NASCLA Journeyman Electrician Exam Questions

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81.

A barrier is a physical obstruction that is intended to prevent contact with equipment or?

  • Energized electrical conductors and circuit parts

  • Accidental contact with equipment or energized parts

  • A safe work place

  • A warning and to limit access

Correct answer: Energized electrical conductors and circuit parts

The NFPA's definition of a barrier is a physical obstruction that is intended to prevent contact with equipment or energized electrical conductors and circuit parts. This is the cardboard-like, plastic, and other materials commonly found in electrical panels and equipment.

Review NFPA definitions for clarity on employing LOTO and other electrical safety measures. They are enlightening.

The other options may be provided by the definition, or are definitions of similar but different verbiage.

82.

How far are cabinets allowed to be from the finished surface walls of concrete, tile, or other non-combustible material to the front edge of the cabinet?

  • 6 mm (1/4 in)

  • 8mm (3/8 in)

  • They must be flush

  • 4 mm (3/16 in)

Correct answer: 6 mm (1/4 in)

In the question, identify wiring methods and materials. This is primarily a method. Then identify cabinet.

Finally, under position in wall is where you will find your answer.

83.

The Code is intended to be suitable for mandatory application by governmental bodies that exercise legal jurisdiction over electrical installations, including signaling and communications systems, and what other group or entity? 

  • Insurance inspectors

  • OSHA

  • ANSI

  • IEEE

Correct answer: Insurance inspectors

Code enforcement comes from various avenues. The insurance industry plays no small role in this. The Electrical Code is developed by four groups:

  • Fire marshalls
  • Electrical engineers and electricians
  • Private industry manufacturing reps
  • Insurance industry reps

Insurance industry reps have an influence on what an electrician does daily. Being aware of this helps to develop one's understanding that the job of an electrician affects all of society. Additionally, good electricians understand the role insurance plays in daily job costs.

84.

For a nonshielded conductor carrying over 1000 volts, the conductor shall not be bent to a radius less than how many times the overall diameter?

  • 8x

  • 7x

  • 4x

  • 12x

Correct answer: 8x

The answer to this question first concerns a general wiring method. Second, there is a requirement for over 1000 volts, nominal. Finally, it concerns the conductor bending radius. 

The radius of conductor bends is a serious consideration for all electricians. These bends in conductors are spelled out in detail in various articles and sections of the NEC. There are a few common solutions regarding common materials (MC, FMC, etc.) that may be remembered. However, due to the number of rules, materials, voltages, and other numerous considerations, the radius of conductor bends are best taken individually.

The other options are simply bending radii for other solutions. They do not apply here and are not interchangeable.

85.

How shall a fuse or overcurrent device be connected to each ungrounded conductor?

  • In series

  • At the point at which the circuit originates

  • In parallel

  • Yolked

Correct answer: In series

This question centers on overcurrent protection. The protection here is applied to devices. Overcurrent devices serve ungrounded conductors and are required on all ungrounded conductors. Then the question's focus is the connection. The answer is a detail learned in basic electrical classes, found in the paragraph on overcurrent device requirements under ungrounded conductors, which is under overcurrent protection.

The other options may deal with these issues, but are not the correct answer.

86.

What is the primary characteristic of an insulator?   

  • It resists the flow of electricity

  • It contains seven or eight electrons

  • Their atoms are extremely stable

  • The electrons are held tightly

Correct answer: It resists the flow of electricity

Insulators are materials that resist the flow of electricity. Rubber, plastic, glass, and wood are good examples.

Any material that has seven or eight valence electrons is known as an insulator. If a free electron strikes one of the electrons of the atom in an insulating material, the energy of the moving electron is divided so many times it has little effect on that atom.

That said, if wire insulation is thin from extrusion or there are nicks, electricity could easily find its way out, causing a hazard.

The other options are all molecularly true, but are not the primary characteristic of insulators.  

87.

What are snap switches, dimmers, and control switches required to provide to connect metal faceplates to the equipment bonding jumper?

  • A means

  • A method

  • Equipment

  • A lead

Correct answer: A means

There are four items to identify in this question:

  • Equipment for general use
  • Switches
  • General-use snap switches, dimmers, and control switches
  • Grounding

This is the order in the Code. But any items identified can then be ordered to find the answer.

This is the Code way of saying the device must have a ground screw. Learning how the Code applies the various definitions of these words will help you locate answers in the Code.

The other options are nearly synonymous, but not accurate. 

88.

What is a device or group of devices that serves to govern, in some predetermined manner, the electric power delivered to the apparatus to which it is connected?

  • Controller

  • Selective coordination

  • Charge controller

  • Class 2 circuit

Correct answer: Controller

A controller governs the (main) power to the apparatus it's connected to. A charge controller is equipment that deals with dc applications, usually batteries. Other options are circuits or conditions present in certain circuits, individually defined in Article 100. Circuits often have similar uses and characteristics. Therefore, these definitions can easily be confused or conflated without thorough understanding or hands-on experience.

For electrical licensing exams, first understand NEC definitions found in Article 100. Electricians must then apply the definitions to the specific conditions and applications of the electrical installations and functions at hand. While definitions do not change, conditions, applications, installations, and functions are variables that do often change. Electricians must evaluate these variables to properly apply definitions. At times there are more variables than mentioned here. See Section 2 (xxx.2) of other articles for possible additional definitions.

89.

What additional test(s) should always be done to meters when testing live circuits?

  • Live-dead-live

  • Function test

  • Load testing

  • Megging

Correct answer: Live-dead-live

A test of your meter on a known live protected circuit (such as an outlet) should be done before and after testing any circuit you will or may come in contact with. This ensures your meter was good before and after the test of what you are going to touch. This small step has saved lives.

Meter fuses and internal parts can also be damaged without any external indications. Test your tester on a known live and safe circuit before and after each test.

90.

Requirements for conductors for general wiring are for those conductors rated up to and including how many volts?

  • 2000 volts

  • 1000 volts

  • 600 volts

  • 480 volts

Correct answer: 2000 volts

These are the conductors electricians most often deal with. As medium voltage is directly addressed elsewhere in the Code, 2000 volts and below is, by default, low voltage. 

This may sound odd as the term low voltage is often used when discussing dc voltages 24v and below. Even doorbell-type transforms (roughly 5-70 volts ac) are commonly referred to as low voltage. High voltage is a term often used when discussing 277/480v applications. High lecz refers to a phase of higher voltage. This is how electricians talk every day, yet these phrases are often misnomers. 

Code separation of medium and high voltages are effectively different. The conditions at hand in the discussion often determine what the terms low, medium, and high refer to.

These requirements don't apply to conductors for integral parts of equipment such as motors, motor controllers, or similar equipment, or for conductors specifically addressed elsewhere in the Code.

The other options are common voltage reference points that do not apply here. 

91.

In a home, what is the required minimum width of a work surface for the required receptacles to be required to be placed within 4 feet of each other? 

  • 300 mm (12 in)

  • 450 mm (18 in)

  • 600 mm (2 ft)

  • 102 mm (4 in)

Correct answer: 300 mm (12 in)

The focus here is wall space required for outlets as it (the wall space) pertains to countertops and work surfaces in dwelling units. 

There are several requirements included in this question. Each requirement depends upon another within 210.52 for the other requirement to be true. Together they support what the question is asking. The 4 feet called for in the question is expressed in the Code as: "no point along the wall line is more than 600 mm (24 in)..." In Code exams, identifying what is asked is far more important than memorization.

The other options are measurement considerations in this section of the Code that do not apply to this question.

92.

What is required of any opening through which a conductor enters a cabinet or cutout box?

  • To be closed in an approved manner

  • To be properly sized

  • A bushing

  • Use duct seal around the wire

Correct answer: To be closed in an approved manner

Openings to be closed is the focus of this question. This is a wiring method that may require materials (the approved method). Cabinet and cutout box are obvious. Use these to work through the Code to find your answer.

The other options are true, but not the correct answer.

93.

You built a simple balcony attached to the house on the second floor for your primary bedroom. The sliding door opening measures 8 feet. The wall line on the inside of the three balcony walls and house measures 24 feet from existing outlets.

How many outlets does the code require?

  • One

  • Two

  • Three

  • Four

Correct answer: One

The key factors to consider are balcony, deck or porch, outdoor outlets, and for homes. Any balcony, deck, or porch that is within 4 inches measured horizontally requires only one outlet. 

The other things mentioned in the question are considerations for outlets in dwellings, but do not apply here.

The other options could result from applying considerations the Code does not require.

94.

Who is responsible for lockout/tagout (LOTO) principles?

  • Each person

  • The employer

  • OSHA

  • NFPA

Correct answer: Each person

Employee involvement is what you need to identify here. Lockout/tagout principles are cornerstone to establishing an electrically safe work condition. This is a general requirement for electrical safety-related work practices. 

NFPA 70E Article 120.2(A) says that each person who could be exposed directly or indirectly to a source of electrical energy shall be involved in the LOTO procedure. This means being included in the development of these procedures as well.

Here, employees have a duty to stand up and require these safety measures to be in place. Employers at large jobsites across the country now regularly say, “Everyone goes home healthy at the end of the day”. Safe work practices ensure this. If your work practices do not, speak up!

95.

What is the process of removing the source of electrical power and installing a lock to prevent the power from being turned back on?

  • Lockout

  • Tagout

  • Locking the door

  • Locking the keybox

Correct answer: Lockout

Lockout is the first step of the lockout/tagout procedures. 

There may be several discussions about the specifics of the work to be performed and the steps to be taken. But actually locking it is the first step.

96.

If moisture may contact live parts through conduits or raceways buried underground, these conduits and raceways shall then be what, at either or both ends?

  • Sealed or plugged

  • Encased in concrete

  • Stopped with suitable pipe dope 

  • Proofed with STL 8 applied to all threads

Correct answer: Sealed or plugged

The issue here is raceway seals. This concerns underground installations and is a general requirement for wiring methods. 

This is commonly addressed. Sealing of spare or unused raceways is also required. The sealant used is required to be identified with the cable and conductors within the raceway.

Other options are all materials or methods used in underground installations, or may be used to seal or plug, but do not satisfy the Code answer.

97.

Electrical safety training is required of all employees by all employers. This training is required to consist of what types of training?

  • Classroom, on the job, or a combination of the two

  • Videos, text, or a combination of the two

  • Formal education, on the job, or a combination of the two

  • Self-study, on the job, or a combination of the two

Correct answer: Classroom, on the job, or a combination of the two

As with all NFPA, OSHA, or Code-type literature, learn to recognize the key words or elements of the question. This will help you find the references needed to find your answer in each question or scenario.

Here, those key elements are: type of training, electrical safety training, and training requirements. These are all general requirements for electrical safety-related work practices.

Be proactive in your company’s safety programs. They are designed to keep you safe, to be there for loved ones. If someone does get hurt, there are always more people affected.

Th other options may be a part of training, but do not satisfy the question.

98.

What is the land and buildings of a user located on the user side of the utility-user network point of demarcation known as?

  • Premises

  • Property

  • Block

  • Dwelling

Correct answer: Premises

NEC's simple definition of premises is the land and buildings of a user located on the user side of the utility-user network point of demarcation.

The other options are common terms used in communication installation requirements. 

99.

Screws that attach a dimmer to their box are required to be the type provided with the listed device. Or, they may be machine screws with how many threads per inch?

  • 32 threads per inch

  • 16 threads per inch

  • 24 threads per inch

  • 20 threads per inch

Correct answer: 32 threads per inch

 There are four items to identify in this question. 

  • Equipment for general use
  • Switches
  • Mounting of general-use snap switches, dimmers, and control switches
  • Box mounted

This is the order in the Code. But any items identified can then be ordered to find the answer. There are generally two to five items. Be aware of references to other sections of the Code within these identified items.

Electricians use several types of small screws. These are not interchangeable.

100.

Which of the following is a fitting intended to terminate a cord to a box and reduce the strain at points of termination, and may include an explosion proof, dust-ignitionproof, or flameproof seal?

  • A cord connector

  • Explosion-proof equipment

  • Increased safety “e”

  • Intrinsic safety “i”

Correct answer: A cord connector

This is the NEC definition of a cord connector.

Most hazardous items are specifically marked. Here is an example of the Code including parameters not normally thought to be part of simple definitions.

The other options are defined separately. If you do not know them, review them.