1
NABCEP PV Associate Exam, 2026 Updated,
Definitive Practice Test with Verified Questions and
Answers
QUESTION 1:
What is the maximum DC voltage permitted for PV systems installed on one- and two-family
dwellings according to NEC 2023?
A) 480 Vdc
B) 600 Vdc
C) 1000 Vdc
D) 1500 Vdc
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: NEC 2023 Section 690.7 establishes that the maximum PV system voltage for one-
and two-family dwellings is 600 Vdc. For other buildings, the maximum is 1000 Vdc. This
voltage limitation affects string sizing, connector selection, and equipment ratings.
QUESTION 2:
According to NEC 2023, what is the required temperature correction factor for calculating
maximum PV system voltage when using ASHRAE data?
A) 1.15
B) 1.25
C) 1.12 (2% average added to lowest recorded temperature)
D) No correction required
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: NEC 690.7(A) permits the use of ASHRAE temperature data for voltage
calculations. The standard practice adds a 2% average temperature value to the lowest
, 2
recorded temperature for string sizing applications, providing a more realistic design
temperature than using absolute historical record lows.
QUESTION 3:
What is the minimum required rating for overcurrent protection devices in PV DC circuits
according to NEC 2023?
A) 100% of maximum circuit current
B) 115% of maximum circuit current
C) 125% of maximum circuit current
D) 156% of maximum circuit current
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: NEC 690.9(B) requires that overcurrent device ratings shall be not less than 125
percent of the maximum currents calculated in 690.8(A). This accounts for continuous
operation and potential current increases due to reflection or temperature effects.
QUESTION 4:
In a grounded PV source circuit, how many overcurrent protection devices are permitted to
protect both the PV modules and interconnecting conductors?
A) One device per string
B) One device per array
C) A single device where required
D) Two devices minimum per circuit
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: NEC 690.9(E) states that in grounded PV source circuits, a single overcurrent
protection device, where required, shall be permitted to protect the PV modules and the
interconnecting conductors. In ungrounded PV source circuits complying with 690.35, an
overcurrent device is required in each ungrounded circuit conductor.
QUESTION 5:
, 3
What is the maximum time allowed for rapid shutdown to reduce controlled conductors to 30
volts and 240 volt-amperes after initiation?
A) 5 seconds
B) 10 seconds
C) 30 seconds
D) 60 seconds
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: NEC 690.12(2) requires that controlled conductors shall be limited to not more
than 30 volts and 240 volt-amperes within 10 seconds of rapid shutdown initiation. This
performance requirement applies to PV system conductors of more than 1.5 m (5 ft) inside a
building or more than 3 m (10 ft) from a PV array.
QUESTION 6:
Which structures are EXEMPT from rapid shutdown requirements according to NEC 2023
Exception 2?
A) Ground-mounted arrays only
B) Rooftop arrays on commercial buildings
C) Non-enclosed detached structures like open carports and trellises
D) Arrays on residential garages
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: NEC 690.12 Exception 2 clarifies that non-enclosed detached structures such as
open carports and trellises are not required to comply with rooftop rapid shutdown rules.
This exemption simplifies canopy and parking installations where the open structure provides
natural ventilation and access.
QUESTION 7:
What is the minimum working space clearance required at equipment with doors according to
NEC 110.26?
, 4
A) 12 inches
B) 24 inches
C) 36 inches
D) 48 inches
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: NEC 110.26 requires 24 to 78 inches of clear working space at equipment with
doors, and a safe path when those doors are open. This ensures technicians can work without
obstruction and safely access equipment for maintenance and inspection.
QUESTION 8:
For one- and two-family dwellings, where must the ESS emergency shutdown initiation device
be located?
A) Inside the main electrical panel
B) At the inverter location only
C) At a readily accessible location outside the building
D) In the utility meter enclosure
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: NEC 706.15(B) requires that for one- and two-family dwellings, an ESS emergency
shutdown function must have an initiation device located at a readily accessible location
outside the building. The device must plainly indicate whether in the 'off' or 'on' position, and
the 'off' position performs the ESS emergency shutdown function.
QUESTION 9:
What is the minimum aggregate energy capacity threshold for Article 706 to apply to energy
storage systems?
A) 0.5 kWh
B) 1 kWh (3.6 MJ)
C) 5 kWh
NABCEP PV Associate Exam, 2026 Updated,
Definitive Practice Test with Verified Questions and
Answers
QUESTION 1:
What is the maximum DC voltage permitted for PV systems installed on one- and two-family
dwellings according to NEC 2023?
A) 480 Vdc
B) 600 Vdc
C) 1000 Vdc
D) 1500 Vdc
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: NEC 2023 Section 690.7 establishes that the maximum PV system voltage for one-
and two-family dwellings is 600 Vdc. For other buildings, the maximum is 1000 Vdc. This
voltage limitation affects string sizing, connector selection, and equipment ratings.
QUESTION 2:
According to NEC 2023, what is the required temperature correction factor for calculating
maximum PV system voltage when using ASHRAE data?
A) 1.15
B) 1.25
C) 1.12 (2% average added to lowest recorded temperature)
D) No correction required
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: NEC 690.7(A) permits the use of ASHRAE temperature data for voltage
calculations. The standard practice adds a 2% average temperature value to the lowest
, 2
recorded temperature for string sizing applications, providing a more realistic design
temperature than using absolute historical record lows.
QUESTION 3:
What is the minimum required rating for overcurrent protection devices in PV DC circuits
according to NEC 2023?
A) 100% of maximum circuit current
B) 115% of maximum circuit current
C) 125% of maximum circuit current
D) 156% of maximum circuit current
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: NEC 690.9(B) requires that overcurrent device ratings shall be not less than 125
percent of the maximum currents calculated in 690.8(A). This accounts for continuous
operation and potential current increases due to reflection or temperature effects.
QUESTION 4:
In a grounded PV source circuit, how many overcurrent protection devices are permitted to
protect both the PV modules and interconnecting conductors?
A) One device per string
B) One device per array
C) A single device where required
D) Two devices minimum per circuit
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: NEC 690.9(E) states that in grounded PV source circuits, a single overcurrent
protection device, where required, shall be permitted to protect the PV modules and the
interconnecting conductors. In ungrounded PV source circuits complying with 690.35, an
overcurrent device is required in each ungrounded circuit conductor.
QUESTION 5:
, 3
What is the maximum time allowed for rapid shutdown to reduce controlled conductors to 30
volts and 240 volt-amperes after initiation?
A) 5 seconds
B) 10 seconds
C) 30 seconds
D) 60 seconds
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: NEC 690.12(2) requires that controlled conductors shall be limited to not more
than 30 volts and 240 volt-amperes within 10 seconds of rapid shutdown initiation. This
performance requirement applies to PV system conductors of more than 1.5 m (5 ft) inside a
building or more than 3 m (10 ft) from a PV array.
QUESTION 6:
Which structures are EXEMPT from rapid shutdown requirements according to NEC 2023
Exception 2?
A) Ground-mounted arrays only
B) Rooftop arrays on commercial buildings
C) Non-enclosed detached structures like open carports and trellises
D) Arrays on residential garages
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: NEC 690.12 Exception 2 clarifies that non-enclosed detached structures such as
open carports and trellises are not required to comply with rooftop rapid shutdown rules.
This exemption simplifies canopy and parking installations where the open structure provides
natural ventilation and access.
QUESTION 7:
What is the minimum working space clearance required at equipment with doors according to
NEC 110.26?
, 4
A) 12 inches
B) 24 inches
C) 36 inches
D) 48 inches
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: NEC 110.26 requires 24 to 78 inches of clear working space at equipment with
doors, and a safe path when those doors are open. This ensures technicians can work without
obstruction and safely access equipment for maintenance and inspection.
QUESTION 8:
For one- and two-family dwellings, where must the ESS emergency shutdown initiation device
be located?
A) Inside the main electrical panel
B) At the inverter location only
C) At a readily accessible location outside the building
D) In the utility meter enclosure
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: NEC 706.15(B) requires that for one- and two-family dwellings, an ESS emergency
shutdown function must have an initiation device located at a readily accessible location
outside the building. The device must plainly indicate whether in the 'off' or 'on' position, and
the 'off' position performs the ESS emergency shutdown function.
QUESTION 9:
What is the minimum aggregate energy capacity threshold for Article 706 to apply to energy
storage systems?
A) 0.5 kWh
B) 1 kWh (3.6 MJ)
C) 5 kWh
