Complete IAEI Residential Electrical Inspector Test Bank
2026 | Full Practice Exam, NEC Calculations & Detailed
Explanations |Instant Download PDF
Question 1
What is the minimum depth of clear working space required in front of residential electrical
equipment operating at 120/240V where live parts may be exposed during inspection or
servicing?
A) 2.5 feet
✔ B) 3.0 feet
C) 3.5 feet
D) 4.0 feet
Rationale: NEC 110.26(A)(1) / IRC E3405.2 requires a minimum clear working space depth
of 3 feet for Condition 1 (exposed live parts on one side and no live or grounded parts on
the other) and Condition 2 for nominal voltages to ground up to 150V.
Question 2
What is the minimum width of the working space in front of residential service panelboards?
A) 24 inches
B) 28 inches
,✔ C) 30 inches or the width of the equipment, whichever is greater
D) 36 inches
Rationale: NEC 110.26(A)(2) / IRC E3405.3 mandates that working space width shall be at
least 30 inches wide or the width of the equipment, whichever is greater, and permit at least
a 90-degree opening of equipment doors.
Question 3
Residential service panelboards and overcurrent devices are strictly prohibited from being
located in which of the following areas?
A) Attached garages
✔ B) Bathrooms and clothes closets
C) Unfinished basements
D) Utility rooms
Rationale: NEC 240.24(E) & (F) and IRC E3405.4 prohibit overcurrent devices from being
located in clothes closets (near easily ignitability materials) or bathrooms.
Question 4
What is the maximum height permitted for the center of the grip of the highest breaker
operating handle in a residential service panel in its highest position?
A) 6 feet 0 inches
✔ B) 6 feet 7 inches (2.0 m)
,C) 6 feet 10 inches
D) 7 feet 0 inches
Rationale: NEC 240.24(A) / IRC E3405.5 specifies that switches and circuit breakers must
be installed so that the center of the grip of the operating handle, when in its highest
position, is not more than 6 ft 7 in. above the floor or working platform.
Question 5
When calculating dwelling unit feeder and service loads, what is the general lighting load
allowance per square foot of living area?
✔ A) 3 volt-amperes (VA)
B) 2 VA
C) 1.5 VA
D) 5 VA
Rationale: NEC 220.12 Table / IRC E3602.2 designates 3 VA per square foot for general
illumination calculations in residential dwelling units.
Question 6
What is the minimum continuous rating required for a single-family dwelling unit service
disconnect?
A) 60 amperes
✔ B) 100 amperes
, C) 125 amperes
D) 200 amperes
Rationale: NEC 230.79(C) / IRC E3602.1 states that for a one-family dwelling, the service
disconnecting means shall have a rating of not less than 100 amperes, 3-wire.
Question 7
How many 20-ampere small-appliance branch circuits are required by the NEC/IRC for
dwelling unit kitchen countertop receptacles?
A) At least 1
✔ B) At least 2
C) At least 3
D) At least 4
Rationale: NEC 210.11(C)(1) & 210.52(B)(1) specify that a minimum of two 20-ampere
small-appliance branch circuits must be provided for kitchen, pantry, and dining area
receptacles.
Question 8
What is the minimum ampacity rating required for the individual branch circuit supplying a
residential laundry receptacle?
A) 15 amperes
✔ B) 20 amperes
2026 | Full Practice Exam, NEC Calculations & Detailed
Explanations |Instant Download PDF
Question 1
What is the minimum depth of clear working space required in front of residential electrical
equipment operating at 120/240V where live parts may be exposed during inspection or
servicing?
A) 2.5 feet
✔ B) 3.0 feet
C) 3.5 feet
D) 4.0 feet
Rationale: NEC 110.26(A)(1) / IRC E3405.2 requires a minimum clear working space depth
of 3 feet for Condition 1 (exposed live parts on one side and no live or grounded parts on
the other) and Condition 2 for nominal voltages to ground up to 150V.
Question 2
What is the minimum width of the working space in front of residential service panelboards?
A) 24 inches
B) 28 inches
,✔ C) 30 inches or the width of the equipment, whichever is greater
D) 36 inches
Rationale: NEC 110.26(A)(2) / IRC E3405.3 mandates that working space width shall be at
least 30 inches wide or the width of the equipment, whichever is greater, and permit at least
a 90-degree opening of equipment doors.
Question 3
Residential service panelboards and overcurrent devices are strictly prohibited from being
located in which of the following areas?
A) Attached garages
✔ B) Bathrooms and clothes closets
C) Unfinished basements
D) Utility rooms
Rationale: NEC 240.24(E) & (F) and IRC E3405.4 prohibit overcurrent devices from being
located in clothes closets (near easily ignitability materials) or bathrooms.
Question 4
What is the maximum height permitted for the center of the grip of the highest breaker
operating handle in a residential service panel in its highest position?
A) 6 feet 0 inches
✔ B) 6 feet 7 inches (2.0 m)
,C) 6 feet 10 inches
D) 7 feet 0 inches
Rationale: NEC 240.24(A) / IRC E3405.5 specifies that switches and circuit breakers must
be installed so that the center of the grip of the operating handle, when in its highest
position, is not more than 6 ft 7 in. above the floor or working platform.
Question 5
When calculating dwelling unit feeder and service loads, what is the general lighting load
allowance per square foot of living area?
✔ A) 3 volt-amperes (VA)
B) 2 VA
C) 1.5 VA
D) 5 VA
Rationale: NEC 220.12 Table / IRC E3602.2 designates 3 VA per square foot for general
illumination calculations in residential dwelling units.
Question 6
What is the minimum continuous rating required for a single-family dwelling unit service
disconnect?
A) 60 amperes
✔ B) 100 amperes
, C) 125 amperes
D) 200 amperes
Rationale: NEC 230.79(C) / IRC E3602.1 states that for a one-family dwelling, the service
disconnecting means shall have a rating of not less than 100 amperes, 3-wire.
Question 7
How many 20-ampere small-appliance branch circuits are required by the NEC/IRC for
dwelling unit kitchen countertop receptacles?
A) At least 1
✔ B) At least 2
C) At least 3
D) At least 4
Rationale: NEC 210.11(C)(1) & 210.52(B)(1) specify that a minimum of two 20-ampere
small-appliance branch circuits must be provided for kitchen, pantry, and dining area
receptacles.
Question 8
What is the minimum ampacity rating required for the individual branch circuit supplying a
residential laundry receptacle?
A) 15 amperes
✔ B) 20 amperes
