NASCLA Journeyman Electrician study plan
NASCLA Journeyman Electrician · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Electrical Principles, Theory and Code Fundamentals & Services, Feeders and Branch Circuits
Define voltage, current, resistance, and power relationships and compute values using Ohm's law and the power wheel
Differentiate series, parallel, and series-parallel circuit behavior by calculating equivalent resistance and branch current in at least five worked circuits
Identify the standard service and feeder sizing steps in Article 220 and list the demand factors that apply to a single-family dwelling
Explain the difference between service conductors, feeders, and branch circuits and locate the code rules that govern each
Set up a tabbed, highlighted reference book with the ten most-used articles flagged for quick lookup
Your checkpoint
A one-page formula sheet plus 25 solved Ohm's law and circuit-calculation problems scored at 80% or better
Services, Feeders and Branch Circuits
Calculate dwelling unit service load using the standard method and verify results against the optional method
Size feeder conductors and overcurrent devices for a multi-unit or commercial load using demand factors from Article 220
Determine branch circuit requirements for kitchen, laundry, bathroom, and general lighting loads in a dwelling
Apply conductor ampacity correction and adjustment factors to a feeder sizing exercise
Interpret a sample panel schedule and trace each circuit back to its load calculation
Your checkpoint
A completed standard-method service calculation worksheet for a 2,400 sq ft dwelling, with conductor and breaker sizes justified in writing
Conductors, Raceways and Wiring Methods
Match wiring methods to their permitted and prohibited uses by comparing raceway and cable article requirements
Size and select conductors using ampacity tables, then apply termination temperature limitations correctly
Calculate conduit fill and box fill for a multi-conductor pull using Annex C and Article 314 tables
Determine bending radius, support spacing, and strapping requirements for at least four common raceway types
Identify listing and marking requirements for conductors and cables in Chapter 3
Your checkpoint
A comparison table of six wiring methods listing permitted uses, supports, and fill rules, plus ten solved conduit and box fill problems
Grounding, Bonding and Overcurrent Protection & Boxes, Fittings, Switches and Receptacles
Distinguish grounding, bonding, and the equipment grounding conductor and trace each system's purpose
Size grounding electrode conductors and equipment grounding conductors for several service and feeder scenarios
Select and apply the correct overcurrent protection rules for taps, panelboard protection, and series-rated systems
Install-in-theory a box, device, and switch configuration meeting fill, support, and accessibility rules
Identify receptacle outlet spacing and GFCI/AFCI protection requirements for dwelling rooms
Your checkpoint
A scored 40-question practice set on grounding, bonding, and overcurrent protection with every missed item corrected and annotated by article number
Motors, Motor Controls and HVAC Equipment & Grounding, Bonding and Overcurrent Protection
Read a motor nameplate and derive full-load current, overload sizing, and branch circuit conductor ampacity from Tables 430.248 and 430.250
Size short-circuit and ground-fault protection for a single motor and for a multi-motor feeder
Apply disconnect, controller, and overload relay requirements to a motor circuit layout
Explain HVAC equipment requirements including hermetic refrigerant motor-compressors and nameplate-based sizing
Review and re-drill missed grounding and overcurrent items from the week 4 practice set
Your checkpoint
A complete motor circuit design sheet for a 25 hp three-phase motor, covering conductors, overloads, short-circuit protection, and disconnect sizing
Transformers and Power Distribution Equipment & Special Occupancies, Special Locations and Special Equipment
Calculate primary and secondary currents for single-phase and three-phase transformers and apply overcurrent protection rules in Article 450
Apply conductor sizing and grounding requirements for separately derived systems
Differentiate transformer and panelboard installation clearances and ventilation requirements
List the defining characteristics and key code rules for three special occupancies such as hazardous locations, health care facilities, and places of assembly
Identify bonding and receptacle requirements for pools, spas, and agricultural buildings
Your checkpoint
A two-part worksheet: one solved transformer sizing and protection calculation, and one summary grid of special occupancy rules for four occupancy types
Jobsite Safety, Tools and OSHA Requirements & Code Calculations and Reading Electrical Plans
Apply OSHA lockout/tagout, arc flash approach boundaries, and PPE selection to realistic job scenarios
Identify ladder, scaffold, and temporary wiring safety requirements and select the correct tool for a task
Interpret a set of electrical floor plans to locate panelboards, feeders, and device counts
Perform a takeoff that converts plan features into a material and load estimate
Complete a timed calculation drill covering conduit fill, box fill, and voltage drop
Your checkpoint
A written plan-reading takeoff from a residential or small commercial floor plan, including device counts and a voltage drop check on the longest home run
Electrical Principles, Theory and Code Fundamentals & Services, Feeders and Branch Circuits & Conductors, Raceways and Wiring Methods & Grounding, Bonding and Overcurrent Protection & Motors, Motor Controls and HVAC Equipment
Complete two full-length timed practice exams under test-day conditions
Sort every missed question into a domain and rank weak areas by miss count
Re-study the two lowest-scoring domains using focused article review and rework missed items
Rehearse locating code sections by index and table of contents within a 60-second target
Finalize exam-day logistics including approved reference materials and test center requirements
Your checkpoint
A completed error log across both practice exams showing domain-level accuracy, plus a written remediation list for any domain below 75%
Milestones
Week 2: Score at least 75% on a 25-question mixed quiz covering Domains 1 and 2, and complete the dwelling service calculation without table lookup errors
Week 4: Score at least 75% on the 40-question grounding, bonding, and overcurrent set and demonstrate correct conduit and box fill calculations on all ten problems
Week 6: Correctly size conductors, protection, and disconnects for the 25 hp motor scenario and complete the transformer calculation with no arithmetic errors
Week 8: Score 80% or higher on both full-length practice exams with no single domain below 70%