NEW MEXICO EL 1J ELECTRICAL
DISTRIBUTION JOURNEYMAN EXAM
2026/2027 QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
1. According to the NESC, what is the minimum vertical clearance for a 12.47kV phase
conductor over a road subject to truck traffic?
A. 15.5 feet
B. 22.0 feet
C. 20.0 feet
D. 18.5 feet
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: NESC Table 232-1 specifies a minimum vertical clearance of 18.5
feet for voltages between 750V and 22kV over roads and driveways subject to truck traffic.
2. A 50 kVA single-phase transformer has a primary voltage of 7200V. What is the
approximate full-load primary current?
A. 3.47 Amps
B. 12.50 Amps
C. 6.94 Amps
,D. 20.83 Amps
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Current (I) = Power (P) / Voltage (V). 50, = 6.94
Amps.
3. What is the standard setting depth for a 45-foot wood pole in firm soil?
A. 6.5 feet
B. 6.0 feet
C. 5.5 feet
D. 7.0 feet
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The standard formula for pole depth is 10% of the length + 2
feet. (45 * 0.1) + 2 = 4.5 + 2 = 6.5 feet.
4. In a 3-phase Delta-connected system, what is the relationship between line current and
phase current?
A. Line current = Phase current
B. Line current = Phase current * 1.732
C. Line current = Phase current / 1.732
D. Line current = Phase current * 3
, Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: In a balanced Delta system, the line current is equal to the phase
current multiplied by the square root of 3 (approximately 1.732).
5. What is the minimum burial depth for a 15kV direct-buried cable according to NEC Table
300.50?
A. 18 inches
B. 24 inches
C. 30 inches
D. 36 inches
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: For voltages over 600V to 22kV, the minimum burial depth for
direct-buried cables is 30 inches.
6. What color is typically used to identify the ‘high leg’ of a 120/240V 3-phase 4-wire Delta
system?
A. Blue
B. Yellow
C. Orange
D. Red
Answer: C
DISTRIBUTION JOURNEYMAN EXAM
2026/2027 QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
1. According to the NESC, what is the minimum vertical clearance for a 12.47kV phase
conductor over a road subject to truck traffic?
A. 15.5 feet
B. 22.0 feet
C. 20.0 feet
D. 18.5 feet
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: NESC Table 232-1 specifies a minimum vertical clearance of 18.5
feet for voltages between 750V and 22kV over roads and driveways subject to truck traffic.
2. A 50 kVA single-phase transformer has a primary voltage of 7200V. What is the
approximate full-load primary current?
A. 3.47 Amps
B. 12.50 Amps
C. 6.94 Amps
,D. 20.83 Amps
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Current (I) = Power (P) / Voltage (V). 50, = 6.94
Amps.
3. What is the standard setting depth for a 45-foot wood pole in firm soil?
A. 6.5 feet
B. 6.0 feet
C. 5.5 feet
D. 7.0 feet
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The standard formula for pole depth is 10% of the length + 2
feet. (45 * 0.1) + 2 = 4.5 + 2 = 6.5 feet.
4. In a 3-phase Delta-connected system, what is the relationship between line current and
phase current?
A. Line current = Phase current
B. Line current = Phase current * 1.732
C. Line current = Phase current / 1.732
D. Line current = Phase current * 3
, Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: In a balanced Delta system, the line current is equal to the phase
current multiplied by the square root of 3 (approximately 1.732).
5. What is the minimum burial depth for a 15kV direct-buried cable according to NEC Table
300.50?
A. 18 inches
B. 24 inches
C. 30 inches
D. 36 inches
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: For voltages over 600V to 22kV, the minimum burial depth for
direct-buried cables is 30 inches.
6. What color is typically used to identify the ‘high leg’ of a 120/240V 3-phase 4-wire Delta
system?
A. Blue
B. Yellow
C. Orange
D. Red
Answer: C
