SOLUTIONS AND ANSWER
GUIDE FOR ELECTRICAL
WIRING COMMERCIAL
18TH EDITION BY PHIL
SIMMONS, CHAPTER 1 - 22
DOWNLOAD AS PDF FILE
Electrical Wiring Commercial (18th Edition) – Simmons,
Mullin & Ode
Practice Exam Questions with Bolded Correct Answers &
Rationales
Based on the official 22-chapter structure and NEC 2023 standards
Chapter 1: Commercial Building Plans and Specifications
1. Allowing metal shavings from drilling switchboard busing to fall onto energized
parts generally results in a(n) ____, which can cause deadly burns.
,A. Overcurrent
B. Short circuit
C. Ground fault
D. Arc flash
Rationale: Metal shavings on energized parts can cause an arc flash, a dangerous
release of energy leading to burns or fires .
2. The NEC defines a(n) ____ as one who has skills and knowledge related to
electrical installations and safety training to avoid hazards.
A. Apprentice
B. Journeyman
C. Qualified person
D. Inspector
Rationale: The NEC defines a qualified person as someone with skills, knowledge, and
safety training to recognize and avoid electrical hazards .
3. What is the SI unit equivalent of a 4 ft luminaire length, as per NEC standards?
A. 1.50 m
B. 1.22 m
C. 1.00 m
D. 1.83 m
Rationale:
4 ft×0.3048 m/ft=1.2192 m≈1.22 m4 ft×0.3048 m/ft=1.2192 m≈1.22 m .
4. The gross area of a drugstore basement is 1395 sq. ft. What is the area in square
meters?
A. 129.7 sq. m
B. 150.2 sq. m
C. 120.5 sq. m
D. 140.0 sq. m
Rationale:
1395 sq. ft×0.093 sq. m/sq. ft=129.7 sq. m1395 sq. ft×0.093 sq. m/sq. ft=129.7 s
q. m .
5. What is the distance from the exterior block wall to the block wall separating
the drugstore from the bakery, per Sheet A2?
,A. 18 ft 6 in. (5.64 m)
B. 21 ft 7 in. (6.58 m)
C. 25 ft 0 in. (7.62 m)
D. 20 ft 0 in. (6.10 m)
Rationale: Sheet A2 specifies 21 ft 7 in. (6.58 m) for blueprint accuracy .
6. What is the finished floor to finished ceiling height on the second floor, per
Sheet A6?
A. 7 ft 6 in. (2.29 m)
B. 8 ft 6 in. (2.59 m)
C. 9 ft 0 in. (2.74 m)
D. 10 ft 0 in. (3.05 m)
Rationale: Sheet A6 and elevations indicate 8 ft 6 in. (2.59 m) .
7. OSHA recognizes organizations meeting 29 CFR 1910.7 as:
A. USMCA
B. QETL
C. NRTL
D. NAFTA
Rationale: Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL) meet OSHA's safety
standards .
8. What is the purpose of a site plan in commercial electrical projects?
A. To detail interior wiring
B. To show building exterior and utility connections
C. To calculate conductor sizes
D. To specify lighting fixtures
Rationale: A site plan shows the building's exterior layout and utility connections,
critical for planning .
9. The requirement for temporary light and power at the job site will be found in
what portion of a commercial building's specification?
A. General Clauses and Conditions
B. Supplementary General Conditions
, C. Electrical Specifications
D. Site Plan
Rationale: The Supplementary General Conditions specifies the job site requirements
for temporary light and power. Refer to NEC Article 590 .
10. The electrician uses the Schedule of Working Drawings for what purpose?
A. To calculate load requirements
B. To determine whether all of the drawings are at hand
C. To order materials
D. To coordinate with the utility company
Rationale: The electrician uses the Schedule of Working Drawings to determine whether
all drawings are available. Information on "the other sheets" is important for
coordinating with other contractors .
Chapter 2: Reading Electrical Working Drawings—Entry
Level
11. How many duplex receptacle outlets are to be installed in the drugstore
basement storage area?
A. Six
B. Eight
C. Ten
D. Twelve
Rationale: Eight duplex receptacles are to be installed in the drugstore basement
storage area .
12. The duplex receptacle outlets in the drugstore basement storage area are
supplied from which panelboard?
A. The basement panelboard
B. The drugstore panelboard located on the first floor
C. The main service panel
D. The bakery panelboard
GUIDE FOR ELECTRICAL
WIRING COMMERCIAL
18TH EDITION BY PHIL
SIMMONS, CHAPTER 1 - 22
DOWNLOAD AS PDF FILE
Electrical Wiring Commercial (18th Edition) – Simmons,
Mullin & Ode
Practice Exam Questions with Bolded Correct Answers &
Rationales
Based on the official 22-chapter structure and NEC 2023 standards
Chapter 1: Commercial Building Plans and Specifications
1. Allowing metal shavings from drilling switchboard busing to fall onto energized
parts generally results in a(n) ____, which can cause deadly burns.
,A. Overcurrent
B. Short circuit
C. Ground fault
D. Arc flash
Rationale: Metal shavings on energized parts can cause an arc flash, a dangerous
release of energy leading to burns or fires .
2. The NEC defines a(n) ____ as one who has skills and knowledge related to
electrical installations and safety training to avoid hazards.
A. Apprentice
B. Journeyman
C. Qualified person
D. Inspector
Rationale: The NEC defines a qualified person as someone with skills, knowledge, and
safety training to recognize and avoid electrical hazards .
3. What is the SI unit equivalent of a 4 ft luminaire length, as per NEC standards?
A. 1.50 m
B. 1.22 m
C. 1.00 m
D. 1.83 m
Rationale:
4 ft×0.3048 m/ft=1.2192 m≈1.22 m4 ft×0.3048 m/ft=1.2192 m≈1.22 m .
4. The gross area of a drugstore basement is 1395 sq. ft. What is the area in square
meters?
A. 129.7 sq. m
B. 150.2 sq. m
C. 120.5 sq. m
D. 140.0 sq. m
Rationale:
1395 sq. ft×0.093 sq. m/sq. ft=129.7 sq. m1395 sq. ft×0.093 sq. m/sq. ft=129.7 s
q. m .
5. What is the distance from the exterior block wall to the block wall separating
the drugstore from the bakery, per Sheet A2?
,A. 18 ft 6 in. (5.64 m)
B. 21 ft 7 in. (6.58 m)
C. 25 ft 0 in. (7.62 m)
D. 20 ft 0 in. (6.10 m)
Rationale: Sheet A2 specifies 21 ft 7 in. (6.58 m) for blueprint accuracy .
6. What is the finished floor to finished ceiling height on the second floor, per
Sheet A6?
A. 7 ft 6 in. (2.29 m)
B. 8 ft 6 in. (2.59 m)
C. 9 ft 0 in. (2.74 m)
D. 10 ft 0 in. (3.05 m)
Rationale: Sheet A6 and elevations indicate 8 ft 6 in. (2.59 m) .
7. OSHA recognizes organizations meeting 29 CFR 1910.7 as:
A. USMCA
B. QETL
C. NRTL
D. NAFTA
Rationale: Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL) meet OSHA's safety
standards .
8. What is the purpose of a site plan in commercial electrical projects?
A. To detail interior wiring
B. To show building exterior and utility connections
C. To calculate conductor sizes
D. To specify lighting fixtures
Rationale: A site plan shows the building's exterior layout and utility connections,
critical for planning .
9. The requirement for temporary light and power at the job site will be found in
what portion of a commercial building's specification?
A. General Clauses and Conditions
B. Supplementary General Conditions
, C. Electrical Specifications
D. Site Plan
Rationale: The Supplementary General Conditions specifies the job site requirements
for temporary light and power. Refer to NEC Article 590 .
10. The electrician uses the Schedule of Working Drawings for what purpose?
A. To calculate load requirements
B. To determine whether all of the drawings are at hand
C. To order materials
D. To coordinate with the utility company
Rationale: The electrician uses the Schedule of Working Drawings to determine whether
all drawings are available. Information on "the other sheets" is important for
coordinating with other contractors .
Chapter 2: Reading Electrical Working Drawings—Entry
Level
11. How many duplex receptacle outlets are to be installed in the drugstore
basement storage area?
A. Six
B. Eight
C. Ten
D. Twelve
Rationale: Eight duplex receptacles are to be installed in the drugstore basement
storage area .
12. The duplex receptacle outlets in the drugstore basement storage area are
supplied from which panelboard?
A. The basement panelboard
B. The drugstore panelboard located on the first floor
C. The main service panel
D. The bakery panelboard
