MES Departmental • 2026 • Engineering Paper-II
What is the minimum standard vertical ground clearance required for 33 kV lines crossing over public roads?
A)
4.5 meters
B)
5.5 meters
C)
6.1 meters
D)
7.5 meters
Option C is correct: 6.1 meters.
MES Departmental • 2026 • Engineering Paper-II
Which compressor control strategy involves stopping the motor when the target system pressure is reached, and restarting it when pressure drops?
A)
Variable Speed Drive (VSD) control
B)
Constant speed control with blow-off
C)
Start/Stop control
D)
Suction throttling
Option C is correct: Start/Stop control.
MES Departmental • 2025 • Engineering Paper-II
What is the purpose of a hoisting chain?
A)
To transfer power between sprockets
B)
To lift heavy loads and materials
C)
To transmit motion in a machine
D)
To measure distances on a field
Option B is correct: To lift heavy loads and materials.
MES Departmental • 2025 • Engineering Paper-II
Which of the following is an advantage of multi-stage air compression?
A)
Increased leakage loss
B)
Reduced work input
C)
Lower volumetric efficiency
D)
Increased discharge temperature
Option B is correct: Reduced work input.
MES Departmental • 2025 • Engineering Paper-II
What is the main goal of preventive maintenance in an outdoor substation?
A)
To fix faults immediately after they occur.
B)
To identify and rectify potential issues before they cause failure, ensuring reliability.
C)
To repaint everything every few years.
D)
To replace all equipment every decade
Option B is correct: To identify and rectify potential issues before they cause failure, ensuring reliability..
MES Departmental • 2025 • Engineering Paper-II
Where is cavitation most likely to occur in a hydraulic turbine?
A)
At the inlet of the penstock.
B)
On the surface of the runner vanes.
C)
At the inlet of the draft tube.
D)
On the casing of the turbine.
Option C is correct: At the inlet of the draft tube..
MES Departmental • 2025 • Engineering Paper-II
What is the primary purpose of laminating a transformer core?
A)
To increase flux density
B)
To reduce eddy current losses.
C)
To improve insulation
D)
To increase mechanical strength
Option B is correct: To reduce eddy current losses..
MES Departmental • 2025 • Engineering Paper-II
When is the efficiency of a transformer maximum?
A)
At no load
B)
When copper loss equals iron loss
C)
At half load
D)
When voltage is maximum
Option B is correct: When copper loss equals iron loss.
MES Departmental • 2025 • Engineering Paper-II
For a head of 10-70 meters, which turbine is the most suitable choice?
A)
Pelton Turbine
B)
Kaplan Turbine
C)
Francis Turbine
D)
None of the above
Option C is correct: Francis Turbine.
MES Departmental • 2025 • Engineering Paper-II
The function of a protective relay is to:
A)
Detect the fault and initiate the operation of the circuit breaker
B)
Absorb the fault current
C)
Step down the voltage for metering
D)
Provide an alarm only during a fault
Option A is correct: Detect the fault and initiate the operation of the circuit breaker.
MES Departmental • 2025 • Engineering Paper-II
Which of the following is a necessary component for a centrifugal pump to be able to self-prime?
A)
A draft tube
B)
A separate priming chamber or internal suction stage
C)
A larger impeller
D)
A high-speed motor
Option B is correct: A separate priming chamber or internal suction stage.
MES Departmental • 2025 • Engineering Paper-II
The primary consideration for a transmission substation site is:
A)
Proximity to residential areas
B)
High population density
C)
Proximity to load centers & transmission line corridors
D)
Close to airports
Option C is correct: Proximity to load centers & transmission line corridors.
MES Departmental • 2025 • Engineering Paper-II
What is a common maintenance task for Power Transformers in outdoor substations?
A)
Changing the tank paint every year.
B)
Checking oil level, colour, and moisture content, plus oil testing.
C)
Removing all bushings for cleaning.
D)
Reducing the load to below 50%.
Option B is correct: Checking oil level, colour, and moisture content, plus oil testing..
MES Departmental • 2025 • Engineering Paper-II
Gas turbines are best suited for which type of power plant application?
A)
Base load power plants
B)
Peak load power plants
C)
Geothermal power plants
D)
Nuclear power plants
Option B is correct: Peak load power plants.
MES Departmental • 2025 • Engineering Paper-II
What is magnetizing inrush current?
A)
Current during heavy load
B)
Current during fault
C)
A transient rush of current (6 to 8 times rated current) when first energized
D)
Current during unloading
Option C is correct: A transient rush of current (6 to 8 times rated current) when first energized.
MES Departmental • 2025 • Engineering Paper-II
In case of an insulation failure, earthing provides:
A)
A high-resistance path
B)
The easiest path for short-circuit current to flow to the ground
C)
A path to the live wire
D)
An open circuit
Option B is correct: The easiest path for short-circuit current to flow to the ground.
MES Departmental • 2025 • Engineering Paper-II
If a section of LT ABC is experiencing frequent faults due to illegal tapping (hooking), which inherent feature of ABC helps mitigate this issue?
A)
The use of a messenger wire
B)
The insulated nature of all conductors
C)
Its high mechanical strength
D)
Its ability to be run concurrently with communication lines
Option B is correct: The insulated nature of all conductors.
MES Departmental • 2025 • Engineering Paper-II
Where should lightning arresters be installed for optimal transformer protection?
A)
Inside the transformer tank
B)
At the termination point of overhead lines leading to the transformer
C)
On the ground below the transformer
D)
Only on the low-voltage side
Option B is correct: At the termination point of overhead lines leading to the transformer.
MES Departmental • 2025 • Engineering Paper-II
A vertical turbine pump is primarily used to move water from what sources?
A)
Shallow ponds
B)
Above-ground storage tanks
C)
Underground wells or reservoirs
D)
Pressurized pipelines
Option C is correct: Underground wells or reservoirs.
MES Departmental • 2025 • Engineering Paper-II
What is the primary purpose of switchgear in an electrical power system?
A)
To generate electricity
B)
To step up or step down voltage levels
C)
To protect, control, and isolate electrical equipment
D)
To measure power consumption
Option C is correct: To protect, control, and isolate electrical equipment.
MES Departmental • 2025 • Engineering Paper-II
Which of the following is the most crucial fluid property to consider when selecting a centrifugal pump, as it directly impacts the required motor power?
A)
Color of the fluid
B)
Odour of the fluid
C)
Specific gravity of the fluid
D)
Boiling point of the fluid
Option C is correct: Specific gravity of the fluid.
MES Departmental • 2025 • Engineering Paper-II
The primary purpose of performance testing a turbine is to determine its:
A)
Specific speed
B)
Maximum power output and efficiency
C)
Physical dimensions
D)
Operating noise level
Option B is correct: Maximum power output and efficiency.
MES Departmental • 2025 • Engineering Paper-II
What is the benefit of proper grounding for lightning protection?
A)
It attracts more lightning strikes.
B)
It stores the lightning energy.
C)
It provides a low-resistance path for surge current to dissipate into the earth safely.
D)
It creates a magnetic field to deflect strikes
Option C is correct: It provides a low-resistance path for surge current to dissipate into the earth safely..
MES Departmental • 2025 • Engineering Paper-II
Why are off-load tap changers operated only when the transformer is de-energized?
A)
To prevent sparking
B)
To avoid damaging the mechanism
C)
To ensure safety and proper contact engagement
D)
They don’t require power
Option A is correct: To prevent sparking.
MES Departmental • 2025 • Engineering Paper-II
Which of the following activities is typically part of routine (preventive/scheduled) maintenance of HT/LT ABC lines?
A)
Replacement of worn-out parts
B)
Troubleshooting during a breakdown
C)
Regular inspection for physical damage, wear or sagging of the cable
D)
Re-varnishing of the cable
Option C is correct: Regular inspection for physical damage, wear or sagging of the cable.
