CEI Residential Electrical Inspection 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum number of 20-ampere small appliance branch circuits required in the kitchen of a new single-family dwelling per NEC 210.11(C)(1)?
- One
- Two (Correct answer)
- Three
- Four
Correct answer: Two
NEC 210.11(C)(1) requires at least two 20-ampere small appliance branch circuits to serve receptacles in the kitchen, pantry, breakfast room, and dining room.
Question 2: An inspector observes that a grounding electrode conductor (GEC) is spliced using a wire nut inside a junction box. Is this acceptable under NEC 250.64(C)?
- Yes, wire nuts are listed splicing devices
- No, GECs must be continuous or spliced only using listed irreversible compression connectors or exothermic welding (Correct answer)
- Yes, if the junction box is listed
- No, GECs can never be spliced under any circumstances
Correct answer: No, GECs must be continuous or spliced only using listed irreversible compression connectors or exothermic welding
NEC 250.64(C) permits GEC splicing only where the GEC is not continuous and only using listed irreversible compression connectors or exothermic welding; wire nuts are not permitted.
Question 3: Under NEC 230.54, service entrance conductors entering a raceway through a weatherhead must be arranged so that water cannot enter the raceway. This is best achieved by:
- Installing a drain hole at the bottom of the weatherhead
- Draping the conductors in a drip loop below the point of attachment (Correct answer)
- Sealing the weatherhead with electrical putty
- Routing the raceway at a 45-degree upward angle
Correct answer: Draping the conductors in a drip loop below the point of attachment
NEC 230.54(F) requires service entrance conductors to be arranged with a drip loop so that water drains away from the service raceway entrance.
Question 4: A new home has a bathroom with only one receptacle outlet on a 15A GFCI circuit shared with the hall lighting. Is this installation compliant?
- Yes, one receptacle per bathroom is sufficient if GFCI protected
- No, the bathroom receptacle must be on a dedicated 20A circuit serving only bathroom receptacles (Correct answer)
- Yes, sharing with lighting is permitted if the breaker is AFCI
- No, bathrooms require two receptacle outlets minimum
Correct answer: No, the bathroom receptacle must be on a dedicated 20A circuit serving only bathroom receptacles
NEC 210.11(C)(3) requires at least one 20-ampere branch circuit dedicated exclusively to bathroom receptacle outlets; it cannot be shared with lighting or other loads.
Question 5: When inspecting a residential service panel, the inspector finds the neutral bar bonded to the enclosure with a bonding screw. This panel is the main service disconnect. Is this correct?
- No, the neutral must be isolated from the enclosure at all panels
- Yes, the neutral-to-ground bond is required at the main service disconnect (Correct answer)
- No, only a separate grounding electrode system provides this bond
- Yes, but only if the panel is rated over 200A
Correct answer: Yes, the neutral-to-ground bond is required at the main service disconnect
NEC 250.24(A)(5) requires the neutral (grounded conductor) to be bonded to the service disconnecting means enclosure at the main service disconnect.
Question 6: What is the maximum distance a receptacle outlet can be placed from a doorway along a wall space in a residential living room per NEC 210.52(A)?
- 4 feet
- 6 feet (Correct answer)
- 8 feet
- 12 feet
Correct answer: 6 feet
NEC 210.52(A) requires receptacles to be placed so that no point along the floor line is more than 6 feet from a receptacle outlet, measured horizontally along the wall.
Question 7: A residential inspector finds a 240V, 2-pole, 60A breaker feeding a hot tub. The feeder uses 4 AWG copper conductors. Is the wire sizing appropriate?
- No, 4 AWG copper is only rated for 50A
- No, 4 AWG copper is only rated for 40A
- Yes, 4 AWG copper is rated for 70A at 60°C terminations
- Yes, 4 AWG copper is rated for exactly 60A at 75°C terminations (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Yes, 4 AWG copper is rated for exactly 60A at 75°C terminations
Per NEC Table 310.16, 4 AWG copper is rated for 85A at 75°C, but terminals are typically limited to 60°C (70A) or 75°C — in practice, 4 AWG at 75°C terminals supports 85A, making 60A a conservative and acceptable application.
CEI Residential Electrical Inspection 3
What is the minimum number of 20-ampere small appliance branch circuits required in the kitchen of a new single-family dwelling per NEC 210.11(C)(1)?