Electrical Engineering questions for GATE, PSU recruitment and SSC JE draw from network theory, electrical machines, power systems, control systems, measurements and instrumentation, analog and digital electronics, and electromagnetic fields. Numerical answers include the formula used and the unit at each stage, which is where marks are commonly lost even when the approach is correct.
Which of the following correctly represents the Nyquist stability criterion?
Answer: C
Nyquist criterion: N = Z - P, where N is counter-clockwise encirclements, Z is zeros and P is poles in RHP. For stability, Z = 0.
Q.82Medium
For the state-space system: ẋ = Ax + Bu, y = Cx + Du. The controllability matrix rank must equal n for the system to be completely state controllable. What is n?
Answer: A
For complete state controllability, rank of [B AB A²B ... Aⁿ⁻¹B] must equal n, the order/number of states of the system.
Q.83Easy
The transfer function of an ideal derivative controller is:
Answer: A
A derivative controller has transfer function Gc(s) = Kd·s, where Kd is the derivative gain. It provides leading phase.
Q.84Medium
In a lag-lead compensator design for a Type 1 system, what is the primary purpose of the lag section?
Answer: B
The lag section (lag compensator) increases low-frequency gain without significantly affecting transient response, thus improving steady-state error performance.
Q.85Hard
For a system with Gc(s)G(s)H(s) = 100/[s(s+5)], the phase at ω = 5 rad/s is approximately:
In phase plane analysis, what does a limit cycle represent?
Answer: B
A limit cycle is a closed trajectory in phase plane representing self-sustained oscillations with constant amplitude and frequency, independent of initial conditions.
Q.91Medium
The Bode magnitude plot of G(s) = 100/(s+10) at ω = 10 rad/s shows:
Answer: B
At ω=10: |G(j10)| = 100/√(10²+10²) = 100/√200 = 100/(10√2) = 10/√2 ≈ 7.07. In dB: 20log(7.07) ≈ 17 dB. Rechecking: 20log₁₀(14100.14) ≈ 17 dB, closest to option is 14 dB for √2 factor.
Q.92Hard
The sensitivity function S(s) in a feedback control system is defined as:
Answer: B
Sensitivity S(s) = ∂Y/∂G ÷ Y/G = 1/[1+G(s)H(s)] for unity feedback systems. It measures effect of parameter variations.
Q.93Easy
In digital control systems, the sampling theorem requires sampling frequency to be:
Answer: A
Nyquist sampling theorem: fs > 2·fmax to avoid aliasing. The sampling frequency must be at least twice the highest frequency component.
Q.94Medium
A unity feedback control system has open-loop transfer function G(s) = K/[s(s+2)(s+4)]. For the system to be marginally stable, the value of K should be approximately:
Answer: A
Using Routh-Hurwitz criterion for marginal stability, the auxiliary equation at s=0 row gives K=48. This represents the critical gain value where the system transitions from stable to unstable.
Q.95Medium
In a lead compensator design, if the phase lead angle required is 45°, the value of α (attenuation factor) in the compensator Gc(s) = (1+αTs)/(1+Ts) should be:
Answer: A
For maximum phase lead of 45°, using the formula sin(φ_max) = (1-α)/(1+α), we get α ≈ 0.172. This is a standard compensator design relationship.
Q.96Medium
Which of the following statements about state-space representation is INCORRECT?
Answer: C
Repeated poles do not prevent state-space representation. Any linear system, regardless of pole multiplicity, can be represented in state-space form. The other options correctly describe fundamental properties of state-space systems.
Q.97Easy
A second-order system has natural frequency ωn = 10 rad/s and damping ratio ζ = 0.5. The peak overshoot percentage is approximately:
Answer: A
Using the formula for peak overshoot: Mp = exp(-ζπ/√(1-ζ²)) × 100 = exp(-0.5π/√0.75) × 100 ≈ 16.3%. This is independent of ωn.
Q.98Hard
In a Type-2 system with step, ramp, and parabolic inputs, the steady-state error with parabolic input A·t²/2 and loop gain Kv = 5 is:
Answer: C
For a Type-2 system, parabolic error is ess = A/Ka where Ka = lim[s→0] s²G(s)H(s). Since Kv relates to ramp response, the parabolic steady-state error depends on Ka (acceleration constant).
Q.99Easy
A PID controller Gc(s) = Kp + Ki/s + Kd·s is applied to a process. Which parameter adjustment would primarily reduce steady-state error without affecting transient response significantly?
Answer: B
The integral term (Ki) directly addresses steady-state error by accumulating past errors. Increasing Ki improves steady-state tracking without significantly altering the derivative (Kd) or proportional (Kp) effects on transient response.
