🇮🇳 UPSC ESE Electrical Engineering · subject
UPSC ESE Electrical Engineering Electrical Engineering Syllabus
The Electrical Engineering syllabus for UPSC ESE Electrical Engineering in full: 8 chapters and 57 topics, every one listed below, plus 55 Electrical Engineering flashcards with answers.
Electrical Engineering syllabus: all 8 chapters
Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics.
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Electric Circuits and Fields
10 topics- Network graph
- KCL, KVL
- Node and Mesh analysis
- Transient response
- Sinusoidal steady-state analysis
- Resonance
- Coupled circuits
- Two-port networks
- Three-phase circuits
- Electrostatic and electromagnetic fields
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Electrical Machines
7 topics- Transformers
- DC machines
- Induction machines
- Synchronous machines
- Fractional kW machines
- Permanent magnet machines
- Stepper motors
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Power Systems
10 topics- Power generation concepts
- Transmission line parameters
- Performance of transmission lines
- Power flow analysis
- Voltage control
- Power factor correction
- Protection and switchgear
- Circuit breakers
- Relays
- Power system stability
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Control Systems
6 topics- Mathematical modeling of control systems
- Control system components
- Time domain analysis
- Frequency domain analysis
- Stability analysis
- Compensation techniques
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Electrical and Electronic Measurements
6 topics- Measurement of voltage, current, power, energy
- Instrument transformers
- Measurement of resistance, inductance, capacitance
- Digital voltmeters and multimeters
- Oscilloscopes
- Potentiometers
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Analog and Digital Electronics
5 topics- Operational amplifiers
- Analog circuits
- Digital circuits
- Microprocessors and microcontrollers
- A/D and D/A converters
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Power Electronics and Drives
7 topics- Power semiconductor devices
- Phase-controlled rectifiers
- Choppers
- Inverters
- AC voltage controllers
- DC drives
- AC drives
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Renewable Energy Sources and Emerging Technologies
6 topics- Solar power
- Wind energy
- Biomass energy
- Fuel cells
- Smart grid
- Microgrid
UPSC ESE Electrical Engineering Electrical Engineering flashcards — 55 questions with answers
In a network graph, what is a 'tree' and how many branches does it contain for a graph with $n$ nodes?
A tree is a connected subgraph containing all nodes but no closed loops. It contains $n-1$ branches (twigs).
For a connected graph with $b$ branches and $n$ nodes, how many links (co-tree branches) are there?
The number of links is $l = b - n + 1$. These links form the co-tree and equal the number of independent loops.
State Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL).
The algebraic sum of all currents entering and leaving a node is zero: $\sum_{k} i_{k} = 0$. It is based on conservation of charge.
State Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL).
The algebraic sum of all voltages around any closed loop is zero: $\sum_{k} v_{k} = 0$. It is based on conservation of energy.
How many independent KCL (node) equations and KVL (loop) equations does a graph with $n$ nodes and $b$ branches yield?
Independent node equations: $n-1$. Independent loop equations: $b - n + 1$.
In nodal analysis, what is the standard matrix form of the equations?
$[Y][V] = [I]$, where $[Y]$ is the node admittance matrix, $[V]$ the node voltage vector, and $[I]$ the source current vector.
In mesh analysis, what is the standard matrix form of the equations?
$[Z][I] = [V]$, where $[Z]$ is the mesh impedance matrix, $[I]$ the mesh current vector, and $[V]$ the source voltage vector.
What is a supernode in nodal analysis?
A supernode is formed when a voltage source (with no series resistor) connects two non-reference nodes; KCL is applied around the enclosing surface, combining the two nodes' equations.
Write the voltage across an inductor and current through a capacitor in terms of derivatives.
Inductor: $v_{L} = L\frac{di}{dt}$. Capacitor: $i_{C} = C\frac{dv}{dt}$.
What is the time constant of a series RL circuit and of a series RC circuit?
RL: $\tau = \frac{L}{R}$. RC: $\tau = RC$. After $5\tau$ the transient is considered complete.
Write the transient current expression when a DC voltage $V$ is suddenly applied to a series RL circuit (zero initial current).
$i(t) = \frac{V}{R}\left(1 - e^{-t/\tau}\right)$ with $\tau = \frac{L}{R}$.
Write the capacitor voltage when a DC source $V$ charges a series RC circuit from zero initial voltage.
$v_{C}(t) = V\left(1 - e^{-t/RC}\right)$, and current $i(t) = \frac{V}{R}e^{-t/RC}$.
For a second-order RLC circuit, define the damping ratio condition for overdamped, critically damped and underdamped responses.
Overdamped: $\zeta > 1$; critically damped: $\zeta = 1$; underdamped: $\zeta < 1$ (oscillatory). Damped natural frequency $\omega_{d} = \omega_{n}\sqrt{1-\zeta^{2}}$.
What is the impedance of an inductor and a capacitor in sinusoidal steady state at angular frequency $\omega$?
Inductor: $Z_{L} = j\omega L$. Capacitor: $Z_{C} = \frac{1}{j\omega C} = -\frac{j}{\omega C}$.
Define average (real) power, reactive power and apparent power in an AC circuit.
Real: $P = VI\cos\phi$ (W). Reactive: $Q = VI\sin\phi$ (VAR). Apparent: $S = VI$ (VA), with $S = \sqrt{P^{2}+Q^{2}}$.
What is power factor and how is it expressed?
Power factor is $\cos\phi = \frac{P}{S}$, the cosine of the angle between voltage and current. It is lagging for inductive and leading for capacitive loads.
Relate RMS value to peak value for a sinusoid, and define form factor and crest factor.
$V_{rms} = \frac{V_{m}}{\sqrt{2}}$. Form factor $= \frac{V_{rms}}{V_{avg}} \approx 1.11$; crest factor $= \frac{V_{m}}{V_{rms}} = \sqrt{2}$.
What is the resonant frequency of a series RLC circuit?
$f_{0} = \frac{1}{2\pi\sqrt{LC}}$ (or $\omega_{0} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{LC}}$). At resonance $X_{L} = X_{C}$ and impedance is purely resistive (minimum).
Define quality factor $Q$ of a series RLC circuit and relate it to bandwidth.
$Q = \frac{\omega_{0}L}{R} = \frac{1}{\omega_{0}RC} = \frac{f_{0}}{BW}$. Thus bandwidth $BW = \frac{f_{0}}{Q} = \frac{R}{2\pi L}$.
Compare series and parallel resonance regarding impedance at resonance.
Series resonance: impedance is minimum (equal to $R$), current is maximum. Parallel resonance: impedance is maximum, line current is minimum; called an anti-resonant or rejector circuit.
Show the other 35 Electrical Engineering flashcards
Define the coefficient of coupling $k$ between two coupled coils.
$k = \frac{M}{\sqrt{L_{1}L_{2}}}$, where $M$ is mutual inductance. $0 \leq k \leq 1$; $k=1$ means perfect coupling.
For two series-aiding and series-opposing coupled coils, write the total inductance.
Series-aiding: $L = L_{1} + L_{2} + 2M$. Series-opposing: $L = L_{1} + L_{2} - 2M$.
What does the dot convention indicate in coupled circuits?
Currents entering both dotted terminals produce mutual flux that aids the self flux. The sign of the mutually induced voltage $\pm M\frac{di}{dt}$ is determined by the dots.
Define the $Z$-parameters (impedance parameters) of a two-port network.
$V_{1} = Z_{11}I_{1} + Z_{12}I_{2}$, $V_{2} = Z_{21}I_{1} + Z_{22}I_{2}$. Parameters are found with input/output ports open-circuited ($I=0$).
Define the $Y$-parameters (admittance parameters) of a two-port network.
$I_{1} = Y_{11}V_{1} + Y_{12}V_{2}$, $I_{2} = Y_{21}V_{1} + Y_{22}V_{2}$. Parameters are found with ports short-circuited ($V=0$).
Write the ABCD (transmission) parameter equations and the reciprocity condition.
$V_{1} = AV_{2} - BI_{2}$, $I_{1} = CV_{2} - DI_{2}$. Reciprocity requires $AD - BC = 1$.
What is the condition for a two-port network to be reciprocal and symmetrical in terms of Z-parameters?
Reciprocal: $Z_{12} = Z_{21}$. Symmetrical: additionally $Z_{11} = Z_{22}$.
For a balanced three-phase system, relate line and phase quantities in a star (Y) connection.
Star: $V_{L} = \sqrt{3}\,V_{ph}$ and $I_{L} = I_{ph}$. Line voltage leads phase voltage by $30^{\circ}$.
For a balanced three-phase system, relate line and phase quantities in a delta ($\Delta$) connection.
Delta: $V_{L} = V_{ph}$ and $I_{L} = \sqrt{3}\,I_{ph}$.
Write the total power in a balanced three-phase load in terms of line quantities.
$P = \sqrt{3}\,V_{L}I_{L}\cos\phi$ for both star and delta, where $\phi$ is the phase angle of the load impedance.
In the two-wattmeter method, how is total power and power factor angle obtained?
$P = W_{1} + W_{2}$ and $\tan\phi = \sqrt{3}\,\frac{W_{1}-W_{2}}{W_{1}+W_{2}}$.
State Gauss's law in differential and integral form for electrostatics.
Integral: $\oint \vec{D}\cdot d\vec{A} = Q_{enc}$. Differential: $\nabla\cdot\vec{D} = \rho$, where $\vec{D} = \varepsilon\vec{E}$.
Write the electric field and potential due to a point charge $Q$ at distance $r$ in free space.
$\vec{E} = \frac{Q}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}r^{2}}\hat{r}$ and $V = \frac{Q}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}r}$.
State Ampere's circuital law (magnetostatics) in integral form.
$\oint \vec{H}\cdot d\vec{l} = I_{enc}$. In differential form $\nabla\times\vec{H} = \vec{J}$ (for steady currents).
Write the energy stored per unit volume in electric and magnetic fields.
Electric: $w_{e} = \frac{1}{2}\varepsilon E^{2}$. Magnetic: $w_{m} = \frac{1}{2}\mu H^{2}$ (or $\frac{B^{2}}{2\mu}$).
State the EMF equation of a transformer.
$E = 4.44\,f\,N\,\Phi_{m}$, where $f$ is frequency, $N$ the number of turns, and $\Phi_{m}$ the maximum core flux.
Write the transformer voltage, current and impedance transformation ratios.
$\frac{V_{1}}{V_{2}} = \frac{N_{1}}{N_{2}} = a$, $\frac{I_{1}}{I_{2}} = \frac{N_{2}}{N_{1}} = \frac{1}{a}$, and referred impedance $Z' = a^{2}Z$.
Name the two main loss types in a transformer and how each varies with load.
Core (iron) losses: hysteresis + eddy current, essentially constant (independent of load). Copper losses: $I^{2}R$, vary with the square of load current.
What is the condition for maximum efficiency in a transformer?
Maximum efficiency occurs when copper losses equal iron losses: $I^{2}R = P_{iron}$. The corresponding load fraction is $\sqrt{\frac{P_{iron}}{P_{cu,fl}}}$.
Define voltage regulation of a transformer.
$\%\text{Reg} = \frac{V_{no\text{-}load} - V_{full\text{-}load}}{V_{full\text{-}load}}\times 100$. Lower regulation indicates a stiffer (better) transformer.
Write the EMF equation of a DC machine.
$E_{b} = \frac{P\Phi Z N}{60 A}$, where $P$=poles, $\Phi$=flux/pole, $Z$=conductors, $N$=speed (rpm), $A$=parallel paths (lap $A=P$, wave $A=2$).
Write the torque equation of a DC motor.
$T = \frac{P\Phi Z I_{a}}{2\pi A}$, i.e. $T \propto \Phi I_{a}$. Electromagnetic torque $T = \frac{E_{b}I_{a}}{2\pi N/60}$.
Give the back-EMF/voltage relation in a DC motor and the speed equation.
$V = E_{b} + I_{a}R_{a}$, so $N \propto \frac{E_{b}}{\Phi} = \frac{V - I_{a}R_{a}}{\Phi}$.
Compare speed-torque behaviour of DC series and shunt motors.
Series: high starting torque ($T \propto I_{a}^{2}$), speed varies widely (runs away on no load). Shunt: nearly constant speed, moderate starting torque ($T \propto I_{a}$).
Define slip $s$ of an induction motor.
$s = \frac{N_{s} - N_{r}}{N_{s}}$, where synchronous speed $N_{s} = \frac{120 f}{P}$ and $N_{r}$ is rotor speed.
Write the relationship between rotor copper loss, air-gap power and slip in an induction motor.
Rotor copper loss $= s \times P_{ag}$ (air-gap power); mechanical power developed $= (1-s)P_{ag}$. Thus $P_{ag} : P_{cu,rotor} : P_{mech} = 1 : s : (1-s)$.
What is the rotor frequency of an induction motor in terms of slip?
$f_{r} = s f$, where $f$ is the stator supply frequency. At standstill ($s=1$) rotor frequency equals supply frequency.
State the condition for maximum torque in an induction motor in terms of rotor parameters.
Maximum torque occurs when rotor resistance equals rotor reactance per phase: $\frac{R_{2}}{s} = X_{2}$, i.e. slip at max torque $s_{m} = \frac{R_{2}}{X_{2}}$. Max torque is independent of $R_{2}$.
Write the synchronous speed formula and EMF equation of a synchronous machine.
$N_{s} = \frac{120 f}{P}$. EMF: $E = 4.44\,f\,\Phi\,T\,k_{w}$, where $k_{w}$ is the winding factor and $T$ turns per phase.
Write the power-angle equation of a cylindrical-rotor synchronous machine.
$P = \frac{E V}{X_{s}}\sin\delta$, where $\delta$ is the load (torque) angle. Maximum (pull-out) power occurs at $\delta = 90^{\circ}$.
How does field excitation affect a synchronous motor's power factor (V-curves)?
Under-excitation draws lagging current; over-excitation draws leading current (acts as a synchronous condenser); normal excitation gives unity PF. V-curves plot armature current vs field current.
Why is a single-phase induction motor not self-starting, and how is it made self-starting?
Its pulsating field gives zero net starting torque (two equal counter-rotating fields). Starting is provided by an auxiliary winding for phase splitting: split-phase, capacitor-start, or shaded-pole methods.
What is a permanent magnet (PM) machine and one key advantage over wound-field machines?
A machine where field excitation is provided by permanent magnets instead of a field winding. Advantages: no field copper loss/excitation supply, higher efficiency and power density. Examples: BLDC and PMSM motors.
Describe the basic operating principle of a stepper motor and its step angle formula.
A stepper rotates in discrete steps, one per input pulse, with position proportional to pulse count. Step angle $= \frac{360^{\circ}}{m \times N_{r}}$ (phases $\times$ rotor teeth), e.g. variable-reluctance, PM, and hybrid types.
State the relationship between mechanical power, torque and speed used in power/machine analysis.
$P = T\omega = T\times\frac{2\pi N}{60}$, where $T$ is in N·m, $N$ in rpm, and $\omega$ in rad/s.
UPSC ESE Electrical Engineering Electrical Engineering FAQ
What is in the UPSC ESE Electrical Engineering Electrical Engineering syllabus?
UPSC ESE Electrical Engineering Electrical Engineering is split into 8 chapters: Electric Circuits and Fields, Electrical Machines, Power Systems, Control Systems, Electrical and Electronic Measurements, Analog and Digital Electronics, Power Electronics and Drives and Renewable Energy Sources and Emerging Technologies. Together they contain 57 topics.
How many chapters are in UPSC ESE Electrical Engineering Electrical Engineering?
8 chapters, containing 57 topics. The largest chapter is Electric Circuits and Fields, with 10 topics.
Are there flashcards for UPSC ESE Electrical Engineering Electrical Engineering?
Yes — a 55-card Electrical Engineering deck, printed in full in the flashcards section of this page and available in the Examius app with spaced repetition. The free plan covers one exam of your choice, including its flashcards; Examius Pro, a one-time purchase, unlocks every other exam and deck.