1. What is a transformer?

A transformer is a static device which can transfer power from one circuit to
another at same frequency.

2. How does a transformer work?

Transformer consists of two coils. If one coil is connected with ac voltage

source then it will produce alternating flux in the core. Most of the flux is
linked with second coil hence mutually induced emf will produce in the
second coil as per faraday's law of electromagnetic induction.

3. Can dc be applied to transformers ?

No

Transformer works on Faraday's law of Electromagnetic Induction for which

current in coil must change. If DC is applied current will not change and
transformer will not work.

Practically winding resistance is very small. For DC ,inductive reactance is

zero and frequency is zero. Therefore impedance is low. Thus winding
draws more current which may damage the winding.

4. What is the EMF equation of transformer?

5. What are the various types of transformers?

Based on supply

1. Single phase transformer

2. Three phase transformer

Based on winding

1. Auto transformer (single winding)

2. Two winding transformer
3. Three winding transformer
4. Six winding transformer

Based on construction
 1. Core Type transformer
2. Shell Type transformer

Based on the service

1. Distribution transformer
2. Power transformer

Based on measurement

1. Current transformer
2. potential transformer

Based on cooling

1. Dry type Transformer

2. Oil immersed type transformer

Based on function

1. Step up transformer
2. Step down transformer
3. Isolation transformer

6. What is the difference between core type and shell type transformer?
7. What is Auto-transformer?

In these transformer only one winding is used as primary and secondary.

Also, primary and secondary are conductively coupled.

8. Where is core type and shell type construction suitable for a

transformer?

Core type transformers are popular in High voltage applications like

Distribution transformers, Power transformers, and obviously auto
transformers. Whereas, Shell type transformers are popular in Low voltage
applications like transformers used in electronic circuits and power
electronic converters etc

9. What are current transformer?

 They are protective devices used to measure very high value of current in
power system. The Current Transformer ( C.T. ), is a type of “instrument
transformer” that is designed to produce an alternating current in its
secondary winding which is proportional to the current being measured in its
primary.

10. What are potential transformer?

They are protective devices used to measure very high value of voltage in
power system.

11. Why Stepped cores (cruciform core) are used?

To reduce the space effectively.

To obtain reduced length of mean turn of the windings. (To save copper)

To reduce I² R loss.

12. What are the losses in transformer?

13. What are the properties of ideal transformer?

There should be no losses

The winding should have zero resistance

The leakage flux should be zero

The permeability of core should be so high that the negligible current is

required to establish the flux in it.

14. Why is an ammeter always connected in series and a voltmeter always

in parallel in a circuit?

An ammeter is a LOW RESISTANCE device and is connected in series so

as the whole circuit current flows through it for an accurate measurement.
Since the ammeter is a low impedance device, connecting it in parallel with
the circuit would cause a short circuit, damaging the ammeter and/or the
circuit.
 A voltmeter is a HIGH RESISTANCE device and it is used to measure the
potential difference “Between Two Points”. If voltage is connected in series
then due to high resistance no current will flow through circuit so no voltage
drop occur. Voltage in same line is zero. It indicates zero.

15. What are the functions of no-load current in a transformer ?

No-load current produces flux and supplies iron loss and copper loss on no-
load.

16. What is the condition for zero voltage regulation?

Negative sign indicates zero voltage regulation. It occurs when load is

capacitive and power factor is leading.

17. What is the condition for maximum voltage regulation?

It occurs when load is inductive and power factor is lagging.

18. What is eddy current loss in transformer?

In transformer, we supply alternating current in the primary, this alternating

current produces alternating magnetizing flux in the core and as this flux
links with secondary winding, there will be induced voltage in secondary,
resulting current to flow through the load connected with it. Some of the
alternating fluxes of transformer; may also link with other conducting parts
like steel core or iron body of transformer etc. As alternating flux links with
these parts of transformer, there would be a locally induced emf. Due to
these emfs, there would be currents which will circulate locally at that parts
of the transformer. These circulating current will not contribute in output of
the transformer and dissipated as heat. This type of energy loss is called
eddy current loss of transformer.

19. How to minimize eddy current loss?

By using less thickness of laminations

By using less value of Magnetic flux density

20. What is hysteresis loss in transformer?

 The magneto motive force or mmf applied in the transformer core is
alternating. For every cycle due to this domain reversal, there will be extra
work done. For this reason, there will be a consumption of electrical energy
which is known as Hysteresis loss of transformer.

21. How to minimize hysteresis loss?

By using good magnetic material.

By using less value of Magnetic flux density.

22. Why are iron losses considered as constant losses in transformer?

Iron losses depend on supply frequency and flux density in the core. For all
normal operations, the frequency of flux reversals which is same as supply
frequency is constant and the value of flux density more or less remains
constant. Hence iron losses remain constant under all load conditions. i-e
from no-load to full-load.

23. Why transformers are rated in kVA ?

Copper loss of a transformer depends on current and iron loss on voltage .

Hence total losses depends on Volt- Ampere and not on the power factor.
That is why the rating of transformers are in kVA and not in kW.

24. What is the condition for maximum efficiency of transformer?

When Iron losses is equal to copper losses.

25. Define all day efficiency of a transformer?

It is computed on the basis of energy consumed during a certain period,

usually a day of 24 hrs. All day efficiency=output in kWh/input in kWh for
24 hrs.

26. What Are The Necessary Tests To Determine The Efficiency, Voltage
Regulation, And Temperature Rise Of Winding & Insulation Of
Transformer?

Direct loading test

Open circuit test

 Short circuit test

Sumpner's or back to back test

27. What is determined from open circuit test?

Iron loss.

28. Why OC test is generally performed on LV side of a transformer?

The high-voltage side is generally kept open because the current in high-
voltage winding is less compared to that on low-voltage winding.The LV
side has higher current so that maximum no load current can be measured.

29. Why SC test is generally performed on HV side of a transformer?

The rated current is less on HV side. This will also permit to use ammeter
and wattmeter of lower current range.

30. Why the open circuit test on a transformer is conducted at rated

voltage?

The open circuit on a transformer is conducted at a rated voltage because

core loss depends upon the voltage. This open circuit test gives only core
loss or iron loss of the transformer.

31. What is determined from short circuit test?

Copper loss.

32. What is determined from sumpner's test?

Efficiency as well as temperature rise of winding.

33. What is the need for parallel operation of transformer?

Non availability of single large transformer to meet the load

Increased power demand

To improve reliability
 If many smaller transformer is used one can be used as spare

Transportation problem for Large transformer.

34. What are the conditions for parallel operation of transformer?

Equal polarity

Equal turn ratio

percentage impedance should be same

Equal X/R ratio

Equal KVA rating

Equal phase sequence.

35. What will happen if transformer in parallel connection have opposite

polarity?

Connecting transformers with wrong polarity can result in circulating

currents or short circuits.

36. What will happen if transformer in parallel connection have different

voltage ratio?

Two transformers in Parallel should have the same primary and secondary
voltage ratings. Any error in the voltage ratio would cause heavy circulating
currents to flow between the transformers. This circulating current will result
in a corresponding imbalance in the primary currents, and result in
overloading of one transformer. This circulating current will result in
increased copper losses.

37. What will happen if transformer in parallel connection have different

percentage impedance or x/r ratio ?

A difference in the ratio of the reactance value to resistance value of the per
unit impedance results in a different phase angle of the currents carried by
the two paralleled transformers; one transformer will be working with a
higher power factor and the other with a lower power factor than that of the
 combined output. Hence, the real power will not be proportionally shared by
the transformers.

38. What will happen if transformer in parallel connection have different

phase sequence ?

If the phase sequence is in an incorrect manner, in every cycle each pair of

phases will get short-circuited.

39. What are the vector groups of transformer?

The vector group indicates the phase difference between the primary and
secondary sides, introduced due to that particular configuration of
transformer windings connection. The Determination of vector group of
transformers is very important before connecting two or more
transformers in parallel.

First Symbol: for High Voltage winding Always capital letters (D=Delta,
S=Star)

Second Symbol: for Low voltage: Always Small letters (d=Delta, s=Star)

Third Symbol: Phase displacement expressed as the clock hour number (0,
1, 6, and 11)

40. What are the typical uses of auto transformer?

As a booster to compensate the voltage drop for better regulation

As induction motor starters.

In locomotive

As furnace transformer

41. List the merits of an autotransformer?

Require less conductor material

low cost

low size
 high VA rating

high efficiency

Better voltage regulation

small amount of no load current

42. What are the advantages of three single phase transformer over three
phase transformer?

Continuity of supply

Less Installation of cost

Easy transportation

Stand by function

Unbalanced load supply

43. What are the advantages of three phase transformer over three single
phase transformer?

Saving in iron material

Small size

Less transformer oil

Economical

Higher efficiency

44. Why Silica Gel Is Used In Breather?

The silica gel is used to absorb the moisture when the air is drawn from the
atmosphere in to the transformer.

45. What is the application of equivalent circuit of a single phase

transformer?
The equivalent circuit is the electrical model of the transformer. Once the
 equivalent circuit parameters are obtained, then the regulation & efficiency
of the transformer at any power factor and load conditions can be obtained
without actually loading the transformer.

46. What will happen if DC series and shunt motor are connected across
AC supply?
In case of Series connection of armature winding and field winding, it will
run but torque magnitude pulses at twice the line frequency.

In case of parallel field connection, it won’t rotate at all and will start
humming and will create vibrations, as a torque produced by positive and
negative cycle will cancel out each other. DC motor will be heated up and it
may burn.

47. Which part will surely tell that given motor is DC motor and not an AC
type?
Commutator
Explanation: All other parts except brushes and commutator are same in AC
machine when outer looks are only taken in consideration. Commutator is
used only in DC machine for providing mechanical rectification and not in
AC machine.

48. Direction of rotation of motor is determined by ____________

Answer: Fleming’s left-hand rule
Explanation: Flemings laws can be summarized as whenever, a current
carrying conductor comes under a magnetic field, there will be a force acting
on the conductor and on the other hand, if a conductor is forcefully brought
under a magnetic field, there will be an induced current in that conductor.

49. Which power is mentioned on a name plate of a motor?

Answer: Output power available at the shaft
Explanation: Name plate of the motor shows rated values i.e. rated speed,
rated current, rated voltage. It also shows output power available at shaft
when all other quantities are set to rated values.

50. In which of the following case we will get maximum power?

a) Ea = 2 x supply voltage
b) Ea = supply voltage
 c) Supply voltage = 2 x Ea
d) supply voltage = 4 x Ea
Answer: c
Explanation: For a motor, from power equation it is known that,

51. Why do we use starter for dc machine?

At the time of starting, no back emf is offered by the dc machine, hence

huge starting currents flow in to the machine which damage the armature, in
order to avoid the damage starter is employed. By using starter armature
current is limited during starting the machine by providing external
resistance and while starting this external resistance is removed in steps

52. What are the different losses in dc machine?

Armature and field copper loss

Iron and magnetic losses (hysteresis and eddy current loss)

Mechanical losses

Stray-load losses
53. In the event of starting, the starting rheostat is kept at maximum and
field rheostat at minimum. Give reason?
When you keep rheostat at minimum position the external resistance added
to the field winding is zero. Which means the field winding is excited with
its rated current. Therefore the field flux is max and the motor rotates at
rated speed. if you change the field current by increasing the field winding
resistance the field flux would reduce and the speed of the motor will
increase than the rated speed.

54. What are the methods of electrical braking used in dc motors?

a.Regenerative Braking
It is a form of braking in which the kinetic energy of the motor is returned to
the power supply system. This type of braking is possible when the driven
load forces the motor to run at a speed higher than its no-load speed with a
constant excitation.
The motor back emf Eb is greater than the supply voltage V, which reverses
the direction of the motor armature current. The motor begins to operate as
an electric generator.
It is very interesting to note that regenerative braking cannot be used to stop
a motor but to control its speed above the no-load speed of the motor driving
the descending loads.
b. Dynamic Braking
It is also known as Rheostatic braking. In this type of braking, the DC motor
is disconnected from the supply and a braking resistor Rb is immediately
connected across the armature. The motor will now work as a generator, and
produces the braking torque.
During electric braking when the motor works as a generator, the kinetic
energy stored in the rotating parts of the motor and a connected load is
converted into electrical energy. It is dissipated as heat in the braking
resistance Rb and armature circuit resistance R a.
Dynamic Braking is an inefficient method of braking as all the generated
energy is dissipated as heat in resistances.
c. Plugging
It is also known as reverse current braking. The armature terminals or supply
polarity of a separately excited DC motor or shunt DC motor when running
are reversed. Therefore, the supply voltage V and the induced voltage E b i.e.
 back emf will act in the same direction. The effective voltage across the
armature will be V + Eb which is almost twice the supply voltage.
Thus, the armature current is reversed and a high braking torque is produced.
Plugging is a highly inefficient method of braking because, in addition to the
power supplied by the load, power supplied by the source is wasted in
resistances.

55. Why a dc shunt motor is called a constant speed motor?

In DC shunt motors, the armature and field circuits are connected across the
source. So as long as the source is of constant voltage, we have a preset limit
on the speed of the motor. This limit is usually the rated speed. So when the
source voltage is constant, the speed remains constant. If I choose to exceed
the rated voltage, the motor will be overloaded and coils may burn out.
Hence the name.
56. It is dangerous to open the field circuit of a dc shunt motor when it is
running. Give reasons.

When fied is open then field current will be zero and so field flux also tends
to zero,as speed is inversaly proportional to flux, motor will rotate at
(infinite)high speed then winding will burn.
If as always protection is use or drive used for motor then it will trip and
stops motor and protect it from burning.
57. Which motor has high Starting Torque and Staring current DC motor,
Induction motor or Synchronous motor?

DC Series motor has high starting torque. We can not start the Induction
motor and Synchronous motors on load, but can not start the DC series
motor without load.

58. Give two basic speed control scheme of DC shunt motor?

1. By using flux control method:in this method a rheostat is connected across

the field winding to control the field current.so by changing the current the
flux produced by the field winding can be changed, and since speed is
inversely proportional to flux speed can be controlled

2.armature control method:in this method a rheostat is connected across

armature winding by varying the resistance the value of resistive drop(I aRa)
 can be varied, and since speed is directly proportional to Eb-IaRa the speed
can be controlled.

59. Difference between a four point starter and three point starter?

The shunt connection in four point starter is provided separately form the
line where as in three point starter it is connected with line which is the
drawback in three point starter.

60. What is the function of NVC and OLR coil in DC machine starter?
61. What Is Speed Regulation?

Speed regulation is the change in speed when the load on the motor is
reduced from rated value to zero. It is expressed as a percentage of rated
load speed.

62. Speed control of a d.c shunt motor can be done using:

Flux control method ()

Armature control method

Voltage control method

63. Speed control of a d.c series motor can be done using:

flux control method

Armature-resistance control control method

64. What is Ward Leonard control method?

65. Why is the starting current high in a DC motor?

In DC motors, Voltage equation is V=Eb-IaRa (V = Terminal voltage, Eb =
Back emf in Motor, Ia = Armature current,Ra = Aramture resistance). At
starting, Eb is zero. Therefore, V=IaRa, Ia = V/Ra ,where Ra is very less like
0.01ohm.i.e, Ia will become enormously increased.
66. Why series motor cannot be started on no-load?
 Series motor cannot be started without load because of high starting torque.
Series motor are used in Trains, Crane etc.

67. What are the types of armature winding?

Lap winding and wave winding.

68. In DC generators, the series field winding has low resistance while the
shunt field winding has high resistance. Why?

Always the series field winding is connected in series with armature.

Hence it has to carry the armature current which directly gets decided by the
load.

So the current passing though series field winding is of high level.

The voltage drop across series field winding gets added to the voltage drop
across armature winding while deciding the back emf. This voltage drop
must be very small.

Hence as the current through series field winding is high, in order to keep
voltage drop across it to a small value, its resistance is very low.

The shunt field winding is directly connected across the rated supply voltage
hence to limit current through it, resistance is very high.

69. What is the EMF equation of DC machine?

70. Lap winding is suitable for high current and low voltage generators
while wave winding is suitable for high voltage and low current
generators. Why?

Lap winding is suitable for high current and low voltage generators while
wave windings is for high voltage and low current generators, it is because
lap winding carries more current as it has more parallel paths than wave
winding.

71. Shunt motors are considered constant speed motors.

 Shunt motors are considered as constant speed motors because in a shunt
motor sometimes the armature reaction is sufficient to cause the speed to
remain merely constant through the speed decreases slightly with the
increase in load.

72. What is advantage of 4 point starter over 3 point starter?

A 3 point starter often trips when the speed control of the dc motor is carried
out by shunt field control.

73. A 3 point starter often trips when the speed control of the dc motor is
carried out by shunt field control. Why?

In a 3 point starter, the no volt release coil is connected in series with the
shunt field shunt field circuit so that it carries the shunt field current. When
the speed control of the dc motor is carried out by shunt field control, the
field current may be weakened to such an extent, at which the no volt release
coil may not be able to keep the stator arm in the on position. Thus, a 3 point
starter often trips when the speed control is carried out by shunt field
control.

74. What are the major parts of the DC generators?

Yoke, Poles, Field winding, Armature, Armature winding, Commutator

brushes

75. What is a Commutator? Which material used for Commutator?

The Commutator is a device which converts alternating induced emf in a

generator to DC emf. In case of motor it produces unidirectional torque.

76. What is the function of brushes? Which material is used for brushes?
77. Define coil pitch and pole pitch?
78. What is meant by Mechanical Angle?

The angle through which the rotor or conductors of the machine rotates
physically is called Mechanical Angle.
While the angle through which is induced emf in the conductors travels is
called Electrical Angle.
79. What is the nature of the induced emf in a DC generator? How it is
converted to DC?

The basic nature of the induced emf in a dc generator is alternating. It is

converted to dc using Commutator.

80. Write the torque equation of DC machine?

81. Define coil pitch factor?
82. Draw characteristics of DC shunt motor?
83. Draw characteristics of DC Series motor?
84. State application of DC Series and Shunt motor?
85. What is Ward Leonard control method? State advantage?
86. What is Swinburne test?
87. What is Hopkinson’s test? (back to back or regenerative test)

88. Who Invented Induction Motor?

Nikola Tesla.

89. Define Slip in Induction Machine?

Slip is the difference between the speed of the stator rotating magnetic field
and the speed of the rotor of the induction motor expressed as a fraction of
synchronous speed is known as slip of the induction motor.

90. How direction of 3 phase Induction Motor can be changed

Direction of 3 phase induction motor can be changed by changing any two

supply phases of the induction motor. Changing any two phases will result
in change in rotating magentic field to opposite direction. Therefore rotor
direction is also changed.

91. What are the different starting methods of 3 phase induction motor?
Different starting methods employed while starting 3 phase induction motors
are:

Direct on line starting method

 Primary resistance starting method

Auto transformer starting

Star-Delta Starting method

92. Mention the methods for starting an induction motor?

The different methods of starting an induction motor

DOL:direct online starter
Star delta starter
Auto transformer starter
Resistance starter
Series reactor starter

93. What is the difference between slip ring and squirrel cage induction
motor? State application?
94. When we can get Maximum Torque in Induction Motor while starting?

Starting torque for 3 phase induction motor is low. In order to increase the
starting torque an external resistance should be inserted while starting of the
3 phase induction motor. It is to be remembered that starting torque of slip
ring induction motor is high compared to squirrel cage rotor machine due to
the provision of adding external resistance while starting the machine.

95. What are the different losses in 3 phase induction motor?

Different losses in the 3 phase induction motor are stator copper loss, stator
iron loss, rotor copper loss, friction and windage loss and stray load loss.

96. What is Slip In Induction Motor?

Speed of the Induction Motor will be always less than synchronous speed
and speed of the motor further reduces when load is applied on the motor.
The difference between the speed of the stator (synchronous speed Ns) and
the actual speed of the motor (N) is called slip of the induction motor and is
designated by letter ‘s’. It is represented in RPM. However it is general
 tendency to represent as fraction or percentage of synchronous speed.

97. Why Induction motors are widely used in Industries?

In Industries 80% of the motor drives used are induction motors. Induction Motors
are widely used in Industries because of some features it possess.

They are:

Low Cost

Simple and Rugged Construction

Absence of Commutator

Good power factor

Higher efficiency

Good Speed Regulation

98. What is the relation between between Induction motor and

Transformer?

Induction motors are considered as transformers with secondary winding

rotating. This is because both transformers and induction motor operates in
such a manner that power is transferred to secondary windings (rotor) from
primary windings (stator) by mutual induction principle.

99. Why the efficiency of the Induction motor is less compared

to transformer?

Induction motor and Transformer operates on the same principle that power
is transferred to secondary by mutual induction. But in transformer, flux will
be traveled from primary to secondary winding through the core of the
transformer. In induction motor flux travels from stator to rotor through the
air gap. Therefore power factor will be less for induction motor compared to
 transformer which also results in less efficiency for induction motor
compared to transformer.

100. What are the advantages of star-delta starter with induction

motor?

The main advantage of using the star delta starter is reduction of current
during the starting of the motor. Starting current is reduced to 3-4 times Of
current of Direct online starting.(2). Hence the starting current is reduced ,
the voltage drops during the starting of motor in systems are reduced.

101. What is the advantage of skewed stator slots in the rotor of

Induction motors?
In the induction motor design, the rotor slots are purposely made with a
slight skew arrangement. It will not be parallel to the shaft.
This is for the purpose of reducing magnetic locking or reducing magnetic
attraction between stator and rotor teeth.
In addition to that this arrangement will help to reduce the magnetic hum
and noise.
102. What is meant by cogging in the Induction motor? How to
prevent the cogging?
When the number of teeth in stator and rotor are equal, the stator and rotor
teeth have a tendency to align themselves exactly opposite to each other,
since this corresponds to minimum reluctance position. In such case the
rotor may refuse to accelerate. This phenomenon is called as magnetic
locking or cogging.
This problem can be prevented by proper choice of stator and rotor slots and
also by skewing the rotor slots by one slot pitch.
103. What are the various methods of measuring slip?
1. By actual measurement of rotor speed
2. By measurement of rotor frequency
3. Stroboscopic method
104. What are the various methods of speed control in three phase
induction motors?
(i) Control from stator side
1. By changing the supply frequency
2. By changing the number of stator poles
3. By changing the supply voltage
(ii) Control from rotor side
1. By inserting resistance in rotor circuit
 2. By injecting EMFs in the rotor circuit.
105. What is meant by crawling in the induction motor?
In induction motors, particularly squirrel cage type induction motors,
sometimes exhibit a tendency to run stably at speeds as low as one-seventh
of their synchronous speed Ns. This phenomenon is known as crawling of an
induction motor and the speed is called as crawling speed.
106. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Induction Motors?

Advantages:

 It is simple and rugged in construction

 It is relatively cheap
 Induction motors require less maintenance
 Induction motor has high efficiency and reasonably good power factor
 3-phase induction machines are self starting

Disadvantages:

 Induction motors are essentially a constant speed motor and its speed cannot
be changed easily
 Its starting torque is same to dc shunt motor.

107. What is the advantage of Squirrel Cage Induction Motor?

Low cost, rugged construction and less maintenance are the advantages of
squirrel cage induction motors

108. What is synchronous speed?

For synchronous machines there exists a fixed relationship between number
of poles P, frequency f and the speed of the machine. The speed of the
synchronous machine for the given number of poles and the rated frequency
is called the synchronous speed (Ns)
The expression for synchronous speed is
Ns=120f/P
f=frequency
P = No of poles of the machine
109. What is meant by torque? or Define torque?
A turning or twisting force about an axis is defined as torque.
110. How can we reduce the eddy current loss in the electrical
machine?

By using laminated core construction, the eddy current loss can be reduced.

The laminated core divides the solid iron core into thin laminations. The
path of eddy currents is broken due to the insulating material sheets between
the laminations. Thus the eddy currents and losses generated by them can be
minimized.

111. Why the efficiency of a three-phase Induction Motor is is less than

that of a three-phase Transformer?

Three phase Induction motor is nothing but a rotating transformer. Due to

rotating nature, there are friction and winding losses associated with it. On
the other hand, the three-phase transformer is a static device, thus there are
no rotational losses. Thus the efficiency of three-phase induction motor is
less than that of a three-phase transformer.

112. During No load test, Why one wattmeter shows negative reading?

In case of induction motor no load test one of the watt meter will indicate
negative because no load power factor is 0.2 lag. pf angle is nearer to 75
deg.
When induction motor is on load then the no load current will have two
components one is active/load component and other magnetizing
component. Magnetizing component is for creating magnetic field to spin
the motor which is independent of load current and it lags behind the voltage
by 90. Initially on load, current is so small which is normally is in phase
with applied voltage. So on no load circuit is inductive. So power factor is
small nearly 0.2 to 0.4.
To take the reading, reverse the connections of current coil.