PA Journeyman Electrician Licensing
Examination Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales |2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. What is the standard nominal voltage for most residential branch
circuits in the United States?
a) 120/240 V
b) 208 V
c) 120 V
d) 277 V
Rationale: Most residential branch circuits are supplied at 120 volts
for lighting and receptacles, derived from a 120/240 V service.
2. Which NEC article covers branch circuits?
a) Article 230
, b) Article 210
c) Article 250
d) Article 240
Rationale: NEC Article 210 specifically addresses branch circuits, their
ratings, and requirements.
3. What is the minimum size copper grounding electrode conductor
required for a 200-amp residential service?
a) #6 AWG
b) #4 AWG
c) #2 AWG
d) #8 AWG
Rationale: NEC Table 250.66 specifies #4 AWG copper for a 200-amp
service.
4. In a 3-phase, 4-wire wye system, what is the voltage between phase-
to-neutral if the phase-to-phase voltage is 208 V?
a) 120 V
b) 120 V
c) 208 V
d) 277 V
Rationale: Phase-to-neutral voltage = phase-to-phase ÷ √3 = 208 ÷
1.732 ≈ 120 V.
5. Which type of circuit breaker is designed to protect people from
electric shock?
, a) AFCI
b) GFCI
c) Standard thermal
d) High interrupting capacity
Rationale: Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) protect against
shock by detecting leakage current to ground.
6. What is the minimum burial depth for direct-buried UF cable under a
residential driveway?
a) 12 inches
b) 18 inches
c) 24 inches
d) 30 inches
Rationale: NEC Table 300.5 requires 24 inches burial for direct-buried
UF under residential driveways.
7. How many amperes can a #12 AWG copper conductor safely carry in
general-purpose circuits under NEC?
a) 15 A
b) 20 A
c) 25 A
d) 30 A
Rationale: According to NEC Table 310.16, #12 copper is rated 20 A.
8. A multiwire branch circuit must have what requirement for
disconnecting?
, a) Single-pole breakers only
b) Individual disconnects
c) Simultaneous disconnecting means
d) Double neutral conductors
Rationale: NEC 210.4 requires that the ungrounded conductors of a
multiwire circuit be simultaneously disconnected.
9. What is the minimum clearance in front of electrical panels rated 0–
150 volts to ground?
a) 2 feet
b) 3 feet
c) 3.5 feet
d) 4 feet
Rationale: NEC 110.26 requires a 3-foot clearance in front of panels
up to 150 volts.
10. What is the maximum number of conductors allowed in a
standard 4-inch square electrical box (1-1/2 inch deep) if all are #12
AWG?
a) 6
b) 8
c) 9
d) 12
Rationale: NEC box fill calculations allow 2.25 cubic inches per #12
Examination Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales |2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is the standard nominal voltage for most residential branch
circuits in the United States?
a) 120/240 V
b) 208 V
c) 120 V
d) 277 V
Rationale: Most residential branch circuits are supplied at 120 volts
for lighting and receptacles, derived from a 120/240 V service.
2. Which NEC article covers branch circuits?
a) Article 230
, b) Article 210
c) Article 250
d) Article 240
Rationale: NEC Article 210 specifically addresses branch circuits, their
ratings, and requirements.
3. What is the minimum size copper grounding electrode conductor
required for a 200-amp residential service?
a) #6 AWG
b) #4 AWG
c) #2 AWG
d) #8 AWG
Rationale: NEC Table 250.66 specifies #4 AWG copper for a 200-amp
service.
4. In a 3-phase, 4-wire wye system, what is the voltage between phase-
to-neutral if the phase-to-phase voltage is 208 V?
a) 120 V
b) 120 V
c) 208 V
d) 277 V
Rationale: Phase-to-neutral voltage = phase-to-phase ÷ √3 = 208 ÷
1.732 ≈ 120 V.
5. Which type of circuit breaker is designed to protect people from
electric shock?
, a) AFCI
b) GFCI
c) Standard thermal
d) High interrupting capacity
Rationale: Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) protect against
shock by detecting leakage current to ground.
6. What is the minimum burial depth for direct-buried UF cable under a
residential driveway?
a) 12 inches
b) 18 inches
c) 24 inches
d) 30 inches
Rationale: NEC Table 300.5 requires 24 inches burial for direct-buried
UF under residential driveways.
7. How many amperes can a #12 AWG copper conductor safely carry in
general-purpose circuits under NEC?
a) 15 A
b) 20 A
c) 25 A
d) 30 A
Rationale: According to NEC Table 310.16, #12 copper is rated 20 A.
8. A multiwire branch circuit must have what requirement for
disconnecting?
, a) Single-pole breakers only
b) Individual disconnects
c) Simultaneous disconnecting means
d) Double neutral conductors
Rationale: NEC 210.4 requires that the ungrounded conductors of a
multiwire circuit be simultaneously disconnected.
9. What is the minimum clearance in front of electrical panels rated 0–
150 volts to ground?
a) 2 feet
b) 3 feet
c) 3.5 feet
d) 4 feet
Rationale: NEC 110.26 requires a 3-foot clearance in front of panels
up to 150 volts.
10. What is the maximum number of conductors allowed in a
standard 4-inch square electrical box (1-1/2 inch deep) if all are #12
AWG?
a) 6
b) 8
c) 9
d) 12
Rationale: NEC box fill calculations allow 2.25 cubic inches per #12
