NEIEP MECHANICS EXAM– COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE TEST (200
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS & RATIONALES)
1. On a Ward-Leonard system, if the brake is set but the motor attempts
to rotate through it, what circuit should be investigated first?
A. Mainline disconnect
B. Holding coil circuit
C. Suicide circuit
D. Governor circuit
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The suicide circuit can keep the motor energized even when
the brake is applied, causing the motor to fight the brake.
2. A hydraulic elevator runs up empty but will not move up with a full
car. The most likely cause is:
A. Low oil level
B. Worn pump vanes
C. Relief valve set too low
D. Bypass valve stuck open
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A relief valve set below full-load pressure will dump oil
before the car can lift a heavy load.
3. You replace a burned-out MOV but cannot read its voltage or
resistance markings. What is the recommended action?
A. Replace with the smallest available MOV
B. Replace with a larger one (630)
C. Leave it out temporarily
,D. Bypass it with a wire
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When ratings are unreadable, using a larger MOV (e.g., 630)
provides a safety margin and is an accepted field practice.
4. A 1:1 roped car’s runby hits the CWT buffer 4" below the top landing.
CWT runby should be 18". How much must the ropes be shortened?
A. 14"
B. 18"
C. 22"
D. 26"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: For 1:1, the correction is the difference (18 – 4 = 14") plus an
additional 8" = 22" total shortening.
5. For a 2:1 roped car with the same CWT buffer issue (4" below top
landing, required 18" runby), how much rope shortening is needed?
A. 22"
B. 30"
C. 44"
D. 52"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: For 2:1, the required shortening is double the 1:1 amount, so
22" × 2 = 44".
6. You LOTO the mainline disconnect to work on a freight door retiring
cam, but power remains to the cam. Which circuit is still hot?
A. Lighting circuit
B. Fireman’s circuit
C. Main-line disconnect
,D. Emergency power circuit
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The mainline disconnect often feeds the retiring cam directly
and may remain energized from the line side unless fully isolated.
7. The contractor wants to move the vertical center of a rack and pinion
hoist. How is this accomplished?
A. Adjust the drive motor
B. Adjust tie downs/wall ties
C. Move the rack
D. Change the pinion gear
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Adjusting tie downs or wall ties shifts the vertical center
alignment of the rack and pinion hoist.
8. Working pressure on a hydro system is 400 PSI. What is the correct
maximum relief valve setting?
A. 400 PSI
B. 500 PSI
C. 600 PSI
D. 750 PSI
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Relief valve setting = working pressure × 150% = 400 × 1.5 =
600 PSI maximum.
9. A contractor wants to increase car speed from 100 FPM to 125 FPM
with a current 12" sheave. What new sheave size is required?
A. 13"
B. 14"
C. 15"
, D. 16"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Speed ratio 125/100 = 1.25; new sheave = 12 × 1.25 = 15".
10. Slight arcing is seen at the brushes and commutator. What action
should be taken?
A. Increase brush pressure
B. Decrease brush pressure
C. Replace all brushes immediately
D. None
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Slight arcing is normal; heavy arcing indicates light pressure,
and mechanical wear indicates heavy pressure.
11. How much resistance is normally measured across a normally closed
switch?
A. 0 ohms
B. 1.2 ohms (1–2 ohms)
C. 10 ohms
D. 100 ohms
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A closed switch typically shows 1 to 2 ohms due to contact
resistance and meter lead variance.
12. A car traveling in the hoistway always stops at the same point and
blows a fuse. What is the likely problem?
A. Bad mainline fuse
B. Traveling cable cut or short
C. Brake coil shorted
D. Governor overspeed
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS & RATIONALES)
1. On a Ward-Leonard system, if the brake is set but the motor attempts
to rotate through it, what circuit should be investigated first?
A. Mainline disconnect
B. Holding coil circuit
C. Suicide circuit
D. Governor circuit
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The suicide circuit can keep the motor energized even when
the brake is applied, causing the motor to fight the brake.
2. A hydraulic elevator runs up empty but will not move up with a full
car. The most likely cause is:
A. Low oil level
B. Worn pump vanes
C. Relief valve set too low
D. Bypass valve stuck open
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A relief valve set below full-load pressure will dump oil
before the car can lift a heavy load.
3. You replace a burned-out MOV but cannot read its voltage or
resistance markings. What is the recommended action?
A. Replace with the smallest available MOV
B. Replace with a larger one (630)
C. Leave it out temporarily
,D. Bypass it with a wire
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When ratings are unreadable, using a larger MOV (e.g., 630)
provides a safety margin and is an accepted field practice.
4. A 1:1 roped car’s runby hits the CWT buffer 4" below the top landing.
CWT runby should be 18". How much must the ropes be shortened?
A. 14"
B. 18"
C. 22"
D. 26"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: For 1:1, the correction is the difference (18 – 4 = 14") plus an
additional 8" = 22" total shortening.
5. For a 2:1 roped car with the same CWT buffer issue (4" below top
landing, required 18" runby), how much rope shortening is needed?
A. 22"
B. 30"
C. 44"
D. 52"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: For 2:1, the required shortening is double the 1:1 amount, so
22" × 2 = 44".
6. You LOTO the mainline disconnect to work on a freight door retiring
cam, but power remains to the cam. Which circuit is still hot?
A. Lighting circuit
B. Fireman’s circuit
C. Main-line disconnect
,D. Emergency power circuit
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The mainline disconnect often feeds the retiring cam directly
and may remain energized from the line side unless fully isolated.
7. The contractor wants to move the vertical center of a rack and pinion
hoist. How is this accomplished?
A. Adjust the drive motor
B. Adjust tie downs/wall ties
C. Move the rack
D. Change the pinion gear
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Adjusting tie downs or wall ties shifts the vertical center
alignment of the rack and pinion hoist.
8. Working pressure on a hydro system is 400 PSI. What is the correct
maximum relief valve setting?
A. 400 PSI
B. 500 PSI
C. 600 PSI
D. 750 PSI
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Relief valve setting = working pressure × 150% = 400 × 1.5 =
600 PSI maximum.
9. A contractor wants to increase car speed from 100 FPM to 125 FPM
with a current 12" sheave. What new sheave size is required?
A. 13"
B. 14"
C. 15"
, D. 16"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Speed ratio 125/100 = 1.25; new sheave = 12 × 1.25 = 15".
10. Slight arcing is seen at the brushes and commutator. What action
should be taken?
A. Increase brush pressure
B. Decrease brush pressure
C. Replace all brushes immediately
D. None
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Slight arcing is normal; heavy arcing indicates light pressure,
and mechanical wear indicates heavy pressure.
11. How much resistance is normally measured across a normally closed
switch?
A. 0 ohms
B. 1.2 ohms (1–2 ohms)
C. 10 ohms
D. 100 ohms
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A closed switch typically shows 1 to 2 ohms due to contact
resistance and meter lead variance.
12. A car traveling in the hoistway always stops at the same point and
blows a fuse. What is the likely problem?
A. Bad mainline fuse
B. Traveling cable cut or short
C. Brake coil shorted
D. Governor overspeed
