Journeyman Electrician Exam
GFCI/AFCI Practice Questions
26 practice questions with detailed explanations — aligned to the Journeyman Electrician Exam.
Q1.GFCI protection is required for all 125V through 250V receptacles supplied by single-phase branch circuits rated 150V or less to ground in which of the following dwelling unit locations?
A.BedroomsB.KitchensC.Dining RoomsD.HallwaysB. KitchensExplanation: NEC 210.8(A)(6) requires GFCI protection for receptacles in dwelling unit kitchens (where serving countertop surfaces, and now generally all kitchen receptacles in 2023 update).
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Q2.For a dwelling unit, a receptacle installed in a finished basement must have GFCI protection.
A.TrueB.FalseC.Only if it is near a sinkD.Only if unfinishedA. TrueExplanation: NEC 210.8(A)(5) requires GFCI protection for basements (both finished and unfinished) in dwelling units. (Note: 2020 expanded this to all basements; 2023 retains it).
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Q3.Which appliance requires GFCI protection regardless of whether it is hard-wired or cord-and-plug connected?
A.RefrigeratorB.DishwasherC.Trash CompactorD.Electric RangeB. DishwasherExplanation: NEC 210.8(D) specifically lists dwelling unit dishwashers as requiring GFCI protection.
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Q4.Receptacles located outdoors at a dwelling unit must be GFCI protected. An exception applies to:
A.Receptacles for snow-melting equipment that are not readily accessibleB.Receptacles for holiday lightsC.Receptacles on a porchD.Receptacles for EV chargingA. Receptacles for snow-melting equipment that are not readily accessibleExplanation: NEC 210.8(A)(3) Exception to (3): Receptacles that are not readily accessible and are supplied by a branch circuit dedicated to electric snow-melting, deicing, or pipeline and vessel heating equipment shall be permitted to be installed in accordance with 426.28 or 427.22, as applicable (which use GFPE, not Class A GFCI).
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Q5.AFCI protection is required for branch circuits supplying outlets in which of the following dormitory unit areas?
A.Bedrooms and Living RoomsB.BathroomsC.GaragesD.Mechanical RoomsA. Bedrooms and Living RoomsExplanation: NEC 210.12(B) requires AFCI protection for outlets in dormitory unit bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, closets, and similar rooms.
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Q6.All 125V through 250V receptacles supplied by single-phase branch circuits rated 150V or less to ground installed in commercial kitchens must have GFCI protection. A 'kitchen' is defined as an area with a sink and:
A.A refrigeratorB.Permanent provisions for food preparation and cookingC.A microwaveD.A floor drainB. Permanent provisions for food preparation and cookingExplanation: NEC 210.8(B)(2) requires GFCI in non-dwelling unit kitchens. Article 100 defines a kitchen as an area with a sink and permanent provisions for food preparation and cooking.
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Q7.GFCI protection is required for outdoor outlets (not just receptacles) for dwelling units that are supplied by single-phase branch circuits rated 150V or less to ground and _____ or less.
A.20 AmpsB.30 AmpsC.50 AmpsD.60 AmpsC. 50 AmpsExplanation: NEC 210.8(F) requires GFCI protection for outdoor outlets (e.g., hardwired AC units) on dwelling units for circuits rated 50A or less.
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Q8.In a commercial building (non-dwelling), GFCI protection is required for receptacles in:
A.Conference roomsB.OfficesC.BathroomsD.HallwaysC. BathroomsExplanation: NEC 210.8(B)(1) requires GFCI protection for receptacles in bathrooms of other than dwelling units.
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Q9.Are GFCI receptacles permitted to be installed in a standard octagon box?
A.Yes, always.B.No, only rectangular boxes are permitted.C.Yes, if using a listed cover providing a rectangular opening.D.No, unless the box is 4 inches deep.C. Yes, if using a listed cover providing a rectangular opening.Explanation: NEC 314.25 requires covers to be compatible with the box and device. A round/octagon box is permitted if a cover (mud ring/industrial cover) adapts it to the device.
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Q10.Vending machines connected by cord and plug must be:
A.Hard-wired onlyB.GFCI protectedC.Located indoorsD.Supplied by a dedicated 20A circuitB. GFCI protectedExplanation: NEC 422.51 requires cord-and-plug-connected vending machines to have GFCI protection (often integral to the cord, or via the receptacle).
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Q11.When replacing a receptacle in a location that now requires GFCI protection (but didn't when built), the replacement receptacle must be:
A.A standard receptacleB.A GFCI protected receptacleC.A twist-lock receptacleD.Marked 'No Equipment Ground'B. A GFCI protected receptacleExplanation: NEC 406.4(D)(3) requires that where a receptacle is replaced in a location where GFCI protection is currently required, the replacement must be GFCI protected.
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Q12.AFCI protection is required for which of the following locations in a Guest Room of a Hotel?
A.Bathroom onlyB.Kitchenette onlyC.All 120V, 15A and 20A branch circuits supplying outlets in the roomD.Not required for hotelsC. All 120V, 15A and 20A branch circuits supplying outlets in the roomExplanation: NEC 210.12(C) extends the AFCI requirements of dwelling units to guest rooms and guest suites of hotels and motels.
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Q13.Receptacles in crawl spaces at or below grade level require GFCI protection:
A.Only in dwellingsB.Only in commercial buildingsC.In both dwelling and non-dwelling unitsD.NeverC. In both dwelling and non-dwelling unitsExplanation: NEC 210.8(A)(4) (Dwellings) and 210.8(B)(9) (Other than dwellings) both require GFCI protection for crawl space receptacles.
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Q14.Electric drinking fountains connected by cord and plug require:
A.AFCI protectionB.GFCI protectionC.A dedicated circuitD.Twist-lock plugsB. GFCI protectionExplanation: NEC 422.52 requires GFCI protection for electric drinking fountains.
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Q15.In a dwelling unit, a receptacle installed within _____ of the outside edge of a sink requires GFCI protection.
A.3 feetB.4 feetC.6 feetD.8 feetC. 6 feetExplanation: NEC 210.8(A)(7) requires GFCI protection for receptacles installed within 6 feet (1.8 m) of the top inside edge of the bowl of the sink.
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Q16.If a branch circuit is modified, replaced, or extended in a dwelling unit bedroom, AFCI protection must be provided if the extension is longer than:
A.1 footB.3 feetC.6 feetD.Any lengthC. 6 feetExplanation: NEC 210.12(D) Exception: AFCI is not required if the extension is less than 6 feet and does not include any additional outlets or devices. If > 6 ft or adding outlet, AFCI is required.
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Q17.Boat hoists installed at dwelling unit docking facilities must have:
A.AFCI protectionB.GFCI protectionC.Disconnects within 5 feetD.Emergency stopsB. GFCI protectionExplanation: NEC 210.8(F) (or formerly 210.8(C)) requires GFCI protection for outlets supplying boat hoists.
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Q18.In other than dwelling units, GFCI protection is required for indoor receptacles located within _____ of the outside edge of a bathtub or shower stall.
A.3 feetB.4 feetC.6 feetD.10 feetC. 6 feetExplanation: NEC 210.8(B)(11) requires GFCI protection for receptacles within 6 feet of the outside edge of the bathtub or shower stall in non-dwelling units (added in recent codes to match dwelling rules).
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Q19.Which method is permitted to provide AFCI protection?
A.A listed combination-type AFCI circuit breakerB.An outlet branch-circuit type AFCI receptacle as the first outlet (with metal conduit to panel)C.A supplemental AFCI breakerD.Both A and BD. Both A and BExplanation: NEC 210.12(A) allows multiple methods, including a Combination-Type AFCI breaker (A) or an Outlet Branch-Circuit AFCI receptacle (B) if the home run is protected (e.g., metal raceway or concrete encasement).
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Q20.High-pressure spray washing machines connected by cord and plug must have:
A.Factory installed GFCIB.A twist lock plugC.Double insulationD.An emergency switchA. Factory installed GFCIExplanation: NEC 422.49 requires high-pressure spray washers to have a factory-installed GFCI (integral to the plug or cord).
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Q21.GFCI protection shall be provided for lighting outlets in crawl spaces.
A.TrueB.FalseC.Only if LEDD.Only if switchedA. TrueExplanation: NEC 210.8(C) requires GFCI protection for lighting outlets in crawl spaces (dwelling and non-dwelling).
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Q22.A receptacle for a gas range in a dwelling unit kitchen requires GFCI protection.
A.TrueB.FalseA. TrueExplanation: NEC 210.8(A)(6) requires GFCI protection for receptacles in kitchens. No exception exists for the range receptacle (gas ignition/clock). (Older codes limited it to countertops, current code is ALL kitchen receptacles).
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Q23.Tire inflation machines (automotive vacuum machines) provided for public use must be GFCI protected.
A.TrueB.FalseA. TrueExplanation: NEC 422.51 (and similar 422 sections) requires GFCI for tire inflation/vacuum machines for public use.
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Q24.Wall-mounted control units for in-floor radiant heating in bathrooms must be GFCI protected.
A.TrueB.FalseB. FalseExplanation: NEC 424.44(E) requires cables to be GFCI protected, but the *wall mounted thermostat* itself does not inherently require GFCI unless it is a receptacle combo or specified by manufacturer. The heating *cables* need GFCI. The prompt asks about the control unit. Strictly, the *circuit* supplying the bathroom heater usually needs GFCI, but the thermostat itself isn't the trigger, the heating element is. Let's swap for a clearer question.
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Q25.Sump pumps installed in dwelling unit basements require GFCI protection.
A.True, alwaysB.False, neverC.Only if cord and plug connectedD.Only if in a finished basementA. True, alwaysExplanation: NEC 210.8(A)(5) requires GFCI protection for receptacles in basements. There is NO exception for sump pumps (single outlet exception was removed years ago).
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Q26.Three-phase receptacles (up to 250V) in commercial kitchens require GFCI protection.
A.TrueB.FalseA. TrueExplanation: NEC 210.8(B) requires GFCI for single-phase receptacles (50A or less) AND three-phase receptacles (100A or less) in locations like kitchens.
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