Examination — Local Jurisdiction
Practice Exam 2026 | 100 Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Complete Exam Prep & Study Guide
1. A 120/240-volt single-phase dwelling service has an unbalanced load.
Which conductor carries the imbalance between the two ungrounded
conductors?
A. Equipment grounding conductor
B. Grounding electrode conductor
C. Neutral conductor
D. Bonding jumper
Answer: C. Neutral conductor
Rationale: In a 120/240-volt single-phase system, the neutral carries the
difference between the current on the two ungrounded conductors when the
loads are unbalanced.
2. What is the minimum copper conductor size generally permitted for a 20-
ampere residential branch circuit?
,A. 16 AWG
B. 14 AWG
C. 12 AWG
D. 10 AWG
Answer: 12 AWG copper
Rationale: A typical 20-ampere branch circuit requires a minimum 12 AWG
copper conductor unless a specific NEC allowance permits another arrangement.
3. A 15-ampere circuit supplies general-purpose receptacles in a dwelling.
What is the minimum copper conductor size normally used?
A. 14 AWG
B. 12 AWG
C. 10 AWG
D. 8 AWG
Answer: 14 AWG copper
Rationale: NEC Table 310.16 permits 14 AWG copper for a 15-ampere circuit
under normal conditions.
4. Which device is intended to open a circuit when leakage current creates a
shock hazard to persons?
A. AFCI
B. GFCI
C. Surge protective device
D. Disconnect switch
Answer: Ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)
Rationale: A GFCI detects an imbalance between current leaving and returning
through the circuit conductors and interrupts the circuit when the imbalance
reaches its trip level.
, 5. Which protection is primarily intended to reduce the risk of fire caused by
arcing faults?
A. GFCI
B. AFCI
C. Thermal overload
D. Grounding electrode
Answer: Arc-fault circuit-interrupter (AFCI)
Rationale: AFCI protection is designed to detect hazardous arcing conditions
that can ignite combustible materials.
6. In a dwelling unit, which location commonly requires GFCI protection for
receptacles because of proximity to water?
A. Living room
B. Bedroom
C. Bathroom
D. Hallway
Answer: Bathroom
Rationale: Dwelling-unit bathroom receptacles are among the locations
specifically requiring GFCI protection.
7. What is the primary purpose of the equipment grounding conductor?
A. Carry normal neutral current
B. Increase circuit voltage
C. Provide a low-impedance fault-current path
D. Reduce utility voltage
Answer: Provide a low-impedance fault-current path
Rationale: The equipment grounding conductor provides a path that facilitates
operation of the overcurrent protective device during a line-to-ground fault.
, 8. Where is the grounded conductor normally bonded to the service
disconnect enclosure?
A. At every receptacle
B. At the service disconnecting means
C. At every subpanel
D. Only at the utility transformer
Answer: At the service disconnecting means
Rationale: The grounded conductor-to-equipment grounding connection is made
at the service disconnecting means. Downstream panelboards generally keep
grounded and equipment grounding conductors isolated.
9. A feeder supplies a detached dwelling structure. What is generally required
at the separate building?
A. Only a neutral conductor
B. An equipment grounding path and appropriate grounding/bonding provisions
C. No grounding connection
D. A second utility service in every case
Answer: An equipment grounding path and appropriate grounding/bonding
provisions
Rationale: A feeder to a separate building must provide an effective equipment
grounding path, with grounding electrode requirements addressed at the
separate structure as applicable.
10.Which conductor is normally identified by white or gray insulation?
A. Ungrounded conductor
B. Grounded conductor
C. Equipment grounding conductor
D. Switch leg only
Answer: Grounded conductor