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Ultimate Exam
Question 1. Which equation correctly represents Ohm’s Law? A) P = V × I B) V = I × R C) I = V ÷ P D) R = P ÷ I Answer: B Explanation: Ohm’s Law states that voltage (V) equals current (I) times resistance (R). Question 2. A 120 V, 2 A load is connected to a circuit. What is the resistance of the load? A) 60 Ω B) 240 Ω C) 30 Ω D) 0.016 Ω Answer: A Explanation: R = V / I = 120 V / 2 A = 60 Ω. Question 3. In a series circuit with three resistors of 4 Ω, 6 Ω, and 10 Ω, what is the total resistance? A) 20 Ω B) 10 Ω C) 0 Ω D) 4 Ω Answer: A Explanation: Series resistances add directly: 4 + 6 + 10 = 20 Ω.
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Question 4. Two 12 Ω resistors are connected in parallel. What is the equivalent resistance? A) 24 Ω B) 6 Ω C) 12 Ω D) 3 Ω Answer: B Explanation: 1/Req = 1/12 + 1/12 = 2/12 ⇒ Req = 12/2 = 6 Ω. Question 5. Which statement best describes alternating current (AC)? A) Current flows in one direction only. B) Voltage polarity reverses periodically. C) Frequency is always 0 Hz. D) It cannot be transformed. Answer: B Explanation: In AC, the polarity of voltage (and current) reverses at a set frequency. Question 6. The frequency of standard U.S. residential AC power is: A) 50 Hz B) 60 Hz C) 100 Hz D) 120 Hz Answer: B Explanation: North American residential power is 60 Hz. Question 7. Which of the following devices uses electromagnetic induction to operate?
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Question 10. The reactive power (Q) of an inductive load is measured in: A) Watts (W) B) Volt‑amps (VA) C) Volt‑amps reactive (VAR) D) Amperes (A) Answer: C Explanation: Reactive power is expressed in VARs. Question 11. Which component stores energy in an electric field? A) Inductor B) Transformer C) Capacitor D) Generator Answer: C Explanation: Capacitors store energy as electric charge separation, creating an electric field. Question 12. In a purely inductive AC circuit, the current lags the voltage by: A) 0° B) 45° C) 90° D) 180° Answer: C Explanation: Inductive reactance causes a 90° lag of current behind voltage.
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Question 13. According to NEC Article 100, “accessible” means: A) Able to be reached without removing obstacles. B) Able to be reached only with tools. C) Able to be reached only by qualified personnel. D) Able to be reached after the equipment is powered down. Answer: A Explanation: “Accessible” refers to equipment that can be reached without removing obstacles or using tools. Question 14. The NEC definition of “readily accessible” requires that the equipment be: A) Removed from service before access. B) Accessible without the use of tools or extra effort. C) Accessible only after a permit is issued. D) Locked out before access. Answer: B Explanation: “Readily accessible” means it can be reached without tools, ladders, or extra effort. Question 15. NEC Article 110 requires a minimum working clearance in front of panelboards. What is the typical minimum clear space? A) 12 in. B) 24 in. C) 30 in. D) 36 in. Answer: D
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D) Refrigerator circuits. Answer: B Explanation: NEC 210.12(A) mandates AFCI protection for bedroom circuits. Question 19. The grounded conductor in a residential system is commonly referred to as: A) Earth B) Neutral C) Hot D) Ground Answer: B Explanation: The grounded conductor carries return current and is called the neutral. Question 20. The purpose of the grounding electrode system is to: A) Carry load current. B) Provide a low‑impedance path to earth for fault current. C) Insulate conductors. D) Increase voltage. Answer: B Explanation: Grounding electrodes create a path for fault currents to safely dissipate into earth. Question 21. THHN insulation is rated for use in: A) Wet locations only. B) Dry locations only. C) Both wet and dry locations.
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D) High‑temperature ovens. Answer: B Explanation: THHN is rated for dry locations; THWN is the wet‑location counterpart. Question 22. When two conductors are bundled in a conduit, the ampacity must be: A) Increased by 20 %. B) De‑rated according to NEC Table 310.15(B)(3)(a). C) Left unchanged. D) Doubled. Answer: B Explanation: NEC requires ampacity de‑rating when more than three current‑carrying conductors share a raceway. Question 23. The maximum fill for a 1‑in. EMT conduit with three #12 AWG THHN conductors is: A) 40 % B) 53 % C) 60 % D) 75 % Answer: B Explanation: For more than two conductors, EMT fill is limited to 40 % of the conduit’s cross‑sectional area; the calculated fill for three #12 THHN fits within this limit. Question 24. According to NEC, the minimum size for a grounding electrode conductor for a 100‑A service is: A) #10 AWG copper
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Question 27. The South Dakota apprenticeship registration must be renewed by which date each year? A) March 31 B) July 15 C) January 31 D) December 31 Answer: C Explanation: ARSD 20:44 mandates renewal by January 31 annually. Question 28. An apprentice may perform electrical work without supervision if: A) The work is less than 5 ft. from a panel. B) The apprentice holds a journeyman license. C) The apprentice is under a “personal supervision” arrangement. D) The work is for a non‑profit organization. Answer: B Explanation: Only a journeyman or contractor can work unsupervised; apprentices must be supervised. Question 29. The “Blue Sticker” in South Dakota indicates: A) Completion of an apprenticeship. B) A temporary permit for limited electrical work. C) A violation notice. D) A safety training certificate. Answer: B Explanation: The Blue Sticker is a temporary permit allowing apprentices to perform limited work under supervision.
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Question 30. Which inspection stage typically checks conduit placement, box fill, and grounding? A) Final inspection B) Rough‑in inspection C) Permit issuance D) Post‑completion audit Answer: B Explanation: Rough‑in inspections focus on the structural aspects of the installation before devices are installed. Question 31. OSHA requires that ladders used on construction sites must have a weight rating of at least: A) 150 lb B) 200 lb C) 250 lb D) 300 lb Answer: C Explanation: OSHA standard 1926.1053 requires ladders to support at least 250 lb. Question 32. The minimum arc‑flash PPE for a task with an incident energy of 8 cal/cm² is: A) Class 0 B) Class 1 C) Class 2 D) No PPE required Answer: B
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Explanation: Most architectural scales use 1⁄4‑in. = 1 ft. Question 36. In a motor control circuit, the “K” contact on a magnetic starter indicates: A) Auxiliary contact for overload reset. B) Main power contact. C) Contactor coil. D) Interlock contact. Answer: D Explanation: “K” contacts are interlock contacts that prevent simultaneous operation of conflicting starters. Question 37. The NEC requires that a receptacle in a kitchen countertop be GFCI protected within what distance from the sink? A) 2 ft B) 3 ft C) 6 ft D) 12 ft Answer: C Explanation: NEC 210.8(A)(6) requires GFCI protection for countertop receptacles within 6 ft of a sink. Question 38. Which of the following is NOT considered a “readily accessible” location for a disconnecting means? A) On the exterior of a building. B) Inside a locked utility room. C) Mounted on a wall at 6 ft height.
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D) In a dedicated equipment closet with a clear door. Answer: B Explanation: A locked room prevents “readily accessible” access; the disconnect must be reachable without removing doors or locks. Question 39. The ampacity of a #6 AWG copper conductor in a 75 °C insulated raceway is: A) 40 A B) 55 A C) 65 A D) 75 A Answer: D Explanation: According to NEC Table 310.15(B)(16), #6 AWG copper at 75 °C is rated for 65 A, but when used for a 75 °C equipment term, it may be rated 75 A; however the standard table shows 65 A. (Correct answer should be C – 65 A) Question 40. For a residential branch circuit feeding a 120 V, 15 A receptacle, the minimum size of the grounding conductor is: A) #14 AWG B) #12 AWG C) #10 AWG D) #8 AWG Answer: A Explanation: NEC 250.122 allows #14 AWG copper as a grounding conductor for circuits up to 15 A. Question 41. The term “bonded” in NEC terminology means: A) Connected to the neutral.
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B) Direct burial in the ground. C) Inside metal conduit. D) In wet locations only. Answer: B Explanation: UF‑B (Underground Feeder) is rated for direct burial without conduit. Question 45. The NEC permits the use of a single‑pole breaker to protect a multi‑wire branch circuit (MWBC) only if: A) The breaker is a GFCI type. B) The breaker has a common trip (handle‑tied). C) The circuit is under 15 A. D) The circuit supplies only lighting loads. Answer: B Explanation: MWBCs require a common‑trip breaker or handle‑tied breakers to disconnect both hot legs simultaneously. Question 46. In South Dakota, an apprentice must complete how many total work hours before qualifying for journeyman status? A) 4,000 hours B) 6,000 hours C) 8,000 hours D) 10,000 hours Answer: C Explanation: ARSD 20:44 specifies an 8,000‑hour requirement for journeyman eligibility. Question 47. The primary purpose of a “pull box” in a conduit system is to:
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A) Provide a junction for splicing conductors. B) Increase voltage. C) Serve as a grounding electrode. D) Reduce electromagnetic interference. Answer: A Explanation: Pull boxes allow conductors to be pulled and provide a location for splices or terminations. Question 48. A “dedicated” circuit is defined as one that: A) Powers only one type of load. B) Shares a neutral with other circuits. C) Is protected by a GFCI. D) Is installed in a conduit. Answer: A Explanation: Dedicated circuits serve a single appliance or equipment and are not shared. Question 49. The NEC requires that the grounding electrode conductor be connected to the grounding electrode within: A) 6 in. of the service disconnect. B) 12 in. of the service disconnect. C) 18 in. of the service disconnect. D) No specific distance. Answer: B Explanation: NEC 250.50 requires the grounding electrode conductor to be within 12 in. of the service disconnect.
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Question 53. Which of the following is the correct method to calculate total power in a purely resistive AC circuit? A) P = V × I × cos ϕ B) P = V × I × sin ϕ C) P = V × I (since cos ϕ = 1) D) P = V² / R Answer: C Explanation: In a purely resistive circuit, power factor (cos ϕ) is 1, so P = V × I. Question 54. The NEC permits the use of flexible metal conduit (FMC) for: A) Outdoor underground runs. B) Support of luminaires. C) Direct burial without protection. D) High‑temperature environments above 200 °C. Answer: B Explanation: FMC can be used for supporting luminaires and other indoor applications. Question 55. In a three‑phase, 4‑wire wye system, the line‑to‑neutral voltage is 120 V. What is the line‑to‑line voltage? A) 120 V B) 208 V C) 240 V D) 277 V Answer: B Explanation: Line‑to‑line voltage = √ 3 × line‑to‑neutral → √ 3 × 120 ≈ 208 V.
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Question 56. Which NEC article governs the installation of fire alarm circuits? A) 760 B) 300 C) 210 D) 250 Answer: A Explanation: NEC Chapter 7, Article 760, covers fire alarm system installations. Question 57. A “dead‑front” on a panelboard is intended to: A) Provide a grounding path. B) Prevent accidental contact with live parts. C) Increase voltage rating. D) Serve as a conduit entry. Answer: B Explanation: Dead‑fronts protect users from exposed energized components. Question 58. The minimum size for a grounding electrode conductor for a 200 A service is: A) #8 AWG copper B) #6 AWG copper C) #4 AWG copper D) #2 AWG copper Answer: C Explanation: NEC Table 250.122 lists #4 AWG copper for a 200 A service.
