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Electrical Construction Methods

Class 2 Electrician 第二種電気工事士 (written exam) · 第二種電気工事士(学科試験) · Written by Tokutei Pass based on the official study texts; not copied verbatim.

Wire Connection Standards, Ring Sleeves, and Push-in Connectors

When connecting electrical wires together, all four of the following standards must be strictly observed: ① Do not increase the electrical resistance of the wire; ② Do not reduce the mechanical strength (tensile strength) of the wire by 20% or more; ③ Use connecting devices such as sleeves or connectors at the joint, or braze/solder the joint; ④ Cover the joint thoroughly with insulation equivalent to or better than the wire's original insulation.

For crimp connections using E-type ring sleeves, you must always use the yellow-handled crimping tool specifically for ring sleeves (conforming to JIS C 9711). Red-handled crimping tools for bare crimp terminals must never be used. Both the sleeve size (Small, Medium, Large) and the die stamp mark (○, 小, 中, 大) are strictly determined by the number and diameter of the solid wires being joined.

To quickly determine the sleeve size and stamp mark, use the Point Method: count each 1.6mm diameter wire as 1 point and each 2.0mm diameter wire (equivalent to 3.5mm² cross-section) as 2 points, then add them up. As the sole special exception, when joining two 1.6mm wires (1.6mm × 2 wires = 2 points total), use a Small sleeve (小) and crimp it with the smallest die to leave the ○ (extra-small) stamp mark.

For all other combinations totaling 3 to 4 points (e.g., 1.6mm × 3 = 3 pts; 1.6mm × 4 = 4 pts; 1.6mm × 1 + 2.0mm × 1 = 3 pts; 1.6mm × 2 + 2.0mm × 1 = 4 pts; 2.0mm × 2 = 4 pts), always use a Small sleeve (小) and crimp with the 小 (Small) stamp mark.

For combinations totaling 5 to 8 points (e.g., 1.6mm × 3 + 2.0mm × 1 = 5 pts; 1.6mm × 1 + 2.0mm × 2 = 5 pts; 2.0mm × 3 = 6 pts; 2.0mm × 4 = 8 pts), always use a Medium sleeve (中) and crimp with the 中 (Medium) stamp mark. When using push-in connectors, strip the core wires straight to match the strip gauge, push them all the way in, and verify that the wire tips are visible through the transparent end (insulating tape is not required).

Wire Connection Standards, Ring Sleeves, and Push-in Connectors

Key points


  • Wire connections must not increase electrical resistance and must not reduce tensile strength by 20% or more

  • Use the yellow-handled crimping tool for ring sleeves; calculate using 1.6mm = 1 point and 2.0mm = 2 points

  • Only 1.6mm × 2 wires uses a Small sleeve with the ○ mark; 3 to 4 points use a Small sleeve with the 小 mark

  • 5 to 8 points (such as 2.0mm × 3 wires or 1.6mm × 3 + 2.0mm × 1) use a Medium sleeve with the 中 mark

  • Example: Ring sleeve point calculation (1.6mm = 1 pt, 2.0mm = 2 pts) → Joining 1.6mm × 2 + 2.0mm × 1 gives 1 × 2 + 2 × 1 = 4 pts (Small sleeve, mark 小); joining 1.6mm × 2 + 2.0mm × 2 gives 1 × 2 + 2 × 2 = 6 pts (Medium sleeve, mark 中)
WordMeaning
tensile strength
ring sleeve (E-type crimp sleeve)
die stamp mark / crimp mark
push-in connector
brazing / soldering

Permissible Low-Voltage Indoor Wiring Methods by Location

Low-voltage indoor wiring methods are restricted depending on the conditions of the installation location. Every exam tests combinations of four locations: exposed locations (open surfaces), inspectable concealed locations (such as above a ceiling with an inspection hatch), uninspectable concealed locations (inside walls or ceilings without an inspection hatch), and damp or wet locations.

Four methods — cable work, synthetic resin conduit work (excluding CD conduit), metal conduit work, and Type 2 flexible metal conduit work — are universal and can be installed in all locations: exposed locations, inspectable concealed locations, uninspectable concealed locations, and damp or wet locations.

Conversely, lighting duct work, metal duct work, bus duct work, and flat protective layer wiring can never be installed in uninspectable concealed locations (they are permitted only in exposed or inspectable concealed locations that are also dry).

Furthermore, metal molding work (metal raceways) and knob-and-tube (insulator) wiring cannot be installed in uninspectable concealed locations. In addition, metal molding work cannot be used in damp or wet locations (whereas knob-and-tube wiring can be used in damp locations provided the location is exposed).

Except for small-power circuits (such as doorbells or intercoms with a maximum operating voltage of 60V or less) in low-voltage installations of 300V or less, fastening flexible cords (such as vinyl cords) directly to building surfaces for indoor wiring is strictly prohibited.

Key points


  • Cable, synthetic resin conduit (except CD), metal conduit, and Type 2 flexible metal conduit are allowed in all locations

  • Metal ducts, lighting ducts, and bus ducts are prohibited in uninspectable concealed locations and damp/wet locations

  • Metal molding work is prohibited in uninspectable concealed locations and in damp or wet locations

  • Knob-and-tube (insulator) wiring is prohibited in uninspectable concealed locations
WordMeaning
exposed location (open surface)
concealed location (inside walls or ceilings)
knob-and-tube (insulator) wiring
metal molding (surface raceway) work

Standards for Cable Work, Underground Wiring, and Service Drops

In cable work, when running VVF or CV cables horizontally along the side or underside of building structures, the distance between support points must be 2m or less (up to 6m or less is permitted for vertical runs protected against physical contact). Additionally, the bending radius of the cable must be at least 6 times the outer diameter of the cable (or the minor axis for flat cables).

When cables run close to or cross weak-current wires (telephone lines, LAN cables) or water and gas pipes, they must be separated so they do not make direct contact. When burying cables directly in concrete, except for MI cables or specially rated concrete-burial cables, they must be enclosed and protected inside conduits (such as CD or PF conduits) or troughs.

For outdoor underground cable lines (direct burial method), burial depth standards are critical: the depth must be 1.2m or more in places subject to heavy vehicular pressure, and 0.6m or more in places not subject to heavy pressure, with protective covers (concrete troughs or plates) installed to shield the cable from impact. Note that OW (outdoor weatherproof vinyl wire) and IV wires cannot be used underground (use CV cables, etc.).

For low-voltage overhead service drops bringing power from utility poles to a building, the height above ground must in principle be 4m or more (always 4m or more when crossing a road). However, where technically unavoidable and where it poses no obstruction to traffic, the height may be reduced to 2.5m or more. DV wires or OW wires (2.0mm diameter or larger) are commonly used for service drops.

Key points


  • Cable support interval is 2m or less (6m or less vertically), and bending radius is at least 6 times the outer diameter (minor axis)

  • Cables must be installed so that they do not contact weak-current wires, water pipes, or gas pipes

  • Underground burial depth: 1.2m or more under heavy pressure, 0.6m or more without heavy pressure (use CV cables, etc.)

  • Low-voltage overhead service drop height: 4m or more in principle, or 2.5m or more where there is no obstruction to traffic
WordMeaning
distance between support points
bending radius
direct burial method
overhead service drop

Construction Standards for Synthetic Resin Conduits and Metal Conduits

In synthetic resin conduit work using rigid polyvinyl chloride conduits (VE conduits), the distance between conduit support points must be 1.5m or less. When joining conduits together with a TS coupling, the insertion depth must be at least 1.2 times the outer diameter of the conduit when no adhesive is used, or at least 0.8 times the outer diameter when adhesive is used.

Among flexible synthetic resin conduits, orange CD conduits are not self-extinguishing (flame-retardant) and may only be used when embedded directly in concrete (or inside dedicated non-combustible covers). Beige or black PF conduits are self-extinguishing and can be used in both concealed and exposed locations (with a support interval of 1.0m or less).

In metal conduit work, the distance between support points must be 2m or less. To prevent wire insulation from being damaged by the sharp edges of the cut conduit, an insulating bushing must always be attached to the conduit end. Additionally, bond wires or locknuts must be used to ensure electrical continuity between conduits and outlet boxes, and Class D grounding must be applied to the conduit.

Inside both synthetic resin conduits and metal conduits, making wire splices or joints is strictly prohibited (all connections must be made inside boxes). Insulated wires such as IV wires are pulled into conduits, but OW (outdoor weatherproof) wires cannot be used inside conduits. Furthermore, wires with a diameter exceeding 3.2mm must be stranded wires.

When placing AC circuit wires inside a metal conduit, to prevent the conduit from overheating due to eddy currents caused by electromagnetic imbalance, all wires belonging to the same circuit (both wires for single-phase 2-wire, or all three wires for three-phase 3-wire) must be placed together inside the same metal conduit to maintain electromagnetic balance (synthetic resin conduits are non-magnetic, so placing wires in separate conduits does not cause heating).

Construction Standards for Synthetic Resin Conduits and Metal Conduits

Key points


  • VE conduit support interval is 1.5m or less; insertion depth is 1.2× outer diameter without adhesive, or 0.8× with adhesive

  • CD conduits lack self-extinguishing properties and are only for direct concrete burial; PF conduits can be used exposed or concealed

  • Inside conduits: wire joints are prohibited, OW wires are prohibited, and solid wires are limited to 3.2mm diameter or less

  • Attach insulating bushings to metal conduit ends, and place all wires of the same AC circuit inside the same metal conduit
WordMeaning
insulating bushing
self-extinguishing (flame-retardant) property
electromagnetic balance
bond wire (bonding jumper)

Duct and Raceway Work, and Switch Connection Rules

In metal duct work, the distance between support points must be 3m or less, and Class D grounding must be applied to the duct. The total cross-sectional area of wires (including insulation) inside a metal duct must be 20% or less of the internal cross-sectional area of the duct (or up to 50% or less for control circuits and indicator lamp circuits only).

In lighting duct work, the distance between support points must be 2m or less, and the opening (slot) of the duct must face downward (facing sideways is generally prohibited because dust accumulates). The end of the duct must be closed off with an end cap, and Class D grounding must be applied unless the voltage to ground is 150V or less and the duct length is 4m or less.

Type 2 flexible metal conduits (Plica tubes) require a support interval of 1.5m or less; use a combination coupling to connect them to rigid metal conduits, and a straight box connector to connect them to boxes. In floor duct work embedded in floors, wire connections must be made inside junction boxes and Class D grounding must be applied.

The most important safety rule when installing wiring devices is the placement of single-pole switches. A single-pole switch must always be placed in the ungrounded conductor (black wire), while the grounded conductor (white wire) must be connected directly to the load (specifically to the screw shell side of a lamp socket). Placing a switch in the grounded (white) wire is strictly prohibited because voltage remains applied to the light fixture even when the switch is turned off, creating an electric shock hazard when changing bulbs.

Key points


  • Metal duct support interval is 3m or less; wire cross-section must be 20% or less of duct area (50% or less for control circuits)

  • Lighting duct support interval is 2m or less, with the opening facing downward and the end closed off

  • Type 2 flexible metal conduit support interval is 1.5m or less, connected to rigid metal conduit via a combination coupling

  • Single-pole switches must always be placed in the ungrounded (black) wire; the grounded (white) wire goes directly to the load
WordMeaning
metal duct
lighting duct (track lighting busway)
ungrounded conductor (live/hot black wire)
lamp socket screw shell

Class D Grounding Standards (Ground Resistance and Grounding Wire Size)

To prevent electric shock accidents in the event of electrical leakage to the metal enclosures of electrical equipment or metal conduits, connecting them electrically to the earth is called grounding work. Low-voltage equipment and metal conduits operating at 300V or less require Class D grounding (low-voltage equipment operating above 300V requires Class C grounding).

In Class D grounding work, the ground resistance value must in principle be maintained at 100Ω or less (for Class C grounding work, it is 10Ω or less in principle).

However, if the circuit is equipped with a device (an earth leakage circuit breaker) that automatically interrupts the circuit within 0.5 seconds when a ground fault occurs, the allowable ground resistance value for Class D (and Class C) grounding can be relaxed to 500Ω or less.

The grounding wire (such as a green IV wire) used for Class D grounding must safely carry fault current and must be an annealed copper wire with a diameter of 1.6mm or more (or a nominal cross-sectional area of 2.0mm² or more for stranded wire), or a conductor of equivalent or greater strength and thickness. Note that for portable electrical equipment, one core of a multi-core cord or cabtyre cable with a cross-section of 0.75mm² or more is used as the grounding conductor.

Key points


  • Apply Class D grounding to low-voltage equipment and metal conduits of 300V or less (Class C for over 300V)

  • The ground resistance value for Class D grounding is 100Ω or less in principle

  • If an earth leakage breaker operating within 0.5 seconds is installed, ground resistance is relaxed to 500Ω or less

  • Class D grounding wires must be annealed copper wire with a diameter of 1.6mm or more
WordMeaning
Class D grounding work (for low voltage 300V or less)
ground resistance value
ground fault (earth leakage)
annealed copper wire (soft copper wire)

When Class D Grounding Can and Cannot Be Omitted

A very frequent exam topic is the conditions under which Class D grounding can be omitted. For metal enclosures of electrical equipment, three representative cases allow omitting Class D grounding: ① Equipment with a voltage to ground of 150V or less (such as single-phase 100V or single-phase 3-wire 200V) installed in a dry location; ② Double-insulated equipment (marked with the concentric square symbol 回); ③ Equipment supplied through an isolating transformer (secondary voltage 300V or less, capacity 3kVA or less).

Furthermore, in locations other than wet locations, if the circuit is protected by a current-operated earth leakage circuit breaker with a rated sensitivity current of 15mA or less and an operating time of 0.1 seconds or less (high-speed type), Class D grounding may also be omitted (be careful not to confuse these numbers with the 0.5-second / 500Ω rule from the previous section).

For metal conduits or flexible metal conduits, Class D grounding can be omitted in two cases: ① When the conduit length is 4m or less and it is installed in a dry location (permitted even for three-phase 200V as long as the voltage is 300V or less); ② In circuits of 300V DC or 150V AC to ground or less, when the conduit length is 8m or less and it is either protected against simple contact or installed in a dry location.

Conversely, in wet locations (commercial kitchens, bathrooms, outdoors, wet dirt floors, etc.) or damp locations, Class D grounding can never be omitted—even for single-phase 100V equipment or metal conduits shorter than 4m (except for double-insulated equipment, etc.). Whenever an answer choice mentions a wet location (水気のある場所), damp location (湿気の多い場所), or outdoors (屋外), immediately judge that grounding cannot be omitted.

Key points


  • Equipment of 150V or less to ground in a dry location, and double-insulated equipment, can omit Class D grounding

  • In non-wet locations, an earth leakage breaker with sensitivity 15mA or less and operating time 0.1s or less allows omitting Class D grounding

  • Metal conduits can omit Class D grounding if 4m or less in a dry location, or 8m or less (150V or less to ground + dry location or contact protection)

  • In wet locations, damp locations, or outdoors, Class D grounding cannot in principle be omitted
WordMeaning
double-insulated construction
rated sensitivity current
operating time (tripping time)
isolating transformer

Overview of the Practical Skill Exam and Defect (Fail) Criteria

To obtain the Second-Class Electrician license, after passing the written exam, you must pass the Practical Skill Exam, where you assemble a wiring project using hand tools. The time limit is 40 minutes, and one problem is selected from the 13 Candidate Problems publicly released at the beginning of each year by the examination center.

The designated tools examinees must bring are pliers, screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead), an electrician's knife, a ruler/scale, water pump pliers, and a yellow-handled ring sleeve crimping tool. In addition, bringing a VVF stripper and Gokaku clips—which dramatically speed up assembly—is permitted (power tools are prohibited).

Grading on the practical exam is not based on partial point deductions; instead, a single defect results in immediate failure, and zero defects results in passing. Because these defect criteria are also tested on the written exam, mastering them prepares you for both exams.

Major defects in device termination include: ① Miswiring that differs from the diagram or reversed polarity (inserting a non-white wire into the W terminal of a receptacle, connecting the black wire to the screw shell of a lamp receptacle, etc.); ② Core wire exposed by 2mm or more from a flush-mounted device terminal, or insulation caught inside the terminal; ③ On screw terminals of a lamp receptacle or exposed receptacle, wrapping the wire counterclockwise (left-handed loop), wrapping less than 3/4 of a turn, overlapping wire turns, or failing to bring the cable sheath inside the base.

Major defects in wire splicing include: ① Using the wrong ring sleeve size or wrong crimp stamp mark (○, 小, 中); ② Core wires not protruding at all from the top of the sleeve or protruding 5mm or more, or core wires exposed 10mm or more below the bottom of the sleeve; ③ Core wire tips not visible at the top of a push-in connector (insufficient insertion) or bare wire exposed below the bottom of the connector; ④ Forgetting to attach a rubber bushing to an outlet box or forgetting to shear off the set screw head on a threadless conduit fitting.

Overview of the Practical Skill Exam and Defect (Fail) Criteria

Key points


  • The practical skill exam lasts 40 minutes and tests 1 problem chosen from 13 pre-published candidate problems

  • Even a single defect results in failure (miswiring, wrong polarity, or wrong crimp mark is an automatic fail)

  • For ring sleeves: wires not protruding from the top, protruding 5mm or more from the top, or exposed 10mm or more below the bottom are defects

  • Screw loops on lamp receptacles must be wrapped clockwise (right-handed), and the grounded (white) wire must connect to the screw shell terminal
WordMeaning
practical skill exam
candidate problems (13 pre-published problems)
defect (cause for immediate failure)
lamp receptacle (porcelain/plastic keyless socket)

Frequent Exam Points and Memory Tricks

Ring sleeve selection and stamp marks appear in 2 to 3 questions every year on the written exam and are essential for the practical exam. Memorize the Point Method—1.6mm = 1 point, 2.0mm = 2 points—and you can solve any problem in 10 seconds. Chant and memorize: 2 points (1.6mm × 2) = ○ mark, 3 to 4 points = 小 (Small), 5 to 8 points = 中 (Medium). Note that 2.0mm × 1 wire is a single pass-through wire, not a splice.

Organize support point intervals by value: PF conduit = 1.0m or less; VE conduit and Type 2 flexible metal conduit = 1.5m or less; cables, rigid metal conduits, and lighting ducts = 2.0m or less; metal ducts and bus ducts = 3.0m or less. Picture it as: flexible plastic is 1.5m, steel pipe and cable are 2m, and heavy ducts are 3m.

For location-based wiring questions, two simple rules solve 90% of questions: Cable, resin conduit (except CD), metal conduit, and Type 2 flexible conduit are OK everywhere; and Ducts (metal duct, lighting duct, bus duct), metal molding, and insulator wiring are strictly prohibited in uninspectable concealed locations.

Key points


  • Ring sleeve points: 1.6mm = 1 pt, 2.0mm = 2 pts. Only 1.6mm × 2 gets ○; 3 to 4 pts get 小; 5 to 8 pts get 中

  • Support intervals: VE & Type 2 flexible conduit <= 1.5m; cable, metal conduit & lighting duct <= 2m; metal duct <= 3m

  • Underground burial depth: >= 1.2m under heavy pressure, >= 0.6m without pressure (OW and IV wires prohibited underground)

  • Class D grounding: <= 100Ω (<= 500Ω with 0.5s ELB); omitted with <= 15mA & <= 0.1s ELB or metal conduit <= 4m in a dry place

  • Never omit Class D grounding in wet/damp places; always place single-pole switches in the ungrounded (black) wire
WordMeaning
point method (for ring sleeve sizing)
extra-small stamp mark (○ mark)
omission of grounding

Electrical Installation Methods

Practice this chapter in the app

Official references

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