Chapter-1
Electrical Power
D. Short answer questions
1. Write down the classification of a distribution system.
Ans. Electrical power distribution can be classified as:
1. Residential application- Only single-phase power is used in a typical residential application.
Power distributed by electricity board, enters the house through a metering device and connects to a
load centre. Then the power is distributed from load centre to various branch circuits for lighting,
appliances and electrical outlets.
2. Commercial application - Electricity is commercially used in a number of places such as
small offices, stores, large complexes such as hotels, restaurants, office buildings, and shopping malls.
Typically, commercial applications have higher demand for electrical power than residential
applications. To distribute this large amount of power safely, highly insulated cables and Busway are
used.
3. Industrial application- In industry, the power requirement is even more for industrial loads of
heavy machinery, such as electric cranes, milling machines and grinding machines. In industrial
applications voltage is received and distributed at much higher levels than residential and commercial
applications.
2. Write down the manufacturing steps of a three-phase transformer.
Ans. Note that a three-phase transformer is used in a generating station, transmitting station, and
distributing station of an electrical system. Some of the manufacturing steps of a three phase transformer are
as follows:
a. Cutting of core on a cutting machine and assembles the number of cores that are being cut
b. Make a three-phase transformer’s primary and secondary winding using a winding machine in the
form of a bundle
c. Making the main tank and the oil tank
d. Insert insulation paper in the core
e. Insert secondary coil, bundles of primary coil in the core
f. Insert the I section in the core
g. Connect coils of primary and secondary windings in a star or delta configuration
h. Fit the high voltage and low voltage bushing on the main tank of the transformer
i. After everything is done, test the transformer
3. Discuss the concept of a three-phase transformer. How it is different from a one-phase transformer?
Ans. A 3phase transformer is made by winding three single-phase transformer on one core, 3phase
transformer contains six coils, three for the primary side, and another three coils for the secondary side and all
3 coils are each separated from the opposite by an angular difference of 120 degree, to achieve the specified
voltage, transformers are then placed in an enclosure and crammed with dielectric oil. All the 6coils can be
connected in either a star or delta configuration.
A major difference between the single-phase and the three-phase is that for completing a circuit the
single-phase uses one conductor and one neutral wire whereas the three-phase supply uses three conductors
and one neutral wire.
4. Discuss the scenario of power source available in India.
Ans. India’s electricity sector is dominated by fossil fuel. For example, in 2017-18, coal produced about
three fourth (¾th) of the electricity. There are several other sources used to produce power. For example, coal,
oil and uranium fuels are used to convert water into steam to drive a turbine. The output shaft of the turbine is
connected to an AC generator. The AC generator is rotated by the turbine, which converts mechanical energy
into electrical energy
5. What is the role of a generator in the electric power station?
Ans. The role of a generator is to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. This generated energy
is then transmitted to consumers through transmission lines.
6. List out the different parts of a transformer.
Ans. A transformer has various parts as:
i. Transformer Tank
ii. High Voltage Bushings
iii. Low Voltage Bushings
iv. Cooling Fins or Radiators
v. Cooling fan
vi. Conservator tank
vii. Drain Valve
viii. Dehydrating breathers
ix. Oil temperature or Pressure gauge
x. Control panel
7. Write short notes on:
(a) Load centre: A load centre consists of an enclosure, interior, and trim. Circuit breakers are mounted in the
interior to provide circuit protection and control for light, heat, and power circuits. Load centre used for
residential application are typically rated at 225 amps or less and 240 volts maximum.
(b) Switchgear: In an electrical system, the unit which operates the routing of power cables, controls the
equipment and safety of individuals, is known as a Switchgear. Switchgear includes switches, which can be
disconnected, fuses or circuit breakers. The basic function of a switchgear is to protect from faulty current,
overload, surge and short circuit. Switchgears are responsible for the safety, reliability, and flexibility of an
electrical system.
(c) Service entrance: The service entrance is the point from where electric power enters a residential area. The
service entrance in a residence is commonly thought of as a breaker or fuse box. In large commercial or
industrial area electrical systems, the service entrance may be a main disconnect panel and thereby called the
main panel.
(d) Busway: Busway is the path or route through which power will be transferred from one section to another.
Busway is the medium through which electrical signals can travel from one machine to another.
(e) Circuit breaker: Circuit breakers provide manual means of energising and de-energising a circuit. In
addition, circuit breakers provide automatic overcurrent protection of a circuit.
(f) Generator: A generator is an electrical device which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
(g) Motor: Motor or an electric motor is an electrical device which converts electrical energy into mechanical
energy.
(h) Energy meter: An energy meter is used to measure the amount of energy consumed by an electrical
appliance in a house. A familiar term for it is watt-hour meter located outside our houses. The watt-hour meter
is used by the state electricity board for billing purposes, to determine how much electricity has been
consumed.
(i) Poly-phase transformer: Transformer that can supply to three or more phases are known as poly-phase
transformer.
8. Define electricity.
Ans. Electricity is the presence and flow of electric charge. It is one of the most widely used forms of
energy. People use electricity to do many jobs every day – from lighting, heating and cooling homes to
powering electrical appliances.
9. Which is the most common machine used in every power plant to generate electric power?
Ans. Generator is the most common machine used in every power plant to generate electric power.