Journeyman Electrician’s Exam Journeyman Electrician's GFCI and AFCI Protection 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Per NEC 210.8(A)(6), GFCI protection is required for receptacles in dwelling unit kitchens within what distance from the outside edge of a sink?
- 3 feet
- 4 feet
- 6 feet (Correct answer)
- 10 feet
Correct answer: 6 feet
NEC 210.8(A)(6) requires GFCI protection for receptacles within 6 feet of the outside edge of the kitchen sink.
Question 2: At approximately what current level does a standard GFCI device trip to protect against electric shock?
- 1 mA
- 5 mA (Correct answer)
- 15 mA
- 20 mA
Correct answer: 5 mA
Standard GFCI devices are designed to trip at approximately 4–6 mA (rated at 5 mA) to protect personnel against electrocution.
Question 3: Which type of AFCI circuit breaker is required by the 2020 NEC for dwelling unit branch circuits?
- Outlet branch circuit type
- Branch/feeder type
- Combination type (Correct answer)
- Series type
Correct answer: Combination type
The 2020 NEC requires combination-type AFCIs, which detect both series and parallel arcing faults on dwelling unit branch circuits.
Question 4: GFCI protection for all 125-volt, single-phase, 15 and 20-ampere receptacles is required in which of the following outdoor dwelling unit locations?
- Covered porches only
- Receptacles above 6 feet only
- All outdoor receptacle locations (Correct answer)
- Only those near swimming pools
Correct answer: All outdoor receptacle locations
NEC 210.8(A)(3) requires GFCI protection for all 125-volt, single-phase, 15 and 20-ampere receptacles installed outdoors at dwelling units without exception for coverage.
Question 5: Where must the LINE terminals of a GFCI receptacle be connected?
- To the load side conductors feeding downstream outlets
- To the source conductors coming from the panelboard (Correct answer)
- To the equipment grounding conductor only
- Either set of conductors may be used interchangeably
Correct answer: To the source conductors coming from the panelboard
The LINE terminals of a GFCI receptacle must be connected to the conductors from the panelboard (supply side), while LOAD terminals feed downstream protected outlets.
Question 6: In which edition of the NEC was AFCI protection for branch circuits first required in dwelling unit bedrooms?
- 1993 NEC
- 1996 NEC
- 1999 NEC (Correct answer)
- 2002 NEC
Correct answer: 1999 NEC
AFCI protection for bedroom branch circuits was first required in the 1999 NEC edition, making bedrooms the initial location with mandatory AFCI protection.
Question 7: Which of the following is required to have GFCI protection per NEC 210.8(A)(5) in a dwelling unit unfinished basement?
- Receptacles for refrigerators only
- Receptacles within 6 feet of a utility sink only
- All 125-volt, single-phase, 15 and 20-ampere receptacles (Correct answer)
- Only receptacles near water heaters
Correct answer: All 125-volt, single-phase, 15 and 20-ampere receptacles
NEC 210.8(A)(5) requires GFCI protection for all 125-volt, single-phase, 15 and 20-ampere receptacles in the unfinished portions of basements in dwelling units.
