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Journeyman Ultimate Exam
Question 1. Which formula correctly expresses 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) multiplied by resistance (R). Question 2. In a series circuit with three resistors of 2 Ω, 3 Ω, and 5 Ω, the total resistance is: A) 10 Ω B) 5 Ω C) 8 Ω D) 30 Ω Answer: A Explanation: Resistances in series add directly: 2 + 3 + 5 = 10 Ω. Question 3. For a parallel circuit containing two 6 Ω resistors, the equivalent resistance is: A) 12 Ω B) 3 Ω C) 6 Ω D) 1.5 Ω Answer: B Explanation: 1/R_eq = 1/6 + 1/6 = 2/6 → R_eq = 3 Ω. Question 4. The unit “VA” is used to describe:
Journeyman Ultimate Exam
A) Real power only B) Apparent power in AC circuits C) Reactive power only D) Power factor Answer: B Explanation: VA (volt-amps) measures apparent power, the vector sum of real and reactive power. Question 5. Which symbol represents a single-pole, single-throw (SPST) switch on a wiring diagram? A) - | |- B) ⏚ C) ⏚ ⏚ D) ⎓ Answer: A Explanation: An SPST switch is shown as a break in a line with two contacts (-| |-). Question 6. An architect’s scale marked “1/4 in = 1 ft” is used to determine: A) Electrical load calculations B) Physical length of a wire run on a drawing C) Conductor ampacity D) Voltage drop Answer: B Explanation: The scale converts drawing dimensions to real-world measurements for wire lengths. Question 7. A ladder diagram is most useful for depicting: A) High-voltage transmission lines B) Control circuit logic C) Residential floor plans
Journeyman Ultimate Exam
Answer: B Explanation: Ambient temperature adjustments modify ampacity values from the table. Question 11. A 100-ft run of 12-AWG copper conductors feeding a 120-V load draws 20 A. What is the approximate voltage drop? (Use 2 Ω per 1000 ft for 12-AWG) A) 0.8 V B) 2.0 V C) 4.0 V D) 8.0 V Answer: B Explanation: Resistance = (2 Ω/1000 ft) × 100 ft = 0.2 Ω; V_drop = I × R = 20 A × 0.2 Ω = 4 V. Since the run is a single-phase circuit with two conductors, divide by 2 → 2 V. Question 12. Which type of overcurrent device is required for a 20-A continuous load in a commercial kitchen? A) 20-A breaker B) 25-A breaker C) 30-A breaker D) 15-A breaker Answer: B Explanation: Continuous loads require sizing at 125 % of the load: 20 A × 1.25 = 25 A. Question 13. GFCI protection is NOT required for which of the following locations? A) Bathroom receptacles B) Outdoor receptacles C) Unfinished basements D) Garage lighting fixtures
Journeyman Ultimate Exam
Answer: D Explanation: GFCI is required for receptacles in those areas, but not for lighting fixtures unless the fixture is a receptacle. Question 14. AFCI protection is mandated for which type of circuit in a dwelling? A) All 120-V branch circuits supplying outlets in bedrooms B) Outdoor 240-V circuits C) Dedicated refrigerator circuits D) Garage door opener circuits Answer: A Explanation: NEC requires AFCI on 120-V circuits that supply outlets in bedrooms. Question 15. The purpose of a main bonding jumper (MBJ) is to: A) Connect the service neutral to the grounding electrode system B) Provide a backup power source C) Increase the ampacity of the feeder D) Isolate the neutral from ground Answer: A Explanation: The MBJ bonds the grounded (neutral) conductor to the equipment grounding conductor at the service. Question 16. According to NEC 250.122, the minimum size of an equipment grounding conductor for a 60-A circuit using copper is: A) 14 AWG B) 12 AWG C) 10 AWG D) 8 AWG Answer: B Explanation: Table 250.122 specifies 12 AWG copper for a 60-A overcurrent device.
Journeyman Ultimate Exam
A) NM-B cable B) MC cable with metal armor C) Rigid metal conduit (RMC) D) PVC conduit only Answer: C Explanation: RMC provides a protected metal raceway suitable for Class I, Division 2. Question 21. For a motor rated at 10 hp, 460 V, 3-phase, the full-load current (FLC) is approximately: A) 12 A B) 14 A C) 20 A D) 28 A Answer: B Explanation: Using NEC Table 430.250, a 10 hp 460 V 3-phase motor has an FLC of about 14 A. Question 22. When sizing branch-circuit conductors for a motor, the NEC requires a minimum of: A) 100 % of FLC B) 115 % of FLC C) 125 % of FLC D) 150 % of FLC Answer: C Explanation: Conductors must be sized at least 125 % of the motor’s FLC for continuous operation. Question 23. A motor disconnect must be located within what distance from the motor? A) 5 ft
Journeyman Ultimate Exam
B) 10 ft C) 25 ft D) 50 ft Answer: C Explanation: NEC 430.102 requires the disconnect to be “within sight” or not more than 50 ft away; the typical practice is within 25 ft for easy access. Question 24. A portable generator rated 7 kW, 120/240 V, requires a transfer switch that must be installed: A) Inside the utility meter base B) At the main service panel only C) Adjacent to the generator outlet D) At a location approved by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) Answer: D Explanation: Transfer switches must meet local code and AHJ approval; placement varies. Question 25. The primary overcurrent protection for a 250 kVA, 13.8 kV transformer should be based on: A) Transformer nameplate voltage only B) Transformer impedance and secondary voltage C) Load current only D) Conductor size only Answer: B Explanation: NEC 450.3 requires protection sized using the transformer’s impedance and secondary voltage. Question 26. For an indoor oil-filled transformer, the required minimum clearance to combustible materials is: A) 1 ft B) 2 ft
Journeyman Ultimate Exam
Answer: C Explanation: NEC 700.12 requires emergency circuits to be on separate wiring and fed by an approved transfer device. Question 30. The NEC requires that a receptacle in a laundry area be GFCI protected. Which of the following also applies? A) Must be a 20-A receptacle only B) Must be a 15-A receptacle only C) Either 15-A or 20-A is acceptable, provided it is GFCI protected D) No receptacle is allowed in laundry areas Answer: C Explanation: Both 15-A and 20-A receptacles are permitted in laundry areas, but they must be GFCI protected. Question 31. The allowable ampacity for a 3-wire, 4/0 AWG aluminum conductor in a 75 °C insulated raceway is: A) 65 A B) 85 A C) 130 A D) 180 A Answer: D Explanation: NEC Table 310.15(B)(16) lists 180 A for 4/0 AWG aluminum at 75 °C. Question 32. When using NM-B cable in a residential attic, the maximum number of cable clamps per 4.5 ft of run is: A) 1 per 4.5 ft B) 1 per 6 ft C) 1 per 8 ft D) No limit specified Answer: A
Journeyman Ultimate Exam
Explanation: NEC 334.30 requires NM cable be secured within 4.5 ft of each box and at intervals not exceeding 4.5 ft. Question 33. A conduit system using PVC must be supported at intervals not exceeding: A) 3 ft B) 6 ft C) 8 ft D) 10 ft Answer: D Explanation: NEC 352.30 requires PVC conduit to be supported at least every 10 ft. Question 34. In a commercial building, the required grounding electrode conductor (GEC) size for a 200-A service using copper is: A) 10 AWG B) 8 AWG C) 6 AWG D) 4 AWG Answer: C Explanation: NEC Table 250.66 indicates 6 AWG copper for a 200-A service. Question 35. The NEC permits the use of a single-pole breaker to protect a multi-wire branch circuit (MWBC) only if: A) The breaker has a handle-tie or common trip B) The circuit supplies only lighting loads C) The MWBC is 120/240 V only D) The conductors are all copper Answer: A Explanation: MWBCs must have simultaneous disconnect; a handle-tied or common-trip breaker satisfies this.
Journeyman Ultimate Exam
Question 39. For a 120-V, 20-A GFCI receptacle, the minimum grounding electrode conductor size is: A) 14 AWG copper B) 12 AWG copper C) 10 AWG copper D) 8 AWG copper Answer: B Explanation: Table 250.122 requires 12 AWG copper for a 20-A overcurrent device. Question 40. The NEC defines a “continuous load” as: A) Any load that operates for more than 3 hours continuously B) Any load that operates for more than 1 hour continuously C) Any load that operates intermittently D) Any load that is always on, regardless of duration Answer: A Explanation: A continuous load runs for 3 hours or more without interruption. Question 41. In a commercial kitchen, countertop receptacles must be GFCI protected and have a minimum rating of: A) 15 A B) 20 A C) 30 A D) 50 A Answer: B Explanation: NEC 210.8(B) requires 20-A GFCI receptacles for countertop areas in commercial kitchens. Question 42. A 120/240-V split-phase service has a neutral conductor that is: A) Grounded at the transformer only B) Not required if a ground rod is present
Journeyman Ultimate Exam
C) Bonded to ground at the service disconnect only D) Bonded at both the transformer and service disconnect Answer: C Explanation: The neutral is bonded to ground only at the service disconnect (or first means of disconnect). Question 43. When installing a grounding electrode system using copper pipe, the minimum pipe diameter must be: A) ½ in. B) ¾ in. C) 1 in. D) 1½ in. Answer: C Explanation: NEC 250.52(A)(2) requires at least 1-in. copper pipe for a grounding electrode. Question 44. The purpose of a “breaker finder” device is to: A) Measure voltage drop B) Locate the circuit breaker that controls a specific outlet C) Test GFCI operation D) Determine conduit fill Answer: B Explanation: A breaker finder helps identify which breaker supplies a given receptacle or fixture. Question 45. For a 3-phase, 4-wire feeder supplying a 120/208-V load, the line- to-neutral voltage is: A) 120 V B) 208 V C) 240 V
Journeyman Ultimate Exam
Question 49. In a commercial office, the minimum number of receptacles required per 100 ft of wall space is: A) 1 B) 2 C) 3 D) 4 Answer: B Explanation: NEC 210.52(C)(1) requires a receptacle at least every 12 ft, which translates to roughly 2 per 100 ft. Question 50. The NEC permits the use of a “tap” on a feeder under which condition? A) The tap length exceeds 10 ft B) The tap conductor is smaller than the feeder C) The tap is protected by an overcurrent device not larger than 800 A D) The tap is located more than 6 ft from the feeder termination Answer: C Explanation: NEC 240.21 permits taps if protected by an overcurrent device not larger than 800 A and meet length/size limits. Question 51. A 120-V, 15-A receptacle in a bathroom must be supplied by a circuit that does not exceed: A) 15 A total load B) 20 A total load C) 30 A total load D) No limit if GFCI protected Answer: B Explanation: NEC 210.11(C)(3) requires a 20-A branch circuit for bathroom receptacles.
Journeyman Ultimate Exam
Question 52. The correct method to terminate a grounding electrode conductor to a concrete-encased electrode is: A) Directly clamp to rebar B) Use a listed grounding electrode clamp C) Wrap with copper tape D) No termination required Answer: B Explanation: A listed grounding electrode clamp is required for a secure connection. Question 53. When using MC cable in a building, the cable must be supported within how many inches of each enclosure? A) 6 in. B) 8 in. C) 12 in. D) 24 in. Answer: C Explanation: NEC 362.30 requires MC cable to be secured within 12 in. of each box or enclosure. Question 54. The NEC definition of “exposed wiring” applies to: A) Wiring inside walls only B) Wiring visible without removing building finish C) All wiring regardless of location D) Only conduit systems Answer: B Explanation: Exposed wiring is any wiring that can be seen without removing building finish. Question 55. For a 180-V, 20-A motor, the required size of the branch-circuit breaker is:
Journeyman Ultimate Exam
B) Green only C) Gray only D) Either white, gray, or green with a continuous stripe Answer: D Explanation: NEC permits the grounded (neutral) conductor to be white, gray, or a continuous green stripe. Question 59. The maximum height for a receptacle outlet on a wall in a dwelling unit is: A) 4 ft 6 in. B) 5 ft 6 in. C) 6 ft 6 in. D) No maximum specified Answer: B Explanation: NEC 210.52(A)(3) limits receptacle height to 5 ft 6 in. above the floor. Question 60. When installing a GFCI receptacle, the line and load terminals must be identified as: A) Line on the left, load on the right B) Line on the top, load on the bottom C) Marked with “LINE” and “LOAD” on the device D) No identification required Answer: C Explanation: GFCI devices are labeled to distinguish line (incoming) and load (protected downstream) connections. Question 61. A “dead-front” on a motor controller indicates that: A) The controller is powered off B) The operator cannot see live parts while operating the control C) The controller is permanently locked
Journeyman Ultimate Exam
D) The controller is for a three-phase motor only Answer: B Explanation: A dead-front prevents access to energized components during normal operation. Question 62. The NEC permits the use of a “single-wire ground” for a metal conduit system when: A) The conduit is PVC B) The conduit is non-metallic C) The conduit is continuous and the metal is electrically continuous D) The conduit is installed outdoors only Answer: C Explanation: A metal raceway can serve as an equipment grounding conductor if it is continuous and properly bonded. Question 63. The minimum size of a copper grounding electrode conductor for a 400 - A service is: A) 4 AWG B) 2 AWG C) 1/0 AWG D) 2/0 AWG Answer: C Explanation: Table 250.66 specifies 1/0 AWG copper for a 400-A service. Question 64. In a commercial building, a “dedicated lighting circuit” must be: A) Shared with receptacles B) Separate from power circuits and have its own disconnect C) Limited to 15 A only D) Controlled by a dimmer only Answer: B
