`1).What is direct current.

An electric current which flows in only one direction and virtually free of pulsations
nor changes n value is called direct current..
2 )What is alternating current?
An electric current which alternately increases and deceases in a periodic manner .
The frequency of the alternating cycle is independent of the circuit constants.
3)What is meant by phase in A.C.
The voltage produced by an alternator having more than one armature winding It
produces as many independent voltages as the number of windings or phase. The
winding are displaced from one another by an equal angles the value of the angles
being determined by the number of phases or windings.

4 )Is there phases in DC.

NO.
5 ) Why DC is not in much use now?
Dc generator or motor requires moe maintenance as they have commutator and
carbon brushes. Electrical connections have to be given for both stator and the rotor.
High amperage transmission in DC incur much line drop and power loss . But in Ac
voltage can be stepped up with an corresponding decease in current with a
transformer and then at the place of consumption it can be again stepped down to
low voltage and high current , thus the line drop and power loss is minimized.
Transformer cannot \e used on DC.
6) .Where are you likely to see it (DC)
a) Where ever the speed of the motor has to be controlled finely. ( Ward Leonard
arrangement of a all electric steering gear on board a ship).
b) Electro plating anodizing and Aluminum extraction from its ore.
c) In all electronic circuits
d) Battery supplies for emergency and other application on board ships
7. What does three phase mean?
Three coils are arranged at 120 degrees to each other in the stator of an alternator
.producing three independent voltages. Each Varying 120 electrical degrees from
each other. This is the most common of ac system distribution.
8)What is RMS value?
It is the root mean square value of the ac voltage or current. It is 0.707 of AC peak
value.. It can also be said to be the numerically equal value of DC current which will
produce same amount of heat if passed through a particular resistor.
9. What is the meaning of power factor?
a) It is the ratio between true power and apparent power. KW/KVA
b) It is the ratio between resistance and Impedance of a circuit in which ac flows.
R/Z
c) It is the cosine value of the angle by which the current lags or leads the voltage..
d) it is also the ratio between the active component of the current in the circuit and
the actual current
10) How it is measured?
It can be measured by a) using an ammeter Voltmeter and a wattmeter. W/VA.
b) connecting a power factor meter.
11) How can it be improved?
Power factor can be improved by Connecting and running a synchronous motor with
its field over excited, Or by connecting a capacitor in parallel with the inductive
load.
12) What is the meaning of saying I and V are in phase.
In an ac circuit current and voltage ae said to be on phase if there is only purely
resistive load or when the circuit is in resonance.
13) In AC circuit when this will happen?
When the circuit consists only resistive load or when the circuit is in resonance.
14) What is its significance?
Hen the circuit is in series resonance its impedance is equal to resistance that is Xl
=Xc or Xl –Xc is zero. The circuit drawing highest possible current being V/ R.
15) Where does power go ?
Reactive power is the vertical component of true power It is responsible for no
power and is called wattless component of power. Or idle component . It is at right
angle with true power or it can be said to be in quadrature with true power
16)What is form factor ?
It is the ratio between Rms value and average value of an ac voltage or current. It is
sinusoidal wave form.
17) What is semiconductor?
The resistivity of a semiconductor material is between that OF A good conductor
and a bad conductor. In its intrinsic state it is of no use electrically. The atoms. of a
semiconductor material has exactly four electrons in their valence band. Eg., silicon
,germanium tellurium etc.,

18) What is doping?

When the quadravalent semiconductor material is doped with and trivalent impurity
such as indium or aluminum it becomes a P type material with “holes “ as majority
carriers and when doped with Pentavalent material like antimony oer arsenic it
becomes a “N” type material. His is called doping..
19) What happens to insulator when the temperature rises?
The resistance of an insulator lowers if the temperature irises because it has negative
temperature –resistance coefficient.
20) What happens to the resistance of a conductor when temperature rises?
The resistance of a conductor rises with increase in temperature sice it has positive
temperature- resistance coefficient.
21) What insulation is used in a motor winding?
Depending on the type of insulation required the insulation will vary from cotton
,fibre, paper , PVC, to mica.
22) What is an induction Motor?
An induction motor is an ac motor which works on the principle of induction..
23)What is a synchronous motor?
It is an ac motor, which runs at constant speed from no load to full load. It requires
ac supply for its stator (armature winding) and DC for its rotor( field windings)It is
inherently non self starting
 24) W hat is an asynchronous motor?
An induction motor is called as asynchronous motor...
25) What is an synchronous generator?
An AC alternator is called a synchronous generator since it is is constructionally
similar to syn.. motor
26 ) Where it is used?
It is used wherever alternating current has to be generated.
27 Why synchronous motors are not used for auxiliary purposes?
1. Synchronous motors needs both ac and dc supplies for running
2. They are not self starting.
3. The Load on the motor cannot be changed while it is running . “Hunting”
will happen if the load is changed and the motor will become unstable
28) Why does a synchronous motor need a starting method?
The syn. Motor is inherently nonselfstarting..The rotor is upplied with DC and it
cannot rotate due to fluctuating magnetism of the stator.
29 ) what is slip?
In an induction motor the difference between the synchronous speed and the actual
speed of the rotor is called slip It will be usually 4 to 6 %.
30 ) What is synchronous speed?
Synchronous speed is the speed at which the rotating magnetic flux is rotating in a
three phase motor. It is 120 f/p. where f is the frequency of supply and p is the
number of poles the machine is wound..
31 ) How do you use a multi meter?
To read resistance value: Set the meter to Resistance range Prove the meter. Set to
highest range and apply probes to the terminals to measure if the deflection is small,
change the range to lower value until readable deflection .
To read voltage : Se the meter to appropriate range and ac or dc and apply probes to
terminals of the source. The meter is connected parallel to load .
To read current Set the meter to appropriate range ac or dc and connect meter in
series with the load . This procedure is common to both analogue or digital meters
unless the digital meter is auto ranging.
32 )What is AVO meter?
A meter which can read Amperes Voltage and Ohms is called AVO meter .
33 ) How do you check continuity?
Use a Multimeter set to lowest resistance range and apply the probes to the ends to
be tested for continuity. If there is no break a reading will be indicated You can use
a Megger also for the purpose ..
34) How do you change the range of the multimeter?
Depending on the meter design either by changing rotary switch to appropriate
range or inserting the probes at appropriate terminal holes. The range can be changed
35 ) How the insulation is classified?
Insulation is classified according to the limits o maximum temperature it can
withstand without puncturing . and their flammability.
36) How cables are classified ?
Cables are classified according to the cross sectional area of the conductor ,
insulation and armour.used if any.
37 ) What limits the electrical load?
It is the maximum temperature that the insulation used, can withstand without
failure and the dissipating area for the heat developed due to passage of current,
limits the electrical load.
38 ) What is the voltage use in Meggar?
Usually 500 volts DC is used in meggars
39 ) can we use a multimeter for insulation testing?
No multi meter cannot be used..
40 ) How does current flow during welding ?
Current flows from the tip of the electrode through the arc gap to the earthed job.
And thus complete the circuit.
41) What do we use for welding on ships Ac or DC?
Mostly AC .
42 ) What is the voltage?
About 40 volts.
43 ) What is the voltage used for ignition in boilers and incinerators etc? Why
is the difference?
For ignition in boilers etc the voltage will about 10kv. ,bcos the spark has ignite the
gas, which is a nonconductor, whereas, in welding the current should pass through
the electrode air gap and the metal job to earth and thus produce heat to melt the
metal. Hence low voltage is enough to send the current.
44 ) Does the current flow through the hull during welding?
Yes Current flows through the hull during welding .
45 ) If so why you don’t get a shock?
. The cross section of the hull being very large, its resistance is very low and the
current It takes the if path of the least resistance
46 ) What is the safe voltage to prevent shock?
Voltages of about 60 volts and below are regarded as reasonably safe.
47) What is the meaning of earthing in a ship?
Normally neutral is not earthed in cargo ships. But in tankers where high voltage is
used for motors the neutral is earthed through a neutral earthing resistor. This is to
limit the earth fault current . This is intentional. But if the current carrying part
comes into contact with the hull due to failure of insulation or breakage it is said to
an earth fault.
48) What is the meaning of star wound or delta wound?
In three phase equipment if the similar ends of the three windings are connected
together it is called star wound If the dissimilar ends are connected it is delta wound.
49) Is the ship’s alternator star wound or delta wound?
Normally it is star wound on board ships.
50) What is the meaning of ACB, MCCB and NFB?
Air circuit breaker , Moulded case circuit breaker ,
51) What is the meaning of overload?
A load which is in excess of the rated capacity of the unit or device..
52) What is the meaning of short circuit?
A fault condition where a low voltage connection occurs between two points in a
circuit and a large current flow occurs is called short circuit.
53) How is the protection provided for OL and SC?
Over load protection is provided by a thermal bimetallic strips and Short circuit
protection is provided by a magnetic solenoid
54) What is th function of a fuse?
A device which protects circuits from over current. It cam also be said as the weakest
link in an electrical circuit.
55) Do you find fuses nowadays in motor/cable protection?
Yes Back up fuses are always provided with motor DOL starters.
56) What is the normal setting of overload relays?
The thermal OCR should be set at the full load current of the motor .This will ensure
that the tripping will not occur within 2 hours at 105%FlC.
57)How does a thermal over load relay work?
It works by the action of current passing through a bimetallic strip forming part of a
moving contact in breaking the circuit.
58) What is single phasing?
Failure of one of the phases in a three phase supply while the motor is running is
called single phasing.
59) How does it happen?
One of the three phase connections getting disconnected when one of the three fuses
blows or if the contactor circuits open circuited...
60) What is the harm caused by this?
The effect of single phasing is to increase the current in the remaining lines and
cause the motor to become very noisy due to uneven torque produced.
61) What protection is provided against this?
A single phasing preventer is provided along with the starter.
62) What are the conditions for synchronizing an alternator?
a) voltage of the incoming alternator must be same as thet of busbar
b) The frequeny of the incoming supply shall be same as that of the busbars.
c)The emf of the incoming machine must be in phase with the busbar voltage.
d)The phase sequence of the incoming machine must be similar to that of the busbars
and the switching arrange meant must be such that ,like phases of the machine and
busbars are connected when the paralleling operation is complete..
63) Why it is necessary that the incoming machine frequency must be more than the
busbar ?
When load is thrown in thec machine is likely to slow down and thus bringing down
the frequency . The alternator will be pulled into synchronism.
64) What is the dark lamp and the bright lamp method for synchronizing?How
the connection is made?
To assist in synchronizing external lamps can be fitted to the synchroscope.The
circuits for Lamps bright and an alternative lamps dark are made . In the bright lamp
method the three lamps ill become bright simultaneously when the two voltages are
in phase and in dark lamp method they will become dark when he voltages are in
phase..In lamps bright method a one to one ratio transformer is arranged so that the
secondarycan be connected with reversed polarity in series with the secondary of the
transformer connected to the running generator.Thus when two supplies are in
synchronism double normal voltage is imposed on the lamps.
65) Apart from renewing the bearings is there any other reason for opening up
motors for maintenance?
For ac three phase cage rotor induction motor there is no necessity to open for
reason other than changing the bearings.
66) What is the meaning of reverse current protection used in DC generators?
Failure of generation of voltage , due to failure of primemover or loss of field
connection the generator will start drawing power from the busbars and thus star
“motoring”. This will cause over load and the breaker may trip resulting in a
Blackout. To prevent this a Reverse current relay is fitted to the generator which will
“TRIP” the circuit breaker,. isolating the generator
.67) Why a reverse power relay is used instead of reverse current in
alternator?
Reverse power relay works on the principle of induction ( just like household kwh
mater ) when the direction of power changes the rotation of the aluminium disc is
reversed and this will initiate a trip contact to energize the tripping relay. This
principle cannot be used in DC . Similarly In reverse current protection the direction
of flow of current changes the polarit of the electromagnet and thus effecting a
tripling signal This change in polrity cannot be achieved in AC.
68) How does reverse power flow in an alternator running in parallel?
Failure of prime mover due to fuel blockage , or open circuiting of field windings
may cause the alternator to draw power instead of supplying , This condition is
called motoring and will cause over loading and tripping the circuit breaker and
consequent blackout..
69) What is the meaning of excitation?
Excitation is providing necessary flux in the field windings by supplying DC
voltage.
70)Is the field current in alternator is AC or DC?
The field current is DC.
71) How it is supplied?
A main ac exciter is mounted on the same shaft as the alternator (wit its field
indings in the stator and armature in the rotor) supplies DC through a rotating diode
bridge to the main alternator. The main alternator has its field winding in the rotor
and the armature in the stator..
72) What is the difference between emf and voltage in generators and
alternators?
Emf is te voltage generated in the armature and voltage is that voltage which is
available at the terminals
73) Why does an electrical motor rotate?
It is the reaction between the flux un the field coils and the flux surrounding the
armature conductors due to current flowing in them makes it rotate. Itfollows
Fleming’sleft hand rule.
74). What is the relation between torque and current?
Torque is directly proportional to armature current and flux.
75) What determines starting current ia a SCIM?
It is presumed that SCIM means Squirrel Cage induction Motor. The starting current
determined by the rotor resistance .at the beginning since back emf is zero. when
motor is at rest.
76) Why is an air compressor started unloaded?

77) How is the speed of a 3 phase induction motor is varied?

. The speed of the induction motor can be changed., by pole changing method.
78) How is the direction of rotation varied?
By interchanging the connection of any two of the phases.
79) How is the speed of Dc motor varied?
By varying flux ..
80) How is the direction varied?
By changing the connection of either the field coils or the armature..
81) What is a diode?
A diode is device which can pass current in one direction only
82) What is a zener diode?
A zener diode is a specially doped semiconductor diode that will not fail on
application of reverse bias voltage exceeding avalanche .I can be designed to a
particular voltage application.
83) What is a thyristor? What is an SCR?
A thyristor is a four-layered three terminal semiconductor device. Anode cathode
and gate. On application of a positive pulse at the gate only, current can pass from
anode to cathode. By varying the pulse at the gate current / voltage can be controlled.
It is called as Silicon controlled rectifier.
84) How does a tube light work?
A tube light works on vacuum discharge . principle.
85) What is the function of a starter?
Starter breaks the circuit momentarily so that a high voltage is induced in the choke
.
86) What is the function of choke?
The choke is an induction coil which produces a high voltage when current is
interrupted momentarily .
87) Why it is called a choke?
When arc is struck and maintained in the tube The current drawn will be veryhig as
the resistance of the path islow. The induction coil (choke) now restricts the current .
It actually chokes the current flow when the tube is working..
88) What is capacitance?
The property of a capacitor is called capacitance.
89) Does current flow through a capacitor?
Current (DC) flows through the capacitor through until it is fully charged and then
ceases, in AC circuits Current flow leads the voltage.
90) What is a neutral?
 In Ac three phase connection the star point is brought out as Neutral ..
91) How is the capacitance measured?
Capacitance is measured in Farads.(Usually in Micro farads or Pico farad as a farad
large unit

92) What is neutral?

In three phase star connected ac circuits the star point is brought out as neutral.
93) What is the difference between neutral and earth?
In shore based applications the neutral is earthed but in on board application
especially cargo ships where the voltage does not exceed 500v the neutral is
insulated from the earth (hull ) In unbalanced Three phase circuits neutral carries the
phasor sum of the currents..
94) What is a synchronous condenser?
A synchronous motor use solely o improve the power factor is called synchronous
condenser.
95) Where and why it is used?
It is use din installation where the power factor is lagging . and needs improvement.
96) If a motor is wound to star and you want to change to delta what should you
do ?
Connect the motor through a star delta starter. If u want only to run. If nedded
permanently connected to delta bring out all the six terminals identify correctly and
connect the dissimilar ends of the three coils..
97)What is armature reaction?
In a DC motor when current pases through the armature conductors,A magnetic field
is set up. This field neutralize and distorts the main field flux This is called armature
reaction
98) What is an AVR?
An AVR is automatic voltage regulator which regulates the out put voltage of a
marine generator.
99)Where it is fitted?
It is usually fitted in the main switch board..
100) What does it do?
It senses the out put voltage of the generator compares it with the preset voltage and
increases the voltage if it is less by strengthening the field or reduces by weakening
the field.