Electrical Code question for the electrical license exam. This tip is absolutely one of the major tips I've got to share with you. And that is NEC code question exceptions.
If you look on the Candidate Information Bulletin from PSI, you will see a major note under examination reference material.
It says “when responding to the test questions DO NOT consider code exceptions, unless the test question specifically directs you to consider them”.
That is a very critical note, many fellows fall for this trick in these types of NEC code questions.
Perfect Example of This Tricky Electrical Code Question
Just about every electrician has done overhead service at least once in their lifetime career. What is your normal average height above a rooftop?
If you had a NEC code question that asked you what the minimum distance is, what would you answer?
- 3
- 6
- 8
- 10
3 feet because that's how we do it all the time. I have done two in my lifetime that weren't at three feet. All the rest of them have always been three feet.
Plot twist. The answer is actually 8. Let’s see where that came from. First of all, where would I find the answer to that NEC code question?
Let's look up this NEC code question
Where would I find the answer to a question that has to do with a minimum clearance for overhead service conductors. Article 230 is about services. Look for the section that deals with “clearances over a rooftop”.
If you go back a little further than 230.24 we’ll get into an article that is specifically listed as
“clearances overhead service conductors above roofs”. That’s under Note A.
Read the first paragraph: “Not less than 8 feet”. Now, go a little further down into Exception No. 2. This tells you that if your roof slope is 4 and 12 or greater, it's the rise and run the pitch of the roof, right?
Note that almost every roof out there that we ever run across is going to be greater than 4 and 12. So the bottom line is that 90% of the things that we filled are under that exception.
You have to be very careful about using your trade knowledge. PSI is asking you to ignore exceptions, so watch out with using your gut reaction to answer these test questions.
There are quite a few exceptions just like that example that we consider the rule. Because it's almost what we run across all the time on the field. Nonetheless, for the NEC code question, that is not the correct answer.
Recap: Make sure you're looking up the articles. Make sure you're looking at both the article itself and any exceptions that are below it. Then go back to the NEC code question to see whether it allows you or tells you anything about exceptions. If it doesn't, you must ignore exceptions for these NEC code questions.
Code Question Exam Prep Seminars and Practice Books
If you are taking your electrical license exam for your master license or journeyman license, read more about our seminars in Texas. We go over this and many more NEC code question tips and practice.
Thank you reading.
Comments
Post a Comment