NEW MEXICO EE-98 PART 3 (SPECIALTIES) PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT SOLUTIONS JUST
RELEASED THIS YEAR………...
Core Domains:
- Emergency and Standby Systems (NEC Articles 700, 701, 702)
- Fire Alarm Systems and Life Safety (NEC Article 760)
- Low-Voltage and Communications Systems (NEC Articles 725, 800, 810, 820)
- Special Occupancies (Hazardous Locations, Health Care – Articles 500–517)
- Special Equipment (Signs, Pools, Photovoltaics – Articles 600, 680, 690, 625)
- Motors, Motor Controls, and Overload Protection
- Transformers and Separately Derived Systems
- Grounding, Bonding, and Overcurrent Protection
- New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC 14.10.3) and State Amendments
- Wiring Methods and Materials for Specialty Applications
Introduction
This comprehensive practice examination is designed to prepare candidates for the New Mexico EE-98 Part 3
(Specialties) electrical licensing exam. It assesses in-depth knowledge of specialized electrical systems that go
beyond general wiring methods, requiring mastery of specific National Electrical Code (NEC) Articles and New
Mexico state amendments (NMAC 14.10.3). The exam emphasizes real-world application and critical decision-
making in areas such as emergency systems, fire alarms, low-voltage communications, hazardous locations, and
special equipment. Through a rigorous multiple-choice format, candidates will demonstrate their ability to apply
code requirements, ensure safety, and maintain compliance in specialty electrical installations.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1 – 100
1. According to NEC Article 700, what is the maximum time allowed for an emergency system generator to
attain full rated voltage after loss of normal power?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 30 seconds
D. 60 seconds
🟢 B. 10 seconds
🔴 RATIONALE: NEC 700.12(F) requires emergency system generators to start and assume the load within 10
seconds after loss of normal power. This is the strictest time requirement among standby systems, as
emergency systems are intended to supply power to life safety equipment.
2. For a legally required standby system under Article 701, what is the maximum time allowed for the system
to be operational after normal power is lost?
A. 10 seconds
B. 30 seconds
C. 60 seconds
D. 120 seconds
🟢 C. 60 seconds
🔴 RATIONALE: NEC 701.12(F) mandates that legally required standby systems must start and assume the load
within 60 seconds. This is less stringent than emergency systems (10 seconds) due to the nature of the loads
served, which are not life safety critical but still essential.
3. What is the required minimum illumination time for battery-powered emergency egress lighting per NEC
Article 700?
A. 30 minutes
,B. 60 minutes
C. 90 minutes
D. 120 minutes
🟢 C. 90 minutes
🔴 RATIONALE: NEC 700.12(E) requires storage batteries for emergency systems to supply and maintain the
total load for a minimum of 90 minutes. This ensures adequate time for safe evacuation and emergency
response.
4. A fire alarm circuit that is power-limited must be installed according to which NEC article?
A. Article 725
B. Article 760
C. Article 800
D. Article 830
🟢 B. Article 760
🔴 RATIONALE: NEC Article 760 covers fire alarm systems, including power-limited fire alarm (PLFA) and non-
power-limited fire alarm (NPLFA) circuits. PLFA circuits have reduced voltage and power levels, with specific
installation requirements distinct from communications circuits.
5. What is the maximum voltage allowed for a Class 2 power-limited circuit under normal operation per the
NEC?
A. 30 V
B. 150 V
C. 300 V
D. 600 V
🟢 B. 150 V
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Per NEC 725.121, Class 2 circuits are limited to 150 V maximum, with power limited to ≤100 VA.
However, for voltages above 30 V, the power is limited to 0.5 VA per volt, restricting the total available power.
6. A non-power-limited fire alarm circuit (NPLFA) is permitted to operate at a maximum voltage of:
A. 100 volts
B. 150 volts
C. 600 volts
D. No maximum voltage limit
🟢 C. 600 volts
🔴 RATIONALE: NPLFA circuits are permitted to operate at up to 600 volts, similar to power circuits. However,
they must comply with strict installation requirements including separation from other circuits, per NEC Article
760.
7. Under New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC) 14.10.3.9, an EE-98 licensee may install fire alarm systems
that are connected to a commercial monitoring station serving how many or more apartments?
A. 4
B. 6
C. 8
D. 10
🟢 D. 10
🔴 RATIONALE: NMAC 14.10.3.9 specifies that EE-98 fire alarm work is restricted to systems monitored by a
station serving ten or more apartments. Larger or more complex systems require a higher-level license, as fire
alarm systems are typically under the scope of a fire alarm specialty license.
8. Which NEC Article covers fire alarm systems?
A. Article 725
B. Article 760
RELEASED THIS YEAR………...
Core Domains:
- Emergency and Standby Systems (NEC Articles 700, 701, 702)
- Fire Alarm Systems and Life Safety (NEC Article 760)
- Low-Voltage and Communications Systems (NEC Articles 725, 800, 810, 820)
- Special Occupancies (Hazardous Locations, Health Care – Articles 500–517)
- Special Equipment (Signs, Pools, Photovoltaics – Articles 600, 680, 690, 625)
- Motors, Motor Controls, and Overload Protection
- Transformers and Separately Derived Systems
- Grounding, Bonding, and Overcurrent Protection
- New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC 14.10.3) and State Amendments
- Wiring Methods and Materials for Specialty Applications
Introduction
This comprehensive practice examination is designed to prepare candidates for the New Mexico EE-98 Part 3
(Specialties) electrical licensing exam. It assesses in-depth knowledge of specialized electrical systems that go
beyond general wiring methods, requiring mastery of specific National Electrical Code (NEC) Articles and New
Mexico state amendments (NMAC 14.10.3). The exam emphasizes real-world application and critical decision-
making in areas such as emergency systems, fire alarms, low-voltage communications, hazardous locations, and
special equipment. Through a rigorous multiple-choice format, candidates will demonstrate their ability to apply
code requirements, ensure safety, and maintain compliance in specialty electrical installations.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1 – 100
1. According to NEC Article 700, what is the maximum time allowed for an emergency system generator to
attain full rated voltage after loss of normal power?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 30 seconds
D. 60 seconds
🟢 B. 10 seconds
🔴 RATIONALE: NEC 700.12(F) requires emergency system generators to start and assume the load within 10
seconds after loss of normal power. This is the strictest time requirement among standby systems, as
emergency systems are intended to supply power to life safety equipment.
2. For a legally required standby system under Article 701, what is the maximum time allowed for the system
to be operational after normal power is lost?
A. 10 seconds
B. 30 seconds
C. 60 seconds
D. 120 seconds
🟢 C. 60 seconds
🔴 RATIONALE: NEC 701.12(F) mandates that legally required standby systems must start and assume the load
within 60 seconds. This is less stringent than emergency systems (10 seconds) due to the nature of the loads
served, which are not life safety critical but still essential.
3. What is the required minimum illumination time for battery-powered emergency egress lighting per NEC
Article 700?
A. 30 minutes
,B. 60 minutes
C. 90 minutes
D. 120 minutes
🟢 C. 90 minutes
🔴 RATIONALE: NEC 700.12(E) requires storage batteries for emergency systems to supply and maintain the
total load for a minimum of 90 minutes. This ensures adequate time for safe evacuation and emergency
response.
4. A fire alarm circuit that is power-limited must be installed according to which NEC article?
A. Article 725
B. Article 760
C. Article 800
D. Article 830
🟢 B. Article 760
🔴 RATIONALE: NEC Article 760 covers fire alarm systems, including power-limited fire alarm (PLFA) and non-
power-limited fire alarm (NPLFA) circuits. PLFA circuits have reduced voltage and power levels, with specific
installation requirements distinct from communications circuits.
5. What is the maximum voltage allowed for a Class 2 power-limited circuit under normal operation per the
NEC?
A. 30 V
B. 150 V
C. 300 V
D. 600 V
🟢 B. 150 V
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Per NEC 725.121, Class 2 circuits are limited to 150 V maximum, with power limited to ≤100 VA.
However, for voltages above 30 V, the power is limited to 0.5 VA per volt, restricting the total available power.
6. A non-power-limited fire alarm circuit (NPLFA) is permitted to operate at a maximum voltage of:
A. 100 volts
B. 150 volts
C. 600 volts
D. No maximum voltage limit
🟢 C. 600 volts
🔴 RATIONALE: NPLFA circuits are permitted to operate at up to 600 volts, similar to power circuits. However,
they must comply with strict installation requirements including separation from other circuits, per NEC Article
760.
7. Under New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC) 14.10.3.9, an EE-98 licensee may install fire alarm systems
that are connected to a commercial monitoring station serving how many or more apartments?
A. 4
B. 6
C. 8
D. 10
🟢 D. 10
🔴 RATIONALE: NMAC 14.10.3.9 specifies that EE-98 fire alarm work is restricted to systems monitored by a
station serving ten or more apartments. Larger or more complex systems require a higher-level license, as fire
alarm systems are typically under the scope of a fire alarm specialty license.
8. Which NEC Article covers fire alarm systems?
A. Article 725
B. Article 760
