SOME ELECTRICAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Of the listed factors that influence the amount of RMS voltage induced in the windings of an AC
generator operating at a constant 60 Hz frequency, which factor is variable during generator operation?

A) the number of armature coil turns in series per winding

B) the strength of the rotating magnetic field

C) the rotational speed at which the magnetic field passes across the stator winding

D) the number of field coil turns in series per winding

Which of the procedures or conditions listed could result in damaging a transistor beyond repair?

A) Installing a transistor whose current rating exceeds the design circuit current.

B) Applying silicone grease between the heat sink and the transistor mounting.

C) Providing insufficient voltage to the input circuit.

D) Providing incorrect polarity to the collector circuit.

What two factors determine the magnitude of the generated voltage of a DC generator?

A) The rotational speed of the armature and the magnetic strength of the field flux.

B) The armature current draw and the magnetic strength of the field flux.

C) The rotational speed of the field and the magnetic strength of the armature flux.

D) The rotational speed of the armature and the armature current draw.

What is the name of the type of motor control circuit that will not permit automatic restarting after
power is restored, following a power failure?

A) low voltage protection

B) overload lockout

C) reduced voltage restart

D) low voltage release

As shown in the illustrated devices and symbols, which of the symbols represents a standard normally
closed relay contact? EL-0005
A) F

B) E

C) I

D) K

What will be the frequency of a three-phase, 16 pole, AC generator operating at 3000 revolutions per
minute?

A) 90 hertz

B) 60 hertz

C) 180 hertz

D) 400 hertz

In comparison to a main switchboard for a DC electrical distribution system, a main switchboard for an
AC electrical distribution system requires the use of which of the following devices, whereas a DC main
switchboard does not?

A) Voltage regulator and prime mover governor speed controls

B) Reverse power or current relays

C) Frequency meter, power factor or reactive power meters, and synchronizing lamps or synchroscope

D) Generator and load center circuit breakers

What is one function of the movable cams in a drum-type winch motor controller?

A) limit the amount of load put on the motor

B) regulate the speed of the motor

C) maintain resistance contacts in clean condition

D) insulate the operating handle

Two AC generators of the same capacity are operating in parallel. One with a zero speed droop setting
and the other with a 5% speed droop. If its capacity is not exceeded, what will be the characteristic of
the unit whose governor has the zero speed droop setting?

A) it will maintain the frequency of the system

B) it will have poor sensitivity characteristics

C) it will have poor power response

D) it will assume the smaller share of the load

In what applications are germanium semiconductor diodes commonly used?

A) potentiometers

B) rectifiers

C) power sources

D) photocells

Relative to the number of turns of a secondary winding of a step-up transformer, what will be the
number of turns of a primary winding?

A) the primary winding will have fewer turns than the secondary winding

B) the primary winding will have the same number of turns but smaller wires than the secondary
winding

C) the primary winding will have twice as many turns as the secondary winding

D) the primary winding will have more turns than the secondary winding

Why are external shunts sometimes used with ammeters?

A) to increase meter sensitivity

B) to permit shunts with larger resistances to be utilized

C) to prevent damage to the meter movement from heat generated by the internal shunt

D) to reduce reactive power factor error

What will happen to the total circuit resistance when additional parallel circuits are added to a circuit?

A) it will increase, causing a decrease in the line voltage

B) it will decrease, causing an increase in the line voltage

C) it will increase, causing a drop in the total load current

D) it will decrease, causing an increase in the total load current

Which of the following statements is true concerning the cleaning of electrical contacts?

A) Magnetic brushes should be used to remove metallic dust.

B) The contact surfaces should be greased to increase contact resistance.

C) Compressed air should be used to blow out metallic dust.

D) Delicate parts should be cleaned with a brush and an approved safety solvent.

What is a bus disconnect link used to isolate?

A) positive and negative buses from the neutral

B) one bus bar from the ground detection system

C) the generator circuit breaker from the bus

D) different bus phases from the equalizer connection

When a megohmmeter is used to test insulation, what condition causes the gradual rise of the pointer
reading as a result of continued cranking?

A) the dielectric-absorption effect of the insulation

B) good conductor resistance

C) the inductive reactance of the windings

D) the leakage of current along the surface of dirty insulation

What is the operating function of a cycloconverter (CCV) as a static power converter used in electric
propulsion motor drives?

A) provides adjustable frequency to power an ac propulsion drive motor

B) provides constant frequency output power to an ac propulsion drive motor

C) converts dc power to ac power in an ac propulsion motor

D) converts ac power to dc power in a dc propulsion drive system

How may propulsion DC motor brush pressures be calculated?

A) dividing the spring force by the brush contact area

B) subtracting the brush contact area from the spring pressure

C) dividing the brush contact area by the spring pressure

D) subtracting the spring pressure from the brush contact area

When the operating handle of a molded-case circuit breaker is in the mid-position, what is the indication
for the position of the circuit breaker?

A) in the 'tripped' position

B) in the 'closed' position

C) in the 'opened' position

D) in the 'reset' position

What are the characteristics of the field winding of a shunt wound motor?

A) The shunt-field coils are wound with many turns of very fine wire.

B) The shunt-field coils are wound with only a few turns of very fine wire.

C) The shunt-field coils are wound with only a few turns of very heavy wire.

D) The shunt-field coils are wound with many turns of very heavy wire.

AC circuits can possess characteristics of resistance, inductance, and capacitance. In terms of units of
measure, how is the capacitive reactance of the circuit expressed?

A) mhos

B) henrys

C) ohms

D) farads

What may cause brush sparking in a DC generator during commutation?

A) eddy currents in the armature core

B) excessive brush pressure

C) misalignment of the brush rigging

D) hysteresis in the armature core

Why are motor controllers seldom troubled by grounds?

A) contactors and relays are mounted on non-conducting panels

B) shock mounts on controller panels greatly reduce vibration

C) special insulation is used on wire for vital circuits

D) cabinet heaters always keep internal components dry

A lightly loaded three-phase squirrel-cage induction motor, while running, begins to vibrate excessively
but continues to run. After shutting down the motor, the motor will not restart, but makes growling
noises, overheats, and smokes. What caused this?

A) The motor tripped-out on under load.

B) The branch circuit breaker tripped open.

C) The source voltage or frequency was too low.

D) One of the lines feeding the motor has an open phase, resulting in single-phasing.

Which statement is true concerning a split-phase induction motor?

A) Motor speed can be readily adjusted from zero to full speed.

B) Motor rotation can be reversed by reversing the leads on the starting winding.

C) Motor rotation can be reversed without changing the windings or leads.

D) The motor will run as a generator with the proper wiring.

Which of the following devices would be forbidden to use as a primary means of electrical isolation?

A) circuit breaker

B) fused disconnect switch

C) non-fused disconnect switch

D) start/stop pushbutton station

What damage may occur to the components of a winch master control switch, if the cover gasket
becomes deteriorated?

A) Rapid corrosion of switch components.

B) Contamination of lube oil.

C) Sparking at the winch motor brushes.

D) Overheating of the winch motor.

n a three-phase, squirrel-cage type, and induction motor, how is the primary rotating magnetic field
established?

A) laminated steel core and aluminum conductors in the rotor

B) current induced in the rotor windings

C) interaction of the magnetic field caused by the induced current in the squirrel-cage bars with the
magnetic field of the stator

D) application of a three-phase voltage supply to the stator winding

What statement is true concerning the use of commutating poles (also known as interpoles) in DC
generators?

A) These large poles are placed in the magnetic neutral plane between the main field poles and are
designed to eliminate or reduce sparking caused by inductance of the field coils.

B) These windings are wound on the main field poles and are designed to eliminate or reduce sparking
caused by inductance of the field coils.

C) These windings are wound on the main field poles and are designed to eliminate or reduce sparking
caused by inductance of the armature coils.

D) These narrow poles are placed in the magnetic neutral plane between the main field poles and are
designed to eliminate or reduce sparking caused by inductance of the armature coils.

When the operating handle of a molded-case circuit breaker is in the mid-position, what does this
indicate?

A) the circuit breaker is switched off

B) the circuit breaker is switched on

C) the circuit breaker has been reset

D) the circuit breaker has tripped

The counter EMF of a DC motor is maximum when the __________.

A) armature is not turning

B) motor is almost up to rated speed

C) armature has just begun to turn

D) motor is at rated speed

According to CFR, Subchapter J (Electrical Engineering), which of the following statements is true
concerning flexible electric cord and cable used aboard ship?

A) No. 12 AWG cable or cord may be spliced for repairs if made in compliance with CFR 111.60- 19.

B) No. 14 AWG cable or cord may be spliced for repairs if made in compliance with CFR 111.60- 19.

C) No. 16 AWG cable or cord may be spliced for repairs if made in compliance with CFR 111.60- 19.

D) No. 18 AWG cable or cord may be spliced for repairs if made in compliance with CFR 111.60- 19.

Under what circumstance would a hand-held portable phase sequence indicator be used should the
main switchboard mounted fixed phase sequence indicator be inoperative?

A) paralleling alternators

B) installing a new synchroscope

C) replacing a defective solenoid

D) preparing to make the shore power connection

Which of the following statements is true concerning all rotating-field three-phase alternators?

A) Each has three separate but identical, interconnected stator windings (one for each phase) acted on
by three separate but identical, interconnected systems of rotating magnets (one for each phase).

B) Each has one stator winding acted on by three separate but identical, interconnected systems of
rotating magnets (one for each phase).

C) Each has three separate but identical, interconnected stator windings (one for each phase) acted on
by one system of rotating magnets.
D) Each has one stator winding acted on by one system of rotating magnets.

What type of local area network physical topology features point-to-point interconnection between all
communicating devices and is the least vulnerable to a break in communication?

A) Mesh

B) Star

C) Bus

D) Ring

Some shipboard high voltage systems have the neutral point of the generators bonded to the ship's hull
with a neutral grounding resistor. What is the purpose of this resistor?

A) To completely eliminate ground fault current

B) To maximize the magnitude of the ground fault current

C) To prevent nuisance ground fault trips

D) To minimize the magnitude of the ground fault current

By what means does a molded-case breaker provide protection against short circuits?

A) use of a shading coil

B) use of a thermal trip unit

C) use of an arc quencher

D) use of a magnetic trip unit

The root mean square (RMS) value of a sine-wave current may also be expressed as what value?

A) instantaneous value

B) effective value

C) maximum value

D) average value

How are power transformers rated?

A) kilowatt-volts

B) kilowatts-amps

C) kilovolt amperes

D) ampere-turns

In accordance with 46 CFR, Subchapter J (Electrical Engineering), each diesel engine driven generator
prime mover must have an over speed device, independent of the normal operating governor. If in
testing the over speed device, what should be the trip point setting in terms of rated speed?

A) not to exceed 10% above rated speed

B) not to exceed 15% above rated speed

C) not to exceed 20% above rated speed

D) not to exceed 25% above rated speed

The current at which a magnetic-type overload relay tends to trip may be decreased by raising the
plunger further into the magnetic circuit of the relay. What effect does this action have?

A) increases magnetic pull on the plunger and requires more current to trip the relay

B) reduces magnetic pull on the plunger and requires less current to trip the relay

C) increases magnetic pull on the plunger and requires less current to trip the relay

D) reduces magnetic pull on the plunger and requires more current to trip the relay

Under what circumstance would a hand-held portable phase sequence indicator be used should the
main switchboard mounted fixed phase sequence indicator be inoperative?

A) installing a new synchroscope

B) paralleling alternators

C) replacing a defective solenoid

D) preparing to make the shore power connection

In performing routine maintenance of a ship's service alternator, what should be included?

A) lubricating exciter slip rings

B) megger testing of all rectifying diodes

C) changing the pedestal bearing insulation yearly

D) periodic cleaning of the air filters or screens

Which of the following statements is true concerning the cleaning of electrical contacts?

A) Magnetic brushes should be used to remove metallic dust.

B) The contact surfaces should be greased to increase contact resistance.

C) Compressed air should be used to blow out metallic dust.

D) Delicate parts should be cleaned with a brush and an approved safety solvent.

What would be the total capacitance of the circuit illustrated in figure "A" if the value of capacitor C1
was 100 microfarads and capacitor C2 was 50 microfarads? Illustration EL-0038

A) 150 microfarads

B) 2500 microfarads

C) 75 microfarads

D) 5000 microfarads

By what means is protection against sustained overloads occurring in molded-case circuit breakers
provided?

A) a magnetic trip unit

B) a thermal trip unit

C) a reverse current relay

D) an overvoltage release
What Ethernet cabling technology supports the greatest data transfer speeds?

A) Gigabit Ethernet

B) Fast Ethernet

C) Thick Ethernet

D) Thin Ethernet

When using a thermal imager for the purpose of conducting a thermo graphic analysis of equipment,
what form of energy produces the thermal signature radiating from the object surface?

A) Visible light energy.

B) Infrared energy.

C) X-ray energy.

D) Ultraviolet energy

How are AC and DC generators are similar?

A) They both internally produce three-phase power.

B) They both rectify the current before delivery.

C) They are both constructed at the same physical size for the same kilowatt rating

D) They both internally generate alternating current voltages.

When completing repairs on a high voltage circuit where portable grounding straps were used for
increased operator safety and confidence, what is the proper procedure for disconnecting these
grounding straps?

A) Disconnect the common connection to hull ground first, then disconnect the phase connections to
common.

B) The common to hull ground and the phase connections to common should all be disconnected
simultaneously.

C) Disconnect the phase connections to common first, then disconnect the common connection to hull
ground.

D) The common to hull ground connection and the phase connections to common can all be
disconnected in any
If a digital multimeter is set up as shown in figures "A" and "B" to test a silicon diode, what is the status
of the diode if the screen displays 0.70 V when configured as in figure "A" and displays OL V when
configured as in figure "B"? Illustration EL-0212

A) diode is open

B) diode is intermittently open

C) diode is shorted

D) diode is operating properly

The timer element of a reverse power relay cannot be energized unless what condition is met?

A) the power flow is the same as the tripping direction

B) the movement of the disk is damped by a permanent magnet

C) the power flow is the opposite to the tripping direction

D) one generator is fully motorized

Due to the operating characteristics of the system, time lag fuses (or dual-element fuses) are necessary
for use in what types of circuits?

A) emergency lighting circuits

B) main lighting circuits

C) motor starting circuit

D) general alarm circuits