DC Machine Windings Exam Questions with
Correct Answers (VerifiedAnswers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download PDF
Practice Exam
1. What is the primary purpose of the armature winding in a
DC machine?
A. To provide mechanical support to the rotor
B. To produce the magnetic field only
C. To carry the armature current and participate in
electromechanical energy conversion
D. To reduce bearing friction
Answer: C
Rationale: The armature winding is the electrical winding in
which the generated EMF is induced in a generator and through
which current flows in a motor. Its interaction with the main
magnetic field enables electromechanical energy conversion.
Although the field winding establishes the main magnetic flux,
the armature winding is directly involved in producing torque in
a motor and delivering electrical output in a generator.
,2. Which two main types of DC armature windings are
commonly used?
A. Wave and mesh windings
B. Lap and wave windings
C. Ring and star windings
D. Series and parallel windings
Answer: B
Rationale: DC armatures primarily use lap windings or wave
windings. These two winding arrangements differ mainly in how
the armature coils are connected to the commutator segments
and consequently in the number of parallel paths through the
armature. Lap windings are generally suited to high-current,
low-voltage machines, while wave windings are generally suited
to higher-voltage, lower-current machines.
3. In a simplex lap winding, the number of parallel paths
through the armature is equal to:
A. P
B. P/2
C. P
D. 2P
Answer: C
,Rationale: For a simplex lap winding, the number of parallel
paths, A, is equal to the number of poles, P. Thus, a four-pole
simplex lap-wound armature has four parallel paths. This
characteristic makes lap windings particularly appropriate
where a relatively large armature current is required.
4. In a simplex wave winding, the number of parallel paths is
normally:
A. P
B. P/2
C. 2
D. 2P
Answer: C
Rationale: A simplex wave winding normally has two parallel
paths regardless of the number of poles. This arrangement
results in a higher voltage per parallel path and makes wave
winding suitable for DC machines requiring comparatively high
voltage and lower current. The number of poles does not
directly determine the number of parallel paths in a simplex
wave winding.
5. Which type of winding is generally preferred for a low-
voltage, high-current DC machine?
, A. Simplex wave winding
B. Duplex wave winding
C. Simplex lap winding
D. Triplex wave winding
Answer: C
Rationale: A simplex lap winding provides several parallel paths,
with the number of paths equal to the number of poles. More
parallel paths reduce the current carried by each individual path
and permit the machine to deliver a large total armature
current at relatively low voltage. Therefore, lap windings are
commonly associated with high-current applications.
6. Which winding is generally preferred for a high-voltage,
low-current DC machine?
A. Simplex lap winding
B. Simplex wave winding
C. Duplex lap winding
D. Equalizer winding
Answer: B
Rationale: A simplex wave winding has only two parallel paths.
For a given generated power, fewer parallel paths mean that
each path can operate at a higher voltage while carrying a
comparatively smaller current. Consequently, wave winding is
Correct Answers (VerifiedAnswers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download PDF
Practice Exam
1. What is the primary purpose of the armature winding in a
DC machine?
A. To provide mechanical support to the rotor
B. To produce the magnetic field only
C. To carry the armature current and participate in
electromechanical energy conversion
D. To reduce bearing friction
Answer: C
Rationale: The armature winding is the electrical winding in
which the generated EMF is induced in a generator and through
which current flows in a motor. Its interaction with the main
magnetic field enables electromechanical energy conversion.
Although the field winding establishes the main magnetic flux,
the armature winding is directly involved in producing torque in
a motor and delivering electrical output in a generator.
,2. Which two main types of DC armature windings are
commonly used?
A. Wave and mesh windings
B. Lap and wave windings
C. Ring and star windings
D. Series and parallel windings
Answer: B
Rationale: DC armatures primarily use lap windings or wave
windings. These two winding arrangements differ mainly in how
the armature coils are connected to the commutator segments
and consequently in the number of parallel paths through the
armature. Lap windings are generally suited to high-current,
low-voltage machines, while wave windings are generally suited
to higher-voltage, lower-current machines.
3. In a simplex lap winding, the number of parallel paths
through the armature is equal to:
A. P
B. P/2
C. P
D. 2P
Answer: C
,Rationale: For a simplex lap winding, the number of parallel
paths, A, is equal to the number of poles, P. Thus, a four-pole
simplex lap-wound armature has four parallel paths. This
characteristic makes lap windings particularly appropriate
where a relatively large armature current is required.
4. In a simplex wave winding, the number of parallel paths is
normally:
A. P
B. P/2
C. 2
D. 2P
Answer: C
Rationale: A simplex wave winding normally has two parallel
paths regardless of the number of poles. This arrangement
results in a higher voltage per parallel path and makes wave
winding suitable for DC machines requiring comparatively high
voltage and lower current. The number of poles does not
directly determine the number of parallel paths in a simplex
wave winding.
5. Which type of winding is generally preferred for a low-
voltage, high-current DC machine?
, A. Simplex wave winding
B. Duplex wave winding
C. Simplex lap winding
D. Triplex wave winding
Answer: C
Rationale: A simplex lap winding provides several parallel paths,
with the number of paths equal to the number of poles. More
parallel paths reduce the current carried by each individual path
and permit the machine to deliver a large total armature
current at relatively low voltage. Therefore, lap windings are
commonly associated with high-current applications.
6. Which winding is generally preferred for a high-voltage,
low-current DC machine?
A. Simplex lap winding
B. Simplex wave winding
C. Duplex lap winding
D. Equalizer winding
Answer: B
Rationale: A simplex wave winding has only two parallel paths.
For a given generated power, fewer parallel paths mean that
each path can operate at a higher voltage while carrying a
comparatively smaller current. Consequently, wave winding is
