NEIEP 400 Study Guide 2026/2027 Practice
Exam 2026/2027 — Electrical, Mechanical,
Safety & Code Applications | Exam-Style
MCQs with Correct Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Final Exam Prep
1. Which component in a conventional elevator traction
system is primarily responsible for applying mechanical
braking force when the brake is de-energized?
A. Traction sheave
B. Governor rope
C. Machine brake
D. Counterweight
The machine brake is normally spring-applied and
electrically released, so loss of electrical power causes the
brake to apply. The traction sheave and counterweight
transmit or balance mechanical forces, while the governor
rope is part of the overspeed safety system.
2. An elevator car is traveling upward and the load in the
car is greater than the counterweight. Compared with a
balanced condition, what happens to the required motor
torque?
A. It decreases because gravity assists the motor
B. It increases because the motor must overcome the
greater unbalanced load
,C. It remains exactly the same
D. It becomes zero when the brake releases
When the car is heavier than the counterweight, the motor
must provide additional torque to overcome the unbalanced
gravitational force. The brake merely permits movement; it
does not eliminate the load difference.
3. What is the primary purpose of an elevator
counterweight?
A. To operate the door interlock
B. To prevent the governor from overspeeding
C. To balance the weight of the car and a portion of its
rated load
D. To provide emergency lighting
The counterweight reduces the amount of motor torque and
power required to move the car by balancing the car weight
plus a designed portion of the rated load. It does not perform
door-control, governor, or emergency-lighting functions.
4. A mechanic measures a motor circuit and finds that the
measured voltage is substantially below the expected
value while the motor is operating under load. What
should be investigated first?
A. Car-top clearance
B. Governor rope diameter
C. Supply voltage, connections, and excessive circuit
resistance
D. Door sill alignment only
,Low operating voltage can result from an inadequate supply,
loose connection, damaged conductor, or excessive resistance
producing voltage drop. Mechanical items such as sill
alignment do not normally cause an electrical supply voltage
to fall at the motor terminals.
5. In a series circuit, what happens to the current when
additional resistance is added while the supply voltage
remains constant?
A. Current increases
B. Voltage becomes infinite
C. Current decreases
D. Current remains unchanged
Ohm's law states that current equals voltage divided by
resistance, so increasing total resistance with constant voltage
decreases current. This differs from parallel circuits, where
adding another branch generally reduces total circuit
resistance.
6. A normally closed safety contact opens while an elevator
is running. What is the intended result in a properly
designed safety circuit?
A. The motor accelerates
B. The door operator increases speed
C. The safety circuit interrupts the appropriate control
function and removes permitted motion
D. The car automatically switches to inspection operation
Safety circuits are designed so that opening a required safety
contact prevents or interrupts normal operation. An open
, safety device should not cause the controller to initiate faster
operation or automatically enter inspection mode.
7. What is the primary purpose of an elevator door
interlock?
A. To increase motor horsepower
B. To control car lighting
C. To prevent the hoistway door from opening unless the
door is properly secured and the car is in the permitted
zone
D. To regulate governor speed
The interlock mechanically secures the hoistway door and its
electrical contacts verify the required condition to the control
system. Motor horsepower and governor operation are
separate functions.
8. A fuse repeatedly opens immediately after a motor
contactor closes. Which condition is most likely to
warrant investigation?
A. Excessive car lighting
B. A short circuit, ground fault, or abnormal motor
starting current
C. Proper door leveling
D. Normal governor tension
Repeated immediate fuse operation strongly suggests
excessive current, commonly from a short circuit, ground
fault, or severe motor fault. Normal leveling and governor
tension would not normally cause an instantaneous electrical
fuse failure.
Exam 2026/2027 — Electrical, Mechanical,
Safety & Code Applications | Exam-Style
MCQs with Correct Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Final Exam Prep
1. Which component in a conventional elevator traction
system is primarily responsible for applying mechanical
braking force when the brake is de-energized?
A. Traction sheave
B. Governor rope
C. Machine brake
D. Counterweight
The machine brake is normally spring-applied and
electrically released, so loss of electrical power causes the
brake to apply. The traction sheave and counterweight
transmit or balance mechanical forces, while the governor
rope is part of the overspeed safety system.
2. An elevator car is traveling upward and the load in the
car is greater than the counterweight. Compared with a
balanced condition, what happens to the required motor
torque?
A. It decreases because gravity assists the motor
B. It increases because the motor must overcome the
greater unbalanced load
,C. It remains exactly the same
D. It becomes zero when the brake releases
When the car is heavier than the counterweight, the motor
must provide additional torque to overcome the unbalanced
gravitational force. The brake merely permits movement; it
does not eliminate the load difference.
3. What is the primary purpose of an elevator
counterweight?
A. To operate the door interlock
B. To prevent the governor from overspeeding
C. To balance the weight of the car and a portion of its
rated load
D. To provide emergency lighting
The counterweight reduces the amount of motor torque and
power required to move the car by balancing the car weight
plus a designed portion of the rated load. It does not perform
door-control, governor, or emergency-lighting functions.
4. A mechanic measures a motor circuit and finds that the
measured voltage is substantially below the expected
value while the motor is operating under load. What
should be investigated first?
A. Car-top clearance
B. Governor rope diameter
C. Supply voltage, connections, and excessive circuit
resistance
D. Door sill alignment only
,Low operating voltage can result from an inadequate supply,
loose connection, damaged conductor, or excessive resistance
producing voltage drop. Mechanical items such as sill
alignment do not normally cause an electrical supply voltage
to fall at the motor terminals.
5. In a series circuit, what happens to the current when
additional resistance is added while the supply voltage
remains constant?
A. Current increases
B. Voltage becomes infinite
C. Current decreases
D. Current remains unchanged
Ohm's law states that current equals voltage divided by
resistance, so increasing total resistance with constant voltage
decreases current. This differs from parallel circuits, where
adding another branch generally reduces total circuit
resistance.
6. A normally closed safety contact opens while an elevator
is running. What is the intended result in a properly
designed safety circuit?
A. The motor accelerates
B. The door operator increases speed
C. The safety circuit interrupts the appropriate control
function and removes permitted motion
D. The car automatically switches to inspection operation
Safety circuits are designed so that opening a required safety
contact prevents or interrupts normal operation. An open
, safety device should not cause the controller to initiate faster
operation or automatically enter inspection mode.
7. What is the primary purpose of an elevator door
interlock?
A. To increase motor horsepower
B. To control car lighting
C. To prevent the hoistway door from opening unless the
door is properly secured and the car is in the permitted
zone
D. To regulate governor speed
The interlock mechanically secures the hoistway door and its
electrical contacts verify the required condition to the control
system. Motor horsepower and governor operation are
separate functions.
8. A fuse repeatedly opens immediately after a motor
contactor closes. Which condition is most likely to
warrant investigation?
A. Excessive car lighting
B. A short circuit, ground fault, or abnormal motor
starting current
C. Proper door leveling
D. Normal governor tension
Repeated immediate fuse operation strongly suggests
excessive current, commonly from a short circuit, ground
fault, or severe motor fault. Normal leveling and governor
tension would not normally cause an instantaneous electrical
fuse failure.
