Journeyman Electricianâs Exam Journeyman Electrician's 2026 Edition 5 â Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the maximum overcurrent protection permitted for a 10 AWG copper conductor with THWN insulation used on a branch circuit?
- 20A
- 30A (Correct answer)
- 40A
- 35A
Correct answer: 30A
Per NEC 240.4(D)(3), 10 AWG copper conductors are limited to a maximum 30A overcurrent device on branch circuits.
Question 2: Which of the following is considered a separately derived system?
- A transfer switch fed from a utility transformer
- An isolation transformer with no direct electrical connection to the supply (Correct answer)
- A subpanel fed from a main panel
- A generator with a solid neutral-to-ground bond at the utility
Correct answer: An isolation transformer with no direct electrical connection to the supply
A separately derived system has no direct electrical connection to supply conductors; an isolation transformer's secondary meets this definition.
Question 3: Under the NEC, which of the following luminaires (light fixtures) requires GFCI protection when installed outdoors in a wet location?
- All luminaires rated for wet locations
- Only luminaires within 6 feet of a pool
- Only luminaires with exposed lamp sockets
- Only luminaires that plug into receptacles (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Only luminaires that plug into receptacles
NEC 210.8 requires GFCI protection for receptacles in wet outdoor locations; luminaires hardwired at wet locations do not inherently require GFCI by that section.
Question 4: What is the maximum distance a disconnect must be from a rooftop HVAC unit to be considered 'within sight' per the NEC?
- 10 feet
- 25 feet
- 50 feet (Correct answer)
- 100 feet
Correct answer: 50 feet
Per NEC Article 100, 'within sight' means visible and not more than 50 feet from the equipment requiring disconnection.
Question 5: A raceway installed in a concrete slab must have a minimum cover of how many inches if not encased in concrete?
- 1 inch
- 2 inches
- 3 inches (Correct answer)
- 6 inches
Correct answer: 3 inches
NEC Table 300.5 requires a minimum 3-inch cover for raceways installed under a building or concrete slab without additional concrete encasement.
Question 6: For a multiwire branch circuit (MWBC) in a panelboard, what is required of the breakers protecting the circuit per the 2023 NEC?
- They must be on the same phase
- They must be handle-tied or a 2-pole breaker (Correct answer)
- They must be AFCI rated
- They must be on adjacent poles with a common neutral
Correct answer: They must be handle-tied or a 2-pole breaker
NEC 210.4(B) requires that all ungrounded conductors of a multiwire branch circuit be provided with a means to simultaneously disconnect all conductors, such as handle-tied breakers or a 2-pole breaker.
Question 7: What is the minimum size equipment grounding conductor (EGC) required for a circuit protected by a 60A overcurrent device using copper conductors?
- 10 AWG
- 8 AWG (Correct answer)
- 6 AWG
- 4 AWG
Correct answer: 8 AWG
Per NEC Table 250.122, a circuit protected by a 60A overcurrent device requires a minimum 10 AWG copper equipment grounding conductor.
Journeyman Electricianâs Exam Journeyman Electrician's 2026 Edition 5
What is the maximum overcurrent protection permitted for a 10 AWG copper conductor with THWN insulation used on a branch circuit?