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New Mexico EL 1J Electrical Distribution Journeyman
Exam COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
New Mexico EL-1J Electrical Distribution Journeyman Exam, The questions are based on the National
Electrical Safety Code (NESC), the National Electrical Code (NEC), the New Mexico Administrative Code
(NMAC), and federal safety standards (OSHA 1910.269, NFPA 70E).
SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE (point form)
• General Electrical Knowledge & Theory – Ohm’s law, power calculations, three-phase systems
(wye/delta, √3 relationships), voltage drop, fault current basics.
• National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) – Rules for overhead and underground utility lines:
clearances (vertical, horizontal), grade B construction, load factors (NESC Table 253-1), guyings,
and grounding of structures.
• National Electrical Code (NEC) – Rules for underground distribution (direct-burial depth, conduit
fill, protection), service connections, secondary networks.
• Transformers – Distribution transformer connections (delta-wye, wye-wye), vector groups, load
calculations, grounding (X0 bushing), impedance and fault contribution.
• Conductors – Types (ACSR, AAC, AAAC, copper), sag and tension, expansion, maximum
operating temperature, thermal rating, clearances.
• Overhead Line Components – Poles (wood, steel, concrete), crossarms, insulators (porcelain,
polymer, glass), hardware (suspension, dead-end), guys (anchor, down-guy).
• Underground Line Components – Cable types (XLPE, EPR, PILC), terminations (stress cone),
splicing, manholes, conduit systems, pull boxes, cable pulling tensions.
• Substations – Bus configurations (ring bus, breaker-and-a-half), power transformers, circuit
breakers (SF₆, vacuum, oil), disconnects, grounding grids, step/touch potential.
• Safety (OSHA 1910.269 / NFPA 70E) – Minimum approach distances (MAD) by voltage, personal
protective equipment (PPE), rubber gloves, hot sticks, lockout/tagout (LOTO), bucket truck
operations, fall protection (harness, lanyard).
• New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC) – Licensing requirements (experience, exam), scope
of work for EL-1J, permit authority, continuing education.
• Voltage Drop & Fault Current – Calculations for distribution lines, transformer impedance
contribution, coordination of overcurrent devices.
• Grounding & Bonding – Substation grounding grids, pole grounding (butt wraps, ground rods),
equipment bonding, step/touch potential mitigation.
• OSHA 1910.269 – Work practices for power generation, transmission, and distribution;
minimum approach distances; personal protective equipment (PPE); job briefings; rescue
equipment.
• NFPA 70E – Arc-flash boundaries, incident energy, PPE categories.
• National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) & OSHA 1910.269 – Requires specific minimum approach
distances for live-line work based on voltage; Section 1910.269 covers minimum approach
distances, protection from hazards of tools and objects, and job briefings.
• NESC Table 253-1 (Load Factors) – Specifies ice and wind load factors based on NESC loading
districts and grades of construction. New Mexico is generally in the “Light Loading District” for
most of the state.
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250 RANDOM SCENARIO-BASED MCQs
QUESTION 1: A journeyman is working on a 12.47 kV overhead distribution line. According to OSHA
1910.269, what is the minimum approach distance (MAD) for this line (phase-to-phase voltage)?
A) 2 ft 2 in (≈0.66 m)
B) 10 ft (≈3.05 m)
C) 12 ft (≈3.66 m)
D) 15 ft (≈4.57 m)
Answer: A – OSHA 1910.269 Table 1 gives the minimum approach distance for phase-to-phase voltages
up to 15 kV as approximately 2 ft 2 in (0.66 m). The other distances apply to higher voltages.
QUESTION 2: The National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) primarily governs which of the following?
A) Wiring inside residential buildings
B) Utility transmission and distribution systems
C) Low-voltage commercial installations
D) Data and communication cabling
Answer: B – NESC covers supply and communication utility facilities (overhead and underground lines).
The NEC covers premises wiring inside buildings.
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QUESTION 3: Which OSHA standard specifically addresses safety requirements for electric power
generation, transmission, and distribution work?
A) 1910.147
B) 1910.269
C) 1926.950
D) 1910.332
Answer: B – OSHA 1910.269 is the dedicated standard for work practices, minimum approach distances,
PPE, and training for power generation, transmission, and distribution.
QUESTION 4: According to OSHA 1910.269, what must be in place before an employee enters a manhole
or vault that contains exposed energized electrical equipment?
A) Confined-space permit with atmospheric testing and ventilation
B) A fire extinguisher rated Class C
C) A second employee at the surface with a rescue harness
D) A written lockout/tagout plan and verification of de-energized state
Answer: D – OSHA 1910.269 requires that before employees enter manholes or vaults containing
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exposed energized electrical equipment, the equipment shall be de-energized and placed in a
lockout/tagout state.
QUESTION 5: Under the NESC, what is the required minimum vertical clearance for a 12.47 kV
distribution conductor over a residential street?
A) 15.5 ft (4.72 m)
B) 18.5 ft (5.64 m)
C) 21 ft (6.40 m)
D) 24 ft (7.32 m)
Answer: B – NESC Table 232-1 specifies 18.5 ft for voltages 0–50 kV over streets and alleys.
QUESTION 6: For an underground direct-burial secondary service cable rated 600 V, what is the
minimum depth of cover required by the NEC in a residential area?
A) 12 in (305 mm)
B) 18 in (457 mm)
C) 24 in (610 mm)
D) 30 in (762 mm)
New Mexico EL 1J Electrical Distribution Journeyman
Exam COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
New Mexico EL-1J Electrical Distribution Journeyman Exam, The questions are based on the National
Electrical Safety Code (NESC), the National Electrical Code (NEC), the New Mexico Administrative Code
(NMAC), and federal safety standards (OSHA 1910.269, NFPA 70E).
SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE (point form)
• General Electrical Knowledge & Theory – Ohm’s law, power calculations, three-phase systems
(wye/delta, √3 relationships), voltage drop, fault current basics.
• National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) – Rules for overhead and underground utility lines:
clearances (vertical, horizontal), grade B construction, load factors (NESC Table 253-1), guyings,
and grounding of structures.
• National Electrical Code (NEC) – Rules for underground distribution (direct-burial depth, conduit
fill, protection), service connections, secondary networks.
• Transformers – Distribution transformer connections (delta-wye, wye-wye), vector groups, load
calculations, grounding (X0 bushing), impedance and fault contribution.
• Conductors – Types (ACSR, AAC, AAAC, copper), sag and tension, expansion, maximum
operating temperature, thermal rating, clearances.
• Overhead Line Components – Poles (wood, steel, concrete), crossarms, insulators (porcelain,
polymer, glass), hardware (suspension, dead-end), guys (anchor, down-guy).
• Underground Line Components – Cable types (XLPE, EPR, PILC), terminations (stress cone),
splicing, manholes, conduit systems, pull boxes, cable pulling tensions.
• Substations – Bus configurations (ring bus, breaker-and-a-half), power transformers, circuit
breakers (SF₆, vacuum, oil), disconnects, grounding grids, step/touch potential.
• Safety (OSHA 1910.269 / NFPA 70E) – Minimum approach distances (MAD) by voltage, personal
protective equipment (PPE), rubber gloves, hot sticks, lockout/tagout (LOTO), bucket truck
operations, fall protection (harness, lanyard).
• New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC) – Licensing requirements (experience, exam), scope
of work for EL-1J, permit authority, continuing education.
• Voltage Drop & Fault Current – Calculations for distribution lines, transformer impedance
contribution, coordination of overcurrent devices.
• Grounding & Bonding – Substation grounding grids, pole grounding (butt wraps, ground rods),
equipment bonding, step/touch potential mitigation.
• OSHA 1910.269 – Work practices for power generation, transmission, and distribution;
minimum approach distances; personal protective equipment (PPE); job briefings; rescue
equipment.
• NFPA 70E – Arc-flash boundaries, incident energy, PPE categories.
• National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) & OSHA 1910.269 – Requires specific minimum approach
distances for live-line work based on voltage; Section 1910.269 covers minimum approach
distances, protection from hazards of tools and objects, and job briefings.
• NESC Table 253-1 (Load Factors) – Specifies ice and wind load factors based on NESC loading
districts and grades of construction. New Mexico is generally in the “Light Loading District” for
most of the state.
, Page 2 of 117
250 RANDOM SCENARIO-BASED MCQs
QUESTION 1: A journeyman is working on a 12.47 kV overhead distribution line. According to OSHA
1910.269, what is the minimum approach distance (MAD) for this line (phase-to-phase voltage)?
A) 2 ft 2 in (≈0.66 m)
B) 10 ft (≈3.05 m)
C) 12 ft (≈3.66 m)
D) 15 ft (≈4.57 m)
Answer: A – OSHA 1910.269 Table 1 gives the minimum approach distance for phase-to-phase voltages
up to 15 kV as approximately 2 ft 2 in (0.66 m). The other distances apply to higher voltages.
QUESTION 2: The National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) primarily governs which of the following?
A) Wiring inside residential buildings
B) Utility transmission and distribution systems
C) Low-voltage commercial installations
D) Data and communication cabling
Answer: B – NESC covers supply and communication utility facilities (overhead and underground lines).
The NEC covers premises wiring inside buildings.
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QUESTION 3: Which OSHA standard specifically addresses safety requirements for electric power
generation, transmission, and distribution work?
A) 1910.147
B) 1910.269
C) 1926.950
D) 1910.332
Answer: B – OSHA 1910.269 is the dedicated standard for work practices, minimum approach distances,
PPE, and training for power generation, transmission, and distribution.
QUESTION 4: According to OSHA 1910.269, what must be in place before an employee enters a manhole
or vault that contains exposed energized electrical equipment?
A) Confined-space permit with atmospheric testing and ventilation
B) A fire extinguisher rated Class C
C) A second employee at the surface with a rescue harness
D) A written lockout/tagout plan and verification of de-energized state
Answer: D – OSHA 1910.269 requires that before employees enter manholes or vaults containing
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exposed energized electrical equipment, the equipment shall be de-energized and placed in a
lockout/tagout state.
QUESTION 5: Under the NESC, what is the required minimum vertical clearance for a 12.47 kV
distribution conductor over a residential street?
A) 15.5 ft (4.72 m)
B) 18.5 ft (5.64 m)
C) 21 ft (6.40 m)
D) 24 ft (7.32 m)
Answer: B – NESC Table 232-1 specifies 18.5 ft for voltages 0–50 kV over streets and alleys.
QUESTION 6: For an underground direct-burial secondary service cable rated 600 V, what is the
minimum depth of cover required by the NEC in a residential area?
A) 12 in (305 mm)
B) 18 in (457 mm)
C) 24 in (610 mm)
D) 30 in (762 mm)
