and the specific
requirements of the applicable circuit.
4
