Regulatory

Question 1

Why was the Western Systems Coordinating Council (WSCC) formed?

Answer 1

To promote reliability

by bringing the region’s

planning and operating coordination activities

under one organization.

Question 2

How many classes of members are in (WECC) Western Electricity Coordinating Council.

Answer 2

Seven

Question 3

What are the four (WECC) Western Electricity Coordinating Council power areas?

Answer 3

California / Mexico Power Area

Arizona / New Mexico / Southeastern Nevada Power Area

Rocky Mountain Power Area

Northwest Power Pool

Question 4

How is AC different from DC?

Answer 4

DC flows only in one direction. AC continuously changes in direction and magnitude.

Question 5

Name two types of three phase connections?

Answer 5

Delta

Wye

Question 6

State Ohm’s Law.

Answer 6

E = I X R

Question 7

Describe switching stations.

Answer 7

Switching stations:

contain equipment necessary to sectionalize the transmission system

do not contain transformers

Question 8

T/F

Load break switches cannot be used to interrupt fault current.

Answer 8

True

Question 9

Define Maximum Continuous Current Capability.

Answer 9

Maximum Continuous Current Capability is:

the highest load current that the circuit breaker is designed to carry

for extended time periods.

Question 10

Define Maximum Interrupting Current.

Answer 10

Maximum Interrupting Current is:

the maximum fault current

that circuit breakers are capable of interrupting.

Question 11

Define Interrupting Time.

Answer 11

Interrupting Time is:

the period from the instant current begins to flow through the trip coil

until the circuit breaker interrupts the fault.

Question 12

Define Closing Time.

Answer 12

Closing Time is:

the time it takes to close the breaker from the instant the close coil is energized

until current begins to flow through the breaker.

Question 13

Fault recorders:

Answer 13

log critical current and voltage waveforms at the time of any fault.

Question 14

T/F

Aluminum has a greater resistance than copper?

Answer 14

True

Question 15

T/F

Increasing the length of a conductor increases the resistance of the conductor?

Answer 15

True

Question 16

Which winding is electrically connected to the energy output or load side of a transformer?

Answer 16

Secondary winding

Question 17

State the turns ratio formula.

Answer 17

V1 / V2 = N1 / N2

Question 18

What principle does a transformer operate on?

Answer 18

Electromagnetic induction

Question 19

T/F

Transformers do not create electricity?

Answer 19

True

Transformer convert electricity

Question 20

What type of three-phase connection does not introduce a phase shift between the primary and secondary voltage in transformer?

Answer 20

Delta - Delta

Question 21

What type of transformer is used to transfer power for voltages higher than 69 KV?

Answer 21

Power Transformers

Question 22

What type of transformer controls power over parallel lines by adjusting the phase at one end of the line?

Answer 22

Phase-shifting transformers

Question 23

What cancels some of the inductive reactance, therefore, decreasing impedance and enables more power to flow?

Answer 23

Series capacitors

Question 24

Name two advantages of DC over AC?

Answer 24

Two conductors are cheaper than three

Rapid adjustments to power flow

Can tie together two power systems having dissimilar characteristics

Question 25

Name the three components of a protection system.

Answer 25

Measuring devices Protective relays Control circuitry

Question 26

Define Transfer Tripping.

Answer 26

Transfer Tripping is: when relays at one end of the line detect a fault, the communication or pilot channel is turned on to signal the other end of the line that a fault has occurred.

Question 27

Define Directional Comparison.

Answer 27

Directional Comparison is: fault detecting directional distance relays at each line terminal which determines the direction of the fault current and compares their individual results over the pilot or communication channel.

Question 28

Define Phase Comparison.

Answer 28

Phase Comparison: uses over current fault detecting relays to compare the relative phase angles of the currents at the two terminals via the communications channel.

Question 29

Name two pieces of equipment protected by differential relays (87).

Answer 29

Transformers Windings Shunt equipment Generators Distribution bus substations

Question 30

T/F Internal faults are faults inside the protections zone.

Answer 30

True

Question 31

Define Corona.

Answer 31

Corona: occurs on conductors when the surface potential gets so high that the dielectric strength of the surrounding air is exceeded and ionization occurs.

Question 32

Charging current is current that flows on the line due to the alternate charge and discharge of the line due to:

Answer 32

alternating voltage

Question 33

Real power flow is determined by what three variables:

Answer 33

Phase angle Generation patterns LINE IMPEDANCE

Question 34

Define inadvertent.

Answer 34

Inadvertent is: the difference between net actual interchange and net scheduled interchange.

Question 35

What causes inadvertent?

Answer 35

(Automatic Generation Control) AGC lag Metering errors

Question 36

In 1920 congress established ________ to coordinate hydroelectric projects under federal control.

Answer 36

Federal Power Commission (FPC)

Question 37

What does FERC stand for?

Answer 37

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Question 38

What does FERC do?

Answer 38

FERC regulates interstate transportation of natural gas, oil, and electricity.

Question 39

What does NERC stand for?

Answer 39

North American Electric Reliability Corporation

Question 40

What does CISO stand for?

Answer 40

California Independent System Operator

Question 41

What are the seven WECC monitoring processes?

Answer 41

Compliance audits Compliance Violation Investigations Complaints Self-certifications Self-reporting Spot checking Readiness evaluation (audits)

Question 42

T/F If the system is over-generating, frequency will be greater than 60 HZ.

Answer 42

True

Question 43

Describe frequency excursions.

Answer 43

Electric clocks run faster when frequency is higher than 60 Hz when over-generating Electric clocks run slower when frequency is lower than 60 Hz when under-generating

Question 44

What are the three System Control modes:

Answer 44

Tie line bias control Flat frequency control Flat tie line control NOT power system control

Question 45

Define Spinning Reserve

Answer 45

Spinning Reserve is: the reserve capability that can be converted to energy within ten minutes. It is provided by equipment that is electrically synchronized to the system and responds automatically to frequency changes.

Question 46

Loop flow is a condition where the power flows over paths that are in ________ to the scheduled path?

Answer 46

Parallel