NERC Test Questions & Answers
6-10% (Think 6-10 day island vacation)
What percentage of load gives a
1 Hz change in an island
condition?
Nothing! ACE bias and interchange schedule will improve
If ACE is Zero but system Hz is frequency
off, what should a system
operator do?
Could overload equipment, this is a NERC violation
If ACE is Zero, why not adjust
generation to help frequency?
All load breakers should be opened, load should be restored in a
When restoring from blackout controlled manner not to exceed 5% of current available gen
condition, what should be done
with load?
Each TO, BA, RC and NERCNet Use Orgs need to have good
What's the point of COM-001? comms
Internal, Between RC, TO and BA, Other RC, TO, BA and
Where do they need to have
comms? authorities
Redundant and Diversely routed, just in case something fails
Where applicable comms should
be ______ and _______ routed.
They will manage, alarm, test and/or actively monitor, especially
How do we know comms will be emergency comm facilities and equipment (non-routine equipment)
good?
When can languages other than Only for internal operation, Operation of the BES requires comms
in English
English be used?
Written operating instructions and procedures
What is required so operation
during a loss of comms will be
ensured?
Ensure BA, TO, GO, and RC have comms and capability to use
them for addressing emergency and that operators are trained to
What is the point of COM-002? use them
Notify their RC and any other potentially affected BA or TO
Who should a BA or TO notify if
they are aware of any condition
that could threaten area reliability
or when shedding load?
In a clear, concise and definitive manner, using 3 part(way)
How should directives be issued
by an RC, TO or BA? communications
Transmission Operators; Its RC
Who is required to create a
blackstart restoration plan? Who
approves it?
When is the blackstart condition When the choice of the next load to be restored is not driven by
frequency and voltage control
finished?
,NERC Test Questions & Answers
RC
Who directs the procedure for
restoring interconnection
between Tos?
The parties invloved must be told of changes to their role and
What must be done prior to specific tasks prior to implementation.
implementing changes in a
restoration plan?
TO annually review the plan and report to RC
How often must the plan be
confirmed given no changes were
made?
90 days
After a system modification is
made, how long does the TO
have to update restoration plans?
Main and backup control rooms
Where is a copy of the restoration
plan required to be kept?
Analyze the plan through actual events, steady state and dynamic
What must be done on the simulations or testing that the plan can work as intended.
restoration plan every five years?
Every 5 years
How often must a Blackstart
Resource verify it can meet real
and reactive power requirements
of its cranking path and intial
load?
Every 5 years
How often must the location of
loads required to control voltage
and Hz in a blackstart be verified
within operating limits?
Every 5 years
How often is the capability of
generating resources required to
control voltage and Hz in a
blackstart condition verified?
Use its restoration strategies
What should a TO use if the
restoration plan cannot be
executed?
Only with RC approval or with the established procedures of the
Under what conditions can a TO RC
resynchronize with its
neighboring TO?
To ensure the resource is capable of me4eting the requirements of
What is the point of Blackstart
Resource testing? the restoration plan
, NERC Test Questions & Answers
Once every 3 years
How often must a Blackstart
Resource be verified at a
minimum?
Name two requirements when Ability to start with no BES support and remain energized without
testing a Blackstart Resource: the rest of the system; The ability to energize a bus
Annually
What is the frequency that
system restoration training for
operators is required?
To assure proper execution of its restoration plan
What is the purpose of annual
operator system restoration
training?
System restoration plan including coordination with RC and GO;
Name 4 things required in annual Restoration Priorities; Building of cranking paths; Synchronizng
operator system restoration
training:
Minimum 2 hrs every 2 years
How often and how much training
is required for field switching
personnel who are included in the
system restoration plan?
As requested by the RC
When must a TO or GO
participate in RC restoration
drills, exercises or simulations?
This is an agreement between a TO and GO that includes the
What is a Blackstart Resource terms and conditions of the use of the Blackstart Unit; e.g.
Agreement? procedures, protocols, testing requirements
What is required by each GO for Documented procuedures for starting each resource and
energizing a bus
their Blackstart Resources?
The TO who holds the agreement
Who must a GO notify if a
Blackstart Resource ability to
perform its function is changed?
24 Hours
What is the time requirement for
a GO to notify its TO when a
Blackstart Resource capabilities
are compromised?
The GO
Who is required to perform the
agreed upon testing of a
Blackstart Resource?
Name of Resource, unit tested, date of test, duration of test, time
What minimum information required to start, and any test requirements not met
should be recorded for a
Blackstart Resource test?
6-10% (Think 6-10 day island vacation)
What percentage of load gives a
1 Hz change in an island
condition?
Nothing! ACE bias and interchange schedule will improve
If ACE is Zero but system Hz is frequency
off, what should a system
operator do?
Could overload equipment, this is a NERC violation
If ACE is Zero, why not adjust
generation to help frequency?
All load breakers should be opened, load should be restored in a
When restoring from blackout controlled manner not to exceed 5% of current available gen
condition, what should be done
with load?
Each TO, BA, RC and NERCNet Use Orgs need to have good
What's the point of COM-001? comms
Internal, Between RC, TO and BA, Other RC, TO, BA and
Where do they need to have
comms? authorities
Redundant and Diversely routed, just in case something fails
Where applicable comms should
be ______ and _______ routed.
They will manage, alarm, test and/or actively monitor, especially
How do we know comms will be emergency comm facilities and equipment (non-routine equipment)
good?
When can languages other than Only for internal operation, Operation of the BES requires comms
in English
English be used?
Written operating instructions and procedures
What is required so operation
during a loss of comms will be
ensured?
Ensure BA, TO, GO, and RC have comms and capability to use
them for addressing emergency and that operators are trained to
What is the point of COM-002? use them
Notify their RC and any other potentially affected BA or TO
Who should a BA or TO notify if
they are aware of any condition
that could threaten area reliability
or when shedding load?
In a clear, concise and definitive manner, using 3 part(way)
How should directives be issued
by an RC, TO or BA? communications
Transmission Operators; Its RC
Who is required to create a
blackstart restoration plan? Who
approves it?
When is the blackstart condition When the choice of the next load to be restored is not driven by
frequency and voltage control
finished?
,NERC Test Questions & Answers
RC
Who directs the procedure for
restoring interconnection
between Tos?
The parties invloved must be told of changes to their role and
What must be done prior to specific tasks prior to implementation.
implementing changes in a
restoration plan?
TO annually review the plan and report to RC
How often must the plan be
confirmed given no changes were
made?
90 days
After a system modification is
made, how long does the TO
have to update restoration plans?
Main and backup control rooms
Where is a copy of the restoration
plan required to be kept?
Analyze the plan through actual events, steady state and dynamic
What must be done on the simulations or testing that the plan can work as intended.
restoration plan every five years?
Every 5 years
How often must a Blackstart
Resource verify it can meet real
and reactive power requirements
of its cranking path and intial
load?
Every 5 years
How often must the location of
loads required to control voltage
and Hz in a blackstart be verified
within operating limits?
Every 5 years
How often is the capability of
generating resources required to
control voltage and Hz in a
blackstart condition verified?
Use its restoration strategies
What should a TO use if the
restoration plan cannot be
executed?
Only with RC approval or with the established procedures of the
Under what conditions can a TO RC
resynchronize with its
neighboring TO?
To ensure the resource is capable of me4eting the requirements of
What is the point of Blackstart
Resource testing? the restoration plan
, NERC Test Questions & Answers
Once every 3 years
How often must a Blackstart
Resource be verified at a
minimum?
Name two requirements when Ability to start with no BES support and remain energized without
testing a Blackstart Resource: the rest of the system; The ability to energize a bus
Annually
What is the frequency that
system restoration training for
operators is required?
To assure proper execution of its restoration plan
What is the purpose of annual
operator system restoration
training?
System restoration plan including coordination with RC and GO;
Name 4 things required in annual Restoration Priorities; Building of cranking paths; Synchronizng
operator system restoration
training:
Minimum 2 hrs every 2 years
How often and how much training
is required for field switching
personnel who are included in the
system restoration plan?
As requested by the RC
When must a TO or GO
participate in RC restoration
drills, exercises or simulations?
This is an agreement between a TO and GO that includes the
What is a Blackstart Resource terms and conditions of the use of the Blackstart Unit; e.g.
Agreement? procedures, protocols, testing requirements
What is required by each GO for Documented procuedures for starting each resource and
energizing a bus
their Blackstart Resources?
The TO who holds the agreement
Who must a GO notify if a
Blackstart Resource ability to
perform its function is changed?
24 Hours
What is the time requirement for
a GO to notify its TO when a
Blackstart Resource capabilities
are compromised?
The GO
Who is required to perform the
agreed upon testing of a
Blackstart Resource?
Name of Resource, unit tested, date of test, duration of test, time
What minimum information required to start, and any test requirements not met
should be recorded for a
Blackstart Resource test?
