3E Electrical Plans Examiner Mock Tests

1. General Administration and Scope (5%)

Permit Requirements: Evaluating the necessity of permits for specific electrical installations, alterations, and additions.

Documentation Review: Confirming that submittal documents (plans, calculations, specifications) are complete, legible, and prepared by licensed professionals where required.

Code Application: Determining which codes apply to a specific project based on occupancy, use group, and local amendments.

Testing and Maintenance: Reviewing requirements for system commissioning and field testing for specialized equipment.

2. Services and Service Equipment (12%)

Service Characteristics: Verifying voltage, phase, and frequency requirements for the facility.

Service Entrance Conductors: Calculating ampacity based on load, temperature ratings, and insulation types (e.g., THHN, XHHW).

Service Disconnecting Means: Reviewing the location, grouping, and marking of service disconnects; ensuring they are "readily accessible."

Overcurrent Protection: Evaluating the rating of service fuses or circuit breakers and their interrupting capacity (AIC ratings).

Service Grounding: Checking the sizing and connection of the Grounding Electrode System (GES) and Grounding Electrode Conductors (GEC).

3. Feeders and Branch Circuits (18%)

Load Calculations: Performing and verifying general lighting loads, appliance loads, and demand factors for various occupancies.

Circuit Sizing: Reviewing the selection of conductor sizes to prevent excessive voltage drop and ensure continuous load capacity.

Overcurrent Protection (OCP): Ensuring branch circuits and feeders are protected against short circuits and ground faults.

GFCI and AFCI Protection: Verifying the placement of Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter and Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupter protection in required locations (e.g., dwelling units, commercial kitchens).

Multi-wire Branch Circuits: Reviewing requirements for simultaneous disconnection of ungrounded conductors.

4. Grounding and Bonding (16%)

System Grounding: Identifying grounded vs. ungrounded systems and verifying the "Main Bonding Jumper" installation.

Equipment Grounding Conductors (EGC): Sizing EGCs based on the rating of the overcurrent device (NEC Table 250.122).

Bonding Requirements: Reviewing bonding for metal piping (water/gas), structural steel, and communications systems.

Separately Derived Systems: Reviewing grounding requirements for transformers and generators.

5. Wiring Methods and Materials (14%)

Conductor Properties: Checking for correct application of aluminum vs. copper conductors and proper terminations.

Raceways and Cables: Verifying the use of EMT, RMC, PVC, MC cable, and NM cable based on environmental conditions (wet, dry, corrosive).

Box and Conduit Fill: Reviewing calculations for the maximum number of conductors allowed in junction boxes and raceways to prevent overheating.

Firestopping: Ensuring electrical penetrations through fire-rated assemblies are properly detailed and sealed.

6. Equipment for General Use (12%)

Luminaires (Lighting): Reviewing installation requirements for indoor, outdoor, and recessed lighting in insulated ceilings (IC-rated).

Appliances and HVAC: Verifying the nameplate ratings for water heaters, ranges, and air conditioning equipment against circuit breakers.

Motors and Controllers: Checking the sizing of motor branch circuits, disconnects, and thermal overload protection.

Transformers: Reviewing primary/secondary overcurrent protection and ventilation requirements for dry-type transformers.

7. Special Occupancies and Equipment (15%)

Hazardous Locations: Reviewing plans for Class I, II, and III locations (e.g., gas stations, spray booths) and the use of explosion-proof fittings.

Healthcare Facilities: Verifying requirements for "Essential Electrical Systems" and hospital-grade receptacles in patient care areas.

Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs: Reviewing bonding grids, GFCI protection for pumps, and underwater lighting distances.

Emergency Systems (Article 700): Evaluating the separation of emergency wiring from normal wiring and the transfer switch logic.

8. Renewable Energy and Storage (8%)

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems: Reviewing rapid shutdown requirements, DC string sizing, and inverter locations.

Energy Storage Systems (ESS): Verifying fire-safety setbacks and disconnect locations for battery backups.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging: Reviewing load calculations for Level 2 and Level 3 chargers and supply equipment.

Key Reference Material

To prepare for the exam, mastery of the following is essential:

NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code)

International Building Code (IBC)

International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)

Ugly’s Electrical References (for rapid calculation checks)