California Hydroelectric Maintenance Technician Certification Exam Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Brand New | Guaranteed Pass.

California Hydroelectric Maintenance Technician Certification Exam Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Brand New | Guaranteed Pass. 1. What is the primary purpose of a governor in a hydroelectric turbine system? A. Increase voltage output B. Regulate turbine speed C. Control water temperature D. Protect the generator from overload The governor maintains constant turbine speed by adjusting the flow of water, ensuring frequency stability in the power output. 2. Which component converts mechanical energy into electrical energy in a hydroelectric plant? A. Penstock B. Draft tube C. Generator D. Turbine The generator is driven by the turbine and is responsible for converting rotational mechanical energy into electricity. 3. What is the function of a penstock? A. Houses the generator B. Controls turbine speed C. Stores excess water D. Delivers water to the turbine under pressure The penstock is a pipe that directs pressurized water from the reservoir to the turbine. 4. What device protects the generator from electrical faults? A. Penstock B. Governor C. Exciter D. Circuit breaker Circuit breakers isolate the generator from the grid during faults to prevent equipment damage. 5. What is cavitation in a hydro turbine? A. Electrical short in the stator B. Formation of vapor bubbles in flowing water C. Excessive generator vibration D. Loss of water flow Cavitation causes pitting and damage to turbine blades due to vapor bubble collapse under pressure. 6. Which of the following is a preventive maintenance task? A. Replacing a failed generator B. Lubricating turbine bearings C. Resetting tripped relays D. Responding to alarms Preventive maintenance includes regular tasks like lubrication to avoid future failures. 7. What is the typical frequency of electrical output in the U.S.? A. 25 Hz B. 100 Hz C. 60 Hz D. 50 Hz Hydroelectric generators in the U.S. are synchronized to the standard 60 Hz frequency. 8. Which part of a hydro plant stores potential energy? A. Reservoir B. Turbine C. Transformer D. Draft tube The reservoir holds water at a height, storing potential energy that can be converted to kinetic energy. 9. A Kaplan turbine is best suited for: A. Low head and high flow conditions B. High head and low flow conditions C. Medium head and variable flow D. Constant pressure applications Kaplan turbines are adjustable propeller-type turbines ideal for sites with low head and high water flow. 10. What is the primary cause of generator overheating? A. Low water flow B. High turbine RPM C. Overloading D. Cold ambient temperatures Overloading the generator beyond its rated capacity can cause excessive heat buildup. 11. In predictive maintenance, what tool is used to monitor vibration levels? A. Thermometer B. Vibration analyzer C. Flowmeter D. Multimeter Vibration analyzers help detect misalignment, imbalance, or bearing wear before failure occurs. 12. How is generator cooling typically achieved? A. Water cooling B. Air or hydrogen cooling C. Ice circulation D. Oil circulation Air or hydrogen is often used to dissipate heat generated during electrical production. 13. Which hydro turbine is typically used in high-head applications? A. Pelton B. Kaplan C. Francis D. Francis-Kaplan hybrid Pelton turbines are impulse turbines suitable for high head and low flow conditions. 14. What does a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) control in a hydro plant? A. Power transmission B. Automated operations of equipment C. Generator rotation speed D. Manual valve opening A PLC automates the control of valves, gates, alarms, and other processes in the plant.