Understanding how to answer the following electrical exam question requires that you make the connection between terms used in the field verses terms used on the electrical exam.
Question:
How many 20 amps branch circuits are required to supply 500 ft. of plug mold installed in an electronics store?
A. 15 circuits
B 37 circuits
C. 38 circuits
D. None of the above
Solution:
C. 38 circuits
In order to answer this question correctly apply the following steps:
Step #1
Recognize that plug-mold is the term used in the field for fixed multi-outlet assembly.
Step #2
NFPA 70 of the National Electrical Code indicates that where plug mold or fixed multi-outlet assembly is supplying appliances that are likely to be used simultaneously each foot shall be considered to be equivalent to an outlet of not less than 180 volt-amps.
Step #3
Determine the number of equivalent outlets.
500 ft. fixed multi-outlet assembly/1 ft. = 500 outlets
Step #4
Recognize that the capacity per circuit is 2400 volt-amps. Standard voltage for these circuits is 120 volts. The circuit rating in amps is given in the text of the question.
Step #5
Use the correct formula to solve for the minimum number of circuits required.
500 outlets x 180 volt-amps = 90,000 volt-amps
90,000 volt-amps/120 volts x 20 amps = 37.5 or 38 circuits
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