North Carolina Residential Single-Family
Dwelling Electrical Contractor Licensing Exam
With Actual Questions & Verified Answers,
Plus Explained Rationales/Expert Verified For
Guaranteed 100% Pass 2026/Latest
Update/Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of the National Electrical Code
(NEC)?
A. To provide design recommendations for architects
B. To ensure minimum safety standards for electrical installations
C. To regulate electrical utility pricing
D. To certify electrical products for sale
Answer: B
Rationale: The NEC establishes minimum safety requirements for
electrical installations to protect people and property from electrical
hazards.
2. Which type of wiring method is most commonly used in
residential construction today?
A. Knob-and-tube wiring
B. Rigid metal conduit
C. Nonmetallic-sheathed cable (NM cable)
D. Armored cable only
,Answer: C
Rationale: NM cable (Romex) is widely used in residential construction
due to its cost-effectiveness and ease of installation.
3. What is the standard voltage for residential branch circuits in
North Carolina homes?
A. 120/240 volts
B. 277/480 volts
C. 120/208 volts
D. 600 volts
Answer: A
Rationale: Typical residential service in the U.S. is 120/240 volts split-
phase.
4. How many outlets are required on a 20-amp residential kitchen
small appliance branch circuit?
A. No minimum requirement
B. At least 2
C. At least 3
D. At least 1 per wall
Answer: A
Rationale: NEC does not specify a maximum or minimum number of
receptacles on small appliance branch circuits, only usage restrictions.
5. What is the minimum number of 20-amp small appliance branch
circuits required in a kitchen?
A. 1
, B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
Answer: B
Rationale: The NEC requires at least two 20-amp circuits for kitchen
countertop receptacles.
6. Ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection is required in
which location?
A. Living room lighting circuits
B. Garage receptacles
C. Ceiling fan circuits
D. Furnace disconnects
Answer: B
Rationale: GFCI protection is required in garages, bathrooms,
kitchens, outdoors, and other wet locations.
7. Arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) protection is primarily intended
to prevent:
A. Overcurrent overloads
B. Ground faults
C. Electrical fires caused by arcing faults
D. Voltage drops
Answer: C
Rationale: AFCIs detect dangerous arcing conditions that can cause
fires.
, 8. What is the minimum burial depth for PVC conduit under a
residential driveway?
A. 6 inches
B. 12 inches
C. 18 inches
D. 24 inches
Answer: C
Rationale: NEC generally requires 18 inches for PVC conduit under
residential driveways with GFCI protection conditions considered.
9. The main purpose of a service disconnect is to:
A. Protect branch circuits
B. Disconnect all power to a building
C. Regulate voltage
D. Reduce harmonic distortion
Answer: B
Rationale: The service disconnect allows all power to be shut off for
safety and maintenance.
10. What is the minimum working clearance in front of electrical
equipment rated 0–150 volts to ground?
A. 1 foot
B. 2 feet
C. 3 feet
D. 4 feet
Answer: C
Rationale: NEC requires at least 3 feet of clearance for safe working
space.
Dwelling Electrical Contractor Licensing Exam
With Actual Questions & Verified Answers,
Plus Explained Rationales/Expert Verified For
Guaranteed 100% Pass 2026/Latest
Update/Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of the National Electrical Code
(NEC)?
A. To provide design recommendations for architects
B. To ensure minimum safety standards for electrical installations
C. To regulate electrical utility pricing
D. To certify electrical products for sale
Answer: B
Rationale: The NEC establishes minimum safety requirements for
electrical installations to protect people and property from electrical
hazards.
2. Which type of wiring method is most commonly used in
residential construction today?
A. Knob-and-tube wiring
B. Rigid metal conduit
C. Nonmetallic-sheathed cable (NM cable)
D. Armored cable only
,Answer: C
Rationale: NM cable (Romex) is widely used in residential construction
due to its cost-effectiveness and ease of installation.
3. What is the standard voltage for residential branch circuits in
North Carolina homes?
A. 120/240 volts
B. 277/480 volts
C. 120/208 volts
D. 600 volts
Answer: A
Rationale: Typical residential service in the U.S. is 120/240 volts split-
phase.
4. How many outlets are required on a 20-amp residential kitchen
small appliance branch circuit?
A. No minimum requirement
B. At least 2
C. At least 3
D. At least 1 per wall
Answer: A
Rationale: NEC does not specify a maximum or minimum number of
receptacles on small appliance branch circuits, only usage restrictions.
5. What is the minimum number of 20-amp small appliance branch
circuits required in a kitchen?
A. 1
, B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
Answer: B
Rationale: The NEC requires at least two 20-amp circuits for kitchen
countertop receptacles.
6. Ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection is required in
which location?
A. Living room lighting circuits
B. Garage receptacles
C. Ceiling fan circuits
D. Furnace disconnects
Answer: B
Rationale: GFCI protection is required in garages, bathrooms,
kitchens, outdoors, and other wet locations.
7. Arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) protection is primarily intended
to prevent:
A. Overcurrent overloads
B. Ground faults
C. Electrical fires caused by arcing faults
D. Voltage drops
Answer: C
Rationale: AFCIs detect dangerous arcing conditions that can cause
fires.
, 8. What is the minimum burial depth for PVC conduit under a
residential driveway?
A. 6 inches
B. 12 inches
C. 18 inches
D. 24 inches
Answer: C
Rationale: NEC generally requires 18 inches for PVC conduit under
residential driveways with GFCI protection conditions considered.
9. The main purpose of a service disconnect is to:
A. Protect branch circuits
B. Disconnect all power to a building
C. Regulate voltage
D. Reduce harmonic distortion
Answer: B
Rationale: The service disconnect allows all power to be shut off for
safety and maintenance.
10. What is the minimum working clearance in front of electrical
equipment rated 0–150 volts to ground?
A. 1 foot
B. 2 feet
C. 3 feet
D. 4 feet
Answer: C
Rationale: NEC requires at least 3 feet of clearance for safe working
space.
