Branch Circuits practice questions

A dwelling bedroom has a floor receptacle installed 24 in. from the nearest wall. Does it count toward the required receptacle spacing under 210.52(A)?

1. A No — floor receptacles only count within 18 in. of the wall
2. B Yes — all floor receptacles satisfy the spacing requirement
3. C Yes — it's within the 2 ft wall-space width used elsewhere in this section
4. D Yes — as long as it's GFCI protected

In a dwelling unit's living room, where must the required wall-mounted lighting control device be located?

1. A At the center of the ceiling alongside the fixture
2. B Within reach of the room's general-use receptacle
3. C Near an entrance to the room, on a wall
4. D Anywhere in the room, as long as it's a listed dimmer

An attached garage in a one-family dwelling has two vehicle bays. Per 210.52(G)(1), how many receptacle outlets are required at minimum?

1. A One receptacle outlet only if the garage exceeds 200 square feet
2. B One receptacle outlet in each vehicle bay
3. C One receptacle outlet total for the whole garage
4. D No receptacle required if the garage door opener has its own circuit

A commercial building's break room has a sink with a receptacle mounted 5 ft from the top inside edge of the bowl. Per 210.8(B), is GFCI protection required?

1. A Yes, because it falls within the 6 ft zone from the sink edge
2. B Yes, but only if the receptacle is rated over 50 amperes
3. C No, because GFCI only applies to receptacles within 3 ft of a sink
4. D No, because break rooms are not listed as a covered location

Under 210.52(C)(3), a receptacle outlet mounted on or above a kitchen countertop must not exceed what height above the countertop?

1. A Not more than 12 inches above the countertop, matching the minimum work-surface width
2. B At least 15 inches above the floor, per general accessibility mounting height
3. C Not more than 18 inches above the countertop, matching backsplash clearance rules
4. D Not more than 20 inches above the countertop or work surface

Per 210.52(B)(1), which of these is NOT one of the areas the required small-appliance branch circuits must serve?

1. A Kitchen
2. B Living room
3. C Dining room
4. D Pantry

Which condition triggers the floor-outlet requirement in 210.65(B)(2)?

1. A Any floor dimension of 12 ft or more, regardless of total floor area
2. B A floor area of at least 215 ft², regardless of the room's shape
3. C The room contains fixed furniture with built-in receptacles
4. D Any floor dimension of 12 ft or more AND a floor area of at least 215 ft²

An electrician installs one receptacle on its own individual branch circuit, with no other outlets on that circuit. Which statement is correct?

1. A Both tables apply, but only to circuits rated 30 amperes or higher
2. B Table 210.21(B)(3) still sets the minimum receptacle rating, since it applies to every receptacle regardless of circuit configuration
3. C Table 210.21(B)(2) still caps the cord-and-plug load, since it applies to every receptacle regardless of circuit configuration
4. D Neither Table 210.21(B)(2) nor Table 210.21(B)(3) applies, since the circuit does not supply two or more receptacles or outlets

A single-phase 120-volt circuit supplies a 20-ampere load 100 feet away, wired with 12 AWG copper. Using the K-method (K = 12.9 for copper), what is the approximate voltage drop?

1. A 3.95 V
2. B 12.99 V
3. C 6.84 V
4. D 7.90 V

A 20 A branch circuit already supplies several luminaires. Someone wants to add a cord-and-plug-connected shop vacuum rated above 80 percent of the circuit's ampere rating. Is this permitted?

1. A Yes — cord-and-plug equipment is exempt from percentage limits whenever the circuit also serves lighting
2. B No — cord-and-plug-connected equipment may never share a circuit with luminaires
3. C Yes — the 80 percent cap only applies to fastened-in-place equipment, not cord-and-plug loads
4. D No — 210.23(B)(1) limits any one cord-and-plug-connected load not fastened in place to 80 percent of the branch-circuit rating

Under 210.23(C), a 30-ampere branch circuit supplying fixed lighting units with heavy-duty lampholders is permitted in which occupancies?

1. A Industrial occupancies only
2. B Any occupancy without restriction
3. C Dwelling units only
4. D Any occupancy other than a dwelling unit

Under 210.12(B), which branch circuit in a dwelling unit is NOT required to have AFCI protection?

1. A A 20-ampere circuit supplying receptacles in a laundry area
2. B A 240-volt, 30-ampere circuit supplying a dryer outlet
3. C A 15-ampere circuit supplying a hallway lighting outlet
4. D A 15-ampere circuit supplying lighting outlets in a bedroom

A 12 AWG branch circuit runs 65 ft from the panel to the first outlet box in nonmetallic cable, and the installer wants to use the supplemental arc protection circuit breaker method combined with an outlet branch-circuit-type AFCI. Is this permitted?

1. A No, because the 50 ft limit applies regardless of conductor size
2. B Yes, but only if the first outlet box is left unmarked
3. C No, because this method requires metal raceway for the entire run
4. D Yes, because 65 ft is within the 70 ft limit that applies to 12 AWG conductors

Per 210.52(D), how close must the required receptacle outlet be to a bathroom sink?

1. A Within 1.8 m (6 ft), matching the general wall-space spacing rule for receptacles
2. B Anywhere in the bathroom, as long as one receptacle is present
3. C Within 900 mm (3 ft) of the outside edge of the sink
4. D Within 900 mm (3 ft) of the bathroom door

Per 210.11(A), what governs the minimum number of branch circuits an installation must have?

1. A The square footage of the dwelling unit alone, regardless of load
2. B The total calculated load and the size or rating of the circuits used
3. C The panelboard's maximum bus rating
4. D The number of receptacle outlets installed in the space

A branch circuit is wired with conductors sized for more ampacity than the load requires, but the overcurrent device protecting the circuit is set at 20 amperes. What is the branch circuit's rating per 210.18?

1. A The ampacity of the installed conductors, because that reflects the circuit's actual capacity
2. B 20 amperes, because the overcurrent device's rating or setting determines the circuit rating
3. C It cannot be rated until the connected load is measured
4. D Whichever value is lower between the conductor ampacity and 20 amperes, rounded to the nearest standard size

A household range rated at 9 kW is being installed. Per 210.19(C), what is the minimum branch-circuit rating required?

1. A 20 amperes
2. B 50 amperes
3. C 30 amperes
4. D 40 amperes

A branch circuit supplies a mix of continuous and noncontinuous loads. Per 210.19(A)(1), how must conductor ampacity generally be determined?

1. A Not less than 125 percent of the total combined load
2. B Not less than the rating of the largest single connected appliance
3. C Not less than the continuous load alone, ignoring noncontinuous load
4. D Not less than the noncontinuous load plus 125 percent of the continuous load

In a dwelling unit, a 125-volt receptacle is installed 5 ft from the top inside edge of a kitchen sink bowl, measured along the shortest cord path. Under 210.8(A), is GFCI protection required?

1. A No, because only receptacles serving countertop appliances near sinks require GFCI
2. B No, because the 6 ft rule is measured in a straight line and 5 ft along the cord path could exceed a 6 ft straight-line distance
3. C Yes, because it is within 6 ft of the sink as measured along the cord path
4. D Yes, but only if the receptacle is also outdoors or in a wet location

At a dwelling, an outdoor outlet supplies a boathouse on a single-phase, 50-ampere, 150-volt-to-ground branch circuit. What does 210.8(F) require?

1. A GFCI protection for the outlet
2. B AFCI protection instead of GFCI protection
3. C No GFCI protection since boathouses are exempt from 210.8
4. D GFCI protection only if the circuit exceeds 50 amperes

Under 210.8(D), which factor determines whether an appliance needs GFCI protection on its branch circuit or outlet?

1. A Whether the appliance is on the list of specific appliances named in 210.8(D)
2. B Whether the appliance is installed within a dwelling unit
3. C Whether the appliance is installed in a damp or wet location
4. D Whether the appliance is cord-and-plug connected rather than hardwired

A dwelling unit hallway runs 12 ft along its centerline without passing through any doorway. Which section requires a receptacle outlet for this hallway?

1. A 210.52(H)
2. B 210.52(I)
3. C 210.52(G)(3)
4. D 210.52(A)(1)

A ground-mounted condensing unit serves a two-story dwelling. The nearest accessible receptacle is 20 feet away but is on the second-floor balcony. Does this satisfy 210.63(A)?

1. A No, because the receptacle is not on the same level as the equipment
2. B No, because 210.63(A) requires the receptacle inside the equipment's disconnect enclosure
3. C Yes, because it is on the same structure as the equipment
4. D Yes, because it is within 25 feet of the equipment

A multiwire branch circuit feeds a single piece of utilization equipment that requires 240V line-to-line power. Is this permitted under 210.4(C)?

1. A No, multiwire branch circuits can never supply line-to-line loads
2. B Yes, but only if the neutral is oversized
3. C Yes, because the circuit supplies only one utilization equipment
4. D No, unless the equipment is in a dwelling unit

An electrician sizes a branch-circuit OCPD to match the conductor's ampacity under 240.4 and considers the job done. What has been overlooked per 210.20?

1. A Nothing — conductor ampacity is the only requirement for OCPD sizing
2. B OCPD sizing has no relationship to the connected equipment
3. C Flexible cord protection under 240.5 replaces conductor protection under 240.4
4. D The equipment and outlet device rating limits also cap the OCPD

Under 210.20(A), what is the minimum overcurrent device rating required for a branch circuit supplying both continuous and noncontinuous loads, using standard (not 100%-rated) equipment?

1. A Not less than 125% of the sum of both loads
2. B Not less than the sum of both loads, with no multiplier applied
3. C Not less than the continuous load plus 125% of the noncontinuous load
4. D Not less than the noncontinuous load plus 125% of the continuous load

A one-family dwelling has a grade-level entrance. Under 210.52(E)(1), where must outdoor receptacle outlets be installed?

1. A Only if the dwelling includes an attached garage
2. B At the front only, since that's the main entrance
3. C At the front and back of the dwelling
4. D At every exterior door of the dwelling

A dwelling unit's washing machine will be permanently plumbed into a laundry room corner. Per 210.50(C), where must its receptacle outlet be located?

1. A Anywhere within the laundry room
2. B Within 0.9 m (3 ft) of the washer's intended location
3. C Within 1.8 m (6 ft) of the washer's intended location
4. D Directly behind the washer, with no distance limit specified

A luminaire with a standard medium-base screw shell lampholder is to be installed on a 277-volt-to-ground branch circuit. Under what condition is this permitted?

1. A Never — medium-base screw shell lampholders are prohibited above 120 volts to ground
2. B Only if the branch circuit is dedicated to a single luminaire
3. C Only if the luminaire is mounted at least 18 ft above grade
4. D Only if the lampholder is supplied at 120 volts or less from an integral stepdown autotransformer, LED driver, or other power supply

Which of these loads may be supplied by a 10-ampere branch circuit?

1. A A garage door opener
2. B A dwelling unit bathroom exhaust fan on the bathroom's lighting circuit
3. C A general-use receptacle for a countertop appliance
4. D A laundry room receptacle outlet

A commercial kitchen has a fixed-in-place cooking appliance that requires a 45-ampere branch circuit. Which section permits sizing a branch circuit at this amperage to serve fastened-in-place cooking equipment?

1. A 210.23(D)
2. B 210.23(E)
3. C 210.23(C)
4. D 210.23(B)

An existing branch circuit in a dwelling bedroom is extended 3 ft to relocate a switch, with no new outlets added and only a splice made. What does 210.12(E) require?

1. A No AFCI protection is required because the extension is within the 6-ft, no-new-outlet exception
2. B AFCI protection is required only if the switch is replaced with a dimmer
3. C AFCI protection is required regardless of extension length
4. D AFCI protection is required because a splice was made

In a nursing home, which area requires AFCI protection under 210.12(D)?

1. A An administrative office
2. B The staff break room
3. C The facility's main corridor
4. D An area used exclusively as a patient sleeping room

In a dwelling unit, what is required for the bathroom receptacle outlet(s) under 210.11(C)(3)?

1. A A 120-volt, 15-ampere branch circuit shared with the bathroom lighting
2. B A 120-volt, 20-ampere branch circuit with no other outlets, unless it serves a single bathroom
3. C A 240-volt, 20-ampere branch circuit dedicated to the whole bathroom group
4. D Any general-purpose 15- or 20-ampere circuit already serving the hallway

A residential branch circuit uses copper conductors and feeds two receptacles plus a fastened-in-place appliance. The electrician wants a quick-reference table showing the minimum conductor size, OCPD rating, and outlet device ratings permitted for that circuit ampacity before checking the detailed rules. Which section hosts that summary table?

1. A 210.24
2. B 210.23
3. C 210.21
4. D 210.20

A 20-ampere branch circuit supplies several general-use receptacles for cord-and-plug-connected portable tools in a workshop. Per 210.19(B), what is the minimum required conductor ampacity?

1. A At least 20 amperes, matching the branch-circuit rating
2. B Conductors sized using only the continuous-load 80% factor, regardless of receptacle count
3. C At least 15 amperes, since most portable tools draw under 15 A
4. D Conductors sized to the single largest portable tool expected to be plugged in

A branch circuit rated 30 amperes feeds a tap conductor to an individual luminaire, with the tap extending only 300 mm (12 in.) beyond the luminaire. What minimum ampacity must that tap conductor have, beyond being sized for the load itself?

1. A 30 A minimum, matching the branch-circuit rating
2. B No added minimum — sizing for the load served is enough
3. C 15 A minimum, because the circuit is rated less than 40 A
4. D 20 A minimum, the same floor used for 40–50 A circuits

A circuit supplies a 40-ampere continuous load and a 20-ampere noncontinuous load. What is the minimum conductor ampacity / overcurrent-device rating required by NEC 210.19(A)(1) and 210.20(A)?

1. A 70 A
2. B 50 A
3. C 75 A
4. D 60 A

Which statement correctly describes the branch circuit required for receptacle outlets in an attached dwelling garage?

1. A It may be shared with the laundry circuit as long as total load stays under 20 amperes
2. B It must be a dedicated 15-ampere circuit supplying receptacles only
3. C It must be a dedicated 120-volt, 20-ampere circuit supplying no other outlets
4. D It may also supply the garage lighting outlets since both are in the same space

A motel guest room bathroom has a required lighting outlet. Which control arrangement satisfies 210.70(B)?

1. A A listed wall-mounted control device
2. B An occupancy sensor with no wall switch and no manual override
3. C The outlet left continuously energized with no control device
4. D A switched receptacle installed in lieu of the lighting outlet

A hotel guest suite has permanent provisions for cooking. Which receptacle requirement applies under 210.60(A)?

1. A No receptacle spacing requirements apply because it is a commercial occupancy
2. B Only the small-appliance branch-circuit receptacle rule applies
3. C Only 210.52(A) and (D) apply, same as a standard guest room
4. D All applicable receptacle placement rules in 210.52 apply

In a dwelling unit, the 20-ampere laundry branch circuit required by 210.11(C)(2) may also supply which of the following?

1. A General-purpose receptacles in an adjacent hallway
2. B A receptacle for a garage freezer
3. C No other outlets besides the laundry receptacle outlet(s)
4. D A laundry room ceiling light