Electro Technical Officer Interview Questions

1. What is a phase?

Phase in A.C system is the fraction of time period which has

elapsed since current/voltage last passed through zero position of
reference. The unit is in secs or radians.

2. What is the difference between shocks received due to

DC? And that due to AC?

Current from a steady DC source in passing through the skin, will

tend to cause muscular contraction at the initial contact and when
the contact is broken. AC produces a continuing spasm in the
muscles through which current passes, with its change from
forward to reverse flow either at 50 Hz or 60 Hz rate. AC has the
ability to stimulate nerves directly.

3. How will you check a diode with multi meter?

Remove or disconnect the diode from the circuit. (If the power is
Turned off instead of disconnecting the diode, discharge all
capacitors and remove all fuses in the circuit). Multi meter drives a
small DC current (a few mA) through the diode P-N junction, and
acts as a voltmeter to measure the voltage across it. Connect the
two probes across the diode. Read the voltage drop, it should be
0.5V – 0.8V (500 mV to 800 mV) for a healthy silicon diode. Reverse
the probe connections and the display should indicate ‘over range’.
If the display indicates over range in both directions, means the
diode is open circuited. If the display indicates less than 1V in both
directions, diode may be short circuited.
4. Why does a motor rotate?

DC Motor: when field is excited and armature is supplied with

Current from supply mains, they experience a force tending to
rotate armature (direction given by Fleming’s left hand rule). Each
Conductor experiences a force and all these forces collectively
produce a driving torque which sets armature rotating.
Induction motor: Rotor does not receive electric power from
Supply, but by induction from stator. When a 3 phase stator
windings are fed by a 3 phase supply, a magnetic flux of constant
magnitude, rotating at synchronous speed is set up. The flux passes
through the air gap, sweeps past the rotor surface and so cuts the
rotor conductors which are as yet stationary. Due to relative speed
between the rotating flux and the stationary conductors an emf is
induced in rotor. The frequency of this induced emf is the same as
supply frequency. Magnitude is proportional to the relative velocity
between flux and conductors (Fleming’s right hand rule). Due to this
emf rotor current is produced (rotor conductors form a closed
circuit), whose direction (Lenz’s slaw) is such as to oppose the very
cause producing it. In this case the cause which produces the rotor
current is the relative velocity between the rotating flux of the
stator and the stationary rotor conductors. Hence to reduce the
relative velocity, rotor starts running in the same direction as that
of flux and tries to catch up with the rotating flux.

5. What are the functions of choke in the tube light

circuit?

To provide starting voltage and to maintain the p.d across the tube (
When main supply is AC) When the supply is DC, ballast resistor is
used.
6. What is an electric shock?

Electric shock is due to flow of current through the body. This is

often from hand to hand or hand to foot. A shock current of 15mA
AC or DC may be fatal.

7. What are the conditions that affect the electric

shock?

The size of electric shock current is related to following factors:

Applied voltage (2) Body resistance. The size of human body
Resistance depends on other factors also, like state of health,
degree of contact with live wires, perspiration or dampness of skin.
Typical dry full contact body resistance is about 5000Ω at 25V,
falling to about 2000Ω at 250V. This indicates that human body
resistance goes down as the applied voltage goes up, giving rise to
the increased current at high voltages.

8. What are the types of switch boards available?

Switch boards may be open type in which all essential switch gear
is exposed on the front of the panel, or ‘dead front’ type in which all
the live parts are concealed behind sheet steel panels. Only the
operating handles and instruments appear on the front. While DC
switch boards may employ open type panels, ‘dead front’ type is
mandatory on AC system.

9. Which system of supply is more lethal, AC or DC?

AC supply is more lethal than DC supply at similar voltages. On no

Account should work of even the simplest nature be undertaken on
Live AC apparatus without the operator being fully protected.
10. What are the precautions to be observed before commencing
work on a switch board?
Before any work is done on the electrical equipment, follow the
Following safety procedures:
1. There should be approved rubber matting on the floor, in front of
the switchboard, for safety.

2. Rubber gloves should be specially made for the purpose and

Comply with regulation requirements.

3. Portable hand lamps if used should be fully insulated without

metal guards so that there is no risk of shock or short circuits.

4. Precautions must be observed to isolate and lock off the

apparatus. Where fuses are provided, these should also be removed.

5. Where pilot lights, control circuits are concerned, these may still
have power from separate source, even though main power circuit
may be isolated.

6. If the draw-out type circuit breaker is being overhauled, it will

Become dead, when it is pulled out fully.

7. Before commencing work, it should be verified that the

Apparatus is actually dead using a live line tester. This test
Should be conducted between phases, and also between phase
And earth.

8. A warning sign to be posted indicating the work is progressing in

the apparatus.

9. A switch board cannot be considered dead unless all generators

Connected to it are off and all other supplies disconnected.

11. What do you understand by the term ‘dead switch board?

A dead switch board is the one in which there is no supply of power
available, whatsoever.

12. What is the setting of reverse power relay?

10% of generator [power rating with 5 secs time delay for diesel
Driven alternator. 2 to 5% of generator power rating with 5 secs
time delay for
Turbo alternator.

13. What is understood by the term ‘Insulation Resistance’?

Insulation resistance is a measure of opposition offered to the
current by the insulating materials.

14. What are the factors that affect insulation resistance?

Insulation is affected by many factors such as:

1. Moisture – results in a decrease in the measured value of

insulation resistance.

2. Dust and dirt deposits – reduces insulation resistance and

Failure of insulation due to oxidation.

3. Oil and grease – prevents heat dissipation and cause dust and
Dirt to settle on the insulation, thereby reduces the insulation
Resistance and leads to failure.

4. Ageing – over a period of time the insulation deteriorates due to

It getting affected by temperature variation, mechanical stresses,
Vibrations, moisture, dirt deposits, chemical contacts etc Some
Varnishes tend to become hard with age and crack during the
Operation.

5. Temperature – excessive temperature dehydrates and oxidizes

The insulation, making it brittle and disintegrate under vibration
And shock.

15. What is understood by the term ‘permissible?

Temperature rise’ in case of insulation?

Permissible temperature rise is the difference between the ambient

Temperature and maximum permitted temperature for the class of
Insulation in use.

16. What is the relationship between the insulation and the

temperature?

The insulation resistance falls with temperature rise. Life of

insulation will be halved for every 10ºC above the permitted
temperature. For example a machine designed for continuous
operation at 70ºC will have its useful life cut in half when operating
at 80ºC.

17. Why the insulation tests are carried out on electrical

Equipments?

A measurement of the insulation resistance gives the best guide to

the State of health of the electrical equipment. The marine
environment is particularly arduous for electrical equipment, due to
damp salt laden atmospheres, extreme temperatures and
vibrations. The continuous operation of equipment on board ship
demands high operating efficiency and optimum economy in order
to keep down costs.

18. What is the most preferred condition for measuring

insulation resistance?

Insulation resistance becomes leakier at high temperatures. So

insulation test should be done while the machine is hot just after it
has stopped. This will give the realistic reading at near working
temperature.

19. What is ‘megger’?

The instrument used for measuring insulation resistance in Mega

Ohms.
20. What is armoring in a cable?

Extra mechanical protection provided by armoring with woven wire

braid made of galvanized steel or tinned phosphor bronze. Steel
armoring is not preferred for single core cables carrying heavy
alternating currents because of magnetic properties.

21. What is meant by current rating of a cable?

The passage of current through a cable conductor results in rise of

Temperature due to resistance of the conductor. Therefore
maximum current rating is based upon maximum operating
temperature of the insulation and sheathing.

22. What is the short circuit rating?

Under short circuit condition there is rapid rise in the conductor

Temperature, affecting cable insulation. Mechanical forces due to
Magnetic effect and longitudinal expansion of conductors due to
heat have also to be considered. It is therefore necessary to match
the cable size with the short circuit protection equipment (fuses or
circuit breakers) which may take certain time (a fraction of a
second to several seconds) to trip.

23. What are the factors that are to be complied by the

Installed cables?

The cables installed must comply with Current ratings and Voltage
Drop limitations. Passage of current results in voltage drop along
the length of the cables,. Hence voltage drop becomes a problem in
very long cables. Excessive voltage drop can seriously affect the
proper operation of electronic equipment. Motors can give starting
problem if voltage drop at the starting current is excessive. The
voltage drop in cables from the main switch board to the appliance
must not exceed 6% (practice it is about 2%)
24. Comment on the requirements of conduits in regard to
Cable installation

Cable outlets from conduits should be bushed to prevent abrasion

at the ends. Total cross sectional area of cables should be less than
40% of the cross section area on conduit. Ventilation of conduits
should provide, and it should be ensured that water does not collect
in the conduit. The conduit should be earthed.

25. How the cables are grouped or ‘bunched’?

1. When several cables are run close together or are touching, the
Heat from one cable affects others, and thus requires lowering
Rating. For example, if more than 6 cables are running bunched
Together, it is usual to reduce the current ratings to 85%.

2. Where possible, cables intended for different operating

Temperatures should not be bunched in common clips, glands,
Conduits or pipes.

26. What are the sources of electrical power on ship?

Main alternator Emergency generator Emergency batteries

Shore power

27. What are the functions of circuit breakers, fuses relays?

The circuit breakers and switches are the means of controlling the
flow of electric current. The fuses and the relays protect the
distribution system from large fault currents.

28. What is understood by ‘essential loads’?

Essential loads or services are those required for the safety of

Personnel and for safe navigation and propulsion of ship.
29. Why emergency source of electrical power is provided?

Emergency source of power supply is provided so that in the event

of a total power failure, a supply will still be available for
emergency lighting, alarms, communications, water tight doors and
services necessary to maintain safety.

30. Comment on the sequence of events following a mains

Failure?

Control and monitoring equipment of emergency generator on

Sensing a large drop in voltage or frequency sends a starting signal
to emergency generator. Bus tie breaker between the main switch
board and emergency switch board opens. In 45 secs the
emergency generator starts and comes on load. During this time the
supply for emergency lighting, alarm etc are maintained by the
emergency batteries. In case emergency generator fails to come on
load, these batteries can supply power to selected lighting,
communication and alarm circuits for minimum period of half an
hour.

31. How the emergency power supply is tested?

Correct functioning of the auto start equipments is obviously vital

to the production of emergency power. Regular, weekly testing of
the emergency generator should include simulation of the loss of
normal power. The startup equipment may provide a push button to
Interrupt the normal voltage supply to the panel which then triggers
The start sequence. Loss of main power supply can easily be
simulated by pulling a fuse in the auto start panel which supplies
the under voltage or under frequency relay. Emergency generators
should be regularly checked and run up for short test runs to
comply with safety regulations. These no load running checks
should, when practicable, be supplemented occasionally by a
proper load test. This requires the disconnection of normal mains
power while the emergency generator is loaded up to near its rated
value. Only a proper load test will prove the performance of
generator and its prime mover, together with the circuit breaker
operation.

32. What is the reason for using insulated neutral system in

ships?

The priority requirement on board ship is to maintain continuity of

The electrical supply to equipment in the event of a single earth
fault occurring.

33. What are the causes for short circuit?

Short circuit may occur because of breakdown of insulation of a

Equipment due to overheating or ingress of water. Sometimes
Terminal connections become loose, causing two power supply
cables to make electrical contact. Short circuit may also occur in
the windings of a transformer because of insulation breakdown due
to overheat. Electrical cables exposed to fire, mechanical damage,
cuts etc. can cause short circuit.

34. Why the equipments are earthed on board the ship?

In order to protect against the dangers of electric shock and fire

that may result from earth faults, the metal enclosures and other
noncurrent carrying metal parts of electrical equipment must be
earthed. The earthing conductor connects the metal enclosures to
earth (ship’s hull) and prevents such metal parts from attaining
dangerous voltage with respect to earth in the event of an earth
fault occurring.

35. What are the common locations of earth faults?

Earth faults are found at lamp fittings and terminals etc., where
Moisture has found its way in.
1. Lamp fittings on open deck, exposed to rough weather are prone
to ingress of moisture.

2. In accommodation, washing machines drenched with water area

Another source of earth faults.

3. In galley, the ovens, hot plates etc., are also exposed to earth
faults.

4. Dripping water over electrical machinery.

5. Motors standing idle for long time – their insulation get affected
by condensed moisture.

6. Overheated insulations of motor and cables cause drop in

insulation resistance.

7. Dirty electrical apparatus with surface tracking (leaking current)

8. Old electrical apparatus whose insulation has aged has become

brittle.

9. Terminal wire which has become loose from the terminal and is
Touching the metal casing of electrical machinery.

36. How the earth faults are treated?

Earth faults should be eliminated when located. Damaged

conductor insulation must be repaired the method of repairing
depends on the cause of earth fault and this is determined by visual
examination. A lamp fitting that is damaged must be replaced.
Dampness or moisture in insulation must be dried out by gentle heat
and then precautions taken to prevent future ingress of moisture.
Insulation that has been mechanically damaged or damaged by
overheating must be made good again. If surface dirt is the cause, a
thorough cleaning with electro cleaner solvent will probably cure
the fault.

37. What is the rating of a fuse?

Fuse rating is the current fuse will carry continuously and it is

Important that rating is correct for the normal current flowing in the
Circuit it protects.

38. What are the reasons for installing fault protection in

electrical distribution system?

1. To disconnect and isolate faulty equipment in order to maintain

the power supply to the remaining healthy circuits in the system.

2. To prevent damage to equipment from thermal and magnetic

forces that occur during short circuit and overload faults.

3. To protect personnel from electric shock.

39. How is the strength of circuit breaker or fuse is

specified?

By its breaking capacity, which is the maximum fault current it can

Safely interrupt.

40. Why HRC fuses are normally preferred for Electrical

Installations on board ship?

Time/current fusing characteristics are very consistent.

HRC fuses are reliable and non deteriorating in service
Fuses have very high breaking capacity. They also have very high
speed of operation at high short circuit fault, faster than a circuit
breaker.
41. How a fuse is selected for circuit protection?

Rating of fuse for LIGHTING or HEATING circuit: it is the current

which a fuse will carry continuously. For a 50A circuit, a 50A fuse
would be appropriate, unless it were a motor circuit. Rating of fuse
for MOTOR circuit: In motor circuits, fuse should be Large enough to
carry starting current for the time necessary to start the motor plus
necessary margin. For motor, fuses are typically rated at 2-3 times
mot full load.

42. How the overload protection device is tested and set?

Overload relays and circuit breakers should be tested periodically.

Bimetal elements in thermal overload relays become insensitive to
Heat from metal fatigue and fail to operate under overload
condition. These relays should be checked for corrosion,
accumulation of dirt and other foreign matter that block free
movement of tripping element. Over current relays and circuit
breakers may be tested by passing a specified over current through
the heater or overload coil and observing the time required for it to
trip. The actual tripping time should then be compared with the
manufacturer’s current time characteristics. Test an overload rely,
it should be disconnected from the power line and connected to low
voltage, high current power source like variable autotransformer.
Current is adjusted to test value by connecting to one of the bimetal
heaters via heavy test leads. A stop watch is used to
Determine tripping time. Magnetic overload trips and circuit
breakers may be tested in similar manner.

43. What is under voltage protection for Generator and

Motor?

An under voltage release is fitted to all generator’s circuit breaker.

Its main function is to trip the circuit breaker when severe voltage
dip occurs. The under voltage release on a generator circuit breaker
also prevents it being closed when the generator voltage is very low
or absent. The under voltage relay prevents the closure of the
circuit breaker of the dead generator. Under voltage protection is
also required for motor starters. The starter contactor normally
provides this protection as it drops out when the supply voltage is
lost or is drastically reduced. The starter circuit will not normally
allow the motor to restart when the voltage supply is restored,
except when special automatic restarting facilities are provided.
This ensures that when the supply returns after a black out, all the
motors do not start together, there by tripping the generator circuit
breaker again.. Essential motors may be arranged to start
automatically by sequential start with staggered time delays.
44. How the under voltage relay is checked and calibrated?
Under voltage protection can be electronic or electromagnetic.
Checking and calibration of generators’ under voltage relays can
only be done accurately by voltage injection. A known variable
voltage is directly applied to the under voltage relay to check : 1.
the voltage at which relay pulls in (2) the voltage at which relay
drops out. Generator under voltage relays have time delay to
prevent false tripping during transient voltage dips (typically 15%),
caused by large motor starting currents.

45. How does a current flow in the shaft of a generator?

Machines with a very strong magnetic field often generates a

voltage in the shaft that causes a current flow through bearings.
46. What are the effects of shaft current in a generator? Flow of
electric current through the bearings causes electrolytic action,
which will cause bearing failure in due course and possible
slugging of lubricating oil.

47. How the shaft currents are prevented?

To eliminate shaft currents either (a) outboard bearing shell is

Insulated in the housing, or (b) outboard bearing pedestal is
insulated from the foundation. All lub oil pipe connections that
make connection with the shaft or the particular bearing must also
be insulated.

48. Why both bearings are not insulated?

Insulating both bearings would permit the buildup of electrical

charges (static electricity). The resulting high voltage will be
dangerous to operating personnel.

49. How the insulation of pedestal bearing checked?

1. The pedestal insulation of a dismantled generator may be tested

With a megger. Insulation of 20 kΩ and above is considered
Satisfactory

2. Condition of insulation can also be checked while machine is

Running by measuring milli-volts between the shaft and the
bedplate. Two readings are taken, one with the jumper connecting
shaft to pedestal and one without the jumper. If insulation is good,
both readings will be alike. If the insulation is defective, the reading
in (1) will be higher than in (2).

50. How is the insulation resistance of alternator checked?

Disconnect any electronic circuit components which may be

damaged by a 500V insulation test. Consult the wiring diagrams and
manufacturer’s instructions before testing. Measure the insulation
of the stator winding and the rotor windings to earth, and between
stator phases. A minimum value is 1MΩ, but a lower value may be
acceptable to surveyor based on 1kΩ/volt, e.g. 450 kΩ for a 450 volt
generator.

51. What is the purpose of shading coil in a contactor?

To reduce vibration, chattering and noise.

52. What is the purpose of ICCP? (Impressed current
Cathodic protection)?

To prevent corrosion of the hull, propeller, rudder and line shafting

53. What is the supply given to shipboard general alarm?

24V DC.

54. When a component is to be removed from a PCB, what

Precaution will be taken?

Before disordering the component a tightly knit metal braid wire

will be used.

55. Armature coils are tested with a low voltage source.

What will be the indication for short circuited coils?

For short circuited coils, the voltmeter reading will show low or
zero, other coils will have higher readings.

56. What do you understand by the term ‘varnished?

Cambric’?

This is an insulating material made of cotton cloth dipped (or

coated) with insulating varnish.

57. What is understood by ‘dead front’ switchboard?

Dead front switchboard is one with insulated switches and no

exposed terminals.

58. What is the unity power factor?

The voltage and current developed in an AC circuit reach their

peak values at the same time. The voltage and current are said to
be in phase when power factor is unity.

59. Under what circumstances would semi-conductor (or

High speed fuses) be used on a soft starter application?
What purpose do they serve?

Semiconductor fuses are an energy limiting fuse using specially

Shaped silver elements in a silicon sand environment. Because of
their energy limiting characteristics, they are able to protect
semiconductor devices from excess energy let through under fault
current conditions. A soft starter uses reverse parallel connected
SCRs or Thyristors in series with the supply to the motor. If a short
circuit occurs between the starter and the motor, or in the motor
itself, there is no limiting impedance to restrict the current flow and
so the current is essentially the short circuit current of the supply.
In most cases, this is enough to damage or destroy the SCRs. It is
not practical to turn an SCR off once current has begun to flow, so
electronic protection is not practical. Current will stop at the next
zero crossing which could be half a cycle later. The semiconductor
fuse is able to interrupt the current flow in less than half a cycle,
and the rupture time is dependent on the total energy flow.
SCRs have a maximum short term energy rating that is usually
called I squared t (Current squared times time) and provided the
maximum let through I2t (or total clearing I2t) of the fuse at the
operating voltage of the supply, is less than the I2t of the SCRs,
then the fuse should fail before the SCRs. Semiconductor fuses can
be a bit of a problem at times because their pre arcing I2t is well
below their total clearing I2t and they can be stressed by the
normal operation of the starter and fail prematurely. It is important
to compare the overload time current curve of the fuse with the
operation of the starter.
60. What is slip?

SLIP The difference between the speed of the rotating magnetic

field (which is always synchronous) and the rotor in a non-
synchronous induction motor is known as slip and is expressed as a
percentage of a synchronous speed. Slip generally increases with
an increase in torque.

61. What happens if a motor is operated in Star instead

of Delta?

If the motor is designed to be operated in delta on your local supply

Voltage, then operating continuously in star can cause damage to
the motor. When a delta motor is connected in star, the voltage
across the windings is reduced by the square root of three resulting
in reduced flux in the iron. This will reduce the magnetizing current,
and will also reduce the torque capacity of the motor. If you operate
at light loads, there will be no problem, however if you operate at
high loads, the slip of the motor will be increased dramatically and
it may stall. The increased slip will result in a dramatic increase in
the power dissipated in the rotor. If the motor begins to stall, the
stator will also suffer excess heating causing a motor failure.

62. How do you set up a thermal over load? Do you set it for
the current drawn or for the motor rating?

Strictly speaking, you would normally set the overload protection to

The rating of the motor, but if the motor always operates below its
Rating, then setting the overload closer to the actual operating
current will afford a higher level of protection, provided that the
motor is still able to start without tripping the overload. The method
that normally advocated for setting a thermal overload is to operate
the motor at maximum load for an extended period of time, then
slowly adjust the overload down until it trips, then set the relay a
Small margin higher. The problem with thermal overloads is that the
Calibration is coarse to say the least, and this method ensures that
you have protection against a change in the load characteristics of
motor condition. If there are occasional nuisance trips, then the
setting can be increased, but should not exceed the motor rating.

63. Under what circumstances would semi-conductor (or

High speed fuses) be used on a soft starter application?
What purpose do they serve?

Semiconductor fuses are an energy limiting fuse using specially

Shaped silver elements in a silicon sand environment. Because of
their energy limiting characteristics, they are able to protect
semiconductor devices from excess energy let through under fault
current conditions. A soft starter uses reverse parallel connected
SCRs or Thyristors in series with the supply to the motor. If a short
circuit occurs between the starter and the motor, or in the motor
itself, there is no limiting impedance to restrict the current flow and
so the current is essentially the short circuit current of the supply.
In most cases, this is enough to damage or destroy the SCRs. It is
not practical to turn an SCR off once current has begun to flow, so
electronic protection is not practical. Current will stop at the next
zero crossing which could be half a cycle later. The semiconductor
fuse is able to interrupt the current flow in less than half a cycle,
and the rupture time is dependent on the total energy flow.
SCRs have a maximum short term energy rating that is usually
called I squared t (Current squared times time) and provided the
maximum let through I2t (or total clearing I2t) of the fuse at the
operating voltage of the supply, is less than the I2t of the SCRs,
then the fuse should fail before the SCRs. Semiconductor fuses can
be a bit of a problem at times because their pre arcing I2t is well
below their total clearing I2t and they can be stressed by the
normal operation of the starter and fail prematurely. It is important
to compare the overload time current curve of the fuse with the
operation of the starter.
64. Can I Bridge out the slip rings and use a soft starter on a
Slip ring motor?

A slip ring motor uses resistors in the rotor circuit to modify the
Starting characteristics of the slip ring motor. Increasing the
Resistance in the rotor circuit has two effects:

1. It reduces the start current

2. It increases the slip at which maximum torque occurs.

If the slip ring motor has been employed to provide a very high
Starting torque across the entire speed range during start, then the
slip ring or secondary resistance starter can not be replaced. In this
case, the first stage of the resistors would be selected to provide a
high torque at 100% slip (zero speed) and a number of stages are
then employed, each with reducing resistance to move the Slip
point in steps from 100% towards 0%. The effect of this is to
provide maximum torque at all speeds and at a reduced start
current. (typically 200 – 300%) Shorting out the slip rings and
attempting any form of reduced voltage start in the stator supply,
will result in a much reduced start torque at a much higher start
current. Effectively, the motor could exhibit a Locked Rotor Current
in excess of 1000% and a Locked Rotor Current less than 100%. If
we reduce the start current down to say 400%, then the start torque
would be less than 100 x (400/1000) x (400/1000) or less than 16%!
If the driven load does not require a high start torque, then the slip
ring motor can be set up to emulate a standard cage motor by
applying rotor resistance that will cause a full voltage start current
of about 550%. A reduced voltage starter can now be applied, and
the rings should be shorted out once the machine reaches full
speed. If you do not short the rings at full speed, the slip will be
higher than ideal and the motor efficiency will be reduced. There
will be a high power dissipation in the resistors
65. What is understood by service factor?

SERVICE FACTOR

1. When used on a motor nameplate, a number which indicates how

Much above the nameplate rating a motor can be loaded without
Causing serious degradation, (i.e., a 1.15 S-F can produce 15%
greater torque than the 1.0 S-F rating of the same motor).

2. When used in applying motors or gear motors, a figure of merit

which is used to “adjust” measured loads in an attempt to
compensate for conditions which are difficult to measure or define.
Typically, measured loads are multiplied by service factors
(experience factors) and the result in an “equivalent required
torque” rating of a motor or gear motor.

66. What is skew?

SKEW Arrangement of laminations on a rotor or armature to provide
a slight angular pattern of their slots with respect to the shaft axis.
This pattern helps to eliminate low speed cogging effects in an
armature and minimize induced vibration in a rotor as well as
reduce associated noise. Also can help to increase starting torque.

67. What is a splash proof motor?

SPLASH-PROOF MOTOR An open motor in which the ventilating

openings are so constructed that drops of liquid or solid particles
falling on it or coming toward it in a straight line at any angle not
greater than 100 degrees from the vertical, cannot enter either
directly or by striking and running along a surface of the motor.

68. What is understood by split phase start?

SPLIT PHASE START

Motor which employs a main winding and an auxiliary winding,
which is called the starting winding. The windings are unlike and
thereby “split” the single phase of the power supply by causing a
phase displacement between the currents of the two windings thus
producing a rotating field. After the motor has attained proximately
75% of rated speed, the starting winding is automatically connected
by means of a centrifugal switch or by a relay. The motor then
Continues to run on a single oscillating field, which in conjunction
with the rotation of the rotor, results in a rotating field effect. Since
there is no rotating field, after the starting winding is de-energized,
the rotation cannot be changed until the motor has come to rest or
at least slowed down to the speed at which the automatic switch
closes. Special starting switches are available as well as special
reversing switches which have a means for shunting the open
contacts of the automatic switch while the motor is running and
thus permits the split phase motor to be reversed while rotating.
This type of starting is found typically on single phase fractional
motors.

69. What are the different types of enclosures available for

Induction motors?

1. Totally enclosed, Non ventilated type : Such motors have solid

Frames and end shields, but no openings for ventilation.

2. Splash proof type: In the frames of such motors, the ventilating

Openings are so constructed that the liquid drops or dust particles
Falling on the motor will not be able to enter the motor when the
Incident angle is not greater than 100º.

3. Totally enclosed, Fan cooled type

4. Protected type: end covers have perforated covers.

5. Drip proof motors: the frames are so constructed that liquid drops
Or dust particles, falling on the machine at any angle greater than
15º from the vertical, cannot enter the motor, either directly or by
striking and running along a horizontal or inwardly inclined smooth
surface.

6. Self ventilated type: consists of enclosed shields with provision

for pipe connection on both the shields. The motor fan circulates
sufficient air through pipes which are of ample section.

7. Separately (forced) ventilated type.

70. How do changes in supply voltage and frequency of the

performance of induction motor?

High voltage decreases both power factor and slip, but increases
Torque. Low voltage has the opposite effect. Increase in frequency
Increases the power factor, but decreases the torque. The slip
remains unchanged. Decrease in frequency has the opposite effect.

71. What is in brief, the basis of operation of a 3 phase

Induction motor?

The revolving magnetic field which is produced when a 3-phase

stator winding is fed from a 3-phase supply.

72. What factors determine the direction of rotation of the

Motor?

The phase sequence of the supply lines and the order in which
these lines are connected to the stator winding.

73. How can the direction of rotation of the motor be

reversed?

By transposing or changing over any two line leads.

74. Why are induction motors called asynchronous?

Because their rotors can never run with the synchronous speed.

75. How does the slip vary with load ?

Greater the load, greater is the slip or slower is the rotor speed.
76. What modifications would be necessary if a motor is
Required to operate on voltage different from that for which
it was originally designed ?

The number of conductors per slot will have to be changed in the

same ratio as the change in voltage. If the voltage is doubled, the
number of conductors per slot will have to be doubled.

77. Enumerate the possible reasons if a 3-phase motor fails

To start.

Any one of the following reasons could be responsible:

1. One or more fuses may be blown.

2. Voltage may be too low.
3. The starting load may be too heavy.
4. Worn bearings due to which the armature may be touching field
Laminate, thus introducing excessive friction.

78. A motor stops after starting i.e. it fails to carry load.

What could be the causes?

Any one of the following:

1. Hot bearings, which increase the load by excessive friction.
2. Excessive tension on belt, which causes the bearings lo heat. :
3. Failure of short cut-out switch.
4. single-phasing on the running position of the starter.
79. Which is the usual cause of blow-outs in induction?
motors?

The commonest cause is single-phasing.

80. What is meant by ‘single-phasing’ and what are its

Causes?

Single-phasing is meant the opening of one wire (or leg) of a three

phase circuit thereupon the remaining leg at once becomes single
phase. When a three-phase circuit functions normally, there are
three distinct currents flowing in the circuit. As is known, any two
of these currents use the third wire as the return path i.e. one of the
three phase’s acts as a return path for the other two. Obviously, an
open circuit in one leg kills two of the phases and there will be only
one current or phase working, even though two wires are left intact.
The remaining phase attempts to carry the entire load. The usual
cause of single-phasing is, what is generally referred to as running
fuse, which is a fuse whose current carrying capacity is equal lo the
full-load current of the motor connected in the circuit. This fuse will
blow-out whenever there is overload (either momentary or
sustained on the motor.

81. What happens if single-phasing occurs when the motor

Is running? And when it is stationary?

1. If already running and carrying half load or less, the motor will
continue running as single-phase motor on the remaining single-
phase supply, without damage because half loads do not blow
normal fuses.

2. If motor is very heavily loaded, then it will stop under single

phasing since it can neither restart nor blow out the remaining
fuses, the burn-out is very prompt. A stationary motor will not start
with one line broken. In fact, due to heavy standstill current, it is
likely to burn-out quickly unless immediately disconnected.

82. How can the motors be protected against single-

phasing?

(i) By incorporating a combined overload” and single-phasing relay

in the control gear.

(ii) By incorporating a phase-failure relay in the control gear. The

Relay may be voltage or current-operated.

83. Can a 3-phase motor be run on a single-phase line?

Yes, it can be. But a phase-splitter is essential .

84. What is a meant by a phase-splitter?

It is a device consisting of a number of capacitors so connected in,

the motor circuit it produces, from a single input wave, three output
waves which differ in phase from each other.

85. What is the standard direction of rotation of an

Induction motor?

Counterclockwise, when looking from the front end i.e. non-driving

End of the motor.

86. Can a wound-motor be reversed by transposing any two?

Leads-from the slip-ring

No. There is only one way of doing so i.e. by transposing any two
line leads.
87. What is jogging?

It means inching a motor i.e. make it move a little at a time by

Constant starting and stopping.

88. What is meant by plugging?

It means stopping a motor by instantaneously reversing it till it

stops.

89. What are the indications of winding faults in an

Induction motor?

Some of the indications are as under:

i. excessive and unbalanced starting currents

ii. Some peculiar noises and (iii) overheating.

90. What is ‘Crawling’ of Induction motor?

Squirrel cage motors sometimes exhibit a tendency stably at

speeds as low as 1/7th of their synchronous speed. This is known as
crawling.

91. What is ‘Cogging’?

This is also known as magnetic locking. When the voltage is low,

the motor does not start. This happens when the number of stator
teeth is equal to the number of rotor teeth and due to the magnetic
locking, the motor does not start. This can be overcome by making
the number of rotor slots prime to the number of stator slots.