Journeyman Electrician’s Exam Journeyman Electrician's GFCI and AFCI Protection 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Per NEC 210.8(A)(2), which condition provides an exception to GFCI protection for receptacles in attached dwelling unit garages?
- Receptacles used for electric vehicle chargers
- Receptacles that are not readily accessible and supply only a single dedicated appliance (Correct answer)
- Receptacles installed more than 6 feet from the floor
- No exceptions exist — all garage receptacles require GFCI
Correct answer: Receptacles that are not readily accessible and supply only a single dedicated appliance
NEC 210.8(A)(2) Exception allows receptacles not readily accessible and supplying a single dedicated appliance (such as a permanently installed freezer) to omit GFCI protection.
Question 2: A combination-type AFCI breaker differs from a branch/feeder AFCI in that it provides protection against which arcing types?
- Both series and parallel arcing faults (Correct answer)
- Parallel arcing faults only
- Ground faults in addition to arc faults
- Short circuits and overloads only
Correct answer: Both series and parallel arcing faults
Combination-type AFCIs detect both series arcing (reduced current in series with load) and parallel arcing (across conductors) to provide comprehensive arc fault protection.
Question 3: GFCI protection for receptacles in commercial (other than dwelling) occupancies is required in which locations per NEC 210.8(B)?
- All interior office receptacles
- Bathrooms, rooftops, kitchens within 6 feet of a sink, and outdoor locations (Correct answer)
- Conference rooms and hallways only
- Only locations within 3 feet of electrical panels
Correct answer: Bathrooms, rooftops, kitchens within 6 feet of a sink, and outdoor locations
NEC 210.8(B) requires GFCI protection in commercial bathrooms, rooftop locations, kitchens within 6 feet of a sink, outdoor areas, and other listed wet or hazardous locations.
Question 4: What is the function of the RESET button on a GFCI receptacle?
- It tests the GFCI trip function to verify the device works
- It restores power to the outlet after the device has tripped (Correct answer)
- It increases the trip threshold during wet conditions
- It disconnects downstream outlets from GFCI protection
Correct answer: It restores power to the outlet after the device has tripped
The RESET button on a GFCI receptacle restores power after the device has tripped due to a detected ground fault or after intentional testing with the TEST button.
Question 5: Per the 2020 NEC 210.12(A), AFCI protection in dwelling units must cover branch circuit outlets in which locations?
- Bedrooms only
- All areas except bathrooms and kitchens
- All 120-volt, 15 and 20-ampere branch circuit outlets throughout the entire dwelling unit (Correct answer)
- Garages and outdoors only
Correct answer: All 120-volt, 15 and 20-ampere branch circuit outlets throughout the entire dwelling unit
The 2020 NEC 210.12(A) expanded AFCI requirements to all 120-volt, single-phase, 15 and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets or devices throughout the entire dwelling unit.
Question 6: GFCI protection is required for receptacles installed within how many feet of the inside walls of a permanently installed swimming pool at a dwelling unit?
- 6 feet
- 10 feet
- 15 feet
- 20 feet (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 20 feet
NEC 680.22(A)(5) requires GFCI protection for all 125-volt receptacles located within 20 feet of the inside walls of a permanently installed swimming pool.
Question 7: When an AFCI circuit breaker trips due to an arcing fault, how is this typically distinguished from a thermal-magnetic overload or short circuit trip?
- AFCIs trip to the same center position as overloads with no visual difference
- Most AFCI breakers have a separate indicator light or distinct button position indicating an arc fault trip (Correct answer)
- AFCI breakers lock out permanently and require replacement after tripping
- AFCI breakers produce an audible alarm only when tripped by an arc fault
Correct answer: Most AFCI breakers have a separate indicator light or distinct button position indicating an arc fault trip
Most AFCI circuit breakers include a separate trip indicator — typically a light or distinct reset button position — to communicate that the trip was caused by an arc fault rather than an overload.
