Arizona AZ L-96 Wind Turbine
Installer Contractor Practice
Exam | Questions, Verified
Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Complete
Contractor License Exam Prep
Study Guide | Updated 2026
1. What is the primary function of a wind turbine?
A. Store electrical energy
B. Convert wind energy into electrical energy
C. Produce compressed air
D. Increase atmospheric pressure
Convert wind energy into electrical energy
Rationale: A wind turbine captures the kinetic energy of
moving air, converts it into rotational mechanical
energy, and then converts that mechanical energy into
electricity.
2. Which component converts mechanical rotation into
electrical energy?
A. Gearbox
B. Rotor hub
C. Generator
D. Yaw bearing
Generator
Rationale: The generator converts mechanical rotational
energy from the drivetrain into electrical energy.
3. What is the primary purpose of the rotor blades?
,A. Support the nacelle
B. Capture energy from moving air
C. Regulate generator voltage
D. Anchor the turbine
Capture energy from moving air
Rationale: The aerodynamic blades extract energy from
the wind and create torque that rotates the rotor.
4. Which turbine configuration is most commonly used for
utility-scale electricity generation?
A. Horizontal-axis wind turbine
B. Savonius turbine
C. Darrieus turbine
D. Reciprocating turbine
Horizontal-axis wind turbine
Rationale: Horizontal-axis wind turbines dominate
utility-scale applications because of their efficiency,
scalability, and suitability for tall towers.
5. What is the function of the nacelle?
A. Provide underground drainage
B. House major mechanical and electrical equipment
C. Support the foundation
D. Measure soil density
House major mechanical and electrical equipment
Rationale: The nacelle commonly contains the
generator, gearbox when used, brake, drivetrain,
controls, and other equipment.
6. What is the purpose of a gearbox in a conventional geared
turbine?
A. Reduce tower height
B. Increase rotor blade length
C. Increase rotational speed for the generator
D. Control foundation settlement
,Increase rotational speed for the generator
Rationale: A gearbox converts the relatively slow, high-
torque rotor speed into a higher rotational speed
suitable for many generators.
7. Which turbine design does not require a conventional
gearbox between the rotor and generator?
A. Direct-drive turbine
B. Geared turbine
C. Belt-drive turbine
D. Hydraulic turbine
Direct-drive turbine
Rationale: A direct-drive turbine couples the rotor more
directly to a low-speed generator, eliminating the
conventional gearbox.
8. What does the yaw system primarily control?
A. Blade thickness
B. Nacelle orientation relative to the wind
C. Generator insulation
D. Foundation depth
Nacelle orientation relative to the wind
Rationale: The yaw system turns the nacelle and rotor
so the turbine can face the prevailing wind direction.
9. What is the primary function of blade pitch control?
A. Change the tower diameter
B. Adjust blade angle
C. Increase foundation strength
D. Measure wind direction
Adjust blade angle
Rationale: Pitch control changes the aerodynamic angle
of the blades to regulate power, optimize performance,
and protect the turbine during high winds.
, 10. What instrument measures wind speed?
A. Barometer
B. Anemometer
C. Hygrometer
D. Ammeter
Anemometer
Rationale: An anemometer measures wind speed and is
commonly used in wind-resource assessment and
turbine control systems.
11. What instrument commonly measures wind direction?
A. Wind vane
B. Megohmmeter
C. Thermocouple
D. Voltmeter
Wind vane
Rationale: A wind vane indicates wind direction, which
is important for site assessment and turbine yaw
control.
12. Wind power available in moving air is proportional
approximately to which power of wind speed?
A. First power
B. Second power
C. Third power
D. Fourth power
Third power
Rationale: Available wind power follows the relationship
P = ½ρAv³, so wind speed has a cubic effect on available
power.
13. What does swept area refer to?
A. The area of the foundation
B. The circular area covered by rotating blades
Installer Contractor Practice
Exam | Questions, Verified
Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Complete
Contractor License Exam Prep
Study Guide | Updated 2026
1. What is the primary function of a wind turbine?
A. Store electrical energy
B. Convert wind energy into electrical energy
C. Produce compressed air
D. Increase atmospheric pressure
Convert wind energy into electrical energy
Rationale: A wind turbine captures the kinetic energy of
moving air, converts it into rotational mechanical
energy, and then converts that mechanical energy into
electricity.
2. Which component converts mechanical rotation into
electrical energy?
A. Gearbox
B. Rotor hub
C. Generator
D. Yaw bearing
Generator
Rationale: The generator converts mechanical rotational
energy from the drivetrain into electrical energy.
3. What is the primary purpose of the rotor blades?
,A. Support the nacelle
B. Capture energy from moving air
C. Regulate generator voltage
D. Anchor the turbine
Capture energy from moving air
Rationale: The aerodynamic blades extract energy from
the wind and create torque that rotates the rotor.
4. Which turbine configuration is most commonly used for
utility-scale electricity generation?
A. Horizontal-axis wind turbine
B. Savonius turbine
C. Darrieus turbine
D. Reciprocating turbine
Horizontal-axis wind turbine
Rationale: Horizontal-axis wind turbines dominate
utility-scale applications because of their efficiency,
scalability, and suitability for tall towers.
5. What is the function of the nacelle?
A. Provide underground drainage
B. House major mechanical and electrical equipment
C. Support the foundation
D. Measure soil density
House major mechanical and electrical equipment
Rationale: The nacelle commonly contains the
generator, gearbox when used, brake, drivetrain,
controls, and other equipment.
6. What is the purpose of a gearbox in a conventional geared
turbine?
A. Reduce tower height
B. Increase rotor blade length
C. Increase rotational speed for the generator
D. Control foundation settlement
,Increase rotational speed for the generator
Rationale: A gearbox converts the relatively slow, high-
torque rotor speed into a higher rotational speed
suitable for many generators.
7. Which turbine design does not require a conventional
gearbox between the rotor and generator?
A. Direct-drive turbine
B. Geared turbine
C. Belt-drive turbine
D. Hydraulic turbine
Direct-drive turbine
Rationale: A direct-drive turbine couples the rotor more
directly to a low-speed generator, eliminating the
conventional gearbox.
8. What does the yaw system primarily control?
A. Blade thickness
B. Nacelle orientation relative to the wind
C. Generator insulation
D. Foundation depth
Nacelle orientation relative to the wind
Rationale: The yaw system turns the nacelle and rotor
so the turbine can face the prevailing wind direction.
9. What is the primary function of blade pitch control?
A. Change the tower diameter
B. Adjust blade angle
C. Increase foundation strength
D. Measure wind direction
Adjust blade angle
Rationale: Pitch control changes the aerodynamic angle
of the blades to regulate power, optimize performance,
and protect the turbine during high winds.
, 10. What instrument measures wind speed?
A. Barometer
B. Anemometer
C. Hygrometer
D. Ammeter
Anemometer
Rationale: An anemometer measures wind speed and is
commonly used in wind-resource assessment and
turbine control systems.
11. What instrument commonly measures wind direction?
A. Wind vane
B. Megohmmeter
C. Thermocouple
D. Voltmeter
Wind vane
Rationale: A wind vane indicates wind direction, which
is important for site assessment and turbine yaw
control.
12. Wind power available in moving air is proportional
approximately to which power of wind speed?
A. First power
B. Second power
C. Third power
D. Fourth power
Third power
Rationale: Available wind power follows the relationship
P = ½ρAv³, so wind speed has a cubic effect on available
power.
13. What does swept area refer to?
A. The area of the foundation
B. The circular area covered by rotating blades
