Exam Cheat Sheet · Quick Reference

Maryland Journeyperson Electrician

Maryland  ·  PSI Services Contractor

Verified, not estimated. Every figure below is drawn from the official exam structure we maintain — question counts, passing standard and topic weighting. Practice questions are grounded in the source law with statute citations. We omit any figure we can't verify rather than guess at it.
Total questions
70
Passing score
70%
Exam time
210 min
Administered by
PSI Services Contractor
Format
Reference materials allowed

Maryland State Portion 70 questions

Electrical Theory 20 Q · 29%
DefinitionsTheory Including Ohm's LawTechniquesTroubleshootingEquipment/DevicesInstrumentsMaterialsMathConversionsDiagramsSymbols
Wiring and Protection 20 Q · 29%
NEC Article 100NEC Article 110NEC Article 200-210NEC Article 215-225NEC Article 230NEC Article 240NEC Article 250-285
Wiring Methods and Materials 12 Q · 17%
NEC Article 300NEC Article 310-314NEC Article 320-330NEC Article 332-356NEC Article 358-374NEC Article 376-398
Equipment for General Use 6 Q · 9%
NEC Article 400-411NEC Article 422-427NEC Article 430-450NEC Article 455-490
Special Occupancies 4 Q · 6%
NEC Article 500-525NEC Article 530-547NEC Article 550-590
Special Equipment 2 Q · 3%
NEC Article 600-675NEC Article 680-695
Special Communications 6 Q · 9%
NEC Article 700-708NEC Article 720-830

Key Distinctions

Ammeter (M1)vsVoltmeter (M2)

An ammeter is connected in series and must have very low internal resistance to measure current, while a voltmeter is connected in parallel and must have very high internal resistance to measure potential difference without drawing significant current.

Grounded Conductor (Neutral) ContinuityvsEquipment Grounding Conductor Continuity

The grounded (neutral) conductor's continuity shall NOT depend on connection to metallic enclosures, raceways, or cable armor, whereas equipment grounding conductors may use metallic raceways as the grounding path.

NEC, Section 200.2(B)
Earth as Ground-Fault PathvsEffective Ground-Fault Current Path

The earth shall NOT be considered an effective ground-fault current path; an effective path must be a low-impedance circuit capable of safely carrying maximum ground-fault current and facilitating overcurrent device operation.

NEC, Section 250.4(A)(5)
Type MC Cable (plenum)vsType NM / ENT / PVC (plenum)

Type MC cable without an overall nonmetallic covering is permitted in spaces used for environmental air (plenums), while Type NM, ENT, and PVC are not permitted in plenum spaces unless enclosed in an approved metal raceway.

NEC 2020, Section 300.22(C)(1)
Flexible Metal Conduit (FMC)vsLiquidtight Flexible Metal Conduit (LFMC)

FMC is prohibited in wet locations, whereas LFMC in trade sizes 3/4 through 1-1/4 may serve as an equipment grounding conductor when the OCPD is rated ≤60 A and the total length in the ground-fault path does not exceed 6 ft.

NEC, Section 348.12(1)
Single Rod/Pipe/Plate ElectrodevsConcrete-Encased Electrode (Ufer Ground)

A single rod, pipe, or plate electrode requires a supplemental electrode unless its resistance to earth is 25 ohms or less, while a concrete-encased electrode requires at least 20 ft of rebar (≥1/2 in. diameter) or 4 AWG bare copper encased in at least 2 inches of concrete.

NEC, Section 250.52(A)(3)
System Bonding Jumper (Separately Derived System)vsService Bonding (Standard Service)

For a separately derived system, the system bonding jumper may be installed at any single point from the source to the first disconnecting means, whereas standard locknuts or bushings alone are not acceptable as the sole bonding method at a service.

NEC, Section 250.30(A)(1)
Neutral-to-Ground Bond at Separate BuildingvsNeutral-to-Ground Bond at Service Equipment

At a separate detached building supplied by a feeder with its own disconnect and grounding electrode, the grounded (neutral) conductor shall NOT be connected to the equipment grounding conductor or grounding electrode, unlike at the main service where this bond is required.

NEC, Section 250.32(B)(1)
75°C Termination Ratingvs90°C Conductor Rating

Even when conductors are rated 90°C, the ampacity must be limited to the 75°C column value when terminations are not listed and marked for use above 75°C on circuits over 100 A or conductors larger than 1 AWG.

NEC 2020, Section 110.14(C)(1)(b)
Single-Pole (S) Wall SwitchvsThree-Way (S3) Wall Switch

On wiring-plan blueprints, a single-pole switch is denoted by a plain 'S', while a three-way switch is denoted by 'S' with a subscript '3' (S3).

Wood-Member Bored-Hole Cable Protection (≥1-1/4 in. clearance)vsSteel-Plate Protection (< 1-1/4 in. clearance)

Where a cable passes through bored holes and maintains at least 1-1/4 inches from the nearest wood-member edge, no additional protection is needed; when that distance cannot be maintained, a steel plate or sleeve at least 1/16 inch thick must be installed.

NEC 2020, Section 300.4(A)(1) and 300.4(D)
Type MI Cable Bending Radius (≤3/4 in. diameter)vsType MI Cable Bending Radius (>3/4 in. to 1 in. diameter)

For Type MI cable with an external diameter greater than 3/4 in. but not more than 1 in., the minimum inner-edge bending radius is ten times the external diameter, whereas the multiplier differs for smaller diameters.

NEC 2020, Section 332.24(2)

Key Terms

Multiwire Branch Circuit – Same Panelboard Rule NEC 2020, Section 210.4(A)
Per NEC 210.4(A), all ungrounded conductors of a multiwire branch circuit must originate from the same panelboard or similar distribution equipment.
Steel Nail-Plate Protection for Cables NEC 2020, Section 300.4(A)(1) and 300.4(D)
Per NEC 300.4(A)(1) and 300.4(D), when cables cannot maintain 1-1/4 in. from the nearest framing-member edge, a steel plate, sleeve, or equivalent at least 1/16 in. thick must protect the cable.
Electrical Equipment Internal Cleanliness NEC 2020, Section 110.12(B)
Per NEC 110.12(B), internal parts of electrical equipment shall not be contaminated by foreign materials such as paint, plaster, or cleaners that could adversely affect safe operation.
Grounding Electrode – Metal Underground Water Pipe NEC, Section 250.52(A)(1)
Per NEC 250.52(A)(1), a metal underground water pipe in direct contact with the earth for 10 ft or more qualifies as a grounding electrode.
Concrete-Encased Electrode (Ufer Ground) NEC, Section 250.52(A)(3)
Per NEC 250.52(A)(3), this electrode requires at least 20 ft of rebar (≥1/2 in. diameter) or 4 AWG bare copper encased in at least 2 inches of concrete.
Supplemental Electrode Exemption – 25-Ohm Rule NEC, Section 250.53(A)(2) Exception
Per NEC 250.53(A)(2) Exception, a supplemental electrode is not required when a single rod, pipe, or plate electrode measures 25 ohms or less resistance to earth.
Solder-Only Grounding Connections – Prohibited NEC, Section 250.8(A) and 250.8(B)
Per NEC 250.8(B), connection devices or fittings that depend solely on solder shall not be used for equipment grounding conductors, grounding electrode conductors, or bonding jumpers.
Grounded Conductor Identification – White or Silver Terminal NEC, Section 200.10(B)
Per NEC 200.10(B), the terminal for the grounded conductor on receptacles, plugs, and connectors must be identified by a white or silver metal finish, or the word 'white' or letter 'W'.
Motor Conductor Ampacity – Continuous Duty NEC, Section 430.22
Per NEC 430.22, conductors supplying a single motor in a continuous duty application must have an ampacity of not less than 125% of the motor's full-load current rating.
Fixed Electric Space-Heating Branch Circuit Limit NEC, Section 424.4(A)
Per NEC 424.4(A), branch circuits supplying two or more outlets for fixed electric space-heating equipment shall be rated not over 30 amperes.
Type MC Cable Support Interval NEC 2020, Section 330.30(B)
Per NEC 330.30(B), Type MC cable must be secured at intervals not exceeding 6 ft (1.8 m).
EMT Support and Fastening Requirements NEC, Section 358.30(A)
Per NEC 358.30(A), EMT must be supported at intervals not exceeding 10 ft (3 m) and secured within 3 ft (900 mm) of each termination point.
FMC Fastening Distance from Terminations NEC, Section 348.30(A)
Per NEC 348.30(A), flexible metal conduit must be securely fastened within 12 in. (300 mm) of each box, cabinet, or conduit body.
Wooden Plugs for Mounting – Prohibited NEC 2020, Section 110.13(A)
Per NEC 110.13(A), wooden plugs driven into holes in masonry, concrete, plaster, or similar materials shall not be used to mount electrical equipment.
Type S Fuse Adapter – Non-Removable Once Installed NEC 2020, Section 240.54(C)
Per NEC 240.54(C), Type S fuse adapters are designed so that once inserted into a fuseholder they cannot be removed, preventing tampering with overcurrent protection.
Raceways – No Non-Electrical Piping Permitted NEC 2020, Section 300.8
Per NEC 300.8, raceways or cable trays containing electrical conductors shall not also contain pipes for steam, water, air, gas, drainage, or any non-electrical service.

Formulas to Know

Ohm's Law – VoltageE = I × R
Ohm's Law – CurrentI = E ÷ R
Ohm's Law – ResistanceR = E ÷ I
Total Resistance – Series CircuitR_total = R1 + R2 + R3 + ...
Total Resistance – Parallel Circuit (two resistors)R_total = (R1 × R2) ÷ (R1 + R2)
Motor Conductor Minimum Ampacity (Continuous Duty)Conductor ampacity ≥ 1.25 × Motor FLC
Room A/C Max Rating on Shared Branch Circuit (50% Rule)Max A/C marked rating = 0.50 × Branch-circuit ampere rating
Type MC Cable Bending Radius (Interlocked Armor)Min bend radius (inner edge) = 7 × External diameter of metallic sheath
Type MI Cable Bending Radius (>3/4 in. to ≤1 in. O.D.)Min bend radius (inner edge) = 10 × External diameter of metallic sheath
Power FormulaP = E × I (and P = I² × R and P = E² ÷ R)