NEIEP 400 National Elevator Industry
Educational Program Practice Exam
2026/2027 — NEIEP 400 | Exam-Style
MCQs with Correct Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Certification Prep
1. In an elevator traction system, what is the primary
purpose of the traction sheave?
A. To apply electrical braking force to the motor
B. To guide the car and counterweight into the hoistway
C. To transmit torque from the machine to the hoist ropes
D. To prevent the governor from overspeeding
The traction sheave transfers the machine's rotational torque
to the hoist ropes through frictional traction. The guide rails
control car and counterweight movement, while the governor
serves an overspeed safety function rather than transmitting
normal driving torque.
2. A traction elevator is carrying a load upward. If the
counterweight is properly balanced, which condition
generally results in the lowest motor power requirement?
A. The motor must lift the full weight of the car and rated load
B. The motor primarily overcomes the imbalance between
the car side and counterweight side
C. The counterweight must always weigh more than the car
and its rated load
,D. The motor does not experience any load while the elevator
is moving
The counterweight offsets the weight of the empty car plus a
portion of the rated load, substantially reducing the net force
the motor must provide. The motor still supplies power for the
imbalance and system losses, so it is incorrect to say it
experiences no load.
3. What is the principal function of elevator guide rails?
A. Provide electrical grounding for the car
B. Support the hoist ropes
C. Guide the car and counterweight along a controlled
vertical path
D. Apply normal stopping force during every floor stop
Guide rails maintain the alignment and lateral stability of the
car and counterweight. They are not normally the primary
means of supporting the hoist ropes or performing routine
stopping.
4. During inspection, a mechanic discovers excessive wear
on a traction sheave groove. What is the most important
concern?
A. Increased cab lighting current
B. Reduced door-opening speed
C. Loss of adequate rope traction and possible rope
slippage
D. Increased governor overspeed setting
,Excessive groove wear can alter the groove profile and reduce
the designed traction relationship between the ropes and
sheave. This can contribute to slippage and unreliable
operation, whereas lighting current and governor settings are
unrelated to normal sheave wear.
5. Which component is specifically intended to detect
excessive downward or upward car speed and initiate the
safety system?
A. Door restrictor
B. Limit switch
C. Governor
D. Selector tape
The governor monitors car speed mechanically or
electronically and can initiate the car safety system when an
overspeed condition occurs. A door restrictor controls door-
related movement, while limit devices and selectors perform
different control functions.
6. A mechanic is troubleshooting an elevator that runs
correctly in inspection operation but will not respond to
normal hall calls. Which area should receive particular
attention first?
A. Counterweight filler weights
B. Guide rail lubrication
C. The normal-operation control and safety circuits
D. Car-top lighting fixture
Inspection operation intentionally bypasses or changes
portions of normal automatic operation, so a fault affecting
, normal controls can allow inspection operation while
preventing hall-call service. Mechanical counterweight and
lighting conditions would not normally explain this specific
symptom.
7. What is the primary purpose of an elevator door
interlock?
A. Increase door opening speed
B. Prevent the hoistway entrance from being opened
unless the car is in the required position and prevent
operation under unsafe door conditions
C. Reduce motor voltage during acceleration
D. Control counterweight movement
The interlock provides a critical protection function by
preventing unsafe operation when a landing entrance is not
properly secured. It is not a speed-control or counterweight
device.
8. An elevator repeatedly stops just short of the floor level
during leveling. Which condition could most directly
cause this problem?
A. Excessive cab lighting
B. Incorrect handrail height
C. A malfunctioning leveling sensor or leveling control
D. Incorrect counterweight paint color
Leveling depends on sensors and control logic that determine
the car's position relative to the landing. A defective sensor,
adjustment, or related control component can cause consistent
undertravel or overtravel during leveling.
Educational Program Practice Exam
2026/2027 — NEIEP 400 | Exam-Style
MCQs with Correct Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Certification Prep
1. In an elevator traction system, what is the primary
purpose of the traction sheave?
A. To apply electrical braking force to the motor
B. To guide the car and counterweight into the hoistway
C. To transmit torque from the machine to the hoist ropes
D. To prevent the governor from overspeeding
The traction sheave transfers the machine's rotational torque
to the hoist ropes through frictional traction. The guide rails
control car and counterweight movement, while the governor
serves an overspeed safety function rather than transmitting
normal driving torque.
2. A traction elevator is carrying a load upward. If the
counterweight is properly balanced, which condition
generally results in the lowest motor power requirement?
A. The motor must lift the full weight of the car and rated load
B. The motor primarily overcomes the imbalance between
the car side and counterweight side
C. The counterweight must always weigh more than the car
and its rated load
,D. The motor does not experience any load while the elevator
is moving
The counterweight offsets the weight of the empty car plus a
portion of the rated load, substantially reducing the net force
the motor must provide. The motor still supplies power for the
imbalance and system losses, so it is incorrect to say it
experiences no load.
3. What is the principal function of elevator guide rails?
A. Provide electrical grounding for the car
B. Support the hoist ropes
C. Guide the car and counterweight along a controlled
vertical path
D. Apply normal stopping force during every floor stop
Guide rails maintain the alignment and lateral stability of the
car and counterweight. They are not normally the primary
means of supporting the hoist ropes or performing routine
stopping.
4. During inspection, a mechanic discovers excessive wear
on a traction sheave groove. What is the most important
concern?
A. Increased cab lighting current
B. Reduced door-opening speed
C. Loss of adequate rope traction and possible rope
slippage
D. Increased governor overspeed setting
,Excessive groove wear can alter the groove profile and reduce
the designed traction relationship between the ropes and
sheave. This can contribute to slippage and unreliable
operation, whereas lighting current and governor settings are
unrelated to normal sheave wear.
5. Which component is specifically intended to detect
excessive downward or upward car speed and initiate the
safety system?
A. Door restrictor
B. Limit switch
C. Governor
D. Selector tape
The governor monitors car speed mechanically or
electronically and can initiate the car safety system when an
overspeed condition occurs. A door restrictor controls door-
related movement, while limit devices and selectors perform
different control functions.
6. A mechanic is troubleshooting an elevator that runs
correctly in inspection operation but will not respond to
normal hall calls. Which area should receive particular
attention first?
A. Counterweight filler weights
B. Guide rail lubrication
C. The normal-operation control and safety circuits
D. Car-top lighting fixture
Inspection operation intentionally bypasses or changes
portions of normal automatic operation, so a fault affecting
, normal controls can allow inspection operation while
preventing hall-call service. Mechanical counterweight and
lighting conditions would not normally explain this specific
symptom.
7. What is the primary purpose of an elevator door
interlock?
A. Increase door opening speed
B. Prevent the hoistway entrance from being opened
unless the car is in the required position and prevent
operation under unsafe door conditions
C. Reduce motor voltage during acceleration
D. Control counterweight movement
The interlock provides a critical protection function by
preventing unsafe operation when a landing entrance is not
properly secured. It is not a speed-control or counterweight
device.
8. An elevator repeatedly stops just short of the floor level
during leveling. Which condition could most directly
cause this problem?
A. Excessive cab lighting
B. Incorrect handrail height
C. A malfunctioning leveling sensor or leveling control
D. Incorrect counterweight paint color
Leveling depends on sensors and control logic that determine
the car's position relative to the landing. A defective sensor,
adjustment, or related control component can cause consistent
undertravel or overtravel during leveling.
