ICC E1 Residential Electrical Inspector Exam I
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. What is the minimum height for service conductors above finished
grade in a residential driveway?
a) 10 feet
b) 12 feet
c) 18 feet
d) 20 feet
b) 12 feet
The NEC requires service conductors above driveways to be at
least 12 feet to ensure vehicle clearance.
2. The maximum number of 15-ampere branch circuits allowed on a
single multiwire branch circuit in a dwelling unit is:
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4
b) 2
Multiwire branch circuits share a neutral. NEC allows two 15-amp
circuits per neutral in dwellings.
3. What is the minimum rating for a feeder serving a 3-bedroom,
1200 sq. ft. dwelling?
, a) 60 amps
b) 100 amps
c) 150 amps
d) 200 amps
b) 100 amps
The NEC assumes a minimum of 100 amps for most small
residential feeders unless load calculation shows otherwise.
4. A 20-ampere, 120-volt receptacle requires what minimum wire
size?
a) 14 AWG
b) 12 AWG
c) 10 AWG
d) 8 AWG
b) 12 AWG
NEC specifies 12 AWG copper for 20-amp branch circuits.
5. Which of the following is required at all bathroom receptacles?
a) AFCI protection
b) GFCI protection
c) Surge protection
d) Isolated ground
b) GFCI protection
GFCI protection is required for all receptacles in bathrooms to
prevent shock hazards.
6. How far can a receptacle be placed from a countertop edge in a
kitchen?
a) 12 inches
b) 18 inches
, c) 24 inches
d) 30 inches
b) 18 inches
NEC requires receptacles within 24 inches of countertop edges, but
no more than 18 inches from the end of the counter.
7. The maximum distance between receptacles along a wall in a
dwelling living area is:
a) 6 feet
b) 10 feet
c) 12 feet
d) 14 feet
c) 12 feet
NEC spacing ensures no point along a wall is more than 6 feet
from a receptacle.
8. What type of wiring method is typically permitted in residential
attics?
a) Rigid metal conduit only
b) Nonmetallic sheathed cable
c) Aluminum raceway
d) Open bus bars
b) Nonmetallic sheathed cable
NM cable is commonly used in attics for residential wiring.
9. What is the minimum bending radius for a 1-inch EMT conduit?
a) 6 inches
b) 8 inches
c) 10 inches
d) 12 inches
, c) 10 inches
The NEC requires a minimum bending radius of 10 times the
diameter of EMT for a 1-inch conduit.
10. Which of the following must be bonded in a residential
service?
a) Hot conductor
b) Grounding electrode conductor
c) Neutral to service panel
d) All receptacles
c) Neutral to service panel
The service neutral must be bonded to the panel and ground to
establish a reference point for the system.
11. When installing a water heater, which conductor must be
used for bonding?
a) Hot conductor
b) Equipment grounding conductor
c) Neutral conductor
d) Grounding electrode conductor
b) Equipment grounding conductor
The NEC requires water heaters to be bonded using an equipment
grounding conductor for safety.
12. How many circuits are required for a small laundry area with
one washing machine and one dryer?
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is the minimum height for service conductors above finished
grade in a residential driveway?
a) 10 feet
b) 12 feet
c) 18 feet
d) 20 feet
b) 12 feet
The NEC requires service conductors above driveways to be at
least 12 feet to ensure vehicle clearance.
2. The maximum number of 15-ampere branch circuits allowed on a
single multiwire branch circuit in a dwelling unit is:
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4
b) 2
Multiwire branch circuits share a neutral. NEC allows two 15-amp
circuits per neutral in dwellings.
3. What is the minimum rating for a feeder serving a 3-bedroom,
1200 sq. ft. dwelling?
, a) 60 amps
b) 100 amps
c) 150 amps
d) 200 amps
b) 100 amps
The NEC assumes a minimum of 100 amps for most small
residential feeders unless load calculation shows otherwise.
4. A 20-ampere, 120-volt receptacle requires what minimum wire
size?
a) 14 AWG
b) 12 AWG
c) 10 AWG
d) 8 AWG
b) 12 AWG
NEC specifies 12 AWG copper for 20-amp branch circuits.
5. Which of the following is required at all bathroom receptacles?
a) AFCI protection
b) GFCI protection
c) Surge protection
d) Isolated ground
b) GFCI protection
GFCI protection is required for all receptacles in bathrooms to
prevent shock hazards.
6. How far can a receptacle be placed from a countertop edge in a
kitchen?
a) 12 inches
b) 18 inches
, c) 24 inches
d) 30 inches
b) 18 inches
NEC requires receptacles within 24 inches of countertop edges, but
no more than 18 inches from the end of the counter.
7. The maximum distance between receptacles along a wall in a
dwelling living area is:
a) 6 feet
b) 10 feet
c) 12 feet
d) 14 feet
c) 12 feet
NEC spacing ensures no point along a wall is more than 6 feet
from a receptacle.
8. What type of wiring method is typically permitted in residential
attics?
a) Rigid metal conduit only
b) Nonmetallic sheathed cable
c) Aluminum raceway
d) Open bus bars
b) Nonmetallic sheathed cable
NM cable is commonly used in attics for residential wiring.
9. What is the minimum bending radius for a 1-inch EMT conduit?
a) 6 inches
b) 8 inches
c) 10 inches
d) 12 inches
, c) 10 inches
The NEC requires a minimum bending radius of 10 times the
diameter of EMT for a 1-inch conduit.
10. Which of the following must be bonded in a residential
service?
a) Hot conductor
b) Grounding electrode conductor
c) Neutral to service panel
d) All receptacles
c) Neutral to service panel
The service neutral must be bonded to the panel and ground to
establish a reference point for the system.
11. When installing a water heater, which conductor must be
used for bonding?
a) Hot conductor
b) Equipment grounding conductor
c) Neutral conductor
d) Grounding electrode conductor
b) Equipment grounding conductor
The NEC requires water heaters to be bonded using an equipment
grounding conductor for safety.
12. How many circuits are required for a small laundry area with
one washing machine and one dryer?
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4
