INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:ABHISHEK JOSHI

1. WHY TRANSMISSION LINE ARE NOT INSULATED?

INSULATION LEVEL(CLASS) DEPENDS UPON VOLTAGE RATING
CROSS SECTION OF CONDUCTOR DEPENDS UPON CURRUNT RATING

➢ Consider 132kV transmission line system has require high rating of insulator but that
not feasible due to that additional weight and cost on transmission line tower.

➢ That is not possible to anyone can accidently came in contact with open
transmission line conductor in that height.

➢ In heigh voltage system there are high heat losses. So, it is very helpful in air cooling
of conductor.
➢ Air is a great insulator (without the moisture). So, we don’t have to put additional
insulator in it.

2. WHY TRANSMISSION LINE WILL NOT CORRODE OVERTIME WITHOUT INSULATOR?

➢ Overhead transmission line is not made of only one metal like copper or aluminum.
It’s made from mainly from ACSR(Aluminum Core Steel Reinforced) conductor.
Aluminum will not corrode over time due to its property.

3. PHASE VOLTAGE VS LINE VOLTAGE

➢ PHASE VOLTAGE: Voltage difference between any of one phase and neutral wire.
➢ LINE VOLTAGE: Voltage difference between any of two-phase wire.

4. VOLTAGE VS EMF
➢ VOLTAGE :is potential difference require between two points to flow the
electron/current.
➢ EMF :is the require energy to maintain the voltage level.

5. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WHEN WE GET A PHASE VOLTAGE IN NEUTRAL PIN OF SOCKET?
➢ Step:1 Check weather problem is inside the house(DB box) or outside the
house(Incomer).
➢ Step:2 Check loose connection or faulty instrument of particular area.

6. WHY WE USE DC TRANSMISSION LINE (HVDC)?

AC TRANSMISSION VS DC TRANSMISSION
➢ Above 1000km transmission we use HVDC transmission to reduce losses
➢ AC transmission has a 3 or 4 wire system. DC transmission has a 1 or 2 wire system.
➢ Reactive power compensation requires in AC but not in DC transmission.
➢ Skin effect & corona loss will be there in AC but not in DC transmission. (negligible)
➢ Radio interference will be there in AC but not in DC transmission.
7. OVER CURRENT VS SHORT CIRCUIT
➢ OVER CURRENT(OVER LOAD): In starting phase of motor will be draw 5-6 times of
rated current that will called over current but eventually it will be stable at rated
value over time. Voltage at the node will be drop (not zero).
➢ SHORT CIRCUIT: During any faulty condition two phase/phase neutral will be
short.in that condition high current will be flow that called short circuit. Voltage will
be zero at the short-circuit node.

8. MARKER BALLS IN TRANSMISSION LINE

➢ Areal marker balls are made from plastic and its wight around five to six Kg.
➢ It is used to visible the transmission line at the long distance to prevent any fatal
accident with lower altitude aircrafts and helicopters.

9. HOW TO GUESS THE VOLTAGE RATING OF ANY OVER HEAD LINE?

➢ Distribution side: if every phase has a single-disc type insulator – 11kV
if every phase has a three-disc type insulator – 33kV

➢ Transmission side: if every phase has a six-suspension type insulator – 66kV

if every phase has a ten/eleven-string type insulator – 132kV

10. HOW TO CHECK CONTINUITY WITH MULTIMETER ?

Firstly, change the nob of multimeter at the continuity mode and make a contact of two
probe to each other. if the multimeter produce beep sound, then our meter is in working
condition.

Then put the probe at the two different nodes of the switch, if the multimeter beeps in on
condition of the switch, then our circuit runs perfectly. But, if not then we have to remove
the fault from the circuit.

11. HOW TO CHECK EARTHING AND NEUTRAL?

➢ Method one : Test Lamp
• Connect lamp to the neutral and phase at any node, if the lamp will
not glow then there will be any damage at neutral conductor.

• Connect lamp to ground and phase at any node, if the lamp has a low
intensity of light, then there will be not effective ground in the system.

➢ Methos two : Multimeter

• By checking the voltage between phase and neutral ,if meter show
rated voltage, then phase and neutral is in healthy condition.

• By checking the voltage between phase and ground ,if meter show
rated voltage, then phase and ground is in healthy condition.
12. WHAT IS FLOATING NEUTRAL?
➢ If neutral point has some voltage, then it is called floating neutral.it is arrived at
unbalanced load condition.
➢ To avoid this condition neutral of transformer has to connect with ground.

13. WHAT IS BUS-BAR?

➢ It is a conductor bar which made of either copper or aluminum.
➢ It is used to distribute power from incomer PCC to MCC.

14. WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF ELECTRICITY?

Static electricity and dynamic electricity.
➢ Static electricity: can’t be transmitted.eg, comb and hair.
➢ dynamic electricity: can be transmitted.eg, house electricity.
Its further distribute in AC and DC.

15. WHAT ELECTRICAL TIMER?

Two types of timers used in industry. On delay timer and Off delay timer
➢ On delay timer: star connection has a 10-seconds of on delay timer to switch in
delta configuration.
➢ Off delay timer: Over current relay has a setting of 18amp at 3 seconds of off time
delay, after that time count relay will trips.

16. WHAT IS VOLTAGE DROP?

Conductor has an internal resistance due to that current has to face the resistance to flow in
the circuit and voltage will be reduce at that point. sending end voltage and receiving end
voltage is not equal in any system.
➢ Minimum limit of voltage drop is 5% of rated voltage.
➢ It depends on conductor material and cross section area.
➢ It Is also proportional to distance and connected load with the system.

17. WHY WE CAN’T STORE AC VOLTAGE IN BATTERY ?

Battery has a fix polarity of voltage. If we want to get AC voltage from that then, we have
switch polarity in every 20ms to get 50Hz source. That’s not feasible in real life.

18. WHY WE USE AC VOLTAGE IN HOME ?

Generation side voltage level is always 11kV-33kV.so,we have to step down it using
transformer for domestic purpose. In AC system step-up & step-down is easy as compare to
DC system. If we switch to the DC system then every transformer requires some rectifier and
inverter circuit to AC-DC conversion. That is not feasible in the practical life.

Protection device(C.B) has arc quenching medium(air) to remove arc. Arc removal process is
easy in AC system as compare to DC system.
 Industry has a very large amount of induction machines for various application. If our system
is DC then additional cost of commutator and brushes of every DC machine is added. That is
not feasible again.

19. WHAT IS OHM’S LAW & PRACTICAL USE OF IT?

It states the relationship between V,I and R.
We can use ohm’s law to find limiter resistance to power 2V/30mA bulb with 9V supply.
ohm’s law: V = I*R
R= V/I
R=7V/0.03A = 233.33Ω

20. WHY IN INDIA WE HAVE 50Hz NOT 60Hz?

➢ In development phase of electricity, the founder of AC current Nikola
Tesla(America) found that there will be less flickering of bulb at 60Hz as compare to
any other level of frequency level.
➢ British scientist decided to develop their own system which has lesser losses, they
noticed that, losses α (Current)2 α (Voltage) -1 α (Frequency)
So, they decided to implement 230V/50Hz system.

21. WHAT IS UNINTERRUPTED POWER SUPPLY(UPS)?

CCR(Central Control Room) is used to operate all instruments in industry. In black-out
condition we should have to supply power to the CCR. In that time UPS come in picture.
UPS is emergency power supply, it has one battery bank, inverter and controller.

22. WHAT IS FIRE ALARM IN ELECTRICAL ROOM?

In control panel room we have many of smoke detectors which can sense the smoke came
from any abnormal condition or fault and trigger the fire alarm.
It is used to prevent any accident in industries.

23. WHY STONES ARE USED IN SUB-STATION SWITCHYARD?

Gravel or stone used in sub-station electrical switchyards for the following purpose:
Oil spill fire prevention.
➢ Stop plants from growing inside the switchyard.
➢ Step and touch potential reduction during short circuit faults.
➢ Absorb heat from radiator of the transformer.

24. WHY WE GET ELECTRICAL SHOCK?

Human body is a good conductor of electricity because it has an ion which conduct the
charges. If we accidently touch any naked live wire then our body acts like a medium for
current to pass from higher potential to lower potential.
25. WHAT IS POWER TRANSMISSIOIN?
Transmission is an interconnection between generation and substation.
✓ Short transmission line: below 80km
✓ Medium transmission line: between 80km to 160km
✓ Long transmission line: above 160km

Above 1000km we use HVDC transmission instead of AC transmission

✓ Low voltage transmission line: 6.6kV & 11kV

✓ Medium voltage transmission line: 33kV
✓ High voltage transmission line: 110kV
✓ Extra high voltage transmission line:220kV & 440kV
✓ Ultra-high voltage transmission line:760kV & 800kV

26. WHAT IS GENERATION, TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION?

➢ GENERATION: where electricity will be generated at 6.6kV or 11kV.
➢ TRANSMISSION: It is used to transfer the power at high voltage level at long
distance.
➢ DISTRIBUTION: It is used to distribute the power in primary distribution voltage
level 11kV,6.6k,3.3kV.
In secondary distribution voltage level 415V-230V.

27. WHERE IS NEUTRAL WIRE CONNECTED?

➢ In distribution side transformer which has delta | star connection.
➢ Star connection has common point which called as a neutral point.
➢ To avoid floating neutral, neutral of star connected transformer always couple with
the ground.

28. WHAT IS EARTH FAULT?

➢ Every electrical system has an earthing wire which protects instruments from
leakage current and Current has a tendency to follow low resistance path. due to
that current will flow through earth wire instead of neutral wire.
➢ Protection devices: Earth fault relays
RCCB
ELCB
CBCT

29. WHY THREE PIN PLUG HAS ONE EXTRA LARGE/THICK PIN ?
➢ Layman will not accidently connect earth pin in phase or neutral.
➢ If the body of appliances has excessive charge, then firstly they will connect to
ground because of large pin of plug.
➢ Thick conductor has low resistance path to
30. WHY TRANSMISSION LINE HAS HIGH VOLTAGE?
➢ There will be voltage drop is directly proportional to internal resistance. so, we have
to set sending end voltage higher then receiving end voltage.
➢ Losses is directly proportional to the current rating and cross section of area is also is
directly proportional to the current rating.

31. WHY WE USE MULTI STRAND CABLE?

➢ Multi strand cable has less skin effect.
➢ It is more flexible then hard- core cable.

32. WHICH CONTACTOR OF STAR-DELTA STARTER HAS OVER LOAD RELAY?

Main contactor of star-delta starter has over-load relay because we have to provide relay
protection throughout the operating condition. If we connect relay with the star contactor
then only starting phase has a OL relay. If we connect relay with the delta contactor then
starting phase, we don’t have a OL relay.

33. SOFT-STARTER PROTECTIONS:

➢ Over voltage and Under voltage
➢ over current
➢ S.C fault
➢ Earth fault
➢ Motor stalling

34. VFD VS SOFT-STARTER

• VFD: we can use it for smooth acceleration and de-acceleration of the motor.
➢ It can vary the voltage and frequency.
➢ Phase sequence changing is possible in VFD.
➢ it is not used in throughout the application.
➢ we can use it for variable speed application.
➢ It will produce harmonics in their output.

• SOFT-STARTER: we can use it for smooth acceleration and de-acceleration of the

motor.
➢ it is not used in throughout the application.
➢ we can’t use it for variable speed application.
➢ It will not produce harmonics in their output.
➢ It can vary only the voltage.
➢ Phase sequence changing is not possible in soft-starter.
35. GRR(GRID ROTOR RESISTANCE ) VS SPRS(SLIP POWER RECOVERY SYSTEM)
GRR: losses will be very high.
We can vary the speed with the change in rotor resistance.
SPRS: no losses will be there.
We can also vary the speed with it.

36. WHY V/F RATIO WILL BE CONSTANT?

We require constant torque in physical application.
(Motor torque) α (Magnetic flux) α (Voltage & Frequency)

37. WHY USE STARTERS TO RUN MOTORS?

Motor has a high starting current for short period of time.
We can provide remote access to the motors with panels

38. HOW TO RUN THREE PHASE INDUCTION MOTOR ON SINGLE PHASE?

Single phase to three phase VFD through dc link, rectifier and inverter.

39. WHY DOL HAS A HIGH STARTING CURRENT?

In standstill condition we start the motor then in starting we have maximum slip = 1,due to
that we have high relative speed between rotor and rotating magnetic field. Rotor will
attend to achieve synchronous speed as soon as possible.

40. CAN WE USE DOL STARTER ABOVE 5kW MOTOR?

Yes, we can use it but if we don’t want to frequently on/off the motor.
41. CAN WE USE ONE VFD FOR TWO MOTORS?
Yes, with conventional VFD we can run two motors at same speed and with advanced VFD
we can run two motors with two different speeds. Combine motor ratings should not exceed
the main VFD, and distance between motor and VFD should not exceed 500 meters.
42. AC DRIVES VS DC DRIVES
AC DRIVES: It has two power conversion, AC to DC and DC to AC.
It used for AC motors.
To vary the speed, we have to change frequency.

DC DRIVES: It has one power conversion, AC to DC.

It used for DC motors.
To vary the speed, we have to change field and armature control.

43. STAR-DELTA STARTER SETTINGS

Star connection : starting current will be 1/3 of rated current.
starting torque will be 1/3 of rated torque.
Delta connection: running current 58% of rated current.

Over load relay settings: 58% of rated current.

44. WHY 11kV,33kV,66kV,132kV?

Sending end voltage must be additional 10% of receiving end voltage.

45. WHAT IF WE WILL APPLY AC TO BATTERY?

In first half cycle of AC battery charge and another half cycle battery will be discharge due to
this frequently charging and discharging cycle battery will internally damage and we cannot
use it in further application.

46. WHY WE WILL NOT GET SHOCKED WHILE USE OF AC TESTER?

➢ Resistor(1MΩ), bulb, spring
➢ Due to this high value current limiting resistor, we will not get shocked.
➢ Another substitute Contactless AC tester.

47. BATTERY VS CAPACITOR

A battery is an electronic device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy to
provide a static electrical charge for power, whereas a capacitor is an electronic component
that stores electrostatic energy in an electric field.

48. EARTHING VS GROUNDING

EARTHING : if non- current carrying part is connected to earth called as earthing.
Ex. Motor body connected to earth for protection of human and motor called as
earthing of motor.
 GROUNDING: if current carrying part is connected to earth called as earthing.
Ex. Transformer neutral connected to earth for stability of system called as
grounding.

49. EARTHING PROCESS:

➢ In earth pit we use salt and charcoal, salt for better conductivity of salt and charcoal
to maintain that conductivity for longer period of time.

50. FAN REGULATOR

➢ Fan regulator has two types, Electrical regulator and electronic regulator.
➢ Electrical regulator: adding resistor in the line to vary the voltage.
▪ No power saving
➢ electronic regulator: change the switching of TRIAC.

51. Corona losses

➢ Violate glow occurs in above 30kV lines due to lower density(hill area),high
humidity(monsoon)
➢ To reduce it we can increase the spacing between conductor & use of hollow
conductor, but again voltage drop will increase

52. Why we use dc source in substation?

We can't rely on single source in substation, if main isolator will pop up then we can't able
to restart the substation in that case if we have an auxiliary source then we easily identify
the fault and restart it , for that we use dc battery banks.

53. Why we use aluminum in transmission line & copper in domestic purpose?
➢ Aluminum is cheaper as compared to copper.

➢ Aluminum has a less weight to length ratio as compared to copper.

➢ Copper is highly corrosive but aluminum is not that's why we use copper in domestic
purpose and aluminum in transmission line.

54. Can oversized and undersized cable affect the electricity bill of home?
➢ oversized cable is useful when we know that the load will increase in future , but
initial cost is high.

➢ Undersized cable is not preferable due to problem of overheating and short-circuit.

➢ This sizing will not affect the electricity bill.

55. Can we use earthing instead of neutral?

Theoretically that is possible because neutral and earthing both has a zero potential, but in
practically if we use earthing as return path then we will compromise our safety and current
sensing protection devices like RCCB , ELCB , RCBO will break the circuit.
56. Voltage rating α Insulation
Current rating α cross section of conductor

57. Clock wise phase sequence is R-Y-B

Anti-clockwise phase sequence is B-Y-R

58. 3 ½ core cables: three main core is used for phase(RYB) and small core is for small neutral
Current.
4 core cables: three main core is used for phase(RYB) and last core for small neutral
Current.

59. Types of powder used in cable :

1) Swelling powder : it is used in water proof cables.
2) Chalk powder : it is used for fireproof cables.
3) Magnesium oxide: it is used in multicore cables for better insulation.
4) Talcum powder : it is used in low voltage cable.

60. What is bus-coupler?

It is used to couple the bus, ex. One incomer connects with 20 feeders.

61. What measures Electrical Tester?

It measures Line voltage that’s why it called as a line tester.

62. Why line tester not work on DC?

Line tester has a neon bulb which requires 220V ac.

63. How to check earthing?

Industrial : measure earthing resistance. range 0 to 2 Ω.
Domestic : Compare voltage between line-neutral & line- earth, if it is same then earthing is
in healthy condition.

64. Who kill person Voltage or current ?

➢ It’s a moving electron (Current), but severity depends on force(voltage).
➢ It is also depended on body resistance.

65. Human body resistance?

➢ In dry condition – 1,00,000 Ω
➢ In wet condition - 1000 Ω

66. How line tester works without neutral and earthing ?

Stary capacitance of body.
67. Why we use starting capacitor and running capacitor in induction motor?
starting capacitor: it is used to convert alternating field in rotating magnetic field
running capacitor: it is used to make phase shift in current to make alternating field.

68. Motor used in engines?

➢ 3-phase induction motor with single-phase to three-phase.
➢ 6*850kW motors used in WAP-7 (5000kW).

69. Railway Traction control voltage?

25kV - due high voltage we need small diameter of conductor.

70. Why there will be humming noise in fan when we run it on inverter?
When inverter will produce square wave instead of sine wave then it will produce humming
noise.

71. Types of fire extinguisher?

➢ Water type – Red label- Solid type fire hazard.
➢ Foam type – cream label – Petrochemical fire hazard.
➢ Dry powder type – blur label – Gases fire hazard.
➢ Co2 type – black label – Electrical type fire hazard.
➢ Wet chemical type- yellow label – Cooking oil

72. UPS : uninterrupted power supply

• There are two types of UPS.1) Online UPS 2) Offline UPS
Online UPS rectifier, inverter, battery bank connected with series connection to line and it
has a fast response time to switch from line power to battery power.

Offline UPS has a rectifier, inverter, battery bank connected in parallel with the line and it
has a slow response time to switch from line power to battery power.

73. Why there is cuts in 3-pin plug?

Brass has a tendency of expansion in over current/over-heating. due to that there will be cut
to reduce temperature of pins.

74. Which types of motors used in cranes?

Slipring induction motor used in crane application because we can add the rotor resistance
to get high starting torque and also for speed varying application.

75. Which types of motors used in trains?

Squirrel cage induction motor used in train along with an AC-VFDs for high starting torque
and also for speed varying application.
76. Why welding machine does not give shock to user?
Current has a tendency to follow low resistance path ,welding machine works on 40V AC and
high magnitude of current. for welding of metal , it should connect with neutral conductor.
So, instead of flowing through user(with safety gloves) current will flow through neutral.

77. Technical analysis of lightning strike?

if material has an equal number of protons and electrons then it is neutrally charged, if
material has excessive proton, then it is positively charged and there is excessive electron
then it is negatively charged. If these phenomena occur in cloud, then lightning strike occurs

78. Electrostatic preceptor?

It has positive and negative rod emit electrons which is carried by dust particles of chimney
and that is attracted by positive rod. with the hammering action, collected dust on rod will
be removed.

79. New standard of electrical color coding?

Three phase system– Phases - R,Y,B
Ground - Green
Single phase system – Phase – Brown
Neutral – Blue
Ground – Green
DC system – Phase – Red
Neutral – Black
Ground – White

80. How to check healthiness of power capacitor?

It must draw around 25A or fluctuations in that around 5%.
Current must be balanced in all three phases(minor variations is accepted)

81. PTW and LOTOTO protocols ?

PTW: permit to work : Get a permission of higher authority for maintenance.
LOTOTO: lock out : lock the panel box or DB box with engineer name TAG.
Try out:
Test out:

82. Capacitive voltage transformer and wave trap?

In power system we use two types of frequency level ,one is power frequency – 50Hz in
India and second is high frequency- 3-800kHz for communication between substations.

83. Capacitive voltage transformer(CVT): it will pass the 50Hz frequency.

wave trap: it will pass the 3-800kHz frequency.

84. PVC and XLPE types cable insulation?

PVC: it is used in LT system.it has a temperature bear capacity of 70 degree Celsius.
XLPE: it is used in LT as well as HT system.it has a temperature bear capacity of 90 degree
Celsius