NYC MASTER ELECTRICIAN EXAM NEWEST EXAM PREPARATION NEWEST WITH
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS| BRAND NEW
VERSION
Question 1
Which type of multiconductor cable is specifically identified for use as underground service
entrance cable?
A) Type NM
B) Type THHN
C) Type USE
D) Type AC
E) Type MC
Correct Answer: C) Type USE cable
Rationale: Type USE (Underground Service Entrance) cable is designed and listed for
underground burial. It is distinct from Type SE (Service Entrance) cable, which is for
above-ground use. Its jacket is moisture-resistant and durable enough for direct burial
applications as per Article 338.
Question 2
A knife switch rated for more than 1200 Amperes at 250 Volts or less must comply with which of
the following requirements regarding its operation?
A) It may be used to break any load within its rating
B) It can only be used as an isolating switch and must not be opened under load
C) It must be installed in a horizontal position only
D) It must be operated via a remote-control motor
E) It must be fused with Class H fuses only
Correct Answer: B) Can be used only as isolating switch, shall not be opened under load
Rationale: High-ampere knife switches (above 1200A) are not designed to safely quench the
arc produced by breaking a large current. Therefore, they are designated as "isolating
switches" (or disconnects) and must only be operated when the circuit has been de-
energized by another device.
Question 3
Why is track lighting prohibited in bathroom locations?
A) The voltage is too high for wet areas
B) Track lighting typically contains receptacles or allows for attachments that are not permitted
in wet areas
C) It is impossible to ground a lighting track
D) NYC Code prohibits all track lighting in residential units
E) The heat from the bulbs causes condensation on the track
Correct Answer: B) Track lighting has receptacle
Rationale: Track lighting is designed to allow the attachment of various heads and, in some
configurations, plug-in receptacles. NYC Electrical Code (and NEC 410.151) restricts track
, 2
lighting in bathrooms because the open nature of the track and the potential for inserting
unauthorized attachments pose a shock hazard in proximity to water sources.
Question 4
Where internal combustion engines are used as the prime motor for an emergency system, what
is the minimum required duration for the on-site fuel supply at full demand operation?
A) 2 hours
B) 4 hours
C) 6 hours
D) 12 hours
E) 24 hours
Correct Answer: C) 6 hours
Rationale: For emergency systems where the prime mover is an internal combustion
engine, Article 700 and NYC local amendments require an on-premise fuel supply sufficient
for at least 6 hours of operation. This ensures that the system can sustain life-safety loads
during prolonged utility outages.
Question 5
Fixed-in-place X-ray equipment can be supplied through a suitable attachment plug cap and
hard-service cable cord, provided the branch circuit is rated at not over how many amperes?
A) 15 Amperes
B) 20 Amperes
C) 30 Amperes
D) 40 Amperes
E) 50 Amperes
Correct Answer: C) 30 Amps
Rationale: According to Article 660, fixed X-ray equipment can utilize a cord-and-plug
connection for ease of maintenance or relocation, but this is limited to circuits rated at 30
Amperes or less to ensure the cord and plug are not subjected to excessive current for
which they are not rated.
Question 6
Where skin effect exists in a ferromagnetic envelope (such as a steel raceway used for heating),
the envelope shall be bonded at which point(s)?
A) The source end only
B) The load end only
C) Both ends
D) At 10-foot intervals
E) Bonding is not required
Correct Answer: C) Both ends
Rationale: In skin-effect heating systems, the ferromagnetic envelope acts as a return path
, 3
for current. Bonding at both ends ensures that the envelope maintains a low-impedance
path and prevents a difference in potential between the envelope and other grounded metal
parts.
Question 7
At a carnival or circus, GFCI protection is not required for equipment at a circuit if the receptacle
used is of what specific type?
A) Weatherproof
B) Heavy-duty
C) Locking-type
D) Tamper-resistant
E) Isolated ground
Correct Answer: C) Locking
Rationale: Under Article 525, while most 15A and 20A 125V receptacles at fairs and
carnivals require GFCI, an exception is made for receptacles that are of the locking type.
Locking connectors are less likely to be accidentally disconnected or used by the general
public for unauthorized equipment.
Question 8
In a dwelling unit, what is the maximum permitted voltage drop from the service point to the last
overcurrent device?
A) 1%
B) 3%
C) 4%
D) 5%
E) 8%
Correct Answer: C) 4%
Rationale: While the NEC usually suggests a 5% total drop (3% for feeders/branch
circuits), the NYC Electrical Code specifically mandates a maximum 4% voltage drop from
the service point to the final overcurrent device in dwelling units to ensure efficient
appliance operation.
Question 9
Which of the following describes the grounding requirements for a central vacuum outlet?
A) No grounding is required for low-voltage outlets
B) Grounding is only required if the motor is over 2 HP
C) Accessible non-current-carrying metal parts must be connected to an equipment grounding
conductor
D) Only the motor housing requires grounding
E) Double insulation replaces the need for grounding
Correct Answer: C) Accessible non current carrying metal parts are required to be
, 4
connected to an equipment grounding conductor.
Rationale: Article 422 requires that all accessible metal parts of appliances that are likely to
become energized (including the metal inlets of central vacuums) must be grounded to
prevent electric shock in the event of an insulation failure.
Question 10
In healthcare facilities, patient bed receptacles in general care areas must be supplied by at least
two branch circuits. Which of the following is true regarding their origin?
A) They must originate from the same panelboard
B) They are permitted to originate from two separate transfer switches on the emergency system
C) They must originate from a single transfer switch
D) One must be a local utility circuit and the other a battery backup
E) They must be 20A circuits only
Correct Answer: B) Are permitted
Rationale: Article 517.18(A) allows the two required branch circuits to come from different
transfer switches. This redundancy ensures that if one transfer switch fails, the patient bed
location still has power from the second emergency source.
Question 11
According to Article 517, "Patient Care Areas" of healthcare facilities do NOT include which of
the following?
A) Operating rooms
B) Business offices and corridors
C) Dialysis units
D) Exam rooms
E) Intensive care units
Correct Answer: B) Do not include
Rationale: The definition of a Patient Care Space/Area is limited to areas where patients
are intended to be examined or treated. Business offices, lounges, and general corridors do
not fall under the stringent wiring requirements of patient care areas.
Question 12
The "Patient Care Area" is defined as any portion of a healthcare facility where patients are
intended to be:
A) Housed for more than 48 hours
B) Examined or treated
C) Fed and bathed
D) Monitored by security cameras
E) Interviewed for insurance purposes
Correct Answer: B) Examined or treated
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS| BRAND NEW
VERSION
Question 1
Which type of multiconductor cable is specifically identified for use as underground service
entrance cable?
A) Type NM
B) Type THHN
C) Type USE
D) Type AC
E) Type MC
Correct Answer: C) Type USE cable
Rationale: Type USE (Underground Service Entrance) cable is designed and listed for
underground burial. It is distinct from Type SE (Service Entrance) cable, which is for
above-ground use. Its jacket is moisture-resistant and durable enough for direct burial
applications as per Article 338.
Question 2
A knife switch rated for more than 1200 Amperes at 250 Volts or less must comply with which of
the following requirements regarding its operation?
A) It may be used to break any load within its rating
B) It can only be used as an isolating switch and must not be opened under load
C) It must be installed in a horizontal position only
D) It must be operated via a remote-control motor
E) It must be fused with Class H fuses only
Correct Answer: B) Can be used only as isolating switch, shall not be opened under load
Rationale: High-ampere knife switches (above 1200A) are not designed to safely quench the
arc produced by breaking a large current. Therefore, they are designated as "isolating
switches" (or disconnects) and must only be operated when the circuit has been de-
energized by another device.
Question 3
Why is track lighting prohibited in bathroom locations?
A) The voltage is too high for wet areas
B) Track lighting typically contains receptacles or allows for attachments that are not permitted
in wet areas
C) It is impossible to ground a lighting track
D) NYC Code prohibits all track lighting in residential units
E) The heat from the bulbs causes condensation on the track
Correct Answer: B) Track lighting has receptacle
Rationale: Track lighting is designed to allow the attachment of various heads and, in some
configurations, plug-in receptacles. NYC Electrical Code (and NEC 410.151) restricts track
, 2
lighting in bathrooms because the open nature of the track and the potential for inserting
unauthorized attachments pose a shock hazard in proximity to water sources.
Question 4
Where internal combustion engines are used as the prime motor for an emergency system, what
is the minimum required duration for the on-site fuel supply at full demand operation?
A) 2 hours
B) 4 hours
C) 6 hours
D) 12 hours
E) 24 hours
Correct Answer: C) 6 hours
Rationale: For emergency systems where the prime mover is an internal combustion
engine, Article 700 and NYC local amendments require an on-premise fuel supply sufficient
for at least 6 hours of operation. This ensures that the system can sustain life-safety loads
during prolonged utility outages.
Question 5
Fixed-in-place X-ray equipment can be supplied through a suitable attachment plug cap and
hard-service cable cord, provided the branch circuit is rated at not over how many amperes?
A) 15 Amperes
B) 20 Amperes
C) 30 Amperes
D) 40 Amperes
E) 50 Amperes
Correct Answer: C) 30 Amps
Rationale: According to Article 660, fixed X-ray equipment can utilize a cord-and-plug
connection for ease of maintenance or relocation, but this is limited to circuits rated at 30
Amperes or less to ensure the cord and plug are not subjected to excessive current for
which they are not rated.
Question 6
Where skin effect exists in a ferromagnetic envelope (such as a steel raceway used for heating),
the envelope shall be bonded at which point(s)?
A) The source end only
B) The load end only
C) Both ends
D) At 10-foot intervals
E) Bonding is not required
Correct Answer: C) Both ends
Rationale: In skin-effect heating systems, the ferromagnetic envelope acts as a return path
, 3
for current. Bonding at both ends ensures that the envelope maintains a low-impedance
path and prevents a difference in potential between the envelope and other grounded metal
parts.
Question 7
At a carnival or circus, GFCI protection is not required for equipment at a circuit if the receptacle
used is of what specific type?
A) Weatherproof
B) Heavy-duty
C) Locking-type
D) Tamper-resistant
E) Isolated ground
Correct Answer: C) Locking
Rationale: Under Article 525, while most 15A and 20A 125V receptacles at fairs and
carnivals require GFCI, an exception is made for receptacles that are of the locking type.
Locking connectors are less likely to be accidentally disconnected or used by the general
public for unauthorized equipment.
Question 8
In a dwelling unit, what is the maximum permitted voltage drop from the service point to the last
overcurrent device?
A) 1%
B) 3%
C) 4%
D) 5%
E) 8%
Correct Answer: C) 4%
Rationale: While the NEC usually suggests a 5% total drop (3% for feeders/branch
circuits), the NYC Electrical Code specifically mandates a maximum 4% voltage drop from
the service point to the final overcurrent device in dwelling units to ensure efficient
appliance operation.
Question 9
Which of the following describes the grounding requirements for a central vacuum outlet?
A) No grounding is required for low-voltage outlets
B) Grounding is only required if the motor is over 2 HP
C) Accessible non-current-carrying metal parts must be connected to an equipment grounding
conductor
D) Only the motor housing requires grounding
E) Double insulation replaces the need for grounding
Correct Answer: C) Accessible non current carrying metal parts are required to be
, 4
connected to an equipment grounding conductor.
Rationale: Article 422 requires that all accessible metal parts of appliances that are likely to
become energized (including the metal inlets of central vacuums) must be grounded to
prevent electric shock in the event of an insulation failure.
Question 10
In healthcare facilities, patient bed receptacles in general care areas must be supplied by at least
two branch circuits. Which of the following is true regarding their origin?
A) They must originate from the same panelboard
B) They are permitted to originate from two separate transfer switches on the emergency system
C) They must originate from a single transfer switch
D) One must be a local utility circuit and the other a battery backup
E) They must be 20A circuits only
Correct Answer: B) Are permitted
Rationale: Article 517.18(A) allows the two required branch circuits to come from different
transfer switches. This redundancy ensures that if one transfer switch fails, the patient bed
location still has power from the second emergency source.
Question 11
According to Article 517, "Patient Care Areas" of healthcare facilities do NOT include which of
the following?
A) Operating rooms
B) Business offices and corridors
C) Dialysis units
D) Exam rooms
E) Intensive care units
Correct Answer: B) Do not include
Rationale: The definition of a Patient Care Space/Area is limited to areas where patients
are intended to be examined or treated. Business offices, lounges, and general corridors do
not fall under the stringent wiring requirements of patient care areas.
Question 12
The "Patient Care Area" is defined as any portion of a healthcare facility where patients are
intended to be:
A) Housed for more than 48 hours
B) Examined or treated
C) Fed and bathed
D) Monitored by security cameras
E) Interviewed for insurance purposes
Correct Answer: B) Examined or treated
