NABCEP ASSOCIATE EXAM EXAMINATION
TEST 2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
⩥ What kind of ground faults do most inverters detect? Answer: DC
Inverters detect dc ground faults. AC ground faults are detected on the
AC side of the inverter at the distribution paned (MSP, load center).
Most inverters are not connected to high or medium voltage. Medium
voltage is thousands of volts, large utility scale inverters are connected
to medium voltage via a transformer
⩥ Current carrying ability of a conductor (wire) is called Answer:
Ampacity
⩥ According to ohms law and voltage drop, the relationship between
voltage drop and current is Answer: Proportional. Ohms law: V = I*R
More current makes more voltage drop. This is a reason why we need a
larger wire with more current, so the wire resistance is less with a larger
wire and there will be less voltage drop.
⩥ An array in a hot and dry place is not producing as expected in
summer time. Which of the following is NOT a likely problem:
a) Decreased ac wire size and voltage loss
b) String size too short
,C) String size too long
D) Soiling Answer: C) String size too short. When it is hot, voltage can
be low. Too long of a string would be a problem when it is too cold not
too hot.
⩥ When using a digital multimeter, what is the first thing you should do?
Answer: Inspect the meter. Always inspect first, look before you touch
⩥ is the worst design error?
A) BIPV on a commercial job
B) A fast-growing tree to the north of an array in Idaho
C) PV at 5-degree tilt at 40 degrees latitude
D) Different tilt angles in a PV source circuit Answer: D) Different tilt or
azimuth operation within a source circuit is bad. Series connections
should not have different orientations
⩥ MPPT is for Answer: MPPT is maximum power point tracking and
will optimize the energy harnessed from PV. Some inverters have
multiple MPPTs. Charge controllers often, but don't always, have
MPPTs
⩥ Concentrated PV:
A) Only works with direct sunlight
B) Usually has a single axis tracker
, C) Will get 30% power during cloudy conditions
D) Is using heat to make electricity Answer: A) Only works in direct
sunlight. usually works with 2-axis trackers to always point at the sun
and will not work at all in cloudy conditions. Concentrated PV =!
Concentrating Solar thermal
⩥ Fall protection should be used at heights over Answer: 6 feet
⩥ Parallel PV circuit connections increase Answer: Parallel increase
current. Series increase voltage
⩥ Optimal tilt for off-grid PV system in the winter Answer: Latitude +
15 degrees is Optimal tilt to maximize winter production. The sun is
lower in the winter, requiring a higher tilt angle
⩥ What is the most acceptable rating of an enclosure for exposed circuit
conductors mounted on an outside wall? Answer: NEMA 3R
⩥ Bypass diodes are located in the
A) Combiner box
B) Inverter
C) Wiring harness
TEST 2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
⩥ What kind of ground faults do most inverters detect? Answer: DC
Inverters detect dc ground faults. AC ground faults are detected on the
AC side of the inverter at the distribution paned (MSP, load center).
Most inverters are not connected to high or medium voltage. Medium
voltage is thousands of volts, large utility scale inverters are connected
to medium voltage via a transformer
⩥ Current carrying ability of a conductor (wire) is called Answer:
Ampacity
⩥ According to ohms law and voltage drop, the relationship between
voltage drop and current is Answer: Proportional. Ohms law: V = I*R
More current makes more voltage drop. This is a reason why we need a
larger wire with more current, so the wire resistance is less with a larger
wire and there will be less voltage drop.
⩥ An array in a hot and dry place is not producing as expected in
summer time. Which of the following is NOT a likely problem:
a) Decreased ac wire size and voltage loss
b) String size too short
,C) String size too long
D) Soiling Answer: C) String size too short. When it is hot, voltage can
be low. Too long of a string would be a problem when it is too cold not
too hot.
⩥ When using a digital multimeter, what is the first thing you should do?
Answer: Inspect the meter. Always inspect first, look before you touch
⩥ is the worst design error?
A) BIPV on a commercial job
B) A fast-growing tree to the north of an array in Idaho
C) PV at 5-degree tilt at 40 degrees latitude
D) Different tilt angles in a PV source circuit Answer: D) Different tilt or
azimuth operation within a source circuit is bad. Series connections
should not have different orientations
⩥ MPPT is for Answer: MPPT is maximum power point tracking and
will optimize the energy harnessed from PV. Some inverters have
multiple MPPTs. Charge controllers often, but don't always, have
MPPTs
⩥ Concentrated PV:
A) Only works with direct sunlight
B) Usually has a single axis tracker
, C) Will get 30% power during cloudy conditions
D) Is using heat to make electricity Answer: A) Only works in direct
sunlight. usually works with 2-axis trackers to always point at the sun
and will not work at all in cloudy conditions. Concentrated PV =!
Concentrating Solar thermal
⩥ Fall protection should be used at heights over Answer: 6 feet
⩥ Parallel PV circuit connections increase Answer: Parallel increase
current. Series increase voltage
⩥ Optimal tilt for off-grid PV system in the winter Answer: Latitude +
15 degrees is Optimal tilt to maximize winter production. The sun is
lower in the winter, requiring a higher tilt angle
⩥ What is the most acceptable rating of an enclosure for exposed circuit
conductors mounted on an outside wall? Answer: NEMA 3R
⩥ Bypass diodes are located in the
A) Combiner box
B) Inverter
C) Wiring harness
