NEW MEXICO EE-98 ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR EXAM –
MOTORS, CONTROLS, TRANSFORMERS & SPECIALTIES
COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS |
2026–2027 LATEST UPDATE | GUARANTEED PASS | DETAILED
RATIONALES | FULL STUDY GUIDE | EXAM PREP | PRACTICE
TEST | CERTIFICATION PREPARATION
Section One: Questions 1–100
1. According to the New Mexico Administrative Code, the EE-98 license permits electrical wiring
up to which maximum voltage?
A) 480 volts
B) 1,000 volts
C) 5,000 volts
D) 15,000 volts
Correct Answer: C) 5,000 volts
Rationale: The EE-98 license covers residential, commercial, and industrial electrical wiring operating
at 5,000 volts nominal or less. This is a key distinction from other classifications that may have
different voltage limits and reflects the comprehensive scope of work permitted under this license
classification .
2. What is the minimum experience requirement in hours to obtain an EE-98 license in New
Mexico?
A) 2,000 hours
B) 4,000 hours
C) 6,000 hours
D) 8,000 hours
Correct Answer: D) 8,000 hours
Rationale: The EE-98 license requires four years (8,000 hours) of experience. This is a higher
requirement than specialty electrical classifications, reflecting the broader scope of work permitted
under the EE-98 license, which includes residential, commercial, and industrial electrical systems .
3. Which of the following is NOT an exam requirement for obtaining an EE-98 license?
A) Passing the Business and Law exam
B) Passing three trade exams
C) Four years of experience
D) A bachelor's degree
Correct Answer: D) A bachelor's degree
Rationale: The EE-98 license requires experience (4 years/8,000 hours) and passing multiple exams
(Business & Law and three trade exams). A bachelor's degree is not a requirement for this license. The
application process also requires a bond and certificate of competence .
, 4. Which type of motor is most commonly used in variable speed applications with a Variable
Frequency Drive (VFD)?
A) Synchronous motor
B) Induction motor
C) DC motor with VFD control
D) Universal motor
Correct Answer: C) DC motor with VFD control
Rationale: DC motors controlled via Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) are commonly used for
applications requiring precise speed control. The VFD modulates both frequency and voltage to
control motor speed and torque, making this combination suitable for industrial and commercial
variable-speed applications .
5. What data is typically included on a motor nameplate?
A) Voltage, current, horsepower, speed, and efficiency
B) Resistance and reactance only
C) Temperature rating only
D) Conductor type used
Correct Answer: A) Voltage, current, horsepower, speed, and efficiency
Rationale: Motor nameplates provide essential data required for proper installation and protection,
including voltage, full-load current, horsepower, speed, and efficiency. This information is critical for
sizing conductors, overcurrent protection, and overload relays in motor circuits .
6. The starting current of an induction motor is typically:
A) Equal to its full-load current
B) Much higher than its full-load current
C) Lower than its full-load current
D) Not relevant
Correct Answer: B) Much higher than its full-load current
Rationale: Induction motors draw a high inrush current during startup, often 5-7 times the full-load
current. This characteristic is essential for sizing overcurrent protection and understanding the impact
on voltage drop and system capacity during motor starting .
7. Which motor control component is used to switch power on and off to a motor?
A) Contactor
B) Fuse
C) Resistor
D) Power factor
Correct Answer: A) Contactor
Rationale: A contactor is an electrically controlled switch used to control power to a motor circuit.
Contactors are designed to handle high currents and are typically controlled by lower-power devices
like pushbuttons or relays in motor control circuits .
8. The primary purpose of a transformer's turns ratio is to:
A) Determine the physical size of the transformer
B) Step voltage up or down based on ratio
C) Convert AC to DC
D) Provide isolation only
, Correct Answer: B) Step voltage up or down based on ratio
Rationale: The turns ratio dictates whether the transformer increases (steps up) or decreases (steps
down) voltage. This fundamental principle of transformer operation is based on the ratio of primary
to secondary winding turns and is essential for understanding voltage transformation .
9. A single-phase transformer has a turns ratio of 10:1. If the primary voltage is 120 V, what is
the secondary voltage?
A) 12 V
B) 1200 V
C) 12,000 V
D) 60 V
Correct Answer: B) 1200 V
Rationale: Secondary voltage equals primary voltage multiplied by the turns ratio: 120 V × 10 = 1200
V. A 10:1 ratio means the secondary has 10 times the turns of the primary, resulting in a step-up
transformer configuration .
10. The main advantage of using a three-phase transformer over single-phase transformers is:
A) Smaller size for the same power capacity
B) Higher voltage output
C) Less efficient
D) Only used for residential applications
Correct Answer: A) Smaller size for the same power capacity
Rationale: Three-phase transformers are more efficient and compact for large power loads compared
to using multiple single-phase units. This makes them the preferred choice for commercial and
industrial applications where three-phase power distribution is common .
11. Which motor type is typically used for applications requiring high starting torque?
A) Synchronous motor
B) Series DC motor
C) Induction motor
D) Universal motor
Correct Answer: B) Series DC motor
Rationale: Series DC motors provide high starting torque, making them suitable for heavy load
startups such as cranes, hoists, and traction applications. This characteristic is due to the high current
flow through both series field and armature windings at start .
12. Which component in a motor control circuit is responsible for starting and stopping the
motor?
A) Contactor
B) Relay
C) Pushbutton switch
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: Pushbuttons, relays, and contactors all play roles in controlling the motor's operation. The
pushbuttons initiate control signals, relays manage logic and auxiliary functions, and contactors
handle the actual power switching to the motor .
MOTORS, CONTROLS, TRANSFORMERS & SPECIALTIES
COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS |
2026–2027 LATEST UPDATE | GUARANTEED PASS | DETAILED
RATIONALES | FULL STUDY GUIDE | EXAM PREP | PRACTICE
TEST | CERTIFICATION PREPARATION
Section One: Questions 1–100
1. According to the New Mexico Administrative Code, the EE-98 license permits electrical wiring
up to which maximum voltage?
A) 480 volts
B) 1,000 volts
C) 5,000 volts
D) 15,000 volts
Correct Answer: C) 5,000 volts
Rationale: The EE-98 license covers residential, commercial, and industrial electrical wiring operating
at 5,000 volts nominal or less. This is a key distinction from other classifications that may have
different voltage limits and reflects the comprehensive scope of work permitted under this license
classification .
2. What is the minimum experience requirement in hours to obtain an EE-98 license in New
Mexico?
A) 2,000 hours
B) 4,000 hours
C) 6,000 hours
D) 8,000 hours
Correct Answer: D) 8,000 hours
Rationale: The EE-98 license requires four years (8,000 hours) of experience. This is a higher
requirement than specialty electrical classifications, reflecting the broader scope of work permitted
under the EE-98 license, which includes residential, commercial, and industrial electrical systems .
3. Which of the following is NOT an exam requirement for obtaining an EE-98 license?
A) Passing the Business and Law exam
B) Passing three trade exams
C) Four years of experience
D) A bachelor's degree
Correct Answer: D) A bachelor's degree
Rationale: The EE-98 license requires experience (4 years/8,000 hours) and passing multiple exams
(Business & Law and three trade exams). A bachelor's degree is not a requirement for this license. The
application process also requires a bond and certificate of competence .
, 4. Which type of motor is most commonly used in variable speed applications with a Variable
Frequency Drive (VFD)?
A) Synchronous motor
B) Induction motor
C) DC motor with VFD control
D) Universal motor
Correct Answer: C) DC motor with VFD control
Rationale: DC motors controlled via Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) are commonly used for
applications requiring precise speed control. The VFD modulates both frequency and voltage to
control motor speed and torque, making this combination suitable for industrial and commercial
variable-speed applications .
5. What data is typically included on a motor nameplate?
A) Voltage, current, horsepower, speed, and efficiency
B) Resistance and reactance only
C) Temperature rating only
D) Conductor type used
Correct Answer: A) Voltage, current, horsepower, speed, and efficiency
Rationale: Motor nameplates provide essential data required for proper installation and protection,
including voltage, full-load current, horsepower, speed, and efficiency. This information is critical for
sizing conductors, overcurrent protection, and overload relays in motor circuits .
6. The starting current of an induction motor is typically:
A) Equal to its full-load current
B) Much higher than its full-load current
C) Lower than its full-load current
D) Not relevant
Correct Answer: B) Much higher than its full-load current
Rationale: Induction motors draw a high inrush current during startup, often 5-7 times the full-load
current. This characteristic is essential for sizing overcurrent protection and understanding the impact
on voltage drop and system capacity during motor starting .
7. Which motor control component is used to switch power on and off to a motor?
A) Contactor
B) Fuse
C) Resistor
D) Power factor
Correct Answer: A) Contactor
Rationale: A contactor is an electrically controlled switch used to control power to a motor circuit.
Contactors are designed to handle high currents and are typically controlled by lower-power devices
like pushbuttons or relays in motor control circuits .
8. The primary purpose of a transformer's turns ratio is to:
A) Determine the physical size of the transformer
B) Step voltage up or down based on ratio
C) Convert AC to DC
D) Provide isolation only
, Correct Answer: B) Step voltage up or down based on ratio
Rationale: The turns ratio dictates whether the transformer increases (steps up) or decreases (steps
down) voltage. This fundamental principle of transformer operation is based on the ratio of primary
to secondary winding turns and is essential for understanding voltage transformation .
9. A single-phase transformer has a turns ratio of 10:1. If the primary voltage is 120 V, what is
the secondary voltage?
A) 12 V
B) 1200 V
C) 12,000 V
D) 60 V
Correct Answer: B) 1200 V
Rationale: Secondary voltage equals primary voltage multiplied by the turns ratio: 120 V × 10 = 1200
V. A 10:1 ratio means the secondary has 10 times the turns of the primary, resulting in a step-up
transformer configuration .
10. The main advantage of using a three-phase transformer over single-phase transformers is:
A) Smaller size for the same power capacity
B) Higher voltage output
C) Less efficient
D) Only used for residential applications
Correct Answer: A) Smaller size for the same power capacity
Rationale: Three-phase transformers are more efficient and compact for large power loads compared
to using multiple single-phase units. This makes them the preferred choice for commercial and
industrial applications where three-phase power distribution is common .
11. Which motor type is typically used for applications requiring high starting torque?
A) Synchronous motor
B) Series DC motor
C) Induction motor
D) Universal motor
Correct Answer: B) Series DC motor
Rationale: Series DC motors provide high starting torque, making them suitable for heavy load
startups such as cranes, hoists, and traction applications. This characteristic is due to the high current
flow through both series field and armature windings at start .
12. Which component in a motor control circuit is responsible for starting and stopping the
motor?
A) Contactor
B) Relay
C) Pushbutton switch
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: Pushbuttons, relays, and contactors all play roles in controlling the motor's operation. The
pushbuttons initiate control signals, relays manage logic and auxiliary functions, and contactors
handle the actual power switching to the motor .
