Hawaii Master Electrician Exam
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of the National
Electrical Code (NEC)?
A. To establish legal regulations for construction
B. To provide guidelines for building permits
C. To ensure safe electrical installations
D. To regulate contractor licensing
Rationale: The NEC is designed to protect people and property from
electrical hazards by setting safety standards for electrical
installations.
2. A 120/240V single-phase service has a calculated load of 48 amperes.
What minimum size service conductors should be installed according to
the NEC?
A. 6 AWG
B. 4 AWG
C. 2 AWG
D. 1 AWG
Rationale: According to NEC Table 310.16, 2 AWG copper
conductors are rated for 55A, which meets the calculated load of 48A.
3. Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) are required in which of the
following locations?
A. Bedrooms
B. Bathrooms
C. Living rooms
D. Attics
Rationale: NEC requires GFCI protection in areas where water is
present, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor receptacles.
,4. What is the maximum voltage drop recommended for branch circuits to
maintain efficiency?
A. 1%
B. 2%
C. 3%
D. 5%
Rationale: The NEC recommends a maximum voltage drop of 3% for
branch circuits to ensure efficient operation of electrical equipment.
5. Which type of conduit is required for wet locations?
A. Rigid nonmetallic
B. Rigid metal conduit (RMC)
C. Electrical metallic tubing (EMT)
D. Flexible metal conduit (FMC)
Rationale: RMC is designed for wet locations, providing robust
protection against moisture and mechanical damage.
6. How often must grounding electrodes be bonded together for a
residential service?
A. Only at the main panel
B. At every grounding electrode present
C. Every 50 feet
D. Only for metallic water piping
Rationale: NEC 250.50 requires that all grounding electrodes at a
premises be bonded to ensure a continuous low-resistance path to
ground.
7. What is the minimum working space in front of an electrical panel
rated 400A?
A. 30 inches
B. 32 inches
C. 36 inches
D. 36 inches or more
Rationale: NEC 110.26 requires a minimum of 36 inches of clear
working space in front of panels rated over 600 volts and similar for
lower voltages in many applications.
8. Which of the following describes a multi-wire branch circuit?
A. Two or more ungrounded conductors sharing a neutral
B. Single hot conductor with neutral
C. Single hot conductor with separate neutral
, D. A branch circuit with GFCI protection
Rationale: A multi-wire branch circuit shares a neutral between two
or more hot conductors, reducing conductor size and improving
efficiency.
9. According to NEC, what color is required for an equipment grounding
conductor?
A. Red
B. Blue
C. Green or bare
D. White
Rationale: NEC 250.119 requires grounding conductors to be green,
green with yellow stripe, or bare to easily identify them as ground.
10. What is the maximum allowable ampacity of a 12 AWG copper
conductor in a dry location at 60°C?
A. 15A
B. 20A
C. 25A
D. 30A
Rationale: NEC Table 310.16 specifies that 12 AWG copper
conductors in a 60°C rating can carry up to 20 amperes.
11. Which of the following is a primary purpose of overcurrent
protection devices?
A. Reduce electricity bills
B. Prevent overheating and fire hazards
C. Increase system voltage
D. Stabilize frequency
Rationale: Overcurrent devices like fuses and breakers protect
conductors from excessive current that could cause fire or damage.
12. A three-phase, 480V delta system requires a feeder to a motor.
What is the line-to-neutral voltage?
A. 120V
B. 208V
C. 277V
D. 480V
Rationale: In a delta system without a neutral, line-to-neutral voltage
is typically not used; in a corner-grounded delta system, 277V can be
derived.
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of the National
Electrical Code (NEC)?
A. To establish legal regulations for construction
B. To provide guidelines for building permits
C. To ensure safe electrical installations
D. To regulate contractor licensing
Rationale: The NEC is designed to protect people and property from
electrical hazards by setting safety standards for electrical
installations.
2. A 120/240V single-phase service has a calculated load of 48 amperes.
What minimum size service conductors should be installed according to
the NEC?
A. 6 AWG
B. 4 AWG
C. 2 AWG
D. 1 AWG
Rationale: According to NEC Table 310.16, 2 AWG copper
conductors are rated for 55A, which meets the calculated load of 48A.
3. Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) are required in which of the
following locations?
A. Bedrooms
B. Bathrooms
C. Living rooms
D. Attics
Rationale: NEC requires GFCI protection in areas where water is
present, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor receptacles.
,4. What is the maximum voltage drop recommended for branch circuits to
maintain efficiency?
A. 1%
B. 2%
C. 3%
D. 5%
Rationale: The NEC recommends a maximum voltage drop of 3% for
branch circuits to ensure efficient operation of electrical equipment.
5. Which type of conduit is required for wet locations?
A. Rigid nonmetallic
B. Rigid metal conduit (RMC)
C. Electrical metallic tubing (EMT)
D. Flexible metal conduit (FMC)
Rationale: RMC is designed for wet locations, providing robust
protection against moisture and mechanical damage.
6. How often must grounding electrodes be bonded together for a
residential service?
A. Only at the main panel
B. At every grounding electrode present
C. Every 50 feet
D. Only for metallic water piping
Rationale: NEC 250.50 requires that all grounding electrodes at a
premises be bonded to ensure a continuous low-resistance path to
ground.
7. What is the minimum working space in front of an electrical panel
rated 400A?
A. 30 inches
B. 32 inches
C. 36 inches
D. 36 inches or more
Rationale: NEC 110.26 requires a minimum of 36 inches of clear
working space in front of panels rated over 600 volts and similar for
lower voltages in many applications.
8. Which of the following describes a multi-wire branch circuit?
A. Two or more ungrounded conductors sharing a neutral
B. Single hot conductor with neutral
C. Single hot conductor with separate neutral
, D. A branch circuit with GFCI protection
Rationale: A multi-wire branch circuit shares a neutral between two
or more hot conductors, reducing conductor size and improving
efficiency.
9. According to NEC, what color is required for an equipment grounding
conductor?
A. Red
B. Blue
C. Green or bare
D. White
Rationale: NEC 250.119 requires grounding conductors to be green,
green with yellow stripe, or bare to easily identify them as ground.
10. What is the maximum allowable ampacity of a 12 AWG copper
conductor in a dry location at 60°C?
A. 15A
B. 20A
C. 25A
D. 30A
Rationale: NEC Table 310.16 specifies that 12 AWG copper
conductors in a 60°C rating can carry up to 20 amperes.
11. Which of the following is a primary purpose of overcurrent
protection devices?
A. Reduce electricity bills
B. Prevent overheating and fire hazards
C. Increase system voltage
D. Stabilize frequency
Rationale: Overcurrent devices like fuses and breakers protect
conductors from excessive current that could cause fire or damage.
12. A three-phase, 480V delta system requires a feeder to a motor.
What is the line-to-neutral voltage?
A. 120V
B. 208V
C. 277V
D. 480V
Rationale: In a delta system without a neutral, line-to-neutral voltage
is typically not used; in a corner-grounded delta system, 277V can be
derived.
