NH Journeyman Electrician cheat sheet

NEC Article 100 definitions control throughout: a branch circuit is the conductors between the final overcurrent device and the outlets; a feeder is between the service equipment, source, or separately derived system and the final branch-circuit overcurrent device.

Continuous loads are calculated at 125% for branch-circuit and feeder sizing (210.19(A), 215.2(A)); a continuous load is one operating at maximum current for 3 hours or more.

Standard overcurrent device sizes (240.6(A)): 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600, 700, 800, 1000, 1200 A.

General lighting load for dwellings is 3 VA per square foot (220.12); small-appliance and laundry branch circuits are 1500 VA each, and the 220.42 demand factors apply to the calculated total.

Receptacle outlet spacing in dwellings: no point along the floor line more than 6 feet from a receptacle, any wall space 2 feet or wider needs one, and kitchen countertop receptacles are required so no point is more than 24 inches from one (210.52).

GFCI protection is required in bathrooms, garages, outdoors, kitchens, laundry areas, unfinished basements, and within 6 feet of sinks, plus other 210.8 locations depending on the edition adopted.

AFCI protection (210.12) applies to dwelling-unit branch circuits supplying outlets in bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, laundry, and similar areas, using listed combination-type devices or the permitted alternatives.

Working space at equipment (110.26) requires 30 inches wide, 36 inches deep, and 6.5 feet high clear, with the depth increased for live parts above 600 V or for exposed live parts on both sides.

Conductor ampacity uses Table 310.16 with the correction factors of 310.15(B) for ambient temperature and adjustment factors of 310.15(C) for more than three current-carrying conductors in a raceway.

RSA 319-C establishes the Electricians' Board within the office of professional licensure and certification; the board adopts rules and administers licensing for electricians in New Hampshire.

License categories include master electrician, journeyman electrician, and apprentice; a master may hold the license for an electrical contracting business and supervise work.

Journeyman experience generally requires years of documented, supervised field experience verified by employers, with the board's administrative rules setting the exact hours and documentation.

Apprentices must work under direct supervision of a licensed master or journeyman and must be enrolled in or complete an approved related-instruction program as the rules require.

Licenses are renewed on a fixed cycle set by the board, and renewal requires completion of continuing education hours in code and related electrical subjects as specified in the administrative rules.

The board may deny, suspend, or revoke a license, or impose a fine, for incompetence, negligence, code violations, fraud in obtaining a license, or working outside the scope of the license class.

A person may not advertise or perform electrical work requiring a license without holding the appropriate license; local permits and inspections are separate from state licensing.

Violations of the licensing statute can result in civil penalties and unlicensed-practice orders in addition to board discipline, and the board publishes disciplinary actions.

The board is authorized to investigate complaints, hold hearings, and require compliance with the current adopted edition of the National Electrical Code as the standard of workmanship.

Administrative rules implement RSA 319-C by defining experience verification forms, supervision ratios, examination procedures, fees, and continuing education approval criteria.

Examination applicants must pass a board-approved competency exam covering the adopted NEC edition plus New Hampshire law and rules; exam scores and eligibility periods are set by rule.

Supervision rules distinguish direct supervision (on site) from indirect supervision, and the ratio of apprentices to licensed electricians is set by the board's rules.

Permits and inspections are administered by local authorities having jurisdiction; work must be inspected before being concealed, and the AHJ may require plan review for larger projects.

Continuing education credit is granted only for board-approved courses; providers must apply for approval and maintain attendance records that licensees may be asked to produce.

Bonding and grounding integrity is a common inspection failure: grounding electrode conductor sizing follows Table 250.66, equipment grounding conductors follow Table 250.122, and bonding jumpers must be sized for the service.

Box fill (314.16) counts each current-carrying conductor, plus one for all grounds, plus clamps and support fittings, with device yokes counted per strap; exceeding the marked cubic inches is a violation.

Cable and raceway support rules matter at inspection: NM cable must be secured within 12 inches of boxes and every 4.5 feet, and conduit must be supported per the applicable Article 3xx table.

Torque values marked on terminals and lugs must be followed with a calibrated tool; loose terminations are a leading cause of failures and are checked during inspection.