ELEVATOR MECHANIC PRACTICE
QUESTIONS
Section 1: Electrical Theory and Measurement
1. A circuit has 240 volts and 12 ohms of resistance. What is the
current?
A. 20 amps
B. 2,880 amps
C. 0.05 amps
D. 252 amps
Answer: A
Rationale: Ohm's Law: I = E/R = 240/12 = 20 amps.
2. Three 12-ohm resistors in parallel produce what total
resistance?
A. 36 ohms
B. 4 ohms
C. 12 ohms
D. 3 ohms
Answer: B
Rationale: 1/Rt = 1/12 + 1/12 + 1/12 = 3/12. Rt = 12/3 = 4 ohms.
3. How should an ammeter be connected to measure current in a
motor circuit?
A. In parallel across the motor terminals
B. In series with the circuit so all current flows through the meter
,C. Across the power supply with the circuit de-energized
D. In parallel with a shunt resistor only
Answer: B
Rationale: An ammeter must be in series because it measures
current flow through a conductor. All current must pass through
the meter for an accurate reading .
4. What is the most useful feature of a clamp-on ammeter?
A. It measures voltage and current simultaneously
B. It does not require disturbing circuit connections
C. It measures resistance without disconnecting wires
D. It can measure current in a de-energized circuit
Answer: B
Rationale: The clamp-on ammeter's primary advantage is
measuring current without breaking the circuit or disturbing
connections .
5. A digital multimeter displays a minus sign in front of a voltage
reading. What does this indicate?
A. The meter is damaged
B. The positive lead is connected to the negative source
C. The circuit is shorted
D. The voltage exceeds the meter's range
Answer: B
Rationale: A minus sign indicates reversed polarity—the positive
lead is connected to the negative side of the source .
6. What is the resistance reading of 0.250 M ohms in ohms?
A. 250 ohms
,B. 2,500 ohms
C. 250,000 ohms
D. 25,000 ohms
Answer: C
Rationale: M stands for mega (million). 0.250 MΩ = 0.250 ×
1,000,000 = 250,000 ohms .
7. What happens if an ammeter is connected across the terminals
of a power supply?
A. It reads zero
B. It measures the supply voltage
C. The meter will be damaged
D. It reads the internal resistance
Answer: C
Rationale: An ammeter has very low resistance. Connecting it
across a voltage source creates a short circuit, damaging the
meter .
8. What type of component can store energy for long periods and
present a hazard even with power removed?
A. Resistor
B. Capacitor
C. Inductor
D. Diode
Answer: B
Rationale: Capacitors store electrical energy in an electric field and
can retain a dangerous charge after power is removed .
, 9. When testing resistance in a circuit, what must be done to avoid
false readings from parallel paths?
A. Increase the meter range
B. Remove one of the two wires to the component being tested
C. Use a higher voltage setting
D. Short the component terminals
Answer: B
Rationale: Parallel circuit paths provide alternate routes for
current, causing false readings. Isolating the component by
removing one wire eliminates this .
10. What does the AC voltage reading on a digital voltmeter
represent?
A. Peak voltage
B. Peak-to-peak voltage
C. RMS voltage
D. Average voltage
Answer: C
Rationale: Digital voltmeters display AC voltage as RMS (root
mean square), which is the effective value equivalent to a DC
voltage producing the same heating effect .
Section 2: ASME A17.1 Safety Code
11. Under ASME A17.1, what is the maximum car speed at which
the governor must trip and set the safeties for most traction
elevators?
A. Exactly the rated speed
B. 125% of rated speed
QUESTIONS
Section 1: Electrical Theory and Measurement
1. A circuit has 240 volts and 12 ohms of resistance. What is the
current?
A. 20 amps
B. 2,880 amps
C. 0.05 amps
D. 252 amps
Answer: A
Rationale: Ohm's Law: I = E/R = 240/12 = 20 amps.
2. Three 12-ohm resistors in parallel produce what total
resistance?
A. 36 ohms
B. 4 ohms
C. 12 ohms
D. 3 ohms
Answer: B
Rationale: 1/Rt = 1/12 + 1/12 + 1/12 = 3/12. Rt = 12/3 = 4 ohms.
3. How should an ammeter be connected to measure current in a
motor circuit?
A. In parallel across the motor terminals
B. In series with the circuit so all current flows through the meter
,C. Across the power supply with the circuit de-energized
D. In parallel with a shunt resistor only
Answer: B
Rationale: An ammeter must be in series because it measures
current flow through a conductor. All current must pass through
the meter for an accurate reading .
4. What is the most useful feature of a clamp-on ammeter?
A. It measures voltage and current simultaneously
B. It does not require disturbing circuit connections
C. It measures resistance without disconnecting wires
D. It can measure current in a de-energized circuit
Answer: B
Rationale: The clamp-on ammeter's primary advantage is
measuring current without breaking the circuit or disturbing
connections .
5. A digital multimeter displays a minus sign in front of a voltage
reading. What does this indicate?
A. The meter is damaged
B. The positive lead is connected to the negative source
C. The circuit is shorted
D. The voltage exceeds the meter's range
Answer: B
Rationale: A minus sign indicates reversed polarity—the positive
lead is connected to the negative side of the source .
6. What is the resistance reading of 0.250 M ohms in ohms?
A. 250 ohms
,B. 2,500 ohms
C. 250,000 ohms
D. 25,000 ohms
Answer: C
Rationale: M stands for mega (million). 0.250 MΩ = 0.250 ×
1,000,000 = 250,000 ohms .
7. What happens if an ammeter is connected across the terminals
of a power supply?
A. It reads zero
B. It measures the supply voltage
C. The meter will be damaged
D. It reads the internal resistance
Answer: C
Rationale: An ammeter has very low resistance. Connecting it
across a voltage source creates a short circuit, damaging the
meter .
8. What type of component can store energy for long periods and
present a hazard even with power removed?
A. Resistor
B. Capacitor
C. Inductor
D. Diode
Answer: B
Rationale: Capacitors store electrical energy in an electric field and
can retain a dangerous charge after power is removed .
, 9. When testing resistance in a circuit, what must be done to avoid
false readings from parallel paths?
A. Increase the meter range
B. Remove one of the two wires to the component being tested
C. Use a higher voltage setting
D. Short the component terminals
Answer: B
Rationale: Parallel circuit paths provide alternate routes for
current, causing false readings. Isolating the component by
removing one wire eliminates this .
10. What does the AC voltage reading on a digital voltmeter
represent?
A. Peak voltage
B. Peak-to-peak voltage
C. RMS voltage
D. Average voltage
Answer: C
Rationale: Digital voltmeters display AC voltage as RMS (root
mean square), which is the effective value equivalent to a DC
voltage producing the same heating effect .
Section 2: ASME A17.1 Safety Code
11. Under ASME A17.1, what is the maximum car speed at which
the governor must trip and set the safeties for most traction
elevators?
A. Exactly the rated speed
B. 125% of rated speed
