HYDROPOWER TECHNICIAN – IHA CERTIFICATION EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2025|2026 Q&A |
INSTANTDOWNLOAD PDF
Q1. The primary energy source for hydropower generation is:
A) Solar radiation
B) Fossil fuel combustion
C) Potential energy of water
D) Wind pressure
Hydropower relies on converting the potential energy of elevated water into
mechanical and electrical energy.
Q2. Which type of hydropower plant has no significant storage and relies
directly on river flow?
A) Pumped storage plant
B) Run-of-river plant
C) Reservoir storage plant
D) Tidal power plant
Run-of-river plants generate electricity using the natural flow of a river without
major storage.
Q3. The main function of the penstock in a hydropower plant is to:
A) Generate voltage
B) Convey water under pressure to the turbine
C) Control sediment deposition
D) Store water
The penstock is a pressurized conduit that directs water from the reservoir to the
turbine.
,Q4. Which turbine is most efficient for very high head and low flow?
A) Kaplan
B) Francis
C) Pelton
D) Bulb
Pelton turbines are impulse turbines best suited for high head and low discharge
conditions.
Q5. In a Francis turbine, water enters the runner:
A) Axially and exits radially
B) Tangentially and exits axially
C) Radially and exits axially
D) Axially and exits tangentially
Francis turbines are reaction turbines where water enters radially and exits axially.
Q6. The turbine efficiency is defined as the ratio of:
A) Output power to mechanical input
B) Output power to water power supplied
C) Water head to output power
D) Kinetic energy to potential energy
Turbine efficiency measures how effectively the water’s energy is converted into
mechanical shaft power.
Q7. Which parameter directly affects the power output of a hydropower plant?
A) Temperature of water
B) Density of penstock material
C) Head and discharge
D) Turbine shaft length
Power = ρ × g × Q × H, where Q is flow rate and H is head.
, Q8. What is the main purpose of a draft tube in a reaction turbine?
A) To prevent cavitation
B) To recover kinetic energy and convert it to pressure
C) To regulate turbine speed
D) To filter sediments
Draft tubes recover velocity head from water exiting the turbine, increasing
efficiency.
Q9. Which turbine is suitable for low head and high flow conditions?
A) Pelton
B) Kaplan
C) Francis
D) Turgo
Kaplan turbines are axial-flow turbines ideal for low head, high discharge
conditions.
Q10. Cavitation in turbines is caused by:
A) High temperature
B) Excessive lubrication
C) Local pressure drop below vapor pressure
D) Electrical overload
Cavitation occurs when local water pressure falls below vapor pressure, forming
bubbles that collapse and damage surfaces.
Q11. Surge tanks are used in hydropower plants to:
A) Increase turbine power
B) Store energy
C) Reduce pressure fluctuations (water hammer)
D) Filter water
A surge tank absorbs pressure changes in penstocks, minimizing water hammer
effects.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2025|2026 Q&A |
INSTANTDOWNLOAD PDF
Q1. The primary energy source for hydropower generation is:
A) Solar radiation
B) Fossil fuel combustion
C) Potential energy of water
D) Wind pressure
Hydropower relies on converting the potential energy of elevated water into
mechanical and electrical energy.
Q2. Which type of hydropower plant has no significant storage and relies
directly on river flow?
A) Pumped storage plant
B) Run-of-river plant
C) Reservoir storage plant
D) Tidal power plant
Run-of-river plants generate electricity using the natural flow of a river without
major storage.
Q3. The main function of the penstock in a hydropower plant is to:
A) Generate voltage
B) Convey water under pressure to the turbine
C) Control sediment deposition
D) Store water
The penstock is a pressurized conduit that directs water from the reservoir to the
turbine.
,Q4. Which turbine is most efficient for very high head and low flow?
A) Kaplan
B) Francis
C) Pelton
D) Bulb
Pelton turbines are impulse turbines best suited for high head and low discharge
conditions.
Q5. In a Francis turbine, water enters the runner:
A) Axially and exits radially
B) Tangentially and exits axially
C) Radially and exits axially
D) Axially and exits tangentially
Francis turbines are reaction turbines where water enters radially and exits axially.
Q6. The turbine efficiency is defined as the ratio of:
A) Output power to mechanical input
B) Output power to water power supplied
C) Water head to output power
D) Kinetic energy to potential energy
Turbine efficiency measures how effectively the water’s energy is converted into
mechanical shaft power.
Q7. Which parameter directly affects the power output of a hydropower plant?
A) Temperature of water
B) Density of penstock material
C) Head and discharge
D) Turbine shaft length
Power = ρ × g × Q × H, where Q is flow rate and H is head.
, Q8. What is the main purpose of a draft tube in a reaction turbine?
A) To prevent cavitation
B) To recover kinetic energy and convert it to pressure
C) To regulate turbine speed
D) To filter sediments
Draft tubes recover velocity head from water exiting the turbine, increasing
efficiency.
Q9. Which turbine is suitable for low head and high flow conditions?
A) Pelton
B) Kaplan
C) Francis
D) Turgo
Kaplan turbines are axial-flow turbines ideal for low head, high discharge
conditions.
Q10. Cavitation in turbines is caused by:
A) High temperature
B) Excessive lubrication
C) Local pressure drop below vapor pressure
D) Electrical overload
Cavitation occurs when local water pressure falls below vapor pressure, forming
bubbles that collapse and damage surfaces.
Q11. Surge tanks are used in hydropower plants to:
A) Increase turbine power
B) Store energy
C) Reduce pressure fluctuations (water hammer)
D) Filter water
A surge tank absorbs pressure changes in penstocks, minimizing water hammer
effects.
