100+ Free NM CID EL-1 Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NM CID EL-1 Exam

75%

Passing Score

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

100 Q

Official Exam Questions

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

265 min

Time Allowed

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

USD 68.88

PSI Exam Fee

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

NM CID EL-1 is a 100-question PSI exam on electrical distribution and transmission lines, 75% pass, 265 minutes, USD 68.88 (bulletin 4/3/2026).

Sample NM CID EL-1 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NM CID EL-1 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which set of references is allowed into the New Mexico CID EL-1 open-book examination?

A.NEC 2020, NMAC 14.10.4 (2020), and the American Electricians' Handbook

B.NEC 2020, NMAC 14.10.4 (2020), and NESC 2007

C.NESC 2007 and the Lineman's and Cableman's Handbook only

D.NEC 2023 and NESC 2023 only

Explanation: The PSI New Mexico contractor bulletin lists NEC 2020, the 2020 New Mexico Electrical Code (NMAC 14.10.4), and the 2007 National Electrical Safety Code as the allowed EL-1 references. The American Electricians' Handbook and the Lineman's and Cableman's Handbook are listed as not allowed.

2Under NMAC 14.10.4, equipment used on circuits over 600 volts that has exposed parts must be marked with which wording?

A.CAUTION — 480 VOLTS

B.WARNING — MEDIUM VOLTAGE

C.DANGER - HIGH VOLTAGE - KEEP OUT

D.NOTICE — QUALIFIED PERSONS ONLY

Explanation: NMAC 14.10.4 amends NEC 110.21 to require ANSI Z535 warning signs. For voltages over 600 volts where there are exposed parts, the required language is DANGER - HIGH VOLTAGE - KEEP OUT. Equipment over 300 volts but less than 600 volts is instead marked 480 VOLTS on a 1 inch by 4 inch label.

3Where a service mast supports service-drop conductors in New Mexico, NMAC 14.10.4 requires the mast to be at least:

A.1/2 inch EMT or any listed raceway

B.3/4 inch PVC Schedule 40

C.1 inch intermediate metal conduit

D.2 inch rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, or a mast that complies with the serving utility

Explanation: NMAC 14.10.4 amends NEC 230.28 to require a service mast used to support service-drop conductors to be a minimum 2 inch rigid metal conduit or intermediate metal conduit, or to comply with local utility requirements. EMT and PVC are not accepted as the supporting mast under that New Mexico amendment.

4For a customer-owned underground service lateral in New Mexico, NMAC 14.10.4 limits voltage drop on those conductors to a maximum of:

A.2 percent, based on transformer nameplate current

B.3 percent, based on the service-disconnect rating

C.5 percent, based on the calculated demand load of the building or structure served

D.8 percent, based on the utility's available fault current

Explanation: NMAC 14.10.4 adds to NEC 230.31 that a customer-owned underground service lateral must be sized so voltage drop does not exceed 5 percent. The ampacity used for that calculation is the calculated demand load of the building or structure, and customer-owned includes all non-utility laterals.

5A 480Y/277 V switchboard has exposed live parts on one side of the working space and a grounded metal wall on the other (Condition 2). What is the minimum depth of working space required by NEC 2020 Table 110.26(A)(1)?

A.3 feet

B.3 feet 6 inches

C.4 feet

D.5 feet

Explanation: Voltage to ground on a 480Y/277 V system is 277 V, which falls in the 151–600 V row of Table 110.26(A)(1). Condition 2 (live parts on one side and grounded parts on the other) requires 3 feet 6 inches of clear working space in the direction of access.

6NMAC 14.10.4 limits aluminum current-carrying conductors to which minimum size and alloy series?

A.12 AWG of any aluminum alloy

B.10 AWG AA-1350 series

C.8 AWG AA-8000 series or equivalent

D.4 AWG copper-clad aluminum only

Explanation: NMAC 14.10.4 amends NEC 310.3(B) so aluminum current-carrying conductors must be AA-8000 series or equivalent and not smaller than 8 AWG. A listed-cable equipment grounding conductor may be as small as 10 AWG, but that exception does not apply to current-carrying conductors.

7NEC 2020 230.24(B)(4) requires a service-drop conductor to have what minimum vertical clearance above a public street subject to truck traffic?

A.10 feet

B.12 feet

C.15 feet

D.18 feet

Explanation: NEC 230.24(B)(4) requires 18 feet above public streets, alleys, roads, parking areas subject to truck traffic, driveways on other than residential property, and other land traversed by vehicles such as cultivated, grazing, forest, and orchard. That 18-foot figure is the NEC service-drop value and is not the same as the NESC Table 232-1 utility-line clearance.

8If the serving utility does not specify otherwise, NMAC 14.10.4 requires an overhead service support to be at least a 6 inch by 6 inch pressure-treated timber or equivalent round pole with a 6 inch crown, set not less than:

A.2 feet below finished grade

B.3 feet below finished grade

C.4 feet below finished grade

D.6 feet below finished grade

Explanation: NMAC 14.10.4 adds 230.54(H): overhead service support must comply with the serving utility or be at least 6 inch by 6 inch pressure-treated timber or an equivalent round pole (minimum 6 inch crown) installed to a depth not less than 4 feet below finished grade. The same rule is repeated for mobile-home overhead services in the Article 550 amendment.

9NMAC 14.10.4 prohibits Schedule 40 PVC conduit where the raceway is exposed and less than how far above finished floor or grade?

A.4 feet

B.6 feet

C.8 feet

D.10 feet

Explanation: NMAC 14.10.4 amends NEC 352.10(F) so Schedule 40 PVC shall not be used where the raceway is exposed and under 8 feet from finished floor or grade. The amendment addresses physical damage in the zone where people, equipment, and vehicles can strike the conduit.

10NMAC 14.10.4 requires outdoor lighting to comply with which New Mexico statute?

A.the Night Sky Protection Act, NMSA 1978, 74-12-1 through 74-12-11

B.the Public Utility Act, NMSA 1978, 62-3-1

C.the Construction Industries Licensing Act only

D.the federal Dark Sky Act of 2020

Explanation: NMAC 14.10.4.19 states that outdoor lighting shall comply with the Night Sky Protection Act, NMSA 1978, Sections 74-12-1 through 74-12-11. That New Mexico statute limits upward and wasteful outdoor light and applies to electrical installations that include exterior luminaires.

About the NM CID EL-1 Exam

The New Mexico CID EL-1 examination covers electrical distribution systems, including transmission lines. The official open-book PSI exam has 100 scored questions, a 75% passing standard (75 points), and 265 minutes allowed. Allowed references are NEC 2020, New Mexico Electrical Code NMAC 14.10.4 (2020), and the National Electrical Safety Code (2007). The American Electricians' Handbook and Lineman's and Cableman's Handbook are not allowed. PSI lists the fee at USD 68.88 (bulletin updated 4/3/2026). This English-language MCQ bank is a study aid, not an official PSI form.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

265 minutes

Passing Score

75% (75 of 100 points)

Exam Fee

USD 68.88 (PSI Services LLC (for New Mexico Construction Industries Division))

NM CID EL-1 Exam Content Outline

12%

General Knowledge and Electrical Installation Requirements

General electrical installation (12 items)

Electrical Supply/Substations

Supply stations and substations (6 items)

12%

Transformers

Distribution transformers (12 items)

12%

Conductors

Line and cable conductors (12 items)

10%

Poles and Structures

Poles, towers, and structures (10 items)

10%

Grounding Methods

System and equipment grounding (10 items)

Overhead

Overhead construction (8 items)

Underground

Underground construction (8 items)

12%

Equipment and Safety

Line equipment and safety (12 items)

10%

Equipment over 600 Volts

Medium- and high-voltage equipment (10 items)

How to Pass the NM CID EL-1 Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 75% (75 of 100 points)
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: 265 minutes
Exam fee: USD 68.88

Keys to Passing

Work through all 100 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NM CID EL-1 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Study NESC 2007 overhead/underground clearances together with NEC 2020 over-600-volt rules

2Do not bring the Lineman's Handbook; it is listed as not allowed

3This bank is an English-language MCQ study aid, not an official PSI form

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the NM EL-1 exam?

The official PSI examination has 100 scored questions. Passing is 75% (75 points) within 265 minutes (bulletin updated 4/3/2026).

100+ Free NM CID EL-1 Practice Questions

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Key Facts: NM CID EL-1 Exam

Sample NM CID EL-1 Practice Questions

About the NM CID EL-1 Exam

NM CID EL-1 Exam Content Outline

How to Pass the NM CID EL-1 Exam

What You Need to Know

Keys to Passing

NM CID EL-1 Study Tips from Top Performers

Frequently Asked Questions