ECE 460 - ME 460 / 501P (Ref Nos.

37104, 38539, 38568 Respectively)

FALL 2006
ELECTROMECHANICAL CONVERSION
*********** ICE BREAKER Test 1 ***********
Total Points 100, Complete at Many as Possible in 45 Minutes
August 21, 2006

Please Print your Full Name ___________________________________

Please: Dependent upon the type of test given: 1) Answer the questions (neatly and succinctly as
no credit is given for Psychobabble (PB)) with all Steps shown and with all Units shown
repeating the question is not an answer by the way) or 2) Circle the singular best answer or 3)
Match the letter to the answers given on the right. Please read the remaining instructions
carefully.
DO NOT TURN THIS COVER SHEET OVER BEFORE WE START AS TIMING IS CRITICAL !!
WHEN ASKED TO STOP PLEASE STOP IMMEDIATELY and PASS YOUR TEST TO THE FRONT
THIS TEST WILL TELL ME YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES I NEED THIS SUCH THAT I
DO NOT LINGER ON ITEMS YOU KNOW WELL NOR SKIP AREAS WHERE YOU NEED HELP PLEASE ANSWER QUICKLY AS I NEED TO KNOW YOUR MOST INSTINCTIVE RESPONSES
VERY LITTLE CALCULATION IS REQUIRED FOR ANY OF THE QUESTIONS
AND MOST SHOULD BE SELF EVIDENT
DO NOT BE CONCERNED IF YOU CAN NOT FINISH IN THE REQUIRED TIME LIMIT AS THAT
TELLS ME THE SPREAD OF EXPERIENCE WITHIN THE CLASS
YOU HAVE 45 MINUTES TO COMPLETE THIS EXAM, THERE ARE ABOUT 90 QUESTIONS WHICH
EQUATES TO 30 SECONDS EACH, SO DO NOT DELAY ON ONE YOU FIND TOUGH (EACH
QUESTION CAN EASILY BE ANSWERED IN LESS THAN 20 SECONDS ON AVERAGE). PLEASE DO
NOT GUESS - IF IT LOOKS TOUGH
MOVE ON TO AN EASIER QUESTION.
MAKE SURE YOU READ ALL THE QUESTIONS, DONT MISS AN EASY ONE !!
PLEASE SHOW ALL YOUR WORK, IN PARTICULAR THE ESSAY QUESTIONS (Essay Answer need
only be a few words, I am looking for key concepts)
THANKS, Relax and Give it your Best
Good Luck

Ice Breaker TEST 1 - Page 1 of 16

ECE 460 - ME 460 / 501P (Ref Nos. 37104, 38539, 38568 Respectively)
FALL 2006
ELECTROMECHANICAL CONVERSION
1)

What is the limiting parameter that restricts the capability of nearly all electrical
equipment? (1 Point)
a) Heat dissipation and/or resultant temperature rise
b) Pressure
c) I2R loss otherwise known as Watt loss
d) Volume
e) a) and c)

2)

What is it that fundamentally makes an electric panelboard (like in your basement or in

your apartment) move about and/or tear itself apart during a massive electrical fault
(or short circuit)? (1 Point)
a) C4 strategically placed behind the panelboard bus supports
b) The current
c) The interaction of the magnetic fields and currents
d) The magnetic field

3) Review the three phase balanced source and balanced load circuit as shown below
carefully. The source is 208:120 VAC. The total load is 30 kVA (you always assume a
three phase load if the system is three phase or a single phase load if the system is single
phase). The Pf = 0.9 (you aways assume Lagging if nothing is stated otherwise). There is
no impedance in any of the lines that connect the source to the load (not normal for any
circuit but bear with me here). (1 Point for each subpart)
A

Source
208:120
VAC

Load
N
Neutral Current

3 - i) What is the voltage from Phase A to Phase B (That is Line to Line)?

a)
208 VAC
b)
120 VAC
c)
67 Volts
d)
240 VAC
3 - ii) Is the aforementioned line to line voltage magnitude the same from Phase B to
Phase C as it is from Phase C to Phase A?
a)
Yes
b)
No
Ice Breaker TEST 1 - Page 2 of 16

ECE 460 - ME 460 / 501P (Ref Nos. 37104, 38539, 38568 Respectively)
FALL 2006
ELECTROMECHANICAL CONVERSION
3 - iii)
a)
b)
c)
d)

What is the voltage from Phase A to Neutral N (That is Line to Neutral)?

208 VAC
120 VAC
0 VAC
Same as Ground Voltage or 0 VAC

3 - iv) Is the aforementioned phase voltage (or Line to Neutral voltage) the same
magnitude from Phase B to Neutral N as it is from Phase C to Neutral N?
a)
Yes
b)
No
3 - v) If you answered Yes, Why did you pick this answer?
Explanation _________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
3 - vi) An interesting thing occurs with perfectly balanced non-harmonic bearing three
phase circuits as in the previous circuit, which is it?
a)
The neutral current is equal to the phase current.
b)
It takes but a small impedance change to shift the voltage.
c)
The circuit will operate no differently whether you removed the neutral wire or
not!
d)
None of the Above.
e)
All of the Above.
3 - vii) Another interesting thing occurs with perfectly balanced non-harmonic bearing
three phase circuits as in the previous circuit, which is it?
a)
A three phase circuit that is balanced may be analyzed by a single phase
equivalent circuit as illustrated
below; current flow, voltage drop, and voltage
regulation are the same as in the three phase circuit. Square root of 3 is not
necessary if you convert all to wye connections.
b)
The answer a) is false since __________________________________________.
c)
Neither a) or b) are correct.
A

Source
120
VAC

Load
N

Ice Breaker TEST 1 - Page 3 of 16

ECE 460 - ME 460 / 501P (Ref Nos. 37104, 38539, 38568 Respectively)
FALL 2006
ELECTROMECHANICAL CONVERSION
3 - viii)
a)
b)
3 - ix)

The load on any one phase is 10 kVA.

True.
False
The kW load on any one phase is ________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________
Please show the calculation in the blank above.
3 - x)

The kVAr load on any one phase is ______________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________
Please show the calculation in the blank above.
4) Capacitors and Inductors are opposites in all respects (physically and electrically) and
their impedance values subtract from each other in series circuits and form interesting
quotients (that vary from zero to infinite amounts of impedance) when in parallel circuits
(product divided by sum for parallel equivalents). These interesting effects result in such
unique characteristics as resonance, tuned circuits, oscillators, and impulse generators. (1
Point)
a) True
b) False
5) Maximum transfer of real power will occur when the load impedance is _____ of the
source impedance in any circuit that only has a potential source, a source impedance, and a
load impedance. (1 Point, yes it is that easy)
a) Opposite.
b) Equal.
c) Square Root
d) Reciprocal
e) Complex Conjugate
6) What are the major three steps in solving all electrical problems? (1 Point)
a) Draw current arrows for each independent loop, Develop Independent Mesh
equations, Solve as Simultaneous equations, Substitute for Values Required.
b) Draw the circuit and determine what you know; make reasonable assumptions
and calculate what you need; check KVL, KCL and check the unit(s) for the
answers.
7) What is the difference between a vector and a phasor? (1 Point)
Explanation _________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

Ice Breaker TEST 1 - Page 4 of 16

ECE 460 - ME 460 / 501P (Ref Nos. 37104, 38539, 38568 Respectively)
FALL 2006
ELECTROMECHANICAL CONVERSION
8) What is the standard positive rotational direction for phasors? (1 Point)
Explanation
___________________________________________________________________________
9) Answer the following questions based upon the phasor diagram illustrated below. (1
Points for each subpart)

= 30 O

V = 4,160 VAC
(line to ground)

I = 12 A
9 - i) Does this diagram give you the impression that this is a capacitive or an inductive
circuit?
a)
Capacitive
b)
Inductive
c)
Real
d)
Complex
9 - ii) What is the perceived Power Factor of the above circuit?
Explanation ________________________________________________________________
9 - iii) What is the Real Power indicated and the units?
Explanation ________________________________________________________________
9 - iv) What is the Reactive Power indicated and the units?
Explanation ________________________________________________________________
9 - v) What is the Apparent Power indicated and the units?
Explanation ________________________________________________________________
9 - vi) What is the amount of shunt Reactive Power required to correct the above phasor
to unity assuming the phasor represents a series circuit with the reactive quantity at the
load position?
Explanation _______________________________________________________________

10) What is an inductor (reactor)? (1 Point)

Explanation ________________________________________________________________
Ice Breaker TEST 1 - Page 5 of 16

ECE 460 - ME 460 / 501P (Ref Nos. 37104, 38539, 38568 Respectively)
FALL 2006
ELECTROMECHANICAL CONVERSION
11) What is a capacitor (condenser)? (1 Point)
Explanation ________________________________________________________________
12) Define Instantaneous Power (Equations Are Not Allowed)? (1 Point)
Explanation ________________________________________________________________
13) If the following circuit has a current of 10 amperes with a source voltage of 120 VAC,
60 Hz, what will the current do as the frequency of this source increases? What will the
voltage across the resistor do as the frequency increases? (2 Points)
a) Both will decrease
b) Current will increase and Voltage will decrease
c) Current will decrease and Voltage will increase
d) Both will increase

Source

I Current
Current

INDUCTOR

14) If the following circuit has a current of 10 amperes with a source voltage of 120 VAC,
60 Hz, what will the current do as the frequency of this source increases? What will the
voltage across the resistor do as the frequency increases? (2 Points)
a) Both will decrease
b) Current will increase and Voltage will decrease
c) Current will decrease and Voltage will increase
d) Both will increase
e) This is a flux capacitor, so nothing will happen.

Source

I Current
Current

CAPACITOR

15) If the load on a circuit is increased, what happens to the current? (1 Point)
a) Increases
b) Decreases
c) Neither
d) Not Sure
Ice Breaker TEST 1 - Page 6 of 16

ECE 460 - ME 460 / 501P (Ref Nos. 37104, 38539, 38568 Respectively)
FALL 2006
ELECTROMECHANICAL CONVERSION
16) If the following circuit has a total current of 10 Amperes initially, will the portion of
the total current that flows through resistor R1 increase or decrease as R2 is
increased? (1 Point)
a) Increase
b) Decrease
c) Remain the same
d) None-of-the-above
R3

R1

Source

R2

17) Which of the following choices would be the greater electrical load? I know there will
be the propensity to ask a question here; but you my not and for a very good reason! (1 Point)
a) 3 + j4 ohms
b) 4 + j3 ohms
c) 12 + j35 ohms
d) 2 + j4 ohms
18) A hair dryers nameplate states the Wattage is 1,200. The voltage listed on the hair
dryers nameplate is 120 Volts AC and 11 Amperes AC. How much current does this
hairdryer draw from the outlet assuming the outlet is 120 Volts AC? (1 Point)
Explanation ________________________________________________________________
18 - i) What is the magnitude and the angle of the impedance that this hairdryer system
places on the 120 V AC supply? (1 Point)
Explanation ________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
18 - ii) Which part of the hairdryers nameplate describes the Real load? (1 Point)
Explanation ________________________________________________________________
18 - iii) Which part of the hairdryers nameplate describes the Reactive load? (1 Point)
Explanation ________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Ice Breaker TEST 1 - Page 7 of 16

ECE 460 - ME 460 / 501P (Ref Nos. 37104, 38539, 38568 Respectively)
FALL 2006
ELECTROMECHANICAL CONVERSION
18 - iv) Which part of the hairdryers nameplate describes the Apparent load? (1 Point)
Explanation ________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
19) If you were to make an impedance measurement of the following black box and the
result was 1.92 + j1.44 Ohms, use the following available circuit elements and available
element ohmic magnitudes to configure TWO possible internal circuits of what might be
within this two terminal box.
Impedance looking into the box
Is 1.92 + j1.44 Ohms

Elements Available:

Capacitor

Inductor

Resistor

Ohmic Magnitudes Available:

3.00

4.00

5.00

9.00

1.25

1.92 Res

1.44 Ind

19 - i) Configuration 1 (Draw the easy equivalent, lets call this circuit 1, in the space
provided below, and label all items and values please) (1 Point)

19 ii) Configuration 2 (Draw the more difficult equivalent circuit, say number 2, and
what it might look like You do not have to calculate the values, but show what the result
would be in the space provided below) (4 Points)

Ice Breaker TEST 1 - Page 8 of 16

ECE 460 - ME 460 / 501P (Ref Nos. 37104, 38539, 38568 Respectively)
FALL 2006
ELECTROMECHANICAL CONVERSION

19 iii) Are these two equivalent circuits really identical? (Hint: Review questions 13 and 14)
(1 Point)
Explanation__________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

20) What is a VAr? (1 Point)

Explanation (No Formulas Allowed !!)___________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
21) Do VArs have a flow direction? (1 Point)
a) Yes
b) No
22) In the circuit below, the voltage across the resistor is 30 VAC and the voltage across
the inductor is 40 VAC. Draw the Phasor Voltages and Phasor Current. What is the
source voltage and power factor of the circuit? (Points shown next to questions)

RESISTOR
Source

I Current
Current

INDUCTOR

22 - i) Phasor Diagram (please draw all phasors {voltage across the resistor and voltage
across the inductor and the relative current that travels through them} in the space
provided below) (2 Points for each Phasor)

Ice Breaker TEST 1 - Page 9 of 16

ECE 460 - ME 460 / 501P (Ref Nos. 37104, 38539, 38568 Respectively)
FALL 2006
ELECTROMECHANICAL CONVERSION

22 ii) Please determine the Source Voltage and the circuit Power Factor (2 Points each)
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

23) What if I stated the hypothesis that there were no leading or lagging VArs, just
VArs and that their direction of flow (emanating from a device or going into a device,
{stated another way, developed by a device or absorbed by a device}) constitutes the
difference. If this were true, which devices would absorb VArs, which would develop
VArs, which would be capable of both (develops and/or absorbs) and which would be
capable of neither? Please check the appropriate heading for each. (1 Point each, only one
guess er selection allowed per item on the following page).

Ice Breaker TEST 1 - Page 10 of 16

ECE 460 - ME 460 / 501P (Ref Nos. 37104, 38539, 38568 Respectively)
FALL 2006
ELECTROMECHANICAL CONVERSION
An Absorber of VArs

A Generator of VArs

Either Neither

Transformers

___

___

___

___

Fluorescent Ballasts

___

___

___

___

Welders (AC)

___

___

___

___

Motors (AC)

___

___

___

___

Inductors

___

___

___

___

Capacitors

___

___

___

___

Generators (Synchronous)

___

___

___

___

Generators (Induction)

___

___

___

___

Switches

___

___

___

___

Loads

___

___

___

___

Distribution Lines
(Low Voltage,
Very Heavily Loaded)

___

___

___

___

Transmission Lines
(Very High Voltage,
Very Lightly Loaded)

___

___

___

___

Motors (DC)

___

___

___

___

Generators (DC)

___

___

___

___

Resistors (Wire Wound)

___

___

___

___

Inverters

___

___

___

___

Ice Breaker TEST 1 - Page 11 of 16

ECE 460 - ME 460 / 501P (Ref Nos. 37104, 38539, 38568 Respectively)
FALL 2006
ELECTROMECHANICAL CONVERSION
24 ) If I were to describe a three phase wye connected circuit with a source potential of 120
VAC, 50 Hz as having a total nominal inductive load rated for 520 VA, what is the
equivalent phase impedance of the inductor in such a circuit? (2 Points, yes it is that easy)
Equivalent Impedance of the Single Phase Inductor Explanation _____________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

25 ) A transformer is rated 20 MVA, 13.8 kV to 69 kV. What is the maximum voltage I

can apply to this transformer and Why? (1 Point each question)
Maximum Applied Voltage? ____________________________________________________
Why? _______________________________________________________________________

26 ) If both Resistors in the circuit below are 1 ohm; what is the indicated current? (1
Points)

Explanation ________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

Ice Breaker TEST 1 - Page 12 of 16

ECE 460 - ME 460 / 501P (Ref Nos. 37104, 38539, 38568 Respectively)
FALL 2006
ELECTROMECHANICAL CONVERSION
27) If I were to describe the following circuit as having equal magnitudes of impedance for
each element (Resistor, Inductor, and Capacitor), please answer the following questions. (2
Point each)
RESISTOR

Source

CAPACITOR

I Current
Current

INDUCTOR

27 - i) What is the voltage across the Resistor?

Explanation _________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
27 - ii) What is the voltage across the Capacitor?
Explanation _________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
27 - iii) What is the voltage across the Inductor?
Explanation _________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
27 - iv) What is the current in the circuit in terms of the source voltage and the series
impedances?
Explanation _________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

Ice Breaker TEST 1 - Page 13 of 16

ECE 460 - ME 460 / 501P (Ref Nos. 37104, 38539, 38568 Respectively)
FALL 2006
ELECTROMECHANICAL CONVERSION
28) Considering the following semiconductor device. (1 Point each question)

28 i) Under what conditions does this device conduct?

Explanation _________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
28 ii) Under what conditions does this device not conduct or turn off while voltage is still
applied?
Explanation _________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

29) Considering the following semiconductor device. (2 Points each question)

29 i) Under what conditions does this device conduct?

Explanation _________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
29 ii) Under what conditions does this device not conduct or turn off while voltage is still
applied?
Explanation _________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

Ice Breaker TEST 1 - Page 14 of 16

ECE 460 - ME 460 / 501P (Ref Nos. 37104, 38539, 38568 Respectively)
FALL 2006
ELECTROMECHANICAL CONVERSION
30) If I knew (I had access to the Manufacturers drawing) that the rating of a three phase
transformer was 115 kV to 69 kV, 30 / 40 / 50 MVA @ 10 percent impedance on its own
base, what is the maximum three phase fault current available at 69 kV? (3 Point)
Explanation _________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

31) If I estimated the rating of a three phase transformer as 115 kV to 69 kV, 30 / 40 / 50

MVA @ 10 percent impedance on its own base, what is the maximum three phase fault
current available at 69 kV? (3 Points)
Explanation _________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

32) What would you expect the magnitude of the starting current for a conventional
Squirrel Cage Induction Motor with Cross-The-Line starting, if the nameplate stated 500
Hp and 460 VAC. (2 Points)
Explanation _________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

33) What is the phase shift in a standard ANSI transformer that is connected delta-wye
with the peaking order matching the terminal numbers? (1 Point)
Explanation _________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

Ice Breaker TEST 1 - Page 15 of 16

ECE 460 - ME 460 / 501P (Ref Nos. 37104, 38539, 38568 Respectively)
FALL 2006
ELECTROMECHANICAL CONVERSION
34) What is the phase shift in a standard ANSI transformer that is connected delta-wye
with the peaking order reversed from the terminal numbers? (1 Point)
Explanation _________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

35) Is a motor a source of energy during a fault? (1 Point)

Explanation _________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

Ice Breaker TEST 1 - Page 16 of 16