Nuclear Power Plants

Q. Name three important factors in choosing a site for an atomic power plant.   Ans. Three important factors in choosing a site for atomic power plants are: (i) availability of water supply (ii) distance from a populated area (iii) transportation facilities. Q. Name three different types of fuels used in nuclear reactors.   Ans. … Read more

Tariff for Electrical Energy

Q. What type of tariff is employed for domestic consumers? Ans. Block rate tariff Q. What is two-part tariff? Ans. In the two-part tariff, the total charge to be made to the consumer is divided into two components namely fixed charge (proportional to connected load or maximum demand) and the running or operating charges (proportional … Read more

Gas Turbine Power Plants

Q. How does a gas turbine differ from a diesel engine?   Ans. The gas turbine is different from the diesel engine in the respect that the combustion region is external to the prime mover. Q. Why are the majority of gas turbine power plants employed as peak load plants?   Ans. The majority of … Read more

Earthing or Grounding

Earthing or Grounding Grounding is the process of creating an alternative(different) path for the flow of fault(excessive) currents safely into the ground in the presence of minimal resistance or impedance. It connects non-current carrying parts of an equipment to the general mass of earth in such a manner as to ensure, at all times, an immediate … Read more

Insulating Materials for Cables & Electronic Equipments

Insulating Materials for Cables The insulating materials (dielectrics) used for cables must have low discharge current, low dissipation factor (low loss tangent), and should be chemically stable. The materials generally used are impregnated paper, bituminous compounds, rubber, compressed air, mineral oil etc. In the present days, cross-linked polyethylene cables (XLPE) are manufactured for 11 kV, … Read more

Electrical Machine Insulation

In electrical machines, the insulation system must withstand the high electrical stresses and severe mechanical stresses induced by the magnetic field of the moving rotor. In machines, multi-turn windings are put in narrow armature slots, which are usually grounded. Rotating machine stator insulation construction is divided into principal types: Random wound conductor machines with small … Read more

Insulating Materials for Power & Distribution Transformers

The insulating materials used in power and distribution transformers must possess the following properties: Good electrical properties to withstand the power frequency (50 Hz) voltages and impulse overvoltages. Good mechanical properties to withstand fabrication and handling during manufacture and electromagnetic forces during overload, short circuit, and normal operating conditions. Good thermal stability and low ageing … Read more

Solid Insulating Materials

Solid insulating materials may be natural organic substances like paper, cloth, rubber, etc. or inorganic materials like Mica, Glass, or synthetic materials like plastics. The different solid insulating materials are: Paper and Pressboards Fibrous materials (unimpregnated and impregnated) Impregnated coating, filling, and bonding materials Resins (Polymers) Natural and synthetic rubbers Inorganic Insulating Materials: a) Glass b) … Read more

Liquid Insulating Materials

In this article, we will know about different liquid insulating materials. An ideal insulating liquid must have the following properties: High electric strength, impulse strength, and volume resistivity. Low dielectric dissipation factor. High or low dielectric constant (depending on application). High specific heat and thermal conductivity. Excellent chemical stability and gas-absorbing properties. Low viscosity, low-density, … Read more