C.A. State Elevator Mechanic Study
Guide | Questions With Complete
Solutions
Section 1: Safety Codes & ASME A17.1/CSA B44 (20 Questions)
1. What is the primary safety code governing elevator installation and maintenance in
California?
a) OSHA 1926
b) ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators
c) NFPA 70 (NEC)
d) CAL/OSHA Title 8
2. According to A17.1, what is the maximum allowable vertical distance that hoistway
doors can be out of plumb?
a) 1/4 inch in 3 feet
b) 1/8 inch in 3 feet
c) 1/2 inch in 5 feet
d) 1 inch in 10 feet
3. The minimum clearance between the car platform sill and the hoistway edge of the
landing sill must be:
a) 1/2 inch
b) 1/4 inch
c) 5/8 inch
d) 3/4 inch
4. What is the required stopping distance for a car safety device applying to the guide
rails during a governor tripping test?
a) It must stop within the shortest possible distance.
b) It must stop within the governor tripping speed marking.
c) It must not exceed 150% of the governor tripping speed.
d) It must stop within the distance determined by the code formula based on rated
speed and application.
5. A firefighter's service key switch, when operated, will cause the elevator to:
a) Shut down immediately.
, b) Return non-stop to the designated landing (typically main floor).
c) Run at inspection speed.
d) Bypass all door interlocks.
6. What is the purpose of a "broken rope switch" on a governor?
a) To detect slack rope condition
b) To detect overspeed
c) To detect underspeed
d) To detect rope wear
7. The emergency stop switch in the car must be what type of switch?
a) Momentary-contact, normally closed
b) Maintained-contact, manually opened and closed
c) A push-button that latches
d) A key-operated switch
8. Phase reversal protection is required on:
a) All AC and DC elevator drives.
b) Only AC single-phase machines.
c) AC wound-rotor and DC machines.
d) Only hydraulic elevators.
9. The minimum headroom in the hoistway above the top of the car crosshead must be:
a) The height of the car.
b) 3 feet for cars over 50 sq ft.
c) A distance per A17.1 Table 2.4.2.1 (e.g., 48" for speeds up to 200 fpm).
d) 6 feet for all elevators.
10. A pit ladder is required when the pit depth exceeds:
a) 36 inches
b) 48 inches
c) 60 inches
d) 72 inches
11. The maximum allowable vertical play in a guide-rail bracket fastening is:
a) 0.010 inches
b) 0.020 inches
c) 0.050 inches
d) 0.100 inches
,12. A device that prevents the car from moving unless the hoistway door is locked is called
a:
a) Door interlock
b) Door restrictor
c) Door clutch
d) Gate switch
13. The minimum number of steel ropes required for the suspension of a traction elevator
car is:
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5
14. The governor rope diameter must be not less than:
a) 1/4 inch
b) 3/8 inch
c) 1/2 inch
d) 5/8 inch
15. What is the function of a "buffer" in an elevator system?
a) To stop a descending car or counterweight beyond its normal limit.
b) To absorb vibration from the machine.
c) To provide emergency lighting.
d) To lubricate the guide rails.
16. For a hydraulic elevator, the relief valve setting must not exceed what percentage of
the working pressure?
a) 110%
b) 125%
c) 150%
d) 200%
17. The car light switch must be located:
a) Inside the car on the panel.
b) In the machine room.
c) In the pit.
d) In each car and in the machine room.
, 18. A "bypass" switch for door interlocks is permitted for:
a) Normal passenger operation.
b) Inspection and maintenance operation only.
c) Firefighter's service.
d) Independent service.
19. The rated load of an elevator must be posted:
a) Only in the machine room.
b) Inside the car on the control panel.
c) In a conspicuous place inside the car.
d) On the hoistway door.
20. The minimum tension in a governor rope, when the car is at rest, should be sufficient
to cause the governor to operate at:
a) 50% of tripping speed.
b) 100% of tripping speed.
c) Its normal set speed under all conditions.
d) Twice the tripping speed.
Section 2: Electrical Theory & Components (20 Questions)
21. A device that converts electrical energy into mechanical rotation is a(n):
a) Generator
b) Motor
c) Encoder
d) Contactor
22. The purpose of a "Varistor" (MOV) in a control circuit is to:
a) Increase voltage.
b) Suppress voltage spikes and protect components.
c) Regulate current.
d) Store electrical charge.
23. In a three-phase AC induction motor, the rotor speed is:
a) Synchronous with the stator field.
b) Slightly less than synchronous speed (slip).
c) Greater than synchronous speed.
d) Unrelated to stator frequency.
24. A "contactor" is essentially a:
a) Solid-state relay.
Guide | Questions With Complete
Solutions
Section 1: Safety Codes & ASME A17.1/CSA B44 (20 Questions)
1. What is the primary safety code governing elevator installation and maintenance in
California?
a) OSHA 1926
b) ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators
c) NFPA 70 (NEC)
d) CAL/OSHA Title 8
2. According to A17.1, what is the maximum allowable vertical distance that hoistway
doors can be out of plumb?
a) 1/4 inch in 3 feet
b) 1/8 inch in 3 feet
c) 1/2 inch in 5 feet
d) 1 inch in 10 feet
3. The minimum clearance between the car platform sill and the hoistway edge of the
landing sill must be:
a) 1/2 inch
b) 1/4 inch
c) 5/8 inch
d) 3/4 inch
4. What is the required stopping distance for a car safety device applying to the guide
rails during a governor tripping test?
a) It must stop within the shortest possible distance.
b) It must stop within the governor tripping speed marking.
c) It must not exceed 150% of the governor tripping speed.
d) It must stop within the distance determined by the code formula based on rated
speed and application.
5. A firefighter's service key switch, when operated, will cause the elevator to:
a) Shut down immediately.
, b) Return non-stop to the designated landing (typically main floor).
c) Run at inspection speed.
d) Bypass all door interlocks.
6. What is the purpose of a "broken rope switch" on a governor?
a) To detect slack rope condition
b) To detect overspeed
c) To detect underspeed
d) To detect rope wear
7. The emergency stop switch in the car must be what type of switch?
a) Momentary-contact, normally closed
b) Maintained-contact, manually opened and closed
c) A push-button that latches
d) A key-operated switch
8. Phase reversal protection is required on:
a) All AC and DC elevator drives.
b) Only AC single-phase machines.
c) AC wound-rotor and DC machines.
d) Only hydraulic elevators.
9. The minimum headroom in the hoistway above the top of the car crosshead must be:
a) The height of the car.
b) 3 feet for cars over 50 sq ft.
c) A distance per A17.1 Table 2.4.2.1 (e.g., 48" for speeds up to 200 fpm).
d) 6 feet for all elevators.
10. A pit ladder is required when the pit depth exceeds:
a) 36 inches
b) 48 inches
c) 60 inches
d) 72 inches
11. The maximum allowable vertical play in a guide-rail bracket fastening is:
a) 0.010 inches
b) 0.020 inches
c) 0.050 inches
d) 0.100 inches
,12. A device that prevents the car from moving unless the hoistway door is locked is called
a:
a) Door interlock
b) Door restrictor
c) Door clutch
d) Gate switch
13. The minimum number of steel ropes required for the suspension of a traction elevator
car is:
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5
14. The governor rope diameter must be not less than:
a) 1/4 inch
b) 3/8 inch
c) 1/2 inch
d) 5/8 inch
15. What is the function of a "buffer" in an elevator system?
a) To stop a descending car or counterweight beyond its normal limit.
b) To absorb vibration from the machine.
c) To provide emergency lighting.
d) To lubricate the guide rails.
16. For a hydraulic elevator, the relief valve setting must not exceed what percentage of
the working pressure?
a) 110%
b) 125%
c) 150%
d) 200%
17. The car light switch must be located:
a) Inside the car on the panel.
b) In the machine room.
c) In the pit.
d) In each car and in the machine room.
, 18. A "bypass" switch for door interlocks is permitted for:
a) Normal passenger operation.
b) Inspection and maintenance operation only.
c) Firefighter's service.
d) Independent service.
19. The rated load of an elevator must be posted:
a) Only in the machine room.
b) Inside the car on the control panel.
c) In a conspicuous place inside the car.
d) On the hoistway door.
20. The minimum tension in a governor rope, when the car is at rest, should be sufficient
to cause the governor to operate at:
a) 50% of tripping speed.
b) 100% of tripping speed.
c) Its normal set speed under all conditions.
d) Twice the tripping speed.
Section 2: Electrical Theory & Components (20 Questions)
21. A device that converts electrical energy into mechanical rotation is a(n):
a) Generator
b) Motor
c) Encoder
d) Contactor
22. The purpose of a "Varistor" (MOV) in a control circuit is to:
a) Increase voltage.
b) Suppress voltage spikes and protect components.
c) Regulate current.
d) Store electrical charge.
23. In a three-phase AC induction motor, the rotor speed is:
a) Synchronous with the stator field.
b) Slightly less than synchronous speed (slip).
c) Greater than synchronous speed.
d) Unrelated to stator frequency.
24. A "contactor" is essentially a:
a) Solid-state relay.
