E Light Electric Services, Inc © 2001 Ted “Smitty” Smith
The Test 26 Questions 1 hour timed test A little over 2 minutes per question Primarily Code Changes Grounding and Bonding Theory Your biggest enemy: TIME
You must bring with you Two forms of official Identification No money will be accepted at the test center. Tests must be prepaid A clean copy of the 2014 NEC. You can not use theirs and you can not have any notes in your copy. Highlights are allowed. Your testing confirmation number Calculator Must be non printing and silent Dual powered No alpha key board
What you can not bring Books and study material Cellular phones or pagers Cameras or recording devices PDAs Scratch paper Food or drink
Preparing for the Test Every night write out the names and articles of the all the articles in chapters 4,5 and 6 Use the Two Minute Drills that we have developed and posted on on line to improve your speed Use the Stay Sharp Practice Questions we have on the Training Web Site to help with your calculations. Aim for 2 minutes per question max.
Taking The Test Schedule an afternoon test Get plenty of sleep Do not study the night before the test Remember: It is an important test, but it is only a test. Do not let it get to you. You can do this.
Taking the Test Carbo Load before the test Write the memorized items on paper first Three passes: Banking Time Read them all and answer those you know the answer. Go through a second time and look up questions, skip calculations Go through a third time and answer the calculations
Do Not Stumble If you can not find a question in a reasonable time: 2 Minutes Skip it and come back to it after you have finished your calculations Trust your first instincts They are usually correct. If you think it is taking a long time to find answer, it probably is taking too long. Move on and come back to it.
© Ted “Smitty” Smith 2001
The National Electric Code The NEC, The Code, NFPA 70E, NFPA 72, & The National Electrical Code are all references to the NEC which is a registered trademark of the National Fire Protection Association, One Battery March Park, Quincy, MA The NFPA is the publisher of the NEC and many other standards and codes.
NFPA 70 The NEC is divided in nine chapters.NEC You should memorize the names of the 9 chapters of the NEC and try to remember brief description of each chapter. Understanding the layout of the NEC is the key to becoming more efficient at finding information in the NEC This will help you find things in the NEC much more efficiently, as you will soon learn.
NFPA 70 Chapter 1. General. This chapter covers regulations on general electrical systems and the regulations that pertain to all electrical installations. We like to refer to this chapter as the "catch all" chapter because regulations that do no fit into any other category end up here. Chapter 2. Protection. This chapter covers regulations concerning the protection of conductors and equipment from over heating and over loading. Chapter 3. Methods and Materials. This chapter covers the regulations concerning how we make general installations and the materials we use for installations. You will find articles pertaining to wire and conduit in this chapter. Chapter 4. General Equipment. This chapter covers the regulations concerning equipment that is commonly encountered on all jobs. You will find articles pertaining to motors, light fixtures and transformers here
NFPA 70 Chapter 5. Special Occupancies. This chapter covers the regulations for electrical installation in buildings other than a dwelling or standard commercial/industrial building. You will find articles pertaining to airports, fuel stations, farms, hospitals and theaters in this chapter. Chapter 6. Special Equipment. This chapter covers the regulations for equipment you may encounter but is not common to all jobs. You will find articles pertaining to welders, swimming pools, hot tubs and solar systems in this chapter. Chapter 7. Special Conditions. This chapter covers the regulations that pertain to conditions that require special rules. You will find articles pertaining to fire alarm system wiring, emergency lighting, back up generators and fiber optic systems in this chapter
NFPA 70 Chapter 8. Communications. This chapter covers the wiring and installation of communication and data systems. This chapter is considered to be a separate regulation and is not subject to the other chapters of the NEC.NEC Chapter 9. Tables and Examples. This chapter has several tables for quick reference and information and also examples of calculations required by the NECNEC
The Code Arrangement Chapters 1-4 are the National Electric Code They apply to every occupancy and all installations Chapters 5, 6, and 7 Modify and amend chapters 1-4 Chapter 8 Is a code within a code Nothing in Chapters 1-7 apply to chapter 8 unless they are specifically referenced Chapter 9 Contains tables that are referenced by more than on article A table that is referenced by a single article will appear in that table
Article 90.3 Turn in your code books to Article 90.3 and refer to the diagram on page 22. Annexes Annexes are for informational purposes only and are not requirements for the NEC The only two annexes you will need for the Journeyman’s test are C and D C is the conduit fill tables. They can only be used if all the wire is the same size and same insulation D is the example calculations and these can be a handy reference
Style Manual Chapter 2 The major break down of information in the NEC is as follows. Chapters Articles Parts Sections
Style Manual Chapter Articles. Articles are chapter subdivisions that cover a specific subject such as grounding, overcurrent protection, lighting fixtures, and so on. Each article shall have a title. Articles are divided into sections and sometimes into parts.
Style Manual Chapter Parts. If an article is sufficiently large, it shall be permitted to be subdivided into parts that correspond to logical groupings of information. Parts shall have titles and shall be designated by Roman numerals. (See example.) Parts typically consist of a number of sections; see for section numbering in articles that are subdivided into parts. “Parts” are a critical element used in the targeting method which we will discuss later.
Example of Parts Example: I Installation II Construction Specifications III Grounding
Sections Subdividing Sections. Sections shall be permitted to be subdivided for clarity, with each subdivision representing either a rule or a part of a rule. Up to three levels of subdivisions shall be permitted, and any level shall be permitted to contain a list List Formats. Lists are a method of structuring the items necessary to complete a rule. Lists in any subdivision level shall be numbered, and listed items shall be single words, phrases, or sentences. Items in a list shall not contain titles.
Parallel Numbering 2.4 Numbering Practices. The following two practices are intended to improve NEC usability by preventing the continual renumbering of articles and sections from one edition to the next Parallel Numbering Within Similar Articles. To the extent possible, Code-Making Panels are encouraged to use the same section numbers (and part numbers, where applicable) for the same purposes within articles covering similar subjects. Example: A typical family of articles might be organized as follows: Article 399 — Future Products I General Scope Definition Other Articles II Installation Uses Permitted Uses Not Permitted Bends III Construction Specifications General Sizes Marking
Exceptions 2.6 Exceptions Placement and Order. Exceptions shall immediately follow the main rule to which they apply. Where exceptions are made to items within a numbered list, the exception shall clearly indicate the items within the list to which it applies. Exceptions containing the mandatory terms shall or shall not are to be listed first in the sequence. Permissive exceptions containing shall be permitted are to follow any mandatory exceptions and be listed in their order of importance as determined by the Code-Making Panel Numbering. Where there are two or more consecutive exceptions, each shall be numbered
Breaking it Down The NEC is broken down into nine Chapters as we discussed earlier.NEC Each Chapter is broken down into Articles. Some Articles are broken down into Parts. Each Article is broken down into Sections. Some Sections are broken down into subsections.
The Concept of the Targeting Method Most electricians use the index of the NEC to find information. Using the index requires the electrician to use the entire code book to locate information and is not efficient. The key to the Targeting method is to use the Table of Contents to narrow the search area so that we are looking for information in a few pages instead of the entire code book.
The process In order to use the table of contents you must know the primary break down of information in the NEC. In other words: you need to memorize the nine chapter titles of the NEC. This will allow you to turn in the table of contents to the correct chapter and then from there refine your search.
Example Lets suppose we needed to find information concerning grounding electrodes. Which chapter of NEC will contain information on grounding? Protection Chapter 2 Turn to Chapter 2 in your table of contents and skim the page until you come to Article 250. Now notice that Article 250 has several parts and one of the parts is Grounding Electrode System and Grounding Electrode Conductor…Par t III
Example According to the Table of Contents this Part begins on page 104. Now turn to Page 104 and find the beginning of Part III. Now keep this page marked and skim the following pages until you find the beginning of Part IV of Article 250.
Example As you can see, Part III is five pages long. From Page 104 to page 109. All of the requirements for Grounding Electrodes will be found in these five pages. Now lets look at Grounding Electrodes in the Index First you will see that it refers you to Electrodes, Grounding. When we turn there we find approximately 20 references
Lets try finding something Close your code books. Find the answer to the question on the following slide using only the index. Do not use the targeting method. If you find the answer, raise your hand but do not give the answer out loud.
Conductors Branch circuit conductors for a lighting circuit are installed above a radiant heating panel in a ceiling with a clearance of 2 inches from the radiant heating panel. At what ambient temperature should the conductors be considered to be operating?
Answer 50 degrees C Now lets find this answer using the targeting method. The question is really about heating panels Heating is standard equipment and will be found in chapter 4 Article 424 is heating Part IX is Electric Radiant Heating Panels and Heating Panel Sets on Page 290
Answer Now turn to page 290 and begin scanning the bold print words only. Article contains some of the key word from the question. Clearance Ceiling Stop and read that article, and there is the answer
Lets try another This time use the Targeting Method to find the Answer Close your code books and begin when I transition the slide
Equipment Use in Occupancies How many separate systems shall be required for the Essential Electrical System in a health care facility?
Answer (B)(1)
Equipment Use The grounding conductor for a surge arrester shall be connected to which of the following: A. Grounded service conductor B. Grounding Electrode Conductor C. A separate ground rod D. Either A or B E. A, B and C
Answer D. Either A or B
Services For the purposes of determining the maximum number of service disconnects allowed for a building which of the following listed equipment installed as part of the listed service equipment and used solely for the purpose shall not be considered as one of the service disconnects? A. Main service disconnect B. Power monitoring equipment C. Control circuit of the ground-fault protection system Both B and C
Answer D. Both B and C (A)
Instructions The following slides contain questions from the NEC. The slides with questions will appear for two minutes and then automatically transition to the answer for 10 seconds. Attempt to find the answer before the slide transitions. Do not worry about writing down the answer. After you reach the stop button. Stop and click on the screen. You will then be taken through each slide manually by you clicking which will give you time write down the answers or look them up. THE PRESENTATION MUST BE IN PRESENTATION MODE IN ORDER FOR THE TIMER TO WORK> Click on Slideshow at the top and click on From Current Slide. Then click on the screen when you are ready and the timed portion will begin. This two minute drill is based on the 2014 NEC
Copyright 2005 Ted "Smitty" Smith Services The service entrance of a building may be located less than three feet from a window as long as the conductors are installed so that they___________ of the window.
Copyright 2005 Ted "Smitty" Smith Services Run above the top level 230.9(A)Ex
Copyright 2005 Ted "Smitty" Smith Overcurrent Protection According to Article ___________________ of the 2014 NEC, nonstandard fuses are permitted.
Copyright 2005 Ted "Smitty" Smith Overcurrent Protection True 240.6(A)
Copyright 2005 Ted "Smitty" Smith Services Raceways that carry service-conductors that are embedded in masonry shall be suitable for use in wet locations and __________.
Copyright 2005 Ted "Smitty" Smith Services Arranged to drain
Copyright 2005 Ted "Smitty" Smith Raceways The minimum burial depth for a nonmetallic raceway with no vehicular traffic shall be __________________ inches.
Copyright 2005 Ted "Smitty" Smith Raceways 4" Table Col. 3
Copyright 2005 Ted "Smitty" Smith Services A cable tray may serve to carry service-entrance conductors along with other conductors as long as there is a ________.
Copyright 2005 Ted "Smitty" Smith Services Solid fixed barrier and the cable tray is labeled with permanent affixed labels with the wording “Service Entrance Conductors” and placed so that they are visible after installation with a spacing not to exceed 3 feet and so that the service entrance conductors can be traced through out the cable tray system E x
Grounding For multiple separately derived systems the common grounding electrode conductor shall not be smaller than __________________.
Grounding 3/0 CU or 250Kcm AL (A)(6)(a)
Services True of False, the disconnect for a TVSS is not counted as one of the six disconnects allowed for a service.
Services True (A)
Copyright 2005 Ted "Smitty" Smith Services The service head for service entrance-conductors should be located above the point of attachment but may be located elsewhere as long as the attachment is within __________ feet.
Copyright 2005 Ted "Smitty" Smith Services 2 feet (C) Ex
STOP We will now review the Slides without time so that you have time to find the answers and write them down.
Copyright 2005 Ted "Smitty" Smith Services The service entrance of a building may be located less than three feet from a window as long as the conductors are installed so that they___________ of the window.
Copyright 2005 Ted "Smitty" Smith Services Run above the top level 230.9(A)Ex
Copyright 2005 Ted "Smitty" Smith Overcurrent Protection According to Article ___________________ of the 2014 NEC, nonstandard fuses are permitted.
Copyright 2005 Ted "Smitty" Smith Overcurrent Protection True 240.6(A)
Copyright 2005 Ted "Smitty" Smith Services Raceways that carry service-conductors that are embedded in masonry shall be suitable for use in wet locations and __________.
Copyright 2005 Ted "Smitty" Smith Services Arranged to drain
Copyright 2005 Ted "Smitty" Smith Raceways The minimum burial depth for a nonmetallic raceway with no vehicular traffic shall be __________________ inches.
Copyright 2005 Ted "Smitty" Smith Raceways 4" Table Col. 3
Copyright 2005 Ted "Smitty" Smith Services A cable tray may serve to carry service-entrance conductors along with other conductors as long as there is a ________.
Copyright 2005 Ted "Smitty" Smith Services Solid fixed barrier and the cable tray is labeled with permanent affixed labels with the wording “Service Entrance Conductors” and placed so that they are visible after installation with a spacing not to exceed 3 feet and so that the service entrance conductors can be traced through out the cable tray system E x
Grounding For multiple separately derived systems the common grounding electrode conductor shall not be smaller than __________________.
Grounding 3/0 CU or 250Kcm AL (A)(6)(a)
Services True of False, the disconnect for a TVSS is not counted as one of the six disconnects allowed for a service.
Services True (A)
Copyright 2005 Ted "Smitty" Smith Services The service head for service entrance-conductors should be located above the point of attachment but may be located elsewhere as long as the attachment is within __________ feet.
Copyright 2005 Ted "Smitty" Smith Services 2 feet (C) Ex