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Free CPE Practice Questions

10 free, exam-style Certified Plant Engineer (CPE) practice questions with answers and explanations. No signup required. Work through them below, then take the full free CPE practice test to study every exam domain.

Question 1

A pump driven at 1,750 RPM requires 10 horsepower. If its speed is increased to 2,100 RPM with the same system, the approximate power required becomes:

  1. 17.3 hp
  2. 12.0 hp
  3. 14.4 hp
  4. 21.0 hp
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - 17.3 hp

Question 2

An air-handling unit delivers 5,000 CFM with a 22°F sensible temperature drop across the cooling coil. The approximate sensible cooling capacity is:

  1. 79,200 BTU/hr
  2. 118,800 BTU/hr
  3. 110,000 BTU/hr
  4. 495,000 BTU/hr
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - 118,800 BTU/hr

Question 3

A three-phase motor draws 50 A at 480 V with a power factor of 0.85. The approximate real power it consumes is:

  1. 20.4 kW
  2. 24.0 kW
  3. 35.3 kW
  4. 41.6 kW
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - 35.3 kW

Question 4

A utility bill includes a separate charge based on the highest 15-minute average power draw recorded during the billing period. This charge is the:

  1. Energy consumption charge
  2. Power factor penalty
  3. Load factor adjustment
  4. Demand charge
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - Demand charge

Question 5

A lighting retrofit costs $48,000 and is projected to save $16,000 per year in energy. Ignoring the time value of money, the simple payback period is:

  1. 3.0 years
  2. 1.5 years
  3. 3.3 years
  4. 6.0 years
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - 3.0 years

Question 6

In project scheduling, the critical path of a project is BEST defined as:

  1. The sequence of the highest-cost activities in the schedule
  2. The longest chain of dependent tasks, setting the minimum duration
  3. The path with the greatest amount of available float, or scheduling slack
  4. The shortest route from project start to project finish
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - The longest chain of dependent tasks, setting the minimum duration

Question 7

In structural design, which of the following is classified as a LIVE load on a building?

  1. The self-weight of the structural steel framing
  2. The weight of permanently installed HVAC equipment
  3. Occupants, furniture, and movable storage
  4. The weight of the concrete floor slab
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Occupants, furniture, and movable storage

Question 8

A critical process pump fails unpredictably, but its bearing condition can be tracked continuously with vibration and temperature sensors. The MOST appropriate maintenance strategy is:

  1. Run-to-failure (reactive) maintenance
  2. Calendar-based preventive maintenance
  3. Breakdown maintenance supported by critical spares
  4. Predictive (condition-based) maintenance
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - Predictive (condition-based) maintenance

Question 9

According to the hierarchy of controls, which approach to a workplace hazard is the MOST effective?

  1. Eliminating the hazard at its source
  2. Requiring respirators and other PPE
  3. Posting warning signs and rotating workers
  4. Installing engineering controls such as local exhaust ventilation
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - Eliminating the hazard at its source

Question 10

A facility discards a flammable waste liquid with a flash point below 140°F. Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), this material is classified as:

  1. A listed hazardous waste from a specific industrial source
  2. A universal waste, such as batteries or lamps
  3. A characteristic hazardous waste for ignitability
  4. A non-hazardous industrial waste
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - A characteristic hazardous waste for ignitability

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