Ran Chen, EA, CFP®

Trades Exam Prep

Education EN ↓ 169 episodes

Trades Exam Prep is a free, daily podcast by OpenExamPrep covering the most in-demand skilled trades licensing and certification exams — including EPA 608 (HVAC refrigerant), FAA Part 107 (drone), Master Electrician, Plumber, General Contractor, ASE automotive, NATE, OSHA 10/30, Welder Certification, and more. Each 5-minute episode breaks down one exam topic with concrete examples, common exam traps, code references, and field-ready memory tricks to help you pass on your first attempt. No fluff, no filler — just the concepts you need to know, explained the way the exam tests them. This podcast...

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Author

Ran Chen, EA, CFP®

Episodes

[Journeyman] 29. Feeder Loads, Noncoincident Loads and Continuous Loads 05.11.2026 5:09

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - How to apply NEC Section 220.60 to evaluate noncoincident load...

[Journeyman] 28. Dwelling Load Calculations and Demand Factors 04.11.2026 4:25

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: * The distinction between connected load and code-authorized dem...

[Journeyman] 27. Balanced Three-Phase Calculations and Power Factor 03.11.2026 4:18

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - How to calculate balanced three-phase apparent power using squ...

[Journeyman] 26. Single-Phase Load Calculations with Clear Assumptions 02.11.2026 4:43

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - How to calculate base single-phase current by dividing volt-am...

[Journeyman] 25. Generators, Solar and Energy Storage Systems 01.11.2026 5:00

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: * Distinguishing separately derived from non-separately derived...

[Journeyman] 24. Hazardous Locations, Pools and Other Special Rules 31.10.2026 4:11

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - How Chapters 5, 6, and 7 of the 2023 NEC modify or supplement...

[Journeyman] 23. Transformers and Separately Derived Systems 30.10.2026 4:43

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - How voltage and current share an inverse relationship in ideal...

[Journeyman] 22. Motor Overload and Short-Circuit Protection 29.10.2026 4:36

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: • Why motor overload protection and short-circuit protection req...

[Journeyman] 21. Motors: Full-Load Current and Nameplate Current 28.10.2026 4:44

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - When to use NEC Article 430 full-load current tables versus mo...

[Journeyman] 20. Luminaires, Lighting Loads and Controls 27.10.2026 4:12

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: • The technical distinction between complete luminaires and indi...

[Journeyman] 19. Switches, Receptacles and Equipment Listings 26.10.2026 4:40

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: • How 2023 NEC Section 110.3(B) mandates compliance with equipme...

[Journeyman] 18. Conduit Fill and Why Conductor Area Matters 25.10.2026 5:18

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: • How National Electrical Code Chapter 9 Table 1 limits raceway...

[Journeyman] 17. Box Fill: Counting Conductors, Devices and Grounds 24.10.2026 4:45

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: • Volume allowance values per conductor size according to 2023 N...

[Journeyman] 16. Raceways, Cables and Choosing a Wiring Method 23.10.2026 4:31

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The distinction between dry, damp, and wet locations under the...

[Journeyman] 15. Dwelling Branch Circuits and Receptacle Placement 22.10.2026 4:06

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: • Minimum required dwelling unit branch circuits including small...

[Journeyman] 14. GFCI and AFCI Protection: Different Hazards and Rules 21.10.2026 4:09

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: * The distinct safety hazards addressed by GFCI personnel shock...

[Journeyman] 13. Overcurrent Protection and Device Ratings 20.10.2026 4:55

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: * Explain how overloads, short circuits, and ground faults relat...

[Journeyman] 12. Ambient Temperature and Current-Carrying Conductor Adjustments 19.10.2026 4:21

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: • How ambient temperature correction factors adjust allowable co...

[Journeyman] 11. Temperature Ratings and Conductor Ampacity 18.10.2026 5:07

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: • The distinction between conductor insulation ratings and equip...

[Journeyman] 10. Continuous Loads and Conductor-Sizing Logic 17.10.2026 4:24

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: * How the 2023 NEC Article 100 defines a continuous load based o...

[Journeyman] 9. Feeders and Branch Circuits: Where Each Begins 16.10.2026 4:21

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - How Article 100 of the 2023 NEC defines the operational bounda...

[Journeyman] 8. Service Equipment and Grounding Electrode Systems 15.10.2026 4:50

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - Role and location rules for service disconnecting means versus...

[Journeyman] 7. Grounded Conductors and Equipment Grounding Conductors 14.10.2026 4:46

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: • The functional distinction between a grounded neutral conducto...

[Journeyman] 6. Grounding and Bonding Serve Different Purposes 13.10.2026 3:32

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The technical distinction between grounding to earth and bondi...

[Journeyman] 5. Series and Parallel Circuits Without Losing the Units 12.10.2026 4:18

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - How to calculate total resistance and circuit current for resi...