Electrical Engineering interview questions and answers - part 2

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

9. Explain advantages of storage batteries

Few advantages of storage batteries are mentioned below:

Most efficient form of storing energy portably.
Stored energy is available immediately because there is no lag of time for delivering the
stored energy.
Reliable source for supply of energy.
The energy can be drawn at a fairly constant rate.

10. What are the different methods for the starting of a

synchronous motor.

Starting methods: Synchronous motor can be started by the following two methods:
By means of an auxiliary motor: The rotor of a synchronous motor is rotated by auxiliary
motor. Then rotor poles are excited due to which the rotor field is locked with the stator-
revolving field and continuous rotation is obtained.
By providing damper winding: Here, bar conductors are embedded in the outer
periphery of the rotor poles and are short-circuited with the short-circuiting rings at both
sides. The machine is started as a squirrel cage induction motor first. When it picks up
speed, excitation is given to the rotor and the rotor starts rotating continuously as the rotor
field is locked with stator revolving field.

11. Name the types of motors used in vacuum cleaners,

phonographic appliances, vending machines, refrigerators, rolling
mills, lathes, power factor improvement and cranes.

Following motors are used: -

Vacuum cleaners- Universal motor.
Phonographic appliances Hysteresis motor.
Vending machines Shaded pole motor.
Refrigerators Capacitor split phase motors.
Rolling mills Cumulative motors.
Lathes DC shunt motors.
Power factor improvement Synchronous motors.

12. State Thevenins Theorem:

According to thevenins theorem, the current flowing through a load resistance

Connected across any two terminals of a linear active bilateral network is the ratio open
circuit voltage (i.e. the voltage across the two terminals when RL is removed) and sum of
load resistance and internal resistance of the network. It is given by Voc / (Ri + RL).

13. State Nortons Theorem

The Nortons theorem explains the fact that there are two terminals and they are as
follows:
One is terminal active network containing voltage sources
Another is the resistance that is viewed from the output terminals. The output terminals
are equivalent to the constant source of current and it allows giving the parallel
resistance.
The Nortons theorem also explains about the constant current that is equal to the current
of the short circuit placed across the terminals. The parallel resistance of the network can
be viewed from the open circuit terminals when all the voltage and current sources are
removed and replaced by the internal resistance.

14. State Maximum power transfer theorem

The Maximum power transfer theorem explains about the load that a resistance will
extract from the network. This includes the maximum power from the network and in this
case the load resistance is being is equal to the resistance of the network and it also
allows the resistance to be equal to the resistance of the network. This resistance can be
viewed by the output terminals and the energy sources can be removed by leaving the
internal resistance behind.

Electrical Engineering interview questions and answers - part 3

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15. Explain different losses in a transformer.

There are two types of losses occurring in transformer:

Constant losses or Iron losses: The losses that occur in the core are known as core
losses or iron losses. Two types of iron losses are:
o eddy current loss
o Hysteresis loss.
These losses depend upon the supply voltage, frequency, core material and its
construction. As long as supply voltage and frequency is constant, these losses remain
the same whether the transformer is loaded or not. These are also known as constant
losses.
Variable losses or copper losses: when the transformer is loaded, current flows in
primary and secondary windings, there is loss of electrical energy due to the resistance of
the primary winding, and secondary winding and they are called variable losses. These
losses depend upon the loading conditions of the transformers. Therefore, these losses
are also called as variable losses.

16. Explain different types of D.C motors? Give their applications

Different type of DC motors and their applications are as follows:-

Shunt motors: It has a constant speed though its starting torque is not very high.
Therefore, it is suitable for constant speed drive, where high starting torque is not
required such as pumps, blowers, fan, lathe machines, tools, belt or chain conveyor etc.
Service motors: It has high starting torque & its speed is inversely proportional to the
loading conditions i.e. when lightly loaded, the speed is high and when heavily loaded, it
is low. Therefore, motor is used in lifts, cranes, traction work, coal loader and coal cutter
in coalmines etc.
Compound motors: It also has high starting torque and variable speed. Its advantage is,
it can run at NIL loads without any danger. This motor will therefore find its application in
loads having high inertia load or requiring high intermittent torque such as elevators,
conveyor, rolling mill, planes, presses, shears and punches, coal cutter and winding
machines etc.

17. Explain the process of commutation in a dc machine. Explain

what are inter-poles and why they are required in a dc machine.

Commutation: It is phenomenon when an armature coil moves under the influence of one
pole- pair; it carries constant current in one direction. As the coil moves into the influence
of the next pole- pair, the current in it must reverse. This reversal of current in a coil is
called commutation. Several coils undergo commutation simultaneously. The reversal of
current is opposed by the static coil emf and therefore must be aided in some fashion for
smooth current reversal, which otherwise would result in sparking at the brushes. The
aiding emf is dynamically induced into the coils undergoing commutation by means of
compoles or interpoles, which are series excited by the armature current. These are
located in the interpolar region of the main poles and therefore influence the armature
coils only when these undergo commutation.

18. Comment on the working principle of operation of a single-

phase transformer.
Working principle of operation of a single-phase transformer can be explained as
An AC supply passes through the primary winding, a current will start flowing in the
primary winding. As a result, the flux is set. This flux is linked with primary and secondary
windings. Hence, voltage is induced in both the windings. Now, when the load is
connected to the secondary side, the current will start flowing in the load in the secondary
winding, resulting in the flow of additional current in the secondary winding. Hence,
according to Faradays laws of electromagnetic induction, emf will be induced in both the
windings. The voltage induced in the primary winding is due to its self inductance and
known as self induced emf and according to Lenzes law it will oppose the cause i.e.
supply voltage hence called as back emf. The voltage induced in secondary coil is known
as mutually induced voltage. Hence, transformer works on the principle of
electromagnetic induction.

19. Define the following terms:-

Reliability,
Maximum demand,
Reserve-generating capacity,
Availability (operational).

Reliability: It is the capacity of the power system to serve all power demands without
failure over long periods.
Maximum Demand: It is maximum load demand required in a power station during a
given period.
Reserve generating capacity: Extra generation capacity installed to meet the need of
scheduled downtimes for preventive maintenance is called reserve-generating capacity.
Availability: As the percentage of the time a unit is available to produce power whether
needed by the system or not.

20. Mention the disadvantages of low power factor? How can it be

improved?

Disadvantages of low power factor:

Line losses are 1.57 times unity power factor.
Larger generators and transformers are required.
Low lagging power factor causes a large voltage drop, hence extra regulation equipment
is required to keep voltage drop within prescribed limits.
Greater conductor size: To transmit or distribute a fixed amount of power at fixed
voltage, the conductors will have to carry more current at low power factor. This requires
a large conductor size.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

Electrical Engineering interview questions and answers - part 4

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

21. State the methods of improving power factor?

Methods of improving power factor:

By connecting static capacitors in parallel with the load operating at lagging power
factor.
A synchronous motor takes a leading current when over excited and therefore behaves
like a capacitor.
By using phase advancers to improve the power factor of induction motors. It provides
exciting ampere turns to the rotor circuit of the motor. By providing more ampere-turns
than required, the induction motor can be made to operate on leading power factor like an
overexcited synchronous motor.

22. State the factors, for the choice of electrical system for an aero
turbine.

The choice of electrical system for an aero turbine is guided by three factors:
Type of electrical output: dc, variable- frequency ac, and constant- frequency ac.
Aero turbine rotational speed: constant speed with variable blade pitch, nearly constant
speed with simpler pitch- changing mechanism or variable speed with fixed pitch blades.
Utilization of electrical energy output: in conjunction with battery or other form of storage,
or interconnection with power grid.

23. What are the advantages of VSCF wind electrical system?

Advantages of VSCF wind electrical system are:

No complex pitch changing mechanism is needed.
Aero turbine always operates at maximum efficiency point.
Extra energy in the high wind speed region of the speed duration curve can be
extracted
Significant reduction in aerodynamic stresses, which are associated with constant
 speed operation.

24. Explain the terms real power, apparent power and reactive
power for ac circuits and also the units used.

Real Power: It is the product of voltage, current and power factor i.e. P = V I cos j and
basic unit of real power is watt. i.e. Expressed as W or kW.
Apparent power: It is the product of voltage and current. Apparent power = V I and basic
unit of apparent power is volt- ampere. Expressed as VA or KVA.
Reactive Power: It is the product of voltage, current and sine of angle between the
voltage and current i.e. Reactive power = voltage X current X sinj or Reactive power = V I
sin j and has no other unit but expressed in VAR or KVAR.

25. Define the following: Average demand, Maximum demand,

Demand factor, Load factor.

Average Demand: the average power requirement during some specified period of time
of considerable duration is called the average demand of installation.
Maximum Demand: The maximum demand of an installation is defined as the greatest
of all the demand, which have occurred during a given period. It is measured accordingly
to specifications, over a prescribed time interval during a certain period.
Demand Factor: It is defined as the ratio of actual maximum demand made by the load
to the rating of the connected load.
Load Factor: It is defined as the ratio of the average power to the maximum demand.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

26. Explain forward resistance, static resistance and dynamic resistance of a

pn junction diode.

Forward Resistance: Resistance offered in a diode circuit, when it is forward biased, is called forward-
resistance.
DC or Static Resistance: DC resistance can be explained as the ratio of the dc-voltage across the diode
to the direct current flowing through it.
AC or Dynamic Resistance: It can be defined as the reciprocal of the slope of the forward characteristic
of the diode. It is the resistance offered by a diode to the changing forward current.

27. How does Zener phenomenon differ from Avalanche breakdown?

The phenomenon when the depletion region expands and the potential barrier increases leading to a very
high electric field across the junction, due to which suddenly the reverse current increases under a very
high reverse voltage is called Zener effect. Zener-breakdown or Avalanche breakdown may occur
independently or both of these may occur simultaneously. Diode junctions that breakdown below 5v are
caused by Zener Effect. Junctions that experience breakdown above 5v are caused by avalanche-effect.
The Zener-breakdown occurs in heavily doped junctions, which produce narrow depletion layers. The
avalanche breakdown occurs in lightly doped junctions, which produce wide depletion layers.

28. Compare JFETs and MOSFETs.

Comparison of JFETs and MOSFETs:

JFETs can only be operated in the depletion mode whereas MOSFETs can be operated in either
depletion or in enhancement mode. In a JFET, if the gate is forward-biased, excess-carrier injunction
occurs and the gate-current is substantial.
MOSFETs have input impedance much higher than that of JFETs. Thus is due to negligible small
leakage current.
JFETs have characteristic curves more flat than that of MOSFET is indicating a higher drain resistance.
When JFET is operated with a reverse-bias on the junction, the gate-current IG is larger than it would be
in a comparable MOSFET.

30. Explain thin film resistors and wire-wound resistors

a. Thin film resistors- It is constructed as a thin film of resistive material is deposited on an insulating
substrate. Desired results are obtained by either trimming the layer thickness or by cutting helical grooves
of suitable pitch along its length. During this process, the value of the resistance is monitored closely and
cutting of grooves is stopped as soon as the desired value of resistance is obtained.
b. Wire wound resistors length of wire wound around an insulating cylindrical core are known as wire
wound resistors. These wires are made of materials such as Constantan and Manganin because of their
high resistivity, and low temperature coefficients. The complete wire wound resistor is coated with an
insulating material such as baked enamel

31. What is a differential amplifier? Also, explain CMRR.

Differential Amplifier: The amplifier, which is used to amplify the voltage difference between two input-
lines neither of which is grounded, is called differential amplifier. This reduces the amount of noise
injected into the amplifier, because any noise appearing simultaneously on both the input-terminals as the
amplifying circuitry rejects it being a common mode signal.
CMRR: It can be defined as the ratio of differential voltage-gain to common made voltage gain. If a
differential amplifier is perfect, CMRR would be infinite because in that case common mode voltage gain
would be zero.
1. How grounding is different than earthings?
2. What is diversity factor in electric installations?
3. Explain Marx circuit.
4. Why human body feel electric shock?
5. What is the principal of motor?
6. What is power factor?
7. Should power factor be low or high?
8. Difference between field rheostat and armature rheostat.
9. Why field rheostat is kept in minimum position?
10. Why armature rheostat is kept in maximum position?
11. What is meant by derating factor?
12. What is stiffness factor?
13. What is the dependency of stiffness on load angle??
14. What is 100% protection of generator? Why 100% is not used but 95% is generally used?
15. What is the difference between a Verilog task and Verilog function?
16. What is the unit of magnetic flux density?
17. Why increase in current leads to increase in conductor temperature?
18. How can a equal potential zone be carried out in conductors?
19. What is essential to prove safe isolation of electrical circuit?
20. What is the ratio of true power to apparent power in an AC circuit?
21. What is power relay?
22. Differentiate between power relay and reverse power relay.
23. What is the suitable transmission voltage?
24. What is the maximum operating temperature for a thermoplastic insulated cable?
25. Explain the working of variable frequency transformer?
26. Which oil can be used in transformer?
27. What is excitation in case of DC motor?
28. Why is the starting current high in DC motor?
29. What is rotary phase converter?
30. Differentiate between digital phase converter and ordinary phase converter.
31. What is knee point voltage?
32. List the advantages of star-delta starter with induction motor?
33. Which type of transformer is used for lighting loads?
34. What is star-delta transformer?
 In what units is the Resistance measured?
The number of microamperes in 2 milliamperes is how much?
An electric heater draws 3.5 A from a 110 V source. The resistance of the heating element is how much?
If 750 A is flowing through 11k resistance, what is the voltage drop across the resistor?
A resistor is connected across a 50 V source. What is the current in the resistor if the color code is red, orange,
and silver?
Approximately how many milliamperes of current flow through a circuit with a 40 V source and 6.8k of
resistance?
When converting 1,600 kilohms to megohms, the result is?
When there is 12 mA of current through a 1.2 k resistor, the voltage across the resistor is how much?
What is inrush current?
In a Tap changing transformer where is the tap connected, is it connected in the primary side or secondary side?
Why are transformer ratings in KVA?
What is difference between fuse and breaker?
What is the difference between delta-delta, delta-star transformer?
Capacitor is load free component but why ampere meter shows current when capacitor bank breaker close?
Why is electricity in India in the multiples of 11 like 11kv, 22kv, 33kv?
Why do we use AC and not DC system in India?
Which type of motor is used in trains, what is the rating of supply used? Explain Working principal?
Are battery banks connected in series or parallel and why?
Differentiate between megger test equipment and contact resistance meter test instruments?
When do we connect the large capacitor back in series?
What is electrical diversity factor in electrical installations?
Why is field rheostat kept in minimum position while armature rheostat at maximum position?
Why does computer humming sound occur in HT transmission line?
What is rated speed?
What is different between resistance grounding system and resistance earthing system?
When a fourth resistor is connected in series with three resistors, does the total resistance increase or decrease
and by how much?
A sine wave voltage is applied across an inductor. When the frequency of the voltage is decreased, does the
current increase or decrease?
What is electrical diversity factor in electrical installations?
How do you increase the winding resistance of a coil?
When the current through an inductor decreases, does the amount of energy stored in the electromagnetic field
increase or decrease?
In a three-phase system, the voltages are separated by how many degrees?
In a three-phase system, when the loads are perfectly balanced, how much is the neutral current?
 What is electrical diversity factor in electrical installations?
When the current through an inductor is cut in half, what happens to the amount of energy stored in the
electromagnetic field?
A certain transformer has 400 turns in the primary winding and 2,000 turns in the secondary winding. The turns
ratio is?
If the cross-sectional area of a magnetic field increases, but the flux remains the same, does the flux density
increase or decrease?
How many primary volts must be applied to a transformer with a turns ratio of 0.1 to obtain a secondary voltage
of 9 V?
What is the function of a transformer?
What happens when the current through the coil of an electromagnet reverses?
A coil of wire is placed in a changing magnetic field. If the number of turns in the coil is decreased, the voltage
induced across the coil will increase or decrease?
What is the unit for reluctance?
What's the use of GNAC(Generator Neutral Accessory Compartment)
Why generator or any other system require Neutral Grounding and not Phase grounding?
What happens if any one of the phase is grounded?
If 15kv is grounded directly what will happen, why it should not be grounded like that?
Is the use of NGTR(Neutral Grounding Transformer and Resistor) for grounding helpful? How?
What is difference between start imitation and start interlock for 3 phase motor protection?
Why, for transformer protection, do we protect transformer from 3rd harmonics and 5th harmonics and what is
the reason of generating these harmonics in electrical system?
What is meant by Active and reactive power?
Why in three phase 440 circuit in all phase current is almost equal L1-35 A, L2-34 A ,L3-31 A but in neutral
when we check with clamp meter it shows 25 A?
What is meant by derating factor?
How can we know cable size for a given current?
Explain the working principle of servomotor.
Why are servomotor and induction motor in different shape?
What is the difference between Induction motor and servo motor?
What are the advantages of speed control using thyristor?
How is tube light circuit connected and how does it work?
Why is link provided in neutral of an ac circuit and fuse in phase of ac circuit?
What is MARX CIRCUIT?
What is "pu" in electrical engineering?
What is electric traction?
 Describe the operation carried out in thermal power station. What is the difference between electronic regulator
and ordinary rheostat regulator for fans?
What will happen when power factor is leading in distribution of power?
What is the one main difference between UPS & inverter and electrical engineering & electronics engineering?
What is ACSR cable and where we use it?
What is the principle of motor?
What is meant by armature reaction?
Why do human bodies feel Electric shock? In an Electric train during running, we don't feel any Shock. Why?
Which motor has high Starting Torque and Staring current DC motor, Induction motor or Synchronous motor?
What is vacuum circuit breaker? Define with cause and where be use it Device?
Why when birds sit on transmission lines or current wires don't get shock?
What is the significance of vector grouping in Power Transformers?
What is the Polarization index value? (pi value)and simple definition of polarization index?
What is the difference between neutral circuit and core balance circuit protection?
What is electrical engineering?
Why CTs are connected in star on T/F delta connected winding side & in delta on T/F star connected winding
side for T/F differential protection?
What are the various kinds of cables used in transmission?
Explain the application of storage batteries.
What is slip in an induction motor?
Why is back emf used for a dc motor? Highlight its significance.
Why is star delta starter preferred with induction motor?
State the difference between generator and alternator.
How can you relate power engineering with electrical engineering?
What is the difference between synchronous and asynchronous generator?
What is automatic voltage regulator (AVR)?
State Thevenin's theorem.
State Norton's theorem.
State Maximum Power Transfer theorem.
Explain the working principal of the circuit breaker.
What is the function of anti-pumping in circuit breaker?
What is the difference between isolator and circuit breaker?
What is meant by regenerative braking?
Why can series motor not be started on no-load?
What is the difference between MCB and MCCB? Where are they used?
Where the lighting arrestor should be placed in distribution lines?
Define IMDT relay.
 What are transformer losses?
What is Ferranti effect?
What is an exciter and how does it work?
What is the difference between a 4 point starter and a 3 point starter?