North Carolina Electrical Contractor - Ground Water Pump (SP-WP)

Key Concepts

• Earth is never a fault-current path. The effective ground-fault current path must be a low-impedance circuit capable of safely carrying the maximum ground-fault current from any point on the wiring system to the supply source; "The earth shall not be considered as an effective ground-fault current path" — 250.4(A)(5).
• Objectionable current (250.6(B)). If multiple grounding connections cause objectionable current and 250.4(A)(5) or (B)(4) are still met, permitted alterations include discontinuing one or more but not all of such connections, changing their locations, interrupting the continuity of the conductive path, or other approved remedial action.
• Connection methods (250.8). Permitted: listed pressure connectors, terminal bars, pressure connectors listed as grounding and bonding equipment, exothermic welding, machine screw-type fasteners engaging not less than two threads or secured with a nut, thread-forming machine screws engaging not less than two threads, connections part of a listed assembly, other listed means. 250.8(B): devices or fittings that depend solely on solder shall not be used.
• Clean surfaces (250.12). Paint, lacquer, and enamel shall be removed…

North Carolina Electrical Contractor – Ground Water Pump (SP-WP) · 3 questions (8% of exam) All references: NEC 2020, Article 240

Key Concepts

Scope of Article 240 (240.1) - Parts I through VII cover general overcurrent protection for devices not more than 1000 volts, nominal. - Part VIII covers supervised industrial installations at not more than 1000 volts, nominal. - Part IX covers overcurrent protection over 1000 volts, nominal.

Circuit Breakers (Part VII) - 240.80 Method of Operation: Circuit breakers shall be trip free and capable of being closed and opened by manual operation. Normal operation by other than manual means (electrical, pneumatic) is permitted if means for manual operation are also provided. - 240.81 Indicating: Breakers shall clearly indicate open "off" or closed "on." Where handles operate vertically, the "up" position is the "on" position. - 240.82 Nontamperable: Any alteration of trip point (calibration) or operating time must require dismantling the device or breaking a seal. - 240.83(A) Marking: Ampere rating marked durably and visibly after installation; may be made visible by…

Key Concepts

Conductors for general wiring (Article 310) - Minimum conductor size for voltage ratings up to and including 2000 volts: 14 AWG copper or 12 AWG aluminum or copper-clad aluminum, except as permitted elsewhere in the Code — 310.3(A). - Where installed in raceways, conductors 8 AWG and larger shall be stranded, unless specifically permitted or required elsewhere to be solid — 310.3(C). - Conductors may be connected in parallel only in sizes 1/0 AWG and larger — 310.10(G)(1). - A grounding or bonding conductor shall not be counted when applying 310.15(C)(1) — 310.15(F). - Raceways/cables exposed to direct sunlight on or above rooftops, less than 23 mm (7/8 in.) above the roof: add 33°C (60°F) to the outdoor temperature — 310.15(B)(2). - For a service rated 100 through 400 amperes supplying the entire load of a one-family dwelling (or an individual dwelling unit), conductors are permitted an ampacity not less than 83 percent of the service rating; Table 310.12 may be applied if no adjustment or correction factors are required — 310.12(A).…

NC Electrical Contractor – Ground Water Pump (SP-WP) | 3 questions (8%) All references: NEC 2020, Article 314

Key Concepts

General information

• Scope (314.1): Article 314 covers boxes and conduit bodies used as outlet, device, junction, or pull boxes, and handhole enclosures. Cast metal, sheet metal, nonmetallic, and other boxes such as FS, FD, and larger boxes are not classified as conduit bodies.
• Round boxes (314.2): Round boxes shall not be used where conduits or connectors requiring the use of locknuts or bushings are to be connected to the side of the box.
• Nonmetallic boxes (314.3): Permitted only with open wiring on insulators, concealed knob-and-tube, cabled wiring methods with entirely nonmetallic sheaths, flexible cords, and nonmetallic raceways. Exception No. 1: where internal bonding means are provided between all entries, nonmetallic boxes are permitted with metal raceways or metal-armored cables.
• Metal boxes (314.4): Shall be grounded and bonded per Parts I, IV, V, VI, VII, and X of Article 250, except as permitted in 250.112(I).
• Damp or wet locations (314.15):…

NC Electrical Contractor, Ground Water Pump (SP-WP) · 5 questions (12%)

Key Concepts

General / ampacity determination - Conductor ampacity and ratings of switches and branch-circuit short-circuit and ground-fault protection are taken from Table 430.247–Table 430.250 values, not the nameplate current [430.6(A)(1)]. Separate motor overload protection is based on the motor nameplate current rating [430.6(A)(2)]. - For ac adjustable-voltage, variable-torque drive systems, ratings are based on the maximum operating current marked on the motor or control nameplate; if not marked, the determination is based on 150 percent of the values in Table 430.249 and Table 430.250 [430.6(C)]. - Standard part-winding start motors: each winding connection must have short-circuit and ground-fault protection rated at not more than one-half that specified by 430.52. Exception: one device is permitted for both windings if it will allow the motor to start; time-delay (dual-element) fuses may then be rated not exceeding 150 percent of motor full-load current [430.4].

North Carolina Electrical Contractor – Ground Water Pump (SP-WP) | 3 questions, 8% of exam

Key Concepts

Required dwelling branch circuits (NEC 2020, 210.11(C)) - 210.11(C)(1): In addition to the branch circuits required by other parts of the section, two or more 20-ampere small-appliance branch circuits shall be provided for all receptacle outlets specified by 210.52(B). - 210.11(C)(2): At least one additional 20-ampere branch circuit for the laundry receptacle outlet(s) of 210.52(F); this circuit shall have no other outlets. - 210.11(C)(3): One or more 120-volt, 20-ampere branch circuits for bathroom receptacle outlets; such circuits shall have no other outlets (exception for a single bathroom per 210.23(A)(1) and (A)(2)). - 210.11(C)(4): At least one 120-volt, 20-ampere circuit for attached/detached garage receptacle outlets of 210.52(G)(1); no other outlets, except readily accessible outdoor receptacle outlets. - 210.52(B)(3): Kitchen countertop receptacles shall be supplied by not fewer than two small-appliance branch circuits; no small-appliance branch circuit shall serve more than one kitchen.

Exam: North Carolina Electrical Contractor — Ground Water Pump (SP‑WP)

Key Concepts

Code arrangement and enforceability

• The Code is divided into an introduction and nine chapters. Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4 apply generally. Chapters 5, 6, and 7 apply to special occupancies, special equipment, or other special conditions and may supplement or modify the requirements in Chapters 1 through 7. Chapter 8 covers communications systems and is NOT subject to the requirements of Chapters 1 through 7 except where the requirements are specifically referenced in Chapter 8. Chapter 9 consists of tables that are applicable as referenced. (NEC 2020/2017, Section 90.3)
• Mandatory rules identify actions that are specifically required or prohibited and are characterized by the use of the terms shall or shall not. (NEC 2020, Section 90.5(A))
• Permissive rules identify actions that are allowed but not required, normally describe options or alternative methods, and are characterized by shall be permitted or shall not be required. (NEC 2020, Section 90.5(B))
• Explanatory material, such as informational notes, is included…

Key Concepts

The Board (G.S. 87-39). The State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors consists of one member from the N.C. Department of Insurance designated by the Commissioner of Insurance; one member representing the North Carolina Association of Electrical Contractors; and five members appointed by the Governor (an electrical engineering faculty member of The Greater University of North Carolina, a chief electrical inspector of a municipality or county, an unlimited-license contractor representing the Carolinas Electrical Contractors Association, and two public members). Members serve staggered seven-year terms and may not serve consecutive complete terms [G.S. 87-39(a), (b), (c)].

Classifications (G.S. 87-43.3, 87-43.4). - Limited: a single project of a value not in excess of $100,000, on which equipment or installation is rated at not more than 1,000 volts. - Intermediate: a single project with value not in excess of $200,000. - Unlimited: requires no more than 9,000 hours of experience, of which no less than 8,000 hours shall be primary experience gained by direct installation of wiring and equipment governed by the National Electrical Code.…