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.
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?