Alternating Current (AC) MCQs with Answers

1. The only AC waveform that produces a current flow with the same waveform as the voltage is the: 
 

A.  sine wave
B.  symmetrical square wave
C.  sawtooth
D.  asymmetrical square wave

 

2. Look at the following diagram:    
The waveshape shown in the diagram is: 
 

A.  sinusoidal
B.  triangular
C.  a sawtooth
D.  an asymmetrical square wave

 

3. When the positive period of an AC waveshape is not equal to the negative period, the waveform is known as: 
 

A.  a regular sinewave
B.  a symmetrical wave
C.  an asymmetrical wave
D.  a DC voltage wave

 

4. A rotating machine producing a voltage with an alternating waveform at its terminals is called: 
 

A.  a motor
B.  an armature
C.  a DC generator
D.  an alternator

 

5. Look at the following diagram:    
If the loop is rotated continuously, the output will be: 
 

A.  an alternating voltage
B.  a DC voltage
C.  an AC voltage with a superimposed DC voltage
D.  a pulsating DC voltage

 

6. The following formula can be used to determine the value of the voltage induced in a rotating loop:    
In the formula the term B stands for the: 
 

A.  value of induced voltage
B.  flux density in teslas
C.  length of conductor in meters
D.  velocity of the loop in meters per second

 

7. Look at the following diagram:    
The basic construction of an alternator has been shown to be a loop rotating in a magnetic field, as illustrated. This result can also be achieved by: 
 

A.  using photo-voltaic cells with a very high frequency output
B.  having both the loop and the magnetic field rotate at the same frequency
C.  keeping the loop stationary and rotating the magnetic field inside the loop
D.  keeping both the loop and the magnetic field stationary with rotating current

 

8. A conductor 0.25 m long is rotating on the periphery of an armature at 25 ms–1. If the flux density is 0.3 T, then the voltage induced in the conductor when it is cutting the field at an angle of 60º will be approximately: 
 

A.  18.80 V
B.  11.25 V
C.  1.88 V
D.  1.62 V

 

9. The iron core onto which the coils of an alternator are wound improves the voltage output by increasing the flux density, but causes two undesirable effects, these are: 
 

A.  eddy-current and hysteresis losses
B.  friction and windage losses
C.  eddy current and friction losses
D.  hysteresis and friction losses

 

10. In an alternator, hysteresis loss results in energy loss in the form of: 
 

A.  voltage drop
B.  heat
C.  windage
D.  resistance

 

11. The eddy-current losses in alternators may be greatly reduced by using cores which are made of: 
 

A.  continuous plastic strips
B.  solid cast steel
C.  laminated sheet iron
D.  solid cast iron

 

12. The hysteresis losses in the core of an alternator can be kept within reasonable limits by using: 
 

A.  cast iron
B.  grade 80 alloy steel
C.  stainless steel
D.  silicon-alloy steel

 

13. Some of the design techniques used in alternators such as, distributed windings, variation of air gaps and the setting of conductors at an angle, are used to: 
 

A.  ensure a sinusoidal waveshape
B.  keep the output voltage constant
C.  generate a good harmonic content
D.  keep production costs reasonable

 

14. In Australia, the standard frequency of supply is: 
 

A.  0 Hz
B.  50 Hz
C.  100 Hz
D.  25 Hz

 

15. Look at the following drawing:    
The drawing shows a sinewave of voltage. If the voltage has a frequency of 50 Hz, then the periodic time of the waveshape will be: 
 

A.  50 mS
B.  740 mS
C.  20 mS
D.  10 mS

 

16. The frequency of the output voltage of an alternator can be determined using the following formula:
f = n P/120
In the formula the term P stands for the: 
 

A.  speed in revolutions per minute
B.  power produced by the alternator
C.  periodic time of the sinewave
D.  number of poles of the alternator

 

17. In order to generate a voltage at a frequency of 50 Hz, a 6 pole alternator must each be driven at a speed of: 
 

A.  1000 RPM
B.  1500 RPM
C.  2000 RPM
D.  3000 RPM

 

18. Look at the following diagram:    
With reference to the sinewave of voltage shown, if the maximum value of the voltage is 340 volts, then the value of the instantaneous voltage at 30 ° will be: 
 

A.  102 V
B.  170 V
C.  180 V
D.  230 V

 

19. A sinewave of current has a maximum value of 15 amperes. Using the formula I = Imax sin θ the instantaneous current at 60° will be approximately: 
 

A.  7.5 A
B.  9 A
C.  13 A
D.  17 A

 

20. A sinewave of current has a maximum value of 12 amperes. The average value of current will be approximately: 
 

A.  16.9 A
B.  8.5 A
C.  7.9 A
D.  7.6 A

 

21. A sine wave of voltage has a maximum value of 155.6 V. The RMS value of the voltage will be approximately: 
 

A.  110 V
B.  220 V
C.  99 V
D.  78 V

 

22. For any waveform, the crest factor is defined as the ratio of the: 
 

A.  maximum value to the peak value
B.  maximum value to the RMS value
C.  RMS value to the average value
D.  average value to the peak value

 

23. For any waveform, the form factor is defined as the ratio of the: 
 

A.  maximum value to the peak value
B.  RMS value to the maximum value
C.  RMS value to the average value
D.  average value to the peak value

 

24. For a sinewave, the form factor is: 
 

A.  0.707
B.  1.11
C.  0.637
D.  1.414

 

25. Look at the following diagram:    
With reference to the diagram, the current: 
 

A.  lags the voltage
B.  leads the voltage
C.  both leads and then lags the voltage
D.  is in phase with the voltage

 

26. When drawing a phasor diagram for a series AC circuit, the: 
 

A.  current is used as the reference phasor
B.  resistance is used as the reference phasor
C.  voltage is used as the reference phasor
D.  power is used as the reference phasor

 

27. Look at the following diagram:    
With reference to the diagram, the current is shown: 
 

A.  leading the voltage by approximately 90°
B.  lagging the voltage by approximately 70°
C.  in phase with the voltage
D.  leading the voltage by approximately 360°

 

28. Look at the following diagram:    
In the phasor diagram shown, the: 
 

A.  voltage lags the current
B.  voltage and current are in phase
C.  current lags the voltage
D.  current leads the voltage

 

29. Two voltages A and B have been connected in series. Voltage A is 100 V and leads the current by 30º, while voltage B is 80 V and lags the current by 25º. Using the trigonometric method, the resultant voltage will be approximately: 
 

A.  180 V
B.  20 V
C.  240 V
D.  160 V

 

30. A perfect square wave would consist of: 
 

A.  an infinite number of odd harmonics only
B.  the fundamental plus all the even harmonics
C.  all the odd and even harmonics
D.  an infinite number of the even harmonics