NEIEP 200 FINAL EXAM ULTIMATE
PREP 200 COMPREHENSIVE Q&AS
WITH BOLD ANSWERS & EXPERT
RATIONALES
National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP) 200
Final Exam
Question 1
An elevator mechanic is using a digital multimeter (DMM) to
troubleshoot a malfunctioning DC door motor circuit. To verify the
voltage supply without damaging the meter, which of the following
actions must the mechanic perform first?
A. Set the DMM to the lowest resistance (\(\Omega \)) setting to check
circuit continuity under full load conditions.
B. Set the DMM to the highest available DC Voltage (V) range
and verify the meter leads are plugged into the correct jacks.
C. Connect the meter leads in series with the main incoming three-phase
AC feeder lines.
D. Turn on the circuit's main disconnect switch while holding both bare
probe tips together in one hand.
Rationale: When measuring unknown voltages, always select the
highest voltage range first to prevent damage to the digital
multimeter's internal circuitry or blowing its protection fuses.
Additionally, verifying that the leads match the voltage/common jacks
prevents a short circuit through the meter. Testers must never check
resistance on a live circuit.
Question 2
When installing a temporary running platform during a high-rise
traction elevator installation, what is the primary structural safety rule
regarding the rope hitch connections?
A. Secure the hoisting ropes to the platform using standard high-tensile
vinyl cable ties.
B. Utilize forged steel wire rope clips or wedge sockets rated
for the specific rope diameter, and apply the "never saddle a
dead horse" rule.
,C. Wrap the wire rope around the platform's crosshead beam three times
and tie a square knot.
D. Use copper crimp sleeves applied with standard electrical pliers to
secure the dead end of the hoisting rope.
Rationale: Permanent or temporary rope hitches must utilize certified
wedge sockets or forged wire rope clips. When using U-bolt clips, the
saddle must sit on the live, load-bearing side of the rope, and the U-bolt
must sit on the dead end ("never saddle a dead horse"). Incorrect
installation can crush wire strands and cause catastrophic rope
slippage or failure.
Question 3
A mechanic needs to calculate the total resistance of a parallel circuit
branch in an elevator controller cabinet that contains three resistors
valued at 20 \(\Omega \), 40 \(\Omega \), and 80 \(\Omega \). Which
of the following values represents the correct total resistance
(\(R_{T}\))?
A. 11.43 \(\Omega \)
B. 20.00 \(\Omega \)
C. 140.00 \(\Omega \)
D. 0.075 \(\Omega \)
Rationale: The formula for calculating total resistance in a parallel
circuit is \(1/R_T = 1/R_1 + 1/R_2 + 1/R_3\). For this circuit: \(1/R_T
= 1/20 + 1/40 + 1/80 = 0.05 + 0.025 + 0.0125 = 0.0875\). Dividing 1 by
0.0875 yields \(R_T = 11.43\ \Omega\). In a parallel circuit, total
resistance is always less than the lowest individual resistor.
Question 4
During a routine hoistway inspection, a mechanic observes that the
selector tape or traveling cable has developed a minor twist. Which
hazard does this present if left uncorrected?
A. It will cause the machine room's main drive motor to run backwards
at high speeds.
B. The cable or tape can snag on structural bracket fasteners,
guide rail clips, or landing sills, tearing the equipment loose.
C. It will instantly erase the pre-programmed software profiles inside the
microprocessor board.
D. It will cause the hydraulic fluid reservoir tank to overflow into the pit.
,Rationale: Traveling cables and selector tapes require clear,
unobstructed paths of travel within the hoistway. Any twisting or
excessive sway can cause the cable or tape to catch on brackets, clips, or
sills, causing severe structural damage to the elevator car or hoistway
equipment.
Question 5
What is the function of the "interlock safety switch" installed on every
hoistway landing door assembly?
A. To automatically adjust the speed of the elevator car based on the
number of passengers waiting.
B. To lock the machine room door from the inside so unauthorized
building tenants cannot enter.
C. To mechanically lock the hoistway door and electrically
close the safety circuit, permitting the elevator to run only
when the door is closed.
D. To cut off primary building utility power to the car lighting fixtures
during an earthquake event.
Rationale: The hoistway door interlock is a critical safety device. It
serves a dual purpose: it mechanically locks the landing door so it
cannot be opened from the hall unless the car is at that floor, and it
contains an electrical contact that completes the safety string,
preventing the elevator from moving if any hoistway door is unlatched.
Question 6
An apprentice is prepping a length of rigid metal conduit (RMC) for
installation in an elevator machine room. After cutting the conduit with a
hacksaw, which step is mandatory before threading?
A. Paint the outer raw metal edges with high-gloss protective enamel
spray.
B. Ream the inside cut edge of the conduit thoroughly to
remove all sharp burrs.
C. Heat the cut end with an acetylene torch to soften the zinc
galvanization.
D. Wrap the cut edge tightly with three layers of standard electrical tape.
Rationale: Cutting conduit leaves sharp inner burrs that can easily slice
or strip the insulation off electrical wires during a pull. Reaming the
inner edge of the pipe completely smooth prevents short circuits and
ground faults.
, Question 7
Which of the following signals indicates that an elevator's overspeed
governor has tripped mechanically during an out-of-control downward
overspeed event?
A. The car doors open automatically in mid-hoistway to vent air.
B. The governor rope jams in the governor sheave jaws,
pulling the car safety lever to deploy the safety wedges against
the guide rails.
C. The machine room drive motor starts spinning at twice its normal
RPMs.
D. The buffer springs in the pit instantly compress to their maximum
solid limit.
Rationale: The overspeed governor monitors car speed via a
continuous rope loop. If the car exceeds rated overspeed thresholds, the
governor sheave jaws clamp the rope. The momentum of the moving
car then pulls up on the safety releasing carrier lever, engaging the
mechanical car safeties onto the guide rails.
Question 8
When installing guide rails in an elevator hoistway, what is the primary
purpose of using "fishplates" at the rail joints?
A. To insulate the steel rails against electromagnetic fields generated by
traveling cables.
B. To provide a structural mounting point for the hoistway landing push
buttons.
C. To rigidly connect and align adjacent rail sections, ensuring
a continuous, smooth tracking surface.
D. To prevent the counterweight frame from colliding with the elevator
pit floor.
Rationale: Fishplates are heavy machined steel plates bolted across the
back joints where two elevator guide rails meet. They securely align
and stabilize the rail sections to create a seamless, solid vertical track
for the car and counterweight guide shoes.
Question 9
What does a reading of zero ohms (\(0\ \Omega\)) across a contact on a
de-energized relay indicate to a troubleshooting mechanic?
A. The relay coil is shorted out and must be replaced.
B. The contact is stuck in a wide-open position with high air gap
PREP 200 COMPREHENSIVE Q&AS
WITH BOLD ANSWERS & EXPERT
RATIONALES
National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP) 200
Final Exam
Question 1
An elevator mechanic is using a digital multimeter (DMM) to
troubleshoot a malfunctioning DC door motor circuit. To verify the
voltage supply without damaging the meter, which of the following
actions must the mechanic perform first?
A. Set the DMM to the lowest resistance (\(\Omega \)) setting to check
circuit continuity under full load conditions.
B. Set the DMM to the highest available DC Voltage (V) range
and verify the meter leads are plugged into the correct jacks.
C. Connect the meter leads in series with the main incoming three-phase
AC feeder lines.
D. Turn on the circuit's main disconnect switch while holding both bare
probe tips together in one hand.
Rationale: When measuring unknown voltages, always select the
highest voltage range first to prevent damage to the digital
multimeter's internal circuitry or blowing its protection fuses.
Additionally, verifying that the leads match the voltage/common jacks
prevents a short circuit through the meter. Testers must never check
resistance on a live circuit.
Question 2
When installing a temporary running platform during a high-rise
traction elevator installation, what is the primary structural safety rule
regarding the rope hitch connections?
A. Secure the hoisting ropes to the platform using standard high-tensile
vinyl cable ties.
B. Utilize forged steel wire rope clips or wedge sockets rated
for the specific rope diameter, and apply the "never saddle a
dead horse" rule.
,C. Wrap the wire rope around the platform's crosshead beam three times
and tie a square knot.
D. Use copper crimp sleeves applied with standard electrical pliers to
secure the dead end of the hoisting rope.
Rationale: Permanent or temporary rope hitches must utilize certified
wedge sockets or forged wire rope clips. When using U-bolt clips, the
saddle must sit on the live, load-bearing side of the rope, and the U-bolt
must sit on the dead end ("never saddle a dead horse"). Incorrect
installation can crush wire strands and cause catastrophic rope
slippage or failure.
Question 3
A mechanic needs to calculate the total resistance of a parallel circuit
branch in an elevator controller cabinet that contains three resistors
valued at 20 \(\Omega \), 40 \(\Omega \), and 80 \(\Omega \). Which
of the following values represents the correct total resistance
(\(R_{T}\))?
A. 11.43 \(\Omega \)
B. 20.00 \(\Omega \)
C. 140.00 \(\Omega \)
D. 0.075 \(\Omega \)
Rationale: The formula for calculating total resistance in a parallel
circuit is \(1/R_T = 1/R_1 + 1/R_2 + 1/R_3\). For this circuit: \(1/R_T
= 1/20 + 1/40 + 1/80 = 0.05 + 0.025 + 0.0125 = 0.0875\). Dividing 1 by
0.0875 yields \(R_T = 11.43\ \Omega\). In a parallel circuit, total
resistance is always less than the lowest individual resistor.
Question 4
During a routine hoistway inspection, a mechanic observes that the
selector tape or traveling cable has developed a minor twist. Which
hazard does this present if left uncorrected?
A. It will cause the machine room's main drive motor to run backwards
at high speeds.
B. The cable or tape can snag on structural bracket fasteners,
guide rail clips, or landing sills, tearing the equipment loose.
C. It will instantly erase the pre-programmed software profiles inside the
microprocessor board.
D. It will cause the hydraulic fluid reservoir tank to overflow into the pit.
,Rationale: Traveling cables and selector tapes require clear,
unobstructed paths of travel within the hoistway. Any twisting or
excessive sway can cause the cable or tape to catch on brackets, clips, or
sills, causing severe structural damage to the elevator car or hoistway
equipment.
Question 5
What is the function of the "interlock safety switch" installed on every
hoistway landing door assembly?
A. To automatically adjust the speed of the elevator car based on the
number of passengers waiting.
B. To lock the machine room door from the inside so unauthorized
building tenants cannot enter.
C. To mechanically lock the hoistway door and electrically
close the safety circuit, permitting the elevator to run only
when the door is closed.
D. To cut off primary building utility power to the car lighting fixtures
during an earthquake event.
Rationale: The hoistway door interlock is a critical safety device. It
serves a dual purpose: it mechanically locks the landing door so it
cannot be opened from the hall unless the car is at that floor, and it
contains an electrical contact that completes the safety string,
preventing the elevator from moving if any hoistway door is unlatched.
Question 6
An apprentice is prepping a length of rigid metal conduit (RMC) for
installation in an elevator machine room. After cutting the conduit with a
hacksaw, which step is mandatory before threading?
A. Paint the outer raw metal edges with high-gloss protective enamel
spray.
B. Ream the inside cut edge of the conduit thoroughly to
remove all sharp burrs.
C. Heat the cut end with an acetylene torch to soften the zinc
galvanization.
D. Wrap the cut edge tightly with three layers of standard electrical tape.
Rationale: Cutting conduit leaves sharp inner burrs that can easily slice
or strip the insulation off electrical wires during a pull. Reaming the
inner edge of the pipe completely smooth prevents short circuits and
ground faults.
, Question 7
Which of the following signals indicates that an elevator's overspeed
governor has tripped mechanically during an out-of-control downward
overspeed event?
A. The car doors open automatically in mid-hoistway to vent air.
B. The governor rope jams in the governor sheave jaws,
pulling the car safety lever to deploy the safety wedges against
the guide rails.
C. The machine room drive motor starts spinning at twice its normal
RPMs.
D. The buffer springs in the pit instantly compress to their maximum
solid limit.
Rationale: The overspeed governor monitors car speed via a
continuous rope loop. If the car exceeds rated overspeed thresholds, the
governor sheave jaws clamp the rope. The momentum of the moving
car then pulls up on the safety releasing carrier lever, engaging the
mechanical car safeties onto the guide rails.
Question 8
When installing guide rails in an elevator hoistway, what is the primary
purpose of using "fishplates" at the rail joints?
A. To insulate the steel rails against electromagnetic fields generated by
traveling cables.
B. To provide a structural mounting point for the hoistway landing push
buttons.
C. To rigidly connect and align adjacent rail sections, ensuring
a continuous, smooth tracking surface.
D. To prevent the counterweight frame from colliding with the elevator
pit floor.
Rationale: Fishplates are heavy machined steel plates bolted across the
back joints where two elevator guide rails meet. They securely align
and stabilize the rail sections to create a seamless, solid vertical track
for the car and counterweight guide shoes.
Question 9
What does a reading of zero ohms (\(0\ \Omega\)) across a contact on a
de-energized relay indicate to a troubleshooting mechanic?
A. The relay coil is shorted out and must be replaced.
B. The contact is stuck in a wide-open position with high air gap
