NEIEP 800 Final Exam (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Elevator Systems Q&A |
Elevator Technology
1. According to NEIEP 800 curriculum standards, what is the primary
advantage of a gearless traction machine over a geared traction machine in
high-rise elevator applications?
A) Lower initial manufacturing cost
B) Ability to operate at higher speeds without the mechanical complexity of a
gear reduction
C) Reduced machine room temperature
D) Simpler brake adjustment procedure
Correct Answer: Ability to operate at higher speeds without the mechanical
complexity of a gear reduction
Rationale: Gearless machines directly couple the motor to the drive sheave,
eliminating the gear reduction box. This allows for higher operating speeds
and is essential for high-rise applications where speed and efficiency are
paramount, despite the higher cost.
2. A hydraulic elevator's pump is running continuously, but the car is not
moving upward. What is the most likely cause of this issue?
A) The down speed valve is stuck open
B) The relief valve is set too low, bypassing fluid back to the tank
C) The electric motor is running in reverse rotation
D) The tank is overfilled with hydraulic fluid
Correct Answer: The relief valve is set too low, bypassing fluid back to the
tank
,Rationale: If the relief valve is set below the pressure required to lift the car,
the pump will continuously bypass fluid to the tank, preventing any upward
movement. This is a common hydraulic system malfunction that a technician
must diagnose.
3. What is the minimum required illumination level, in foot-candles, for an
elevator machine room as specified by ASME A17.1?
A) 5 foot-candles
B) 10 foot-candles
C) 20 foot-candles
D) 30 foot-candles
Correct Answer: 10 foot-candles
Rationale: ASME A17.1, the safety code for elevators, requires a minimum of
10 foot-candles of illumination in the machine room. This ensures adequate
lighting for safe maintenance and inspection tasks.
4. In a VVVF (Variable Voltage Variable Frequency) drive, what component is
primarily responsible for converting the incoming AC power to DC power?
A) The IGBT power module
B) The DC bus capacitor bank
C) The rectifier
D) The output filter reactor
Correct Answer: The rectifier
Rationale: The rectifier is the first stage of a VVVF drive. It converts the
incoming AC power (e.g., 480 VAC) into DC power, which is then stored on
the DC bus and used by the inverter stage.
,5. A technician is performing an insulation resistance test (megger test) on a
motor winding. The reading is 0.5 megohms. According to industry
standards, what does this indicate?
A) The winding insulation is in excellent condition
B) The winding insulation is acceptable for operation
C) The winding insulation is marginal and may indicate a problem
D) The winding insulation is completely shorted
Correct Answer: The winding insulation is marginal and may indicate a
problem
Rationale: While a reading of 1 megohm per 1000 volts is a general rule of
thumb, a reading of 0.5 megohms on a motor winding is generally
considered marginal and may indicate moisture ingress or insulation
degradation, requiring further investigation.
6. What is the purpose of a "seal-in" circuit in a relay logic control system?
A) To physically seal the relay contacts from moisture
B) To maintain a relay coil energized after the start button is released
C) To seal the control panel for safety
D) To prevent the relay from being energized
Correct Answer: To maintain a relay coil energized after the start button is
released
Rationale: A seal-in circuit uses a relay's own normally open contact in
parallel with the start button to keep the coil energized after the button is
released. This is a fundamental logic-building block.
, 7. In a traction elevator, what is the function of the governor?
A) To control the speed of the car during normal operation
B) To activate the mechanical safety brakes if the car overspeeds
C) To guide the car along the hoistway rails
D) To provide a smooth ride by dampening vibrations
Correct Answer: To activate the mechanical safety brakes if the car
overspeeds
Rationale: The governor is a mechanical overspeed safety device. If the car
exceeds a predetermined speed, the governor trips and mechanically latches
onto the governor rope, pulling the safety mechanism to engage the safety
brakes.
8. What is the code-required engagement distance for an elevator car door
lock, as per ASME A17.1?
A) 1/4 inch (6.35 mm)
B) 3/8 inch (9.5 mm)
C) 7/16 inch (11.1 mm)
D) 9/16 inch (14.3 mm)
Correct Answer: 9/16 inch (14.3 mm)
Rationale: ASME A17.1 requires a minimum door lock engagement of 9/16
inch (14.3 mm) for hoistway doors. This ensures the lock is securely engaged
and cannot be forced open under normal conditions.
9. A technician is checking the phase rotation of a 3-phase motor. The motor
is running in the wrong direction. What is the correct way to reverse the
motor's rotation?
Elevator Technology
1. According to NEIEP 800 curriculum standards, what is the primary
advantage of a gearless traction machine over a geared traction machine in
high-rise elevator applications?
A) Lower initial manufacturing cost
B) Ability to operate at higher speeds without the mechanical complexity of a
gear reduction
C) Reduced machine room temperature
D) Simpler brake adjustment procedure
Correct Answer: Ability to operate at higher speeds without the mechanical
complexity of a gear reduction
Rationale: Gearless machines directly couple the motor to the drive sheave,
eliminating the gear reduction box. This allows for higher operating speeds
and is essential for high-rise applications where speed and efficiency are
paramount, despite the higher cost.
2. A hydraulic elevator's pump is running continuously, but the car is not
moving upward. What is the most likely cause of this issue?
A) The down speed valve is stuck open
B) The relief valve is set too low, bypassing fluid back to the tank
C) The electric motor is running in reverse rotation
D) The tank is overfilled with hydraulic fluid
Correct Answer: The relief valve is set too low, bypassing fluid back to the
tank
,Rationale: If the relief valve is set below the pressure required to lift the car,
the pump will continuously bypass fluid to the tank, preventing any upward
movement. This is a common hydraulic system malfunction that a technician
must diagnose.
3. What is the minimum required illumination level, in foot-candles, for an
elevator machine room as specified by ASME A17.1?
A) 5 foot-candles
B) 10 foot-candles
C) 20 foot-candles
D) 30 foot-candles
Correct Answer: 10 foot-candles
Rationale: ASME A17.1, the safety code for elevators, requires a minimum of
10 foot-candles of illumination in the machine room. This ensures adequate
lighting for safe maintenance and inspection tasks.
4. In a VVVF (Variable Voltage Variable Frequency) drive, what component is
primarily responsible for converting the incoming AC power to DC power?
A) The IGBT power module
B) The DC bus capacitor bank
C) The rectifier
D) The output filter reactor
Correct Answer: The rectifier
Rationale: The rectifier is the first stage of a VVVF drive. It converts the
incoming AC power (e.g., 480 VAC) into DC power, which is then stored on
the DC bus and used by the inverter stage.
,5. A technician is performing an insulation resistance test (megger test) on a
motor winding. The reading is 0.5 megohms. According to industry
standards, what does this indicate?
A) The winding insulation is in excellent condition
B) The winding insulation is acceptable for operation
C) The winding insulation is marginal and may indicate a problem
D) The winding insulation is completely shorted
Correct Answer: The winding insulation is marginal and may indicate a
problem
Rationale: While a reading of 1 megohm per 1000 volts is a general rule of
thumb, a reading of 0.5 megohms on a motor winding is generally
considered marginal and may indicate moisture ingress or insulation
degradation, requiring further investigation.
6. What is the purpose of a "seal-in" circuit in a relay logic control system?
A) To physically seal the relay contacts from moisture
B) To maintain a relay coil energized after the start button is released
C) To seal the control panel for safety
D) To prevent the relay from being energized
Correct Answer: To maintain a relay coil energized after the start button is
released
Rationale: A seal-in circuit uses a relay's own normally open contact in
parallel with the start button to keep the coil energized after the button is
released. This is a fundamental logic-building block.
, 7. In a traction elevator, what is the function of the governor?
A) To control the speed of the car during normal operation
B) To activate the mechanical safety brakes if the car overspeeds
C) To guide the car along the hoistway rails
D) To provide a smooth ride by dampening vibrations
Correct Answer: To activate the mechanical safety brakes if the car
overspeeds
Rationale: The governor is a mechanical overspeed safety device. If the car
exceeds a predetermined speed, the governor trips and mechanically latches
onto the governor rope, pulling the safety mechanism to engage the safety
brakes.
8. What is the code-required engagement distance for an elevator car door
lock, as per ASME A17.1?
A) 1/4 inch (6.35 mm)
B) 3/8 inch (9.5 mm)
C) 7/16 inch (11.1 mm)
D) 9/16 inch (14.3 mm)
Correct Answer: 9/16 inch (14.3 mm)
Rationale: ASME A17.1 requires a minimum door lock engagement of 9/16
inch (14.3 mm) for hoistway doors. This ensures the lock is securely engaged
and cannot be forced open under normal conditions.
9. A technician is checking the phase rotation of a 3-phase motor. The motor
is running in the wrong direction. What is the correct way to reverse the
motor's rotation?
