Grounding
When to Drive a Ground Rod at a Detached Building
A clear, code-based explanation of when you're required to establish a grounding electrode system at a detached building or outbuilding fed from another structure.
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Study tips, exam guides, and everything you need to know about NEC certification.
Calculations
2026 NEC Article 120: Mastering the 2 VA Per Square Foot Load Calculation
A clear, practical walkthrough of Article 120 dwelling load calculations — the 2 VA per square foot rule, what counts toward square footage, small appliance and laundry circuits, and how to set yourself up for exam success.
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AC Cable Explained – A Working Electrician's Guide to Article 320
A practical breakdown of NEC Article 320 armoured cable — what makes Type AC different from MC, where you can run it, and how to handle the bonding strip, anti-short bushings, and ampacity rules.
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How to Size Grounding Electrode Conductors Using NEC Table 250.66
A step-by-step walkthrough of sizing grounding electrode conductors with NEC Table 250.66 and Article 250.66 — including the parallel-conductor trick and the electrode exception that trips up most exam-takers.
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Master Electrician Exam Prep: How to Spot a Wrong Answer in a Box Fill Question
A working example from a 40-year NEC instructor showing how a box fill question can carry the wrong answer key — and why you should always challenge your study source.
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Transformer Calculations 101: Turn Ratios and Overcurrent Protection Made Simple
A practical walkthrough of transformer turn ratios, primary and secondary current calculations, and NEC 450.3(B) overcurrent protection — the calculation skills you need for the journeyman and master exams.
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2026 NEC Change to 250.122: What Electricians Need to Know About EGC Sizing
A plain-English walkthrough of the 2026 NEC revisions to Section 250.122, covering how equipment grounding conductors must now be sized for standard circuits, parallel runs, motor circuits, and feeder taps.
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The #1 Strategy for Beating Your Electrical Exam
A working electrician's step-by-step exam-day strategy for beating the testing algorithm, managing stress, and maximising your score on the journeyman or master's exam.
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AFCI Rules When Extending or Modifying Branch Circuits
Understand when extending or modifying an existing branch circuit triggers AFCI protection under NEC 210.12, and when the 6-foot exception lets you off the hook.
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Top 10 NEC Articles Every Residential Electrician Should Memorise (Part 1)
A working electrician's breakdown of the first five must-know NEC articles for residential work — from Article 100 definitions to receptacle spacing in 210.52.
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Where Is Voltage Drop Required and What Does the IECC Say?
A clear breakdown of where the NEC actually mandates voltage drop, where it's only a recommendation, and how the IECC quietly requires it for commercial work.
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Dishwasher and Disposal on the Same Circuit? The Truth About the 50% Rule
Can you legally put a dishwasher and a garbage disposal on the same branch circuit? Here's what NEC 210.23 actually says — and why the 50% rule is widely misunderstood.
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Multiwire Branch Circuits: How to Wire Them Safely Under the NEC
A clear, code-based breakdown of multiwire branch circuits — what they are, how to install them properly, and how to avoid the common mistakes that burn up neutrals and equipment.
Read more → Load Calculations
Full Whole House Load Calculation Walkthrough (2026 NEC)
A step-by-step breakdown of a complete residential dwelling load calculation using the 2026 NEC — general lighting, fixed appliances, dryer, range, and HVAC.
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How to Size Water Heater Wire and Breakers Using the NEC
A practical walkthrough of the NEC rules for sizing branch circuit conductors and overcurrent protection for a residential electric water heater — including the minimum and maximum requirements most electricians never learn.
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Pool Bonding 101 – Understanding Equipotential Bonding for Permanently Installed Pools
A practical guide to equipotential bonding for permanently installed pools, covering what must be bonded, methods for bonding, and key NEC 680.26 requirements every electrician needs to know.
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Emergency Disconnects for One and Two Family Dwellings — NEC 230.85 Explained
A complete breakdown of NEC Section 230.85 emergency disconnect requirements for one and two family dwellings, including your three disconnect options, marking rules, and what changed from 2020 to 2023.
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AFCI Nuisance Tripping: A Complete Troubleshooting Guide for Electricians
Learn the most common causes of AFCI breaker nuisance tripping and a proven step-by-step troubleshooting method used by experienced electricians to diagnose and fix the problem every time.
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MC Cable vs AC Cable: What Every Electrician Needs to Know
A clear breakdown of the differences between MC cable and AC cable — from armour construction and equipment grounding to healthcare facility requirements under NEC Articles 320, 330, and 517.
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Surge Protection Code Changes: What Changed From NEC 2017 to 2023
A breakdown of the major NEC surge protection requirements introduced in 230.67 across the 2017, 2020, and 2023 code cycles — from voluntary to mandatory for dwelling units and beyond.
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Why Some Practice Questions Are 'Wrong' — and Why That's OK
A deep dive into how even professional exam prep databases get NEC questions wrong, and what electricians can learn from dissecting those mistakes to sharpen their own code knowledge.
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When and Why to Separate Grounds and Neutrals
A clear breakdown of when grounds and neutrals must be bonded versus separated in an electrical system, why it matters for safety, and what happens when you get it wrong.
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How to Tab the 2026 Electrical Code Book – Ultimate Guide Page by Page
A complete page-by-page guide to tabbing your 2026 NEC codebook so you can find any article, table, or section in seconds during your electrical exam.
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Raceway Fill with Mixed Conductor Sizes – NEC Chapter 9 Explained
A step-by-step walkthrough of how to calculate raceway fill when you have different conductor types and sizes — one of the most common NEC exam calculation questions.
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How One Electrician Passed the Journeyman Exam on the First Try
Real-world advice from a working electrician who passed the journeyman exam on his first attempt — no expensive courses, no magic tricks, just a proven approach to learning the NEC.
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How to Pass the NEC Exam: A Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about preparing for and passing your National Electrical Code certification exam, from study strategies to exam day tips.
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Top NEC Exam Topics You Must Know
A breakdown of the most heavily tested NEC topics across all electrician licensing exams, with tips on what to focus your study time on.
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NEC Exam Types Explained: Journeyman, Master, and More
Understanding the different types of NEC-based electrical licensing exams, their requirements, and how to choose the right preparation path.
Read more → Technical
Understanding NEC Grounding and Bonding: Article 250 Deep Dive
A comprehensive guide to NEC Article 250 covering grounding electrode systems, equipment grounding, bonding requirements, and common exam questions.
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