EE exam topics

[3Phase510]

Hello all,

I'm taking a test for an EE assistant (entry level) position for a city. The position description says electrical power systems fundamentals calculations.

What type of questions/subject should I go over?

This is what I came up with.

AC Power Analysis
Instantaneous and Average Power
Maximum Average Power Transfer
Effective or RMS Value
Apparent Power and Power Factor
Complex Power
Power Factor Correction

Three-Phase Circuits
Balanced 3 Phase Voltages
Balanced Wye-Wye Connection
Balanced Wye-Delta Connection
Balanced Delta-Delta Connection
Balanced Delta-Wye Connection
Power in a Balanced System

This is pulled straight from a book. Fundamentals of Electric Circuits 3E, Alexander Sadiku

Thanks for your help.

 

[shamsdebout]

Good for you. I think I searched and was able to find the job you are testing for.

I was a little confused as the job description appears to lean toward the MEP environment but there is also mention of generation, transmission, and distribution. I assume this is with a power company that serves that city.

I would think short-circuit calculations would be good to look at.

What you posted is right on the money.

I think if you are able to perform three-phase calculations, wherein you can calculate the current if given the kVA and voltage then you will be in good step.

Do you have any experience in the electrical industry?

 

[jmbelectrical]

If this position is at an MEP consulting firm, I agree with shamsdebout. You've pretty much got it covered, but make sure you're familiar with short-circuit calculations. If this position is at a utility, it may not hurt to be familiar with some other topics, as well. Consider brushing up on transmission line theory, non-ideal transformer circuit diagrams, the per-unit system, etc.

If allowed, let us know what topics were addressed on the test. I'm curious about what an employer considers to be "fundamental calculations." Good luck!

 

[3Phase510]

shamsdebout, here is the link to the position description. Link

What is an MEP environment?

I have no job experience, recent EE graduate. Never took a course on power systems so this is all new to me. The most relevant course I took was network analysis (AC steady state but nothing 3 phase). I took power electronics which was fun but nothing about systems.

I picked up another book. Power System Analysis by John J. Grainger. I was thinking the first chapter would be the minimum I would want to cover.Link The table of contents can be viewed.

Thanks guys for your feedback.

 

[3Phase510]

I discovered what MEP is after a google search.

 

[shamsdebout]

That was the job I saw when I searched for what you posted.

If you were able to get on with this position it sounds like it could be good. I think you would learn a lot.

Here are a few links for some calculations you will encounter:

http://ncalculators.com/electrical/kva-calculator.htm

http://ecmweb.com/basics/calculating-single-and-3-phase-parameters

http://www.gea.com.pk/en/images/stories/pdf/Energy-Efficiency/basic-electrical-calculations.pdf

Here is some information on short circuit calculations:

http://www.cooperindustries.com/con...ch_Lib_Short_Circuit_Current_Calculations.pdf

I think the link you posted is a very nice reference. I think perusing the first chapter will be good. It sounds like you will have the opportunity to learn alot on the job.

I agree with JMB, we would like to hear how things go when you take the test. I too would be interested in what they consider basic calculations.

 

[Gragas]

You can take a look at:

http://www.compleximaginary.com/

Its a Power PE exam prep website. Dont be too spooked as basic principles of a lot of things is what the PE exam is about.

That site has several very good youtube videos that go over basic concepts and problems, and how to work them... for power EE.

 

[3Phase510]

For the exam I cannot bring a scientific calculator (only a simple calculator) or any material for reference. I'm trying to find some power flow analysis (load flow analysis) problems that would be simple to do but a google search finds matrix manipulation work. I feel this would be very time consuming using non-scientific calculator, or am I just whining . Any suggestions? This power flow analysis will be on the test.

Thanks.

 

[jmbelectrical]

My particular textbook on power systems analysis recommends the use of some sort of a reasonable computational aid, either in the form of a graphing calculator or MATLAB, when solving power flow analysis problems via Gaussian Iteration or Newton-Raphson Iteration. As you're already aware, these problems involve matrix operations, imaginary/complex numbers, and vectors - none of which are within the realm of capability of a non-scientific calculator. Are you sure that this topic is on the exam?

I also just realized that you said "non-scientific calculator." This can't possibly be correct. You need a calculator that can, at the very least, perform trigonometric functions. (Or am I just whining?)