1. Which of the following is an advantage of AC motors over DC motors?
a) Require commutators for operation
b) Easier to build and less expensive
c) Less suited for constant speed applications
d) Require more maintenance
2. A universal (series) AC motor can operate on:
a) Only AC
b) Only DC
c) Both AC and DC
d) Neither AC nor DC
3. Which AC motor type is best suited for very constant speed applications?
a) Series motor
b) Induction motor
c) Synchronous motor
d) Split-phase motor
4. The difference between synchronous speed and rotor speed in an induction motor is
called:
a) Slip
b) Phase angle
c) Torque factor
d) Frequency error
5. The direction of rotation of a 3-phase induction motor is changed by:
a) Adjusting frequency
b) Interchanging any two stator winding connections
c) Reversing the rotor winding
d) Increasing the number of poles
6. In a single-phase induction motor, the magnetic field does not rotate. Therefore:
a) No starting device is needed
b) A capacitor or shaded pole is required to start
c) The rotor will self-start
d) Slip does not exist
7. Which starting method uses a capacitor with the auxiliary winding to create a rotating
magnetic field?
a) Shaded pole
b) Split-phase motor
c) Universal motor
d) Synchronous motor
8. Aircraft AC generators typically operate at:
a) 60 Hz
b) 200 Hz
c) 400 Hz
d) 1000 Hz
9. What component maintains a constant generator output frequency despite changing
engine speeds?
a) Bus Power Control Unit (BPCU)
b) Generator Control Unit (GCU)
c) Constant Speed Drive (CSD)
d) Split-phase winding
10. Which of the following is NOT a main function of the GCU?
a) Distribution control
b) Voltage regulation
c) Reactive load sharing
d) Lubrication of bearings
11. Before paralleling two generators, what conditions must be met?
a) Only voltage and phase angle
b) Voltage, frequency, phase angle, phase sequence
c) Voltage and excitation current
d) Frequency only
12. If one generator fails in flight, how does the system remain airworthy?
a) Shear shaft disengages all remaining generators
b) Remaining generator(s) shed non-essential loads
c) Slip is increased to maintain frequency
d) Frequency wild system takes over
Long Answer (3–4 marks each – 4 total)
1. Explain the construction and operation of a Constant Speed Drive (CSD).
o Include how it compensates for under speed, on speed, and over speed conditions.
2. Compare a Brushless AC Alternator (Permanent Magnet Generator) with a
conventional AC generator.
o Include design differences and advantages in aviation use.
3. Describe how real load sharing and reactive load sharing are achieved when AC
generators operate in parallel.
4. Discuss the role of the Generator Control Unit (GCU) in aircraft electrical systems.
o Include its functions in distribution, field control, and fault monitoring.
Answer Key – Unit 2 Practice Quiz
Multiple Choice (1 mark each – 12 total)
1. b) Easier to build and less expensive
2. c) Both AC and DC
3. c) Synchronous motor
4. a) Slip
5. b) Interchanging any two stator winding connections
6. b) A capacitor or shaded pole is required to start
7. b) Split-phase motor
8. c) 400 Hz
9. c) Constant Speed Drive (CSD)
10. d) Lubrication of bearings
11. b) Voltage, frequency, phase angle, phase sequence
12. b) Remaining generator(s) shed non-essential loads
Long Answer (sample points for 3–4 marks each)
1. Construction and operation of a Constant Speed Drive (CSD):
• A CSD is a mechanically differential, hydraulically controlled unit.
• Maintains constant RPM to the generator shaft regardless of varying engine speeds.
• Under speed: Adds hydraulic drive to increase shaft RPM (overdrive mode).
• On speed: Direct drive, no compensation required.
• Over speed: Subtracts hydraulic drive to reduce shaft RPM (underdrive mode).
• Oil used for torque transfer, lubrication, and cooling.
2. Brushless AC Alternator (PMG) vs Conventional Generator:
• Conventional generator: Uses brushes and slip rings to excite the rotor field.
• Brushless AC alternator (PMG): Uses permanent magnets and no brushes.
• Advantages: Reduced wear/maintenance, higher reliability, lighter weight.
• Common in modern aircraft due to simplicity and durability.
3. Real load sharing vs Reactive load sharing:
• Real load sharing: Refers to division of true (active) power between generators.
o Generator with higher speed tends to carry more load.
o Adjustments made via CSDs.
• Reactive load sharing: Division of reactive power (related to voltage regulation).
o Controlled by excitation currents.
o Current transformers monitor load imbalance and adjust exciter currents.
4. Role of the Generator Control Unit (GCU):
• Distribution control: Operates generator circuit breakers (GCBs), controls bus tie
breakers.
• Field control: Regulates voltage, controls excitation, ensures reactive load sharing.
• Fault monitoring: Protects against over/under-voltage, frequency errors, overload,
feeder faults, open phase, and diode failures.
• Ensures safe, stable, and reliable power delivery to aircraft systems.
This answer key gives you the correct MCQs plus the main points to hit in long answers.
Would you like me to also format this into a printable mock exam PDF (with separate
question + answer sections), so you can practice under test conditions?
Great — I’ll make you 30 practice questions based on the Unit 2: AC Electric Motors,
Generators and Control Systems document you uploaded. I’ll mix multiple choice, short answer,
and calculation-style questions so you can test yourself like in a real exam.
Practice Questions – Unit 2 AC Motors, Generators, and Control Systems
AC Motors
1. Multiple Choice: What is one major advantage of AC motors over DC motors?
a) Better starting torque
b) Require commutators
c) Easier to build and cheaper
d) Run at variable speed only
2. Short Answer: Explain why DC can drive a universal (series) AC motor but the reverse
is not true.
3. Multiple Choice: Which AC motor type provides very constant speed?
a) Series AC Motor
b) Synchronous AC Motor
c) Induction AC Motor
d) Split-phase Motor
4. Short Answer: Define “slip” in induction motors.
5. Problem: If a 4-pole induction motor is supplied with 400 Hz power, calculate the
synchronous speed (in RPM).
6. Multiple Choice: The direction of rotation in a 3-phase induction motor can be reversed
by:
a) Reversing the rotor windings
b) Interchanging any two stator winding connections
c) Reversing supply polarity
d) Adding a capacitor
7. Short Answer: Why do single-phase induction motors require a starting device?
8. Multiple Choice: A split-phase (capacitor start) motor produces a rotating magnetic field
because:
a) The auxiliary winding is stronger than the main winding
b) A capacitor creates a phase difference between windings
c) The rotor generates its own field
d) It uses brushes and commutators
AC Generators
9. Short Answer: List four ratings of an aircraft AC generator.
10. Multiple Choice: All aircraft AC generators operate at what frequency?
a) 60 Hz
b) 120 Hz
c) 400 Hz
d) 1000 Hz
11. Problem: If a generator has 2 poles and runs at 24,000 RPM, what frequency will it
produce? (Formula: ( f = \frac{N \times P}{120} ))
12. Short Answer: Explain the function of the constant speed drive (CSD).
13. Multiple Choice: Oil in a CSD performs all of the following EXCEPT:
a) Torque transfer
b) Lubrication
c) Cooling
d) Power factor correction
14. Short Answer: What is the difference between a CSD and an IDG?
15. Multiple Choice: A Permanent Magnet Generator (PMG) is also known as a:
a) Brushless AC Alternator
b) Induction generator
c) Synchronous generator
d) Transformer
Generator Control and Distribution
16. Short Answer: Name the three main functions of the Generator Control Unit (GCU).
17. Multiple Choice: The Bus Power Control Unit (BPCU) is responsible for:
a) Voltage regulation
b) Controlling generator excitation
c) Power distribution and load shedding
d) Rotor speed control
18. Short Answer: What is the purpose of the Generator Circuit Breaker (GCB)?
19. Multiple Choice: In AC wild frequency systems, variable frequency generators are
suitable for:
a) Inductive and capacitive loads
b) Only resistive loads
c) Only inductive loads
d) Only capacitive loads
20. Short Answer: Why is 3-phase AC used in aircraft electrical systems instead of single
phase?
Generator Synchronization & Load Sharing
21. Multiple Choice: Which conditions must be met for paralleling AC generators?
a) Voltage, frequency, phase angle, phase rotation
b) Voltage only
c) Current only
d) Rotor speed only
22. Short Answer: What happens if generators are crash-paralleled while out of phase?
23. Problem: If two generators are operating in parallel and one carries more real load, what
can be inferred about its CSD speed compared to the other?
24. Multiple Choice: Reactive load sharing in aircraft generators is controlled by:
a) Voltage regulators
b) Speed governors
c) Current transformers
d) Circuit breakers
25. Short Answer: Explain the purpose of a jog-down signal.
Protection & Faults
26. Multiple Choice: Overvoltage protection in a generator is achieved by:
a) Opening the GCB only
b) Tripping the Generator Control Relay (field relay)
c) Reducing engine RPM
d) Increasing excitation current
27. Short Answer: What fault condition is detected if one phase current falls to zero while
the others are normal?
28. Multiple Choice: A shorted rotating diode in a generator is detected because it causes:
a) A high frequency output
b) Ripple in the rotating field
c) Overload condition
d) Open phase protection
29. Short Answer: Why is generator load shedding necessary in aircraft electrical systems?
30. Multiple Choice: Current transformers in generator systems are used for all of the
following EXCEPT:
a) Real load sharing
b) Voltage regulation
c) Differential protection
d) Current limiting protection
Unit 2 Practice Questions with Answer Key
AC Motors
1. Multiple Choice: What is one major advantage of AC motors over DC motors?
Answer: c) Easier to build and cheaper
2. Short Answer: Explain why DC can drive a universal (series) AC motor but the reverse is not
true.
Answer: Because the series AC motor has field windings and armature in series, it can run
on DC. But a DC motor cannot run on AC since AC would cause excessive sparking at the
commutator.
3. Multiple Choice: Which AC motor type provides very constant speed?
Answer: b) Synchronous AC Motor
4. Short Answer: Define “slip” in induction motors.
Answer: Slip is the difference between synchronous speed and actual rotor speed, expressed
as a percentage of synchronous speed.
5. Problem: If a 4-pole induction motor is supplied with 400 Hz power, calculate the
synchronous speed.
Formula: ( N_s = \frac{120 f}{P} )
( N_s = \frac{120 \times 400}{4} = 12,000 , \text{RPM} )
Answer: 12,000 RPM
6. Multiple Choice: The direction of rotation in a 3-phase induction motor can be reversed by:
Answer: b) Interchanging any two stator winding connections
7. Short Answer: Why do single-phase induction motors require a starting device?
Answer: Because a single-phase stator field alternates but does not rotate, it cannot start
rotation without an auxiliary winding or starting method.
8. Multiple Choice: A split-phase (capacitor start) motor produces a rotating magnetic field
because:
Answer: b) A capacitor creates a phase difference between windings
AC Generators
9. Short Answer: List four ratings of an aircraft AC generator.
Answer: Voltage, frequency, number of phases, power (VA/kVA), and power factor
10. Multiple Choice: All aircraft AC generators operate at what frequency?
Answer: c) 400 Hz
11. Problem: If a generator has 2 poles and runs at 24,000 RPM, what frequency will it
produce?
Formula: ( f = \frac{N \times P}{120} )
( f = \frac{24,000 \times 2}{120} = 400 , \text{Hz} )
Answer: 400 Hz
12. Short Answer: Explain the function of the constant speed drive (CSD).
Answer: A CSD keeps the generator’s shaft at constant RPM regardless of engine speed so
that the output frequency remains constant (400 Hz).
13. Multiple Choice: Oil in a CSD performs all of the following EXCEPT:
Answer: d) Power factor correction
14. Short Answer: What is the difference between a CSD and an IDG?
Answer: A CSD is a separate constant-speed unit, while an IDG integrates both the CSD
and the generator in one housing.
15. Multiple Choice: A Permanent Magnet Generator (PMG) is also known as a:
Answer: a) Brushless AC Alternator
Generator Control and Distribution
16. Short Answer: Name the three main functions of the Generator Control Unit (GCU).
Answer: Distribution control, field control (voltage regulation & load sharing), and fault
monitoring
17. Multiple Choice: The Bus Power Control Unit (BPCU) is responsible for:
Answer: c) Power distribution and load shedding
18. Short Answer: What is the purpose of the Generator Circuit Breaker (GCB)?
Answer: To connect or disconnect the generator output to the aircraft bus system.
19. Multiple Choice: In AC wild frequency systems, variable frequency generators are suitable
for:
Answer: b) Only resistive loads
20. Short Answer: Why is 3-phase AC used in aircraft electrical systems instead of single
phase?
Answer: It provides more power for less weight, allows smaller conductors, and improves
efficiency in power transmission.
Generator Synchronization & Load Sharing
21. Multiple Choice: Which conditions must be met for paralleling AC generators?
Answer: a) Voltage, frequency, phase angle, phase rotation
22. Short Answer: What happens if generators are crash-paralleled while out of phase?
Answer: It can damage the CSD, cause large circulating currents, and mechanical stress on
the generators.
23. Problem: If two generators are operating in parallel and one carries more real load, what can
be inferred about its CSD speed compared to the other?
Answer: Its CSD is running slightly faster than the other.
24. Multiple Choice: Reactive load sharing in aircraft generators is controlled by:
Answer: c) Current transformers
25. Short Answer: Explain the purpose of a jog-down signal.
Answer: It slightly reduces one generator’s CSD speed to create a small frequency
difference, allowing synchronization at the instant both waveforms align.
Protection & Faults
26. Multiple Choice: Overvoltage protection in a generator is achieved by:
Answer: b) Tripping the Generator Control Relay (field relay)
27. Short Answer: What fault condition is detected if one phase current falls to zero while the
others are normal?
Answer: Open phase protection fault.
28. Multiple Choice: A shorted rotating diode in a generator is detected because it causes:
Answer: b) Ripple in the rotating field
29. Short Answer: Why is generator load shedding necessary in aircraft electrical systems?
Answer: To ensure essential loads remain powered when a generator fails, preventing
overloading of remaining generators.
30. Multiple Choice: Current transformers in generator systems are used for all of the following
EXCEPT:
Answer: b) Voltage regulation
Instructor Resource
1. List the components of an AC motor.
*Components: stator, stator core, stator windings, rotor, motor shaft, bearings, enclosure
For more information, refer to Construction of an AC motor ([Link]
motor/#construction).
2. Explain schematically the operation of an AC motor, using arrows to show the direction of
current flow.
*For a schematic diagram, refer to Induction motors ([Link]
[Link]).
3. What is the difference between an AC motor and an AC generator?
“An AC motor is an electric motor driven by an alternating current (AC). The AC motor
commonly consists of two basic parts, an outside stator having coils supplied with
alternating current to produce a rotating magnetic field, and an inside rotor attached to the
output shaft producing a second rotating magnetic field.” (AC motor,” 2022).
An AC generator is a machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
4. List the components of an AC generator.
*Components: armature, prime mover, rotor, stator, slip rings
5. Explain schematically the operation of an AC generator, using arrows to show the direction
of current flow.
*For a schematic diagram, refer to AC Generator ([Link]
6. List the components of an AC alternator.
*Components: rectifier, regulator, stator, rotor, slip rings, pulley, drive end bearing
7. Explain schematically the operation of an AC alternator, using arrows to show the direction
of current flow.
*For a schematic diagram, refer to An AC alternator with brushes connected to a DC rotating