NEW MEXICO EL 1J ELECTRICAL
DISTRIBUTION JOURNEYMAN FINAL
EXAM 2026/2027 QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
1. According to NEC 250.66, what is the minimum size Copper Grounding Electrode Conductor
for a service supplied by 1000 kcmil Copper conductors?
A. 1/0 AWG
B. 3/0 AWG
C. 2/0 AWG
D. 4/0 AWG
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Table 250.66 requires a 2/0 AWG copper grounding electrode
conductor when the largest ungrounded service-entrance conductor is over 600 kcmil
through 1100 kcmil copper.
2. In a 480Y/277V, three-phase, 4-wire system, what is the minimum working space depth
required in front of a live switchboard where there are grounded parts on the opposite side?
A. 3 feet
B. 4 feet
,C. 3.5 feet
D. 5 feet
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Table 110.26(A)(1) Condition 2 (Live parts on one side and
grounded parts on the other) for 151-600 volts to ground requires 3.5 feet.
3. What is the maximum overcurrent protection rating for a 75 kVA, three-phase, 480V
transformer with an impedance of 5.75%, assuming only primary protection is provided?
A. 125% of rated current
B. 250% of rated current
C. 300% of rated current
D. 600% of rated current
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: NEC Table 450.3(B) stipulates that for transformers over 9
Amps, the maximum primary-only overcurrent protection is 250%.
4. For a motor circuit, what is the maximum setting of an instantaneous trip circuit breaker if
the motor is a Design B energy efficient motor and the 800% rule does not allow start-up?
A. 1100% of FLA
B. 1700% of FLA
C. 1300% of FLA
, D. 2500% of FLA
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: NEC 430.52(C)(3) allows the setting of an instantaneous trip
breaker to be increased up to 1700% for Design B energy efficient motors if lower settings
are insufficient.
5. Calculate the total demand load for 25 commercial clothes dryers, each rated at 5 kW,
using the demand factors in NEC Table 220.54.
A. 125 kW
B. 35 kW
C. 43.75 kW
D. 31.25 kW
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: According to Table 220.54, 25 units have a 35% demand factor.
25 * 5kW * 0.35 = 43.75 kW.
6. What is the minimum burial depth for a 13.8kV direct-buried cable installed under a public
street?
A. 30 inches
B. 24 inches
C. 36 inches
DISTRIBUTION JOURNEYMAN FINAL
EXAM 2026/2027 QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
1. According to NEC 250.66, what is the minimum size Copper Grounding Electrode Conductor
for a service supplied by 1000 kcmil Copper conductors?
A. 1/0 AWG
B. 3/0 AWG
C. 2/0 AWG
D. 4/0 AWG
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Table 250.66 requires a 2/0 AWG copper grounding electrode
conductor when the largest ungrounded service-entrance conductor is over 600 kcmil
through 1100 kcmil copper.
2. In a 480Y/277V, three-phase, 4-wire system, what is the minimum working space depth
required in front of a live switchboard where there are grounded parts on the opposite side?
A. 3 feet
B. 4 feet
,C. 3.5 feet
D. 5 feet
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Table 110.26(A)(1) Condition 2 (Live parts on one side and
grounded parts on the other) for 151-600 volts to ground requires 3.5 feet.
3. What is the maximum overcurrent protection rating for a 75 kVA, three-phase, 480V
transformer with an impedance of 5.75%, assuming only primary protection is provided?
A. 125% of rated current
B. 250% of rated current
C. 300% of rated current
D. 600% of rated current
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: NEC Table 450.3(B) stipulates that for transformers over 9
Amps, the maximum primary-only overcurrent protection is 250%.
4. For a motor circuit, what is the maximum setting of an instantaneous trip circuit breaker if
the motor is a Design B energy efficient motor and the 800% rule does not allow start-up?
A. 1100% of FLA
B. 1700% of FLA
C. 1300% of FLA
, D. 2500% of FLA
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: NEC 430.52(C)(3) allows the setting of an instantaneous trip
breaker to be increased up to 1700% for Design B energy efficient motors if lower settings
are insufficient.
5. Calculate the total demand load for 25 commercial clothes dryers, each rated at 5 kW,
using the demand factors in NEC Table 220.54.
A. 125 kW
B. 35 kW
C. 43.75 kW
D. 31.25 kW
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: According to Table 220.54, 25 units have a 35% demand factor.
25 * 5kW * 0.35 = 43.75 kW.
6. What is the minimum burial depth for a 13.8kV direct-buried cable installed under a public
street?
A. 30 inches
B. 24 inches
C. 36 inches
