NEC Article 210 Practice Questions: Branch Circuits

GFCI and AFCI rules, receptacle placement, and branch-circuit ratings — Article 210 carries more exam questions than any other article. Drill it here with real code-referenced questions.

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98 Article 210 questions in the bankWritten in the PSI computer-based exam formatEvery answer cites the NEC section

What Article 210 Covers on the Exam

Article 210 is the single most-tested article in our Texas exam bank. It governs branch circuits: which locations need GFCI protection (210.8), where AFCI is required (210.12), how receptacles must be spaced in dwellings (210.52), and how branch-circuit ratings match loads (210.19–210.23). If you only had time to master one article before test day, this is the one.

Tested subtopics from Article 210

GFCI-required locations in dwellings and other occupancies — 210.8(A) and (B)
AFCI protection for dwelling circuits — 210.12
The 6-foot/12-foot wall receptacle spacing rule and countertop receptacles — 210.52(A) and (C)
Small-appliance, laundry, and bathroom branch circuits — 210.11(C)
Branch-circuit ratings, continuous loads, and the 125% rule — 210.19 and 210.20

Drill a different article

98 questions in our bank cite Article 210. Practice the other high-yield articles too:

Art. 110 — General Requirements Art. 220 — Load Calculations Art. 230 — Services Art. 240 — Overcurrent Protection Art. 250 — Grounding and Bonding Art. 300 — Wiring Methods Art. 310 — Conductors & Ampacity Art. 314 — Boxes & Box Fill Art. 430 — Motors Art. 450 — Transformers Art. 680 — Swimming Pools & Spas

How to Study Article 210

Make two lists and drill them until automatic: every GFCI location in 210.8(A) (bathrooms, garages, outdoors, crawl spaces, basements, kitchens, sinks, boathouses, bathtubs/showers, laundry areas) and the required dwelling circuits in 210.11(C). Then practice 210.52 spacing questions with a sketch — the exam asks them as "how many receptacles" or "maximum distance" problems, and drawing the wall beats reasoning in your head.

Then put it under exam conditions: the free diagnostic scores you across every category and shows whether branch circuits is actually a weak area — or whether your study time belongs somewhere else.

Sample Questions (From Our Real Question Bank)

Here are 4 real questions from our question bank. The free diagnostic quiz has 10 more.

NEC NEC 210.8(A)Branch Circuits

1. Per NEC 210.8(A), GFCI protection is required for all 125-volt through 250-volt receptacles in dwelling unit bathrooms that are rated how?

A20 amperes or less
B30 amperes or less
C50 amperes or less
D150 volts or less to ground

Show explanation

NEC 210.8(A) requires GFCI protection for receptacles rated 150V or less to ground in bathrooms, regardless of amperage.

NEC NEC 210.52(A)(1)Branch Circuits

2. In dwelling units, receptacle outlets in habitable rooms shall be installed so that no point measured horizontally along the floor line of any wall space is more than how far from a receptacle outlet?

A4 feet
B5 feet
C6 feet
D8 feet

Show explanation

Per NEC 210.52(A)(1), receptacle outlets in habitable rooms must be positioned so no point is more than 6 feet from an outlet.

NEC NEC 210.12(B)Branch Circuits

3. According to NEC 210.12(B), AFCI protection is required in dwelling unit kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas, and similar areas on what type of branch circuits?

AAll 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits
BOnly 15-ampere branch circuits
CAll 120-volt and 240-volt circuits
DAll 120-volt, single-phase, 10-, 15-, and 20-ampere branch circuits

Show explanation

NEC 210.12(B) requires AFCI protection for all 120-volt, single-phase, 10-, 15-, and 20-ampere branch circuits in specified dwelling unit areas.

NEC NEC 210.52(C)(1)Branch Circuits

4. Per NEC 210.52(C)(1), receptacle outlets for countertop and work surfaces in kitchens shall be installed so that no point along the wall line is more than how far from a receptacle outlet?

A12 inches
B18 inches
C24 inches
D48 inches

Show explanation

NEC 210.52(C)(1) requires kitchen countertop receptacles to be spaced no more than 24 inches apart along the wall line.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does NEC Article 210 cover on the journeyman exam?

Article 210 covers branch circuits: GFCI protection (210.8), AFCI protection (210.12), required dwelling circuits (210.11), receptacle placement (210.52), and branch-circuit ratings for continuous loads (210.19–210.20). It is typically the most heavily tested article on journeyman exams.

What is the 6/12 receptacle rule in 210.52?

In dwelling habitable rooms, no point along the floor line of any wall space may be more than 6 feet from a receptacle, which works out to receptacles at least every 12 feet along a wall. Any wall space 2 feet or wider needs a receptacle. Kitchen countertops follow a separate rule: no point along the wall line more than 24 inches from a receptacle.

How do continuous loads affect branch-circuit sizing?

Per 210.19 and 210.20, conductors and overcurrent devices for a continuous load are sized at 125% of the continuous load (plus 100% of any non-continuous load). A continuous load is one expected to run for 3 hours or more, such as commercial lighting.