Exam Cheat Sheet · Quick Reference

Texas - Journeyman Lineman Electrician

Texas  ·  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
40
Passing score
70
Exam time
120 min
Administered by
PSI Services Contractor
Format
Reference materials allowed

Texas State Portion 40 questions

Definitions and Theory 6 Q · 15%
Electrical Services and Service Equipment 8 Q · 20%
Electrical Feeders 4 Q · 10%
Branch Circuit Calculations and Conductors 2 Q · 5%
Electrical Wiring Methods and Electrical Materials 2 Q · 5%
Electrical Equipment and Devices 10 Q · 25%
Motors and Generators 2 Q · 5%
Electrical Control Devices and Disconnecting Means 6 Q · 15%

Key Distinctions

Mandatory NEC RulesvsPermissive NEC Rules

Mandatory rules use 'shall' or 'shall not' and are specifically required or prohibited, while permissive rules use 'shall be permitted' or 'shall not be required' and describe allowed but not required options.

NEC 90.5(A)
Informational NotesvsMandatory Rules

Informational notes are included for reference purposes only and are not enforceable, whereas mandatory rules characterized by 'shall/shall not' are legally enforceable requirements.

NEC 90.5(C)
NEC Chapters 1–4vsNEC Chapters 5–7

Chapters 1–4 apply generally to all electrical installations, while Chapters 5–7 apply only to special occupancies, special equipment, or other special conditions and may supplement or modify Chapters 1–4.

NEC 90.3
NEC Chapter 8 (Communications)vsNEC Chapters 1–7

Chapter 8 covers communications systems and is NOT subject to the requirements of Chapters 1–7 except where specifically referenced, making it largely self-contained.

NEC 90.3
Grounded Conductor Terminal (Neutral)vsEquipment Grounding Conductor Terminal

Grounded (neutral) conductor terminals must be white or silver-colored, while equipment grounding conductor terminals are identified by green or bare copper.

NEC 200.9
Grounded Conductors 6 AWG or SmallervsGrounded Conductors Larger than 6 AWG

Conductors 6 AWG or smaller must have a continuous white or gray outer finish for identification, while larger conductors may use other approved identification methods.

NEC 200.6(A)
Continuous LoadvsNoncontinuous Load

Continuous loads require conductors sized at 125% of the load, whereas noncontinuous loads only require conductors sized at 100% of the load when calculating minimum branch-circuit conductor ampacity.

NEC 210.19(A)(1)
GFCI Protection in Dwelling Units (210.8(A))vsGFCI Protection in Commercial Buildings (210.8(B))

Dwelling unit GFCI requirements (210.8(A)) cover specific locations like kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and areas near sinks, while commercial bathroom requirements (210.8(B)) apply to all 125V–250V receptacles supplied by single-phase circuits rated 150V or less to ground.

NEC 210.8(B)
NEC Purpose (90.1)vsNEC Scope (90.2)

The purpose (90.1) defines why the Code exists—practical safeguarding of persons and property from electrical hazards—while the scope (90.2) defines which installations the Code covers and explicitly excludes (e.g., ships, aircraft).

NEC 90.2(A)
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) – InterpretationsvsAuthority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) – Waivers

The AHJ is responsible for making interpretations of NEC rules and approving equipment as a standard duty, but may only waive specific NEC requirements by special permission when equivalent safety objectives can be achieved by alternative methods.

NEC 90.4(B)
SI (Metric) Units in NECvsInch-Pound Units in NEC

SI (metric) units appear first in the NEC dual system, but where there is a conflict between SI and inch-pound values, the inch-pound values govern.

NEC 90.9(B)
NEC Compliance ResultvsNEC Design Intent

Compliance with the NEC results in an installation essentially free from hazard but not necessarily efficient, convenient, or adequate for good service; the Code is not intended as a design specification or instruction manual for untrained persons.

NEC 90.2(B)

Key Terms

Purpose of the NEC (NEC 90.1/90.2(A)) NEC 90.2(A)
Per NEC 90.2(A)/90.1(A), the Code exists for the practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity, and is not a design specification or instruction manual for untrained persons.
Mandatory Rule (NEC 90.5(A)) NEC 90.5(A)
Per NEC 90.5(A), a mandatory rule identifies actions specifically required or prohibited and is characterized by the terms 'shall' or 'shall not'.
Permissive Rule (NEC 90.5(B)) NEC 90.5(B)
Per NEC 90.5(B), a permissive rule identifies actions that are allowed but not required, characterized by 'shall be permitted' or 'shall not be required'.
Informational Note (NEC 90.5(C)) NEC 90.5(C)
Per NEC 90.5(C), informational notes are explanatory material included in the Code for reference purposes only and are not enforceable as requirements.
Authority Having Jurisdiction – AHJ (NEC 90.4(B)) NEC 90.4(B)
Per NEC 90.4(B), the AHJ is the entity responsible for enforcing the Code, making interpretations of its rules, deciding on equipment approval, and granting special permissions.
NEC Chapter Structure (NEC 90.3) NEC 90.3
Per NEC 90.3, the Code is divided into an introduction and nine chapters; Chapters 1–4 apply generally, Chapters 5–7 cover special conditions, and Chapter 8 covers communications systems independently.
NEC Exclusions from Scope (NEC 90.2(D)/90.2(B)) NEC 90.2(D)
Per NEC 90.2(B), the Code does not cover installations in ships, watercraft (other than floating buildings), railway rolling stock, aircraft, or automotive vehicles other than mobile homes and recreational vehicles.
Grounded Conductor Minimum Insulation Rating (NEC 200.2(A)) NEC 200.2(A)
Per NEC 200.2(A), grounded conductors in solidly grounded neutral systems over 1000 volts must be rated not less than 600 volts.
Grounded Conductor Identification – Small (NEC 200.6(A)) NEC 200.6(A)
Per NEC 200.6(A), grounded conductors of 6 AWG or smaller must be identified by a continuous white or gray outer finish, or three continuous white or gray stripes.
Grounded Conductor Terminal Color (NEC 200.9) NEC 200.9
Per NEC 200.9, terminals for grounded conductors on wiring devices shall be identified by being substantially white in color (commonly silver-colored in practice).
GFCI Protection – Dwelling Units (NEC 210.8(A)) NEC 210.8(A)
Per NEC 210.8(A), GFCI protection is required for 125V–250V receptacles in dwelling unit locations including bathrooms, garages, outdoors, kitchens, unfinished basements, crawl spaces, and areas within 6 ft of a sink.
Small-Appliance Branch Circuits (NEC 210.11(C)(1)) NEC 210.11(C)(1)
Per NEC 210.11(C)(1), dwelling units must have two or more 20-ampere small-appliance branch circuits for receptacle outlets in kitchen and dining areas.
Branch-Circuit Conductor Ampacity for Mixed Loads (NEC 210.19(A)(1)) NEC 210.19(A)(1)
Per NEC 210.19(A)(1), branch-circuit conductors must have ampacity not less than 125% of the continuous load plus 100% of the noncontinuous load.
Maximum Voltage – Dwelling Unit Branch Circuits (NEC 210.6(A)) NEC 210.6(A)
Per NEC 210.6(A), voltage between conductors supplying luminaires and cord-and-plug loads of 1,440 VA or less in dwelling units shall not exceed 120 volts nominal.
Type TF Fixture Wire Temperature Rating (NEC Table 402.3) NEC Table 402.3
Per NEC Table 402.3, Type TF thermoplastic fixture wire has a maximum operating temperature of 60°C (140°F).
Minimum Flexible Cord Conductor Size (NEC 400.21(A), Table 400.4) NEC 400.21(A), Table 400.4
Per NEC Table 400.4, the minimum conductor size for most common flexible cord types (Types S, SJ, SO, SJO, etc.) is 18 AWG.

Formulas to Know

Minimum Branch-Circuit Conductor Ampacity (Mixed Loads)Ampacity = (1.25 × Continuous Load) + (1.00 × Noncontinuous Load)
GFCI Dwelling Kitchen Sink Proximity RuleGFCI required for receptacles within 1.8 m (6 ft) of top inside edge of sink bowl
Continuous Load Upsize FactorConductor or OCPD rating ≥ 125% × Continuous Load
Small-Appliance Branch Circuit Minimum CountMinimum small-appliance branch circuits = 2 (each rated 20 A)
Grounded Conductor Minimum Insulation Voltage (Solidly Grounded Neutral >1000 V)Minimum insulation rating = 600 V