Are flashcards effective for the journeyman electrician exam?

Yes. Flashcards use active recall — retrieving an answer from memory — which research shows is one of the most effective study methods. They're ideal for the exam's heavy load of NEC rules, ampacity and fill values, formulas, and code definitions you need to recall fast.

What topics do the journeyman electrician flashcards cover?

Electrical theory (Ohm's law, power, series/parallel), calculations (voltage drop, conduit and box fill, load calcs, conductor sizing), and NEC code — wiring methods, grounding and bonding, overcurrent protection, services and feeders, GFCI/AFCI, and safety.

How should I study with these journeyman electrician flashcards?

Lead with the calculation and code-value cards (ampacities, fill percentages, formulas) since those are the fastest points. Mix the modes: flip to learn, type to test recall, match for speed, and quiz to check yourself before a full practice test.

Are the journeyman electrician flashcards free?

Yes — 100% free, all four study modes, no paywall.

Do these flashcards match the current NEC?

Yes. The cards are based on the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), keyed to the current 2023 edition while noting where the 2017/2020 editions differ. Confirm which edition your state has adopted before testing.

E = I × R. Voltage (volts) equals current (amperes) times resistance (ohms). Rearranged: I = E ÷ R and R = E ÷ I.

Power formula (DC / resistive)?

P = E × I (watts). Also P = I² × R and P = E² ÷ R using Ohm's law.

Single-phase AC power?

P = E × I × PF, where PF is the power factor.

Three-phase AC power?

P = 1.732 × E × I × PF (the 1.732 is √3). Memorize 1.732.

Electrical pressure (potential difference), measured in volts (E or V) — what pushes current through a circuit.

The flow of electric charge, measured in amperes (I or A). Same everywhere in a series circuit.

Opposition to current flow, measured in ohms (Ω). Adds in series; combines reciprocally in parallel.

Series circuit — current rule?

Current is the same through every component (one path).

Series circuit — resistance rule?

Resistances add: R = R₁ + R₂ + R₃.

Series circuit — voltage rule?

Voltage divides across the resistors (the drops add up to the source).

Parallel circuit — voltage rule?

Voltage is the same across every branch.

Parallel circuit — resistance rule?

1/R = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ + 1/R₃. Total is less than the smallest branch.

Two equal resistors in parallel?

Half the value of one (e.g., two 20 Ω in parallel = 10 Ω).

Why are branch circuits wired in parallel?

So each load gets full voltage and one failure doesn't kill the rest.

Open in a series vs parallel circuit?

Series: everything stops. Parallel: only that one branch stops.

What is power factor?

Ratio of real power (watts) to apparent power (volt-amperes). 1.0 (unity) = all power does useful work.

Watts vs volt-amperes (VA)?

Watts = real power (actual work). VA = apparent power. Power factor is the ratio between them.

Single-phase vs three-phase?

Single-phase: one alternating voltage (120/240 V dwellings). Three-phase: three voltages 120° apart, for larger loads.

Common dwelling voltages?

120 V (lighting/receptacles) and 240 V (large appliances), from a 120/240 V single-phase service.

What is voltage drop?

Voltage lost along a conductor due to its resistance. Grows with longer runs, smaller wire, and more current.

NEC voltage-drop recommendation?

≤3% on a branch circuit or feeder, ≤5% total. These are Informational Notes (recommendations), not enforceable rules.

Single-phase voltage-drop formula?

VD = (2 × K × I × L) ÷ CM. K ≈ 12.9 (copper), 21.2 (aluminum); L = one-way length (ft); CM = circular mils.

Three-phase voltage-drop formula?

VD = (1.732 × K × I × L) ÷ CM. Replace the 2 in the single-phase formula with 1.732.

How to fix excessive voltage drop?

Upsize the conductor (more circular mils = lower resistance = less drop).

What does voltage drop do to equipment?

Dims lights, slows and overheats motors, and wastes energy as heat in the conductor.

Voltage-drop K constant (copper)?

About 12.9 ohm-cmil/ft for copper (21.2 for aluminum).

The National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) — the model safety code, updated every 3 years, that journeyman exams are based on.

The 2023 NEC (NFPA 70-2023). States adopt on a lag — many are still on the 2020 or 2017 edition.

Electrical-plan symbol 'S3' means?

A three-way switch — used in pairs to control one load from two locations.

Electrical-plan symbol 'S4' means?

A four-way switch — used between two three-way switches to control a load from three or more locations.

What is a kilowatt-hour (kWh)?

A unit of energy: 1,000 watts used for one hour. It's what the utility meter measures and bills.

AC (alternating current) reverses direction periodically (utility power, 60 Hz in the U.S.). DC (direct current) flows one way (batteries, electronics).

60 hertz (Hz) — the AC voltage completes 60 cycles per second.

Total opposition to AC current (resistance + reactance), measured in ohms. The AC counterpart of resistance.

Conductor resistance vs size?

Larger conductor (lower AWG number, more circular mils) = lower resistance = less voltage drop and heating.

Kirchhoff's current law (concept)?

Current into a junction equals current out of it — the basis for analyzing parallel branches.

How does length affect voltage drop?

Longer run = more resistance = more voltage drop (drop is proportional to length).

Apparent vs real vs reactive power?

Apparent (VA) is the total; real (W) does useful work; reactive (VAR) is stored/returned by inductors and capacitors.

Convert horsepower to watts?

1 horsepower ≈ 746 watts. Motor nameplate HP × 746 ÷ (efficiency × PF) estimates input watts.

Which carries the most questions: theory or code lookup?

Calculations and code lookup. The exam is largely code-based and (in most states) open-book — speed at finding articles/tables matters.

The conductors and equipment that deliver electricity from the utility to a building's wiring (Article 230).

Service-entrance conductor ampacity?

At least equal to the calculated load they supply.

Dwelling 83% allowance?

120/240 V single-phase dwelling services and main feeders may be sized at 83% of the rating (dwelling services/feeders table, 310.12).

What are service-entrance conductors?

The conductors from the service point/meter to the service disconnecting means.

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Journeyman Electrician Flashcards

Ohm's law?: E = I × R. Voltage (volts) equals current (amperes) times resistance (ohms). Rearranged: I = E ÷ R and R = E ÷ I.
Power formula (DC / resistive)?: P = E × I (watts). Also P = I² × R and P = E² ÷ R using Ohm's law.
Single-phase AC power?: P = E × I × PF, where PF is the power factor.
Three-phase AC power?: P = 1.732 × E × I × PF (the 1.732 is √3). Memorize 1.732.
What is voltage?: Electrical pressure (potential difference), measured in volts (E or V) — what pushes current through a circuit.
What is current?: The flow of electric charge, measured in amperes (I or A). Same everywhere in a series circuit.
What is resistance?: Opposition to current flow, measured in ohms (Ω). Adds in series; combines reciprocally in parallel.
Series circuit — current rule?: Current is the same through every component (one path).
Series circuit — resistance rule?: Resistances add: R = R₁ + R₂ + R₃.
Series circuit — voltage rule?: Voltage divides across the resistors (the drops add up to the source).
Parallel circuit — voltage rule?: Voltage is the same across every branch.
Parallel circuit — resistance rule?: 1/R = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ + 1/R₃. Total is less than the smallest branch.
Two equal resistors in parallel?: Half the value of one (e.g., two 20 Ω in parallel = 10 Ω).
Why are branch circuits wired in parallel?: So each load gets full voltage and one failure doesn't kill the rest.
Open in a series vs parallel circuit?: Series: everything stops. Parallel: only that one branch stops.
What is power factor?: Ratio of real power (watts) to apparent power (volt-amperes). 1.0 (unity) = all power does useful work.
Watts vs volt-amperes (VA)?: Watts = real power (actual work). VA = apparent power. Power factor is the ratio between them.
Single-phase vs three-phase?: Single-phase: one alternating voltage (120/240 V dwellings). Three-phase: three voltages 120° apart, for larger loads.
Common dwelling voltages?: 120 V (lighting/receptacles) and 240 V (large appliances), from a 120/240 V single-phase service.
What is voltage drop?: Voltage lost along a conductor due to its resistance. Grows with longer runs, smaller wire, and more current.
NEC voltage-drop recommendation?: ≤3% on a branch circuit or feeder, ≤5% total. These are Informational Notes (recommendations), not enforceable rules.
Single-phase voltage-drop formula?: VD = (2 × K × I × L) ÷ CM. K ≈ 12.9 (copper), 21.2 (aluminum); L = one-way length (ft); CM = circular mils.
Three-phase voltage-drop formula?: VD = (1.732 × K × I × L) ÷ CM. Replace the 2 in the single-phase formula with 1.732.
How to fix excessive voltage drop?: Upsize the conductor (more circular mils = lower resistance = less drop).
What does voltage drop do to equipment?: Dims lights, slows and overheats motors, and wastes energy as heat in the conductor.
Voltage-drop K constant (copper)?: About 12.9 ohm-cmil/ft for copper (21.2 for aluminum).
What is the NEC?: The National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) — the model safety code, updated every 3 years, that journeyman exams are based on.
Current NEC edition?: The 2023 NEC (NFPA 70-2023). States adopt on a lag — many are still on the 2020 or 2017 edition.
Electrical-plan symbol 'S3' means?: A three-way switch — used in pairs to control one load from two locations.
Electrical-plan symbol 'S4' means?: A four-way switch — used between two three-way switches to control a load from three or more locations.
What is a kilowatt-hour (kWh)?: A unit of energy: 1,000 watts used for one hour. It's what the utility meter measures and bills.
AC vs DC?: AC (alternating current) reverses direction periodically (utility power, 60 Hz in the U.S.). DC (direct current) flows one way (batteries, electronics).
U.S. line frequency?: 60 hertz (Hz) — the AC voltage completes 60 cycles per second.
What is impedance?: Total opposition to AC current (resistance + reactance), measured in ohms. The AC counterpart of resistance.
Conductor resistance vs size?: Larger conductor (lower AWG number, more circular mils) = lower resistance = less voltage drop and heating.
Kirchhoff's current law (concept)?: Current into a junction equals current out of it — the basis for analyzing parallel branches.
How does length affect voltage drop?: Longer run = more resistance = more voltage drop (drop is proportional to length).
Apparent vs real vs reactive power?: Apparent (VA) is the total; real (W) does useful work; reactive (VAR) is stored/returned by inductors and capacitors.
Convert horsepower to watts?: 1 horsepower ≈ 746 watts. Motor nameplate HP × 746 ÷ (efficiency × PF) estimates input watts.
Which carries the most questions: theory or code lookup?: Calculations and code lookup. The exam is largely code-based and (in most states) open-book — speed at finding articles/tables matters.
What is the service?: The conductors and equipment that deliver electricity from the utility to a building's wiring (Article 230).
Minimum service for a one-family dwelling?: 100 amperes, three-wire.
Service-entrance conductor ampacity?: At least equal to the calculated load they supply.
Dwelling 83% allowance?: 120/240 V single-phase dwelling services and main feeders may be sized at 83% of the rating (dwelling services/feeders table, 310.12).
What are service-entrance conductors?: The conductors from the service point/meter to the service disconnecting means.
Grounding (definition)?: Connecting the electrical system to the earth through a grounding electrode conductor and electrode (Article 250).
Bonding (definition)?: Joining metal parts together so they're at the same potential — creates the low-impedance fault path that trips the breaker.
Grounding vs bonding — what clears a fault?: Bonding does (the EGC carries fault current back to the source). The earth does NOT clear faults.
Grounding electrode conductor (GEC)?: The conductor connecting the grounded system/equipment to the grounding electrode. Sized by Table 250.66.
GEC max size to a ground rod?: 6 AWG copper — never required to be larger, regardless of service size (made-electrode resistance limits the current).
GEC max size to a concrete-encased (Ufer) electrode?: 4 AWG copper — never required to be larger, regardless of service size.
What is a grounding electrode?: The conducting object making earth contact: ground rod, metal water pipe, concrete-encased (Ufer), or plate.
What is a Ufer ground?: A concrete-encased electrode — rebar or wire encased in the building's concrete footing/foundation.
Equipment grounding conductor (EGC) — job?: Bonds non-current-carrying metal back to the source, providing a low-impedance fault path so the breaker opens.
EGC sized by which table?: Table 250.122, by the rating of the overcurrent device protecting the circuit.
EGC for a 15 A circuit (copper)?: 14 AWG copper.
EGC for a 20 A circuit (copper)?: 12 AWG copper.
EGC for a 60 A circuit (copper)?: 10 AWG copper.
EGC for a 100 A circuit (copper)?: 8 AWG copper.
EGC for a 200 A circuit (copper)?: 6 AWG copper.
What recognizes an acceptable EGC type?: 250.118 — a copper conductor (insulated or bare), rigid/intermediate metal conduit, EMT, the metal of a listed cable, etc.
Main bonding jumper?: The connection at the service that bonds the grounded (neutral) conductor to the equipment ground and enclosure.
System bonding jumper?: The equivalent of the main bonding jumper for a separately derived system (e.g., a transformer secondary).
Main / system bonding jumper sized by?: The grounding-electrode-conductor table (Table 250.102 / 250.66), based on the supply conductors.
Separately derived system?: A system whose power comes from a source (transformer, generator) with no direct electrical connection to the supply conductors.
Grounded conductor vs grounding conductor?: Grounded conductor = the neutral (intentionally tied to ground, carries current). Grounding conductor (EGC) = the fault path, carries no current normally.
Where do grounding and bonding meet?: At the service, via the main bonding jumper — neutral and equipment ground are bonded there (and only there).
May a 6 AWG GEC be run without a raceway?: Yes, if it's free from physical damage and securely fastened to the surface (6 AWG copper or larger).
Why are neutral and ground bonded only at the service?: To avoid parallel neutral paths on the equipment ground downstream; subpanels keep neutral and ground separate.
Purpose of grounding the system to earth?: Stabilizes voltage to ground and dissipates lightning/surge energy. It does not clear faults.
Grounded service conductor minimum size?: At least the value from the GEC table for the service conductors, since it also serves as the effective ground-fault return path.
Metal water pipe as an electrode — requirement?: A metal underground water pipe in contact with earth 10+ ft must be used as an electrode and supplemented by an additional electrode.
Ground-rod length and depth?: At least 8 ft long, driven so its full length is in contact with the soil (top flush or below grade).
Two ground rods — when required?: A single rod with 25 ohms or more resistance to earth must be supplemented by a second electrode (commonly two rods are just installed).
Service disconnect requirement?: Must be readily accessible, marked, and able to disconnect all ungrounded service conductors (grouped, limited number).
What is a feeder?: Conductors between the service equipment and the final branch-circuit overcurrent device (Article 215).
What is a branch circuit?: The conductors between the final overcurrent device and the outlets it serves (Article 210).
Feeder ampacity (continuous + noncontinuous)?: At least the noncontinuous load + 125% of the continuous load (before adjustment factors).
What is a continuous load?: A load expected to operate for 3 hours or more. Sized at 125% for conductors and overcurrent devices.
Why size continuous loads at 125%?: It's the inverse of 80% — it keeps a breaker from running continuously at its full rating, which would overheat it.
Is fixed electric space heating continuous?: Yes — treated as a continuous load, so it gets the 125% factor.
Dwelling general lighting load?: 3 volt-amperes per square foot of habitable floor area (Article 220).
Small-appliance and laundry circuits in a load calc?: Add two small-appliance circuits and one laundry circuit at 1,500 VA each before applying demand factors.
Dwelling general-lighting demand factors?: First 3,000 VA at 100%, 3,001–120,000 VA at 35%, remainder at 25% (Table 220.45 in 2023 NEC; 220.42 in 2017/2020).
Why apply demand factors?: Loads rarely all run at full load at once; demand factors keep the service from being oversized.
Clothes-dryer demand factor?: Table 220.54 lets a feeder serving four or more dryers be reduced, because they don't all run at full load together.
Electric range demand?: Table 220.55 provides demand loads for household cooking equipment over 1¾ kW (e.g., one 12 kW range = 8 kW demand).
Feeder to subpanels — ampacity?: Must be at least the total calculated load of everything downstream.
Do demand factors vary by occupancy?: Yes (Table 220.42/220.45) — e.g., warehouses get a lighting demand factor that offices don't, by expected diversity of use.
General lighting load for a 1,500 sq ft dwelling (before demand)?: 1,500 × 3 VA = 4,500 VA.
Standard vs optional dwelling calculation?: Standard method (220 Part III) sums loads with demand factors; the optional method (220.82) uses a simpler 100%/40% formula.
Feeder vs service?: Service = utility to the building (Article 230). Feeder = service equipment to a downstream panel/overcurrent device (Article 215).
Continuous-load example?: Store/office lighting on for the business day, electric heat — anything running 3+ hours.
Neutral (grounded) feeder conductor load?: Sized for the maximum unbalanced load (220.61) — the most line-to-neutral load on any one ungrounded conductor.
What does a 200 A feeder to a 100 A and 60 A subpanel need?: Ampacity for the combined calculated load of both subpanels (after their own demand factors), not just their breaker sizes.
What is ampacity?: The maximum current a conductor can carry continuously without exceeding its temperature rating (Table 310.16).
75°C copper ampacity: 12 AWG?: 25 A — but the small-conductor rule caps its breaker at 20 A.
75°C copper ampacity: 10 AWG?: 35 A — but the small-conductor rule caps its breaker at 30 A.
75°C copper ampacity: 8 AWG?: 50 A.
75°C copper ampacity: 6 AWG?: 65 A.
75°C copper ampacity: 4 AWG?: 85 A.
75°C copper ampacity: 3 AWG?: 100 A.
75°C copper ampacity: 1/0 AWG?: 150 A.
75°C copper ampacity: 2/0 AWG?: 175 A.
75°C copper ampacity: 4/0 AWG?: 230 A.
Ampacity adjustment for more than 3 conductors?: Bundling more than three current-carrying conductors in a raceway derates the ampacity (310.15).
Ampacity adjustment for high ambient temperature?: Apply the temperature correction factors of Table 310.15(B)(1) — hotter ambient lowers usable ampacity.
What is AWG?: American Wire Gauge — the conductor sizing system. A SMALLER number means a LARGER conductor.
What is kcmil?: Thousands of circular mils — the size unit for conductors larger than 4/0 AWG (e.g., 250 kcmil).
EMT — what article?: Article 358 (electrical metallic tubing).
EMT support spacing?: Secured within 3 ft of each box/termination, then supported at least every 10 ft.
EMT — bends between pull points?: No more than 360° total (four quarter-bends) between pull points.
Why limit EMT bends to 360°?: To keep conductor pulling tension low so insulation isn't damaged during the pull.
EMT cut ends?: Must be reamed to remove burrs and rough edges that could damage conductor insulation (358.28).
Is EMT allowed in severe physical damage areas?: No — EMT is not permitted where subject to severe physical damage (358.12). Use rigid metal conduit.
Type NM cable — what article?: Article 334 (nonmetallic-sheathed cable, 'Romex').
Where is Type NM cable permitted?: Dry locations and dwellings/normally dry structures. Not in wet locations or where exposed to damage.
Type NM cable securing?: Secured within 12 in of every box and at least every 4.5 ft along the run.
Type NM in an unfinished basement (small cable)?: Cables smaller than two 6 AWG or three 8 AWG run through bored holes in joists or on a running board (334.15(C)).
Rigid metal conduit (RMC) — article?: Article 344. Heavy-wall, threaded steel; permitted in nearly all locations, including severe physical damage.
Article 300 covers?: General requirements for all wiring methods — protecting from physical damage, securing/supporting conductors, raceway rules.
Conduit fill — one conductor?: 53% maximum (Chapter 9, Table 1).
Conduit fill — two conductors?: 31% maximum — the most restrictive, because a tight pair can jam during the pull.
Conduit fill — three or more conductors?: 40% maximum (Chapter 9, Table 1).
Why do 2 conductors get LESS fill than 3+?: A snug pair tends to jam against the raceway wall during a pull, so the limit is lower (31% vs 40%).
Box-fill volume allowance: 14 AWG?: 2.00 cubic inches (Table 314.16(B)).
Box-fill volume allowance: 12 AWG?: 2.25 cubic inches.
Box-fill volume allowance: 10 AWG?: 2.50 cubic inches.
Box-fill volume allowance: 8 AWG?: 3.00 cubic inches.
Box-fill volume allowance: 6 AWG?: 5.00 cubic inches.
Box fill — how are grounding conductors counted?: All equipment grounding conductors together count as ONE, based on the largest one present.
Box fill — how are cable clamps counted?: All internal cable clamps together count as ONE, based on the largest conductor in the box.
Box fill — how is a device (switch/receptacle) counted?: Each yoke/strap counts as TWO, based on the largest conductor connected to that device.
Box fill — how is a support fitting counted?: Each fixture stud or hickey counts as ONE, based on the largest conductor in the box.
Box fill for five 12 AWG + one receptacle (all grounds = 1)?: 5 (conductors) + 2 (yoke) + 1 (grounds) = 8 units × 2.25 in³ = 18.0 in³ minimum.
Direct-burial cover — general (Table 300.5)?: 24 inches for direct-buried cables/conductors rated 0–600 V in the general location.
Cover for rigid metal conduit (Table 300.5)?: 6 inches minimum for RMC/IMC.
Cover under a residential driveway (1- & 2-family)?: 18 inches for direct-buried UF cable/conductors.
Cover for a residential 120 V, 20 A GFCI circuit?: 12 inches (the reduced-cover column of Table 300.5).
Warning ribbon over buried conductors?: Table 300.5 generally requires a warning ribbon placed in the trench above buried conductors at the listed depth.
EGC types recognized by 250.118?: Insulated/bare copper, RMC, IMC, EMT, the metal sheath of certain cables, and listed flexible conduits under conditions.
When conductors are upsized for voltage drop, the EGC?: Must be increased proportionally (250.122(B)) so the fault path keeps pace.
All conductors of a circuit in a metal raceway?: Must be in the SAME raceway/cable to avoid inductive heating (the magnetic fields must cancel).
Conductor insulation rating — what does THHN mean?: Thermoplastic, High heat-resistant, Nylon-coated — a common 90°C dry-location building wire.
Why ream a cut raceway?: Burrs left on the inside of a cut raceway can slice conductor insulation when wires are pulled.
Which conduit for an area subject to severe physical damage?: Rigid metal conduit (RMC) — not EMT.
What does 'circular mil' measure?: Conductor cross-sectional area — the area of a circle 1 mil (0.001 in) in diameter; more circular mils = larger wire.
Equipment grounding conductor — does it carry current normally?: No — it carries current only during a ground fault. The neutral (grounded conductor) carries normal current.
What is a raceway?: An enclosed channel (conduit, tubing, wireway) designed expressly to hold conductors.
What is an overcurrent device?: A fuse or circuit breaker that opens the circuit when current would overheat the conductor (Article 240).
What does an overcurrent device protect?: The CONDUCTOR (and equipment) from excessive current/heat — not the load.
Overcurrent device location — readily accessible?: Handle no more than 6 ft 7 in above the floor or platform (240.24); not over steps, in bathrooms, or in clothes closets.
Small-conductor rule (240.4(D)) — 14 AWG copper?: Maximum 15 A overcurrent device, regardless of the higher ampacity-table value.
Small-conductor rule — 12 AWG copper?: Maximum 20 A overcurrent device.
Small-conductor rule — 10 AWG copper?: Maximum 30 A overcurrent device.
30 A breaker on 12 AWG — violation?: Yes. 240.4(D) caps 12 AWG copper at 20 A even if the 90°C ampacity is higher.
What is a tap conductor?: A conductor with overcurrent protection ahead of it larger than its ampacity normally allows; permitted under the tap rules.
10-foot tap rule (240.21(B)(1))?: Tap ≤10 ft must have ampacity ≥ the computed load and ≥ the rating of the device it supplies.
25-foot tap rule (240.21(B)(2))?: Tap ≤25 ft must have ampacity ≥ one-third the rating of the overcurrent device protecting the feeder.
GFCI — what does it protect?: PEOPLE — it protects against electric shock by sensing current leaking to ground.
GFCI trip threshold?: A small ground-fault current imbalance of about 4–6 milliamperes (mA).
How does a GFCI work?: It compares current out (hot) to current back (neutral); any imbalance means leakage to ground, so it trips in milliseconds.
GFCI code section?: 210.8 (dwelling-unit and other GFCI requirements).
Where are GFCI receptacles required (dwellings)?: Kitchens (countertops), bathrooms, garages, unfinished basements, outdoors, laundry areas, and near sinks.
AFCI — what does it protect?: PROPERTY — it protects against fire by detecting dangerous arcing faults.
AFCI code section?: 210.12 (arc-fault circuit-interrupter protection).
Where is AFCI protection required?: Most 120 V, 15- and 20-A branch circuits in dwelling living areas — bedrooms, living rooms, dens, hallways, etc.
GFCI vs AFCI memory hook?: GFCI guards against the shock to a person near Ground/water; AFCI guards against the Arc that starts a fire.
Does extending a circuit trigger AFCI?: Yes — extending/modifying a branch circuit in an AFCI-required dwelling area generally requires AFCI protection (210.12).
Replacing a receptacle where GFCI is now required?: The replacement must be provided with GFCI protection (210.8 applies to replacements in those locations).
Receptacle spacing — the 6-foot rule (210.52)?: No point along a wall line is more than 6 ft from a receptacle, so receptacles are ≤12 ft apart.
Which wall needs a receptacle (210.52)?: Any wall space 2 ft or wider (measured along the floor line, around corners, not crossing doorways).
Kitchen countertop receptacle spacing?: No point along the counter wall line is more than 24 in from a receptacle (210.52(C)).
Which kitchen counter needs a receptacle?: Any counter 12 in or wider.
Working space depth (≤150 V to ground, Condition 1)?: 3 feet (36 in) of clear depth in front of the equipment (110.26).
Working space width (110.26)?: 30 inches, or the width of the equipment, whichever is greater.
Working space headroom (110.26)?: At least 6½ feet (78 in) of clear headroom.
Equipment-door swing requirement (110.26)?: Doors/hinged panels must open at least 90 degrees.
Can the working space be used for storage?: No — it must be kept clear at all times.
Working-space depth Conditions 2 and 3?: Increases to 3½ ft (Condition 2) and 4 ft (Condition 3) when grounded or live parts face the working space (≤150 V).
Core electrical-safety rule?: Treat every conductor and part as energized until it is tested and proven de-energized.
What is lockout/tagout?: OSHA 1910.147 procedure: de-energize, lock the disconnect off, tag it, and verify dead with a meter before servicing.
Who enforces job-site electrical safety?: OSHA (e.g., 1910 General Industry, 1926 Construction); the NEC governs the installation itself.
What is the purpose of PPE for electrical work?: To protect against shock, arc flash, and burns — insulated gloves/tools, arc-rated clothing, eye and face protection.
What is arc flash?: An explosive release of energy from an electrical fault arc, producing intense heat, light, and pressure — a major hazard.
Continuous-load breaker rule?: A breaker/conductor serving a continuous load must be sized at 125% of that load (210.20, 215.3).
Series vs parallel overcurrent coordination?: The branch breaker must protect the smallest conductor; the feeder OCPD protects the feeder, coordinated so faults clear at the right level.
What does a GFCI NOT replace?: The branch-circuit breaker. The breaker protects the wire from overload; the GFCI protects people from shock — different jobs.
Does a GFCI need an equipment grounding conductor to work?: No — it senses leakage to ground regardless, so it can protect even on a circuit without an EGC.
Bathroom branch-circuit requirement?: A 20 A circuit dedicated to bathroom receptacles (210.11), and those receptacles must be GFCI-protected.
Kitchen small-appliance circuits?: At least two 20 A small-appliance branch circuits for countertop receptacles (210.11/210.52(B)).
What is a dedicated/individual branch circuit?: A branch circuit that supplies only one piece of utilization equipment (e.g., a dishwasher or a fixed motor).
Why not over a sink or bathtub for a panel?: Panels/overcurrent devices can't be in bathrooms or over steps; readiness, dryness, and access are the concerns (240.24).
Minimum number of 15/20 A general-purpose circuits?: Enough to serve the computed general lighting load (3 VA/ft²) at the circuit rating (210.11(A)).
What is selective coordination?: Designing overcurrent protection so only the device nearest a fault opens, leaving the rest of the system energized.
Power in a 1,200 W load at 120 V?: I = P ÷ E = 1,200 ÷ 120 = 10 amperes.
Resistance of a 240 V, 12 A heater?: R = E ÷ I = 240 ÷ 12 = 20 ohms.
Three-phase 480 V, 50,000 W at unity PF — current?: I = P ÷ (1.732 × E) = 50,000 ÷ (1.732 × 480) ≈ 60 amperes.
Why does halving voltage (fixed R) halve current?: By Ohm's law I = E ÷ R, current is directly proportional to voltage when resistance is constant.
What is a busbar?: A solid conductor (bar) in a panel that distributes power to the breakers; the neutral and ground each have their own bus.
Subpanel neutral and ground — bonded?: No — at a subpanel the neutral (grounded) bus is isolated from the ground (bonding) bus; they bond ONLY at the service.
What is a bonding jumper?: A reliable conductor ensuring electrical continuity between metal parts that must be bonded (e.g., around a concentric knockout).
Grounding electrode system — bonding together?: All present electrodes (water pipe, rods, Ufer, etc.) must be bonded together to form one grounding electrode system (250.50).
Effective ground-fault current path?: An intentionally constructed, low-impedance path that carries fault current back to the source so the OCPD operates (250.4).
Motor branch-circuit conductor sizing?: A single continuous-duty motor's branch-circuit conductors are sized at 125% of the motor full-load current (430.22).
Motor full-load current — from where?: The NEC motor tables (e.g., Table 430.248/430.250), NOT the nameplate, for branch-circuit and feeder sizing.
Motor overload protection vs short-circuit protection?: Overloads (heaters/relays) protect the motor from running overcurrent; the branch-circuit breaker/fuse protects against short circuits and ground faults.
Feeder for several motors?: Sized at 125% of the largest motor's FLC plus the sum of the other motors' FLCs (430.24).
What is demand load vs connected load?: Connected load = everything added up; demand load = connected load after applying NEC demand factors for realistic simultaneous use.
MC cable vs NM cable?: MC (Article 330) has a metal interlocking armor and is allowed in more locations; NM (Article 334) has a nonmetallic sheath, mainly for dry dwellings.
What is a conduit body (LB, T, C)?: A fitting that provides access for pulling/splicing conductors at a bend or junction in a raceway run.
Flexible metal conduit (FMC) — use?: Article 348 — for connections to equipment subject to movement/vibration (e.g., motors); length and EGC limits apply.
Liquidtight flexible conduit — where?: Article 350 (LFMC) — flexible connections in wet/damp/oily locations, such as outdoor motor connections.
Wet-location wiring methods?: Use raceways/cables/conductors listed for wet locations (e.g., RMC, PVC, THWN conductors); NM cable is not allowed in wet locations.
What is PVC conduit (RNC)?: Rigid nonmetallic conduit (Article 352) — corrosion-resistant; common for underground and wet locations; needs expansion fittings for movement.
Color code for the grounded (neutral) conductor?: White or gray. The EGC is green, green/yellow, or bare. Ungrounded (hot) conductors are any other color.
Why derate when bundling conductors?: Heat from each conductor can't dissipate as easily when crowded, so the allowable ampacity is reduced (310.15).
What is a junction box?: An enclosure where conductors are spliced or pulled; must remain accessible and meet box-fill and pull-box sizing rules.
Pull-box sizing for a straight pull (4 AWG+)?: Length at least 8 times the largest raceway's trade size (314.28).
Pull-box sizing for an angle/U pull (4 AWG+)?: Distance from the raceway entry to the opposite wall at least 6 times the largest raceway's trade size (314.28).
GFCI vs AFCI — which goes in a bedroom?: AFCI (arc-fault) — bedrooms are dwelling living areas. GFCI (ground-fault) goes in wet/grounded areas.
Dual-function (DF) device?: A device that provides BOTH GFCI and AFCI protection in one — useful where both are required (e.g., a kitchen).
Tamper-resistant receptacles — where?: Required in dwelling units for 125 V, 15- and 20-A receptacles (406.12) to prevent children inserting objects.
What is an outlet (NEC definition)?: A point on the wiring system where current is taken to supply utilization equipment — not just a receptacle.
Why must the OCPD match the conductor, not the load?: The breaker's job is to open before the conductor overheats; a breaker too large for the wire defeats that protection.

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By Career EmployerUpdated Sep 12, 2026

200+ free Journeyman Electrician flashcards — 4 ways to study

Journeyman Electrician Flashcard of the DayNew daily

The classic card. Do you know this one?

Click Study Flashcards above to open the flashcard hub — over 200 journeyman electrician cards you can flip, match, type, or quiz yourself on. Every card is drawn from the core NEC topics the exam tests, so you study exactly what shows up on test day.^[1] Pair them with our free practice test and study guide.

Journeyman Electrician Flashcard Study Modes

Flip mode lets you turn each card at your own pace, Match times you pairing terms with their definitions, Type asks you to read a definition and key the term back, and Quiz builds multiple-choice questions from the same 225 cards. Type is where recall gets honest: the card that asks What is ampacity? has to come out of your head, not off the screen.

Free Journeyman Electrician flashcards from Career Employer — active recall for the NEC-based licensing exam

Why Flashcards Work for the Journeyman Electrician Exam

Wiring Methods, Conductors & Fill is the biggest block at 65 cards, and it mixes conductor language with raceway and installation detail. Sizing vocabulary shows up in prompts like What is AWG? and What is kcmil?, while code-location recall comes through cards such as EMT — what article? and Article 300 covers?, plus field details like EMT support spacing? and EMT cut ends?

Overcurrent, GFCI/AFCI & Safety holds 51 cards covering protection devices, code sections, and job-site safety practice. You work through the card that asks GFCI code section? and its counterpart AFCI code section?, function questions like How does a GFCI work? and GFCI trip threshold?, and safety terms including what is arc flash? and what is lockout/tagout?, along with a tap conductor card.

Electrical Theory & Calculations gives you 44 cards on the fundamentals every other domain leans on. Expect definition cards such as What is voltage?, What is current?, What is resistance? and What is impedance?, comparison prompts like AC vs DC?, the relationship card Ohm’s law?, and code-context items including What is the NEC? and Current NEC edition?

Services, Grounding & Bonding covers 40 cards on the equipment and terminology at the point of supply. Definition pairs like Grounding (definition)? and Bonding (definition)? sit next to hardware cards such as What is a busbar? and What is a Ufer ground?, plus jumper distinctions in Main bonding jumper? and System bonding jumper?

Feeders & Load Calculations closes the deck with 25 cards on distribution and demand. You separate terms with cards like What is a feeder?, Feeder vs service? and What is a branch circuit?, then move into load handling through What is a continuous load?, Electric range demand? and Why apply demand factors?

The journeyman exam is dense with exact values — ampacities, conduit and box fill percentages, EGC and GEC sizes, formulas, and code definitions.^[1] Spaced flashcards are the most efficient way to keep those numbers fresh. Used alongside our practice test and study guide, they turn review time into measurable progress.

Journeyman Electrician Flashcards by Topic

The cards are organized into five topic areas that mirror the study guide. Drill the calculation and code-value cards first — they’re the fastest, most repeatable points on the exam:^[1]

Journeyman electrician flashcards by topic area
Topic area	What it covers
Electrical Theory & Calculations	Ohm's law, power, series/parallel, voltage drop
Services, Grounding & Bonding	Service sizing, GEC/EGC, main & system bonding jumpers
Feeders & Load Calculations	Continuous loads, 125% rule, Article 220 demand factors, motors
Wiring Methods, Conductors & Fill	EMT/NM/RMC, ampacity, conduit fill, box fill, burial depths
Overcurrent, GFCI/AFCI & Safety	OCPD rules, tap rules, GFCI vs AFCI, receptacle spacing, working space

How to Get the Most Out of These Flashcards

Start with the largest block. Wiring Methods, Conductors & Fill carries 65 cards, so early Flip passes there give you the conductor and raceway vocabulary the rest of the deck assumes.
Type-drill the definitions you must state cleanly. Cards like What is ampacity? and What is a raceway? reward exact wording, since vague recall collapses under exam pressure.
Use Match for paired lookalikes. Code-section and device cards such as GFCI code section? and AFCI code section? sort themselves out fast when you are racing the clock.
Switch to the practice test once recall holds. When Quiz on Electrical Theory & Calculations and Services, Grounding & Bonding stops surprising you, move to full-length questions and the study guide.
Keep the cadence small and repeated. With 225 cards, rotate one domain per session, revisit Feeders & Load Calculations often since its 25 cards are easy to neglect.

Journeyman Electrician Flashcards FAQ

Over 200 free journeyman electrician flashcards, organized across five topic areas — electrical theory and calculations, services and grounding, feeders and load calculations, wiring methods and fill, and overcurrent, GFCI/AFCI, and safety. They're free with no account required.

References

1.National Fire Protection Association. “NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC).” nfpa.org. ↑
2.National Fire Protection Association. “Grounding vs. Bonding (NEC Article 250).” nfpa.org. ↑
3.Occupational Safety and Health Administration. “Electrical — Safety Standards.” osha.gov. ↑

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