NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS (NYC H+H)
ELECTRICIAN COMPETENCY EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. According to the NYC Electrical Code and NEC Article 517, the ‘Life Safety Branch’ and
‘Critical Branch’ must be kept entirely independent of all other wiring and equipment. What
is the maximum time allowed for the generator to restore power to these branches?
A. 30 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 60 seconds
D. 5 seconds
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: In healthcare facilities, the Essential Electrical System (EES)
must be capable of supplying power to the Life Safety and Critical branches within 10
seconds of power loss.
2. In a patient care space, what is the required rating for the redundant grounding path
provided by the metal raceway system or cable armor?
A. It must be at least 2 AWG larger than the phase conductors.
B. It must be a bare aluminum conductor.
,C. The raceway itself is sufficient without a separate conductor.
D. It must be an insulated copper equipment grounding conductor.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: NEC 517.13 requires two methods for grounding: the metal
raceway/armor itself and an insulated copper equipment grounding conductor installed in
the raceway.
3. Which color is used to identify a ‘Hospital Grade’ receptacle?
A. A red triangle on the face
B. A green dot on the face
C. A green triangle on the face
D. An orange circle on the face
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hospital grade receptacles are identified by a green dot. An
orange triangle indicates an isolated ground receptacle.
4. What is the maximum allowed leakage current for an Isolated Power System (IPS) Line
Isolation Monitor (LIM) before it must trigger an audible and visual alarm?
A. 5 mA
B. 2 mA
C. 10 mA
, D. 20 mA
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The LIM is designed to alarm when the total hazard current
(leakage and capacitive) reaches 5 mA, indicating a loss of isolation from ground.
5. Under NYC Amendments, which of the following wiring methods is generally prohibited for
use in ‘Patient Care Spaces’ of a hospital?
A. Type AC cable (specifically HCF type)
B. Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)
C. Type NM cable (Romex)
D. Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT)
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Non-metallic sheathed cable (Type NM) is not permitted in
healthcare facilities or most commercial buildings in NYC due to strict fire and safety codes.
6. A 3-phase, 480V motor has a nameplate Full Load Amps (FLA) of 50A. According to the NEC,
what is the minimum ampacity required for the branch circuit conductors?
A. 50A
B. 62.5A
C. 75A
D. 100A
ELECTRICIAN COMPETENCY EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. According to the NYC Electrical Code and NEC Article 517, the ‘Life Safety Branch’ and
‘Critical Branch’ must be kept entirely independent of all other wiring and equipment. What
is the maximum time allowed for the generator to restore power to these branches?
A. 30 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 60 seconds
D. 5 seconds
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: In healthcare facilities, the Essential Electrical System (EES)
must be capable of supplying power to the Life Safety and Critical branches within 10
seconds of power loss.
2. In a patient care space, what is the required rating for the redundant grounding path
provided by the metal raceway system or cable armor?
A. It must be at least 2 AWG larger than the phase conductors.
B. It must be a bare aluminum conductor.
,C. The raceway itself is sufficient without a separate conductor.
D. It must be an insulated copper equipment grounding conductor.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: NEC 517.13 requires two methods for grounding: the metal
raceway/armor itself and an insulated copper equipment grounding conductor installed in
the raceway.
3. Which color is used to identify a ‘Hospital Grade’ receptacle?
A. A red triangle on the face
B. A green dot on the face
C. A green triangle on the face
D. An orange circle on the face
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hospital grade receptacles are identified by a green dot. An
orange triangle indicates an isolated ground receptacle.
4. What is the maximum allowed leakage current for an Isolated Power System (IPS) Line
Isolation Monitor (LIM) before it must trigger an audible and visual alarm?
A. 5 mA
B. 2 mA
C. 10 mA
, D. 20 mA
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The LIM is designed to alarm when the total hazard current
(leakage and capacitive) reaches 5 mA, indicating a loss of isolation from ground.
5. Under NYC Amendments, which of the following wiring methods is generally prohibited for
use in ‘Patient Care Spaces’ of a hospital?
A. Type AC cable (specifically HCF type)
B. Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)
C. Type NM cable (Romex)
D. Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT)
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Non-metallic sheathed cable (Type NM) is not permitted in
healthcare facilities or most commercial buildings in NYC due to strict fire and safety codes.
6. A 3-phase, 480V motor has a nameplate Full Load Amps (FLA) of 50A. According to the NEC,
what is the minimum ampacity required for the branch circuit conductors?
A. 50A
B. 62.5A
C. 75A
D. 100A
