Interview for Maintenance Electrical Technician

1. What are an electrical system as below :

a. Transformer
b. MV Switchgear
c. LV MCC / Switchgear
d. Synchronize Panel
e. Generator
f. NGR (neutral grouding resistance)
g. Capasitor Bank
h. Electrical Motor system
i. Distribution Board
j. UPS system
k. Grounding system
l. Lightning Protection
m. Lighting System

Answer:

1. a) A transformer is an electrical apparatus designed to convert

alternating current from one voltage to another. It can be designed to
"step up" or "step down" voltages and works on the magnetic
induction principle. A transformer has no moving parts and is a
completely static solid state device, which insures, under normal
operating conditions, a long and trouble-free life.

b) MV Switchgear or Medium Voltage Switchgear is switchgear that

categorized from 3 KV to 36 KV switchgear systems. These
switchgears are of many types. They may metal enclosed indoor
type, metal enclosed outdoor type, outdoor type without metal
enclosure, etc. The interruption medium of this switchgear may be oil,
SF and vacuum. The main requirement of MV power network is to
interrupt current during faulty condition irrespective of what type of
CB is used in the MV switchgear system.

c) LV Switchgear or Low Voltage Switchgear is electrical switchgear

rated up to 1 kV. The term LV Switchgear includes low voltage circuit
breakers, switches, off load electrical isolators, HRC fuses, earth
leakage circuit breaker, miniature circuit breakers (MCB) and molded
case circuit breakers (MCCB) etc i.e. all the accessories required to
protect the LV system.
d) Synchronization panels are mainly designed and used to meet
power system requirements. These panels function both manually
and with an automatic synchronizing function for two or more
generators or breakers. They are widely used in synchronizing
generators and offering multiplex solutions.

e) Generator is a device that converts motive power (mechanical

energy) into electrical power for use in an external circuit. Sources of
mechanical energy include steam turbines, gas turbines, water
turbines, internal combustion engines, wind turbines and even hand
cranks.

f) Neutral Grounding Resistors (NGRs) are used to limit the fault

current for safety of equipment and personnel in industrial systems.
In solid grounding, the system is directly grounded and the fault
current is limited only by the soil resistance. The fault current can be
very high and can damage the transformers, generators, motors,
wiring and other equipments in the system. The NGRs are inserted
between neutral and ground in order to increase the net resistance in
the event of an earth fault and limit the current to a safe level.

g) A Capacitor Bank is a group of several capacitors of the same

rating that are connected in series or parallel with each other to store
electrical energy. The resulting bank is then used to counteract or
correct a power factor lag or phase shift in an alternating current (AC)
power supply.

h) An electric motor is an electrical machine that converts electrical

energy into mechanical energy. Most electric motors operate through
the interaction between the motor's magnetic field and electric current
in a wire winding to generate force in the form of torque applied on
the motor's shaft. Electric motors can be powered by direct current
(DC) sources, such as from batteries, motor vehicles or rectifiers, or
by alternating current (AC) sources, such as a power grid, inverters
or electrical generators. An electric generator is mechanically
identical to an electric motor, but operates with a reversed flow of
power, converting mechanical energy into electrical energy.

i) A distribution board (also known as panel board, breaker panel, or

electric panel) is a component of an electricity supply system that
divides an electrical power feed into subsidiary circuits, while
providing a protective fuse or circuit breaker for each circuit in a
common enclosure.
 j) UPS or Uninterruptible Power Supply is a device that provides
battery backup when the electrical power fails or drops to an
unacceptable voltage level. Small UPS systems provide power for a
few minutes; enough to power down the computer in an orderly
manner, while larger systems have enough battery for several hours.

k) Grounding system or the intentional connection of a phase or

neutral conductor to earth for the purpose of controlling the voltage to
earth, or ground, within predictable limits. It also provides for a flow of
current that will allow detection of an unwanted connection between
system conductors and ground.

l) The primary reason for a lightning protection system is to route that

electrical energy to a less destructive path to ground and instead of
traveling through the building's electrical wiring, water piping,
structure, or low-voltage cabling paths where it could create
significant chaos inside the building.

m) Lighting systems reduce energy usage and cost by helping to

provide light only when and where it is needed. Lighting systems
typically incorporate the use of time schedules, occupancy control,
and photocell control. Some systems also support demand response
and will automatically dim or turn off lights to take advantage of utility
incentives. Lighting control systems are sometimes incorporated into
larger building automation systems.

2. What Are the Most Important Safety Concerns for Electricians?

Answer: Most important safety concerns for electrician are:

 contact with live parts causing shock and burns,

 faults which could cause fires, and
 fire or explosion where electricity could be the source of ignition in a
potentially flammable or explosive atmosphere

3. What is the differences of preventive and corrective maintenance ?

Answer:

 Corrective maintenance is done after problem while preventive is

before problem.
 Corrective maintenance is done randomly while preventive is done
frequently.
 Preventive maintenance will minize the need of corrective, while
corrective will maximize the preventive actions.
 4. What are the tools used for electrical work ?

Answer: Tools used for electrical works are:

 Pliers
 Screwdrivers and nut drivers
 Wire strippers
 Fishing tools
 Measuring devices (Multimeter, Voltmeter, etc)
 Labeling machines
 Power drills and drivers, hammer/drills
 Power saws

5. What do you see as the most critical Skills for Electricians?

Answer: Critical skills for electricians are:

 Electric installation & safety knowledge

 Good vision
 Team work
 Basic math
 Problem solve skill
 Physical fitness
 Flexibility

6. What Is the Difference Between a Breaker and a Fuse?

Answer:

A fuse and circuit breaker both of them protect an overloaded circuit by

disrupting the current continuity.

 A fuse is a simple piece of metal that melts down when overheated

because of excessive flow of current whereas a circuit breaker has
switching mechanism that is activated when unsafe current flows
through the circuit.
 Fuses are faster to disrupt the current flow but they must be
replaced after a piece of metal melts down, whereas circuit
breakers can be reset and used multiple times.

7. What is the electrical calibration?

Answer: Electrical calibration is the process of verifying the performance of,

or adjusting, any instrument those measures or tests electrical parameters.
This discipline is usually referred to as DC and low frequency electrical
metrology. Principal parameters include voltage, current, resistance,
inductance, capacitance, time and frequency. Other parameters, including
electrical power and phase, are also in this segment of metrology. Ratio
metric comparisons of similar parameters are often performed to compare
a known parameter to an unknown similar parameter.

8. What is the differences of Installation and reparation ?

Answer:

 An electrical installation is a combination of electrical equipment

installed from a common electrical supply to fulfill a particular
purpose.
 Reparation is an act that repairs the components by correcting, fixing,
or replacing components of an object to make it function properly.

9. What is the motor starting ?

Answer: Motor starting or motor starter is an electric motor that rotates an

internal combustion engine until it can power itself, such as in automobiles.

10. What is kWh meter ?

Answer:

 A kWh meter is the electric meter that measures the amount of

electrical energy in kWh that was consumed in the house. The kWh
meter has a counter display that counts units of kilowatt-hour (kWh).
The energy consumption is calculated by calculating the difference of
the counter's reading in the specified period.