Texas Electrical Contractor Licensing
Examination — Intermediate Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a grounding electrode system?
A. To carry normal current to appliances
B. To provide a path for fault current to reduce shock hazard
C. To prevent circuit breakers from tripping
D. To regulate voltage
Rationale: The grounding electrode system ensures that fault currents are
safely directed to the earth, reducing shock hazards.
2. What is the maximum continuous load allowed on a 20-ampere
branch circuit in residential wiring?
, A. 20 A
B. 16 A
C. 16 A (80% of 20 A)
D. 24 A
Rationale: NEC limits continuous loads to 80% of the circuit rating for
safety, so 20 A × 0.8 = 16 A.
3. Which type of conduit is typically used outdoors and underground
without concrete encasement?
A. EMT
B. RMC (Rigid Metal Conduit)
C. FMC
D. PVC Schedule 40
Rationale: RMC is durable, corrosion-resistant, and approved for direct
burial or outdoor use without encasement.
4. When calculating voltage drop for a long branch circuit, which factor is
least significant?
A. Conductor length
B. Conductor material
C. Conductor size
D. Color of insulation
,Rationale: Voltage drop depends on length, material, and size; insulation
color has no electrical impact.
5. What is the minimum size grounding electrode conductor for a 100-
ampere service?
A. #6 AWG copper
B. #4 AWG aluminum
C. #8 AWG copper
D. #10 AWG copper
Rationale: NEC Table 250.66 specifies #8 AWG copper for up to 100 A
service.
6. Which device provides overcurrent protection for a single branch
circuit?
A. Fuse puller
B. Circuit breaker
C. Grounding rod
D. Transformer
Rationale: Circuit breakers or fuses are designed to interrupt overcurrent
on a branch circuit.
, 7. A 240-volt motor is rated at 10 A. What is the minimum branch-circuit
rating required?
A. 10 A
B. 12 A
C. 15 A
D. 20 A
Rationale: NEC requires motor branch-circuit protection at 125% of full-
load current: 10 × 1.25 = 12.5 A; next standard breaker size is 15 A.
8. What is the NEC requirement for arc-fault protection in dwelling
bedrooms?
A. Not required
B. Required on all branch circuits supplying bedrooms
C. Only for lighting circuits
D. Only for receptacles within 6 feet of a sink
Rationale: NEC 210.12 mandates AFCI protection for all branch circuits in
bedrooms to prevent fires.
9. What is the purpose of a double-pole breaker?
A. Protect two circuits independently
B. Provide 240-volt service by simultaneously disconnecting both
poles
Examination — Intermediate Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a grounding electrode system?
A. To carry normal current to appliances
B. To provide a path for fault current to reduce shock hazard
C. To prevent circuit breakers from tripping
D. To regulate voltage
Rationale: The grounding electrode system ensures that fault currents are
safely directed to the earth, reducing shock hazards.
2. What is the maximum continuous load allowed on a 20-ampere
branch circuit in residential wiring?
, A. 20 A
B. 16 A
C. 16 A (80% of 20 A)
D. 24 A
Rationale: NEC limits continuous loads to 80% of the circuit rating for
safety, so 20 A × 0.8 = 16 A.
3. Which type of conduit is typically used outdoors and underground
without concrete encasement?
A. EMT
B. RMC (Rigid Metal Conduit)
C. FMC
D. PVC Schedule 40
Rationale: RMC is durable, corrosion-resistant, and approved for direct
burial or outdoor use without encasement.
4. When calculating voltage drop for a long branch circuit, which factor is
least significant?
A. Conductor length
B. Conductor material
C. Conductor size
D. Color of insulation
,Rationale: Voltage drop depends on length, material, and size; insulation
color has no electrical impact.
5. What is the minimum size grounding electrode conductor for a 100-
ampere service?
A. #6 AWG copper
B. #4 AWG aluminum
C. #8 AWG copper
D. #10 AWG copper
Rationale: NEC Table 250.66 specifies #8 AWG copper for up to 100 A
service.
6. Which device provides overcurrent protection for a single branch
circuit?
A. Fuse puller
B. Circuit breaker
C. Grounding rod
D. Transformer
Rationale: Circuit breakers or fuses are designed to interrupt overcurrent
on a branch circuit.
, 7. A 240-volt motor is rated at 10 A. What is the minimum branch-circuit
rating required?
A. 10 A
B. 12 A
C. 15 A
D. 20 A
Rationale: NEC requires motor branch-circuit protection at 125% of full-
load current: 10 × 1.25 = 12.5 A; next standard breaker size is 15 A.
8. What is the NEC requirement for arc-fault protection in dwelling
bedrooms?
A. Not required
B. Required on all branch circuits supplying bedrooms
C. Only for lighting circuits
D. Only for receptacles within 6 feet of a sink
Rationale: NEC 210.12 mandates AFCI protection for all branch circuits in
bedrooms to prevent fires.
9. What is the purpose of a double-pole breaker?
A. Protect two circuits independently
B. Provide 240-volt service by simultaneously disconnecting both
poles
