Alberta Journeyperson Electrician Exam Prep

Alberta journeyperson electrician practice questions with answers

8 free questions with answers and explanations. Each one passed an independent accuracy review, and each is labeled with where it comes from. Open a question to check your answer.

1. Question 1 · Overcurrent Protection · Apprentice

   General CEC 2024 practice, the edition the Alberta exam uses

   A conductor's ampacity falls between two standard overcurrent-device ratings, and a device rated exactly at the conductor ampacity is not manufactured. Under the CEC, how is the device generally selected?

   1. A.The next higher standard rating from Table 13 may be used, within the limits of that table
   2. B.The device rating must always be rounded down to the next lower standard size
   3. C.Any device rating up to 300% of the conductor ampacity may be selected
   4. D.A non-standard, custom device must be ordered to match the exact ampacity
   Show the answer and explanation

   Answer: A. The next higher standard rating from Table 13 may be used, within the limits of that table

   Rule 14-104(1) permits using the next higher standard rating listed in Table 13 when an overcurrent device of the same value as the conductor ampacity is not available, within the table's stated limits. The correct option reflects this next-standard-size allowance, which avoids needing a custom device while keeping protection appropriate to the conductor.

   Reference: CEC Rule 14-104(1), Table 13

2. Question 2 · Overcurrent Protection · Apprentice

   General CEC 2024 practice, the edition the Alberta exam uses

   Under the CEC small-conductor limits, what is the maximum standard overcurrent-device rating permitted on a general-purpose branch circuit wired with No. 10 AWG copper conductors?

   1. A.30 A
   2. B.20 A
   3. C.40 A
   4. D.50 A
   Show the answer and explanation

   Answer: A. 30 A

   Rule 14-104(2) caps the overcurrent protection on small copper conductors: No. 14 at 15 A, No. 12 at 20 A, and No. 10 at 30 A, overriding the general next-standard-size allowance. The correct option, 30 A, is the maximum device rating permitted on No. 10 AWG copper for general use.

   Reference: CEC Rule 14-104(2)

3. Question 3 · Electrical Theory & Ohm's Law · Apprentice

   General CEC 2024 practice, the edition the Alberta exam uses

   In Canadian electrical terminology and the CEC, what is the purpose of the bonding conductor that connects non-current-carrying metal parts of equipment together?

   1. A.To carry the normal load current back to the supply
   2. B.To increase the resistance between metal enclosures and earth
   3. C.To limit the voltage drop on the branch circuit conductors
   4. D.To connect metal parts together to provide a low-impedance path for fault current and keep them at the same potential
   Show the answer and explanation

   Answer: D. To connect metal parts together to provide a low-impedance path for fault current and keep them at the same potential

   In the CEC, the bonding conductor interconnects non-current-carrying metal parts so they are at the same potential and provides a low-impedance path that lets fault current return and trip the overcurrent device. The correct option captures both the equipotential bonding purpose and the low-impedance fault-current path defined in CEC Section 0 and Section 10.

   Reference: CEC Section 0 (Definition: bonding) and Section 10

4. Question 4 · Transformers · Journeyman

   General CEC 2024 practice, the edition the Alberta exam uses

   A 45 kVA, 600 V, 3-phase dry-type transformer is supplied from a 600 V feeder. Using the CEC primary overcurrent rule and standard device ratings, what is the maximum rating of the primary overcurrent device?

   1. A.50 A
   2. B.60 A
   3. C.45 A
   4. D.125 A
   Show the answer and explanation

   Answer: B. 60 A

   Per CEC Rule 26-254(1), the primary OCPD is set at not more than 125% of rated primary current. I(primary) = 45 000 / (600 x 1.732) = 43.3 A; 43.3 x 1.25 = 54.1 A. Since 54.1 A is not a standard rating, Rule 26-254(3) permits the next higher standard rating, 60 A.

   Reference: CEC Rule 26-254(1) and 26-254(3)

5. Question 5 · Solar PV & Energy Storage · Journeyman

   General CEC 2024 practice, the edition the Alberta exam uses

   Which statement BEST describes the scope of CEC Section 64 as it applies to a battery energy storage system (ESS) paired with a residential solar PV array?

   1. A.Section 64 is a supplementary and amendatory section that applies to renewable energy systems, energy production systems, and energy storage systems, amending or adding to the general requirements elsewhere in the Code
   2. B.Section 64 applies only to the PV modules and array wiring; the battery energy storage system is governed entirely by Section 26 with no Section 64 requirements
   3. C.Section 64 replaces all other sections of the Code for the entire installation once any renewable source is present
   4. D.Section 64 applies only to utility-scale generation and never to residential PV or battery installations
   Show the answer and explanation

   Answer: A. Section 64 is a supplementary and amendatory section that applies to renewable energy systems, energy production systems, and energy storage systems, amending or adding to the general requirements elsewhere in the Code

   CEC Rule 64-000 states that Section 64 is a supplementary or amendatory section that applies to the installation of renewable energy systems, energy production systems, and energy storage systems. As a supplementary/amendatory section it adds to or modifies the general rules found elsewhere in the Code rather than standing alone or replacing them, and it expressly covers energy storage systems such as the battery in this scenario. That makes option A correct.

   Reference: CEC Rule 64-000

6. Question 6 · Conductors & Ampacity · Apprentice

   General CEC 2024 practice, the edition the Alberta exam uses

   Which CEC table gives the allowable ampacity of aluminum conductors installed in a raceway or cable (not more than three current-carrying conductors)?

   1. A.Table 1
   2. B.Table 2
   3. C.Table 4
   4. D.Table 5A
   Show the answer and explanation

   Answer: C. Table 4

   Table 4 is correct: CEC Rule 4-004(1) assigns Table 4 to aluminum conductors installed in a raceway or cable. Table 2 is the equivalent table for copper, Table 1 is for a single copper conductor in free air, and Table 5A provides ambient-temperature correction factors, not base ampacity.

   Reference: CEC Rule 4-004(1), Table 4

7. Question 7 · Transformers · Journeyman

   General CEC 2024 practice, the edition the Alberta exam uses

   A 45 kVA, 208 V, 3-phase dry-type transformer feeds a panel. Per the CEC, what is the minimum ampacity required for the secondary conductors run to the panel?

   1. A.125 A
   2. B.144 A
   3. C.156 A
   4. D.195 A
   Show the answer and explanation

   Answer: C. 156 A

   Per CEC Rule 26-256, transformer conductors must have an ampacity of not less than 125% of the rated secondary current. I(secondary) = 45 000 / (208 x 1.732) = 124.9 A; 124.9 x 1.25 = 156 A minimum required ampacity.

   Reference: CEC Rule 26-256

8. Question 8 · Electrical Theory & Ohm's Law · Apprentice

   General CEC 2024 practice, the edition the Alberta exam uses

   Two identical conductors are made of the same material and have the same cross-sectional area, but conductor B is twice as long as conductor A. How does the resistance of conductor B compare to conductor A?

   1. A.Half the resistance
   2. B.The same resistance
   3. C.Four times the resistance
   4. D.Twice the resistance
   Show the answer and explanation

   Answer: D. Twice the resistance

   Conductor resistance is directly proportional to length (R = rho x L / A) when material and cross-sectional area are held constant. Doubling the length doubles the resistance, so conductor B has twice the resistance of conductor A. This length-resistance relationship is the basis for the CEC voltage-drop provisions of Rule 8-102.

   Reference: CEC Rule 8-102 (Voltage drop)