Guide: NEIEP 700 Final Exam
Version 1 (Latest 2026
Update)
Legal Disclaimer
This comprehensive preparation guide is an independent educational resource designed to
assist candidates in preparing for the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP)
700 Series Final Exam. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy, technical
depth, and relevance of the information contained herein, this document is not an official
publication of NEIEP, the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC), the American
Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), or any specific equipment manufacturer.
The content provided aligns with the 2026 curriculum updates and the ASME A17.1 Safety
Code for Elevators and Escalators. However, field procedures, safety protocols, and code
interpretations must always adhere to the specific equipment manufacturer's manuals, company
safety policies, and the requirements of the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). The technical
analysis, rationales, and field notes provided are for educational reinforcement and theoretical
understanding. They should not be used as a substitute for official training or site-specific
engineering data. The authors and publishers assume no liability for the use or misuse of this
information in a field setting or examination environment. Candidates are strongly advised to
,cross-reference this guide with their official NEIEP course materials, specifically the 700 Power
& Logic, Solid State Motor Control, and Hydraulic Controller Theory modules.
Candidate's Toolkit: Strategic Preparation
The transition from the 600 series to the NEIEP 700 series marks a definitive threshold in an
apprentice's career. This curriculum shifts the focus from the "what" of elevator components to
the "how" and "why" of system integration. The 700 Power & Logic exam is widely regarded
as one of the most challenging hurdles because it requires a synthesis of electrical theory,
mechanical physics, and deductive reasoning. It is not merely a test of memory; it is a test of the
candidate's ability to think like a seasoned troubleshooter.
The Troubleshooter’s Mindset
Success in the 700 Final Exam requires the cultivation of a specific cognitive framework known
as the "Troubleshooter’s Mindset." In the field, a mechanic does not guess; they isolate, verify,
and resolve. The exam attempts to simulate this environment by presenting scenarios where the
answer is not immediately obvious but must be derived from a logical sequence of facts.
Key attributes of this mindset include:
1. Systemic Visualization: The capacity to view a two-dimensional wiring diagram and
visualize the three-dimensional, dynamic flow of electrons and logic states as the elevator
cycles through its operation. This involves understanding how a relay closure on Page 1
affects a contact on Page 12.
2. Divide and Conquer Strategy: The methodical approach of splitting a complex problem
into manageable sections. Effective troubleshooting involves bisecting the
circuit—determining if the issue lies in the power supply or the load, the control side or the
drive side.
, 3. Root Cause Analysis: A refusal to stop at the symptom. A blown fuse is a symptom; the
shorted SCR that caused it is the root cause. The exam rewards candidates who look
deeper than the immediate failure.
4. Code Consciousness: An internalized understanding of why safety circuits are designed
the way they are. Knowing that the code requires a 7mm engagement for door locks helps
a mechanic understand why a specific fault is occurring when that tolerance is breached.
Technical Competency Matrix
Before engaging with the specific modules, candidates must ensure proficiency in the following
foundational areas. These distinct competencies form the toolkit you will carry into the exam
room mentally:
Competency Domain Critical Concepts & Skills Exam Weighting (Est.)
Circuit Architecture Differentiating between 25%
Straight-Line (Schematic) and
Field Wiring Diagrams;
interpreting relay logic symbols;
understanding Boolean logic
(AND, OR, NOT).
Solid State Physics Theory of semiconductors; 25%
testing SCRs, diodes, and
transistors; understanding
6-pulse rectification and DC
bus dynamics; diagnosing drive
faults
(Overvoltage/Overcurrent).
Hydraulic Engineering Application of Pascal’s Law; 25%
calculating Force, Pressure,
and Area; understanding valve
operation (Maxton, EECO);
adjusting UP/DOWN profiles;
troubleshooting drift and
leveling issues.
Safety & Code Interpreting ASME A17.1 15%
requirements for door locks,
anti-creep, and low oil
protection; understanding the
safety string architecture;
knowing the operation of
governors and safeties.
Applied Mathematics Utilizing Ohm’s Law and the 10%
Power Wheel; performing
hydraulic force calculations;
calculating resistance and
voltage drops; understanding
multimeter category ratings.
,Module 1: Logic Systems & Circuit Architecture
The foundation of the NEIEP 700 curriculum is the ability to interpret and troubleshoot using
electrical diagrams. The elevator industry relies on specific diagrammatic standards that differ
slightly from general electronics or residential wiring. The exam places heavy emphasis on the
distinction between diagram types and the logic of circuit operation.
Question 1: Diagrammatic Classification
Question: Which type of wiring diagram is most effective for troubleshooting complex control
logic because it displays the functional electrical relationship of components between power
rails, rather than their physical location or conduit routing?
A. Field Wiring Diagram B. Straight-Line (Schematic) Wiring Diagram C. General Layout Print D.
Machine Room Layout Print
Answer: B. Straight-Line (Schematic) Wiring Diagram
Expert Analysis: The correct answer is the Straight-Line Wiring Diagram, frequently referred
to in the industry as a schematic or ladder diagram. The primary architectural purpose of this
diagram is to illustrate the sequence of operation. It abstracts the physical reality of the elevator
controller into a logical flow, typically arranged with vertical power rails on the left and right (or
top and bottom) and horizontal "rungs" containing control logic. This format allows the technician
to trace the path of current flow from the source, through various switches and contacts, to the
coil or load, without the distraction of physical wire routing.
In contrast, a Field Wiring Diagram (Option A) is designed for the installation phase. It depicts
the physical termination points, wire bundles, conduit sizes, and the spatial relationship between
the controller, machine, and hoistway equipment. While essential for construction, it is
notoriously difficult to use for logic troubleshooting because electrically related
components—such as a relay coil and its associated contacts—might be located on entirely
different pages based on their physical location in the cabinet. General Layout Prints (Option
C) and Machine Room Layouts (Option D) are mechanical drawings used for architectural
coordination and equipment positioning, offering no electrical logic data.
Rationale: Troubleshooting is fundamentally an exercise in logic. To determine why a relay isn't
pulling in, one must see the electrical conditions (switches) prerequisite for its activation. Only
the Straight-Line diagram presents these prerequisites in a linear, readable format.
Field Notes: In a real-world troubleshooting scenario, you will often employ a hybrid approach.
You use the Straight-Line diagram to determine which wire number is missing voltage (e.g., wire
#42), and then you switch to the Field Wiring diagram to locate where wire #42 physically exists
in the trough or on the terminal block.
,Trap Alert: The exam frequently tests the terminology difference. If the question mentions
"installation," "conduit," or "physical connection," the answer is Field Wiring. If it mentions
"sequence," "logic," or "troubleshooting," the answer is Straight-Line.
Question 2: Relay Contact Symbology
Question: In a standard elevator electrical schematic adhering to NEIEP standards, what does
a symbol consisting of two parallel vertical lines with a diagonal line crossing through the space
between them represent?
A. Normally Open (N.O.) Contact B. Normally Closed (N.C.) Contact C. Capacitor D. Thermal
Overload Heater
Answer: B. Normally Closed (N.C.) Contact
Expert Analysis: Standard electrical symbology used in North American elevator diagrams
(and NEMA standards) depicts a Normally Open (N.O.) contact as two parallel lines with a
space between them -| |-, symbolizing a gap that current cannot cross in the device's
de-energized state. A Normally Closed (N.C.) contact is depicted as the same symbol but with
a diagonal slash crossing through the gap -|/|-, graphically indicating that the electrical path is
continuous (closed) when the device is at rest or de-energized.
Rationale: A Capacitor (Option C) is represented by one straight line and one curved line (for
polarized) or two parallel straight plates (for non-polarized), but crucially, it lacks the diagonal
slash. A Thermal Overload (Option D) is often represented by a jagged line, a loop, or a
specific N.C. contact symbol associated with the overload device.
, Question 3: Troubleshooting Series Circuits
Question: When using a digital multimeter (DMM) to troubleshoot a safety circuit string
consisting of multiple series switches, you measure 120VAC directly across a specific gate
switch terminals while the main line disconnect is ON. What does this voltage reading indicate
about the switch?
A. The switch is closed and functioning properly. B. The switch is open. C. The circuit breaker
feeding the string is tripped. D. The switch is shorted to ground.
Answer: B. The switch is open.
Expert Analysis: This scenario describes the Voltage Drop method of troubleshooting. In a