Journeyman Electrician’s Exam Journeyman Electrician's 2026 Edition 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the maximum length of a flexible cord used as a fixed wiring method in a dwelling unit per the 2023 NEC?
- 3 feet
- 6 feet
- Flexible cords are not permitted as fixed wiring (Correct answer)
- 12 feet
Correct answer: Flexible cords are not permitted as fixed wiring
The NEC prohibits the use of flexible cords as a substitute for fixed wiring in buildings under Article 400.12.
Question 2: When sizing conductors for a continuous load, the conductor ampacity must be at least what percentage of the load?
- 100%
- 115%
- 125% (Correct answer)
- 110%
Correct answer: 125%
Per NEC 210.19(A)(1), branch-circuit conductors must have an ampacity not less than 125% of the continuous load.
Question 3: A 240V single-phase motor draws 18A at full load. What minimum size THWN copper conductor is required for its branch circuit (continuous load assumed)?
- 12 AWG
- 10 AWG (Correct answer)
- 8 AWG
- 14 AWG
Correct answer: 10 AWG
18A × 125% = 22.5A; 10 AWG THWN copper is rated 35A and satisfies the 22.5A minimum requirement.
Question 4: Which conduit type is NOT permitted for direct burial without concrete encasement?
- Schedule 40 PVC
- Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)
- Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC)
- Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT)
EMT is not listed for direct burial; RMC, IMC, and Schedule 40 PVC are permitted for direct burial per NEC Table 300.5.
Question 5: In a 3-phase 4-wire wye system, what is the voltage between any two hot conductors if the phase-to-neutral voltage is 120V?
- 120V
- 208V (Correct answer)
- 240V
- 277V
Correct answer: 208V
Line-to-line voltage in a wye system equals phase voltage multiplied by √3, so 120V × 1.732 ≈ 208V.
Question 6: What is the minimum burial depth for a branch circuit rated 120V or less supplying only lighting fixtures in a residential driveway?
- 6 inches
- 12 inches (Correct answer)
- 18 inches
- 24 inches
Correct answer: 12 inches
Per NEC Table 300.5, direct-buried cables for 120V or less landscape/driveway lighting require a minimum 12-inch burial depth.
Question 7: What device is required on a 15A or 20A, 125V receptacle installed in a crawl space at or below grade level?
- AFCI protection
- GFCI protection (Correct answer)
- Isolated-ground receptacle
- Surge protection device
Correct answer: GFCI protection
NEC 210.8(A) requires GFCI protection for all 15A and 20A, 125V receptacles in crawl spaces at or below grade.
Journeyman Electrician’s Exam Journeyman Electrician's 2026 Edition 2
What is the maximum length of a flexible cord used as a fixed wiring method in a dwelling unit per the 2023 NEC?