South Carolina Electrical Contractor Exam 2026 – 190 Practice
Questions with Answers & Detailed Rationales, NEC 2020/2023,
State Amendments, Electrical Theory, Wiring Methods, Code
Compliance & Safety
Section 1: General Requirements for Electrical Installations (Questions 1–15)
Question 1
Where flexible cords are used to connect equipment, they must be protected from physical
damage. According to the NEC, which condition would require additional protection beyond
the cord's outer jacket?
A. The cord passes through a doorway with a grommet
B. The cord is fastened to a wall with cable ties
C. The cord is subject to traffic from pedestrians
D. The cord connects to a portable appliance
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Flexible cords subject to pedestrian traffic require additional protection such as
raceways or covers, as specified in NEC Article 590 for temporary installations and general
requirements for cords.
Question 2
A South Carolina electrical contractor is installing a 400A service in a commercial building.
The available fault current at the service point is 22,000A. What minimum short-circuit
current rating (SCCR) must the service equipment have?
,A. 10,000A
B. 14,000A
C. 22,000A
D. 30,000A
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Equipment must have an SCCR equal to or greater than the available fault
current at its terminals, per NEC 110.10, ensuring the equipment can safely withstand fault
conditions.
Question 3
When installing electrical equipment in a damp location, which of the following practices
best ensures compliance with NEC requirements?
A. Using standard NEMA 1 enclosures
B. Selecting equipment listed for damp locations
C. Applying a water-resistant coating to standard enclosures
D. Installing equipment at least 6 inches above grade
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: NEC 110.11 requires equipment in damp or wet locations to be listed and
marked for such use; field modifications cannot substitute for proper listing and labeling.
Question 4
,An electrician is working in a confined space with energized equipment operating at 480V.
What is the minimum approach distance for unqualified persons under NFPA 70E?
A. Avoid contact only
B. 1 foot 0 inches
C. 3 feet 6 inches
D. 10 feet 0 inches
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: For 480V systems, the limited approach boundary for unqualified persons is 3
feet 6 inches per NFPA 70E Table 130.4(E)(a), preventing inadvertent contact.
Question 5
A contractor is installing a panelboard in a classroom of a public school. What additional
protection is now required by the 2023 NEC for this location?
A. GFCI protection for all 15A and 20A receptacles
B. AFCI protection for all branch circuits
C. Surge protection for the panelboard
D. Ground fault protection for equipment
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: NEC 2023 expanded surge protection requirements to include certain
educational occupancies; panelboards in these locations require SPD protection per Article
242.
, Question 6
The NEC requires working space in front of electrical equipment to be kept clear. For a 480V
panelboard, what is the minimum depth of working space if the equipment is mounted on a
wall with no grounded parts opposite?
A. 2 feet 6 inches
B. 3 feet 0 inches
C. 3 feet 6 inches
D. 4 feet 0 inches
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: NEC Table 110.26(A)(1) specifies 3 feet minimum working space for equipment
operating at 151–600V when opposite wall is not grounded or concrete.
Question 7
An electrical contractor discovers that existing equipment in a commercial kitchen has an
available fault current exceeding the SCCR of the existing panelboard. What is the most
appropriate course of action?
A. Ignore the issue since the equipment has operated safely
B. Install current-limiting fuses upstream to reduce let-through energy
C. Increase the main breaker size to handle fault current
D. Add surge protection devices to the panelboard
Correct Answer: B
Questions with Answers & Detailed Rationales, NEC 2020/2023,
State Amendments, Electrical Theory, Wiring Methods, Code
Compliance & Safety
Section 1: General Requirements for Electrical Installations (Questions 1–15)
Question 1
Where flexible cords are used to connect equipment, they must be protected from physical
damage. According to the NEC, which condition would require additional protection beyond
the cord's outer jacket?
A. The cord passes through a doorway with a grommet
B. The cord is fastened to a wall with cable ties
C. The cord is subject to traffic from pedestrians
D. The cord connects to a portable appliance
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Flexible cords subject to pedestrian traffic require additional protection such as
raceways or covers, as specified in NEC Article 590 for temporary installations and general
requirements for cords.
Question 2
A South Carolina electrical contractor is installing a 400A service in a commercial building.
The available fault current at the service point is 22,000A. What minimum short-circuit
current rating (SCCR) must the service equipment have?
,A. 10,000A
B. 14,000A
C. 22,000A
D. 30,000A
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Equipment must have an SCCR equal to or greater than the available fault
current at its terminals, per NEC 110.10, ensuring the equipment can safely withstand fault
conditions.
Question 3
When installing electrical equipment in a damp location, which of the following practices
best ensures compliance with NEC requirements?
A. Using standard NEMA 1 enclosures
B. Selecting equipment listed for damp locations
C. Applying a water-resistant coating to standard enclosures
D. Installing equipment at least 6 inches above grade
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: NEC 110.11 requires equipment in damp or wet locations to be listed and
marked for such use; field modifications cannot substitute for proper listing and labeling.
Question 4
,An electrician is working in a confined space with energized equipment operating at 480V.
What is the minimum approach distance for unqualified persons under NFPA 70E?
A. Avoid contact only
B. 1 foot 0 inches
C. 3 feet 6 inches
D. 10 feet 0 inches
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: For 480V systems, the limited approach boundary for unqualified persons is 3
feet 6 inches per NFPA 70E Table 130.4(E)(a), preventing inadvertent contact.
Question 5
A contractor is installing a panelboard in a classroom of a public school. What additional
protection is now required by the 2023 NEC for this location?
A. GFCI protection for all 15A and 20A receptacles
B. AFCI protection for all branch circuits
C. Surge protection for the panelboard
D. Ground fault protection for equipment
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: NEC 2023 expanded surge protection requirements to include certain
educational occupancies; panelboards in these locations require SPD protection per Article
242.
, Question 6
The NEC requires working space in front of electrical equipment to be kept clear. For a 480V
panelboard, what is the minimum depth of working space if the equipment is mounted on a
wall with no grounded parts opposite?
A. 2 feet 6 inches
B. 3 feet 0 inches
C. 3 feet 6 inches
D. 4 feet 0 inches
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: NEC Table 110.26(A)(1) specifies 3 feet minimum working space for equipment
operating at 151–600V when opposite wall is not grounded or concrete.
Question 7
An electrical contractor discovers that existing equipment in a commercial kitchen has an
available fault current exceeding the SCCR of the existing panelboard. What is the most
appropriate course of action?
A. Ignore the issue since the equipment has operated safely
B. Install current-limiting fuses upstream to reduce let-through energy
C. Increase the main breaker size to handle fault current
D. Add surge protection devices to the panelboard
Correct Answer: B
