ELE 146 Exam 2026 Questions and
Answers 100% Pass
1. A selector switch used in a motor control circuit to provide three distinct modes
of operation is commonly found in which type of circuit?
A) Series-Parallel
B) Hand-Off-Automatic (H-O-A)
C) Jogging Control
D) Plugging
Rationale: An H-O-A circuit utilizes a selector switch to allow the operator to choose
between manual control (Hand), disabling the circuit (Off), or remote pilot device control
(Auto).
2. When comparing NEMA-rated starters to IEC-rated starters, which of the
following statements regarding maintenance is true?
A) IEC starters are designed to be easily repaired.
B) NEMA starters have replaceable contacts and can be rebuilt.
C) NEMA starters must be replaced entirely if a contact burns out.
D) IEC starters are generally larger and more robust for heavy-duty cycling.
Rationale: NEMA starters are built with a higher reserve capacity and feature
replaceable components, whereas IEC starters are typically application-specific and are
meant to be replaced rather than repaired.
3. Why are "gold-flashed" silver contacts preferred over standard silver contacts in
sensitive control applications like airbag sensors?
A) Gold is a better conductor of high-voltage current.
B) Gold prevents the formation of sulfidation and corrosion on the contact surface.
C) Gold allows the contacts to handle much higher heat.
D) Gold increases the mechanical strength of the contact arm.
Rationale: Gold does not oxidize or sulfidate like silver does; this ensures a reliable
electrical connection in low-current, high-sensitivity "dry" circuits where even minor
corrosion could prevent operation.
,4. In a motor control circuit, if the "M" contactor coil is rated for 120VAC, what must
be true about the control power supply?
A) It must be 480V three-phase.
B) It must provide 120VAC regardless of the motor's line voltage.
C) It must be DC current only.
D) It must match the horsepower of the motor.
Rationale: The control circuit voltage must always match the voltage rating of the coil
being used. If a 120V coil is used on a 480V motor system, a control transformer is
typically required to step the voltage down.
5. Which type of relay is most appropriate for switching low-level loads between
0.1A and 10A due to its hermetically sealed design?
A) General Purpose Relay
B) Reed Relay
C) Machine Tool Relay
D) Solid-State Relay
Rationale: Reed relays consist of two ferromagnetic blades hermetically sealed in glass;
they are highly reliable for switching lower current loads and are protected from
environmental contaminants.
6. When using an ohmmeter to test a conductor for "continuity," what should the
display ideally read?
A) Infinite resistance (OL)
B) Approximately 100k Ohms
C) Near zero Ohms
D) 120 Volts
Rationale: Continuity implies a continuous path for current flow. A wire in good condition
should show minimal or zero resistance; infinite resistance indicates a break or "open"
in the wire.
7. The "holding" or "sealing" contact in a standard three-wire start/stop station is
typically wired in:
A) Series with the Stop button.
B) Parallel with the Start button.
C) Series with the Overload heaters.
D) Parallel with the Stop button.
Rationale: To keep the motor running after the momentary Start button is released, an
, auxiliary "M" contact is wired in parallel with the Start button to provide a continuous
path for the coil current.
8. In a three-phase motor circuit, what is the primary purpose of the overload relay?
A) To protect the motor from short circuits.
B) To protect the motor from prolonged overcurrent conditions.
C) To provide a means of disconnecting power for maintenance.
D) To reverse the direction of the motor.
Rationale: While fuses and circuit breakers protect against short circuits, overload
relays are designed to sense the heat generated by excessive current and trip before
the motor windings are damaged by heat.
Get started
9. Which component in a motor starter is responsible for physically opening
and closing the power circuit to the motor?
A) Control Transformer
B) Overload Relay
C) Contactor
D) Selector Switch
Rationale: The contactor is a heavy-duty relay designed to switch the high-current
power lines directly to the motor windings.
10. A "normally open" (NO) limit switch will transition to which state when the
physical actuator is moved by a machine part?
A) It remains open.
B) It becomes closed.
C) It shorts to ground.
D) It enters a "tripped" state.
Rationale: In control logic, "normally" refers to the shelf state; once acted upon by an
external force, the contacts change state—in this case, from open to closed.
11. When measuring the resistance of a "good" motor winding, what result
should a technician expect?
A) Infinite resistance (OL).
B) Zero Ohms exactly.
C) A specific low resistance value depending on the motor size.
D) 120 Volts.
Answers 100% Pass
1. A selector switch used in a motor control circuit to provide three distinct modes
of operation is commonly found in which type of circuit?
A) Series-Parallel
B) Hand-Off-Automatic (H-O-A)
C) Jogging Control
D) Plugging
Rationale: An H-O-A circuit utilizes a selector switch to allow the operator to choose
between manual control (Hand), disabling the circuit (Off), or remote pilot device control
(Auto).
2. When comparing NEMA-rated starters to IEC-rated starters, which of the
following statements regarding maintenance is true?
A) IEC starters are designed to be easily repaired.
B) NEMA starters have replaceable contacts and can be rebuilt.
C) NEMA starters must be replaced entirely if a contact burns out.
D) IEC starters are generally larger and more robust for heavy-duty cycling.
Rationale: NEMA starters are built with a higher reserve capacity and feature
replaceable components, whereas IEC starters are typically application-specific and are
meant to be replaced rather than repaired.
3. Why are "gold-flashed" silver contacts preferred over standard silver contacts in
sensitive control applications like airbag sensors?
A) Gold is a better conductor of high-voltage current.
B) Gold prevents the formation of sulfidation and corrosion on the contact surface.
C) Gold allows the contacts to handle much higher heat.
D) Gold increases the mechanical strength of the contact arm.
Rationale: Gold does not oxidize or sulfidate like silver does; this ensures a reliable
electrical connection in low-current, high-sensitivity "dry" circuits where even minor
corrosion could prevent operation.
,4. In a motor control circuit, if the "M" contactor coil is rated for 120VAC, what must
be true about the control power supply?
A) It must be 480V three-phase.
B) It must provide 120VAC regardless of the motor's line voltage.
C) It must be DC current only.
D) It must match the horsepower of the motor.
Rationale: The control circuit voltage must always match the voltage rating of the coil
being used. If a 120V coil is used on a 480V motor system, a control transformer is
typically required to step the voltage down.
5. Which type of relay is most appropriate for switching low-level loads between
0.1A and 10A due to its hermetically sealed design?
A) General Purpose Relay
B) Reed Relay
C) Machine Tool Relay
D) Solid-State Relay
Rationale: Reed relays consist of two ferromagnetic blades hermetically sealed in glass;
they are highly reliable for switching lower current loads and are protected from
environmental contaminants.
6. When using an ohmmeter to test a conductor for "continuity," what should the
display ideally read?
A) Infinite resistance (OL)
B) Approximately 100k Ohms
C) Near zero Ohms
D) 120 Volts
Rationale: Continuity implies a continuous path for current flow. A wire in good condition
should show minimal or zero resistance; infinite resistance indicates a break or "open"
in the wire.
7. The "holding" or "sealing" contact in a standard three-wire start/stop station is
typically wired in:
A) Series with the Stop button.
B) Parallel with the Start button.
C) Series with the Overload heaters.
D) Parallel with the Stop button.
Rationale: To keep the motor running after the momentary Start button is released, an
, auxiliary "M" contact is wired in parallel with the Start button to provide a continuous
path for the coil current.
8. In a three-phase motor circuit, what is the primary purpose of the overload relay?
A) To protect the motor from short circuits.
B) To protect the motor from prolonged overcurrent conditions.
C) To provide a means of disconnecting power for maintenance.
D) To reverse the direction of the motor.
Rationale: While fuses and circuit breakers protect against short circuits, overload
relays are designed to sense the heat generated by excessive current and trip before
the motor windings are damaged by heat.
Get started
9. Which component in a motor starter is responsible for physically opening
and closing the power circuit to the motor?
A) Control Transformer
B) Overload Relay
C) Contactor
D) Selector Switch
Rationale: The contactor is a heavy-duty relay designed to switch the high-current
power lines directly to the motor windings.
10. A "normally open" (NO) limit switch will transition to which state when the
physical actuator is moved by a machine part?
A) It remains open.
B) It becomes closed.
C) It shorts to ground.
D) It enters a "tripped" state.
Rationale: In control logic, "normally" refers to the shelf state; once acted upon by an
external force, the contacts change state—in this case, from open to closed.
11. When measuring the resistance of a "good" motor winding, what result
should a technician expect?
A) Infinite resistance (OL).
B) Zero Ohms exactly.
C) A specific low resistance value depending on the motor size.
D) 120 Volts.
