English tests for electrical engineers with the answers

A list of the most common questions for electrical engineers (ETO) that are asked in crewing companies or when passing qualification testing. These questions and answers will also help you prepare for the CES test at a basic level.

Most common questions for electrical engineers (ETO) 

1. A 24-volt lead-acid storage battery consists of: C.12 cells
2. A "dead board" is:A.a board with no power
3. A circuit that does not provide a complete path for the flow of current is: B.a closed circuit
4. A circuit that has one wire in contact with the hull of a ship is a:D.grounded circuit
5. A DC ammeter is always connected:A.in series with a circuit
6. A D.C. compound-wound generator that has a voltage drop from no load is said to be:A.under compounded
7. A D.C. generator that has a voltage rise from no load to full load is said to be:D.under flat compounded
8. A D.C. series motor should always be mechanically coupled to the load in order to:D.prevent excessive speed
9. A fully charged battery reads from:A.1.280 - 1.300
10. A galvanometer is used to measure:D.both A and В
11. A generator interpole always has the same polarity as the:B.pole preceding it
12. A generator operates on the principle that:C.voltage is induced when a conductor cuts a magnetic flux
13. A horseshoe magnet has:D.two poles
14. A loud buzzing noise in an AC controller is probably caused by:C.high slippage
15. A megger measures:D.insulation resistance
16. A mil is:C.1/1,000 inches
17. A multiconductor cable A.has a number of separate circuits
18. A reverse power relay is used to: B. protect a generator from a power reversal
19. A rheostat is a device that regulates the strength of an electric current by:A.varying the resistance in the circuit
20. A semiconductor that decreases in resistance with an increase in temperature is known as:B.hermistor
21. A series-wound generator has the field windings in series with the:B.armature
22. A series-wound motor is used to run a pump driven with a belt. If the belt breaks, the motor will:A.overspeed and run out of control
23. A short circuit is:D.all of the above
24. A shorted coil can be detected by:D.both В and С
25. A shunt motor would be best suited for:A.constant speed results
26. A shunt-wound generator is the one in which the field windings are in parallel with the:A.armature
27. A starting resistance used with a large D.C. motor should gradually be:C.cut out of the armature circuit as the motor picks up speed
28. A synchronous motor differs from an induction motor in that it:D.all of the above
29. A synchroscope is used to:A.parallel A.C. generators
30. A transformer works on the principle of:C.mutual induction
31. A voltmeter is connected in a circuit in:A.parallel
32. A wattmeter shows the:C.combined volts and amps of load delivery
33. After having been given an equalizing charge, a lead-acid battery is considered fully charged when the specific readings of all cells taken at half- hour intervals show no change for:D.four hours
34. All of the following will cause an induction motor to run hot except:D.high power factor
35. An "exciting current" is required to:B.create a magnetic field
36. An accidental path of low resistance which passes an abnormal amount of current is known as a/an:B.short circuit
37. An advantage of a wound rotor motor over an induction motor is:A.high starting torque with low starting current
38. An ammeter is connected in a circuit in:C.series
39. An A.C. armature is always the:C.conductor into which voltage is induced
40. An increase in current:B.increases temperature
41. An ohmmeter measures:C.resistance
42. An open coil can be detected by:A.high resistance
43. An operation characteristic which appears on the name plates of shipboard A.C. motors is the:C.temperature rise
44. Another name for an A.C. generator is:C.an alternator
45. As a general rule, the first troubleshooting action to be taken in checking faulty electric control apparatus is to:B.test all fuses and measure the line voltage
46. As load is added to an AC generator with constant field excitation the prime mover slows down:A.lowering frequency and lowering generated voltage
47. Before handling or making any connections, a capacitor should be:B.shorted out with a jumper
48. Before measuring an unknown resistance with an ohmmeter, you should:D.short the test leads and calibrate the meter
49. Batteries are rated for capacity in terms of:D.ampere-hours
50. Chattering of the alternator brushes can usually be eliminated by:B.dressing and polishing the collector rings
51. Counter electromotive force is measured in:A.amps
52. Current measuring instruments must always be connected in:A.series with the circuit
53. D.C. generators are rated in:C.Kw
54. D.C. motors are provided with starters and controllers to:D.start motor at less than line voltage
55. DC generators are classified according to the manner in which:D.the field windings are connected to the armature circuit
56. Defects in wiring which permit current to jump from one wire to another before the intended path has been completed are called:B.shorts
57. Dielectric strength is the:D.strength of a magnetic field
58. Dirty lead-acid type batteries should be cleaned off with:C.sodium chlorine
59. Electric current is the flow of electrons through a conductor. This is commonly called:B.amperage
60. Equal power factors on parallel AC generators are maintained by an automatic:A.voltage regulator
61. Excitation for an A.C. generator can be taken from a:D.any of the above
62. Field excitation, where required, is always supplied from a (an):C.direct current source
63. How is a lead-acid cell tested?A.hydrometer
64. How is speed changed in a 2-speed induction motor?A.vary the number of poles
65. How is the rotating field of an alternator excited?B.slip rings insulated from shaft
66. How is the rotation of a D,C. generator reversed?D.both В and С
67. If a D.C. generator was rotated in the wrong direction, it would faii to come up to voltage because the:C.armature field would oppose the field current
68. If a generator docs not generate the trouble may be:c.loss of residual magnetism
69. If a synchroscope is placed in a circuit in which the frequency of the incoming alternator is equal to that of the bus, the pointer will:D.remain stationary
70. If a wire is increased in circular mils:D.A and В
71. If more resistance is applied to the shunt field of a D.C. motor, the motor speed will:B.increase
72. If the approximate voltage to be measured in a circuit is not known, you should:D.use the highest voltage range on the voltmeter
73. If the brushes in a generator are not positioned in the neutral plane, sparkling may occur between the brushes and the:B.commutator
74. If the charging rate to a battery was too high, it would:C.increase the rate of hydrogen liberation
75. If the excitation of one or two alternators operating in parallel is increased, the:A.power factor will change in the lagging direction
76. If the length of the wire is doubled and the cross-sectional area is reduced to one-half, the change in resistance will be:B.quadrupled
77. If the load was removed from a series-wound motor, it would:C.speed up
78. If the load was suddenly released from a shunt motor, it would:A.continue to operate at the same speed
79. If the motor fails to run when the switch is turned on, the trouble may be:C.burned out fuses d dirty commutator
80. If the motor is noisy in operation, the trouble may be:D.a.b,c
81. If the motor runs faster than name-plate speed, the trouble may be:B.shorted or grounded field
82. If the motor runs hot, the trouble may be:E.b and с (overload & tight bearing)
83. If the motor runs slowly, the trouble may be:A.shorted armature or commutator
84. If the motor sparks, the trouble may be:B.poor brush contact on the commutator
85. If the needle of a megger does not return to zero, what is the cause?C.normal operation
86. If the resistance is increased in the shunt field of a motor, the motor will:A.speed up
87. If the resistance of a circuit is doubled and the applied voltage kept constant, the current will:С. be cut in half
88. If the temperature varies with such conductors as copper, silver, aluminum, which of the following statements are correct?A.as temperature increases, resistance increases
89. If the voltage does not build up to a maximum the trouble may be:D.speed of generator too low
90. If the voltage drops considerably as the load is placed on the generator, the trouble may be:D.a,b,c
91. If two generators are connected in series:A.voltage is added and current stays the same
92. If you have two alternators in parallel and one is not working properly, and one alternator cannot handle the load, what would you do?D.cut out some of the branch circuits and secure the faulty alternator
93. In a 12-volt battery there are how many cells?C.6
94. In a compound-wound motor, part of the line current flows through the:D.shunt field coils
95. In a D.C. series circuit, all the conductors have the same:D.current passing through them
96. In a parallel circuit which of the following is the same throughout the circuit?A.impedance
97. In a series circuit the total current is:D.none of the above
98. In a three-wire system, the ground wire is:C.green
99. In D.C. circuits, power is expressed as the product of:C.volts and amperes
100. In cold weather the specific gravity of a battery:A.rises
101. In the following list of instruments, which is not correctly stated?D.ammeter is connected across the circuit
102. Increasing the number of poles in an induction motor:B.decreases the field speed
103. Interpoles are connected in:A.series with the armature
104. Interpoles or commutating poles are connected in compound D.C. generators in:C.series with the armature
105. Magnetic flux is best insulated by:D.ceramic
106. Most generators will withstand an overload of:B.25%
107. On a D.C. generator where is the pigtail located?C.brush holder
108. One horsepower equals:B.746 watts
109. One kilowatt is equal to:B.1.33 horsepower
110. One megohm is equal to:D.1,000,000 ohms
111. One very important advantage of A.C. over D.C. motors is that:C.for a given power, A.C. motors are smaller than D.C. motors
112. Prior to starting an A.C. generator prime mover, the voltage regulator cut out switch should be placed in the:A.manual position
113. Rather then have six leads coming from a three-phase A.C. generator, you can:C.have one lead from each phase connected together
114. Residual magnetism is the magnetism:C.remaining in the substance after it has been removed from a magnetic field
115. Retentivity is the power a metal has to retain:B.magnetic lines of force
116. Salt water in contact with storage batteries will develop:D.chlorine gas
117. Soft iron is most suitable for use in a:B.temporary magnet
118. Sparking and grooving of commutator may be caused by:D.any of the above
119. Starting resistors are used in conjunction with D.C. motors to:A.reduce the heavy starting current
120. Static electricity is most often produced by.D.friction
121. Synchronization means:D.cycle for cycle
122. Synchronous converters are used to:A.change A.C. to D.C.
123. Synchronous motor speed is controlled by:C.varying frequency or number of poles
124. The advantage of D.C. motors over A.C. motors is the fact that they:D.offer a better means of controlling speed
125. The capacity of a lead-acid storage battery is measured in:B.ampere-hours
126. The conductance of a conductor is the ease with which current will flow through it. It is measured in:B.mhos
127. The cycles per second of the alternating current from the alternator aboard your boat are determined by:A.the speed of the engine driving the alternator
128. The direction of rotation of a split-phase induction motor can be reversed by:A.reversing the starting winding leads
129. The electrical power in kilowatts used by a 220 volt motor drawing 15 amps is:A.3.3
130. The following formula is used to compute power:C.P= I R
131. The force that cause free electrons to move in a conductor as an electric current is called________force.C.inductive
132. The frequency of the alternating current generated by a synchronous generator is governed by the speed and the:D.number of poles
133. The lead plates in storage batteries are separated by:D.any of the above
134. The load rating of an A.C. generator is determined by the:A.internal heat it can withstand
135. The load sharing characteristics of two diesel generators operating in parallel are mostly dependent on their governor's settings.D.speed droop
136. The magnetic field around a current-carrying wire:C.exists at all points along the length of the wire
137. The most common type of AC generator found aboard ship is the:D.armature-rotating electromagnetic field-type
138. The most common type of start used on board ship foe A.C, motor is the:D.across-the-line
139. The only type of compound generator commonly used aboard ship is the:C.stabilized shunt
140. The part of a D.C. generator into which the working voltage is induced is the:C.armature
141. The pole pieces mounted in a D.C. generator are built up of sheet steel laminations riveted together to:B.reduce eddy current losses
142. The power factor of an A.C. generator may be said to be in unity when:D.voltage and current reach maximum values simultaneously
143. The proper sequence for securing a D.C. generator in parallel operation is to:C.reduce current to near zero, open circuit breaker, and switch and secure the driving unit
144. The proportion of the kilowatt load handled by one of a group of paralleled alternators may be increased by increasing its:D.governor setting
145. The purpose for squirrel-cage windings in a synchronous motor is to:A.provide a means for starting
146. The purpose of a rectifier is to:A.change A.C. to D.C
147. The purpose of the commutator and brushes on a D.C. generator is to:A.change A.C. to D.C. current
148. The rating of an alternator as given on its nameplate, is 800Kw, 0.8 power factor, the significance of this rating is that the alternator:B.can supply an 800Kw, 0.8 lagging power factor load at rated voltage
149. The resistance of a copper wire to the flow of electricity:C.decreases as the length of the wire increases
150. The speed of a synchronous motor is varied by:B.changing of the frequency of the number of poles
151. The state of charge of a nickel-cadmium battery is determined by the use of a (an):B.voltmeter
152. The total resistance of a parallel circuit is always:C.equal to the reciprocal of the sum of the individual branch
153. The type of A.C. motor used for high-starting torque and low-starting current is the:B.wound-rotor motor
154. The unit of electrical current flow is the:D.ohm
155. The unit of electrical pressure is the:A.amp
156. The unit of electrical resistance is the:B.watt
157. The voltage of a D.C. generator depends on which of the following:D.all of the above
158. The voltage output of a compound D.C. generator is adjusted by a restate placed:A.in series with the shunt field
159. The voltage output of an A.C. generator is controlled by:A.varying the D.C. exciter voltage
160. To correct the polarity of a generator, you should:C.lift brushes and apply D.C.
161. To keep the current through a D.C. voltmeter as low as possible, the moving coil circuit is provided with a (an):C.high series resistance
162. To reverse a D.C. compound motor:B.interchange armature leads
163. Voltage generated by most AC generators is brought from the machine to the bus by means of:D.direct connections from the stator
164. Volts times amps equals:B.watts
165. When a lead-acid storage battery discharges, what would be the effect the electrolyte?A.specific gravity decreases
166. What are the commutators made of?B.hard drawn copper bars insulated with mica
167. What determines the voltage of a lead-acid cell?B.the strength of the electrolyte
168. What happens in a series circuit when the voltage remains constant and the resistance increases?A.current decreases
169. What is meant by the slip of an inductor motor?B.difference in the speed of the rotor to the speed of the magnetic field
170. What is the distinguishing feature of a shunt motor?C.stable speed through a wide load range
171. What is the primary reason for commutating poles in a D.C. generator?D.prevent sparking of the brushes
172. What is the probable fault for hot bearings?D.a,b,c.
173. What is the probable fault for motor overheating?E.b and с (ground fault & mechanical overload)
174. What occurs during the charging of a lead-acid storage battery?B.positive plates change to lead peroxide
175. What type of motor makes up the greatest part of the load of three-phase motor?B.a three-phase motor requires auxiliary means of starting and a single-phase motor is self-starting
176. What will happen to the alternator frequency if the load is removed from a turbogenerator whose governor has a 3% speed drop?D.it will increase
177. When a synchronous motor is unloaded it would:C.maintain speed
178. When a transformer is used to step down the voltage, the low voltage winding is:D.the secondary
179. When an alternator governor control switch is moved to "raise", this will:A.raise the no-load speed setting of the governor
180. When placed in a magnetic field, what material will have the highest permeability?C.soft iron
181. When securing an AC generator, you should first:D.reduce the load on the unit
182. When selecting the size of wire to be used in a circuit, the most important item to consider is the:C.amperage of the circuit
183. When the armature coils of a D.C. motor cut through the magnetic field, the voltage induced is known as:B.counter EMF
184. When the ground indicator light comes on, you should:B.check wiring from the main switchboard
185. When the polarity of the D.C. line is reversed, what does it do to the motors connected?B.rotation is reversed
186. When two D.C. generators operate in parallel, they are protected against motorizing by:D.reverse current trips
187. When using an A.C. generator on a three-phase, four-wire system, the neutral wire:D.has current flow when the loads are unbalanced
188. When using Ohm's Law, E divided by I would solve for:A.amperage
189. When using Ohm's Law, E divided by R would solve for:C.watts
190. When would you ground an electric hand tool?C. any machine that operates on over 100 volts
191. When would you test a motor?B.before it is installed
192. Which of the following A.C. motors has its rotor energized by D.C.?A.synchronous
193. Which of the following are not in a D.C. commutator and armature?A.interpole
194. Which of the following D.C. generators has the largest percentage of voltage drop between no load and full load?C.shunt
195. Which of the following expressions correctly states Ohm's Law?C.resistance equals volts divided by amps
196. Which of the following formulas would solve for amperage?D.R minus E
197. Which of the following groups of motors are D.C. motors?C.series, shunt and compound
198. Which of the following is not a good conductor of electricity?B.mica
199. Which of the following is not found on a D.C. generator?C.stationary armature
200. Which of the following is not found on A.C. generators?B.commutator
201. Which of the following is the distinguishing feature of a shunt motor?C.it has stable speed through a wide load range
202. Which of the following statements is true?B.like poles repel each other
203. Which of the following types of A.C. motors is employed for propulsion modern ship installations?C.synchronous
204. Which of the following will not cause a generator to vibrate?C.loose pigtails
205. Which of the following will not cause a hot motor bearing?B.loose brushes
206. Which term designates across-the line starters that automatically restart the motor after a temporary power failure?D.low-voltage release
207. Why could exhaust smoke be black?D.a and b (air cleaner clogged & low compression)
208. Why could exhaust smoke be white?C.low compression
209. Why is a reverse power relay put in an A.C. generator circuit?A.to prevent it from acting as a motor
210. Why might a generator not hold load?C.fuel filter clogged
211. Why might a generator not start?B.fuel supply valve closed
212. Why would a generator start and stop?D.a,b,c
213. With A.C. generators, the revolving armature-type generator is not generally used because:D.heavy voltage slip rings and brushes would be required
214. With an increase in load on a flat-compounded D.C. generator, the voltage will:C.remain the same
215. With an increase in load on an alternator, to maintain the voltage the voltage the automatic voltage regulator will:D.cut resistance out of the field
216. With other factors remaining constant, when the applied voltage is doubled, current flow in a given circuit will:D.be divided by four
217. You would be standing on a rubber mat when you are:D.all of the above

This test includes multiple-choice questions covering vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension relevant to the field of electrical engineering, along with the answers.

English Test for Electrical Engineers (brifly)

Vocabulary

1. What is the main function of a capacitor in an electrical circuit? a. To store energy b. To convert energy c. To dissipate energy d. To amplify signals

   Answer: a. To store energy

2. Which term refers to the opposition that a material offers to the flow of electric current? a. Conductance b. Resistance c. Capacitance d. Inductance

   Answer: b. Resistance

3. An oscilloscope is used to: a. Measure voltage b. Measure current c. Display signal waveforms d. Increase signal strength

   Answer: c. Display signal waveforms

4. A diode is a component that: a. Allows current to flow in one direction only b. Stores electrical energy c. Amplifies electrical signals d. Measures electrical resistance

   Answer: a. Allows current to flow in one direction only

Grammar

5. Choose the correct form of the verb to complete the sentence: "The voltage across the resistor _____ when the current increases." a. increase b. increases c. increasing d. increased

   Answer: b. increases

6. Which sentence is correct? a. The engineers was testing the new circuit. b. The engineer were testing the new circuit. c. The engineers were testing the new circuit. d. The engineer is testing the new circuits.

   Answer: c. The engineers were testing the new circuit.

7. Select the correct preposition to complete the sentence: "The capacitor is connected ___ the resistor." a. on b. in c. to d. by

   Answer: c. to

8. Identify the error in the following sentence: "The frequency of the signal are measured in hertz." a. frequency b. of c. are d. in

   Answer: c. are (should be "is")

Comprehension

Read the following paragraph and answer the questions:

"Electrical engineers design, develop, and test electrical devices and equipment, including communications systems, power generators, motors, and navigation systems. They also oversee the manufacture of these devices, systems, and equipment. Electrical engineers work in various industries, including research and development, engineering services, manufacturing, and telecommunications."

9. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a responsibility of electrical engineers? a. Designing electrical devices b. Testing electrical equipment c. Installing electrical systems d. Overseeing the manufacture of equipment

   Answer: c. Installing electrical systems

10. According to the paragraph, in which industry do electrical engineers NOT typically work? a. Research and development b. Engineering services c. Healthcare d. Telecommunications

    Answer: c. Healthcare

Answer Key:

1. a
2. b
3. c
4. a
5. b
6. c
7. c
8. c
9. c
10. c

This test covers essential aspects of English relevant to electrical engineers, ensuring they understand technical terms, proper grammar usage, and can comprehend industry-specific texts.