NEIEP ELEVATOR MECHANIC CERTIFICATION: 200
ESSENTIAL EXAM QUESTIONS COMPLETE WITH 100%
VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. Before performing maintenance on an elevator controller, what is
the first safety step required?
A) Test the stopping distance of the car
B) Notify building management
C) Lockout and tagout the main line disconnect
D) Place warning signs at all landings
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) of the main line disconnect is the first
and most critical safety step before any maintenance on elevator
controllers. Per OSHA 1910.147 and NEIEP safety standards, LOTO
prevents unexpected startup and release of stored energy that could
cause injury or death .
2. What is the proper procedure for entering the hoistway from the
top of the car?
A) Jump from the landing into the car
B) Climb down the hoistway rails
C) Use the hoistway access switch after ensuring car is within 18 inches
of the landing
D) Ride the crosshead down from the top
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The hoistway access switch should be used only after
ensuring the car is within 18 inches of the landing. ASME A17.1 requires
,this proximity to prevent falls and ensure safe transfer between landing
and car top .
3. When working in the elevator pit, which personal protective
equipment (PPE) is always required?
A) Hard hat and safety glasses only
B) Safety glasses and gloves only
C) Hard hat, safety glasses, and steel-toed boots
D) Hard hat only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Working in elevator pits requires comprehensive PPE: hard
hat (overhead hazards), safety glasses (flying debris/chemicals), and
steel-toed boots (crushing hazards from falling objects or equipment) .
4. What is the minimum number of locks required for a group
lockout/tagout procedure involving multiple mechanics?
A) One lock for the group leader
B) One lock per shift
C) One lock per mechanic
D) Two locks total regardless of personnel
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Group LOTO requires each mechanic to apply their own
individual lock to the lockout device. This ensures each person has
individual control and protection—no one can remove another's lock .
5. In a gearless traction machine, the brake drum is mounted directly
on the:
A) Worm gear shaft
B) Motor shaft
C) Counter shaft
,D) Governor shaft
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In gearless machines, both the drive sheave and brake drum
are directly on the motor shaft. This design eliminates the need for a
gear reduction system and is used for high-speed applications .
6. What is the primary advantage of a gearless machine over a geared
machine?
A) Lower cost
B) Smaller footprint
C) Quieter operation at low speed
D) Higher speed capability
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Gearless machines are used for high-speed applications,
typically over 350 feet per minute (fpm). They are capable of speeds up
to 2000 fpm or more in modern installations .
7. The worm and gear in a geared machine is typically made of:
A) Steel and bronze
B) Cast iron and aluminum
C) Brass and steel
D) Plastic and bronze
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The worm is typically made of hardened steel, and the gear is
made of bronze to provide a good bearing surface and reduce wear .
8. What is the time constant for a circuit with 150 KOhms and a 2
microfarad capacitor?
A) 300 seconds
B) 0.3 seconds
, C) 3 seconds
D) 30 seconds
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The time constant (τ) is calculated as resistance times
capacitance (τ = R × C). 150,000 ohms × 0.000002 farads = 0.3 seconds.
9. What must be done before checking pump drive belts on a
hydraulic elevator?
A) Pull the main disconnect switch
B) Check the oil level
C) Start the pump
D) Open the relief valve
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The main disconnect switch must be pulled (locked out) to
ensure the pump cannot start unexpectedly while the mechanic is
checking the belts.
10. Which of the following best describes the danger posed by the
counterweight assembly when you are riding the car top?
A) It runs close by in the opposite direction
B) It can fall on the car
C) It creates a vacuum
D) It blocks the hoistway
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The counterweight moves in the opposite direction of the
car. When riding the car top, the counterweight passes by at high speed
in the opposite direction, creating a crushing hazard.
11. Why must you place a hydraulic elevator car on jack posts before
servicing the packing head?
ESSENTIAL EXAM QUESTIONS COMPLETE WITH 100%
VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. Before performing maintenance on an elevator controller, what is
the first safety step required?
A) Test the stopping distance of the car
B) Notify building management
C) Lockout and tagout the main line disconnect
D) Place warning signs at all landings
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) of the main line disconnect is the first
and most critical safety step before any maintenance on elevator
controllers. Per OSHA 1910.147 and NEIEP safety standards, LOTO
prevents unexpected startup and release of stored energy that could
cause injury or death .
2. What is the proper procedure for entering the hoistway from the
top of the car?
A) Jump from the landing into the car
B) Climb down the hoistway rails
C) Use the hoistway access switch after ensuring car is within 18 inches
of the landing
D) Ride the crosshead down from the top
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The hoistway access switch should be used only after
ensuring the car is within 18 inches of the landing. ASME A17.1 requires
,this proximity to prevent falls and ensure safe transfer between landing
and car top .
3. When working in the elevator pit, which personal protective
equipment (PPE) is always required?
A) Hard hat and safety glasses only
B) Safety glasses and gloves only
C) Hard hat, safety glasses, and steel-toed boots
D) Hard hat only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Working in elevator pits requires comprehensive PPE: hard
hat (overhead hazards), safety glasses (flying debris/chemicals), and
steel-toed boots (crushing hazards from falling objects or equipment) .
4. What is the minimum number of locks required for a group
lockout/tagout procedure involving multiple mechanics?
A) One lock for the group leader
B) One lock per shift
C) One lock per mechanic
D) Two locks total regardless of personnel
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Group LOTO requires each mechanic to apply their own
individual lock to the lockout device. This ensures each person has
individual control and protection—no one can remove another's lock .
5. In a gearless traction machine, the brake drum is mounted directly
on the:
A) Worm gear shaft
B) Motor shaft
C) Counter shaft
,D) Governor shaft
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In gearless machines, both the drive sheave and brake drum
are directly on the motor shaft. This design eliminates the need for a
gear reduction system and is used for high-speed applications .
6. What is the primary advantage of a gearless machine over a geared
machine?
A) Lower cost
B) Smaller footprint
C) Quieter operation at low speed
D) Higher speed capability
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Gearless machines are used for high-speed applications,
typically over 350 feet per minute (fpm). They are capable of speeds up
to 2000 fpm or more in modern installations .
7. The worm and gear in a geared machine is typically made of:
A) Steel and bronze
B) Cast iron and aluminum
C) Brass and steel
D) Plastic and bronze
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The worm is typically made of hardened steel, and the gear is
made of bronze to provide a good bearing surface and reduce wear .
8. What is the time constant for a circuit with 150 KOhms and a 2
microfarad capacitor?
A) 300 seconds
B) 0.3 seconds
, C) 3 seconds
D) 30 seconds
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The time constant (τ) is calculated as resistance times
capacitance (τ = R × C). 150,000 ohms × 0.000002 farads = 0.3 seconds.
9. What must be done before checking pump drive belts on a
hydraulic elevator?
A) Pull the main disconnect switch
B) Check the oil level
C) Start the pump
D) Open the relief valve
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The main disconnect switch must be pulled (locked out) to
ensure the pump cannot start unexpectedly while the mechanic is
checking the belts.
10. Which of the following best describes the danger posed by the
counterweight assembly when you are riding the car top?
A) It runs close by in the opposite direction
B) It can fall on the car
C) It creates a vacuum
D) It blocks the hoistway
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The counterweight moves in the opposite direction of the
car. When riding the car top, the counterweight passes by at high speed
in the opposite direction, creating a crushing hazard.
11. Why must you place a hydraulic elevator car on jack posts before
servicing the packing head?
