Electrical Systems Flashcards

Which wire color is used for the ungrounded (hot) conductor in standard US residential 120V wiring?

Answer: Black

Black is the standard color for the ungrounded (hot) conductor in 120V residential circuits.

A home inspector observes a 240V dryer circuit using a 3-wire connection to a newer dryer. What is the issue?

Answer: Dryers require 4-wire connections in new installations per current NEC

Current NEC requires 4-wire connections (two hots, neutral, and ground) for new dryer installations to separate the neutral and ground.

What is the standard amperage rating for a residential kitchen small appliance circuit?

Answer: 20 amps

NEC requires at least two 20-amp small appliance circuits for kitchen countertop receptacles.

An inspector finds a subpanel in a detached garage where the neutral and ground bars are bonded together. What should be reported?

Answer: This is a defect; subpanels must have separate neutral and ground bars

In subpanels, the neutral and ground must be separated; bonding is only done at the main service panel.

What type of protection is required for receptacles in a bathroom, within 6 feet of a sink?

Answer: GFCI protection

GFCI protection is required for all bathroom receptacles due to the presence of water.

A home inspector observes wiring connections made with wire nuts inside a wall without a junction box. What should be reported?

Answer: All wiring splices must be made inside an accessible, covered junction box

NEC requires all wiring splices to be enclosed in accessible junction boxes with proper covers.

Which of the following is NOT a required location for AFCI protection in newer construction under current NEC?

Answer: Bathroom circuits

Bathroom circuits require GFCI protection, not AFCI; AFCI is required for bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, and most habitable spaces.