CEA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CEA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is a 'detail reference bubble' on an electrical drawing used for? → Pointing to a detail drawing with enlarged information on another sheet
2. Which NEC article governs the installation of wiring methods and materials in hazardous (classified) locations? → Articles 500–516
3. Non-metallic sheathed cable (NM-B) is permitted to be installed in which of the following locations? → Dry locations in wood-frame residential structures
4. Under the NEC, what is the minimum burial depth for rigid metal conduit (RMC) under a residential driveway? → 6 inches
5. A 120V circuit has a resistance of 40 ohms. What is the power dissipated? → 360 W
6. When should an electrical apprentice inspect their personal protective equipment (PPE)? → Before each use
7. A trench is 6 feet deep and 4 feet wide. What is required before workers may enter? → Proper sloping, shoring, or a trench box
8. Which tool is used to cut threads on the outside of metal conduit in the field? → A pipe threader die and ratchet
9. What safety feature should testing equipment have? → Proper insulation and overload protection
10. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) are required on all 120V, 15A and 20A receptacles in which of the following NEC locations? → Bathrooms, kitchens, garages, crawl spaces, and outdoor areas
11. What does a red tag on a piece of equipment typically indicate on a construction jobsite? → The equipment is out of service and must not be used
12. In which situation is a conduit body (LB, LR, LL, T) preferred over a box with a cover? → When making a direction change in a short run with limited pulling access
13. Under NEC 501.15, sealing fittings in Class I, Division 1 conduit systems must be installed within how many inches of an enclosure? → 18 inches
14. When using a clamp meter to measure AC current, what must the conductor pass through? → The center of the clamp jaw opening
15. When using a ladder to access an elevated work area, the ladder must extend at least how far above the landing? → 3 feet
16. Which OSHA standard specifically addresses electrical safety requirements for the construction industry (as opposed to general industry)? → 29 CFR 1926 Subpart K
17. Under NEC 210.52, receptacle outlets in a dwelling unit kitchen must be served by at least how many small appliance branch circuits? → Two 20-ampere circuits
18. An apprentice measures the opposition to current flow in a circuit. What is this property called, and what unit is it measured in? → Resistance, measured in Ohms (Ω)
19. Type MC cable used in wet locations must have which type of jacket? → Lead sheath or PVC jacket listed for wet locations
20. What is the minimum size copper grounding electrode conductor required for a service with a 350 kcmil copper service entrance conductor? → #2 AWG
21. When operating a hydraulic knockout punch, the ram is driven through the sheet metal by: → Pumping hydraulic fluid to increase force on the punch
22. A phase rotation meter (phase sequence tester) is used to verify: → The order in which three-phase voltages peak
23. The opposition to current flow offered by a capacitor is called: → Capacitive reactance
24. What is the minimum wire fill percentage allowed in a conduit according to NEC Chapter 9 for three or more conductors? → 31%
25. When using a come-along (hand ratchet puller) to tension a service entrance conductor, what safety accessory is required on the cable? → A wire mesh pulling grip (Kellems grip) sized to the cable
26. Intermediate metal conduit (IMC) has walls that are thinner than rigid metal conduit (RMC). Which statement about IMC is correct? → IMC is approved for all the same applications as RMC
27. When conductors are installed in parallel, each set of parallel conductors must: → Be the same length, same conductor material, same AWG, and same type of insulation
28. When working in an area where overhead work is being performed, workers below must: → Wear hard hats and stay clear of the overhead work zone
29. On a blueprint, 'GFI' or 'GFCI' next to a receptacle symbol means the device: → Has ground fault circuit interrupter protection
30. Under OSHA 1926 Subpart K, which action is required when working within 10 feet of overhead power lines rated over 50kV? → Have the lines de-energized or maintain increased clearance per line voltage