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NYC Health + Hospitals Control Systems
Technician Examination Practice Exam
2026 | 100 Questions & Answers with
Detailed Rationales | Complete Exam
Prep & Study Guide
1. What is the primary function of a control system in a healthcare facility?
A. Store electrical energy
B. Monitor and regulate equipment and processes
C. Replace all mechanical equipment
D. Increase building occupancy
Answer: B. Monitor and regulate equipment and processes
Rationale: Control systems automatically monitor operating conditions and
regulate equipment to maintain safe, reliable, and efficient operation.
2. Which device is commonly used to measure temperature in an HVAC control
system?
A. Ammeter
B. Pressure switch
C. Thermistor
D. Flow meter
Answer: C. Thermistor
,Rationale: A thermistor changes electrical resistance with temperature and is
commonly used as a temperature sensor in building automation systems.
3. What does a PLC stand for?
A. Power Line Controller
B. Programmable Logic Controller
C. Process Load Computer
D. Primary Logic Circuit
Answer: B. Programmable Logic Controller
Rationale: A PLC is an industrial computer designed to control machinery and
processes using programmed logic.
4. Which PLC component executes the control program?
A. Input terminal
B. Output relay
C. Central processing unit
D. Fuse block
Answer: C. Central processing unit
Rationale: The CPU processes the PLC program, evaluates inputs, and
determines the appropriate outputs.
5. What is the purpose of a sensor in a control system?
A. Increase voltage
B. Detect a physical condition
C. Supply compressed air
D. Protect wiring from moisture
Answer: B. Detect a physical condition
Rationale: Sensors detect variables such as temperature, pressure, humidity,
position, or flow and provide information to the controller.
,6. Which instrument is used to measure pressure?
A. Manometer
B. Tachometer
C. Thermocouple
D. Ohmmeter
Answer: A. Manometer
Rationale: A manometer measures pressure, commonly by comparing the
pressure of a fluid or gas against a reference pressure.
7. What is a 4–20 mA signal commonly used for?
A. Digital communication only
B. Analog measurement and control
C. High-voltage motor starting
D. Grounding equipment
Answer: B. Analog measurement and control
Rationale: The 4–20 mA standard is widely used to transmit analog process
measurements and control signals over industrial wiring.
8. In a 4–20 mA signal, what value normally represents the low end of the
measurement range?
A. 0 mA
B. 2 mA
C. 4 mA
D. 10 mA
Answer: C. 4 mA
Rationale: Four milliamps normally represents 0% of the measurement range,
while 20 mA represents 100%.
9. What is the purpose of a control relay?
, A. Measure temperature
B. Switch an electrical circuit based on a control signal
C. Store compressed air
D. Reduce pipe diameter
Answer: B. Switch an electrical circuit based on a control signal
Rationale: A relay uses an electrical control signal to open or close contacts that
operate another circuit.
10. What is the purpose of a normally open contact?
A. It conducts when the circuit is unenergized
B. It is closed under all conditions
C. It closes when appropriately actuated
D. It permanently interrupts power
Answer: C. It closes when appropriately actuated
Rationale: A normally open contact remains open in its normal state and closes
when its associated device or relay is energized or actuated.
11. What is the primary purpose of a thermostat?
A. Measure electrical resistance
B. Control temperature based on a setpoint
C. Increase water pressure
D. Detect smoke only
Answer: B. Control temperature based on a setpoint
Rationale: A thermostat compares sensed temperature with a desired setpoint
and initiates heating or cooling action as required.
12. What does PID stand for in control engineering?
A. Pressure, Input, Differential
B. Proportional, Integral, Derivative
NYC Health + Hospitals Control Systems
Technician Examination Practice Exam
2026 | 100 Questions & Answers with
Detailed Rationales | Complete Exam
Prep & Study Guide
1. What is the primary function of a control system in a healthcare facility?
A. Store electrical energy
B. Monitor and regulate equipment and processes
C. Replace all mechanical equipment
D. Increase building occupancy
Answer: B. Monitor and regulate equipment and processes
Rationale: Control systems automatically monitor operating conditions and
regulate equipment to maintain safe, reliable, and efficient operation.
2. Which device is commonly used to measure temperature in an HVAC control
system?
A. Ammeter
B. Pressure switch
C. Thermistor
D. Flow meter
Answer: C. Thermistor
,Rationale: A thermistor changes electrical resistance with temperature and is
commonly used as a temperature sensor in building automation systems.
3. What does a PLC stand for?
A. Power Line Controller
B. Programmable Logic Controller
C. Process Load Computer
D. Primary Logic Circuit
Answer: B. Programmable Logic Controller
Rationale: A PLC is an industrial computer designed to control machinery and
processes using programmed logic.
4. Which PLC component executes the control program?
A. Input terminal
B. Output relay
C. Central processing unit
D. Fuse block
Answer: C. Central processing unit
Rationale: The CPU processes the PLC program, evaluates inputs, and
determines the appropriate outputs.
5. What is the purpose of a sensor in a control system?
A. Increase voltage
B. Detect a physical condition
C. Supply compressed air
D. Protect wiring from moisture
Answer: B. Detect a physical condition
Rationale: Sensors detect variables such as temperature, pressure, humidity,
position, or flow and provide information to the controller.
,6. Which instrument is used to measure pressure?
A. Manometer
B. Tachometer
C. Thermocouple
D. Ohmmeter
Answer: A. Manometer
Rationale: A manometer measures pressure, commonly by comparing the
pressure of a fluid or gas against a reference pressure.
7. What is a 4–20 mA signal commonly used for?
A. Digital communication only
B. Analog measurement and control
C. High-voltage motor starting
D. Grounding equipment
Answer: B. Analog measurement and control
Rationale: The 4–20 mA standard is widely used to transmit analog process
measurements and control signals over industrial wiring.
8. In a 4–20 mA signal, what value normally represents the low end of the
measurement range?
A. 0 mA
B. 2 mA
C. 4 mA
D. 10 mA
Answer: C. 4 mA
Rationale: Four milliamps normally represents 0% of the measurement range,
while 20 mA represents 100%.
9. What is the purpose of a control relay?
, A. Measure temperature
B. Switch an electrical circuit based on a control signal
C. Store compressed air
D. Reduce pipe diameter
Answer: B. Switch an electrical circuit based on a control signal
Rationale: A relay uses an electrical control signal to open or close contacts that
operate another circuit.
10. What is the purpose of a normally open contact?
A. It conducts when the circuit is unenergized
B. It is closed under all conditions
C. It closes when appropriately actuated
D. It permanently interrupts power
Answer: C. It closes when appropriately actuated
Rationale: A normally open contact remains open in its normal state and closes
when its associated device or relay is energized or actuated.
11. What is the primary purpose of a thermostat?
A. Measure electrical resistance
B. Control temperature based on a setpoint
C. Increase water pressure
D. Detect smoke only
Answer: B. Control temperature based on a setpoint
Rationale: A thermostat compares sensed temperature with a desired setpoint
and initiates heating or cooling action as required.
12. What does PID stand for in control engineering?
A. Pressure, Input, Differential
B. Proportional, Integral, Derivative
