CONTROL SYSTEM — IMPORTANT MCQs
Topics:
• Introduction to Control System
• Open Loop & Closed Loop Systems
• Synchro Elements
• Servo Mechanism and Features
(Based on K. Ogata + Sushil Das Gupta syllabus topics)
PART 1 — INTRODUCTION TO CONTROL SYSTEM
1. A control system is used to:
A. Increase mechanical size
B. Regulate the behavior of a system
C. Increase losses
D. Reduce power factor
Answer: B
2. The main objective of a control system is:
A. Reduce voltage
B. Obtain desired output response
C. Increase resistance
D. Increase noise
Answer: B
3. In a control system, the plant refers to:
A. Power station
B. System/process being controlled
C. Amplifier only
D. Controller only
Answer: B
4. Input applied to a control system is called:
A. Disturbance
B. Reference input
C. Feedback signal
D. Error signal
Answer: B
5. Output of control system should ideally:
A. Differ greatly from input
B. Follow desired reference input
C. Become zero
D. Increase indefinitely
Answer: B
6. The difference between reference input and actual output is:
A. Distortion
B. Error signal
C. Feedback gain
D. Modulation index
Answer: B
7. Control systems are broadly classified into:
A. Static and dynamic
B. Open loop and closed loop
C. AC and DC
D. Analog and digital
Answer: B
8. Automatic control systems minimize:
A. Human intervention
B. Voltage only
C. Current only
D. Mechanical movement
Answer: A
9. A thermostat-controlled heating system is an example of:
A. Open loop system
B. Closed loop system
C. Mechanical system
D. Manual system
Answer: B
10. Stability is an important characteristic of:
A. Only electrical systems
B. Control systems
C. Mechanical joints only
D. Conductors only
Answer: B
PART 2 — OPEN LOOP CONTROL SYSTEM
11. An open loop system has:
A. Feedback path
B. No feedback
C. Infinite gain
D. Variable frequency only
Answer: B
12. In open loop systems, control action depends upon:
A. Output
B. Feedback
C. Input only
D. Disturbance
Answer: C
13. Example of open loop system:
A. Thermostat
B. Automatic voltage regulator
C. Traffic signal timer
D. Servo motor
Answer: C
14. Open loop systems are generally:
A. More accurate
B. Simpler and cheaper
C. Highly stable always
D. Self-correcting
Answer: B
15. Main disadvantage of open loop system is:
A. High cost
B. No automatic error correction
C. Complexity
D. Slow response
Answer: B
16. Accuracy of open loop systems depends on:
A. Feedback signal
B. Calibration of system
C. Output comparison
D. Error detector
Answer: B
17. Open loop systems are sensitive to:
A. Disturbances and parameter variations
B. Feedback only
C. Error detector only
D. Amplifier gain only
Answer: A
18. Washing machine with timer-based operation is:
A. Closed loop system
B. Open loop system
C. Servo mechanism
D. Feedback controller
Answer: B
19. Open loop systems generally have:
A. Lower cost
B. Higher complexity
C. High maintenance
D. Feedback network
Answer: A
20. Open loop control cannot:
A. Operate automatically
B. Compare output with desired input
C. Produce output
D. Use actuators
Answer: B
PART 3 — CLOSED LOOP CONTROL SYSTEM
21. Closed loop system is also called:
A. Feedback control system
B. Manual system
C. Static system
D. Open system
Answer: A
22. Closed loop systems use:
A. Feedback signal
B. Mechanical linkage only
C. No sensors
D. Open circuit
Answer: A
23. Main advantage of closed loop system is:
A. No feedback required
B. Automatic error correction
C. Lower accuracy
D. Reduced sensitivity only
Answer: B
24. Error detector compares:
A. Voltage and current
B. Reference input and feedback signal
C. Frequency and phase
D. Power and resistance
Answer: B
25. In closed loop systems, feedback helps:
A. Increase errors
B. Improve accuracy
C. Reduce control
D. Eliminate actuators
Answer: B
26. Main disadvantage of closed loop systems is:
A. No accuracy
B. Increased complexity and cost
C. No feedback
D. No sensors required
Answer: B
27. A ship autopilot system is:
A. Open loop
B. Closed loop
C. Manual system
D. Static device
Answer: B
28. Negative feedback generally:
A. Improves stability
B. Increases error
C. Increases distortion
D. Eliminates control
Answer: A
29. Closed loop systems are less sensitive to:
A. Disturbances
B. Input signals
C. Sensors
D. Reference values
Answer: A
30. Transfer function of a closed loop system depends upon:
A. Feedback path
B. Open loop gain
C. Both A and B
D. Load resistance only
Answer: C
PART 4 — SYNCHRO ELEMENTS
31. Synchros are mainly used for:
A. Voltage amplification
B. Remote position transmission
C. Frequency multiplication
D. Rectification
Answer: B
32. Synchro system operates on:
A. Mechanical coupling only
B. Electromagnetic induction
C. Electrochemical principle
D. Piezoelectric effect
Answer: B
33. Main synchro elements are:
A. Transmitter and receiver
B. Motor and alternator
C. Capacitor and resistor
D. Relay and contactor
Answer: A
34. Synchro transmitter converts:
A. Electrical signal into mechanical position
B. Mechanical shaft position into electrical signal
C. AC into DC
D. Current into voltage
Answer: B
35. Synchro receiver converts:
A. Mechanical position into signal
B. Electrical signal into shaft movement
C. AC into DC
D. Frequency into voltage
Answer: B
36. Synchros are widely used in:
A. Radar and control systems
B. Hydraulic systems only
C. Fuel systems only
D. Boilers only
Answer: A
37. Rotor winding of synchro is supplied with:
A. DC supply
B. AC supply
C. Pulsating DC
D. Battery only
Answer: B
38. Synchro error occurs due to:
A. Misalignment between transmitter and receiver
B. Correct synchronization
C. Balanced voltage
D. Proper calibration
Answer: A
39. Synchro systems are useful for:
A. Remote indication
B. Position control
C. Data transmission
D. All of the above
Answer: D
40. Synchro receiver follows:
A. Rotor position of transmitter
B. Generator speed
C. Busbar voltage
D. Frequency only
Answer: A
PART 5 — SERVO MECHANISM
41. Servo mechanism is a:
A. Open loop system
B. Closed loop automatic control system
C. Manual control system
D. Static circuit
Answer: B
42. Servo systems are mainly used for:
A. Precise position control
B. Heating systems
C. Fuel transfer
D. Battery charging
Answer: A
43. A servo mechanism generally consists of:
A. Controller, actuator, feedback element
B. Transformer only
C. Generator only
D. Fuse only
Answer: A
44. Error signal in servo system is used to:
A. Stop operation
B. Correct output position
C. Increase losses
D. Reduce gain
Answer: B
45. Servo motors are designed for:
A. High-speed uncontrolled rotation
B. Precise control operation
C. Constant voltage generation
D. Rectification
Answer: B
46. Servo systems are characterized by:
A. High accuracy
B. Fast response
C. Automatic correction
D. All of the above
Answer: D
47. Gun control systems in naval ships use:
A. Open loop systems
B. Servo mechanisms
C. Manual systems only
D. Thermal systems
Answer: B
48. Stability in servo systems means:
A. Oscillation increases continuously
B. Output remains controlled without excessive oscillation
C. No output
D. Infinite gain
Answer: B
49. Feedback in servo systems helps:
A. Reduce accuracy
B. Improve precision and control
C. Increase error
D. Eliminate actuators
Answer: B
50. Main feature of servo mechanism is:
A. Automatic position correction
B. No feedback
C. Manual operation only
D. Open loop operation
Answer: A
MOST IMPORTANT DIFFERENCES
Open Loop Closed Loop
No feedback Feedback present
Less accurate More accurate
Simple Complex
Cheap Costly
No self-correction Automatic correction
VERY IMPORTANT 1-MARK QUESTIONS
Question Answer
Control system with feedback? Closed loop
Example of open loop system? Traffic signal timer
Example of closed loop system? Thermostat
Synchro used for? Remote position transmission
Servo mechanism type? Closed loop system
Error detector compares? Input and feedback
Negative feedback improves? Stability
Question Answer
Servo systems mainly provide? Precise control
HIGH-PROBABILITY EXAM TOPICS
1. Open loop vs closed loop
2. Advantages/disadvantages of closed loop systems
3. Synchro transmitter and receiver
4. Servo mechanism working
5. Features of servo systems
6. Feedback concept
7. Error signal definition
8. Applications of synchros and servos in ships/naval systems