NHIE Electrical Systems 2

Question 1

A home inspector finds aluminum wiring connected to a standard copper-rated outlet. What is the primary concern?

Accepted Answer

Aluminum and copper expand at different rates, causing loose connections and fire risk

Answer

Aluminum is too rigid to make reliable connections

Answer

Aluminum wiring requires larger gauge than copper

Answer

Aluminum wiring is not permitted in residential construction

Question 2

What is the minimum clearance required between the top of a residential service panel and the ceiling?

Accepted Answer

36 inches

Answer

24 inches

Answer

48 inches

Answer

No clearance required if the panel face is accessible

Question 3

A home inspector observes double-tapped breakers in a panel. Which scenario is acceptable?

Accepted Answer

Only on breakers specifically listed and labeled for two conductors

Answer

Any two 15-amp circuits can share one breaker

Answer

Only if both wires are the same gauge

Answer

Double-tapping is never acceptable in any panel

Question 4

What does a GFCI receptacle protect against that a standard circuit breaker does not?

Accepted Answer

Ground faults where current takes an unintended path through a person

Answer

Overloads caused by too many appliances

Answer

Short circuits between hot and neutral conductors

Answer

Voltage surges from lightning strikes

Question 5

During an inspection, a home inspector notes that the grounding electrode conductor is spliced. What should the inspector report?

Accepted Answer

The grounding electrode conductor must be continuous without splices

Answer

Splices are permitted if made with approved connectors

Answer

Splices are acceptable only if inside a junction box

Answer

Splices are permitted only in the panel enclosure

Question 6

What is the purpose of the main bonding jumper in a service panel?

Accepted Answer

It connects the neutral bar to the grounding bar in the main panel

Answer

It provides a path for surge current to the utility transformer

Answer

It connects the panel enclosure to the grounding electrode

Answer

It separates the grounded and grounding conductors in subpanels

Question 7

A home inspector finds knob-and-tube wiring in an attic that has been buried under blown-in insulation. Why is this a concern?

Accepted Answer

Knob-and-tube relies on air circulation for cooling and insulation removes this

Answer

Knob-and-tube wiring is not approved for attic locations

Answer

Insulation adds too much weight to the old wire insulation

Answer

The wiring must be visible for fire code compliance