Elevator Mechanic Practice Exam 2026 - Free Elevator Mechanic Practice Questions and Study Guide

A saw tooth waveform when inspecting an encoder with an oscilloscope indicates an issue with the encoder's functionality. Encoders are designed to produce a clean and consistent output signal that corresponds to the position or speed of a rotating object. Typically, a properly functioning encoder generates a square wave or a sinusoidal waveform, reflecting the on/off or periodic nature of its operation.

The appearance of a saw tooth waveform suggests that the output from the encoder is irregular, potentially indicating problems such as signal degradation, noise interference, or mechanical issues with the encoder itself. This could lead to inaccurate readings or erratic behavior in the elevator system's control logic, underscoring the importance of having a stable and predictable output for safe and effective operation.