NEIEP Elevator Mechanic Certification Exam
- Complete Questions with Answers &
Detailed Rationales -Latest Test (Updated
2026/27) | Graded A+
Question 1
How do you calculate the number of counterweight if the counterweight is 25 lbs per
foot cubed?
Answer: Multiply the volume of the counterweight (in cubic feet) by 25 lbs/ft³ to
determine the total weight ✔✔
Rationale: Counterweight weight is calculated by determining the volume of the
counterweight assembly and multiplying by the density of the material (25 lbs/ft³ for
cast iron counterweights). This ensures proper balance with the car weight plus 40-50%
of the rated capacity.
Question 2
Who is responsible for providing the MSDS on a construction site?
Answer: Your employer ✔✔
Rationale: Under OSHA regulations, employers are responsible for providing Material
Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all hazardous chemicals present at the worksite. These
documents inform workers about chemical hazards and safe handling procedures.
Question 3
If a pump pulley is 6" and the motor pulley is 12", how do you determine the size pulley
needed to achieve a speed of 125' per minute?
Answer: Cross multiply based on the pulley sizes and motor speed ✔✔
Rationale: The relationship between pulley sizes and speed is inversely proportional:
(Motor Pulley Diameter × Motor RPM) = (Pump Pulley Diameter × Pump RPM). Use
cross-multiplication to solve for the unknown pulley size or speed.
pg. 1
,Question 4
In a dump switch question, if the switches are in certain states, how do you determine
the car's position?
Answer: Find the switch in the neutral position; the answer is believed to be the second
car's floor ✔✔
Rationale: Dump switches (or floor selector switches) indicate car position. When
switches are in certain states, the neutral position identifies which floor the car is at. In
some configurations, the second car's floor corresponds to the neutral switch position.
Question 5
How many gallons of oil are needed to raise a car with a 6" diameter piston and a 25'
rise?
Answer: 37 gallons of oil ✔✔
Rationale: Volume = Area × Height. Area = π × r² = 3.14 × 3² = 28.27 in². Height = 25
ft × 12 = 300 inches. Volume = 28.27 × 300 = 8,481 in³. 1 gallon = 231 in³. 8,481 ÷ 231
≈ 37 gallons.
Question 6
How do you convert 1 inch to millimeters?
Answer: 1 inch is equal to 25.4 mm ✔✔
Rationale: The conversion factor is a constant: 1 inch = 25.4 millimeters. Multiply
inches by 25.4 to get millimeters.
Question 7
What is the correct method to measure an incline handrail?
Answer: Measure in flat sections on the incline only ✔✔
Rationale: Escalator handrail measurement should be taken on the incline (flat
sections) only. Measurements on curved sections or transitions are not accurate for
determining handrail length.
Question 8
pg. 2
,When is an escape hatch required for residential lifts?
Answer: When there are no controls inside the car and it must open to the outside ✔✔
Rationale: Residential elevators require an escape hatch or emergency opening when
the car has no interior controls and the only access is from outside. This provides a
means of rescue in case of entrapment.
Question 9
How many wires are needed to wire a COP?
Answer: You need 10% extra wires, considering multiple common terminals ✔✔
Rationale: When wiring a Car Operating Panel (COP), you should account for 10%
additional wire for service loops and connections. Consider common terminals that are
shared by multiple functions.
Question 10
What could be the cause if a brake doesn't pick fully upon acceleration?
Answer: It could be related to the brake circuit ✔✔
Rationale: TC = R × C (Time Constant = Resistance × Capacitance), and capacitors
take 5 times to charge. If the brake isn't picking fully, there may be insufficient voltage
or current reaching the brake coil. The off delay circuit may also be failing to keep the
brake engaged during acceleration.
Question 11
What is the result of adding resistance to a brake circuit?
Answer: It reduces current flow to the brake coil, causing slower brake pickup or drop-
out depending on the circuit configuration ✔✔
Rationale: In a brake circuit, adding resistance reduces the current flowing to the
brake coil. This can cause the brake to pick up more slowly (delayed release) or drop out
more slowly (delayed engagement). The time constant (TC = R × C) is affected by
resistance changes, impacting the brake timing characteristics.
Question 12
pg. 3
, What issue arises if doors open and close immediately?
Answer: It indicates a problem with the off delay circuit ✔✔
Rationale: TC = R × C, and capacitors take 5 times the time constant to fully charge. If
doors open and close immediately without delay, the off delay circuit is likely not
functioning properly.
Question 13
What should you ask for when installing rails?
Answer: Fish plates ✔✔
Rationale: Fish plates (also called splice plates) are used to connect rail sections
together during installation. They ensure proper alignment and structural integrity of
the guide rails.
Question 14
When is the first tie down required for 2'x8' scaffolding?
Answer: At 4 times the smallest base diameter, find the closest header above ✔✔
Rationale: OSHA scaffolding regulations require tie-downs to prevent movement. The
first tie-down should be placed at a distance of 4 times the smallest base dimension.
Secure to the closest overhead structure.
Question 15
What hole should you drill first when dropping in machine beams?
Answer: Drill the deflector sheave hole first ✔✔
Rationale: The deflector sheave hole is the primary hole needed for beam placement.
Drilling it first establishes the critical alignment for the machine installation.
Question 16
At what speeds do mechanical and electrical trips occur for cars running at 300-350
fpm?
Answer: For 300 fpm: mechanical trip at 395 fpm and electrical at 355 fpm; for 350
fpm: mechanical trip at 454 fpm and electrical at 407 fpm ✔✔
pg. 4
- Complete Questions with Answers &
Detailed Rationales -Latest Test (Updated
2026/27) | Graded A+
Question 1
How do you calculate the number of counterweight if the counterweight is 25 lbs per
foot cubed?
Answer: Multiply the volume of the counterweight (in cubic feet) by 25 lbs/ft³ to
determine the total weight ✔✔
Rationale: Counterweight weight is calculated by determining the volume of the
counterweight assembly and multiplying by the density of the material (25 lbs/ft³ for
cast iron counterweights). This ensures proper balance with the car weight plus 40-50%
of the rated capacity.
Question 2
Who is responsible for providing the MSDS on a construction site?
Answer: Your employer ✔✔
Rationale: Under OSHA regulations, employers are responsible for providing Material
Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all hazardous chemicals present at the worksite. These
documents inform workers about chemical hazards and safe handling procedures.
Question 3
If a pump pulley is 6" and the motor pulley is 12", how do you determine the size pulley
needed to achieve a speed of 125' per minute?
Answer: Cross multiply based on the pulley sizes and motor speed ✔✔
Rationale: The relationship between pulley sizes and speed is inversely proportional:
(Motor Pulley Diameter × Motor RPM) = (Pump Pulley Diameter × Pump RPM). Use
cross-multiplication to solve for the unknown pulley size or speed.
pg. 1
,Question 4
In a dump switch question, if the switches are in certain states, how do you determine
the car's position?
Answer: Find the switch in the neutral position; the answer is believed to be the second
car's floor ✔✔
Rationale: Dump switches (or floor selector switches) indicate car position. When
switches are in certain states, the neutral position identifies which floor the car is at. In
some configurations, the second car's floor corresponds to the neutral switch position.
Question 5
How many gallons of oil are needed to raise a car with a 6" diameter piston and a 25'
rise?
Answer: 37 gallons of oil ✔✔
Rationale: Volume = Area × Height. Area = π × r² = 3.14 × 3² = 28.27 in². Height = 25
ft × 12 = 300 inches. Volume = 28.27 × 300 = 8,481 in³. 1 gallon = 231 in³. 8,481 ÷ 231
≈ 37 gallons.
Question 6
How do you convert 1 inch to millimeters?
Answer: 1 inch is equal to 25.4 mm ✔✔
Rationale: The conversion factor is a constant: 1 inch = 25.4 millimeters. Multiply
inches by 25.4 to get millimeters.
Question 7
What is the correct method to measure an incline handrail?
Answer: Measure in flat sections on the incline only ✔✔
Rationale: Escalator handrail measurement should be taken on the incline (flat
sections) only. Measurements on curved sections or transitions are not accurate for
determining handrail length.
Question 8
pg. 2
,When is an escape hatch required for residential lifts?
Answer: When there are no controls inside the car and it must open to the outside ✔✔
Rationale: Residential elevators require an escape hatch or emergency opening when
the car has no interior controls and the only access is from outside. This provides a
means of rescue in case of entrapment.
Question 9
How many wires are needed to wire a COP?
Answer: You need 10% extra wires, considering multiple common terminals ✔✔
Rationale: When wiring a Car Operating Panel (COP), you should account for 10%
additional wire for service loops and connections. Consider common terminals that are
shared by multiple functions.
Question 10
What could be the cause if a brake doesn't pick fully upon acceleration?
Answer: It could be related to the brake circuit ✔✔
Rationale: TC = R × C (Time Constant = Resistance × Capacitance), and capacitors
take 5 times to charge. If the brake isn't picking fully, there may be insufficient voltage
or current reaching the brake coil. The off delay circuit may also be failing to keep the
brake engaged during acceleration.
Question 11
What is the result of adding resistance to a brake circuit?
Answer: It reduces current flow to the brake coil, causing slower brake pickup or drop-
out depending on the circuit configuration ✔✔
Rationale: In a brake circuit, adding resistance reduces the current flowing to the
brake coil. This can cause the brake to pick up more slowly (delayed release) or drop out
more slowly (delayed engagement). The time constant (TC = R × C) is affected by
resistance changes, impacting the brake timing characteristics.
Question 12
pg. 3
, What issue arises if doors open and close immediately?
Answer: It indicates a problem with the off delay circuit ✔✔
Rationale: TC = R × C, and capacitors take 5 times the time constant to fully charge. If
doors open and close immediately without delay, the off delay circuit is likely not
functioning properly.
Question 13
What should you ask for when installing rails?
Answer: Fish plates ✔✔
Rationale: Fish plates (also called splice plates) are used to connect rail sections
together during installation. They ensure proper alignment and structural integrity of
the guide rails.
Question 14
When is the first tie down required for 2'x8' scaffolding?
Answer: At 4 times the smallest base diameter, find the closest header above ✔✔
Rationale: OSHA scaffolding regulations require tie-downs to prevent movement. The
first tie-down should be placed at a distance of 4 times the smallest base dimension.
Secure to the closest overhead structure.
Question 15
What hole should you drill first when dropping in machine beams?
Answer: Drill the deflector sheave hole first ✔✔
Rationale: The deflector sheave hole is the primary hole needed for beam placement.
Drilling it first establishes the critical alignment for the machine installation.
Question 16
At what speeds do mechanical and electrical trips occur for cars running at 300-350
fpm?
Answer: For 300 fpm: mechanical trip at 395 fpm and electrical at 355 fpm; for 350
fpm: mechanical trip at 454 fpm and electrical at 407 fpm ✔✔
pg. 4
