NERC TEST QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2025
, What percentage of load gives a 1 Hz change in an island condition? - ANSWER6-10%
(Think 6-10 day island vacation)
If ACE is Zero but system Hz is off, what should a system operator do? -
ANSWERNothing! ACE bias and interchange schedule will improve frequency
If ACE is Zero, why not adjust generation to help frequency? - ANSWERCould overload
equipment, this is a NERC violation
When restoring from blackout condition, what should be done with load? - ANSWERAll
load breakers should be opened, load should be restored in a controlled manner not to
exceed 5% of current available gen
What's the point of COM-001? - ANSWEREach TO, BA, RC and NERCNet Use Orgs
need to have good comms
Where do they need to have comms? - ANSWERInternal, Between RC, TO and BA,
Other RC, TO, BA and authorities
Where applicable comms should be ______ and _______ routed. -
ANSWERRedundant and Diversely routed, just in case something fails
How do we know comms will be good? - ANSWERThey will manage, alarm, test and/or
actively monitor, especially emergency comm facilities and equipment (non-routine
equipment)
When can languages other than English be used? - ANSWEROnly for internal
operation, Operation of the BES requires comms in English
What is required so operation during a loss of comms will be ensured? -
ANSWERWritten operating instructions and procedures
What is the point of COM-002? - ANSWEREnsure BA, TO, GO, and RC have comms
and capability to use them for addressing emergency and that operators are trained to
use them
Who should a BA or TO notify if they are aware of any condition that could threaten
area reliability or when shedding load? - ANSWERNotify their RC and any other
potentially affected BA or TO
How should directives be issued by an RC, TO or BA? - ANSWERIn a clear, concise
and definitive manner, using 3 part(way) communications
, Who is required to create a blackstart restoration plan? Who approves it? -
ANSWERTransmission Operators; Its RC
When is the blackstart condition finished? - ANSWERWhen the choice of the next load
to be restored is not driven by frequency and voltage control
Who directs the procedure for restoring interconnection between Tos? - ANSWERRC
What must be done prior to implementing changes in a restoration plan? - ANSWERThe
parties invloved must be told of changes to their role and specific tasks prior to
implementation.
How often must the plan be confirmed given no changes were made? - ANSWERTO
annually review the plan and report to RC
After a system modification is made, how long does the TO have to update restoration
plans? - ANSWER90 days
Where is a copy of the restoration plan required to be kept? - ANSWERMain and
backup control rooms
What must be done on the restoration plan every five years? - ANSWERAnalyze the
plan through actual events, steady state and dynamic simulations or testing that the
plan can work as intended.
How often must a Blackstart Resource verify it can meet real and reactive power
requirements of its cranking path and intial load? - ANSWEREvery 5 years
How often must the location of loads required to control voltage and Hz in a blackstart
be verified within operating limits? - ANSWEREvery 5 years
How often is the capability of generating resources required to control voltage and Hz in
a blackstart condition verified? - ANSWEREvery 5 years
What should a TO use if the restoration plan cannot be executed? - ANSWERUse its
restoration strategies
Under what conditions can a TO resynchronize with its neighboring TO? -
ANSWEROnly with RC approval or with the established procedures of the RC
What is the point of Blackstart Resource testing? - ANSWERTo ensure the resource is
capable of me4eting the requirements of the restoration plan
How often must a Blackstart Resource be verified at a minimum? - ANSWEROnce
every 3 years
ANSWERS 2025
, What percentage of load gives a 1 Hz change in an island condition? - ANSWER6-10%
(Think 6-10 day island vacation)
If ACE is Zero but system Hz is off, what should a system operator do? -
ANSWERNothing! ACE bias and interchange schedule will improve frequency
If ACE is Zero, why not adjust generation to help frequency? - ANSWERCould overload
equipment, this is a NERC violation
When restoring from blackout condition, what should be done with load? - ANSWERAll
load breakers should be opened, load should be restored in a controlled manner not to
exceed 5% of current available gen
What's the point of COM-001? - ANSWEREach TO, BA, RC and NERCNet Use Orgs
need to have good comms
Where do they need to have comms? - ANSWERInternal, Between RC, TO and BA,
Other RC, TO, BA and authorities
Where applicable comms should be ______ and _______ routed. -
ANSWERRedundant and Diversely routed, just in case something fails
How do we know comms will be good? - ANSWERThey will manage, alarm, test and/or
actively monitor, especially emergency comm facilities and equipment (non-routine
equipment)
When can languages other than English be used? - ANSWEROnly for internal
operation, Operation of the BES requires comms in English
What is required so operation during a loss of comms will be ensured? -
ANSWERWritten operating instructions and procedures
What is the point of COM-002? - ANSWEREnsure BA, TO, GO, and RC have comms
and capability to use them for addressing emergency and that operators are trained to
use them
Who should a BA or TO notify if they are aware of any condition that could threaten
area reliability or when shedding load? - ANSWERNotify their RC and any other
potentially affected BA or TO
How should directives be issued by an RC, TO or BA? - ANSWERIn a clear, concise
and definitive manner, using 3 part(way) communications
, Who is required to create a blackstart restoration plan? Who approves it? -
ANSWERTransmission Operators; Its RC
When is the blackstart condition finished? - ANSWERWhen the choice of the next load
to be restored is not driven by frequency and voltage control
Who directs the procedure for restoring interconnection between Tos? - ANSWERRC
What must be done prior to implementing changes in a restoration plan? - ANSWERThe
parties invloved must be told of changes to their role and specific tasks prior to
implementation.
How often must the plan be confirmed given no changes were made? - ANSWERTO
annually review the plan and report to RC
After a system modification is made, how long does the TO have to update restoration
plans? - ANSWER90 days
Where is a copy of the restoration plan required to be kept? - ANSWERMain and
backup control rooms
What must be done on the restoration plan every five years? - ANSWERAnalyze the
plan through actual events, steady state and dynamic simulations or testing that the
plan can work as intended.
How often must a Blackstart Resource verify it can meet real and reactive power
requirements of its cranking path and intial load? - ANSWEREvery 5 years
How often must the location of loads required to control voltage and Hz in a blackstart
be verified within operating limits? - ANSWEREvery 5 years
How often is the capability of generating resources required to control voltage and Hz in
a blackstart condition verified? - ANSWEREvery 5 years
What should a TO use if the restoration plan cannot be executed? - ANSWERUse its
restoration strategies
Under what conditions can a TO resynchronize with its neighboring TO? -
ANSWEROnly with RC approval or with the established procedures of the RC
What is the point of Blackstart Resource testing? - ANSWERTo ensure the resource is
capable of me4eting the requirements of the restoration plan
How often must a Blackstart Resource be verified at a minimum? - ANSWEROnce
every 3 years
