NORTH CAROLINA SPECIAL RESTRICTED ELEVATOR (SP-
EL) LICENSE EXAM | ALL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
A+ GRADED | COMPLETE STUDYGUIDE 2026/2027
1. Which North Carolina classification is specifically designated for electrical work
associated with elevator installations and systems?
A. SP-PH
B. SP-EL
C. SP-LV
D. SP-SFD
Answer: B
The SP-EL classification is the Special Restricted Elevator classification. Its scope is directed to
electrical work associated with elevator systems.
2. A technician preparing for the North Carolina SP-EL examination should give
particular attention to which combination of standards?
A. Plumbing Code and Mechanical Code
B. Residential Code and Fuel Gas Code
C. Electrical Code and applicable elevator safety requirements
D. Fire Prevention Code and Energy Code
Answer: C
The SP-EL examination involves electrical requirements applicable to elevator-type wiring
together with North Carolina elevator safety requirements.
3. Which organization administers North Carolina's Elevator Safety Act?
A. North Carolina Department of Labor
B. North Carolina Department of Transportation
C. North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
D. North Carolina Board of Examiners
Answer: A
The North Carolina Department of Labor, through its Elevator and Amusement Device Bureau,
administers and enforces the Elevator Safety Act.
4. The primary purpose of an elevator disconnecting means is to:
A. Increase motor speed
B. Improve car leveling
C. Provide lighting to the machine room
D. Provide a means of disconnecting electrical power
,Answer: D
A disconnecting means allows electrical power to the elevator equipment to be safely isolated
when required for servicing, maintenance, or emergency conditions.
5. Before beginning electrical work on an elevator, the safest first action is to:
A. Verify the elevator is at the lowest floor
B. Establish the equipment's electrical isolation and lockout condition
C. Remove the car operating panel
D. Test the door operator
Answer: B
Electrical isolation and lockout prevent unexpected energization while work is being
performed. Verification of the de-energized condition should follow the applicable safety
procedure.
6. Which electrical code is specifically relevant to elevator-type wiring under the SP-EL
examination scope?
A. NFPA 70, National Electrical Code
B. NFPA 101 only
C. NFPA 13 only
D. NFPA 72 only
Answer: A
The SP-EL examination scope includes the applicable North Carolina State Electrical Code and
National Electrical Code requirements for elevator-type wiring.
7. A conductor installed in an elevator traveling cable should be selected primarily
according to:
A. Its color alone
B. Its physical length only
C. Its permitted use, insulation, voltage rating, and applicable code requirements
D. The elevator manufacturer's paint scheme
Answer: C
Traveling-cable conductors must be suitable for their electrical application and installation
conditions. Color identification alone does not establish suitability.
8. During troubleshooting, an elevator control circuit is found energized even though the
disconnect was believed to be open. What should the technician do first?
A. Continue testing because the circuit is low voltage
B. Assume the disconnect is defective and replace it immediately
,C. Touch the conductors with a screwdriver to confirm voltage
D. Stop and verify the source and isolation condition using an appropriate test procedure
Answer: D
Unexpected voltage indicates that the isolation assumption is unsafe. The source must be
identified and the equipment properly isolated before work continues.
9. What is the primary function of an elevator door interlock?
A. Prevent the elevator from operating unless the landing door is properly secured
B. Increase the speed of the elevator car
C. Control machine-room ventilation
D. Provide emergency lighting
Answer: A
The interlock is a critical safety device intended to prevent normal elevator operation when
the associated landing entrance is not properly secured.
10. A door lock contact intermittently opens while the car is operating. What is the most
appropriate response?
A. Bypass the contact permanently
B. Increase the motor voltage
C. Investigate the door-lock circuit and remove the elevator from service if safe operation cannot
be assured
D. Disable the door operator
Answer: C
A malfunctioning door-lock circuit can compromise passenger safety. It should never be
defeated as a troubleshooting shortcut.
11. Which practice is most appropriate when working inside an elevator control cabinet?
A. Work with both hands inside the cabinet
B. Maintain required approach and electrical safety practices and verify circuit status
C. Remove all labels before testing
D. Disconnect grounding conductors first
Answer: B
Proper electrical safety procedures, identification of energized circuits, and appropriate
testing practices reduce shock and arc-flash hazards.
12. The grounding and bonding system in elevator equipment is intended primarily to:
A. Increase elevator speed
B. Reduce door-closing time
, C. Eliminate the need for overcurrent protection
D. Provide an effective path for fault current and reduce shock hazards
Answer: D
Grounding and bonding provide a low-impedance fault-current path that helps protective
devices operate and limits dangerous touch voltages.
13. A technician discovers that an equipment grounding conductor has been disconnected.
What should happen next?
A. Restore the grounding connection before placing the equipment back into normal service
B. Leave it disconnected if the elevator still runs
C. Replace it with a smaller conductor
D. Paint the conductor green
Answer: A
A missing equipment grounding connection can create a serious shock hazard and should be
corrected before safe operation is restored.
14. Which component normally provides overcurrent protection for an elevator branch or
feeder circuit?
A. Door restrictor
B. Car-top inspection station
C. Properly sized overcurrent protective device
D. Counterweight
Answer: C
Overcurrent protective devices protect conductors and equipment from excessive current
under fault or overload conditions as required by the applicable electrical installation rules.
15. Why should an elevator's rated electrical information be verified before replacing a
motor or controller component?
A. To select compatible equipment and avoid unsafe electrical loading
B. To change the elevator's rated capacity
C. To eliminate the need for grounding
D. To bypass the controller
Answer: A
Voltage, current, phase, horsepower, and control requirements must be compatible with the
existing elevator system and applicable installation requirements.
16. What is the best initial approach when an elevator suddenly stops responding to normal
hall calls?
EL) LICENSE EXAM | ALL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
A+ GRADED | COMPLETE STUDYGUIDE 2026/2027
1. Which North Carolina classification is specifically designated for electrical work
associated with elevator installations and systems?
A. SP-PH
B. SP-EL
C. SP-LV
D. SP-SFD
Answer: B
The SP-EL classification is the Special Restricted Elevator classification. Its scope is directed to
electrical work associated with elevator systems.
2. A technician preparing for the North Carolina SP-EL examination should give
particular attention to which combination of standards?
A. Plumbing Code and Mechanical Code
B. Residential Code and Fuel Gas Code
C. Electrical Code and applicable elevator safety requirements
D. Fire Prevention Code and Energy Code
Answer: C
The SP-EL examination involves electrical requirements applicable to elevator-type wiring
together with North Carolina elevator safety requirements.
3. Which organization administers North Carolina's Elevator Safety Act?
A. North Carolina Department of Labor
B. North Carolina Department of Transportation
C. North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
D. North Carolina Board of Examiners
Answer: A
The North Carolina Department of Labor, through its Elevator and Amusement Device Bureau,
administers and enforces the Elevator Safety Act.
4. The primary purpose of an elevator disconnecting means is to:
A. Increase motor speed
B. Improve car leveling
C. Provide lighting to the machine room
D. Provide a means of disconnecting electrical power
,Answer: D
A disconnecting means allows electrical power to the elevator equipment to be safely isolated
when required for servicing, maintenance, or emergency conditions.
5. Before beginning electrical work on an elevator, the safest first action is to:
A. Verify the elevator is at the lowest floor
B. Establish the equipment's electrical isolation and lockout condition
C. Remove the car operating panel
D. Test the door operator
Answer: B
Electrical isolation and lockout prevent unexpected energization while work is being
performed. Verification of the de-energized condition should follow the applicable safety
procedure.
6. Which electrical code is specifically relevant to elevator-type wiring under the SP-EL
examination scope?
A. NFPA 70, National Electrical Code
B. NFPA 101 only
C. NFPA 13 only
D. NFPA 72 only
Answer: A
The SP-EL examination scope includes the applicable North Carolina State Electrical Code and
National Electrical Code requirements for elevator-type wiring.
7. A conductor installed in an elevator traveling cable should be selected primarily
according to:
A. Its color alone
B. Its physical length only
C. Its permitted use, insulation, voltage rating, and applicable code requirements
D. The elevator manufacturer's paint scheme
Answer: C
Traveling-cable conductors must be suitable for their electrical application and installation
conditions. Color identification alone does not establish suitability.
8. During troubleshooting, an elevator control circuit is found energized even though the
disconnect was believed to be open. What should the technician do first?
A. Continue testing because the circuit is low voltage
B. Assume the disconnect is defective and replace it immediately
,C. Touch the conductors with a screwdriver to confirm voltage
D. Stop and verify the source and isolation condition using an appropriate test procedure
Answer: D
Unexpected voltage indicates that the isolation assumption is unsafe. The source must be
identified and the equipment properly isolated before work continues.
9. What is the primary function of an elevator door interlock?
A. Prevent the elevator from operating unless the landing door is properly secured
B. Increase the speed of the elevator car
C. Control machine-room ventilation
D. Provide emergency lighting
Answer: A
The interlock is a critical safety device intended to prevent normal elevator operation when
the associated landing entrance is not properly secured.
10. A door lock contact intermittently opens while the car is operating. What is the most
appropriate response?
A. Bypass the contact permanently
B. Increase the motor voltage
C. Investigate the door-lock circuit and remove the elevator from service if safe operation cannot
be assured
D. Disable the door operator
Answer: C
A malfunctioning door-lock circuit can compromise passenger safety. It should never be
defeated as a troubleshooting shortcut.
11. Which practice is most appropriate when working inside an elevator control cabinet?
A. Work with both hands inside the cabinet
B. Maintain required approach and electrical safety practices and verify circuit status
C. Remove all labels before testing
D. Disconnect grounding conductors first
Answer: B
Proper electrical safety procedures, identification of energized circuits, and appropriate
testing practices reduce shock and arc-flash hazards.
12. The grounding and bonding system in elevator equipment is intended primarily to:
A. Increase elevator speed
B. Reduce door-closing time
, C. Eliminate the need for overcurrent protection
D. Provide an effective path for fault current and reduce shock hazards
Answer: D
Grounding and bonding provide a low-impedance fault-current path that helps protective
devices operate and limits dangerous touch voltages.
13. A technician discovers that an equipment grounding conductor has been disconnected.
What should happen next?
A. Restore the grounding connection before placing the equipment back into normal service
B. Leave it disconnected if the elevator still runs
C. Replace it with a smaller conductor
D. Paint the conductor green
Answer: A
A missing equipment grounding connection can create a serious shock hazard and should be
corrected before safe operation is restored.
14. Which component normally provides overcurrent protection for an elevator branch or
feeder circuit?
A. Door restrictor
B. Car-top inspection station
C. Properly sized overcurrent protective device
D. Counterweight
Answer: C
Overcurrent protective devices protect conductors and equipment from excessive current
under fault or overload conditions as required by the applicable electrical installation rules.
15. Why should an elevator's rated electrical information be verified before replacing a
motor or controller component?
A. To select compatible equipment and avoid unsafe electrical loading
B. To change the elevator's rated capacity
C. To eliminate the need for grounding
D. To bypass the controller
Answer: A
Voltage, current, phase, horsepower, and control requirements must be compatible with the
existing elevator system and applicable installation requirements.
16. What is the best initial approach when an elevator suddenly stops responding to normal
hall calls?
