Journeyman/Master Electrician License Exam National Electrical Code Navigation and General Requirements Syllabus

National Electrical Code Navigation and General Requirements syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for National Electrical Code Navigation and General Requirements in Journeyman/Master Electrician License Exam, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Code Structure and Administration

   4 topics

   • Layout of the NEC
     • Chapters 1-9, annexes, and how they interrelate
     • Articles, parts, sections, and tables
     • Using the index and table of contents efficiently
   • Definitions (Article 100)
     • Key terms: dwelling unit, accessible, in sight from, qualified person
     • Listed, labeled, identified, and approved
   • General Requirements (Article 110)
     • Working space about equipment (Table 110.26)
     • Equipment marking, terminations, and torque
     • Available fault current and arc-flash labeling
   • Mandatory Rules, Permissive Rules, and Explanatory Material
     • Interpreting 'shall' vs. 'shall be permitted'
     • Role of informational notes
2. 2

   Branch Circuits, Feeders, and Outlets

   4 topics

   • Branch Circuit Ratings and Classifications (Article 210)
     • Permissible loads on 15, 20, 30, 40, and 50 amp circuits
     • Multiwire branch circuits and handle ties
     • Continuous loads and the 125% rule
   • Required Receptacle and Lighting Outlets
     • Dwelling small-appliance, laundry, and bathroom circuits
     • Receptacle spacing along walls and countertops
     • GFCI and AFCI required locations
   • Feeders (Article 215)
     • Minimum feeder size and ampacity
     • Feeder equipment grounding conductor sizing
   • Outside Branch Circuits and Feeders (Article 225)
     • Clearances over roofs and grade
     • Disconnects for separate buildings
3. 3

   Services and Overcurrent Protection

   3 topics

   • Service Conductors and Equipment (Article 230)
     • Number of services and service disconnect rules
     • Service-entrance clearances and drip loops
     • Service disconnect grouping (six-handle / emergency disconnect)
   • Overcurrent Protection (Article 240)
     • Standard ampere ratings and the next-size-up rule
     • Tap rules (10-foot and 25-foot taps)
     • Overcurrent device location and accessibility
   • Conductor Ampacity and the Small-Conductor Rules
     • Small-conductor protection (240.4(D))
     • Series-rated vs. fully-rated systems
4. 4

   Grounding and Bonding

   4 topics

   • System and Equipment Grounding (Article 250)
     • Grounded vs. grounding conductors
     • Main bonding jumper and system bonding jumper
   • Grounding Electrode System
     • Permitted electrodes and the 25-ohm rule
     • Grounding electrode conductor sizing (Table 250.66)
   • Equipment Grounding Conductor Sizing
     • Table 250.122 application
     • Upsizing EGC for voltage-drop-adjusted conductors
   • Bonding of Services and Metal Piping
     • Bonding around concentric/eccentric knockouts
     • Bonding metal water and gas piping systems

National Electrical Code Navigation and General Requirements flashcards for Journeyman/Master Electrician License Exam

25 of 61 cards from the National Electrical Code Navigation and General Requirements deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. In what general organizational order is the National Electrical Code (NEC) laid out, from the introduction to the appendices?

   It starts with Article 90 (Introduction), then nine Chapters: Chapters 1-4 are general (apply to all installations), Chapters 5, 6, and 7 are special (occupancies, equipment, conditions), Chapter 8 covers communications systems (independent unless a rule references Chapters 1-7), and Chapter 9 contains tables. Informative Annexes (A-J) follow but are not enforceable.

2. What is the purpose of NEC Article 90, and is it itself an enforceable part of the Code?

   Article 90 is the Introduction. It states the Code's purpose (the practical safeguarding of persons and property from electrical hazards), its scope, arrangement, and how it is to be enforced and applied. It is enforceable text, not merely commentary.

3. Per Article 90.1, the NEC is described as a safety standard but NOT what two things?

   It is not intended as a design specification and not intended as an instruction manual for untrained persons. Compliance plus proper maintenance results in an installation that is essentially free from hazard but not necessarily efficient, convenient, or adequate for good service or future expansion.

4. What is the difference between a mandatory rule and a permissive rule in the NEC, and what signal words identify each?

   A mandatory rule states an action that is required or prohibited and uses the words 'shall' or 'shall not.' A permissive rule describes options or alternatives that are allowed but not required, using 'shall be permitted' or 'shall not be required.'

5. What is explanatory material in the NEC, how is it identified, and is it enforceable?

   Explanatory material appears as Informational Notes (formerly Fine Print Notes). It is identified by being labeled 'Informational Note' and is intended for clarification or reference only. It is NOT enforceable as a requirement.

6. Article 100 defines a 'receptacle.' What is the NEC definition?

   A receptacle is a contact device installed at an outlet for the connection of an attachment plug (or for the direct connection of electrical utilization equipment designed to mate with the corresponding contact device). A single receptacle is one contact device with no other on the same yoke; a duplex (multiple) receptacle has two or more on the same yoke.

7. Per Article 100, what is an 'outlet'?

   An outlet is a point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment. (Compare to a receptacle, which is the device installed at an outlet.)

8. How does Article 100 distinguish a 'branch circuit' from a 'feeder'?

   A branch circuit is the circuit conductors between the final overcurrent device protecting the circuit and the outlet(s). A feeder is all circuit conductors between the service equipment (or the source of a separately derived system, or other power supply source) and the final branch-circuit overcurrent device.

9. Per Article 100, what is the precise definition of the 'service point'?

   The service point is the point of connection between the facilities of the serving utility and the premises wiring. It marks the dividing line between utility-owned conductors and the premises wiring covered by the NEC.

10. Article 100 defines 'ampacity.' What is it?

    Ampacity is the maximum current, in amperes, that a conductor can carry continuously under the conditions of use without exceeding its temperature rating.

11. What is a 'continuous load' as defined in Article 100, and why does it matter?

    A continuous load is a load where the maximum current is expected to continue for 3 hours or more. It matters because branch-circuit and feeder conductors and overcurrent devices supplying continuous loads must generally be sized at 125% of the continuous load (i.e., the load is limited to 80% of the device rating).

12. Per Article 110.3(B), what is the rule regarding listed and labeled equipment?

    Listed or labeled equipment must be installed and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling. Deviating from those instructions is an NEC violation.

13. What are the required minimum working clearances (depth) in front of electrical equipment 0-150 V to ground per Table 110.26(A)(1) for Conditions 1, 2, and 3?

    For 0-150 V to ground: Condition 1 = $0.9\text{ m}$ ($3\text{ ft}$), Condition 2 = $0.9\text{ m}$ ($3\text{ ft}$), Condition 3 = $0.9\text{ m}$ ($3\text{ ft}$). (At this voltage range all three conditions require 3 ft.)

14. Per Article 110.26, what minimum width and height must be maintained for the working space about electrical equipment likely to be examined or serviced while energized?

    The working space width must be the width of the equipment or $762\text{ mm}$ ($30\text{ in}$), whichever is greater, and must permit a 90-degree door opening. The headroom (height) must be at least $2.0\text{ m}$ ($6.5\text{ ft}$) or the height of the equipment, whichever is greater.

15. Per Article 110.14(C), what governs the temperature rating used for conductor ampacity at terminations?

    Conductor ampacity at a termination is limited by the lowest temperature rating of any connected termination, conductor, or device. For equipment rated 100 A or less (or marked for #14-#1 conductors), terminations are generally rated 60°C unless marked otherwise; for over 100 A, generally 75°C, unless the equipment is listed and marked for a higher temperature.

16. What three standard nominal voltages or system arrangements does Article 110 require the available short-circuit current and equipment to be capable of withstanding (interrupting/short-circuit current rating)?

    Per 110.9 (interrupting rating) and 110.10 (circuit impedance/short-circuit ratings), equipment intended to interrupt current must have an interrupting rating at least equal to the available fault current, and the overcurrent devices, total impedance, equipment short-circuit current ratings, and protection must be selected so that the available fault current at the terminals does not exceed the equipment's withstand/short-circuit current rating.

17. What are the standard ampere ratings for branch circuits per Article 210.3 / 240.6(A)?

    Standard branch-circuit ratings (fixed-trip) are 15, 20, 30, 40, and 50 amperes. Other standard fuse/breaker ratings include 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 125, 150, 175, 200 A, and higher.

18. Per Article 210, what is the maximum load (continuous plus noncontinuous) permitted on a branch circuit, and how is the continuous portion treated?

    The branch-circuit rating must be at least the noncontinuous load plus 125% of the continuous load. Expressed as a formula: $$I_{circuit} \geq I_{noncontinuous} + 1.25 \times I_{continuous}$$ The total connected load must not exceed the branch-circuit rating.

19. On a multi-outlet branch circuit, per Table 210.21(B)(2), what is the maximum load a single receptacle may serve relative to the circuit rating, and for a 20 A circuit what is the max cord-and-plug load on one receptacle of two or more?

    On a circuit supplying two or more receptacles, a single cord-and-plug-connected load on one receptacle must not exceed 80% of the receptacle rating. On a 20 A circuit, that limits one piece of equipment to $0.80 \times 20 = 16\text{ A}$.

20. Per Article 210.8(A), name at least five locations in dwelling units where 125 V to 250 V receptacles require GFCI protection.

    GFCI protection is required for receptacles in: bathrooms, garages and accessory buildings, outdoors, crawl spaces, basements (finished and unfinished), kitchens (serving countertop and within 6 ft of a sink), laundry areas, boathouses, and areas with sinks/within 6 ft of a sink. (Any five of these.)

21. What is the small-appliance branch circuit requirement for dwelling kitchens per Article 210.11(C)(1) and 210.52(B)?

    At least two 20 A small-appliance branch circuits must be provided for the receptacle outlets serving the kitchen, pantry, breakfast room, dining room, or similar areas. These circuits must have no other outlets (with limited exceptions like a clock or gas-range outlet).

22. Per Article 210.52(A), what is the spacing rule for receptacle outlets in dwelling habitable rooms (the '6-12 rule')?

    Receptacles must be placed so that no point along the floor line of any wall is more than $1.8\text{ m}$ ($6\text{ ft}$) from a receptacle, meaning receptacles are spaced no more than $3.6\text{ m}$ ($12\text{ ft}$) apart. Any wall space $0.6\text{ m}$ ($2\text{ ft}$) or wider requires a receptacle.

23. Per Article 210.52(C), what is the maximum spacing for kitchen countertop receptacles, and which countertops require one?

    For countertops $300\text{ mm}$ ($12\text{ in}$) or wider, receptacles must be placed so no point along the wall countertop is more than $600\text{ mm}$ ($24\text{ in}$) from a receptacle (i.e., spaced no more than $1.2\text{ m}$ / $4\text{ ft}$ apart). Island and peninsula countertops have their own provisions.

24. Per Article 210.70, where are lighting outlets with wall switch control required in dwellings?

    At least one wall-switch-controlled lighting outlet is required in every habitable room and bathroom, at outdoor entrances/exits with grade-level access, in hallways, stairways, attached garages, and detached garages with electric power, and at attics/underfloor/utility/basement spaces used for storage or containing equipment requiring servicing.

25. Per Article 215, what minimum size must feeder conductors and the feeder overcurrent device be relative to the load?

    Feeder conductors must have an ampacity not less than the noncontinuous load plus 125% of the continuous load: $$I_{feeder} \geq I_{noncontinuous} + 1.25 \times I_{continuous}$$ and must not be smaller than required to supply the computed load per Article 220, including any required grounded (neutral) conductor.

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