MCQs

1. What is the full form of HVDC?

o A) High Voltage Direct Control

o B) High Voltage Direct Current

o C) High Voltage Device Current

o D) High Voltage Distribution Control

Answer: B) High Voltage Direct Current

2. Which of the following is not an advantage of HVDC over HVAC?

o A) Less power loss

o B) Lower construction cost

o C) Absence of inductive effect

o D) No skin effect
Answer: B) Lower construction cost

3. Which famous inventor advocated for DC power in the War of Currents?

o A) Nikola Tesla

o B) Thomas Edison

o C) James Watt

o D) Michael Faraday
Answer: B) Thomas Edison

4. When was the first modern DC power transmission line established?

o A) 1900

o B) 1954

o C) 1973

o D) 1987
Answer: B) 1954

5. Which of the following is a configuration of HVDC transmission based on converter type?

o A) Line-Commutated Converter (LCC)

o B) Direct-Commutated Converter (DCC)

o C) Hybrid-Voltage Converter (HVC)

 o D) Power-Commutated Converter (PCC)
Answer: A) Line-Commutated Converter (LCC)

6. What is the primary function of a smoothing reactor on the DC side in HVDC systems?

o A) Increase DC voltage

o B) Reduce DC current ripple

o C) Control switching of thyristors

o D) Enhance reactive power

Answer: B) Reduce DC current ripple

7. What is the typical value of reactive power required by HVDC converters as a percentage of
their power rating?

o A) 30%

o B) 45%

o C) 60%

o D) 75%
Answer: C) 60%

8. Which type of HVDC system uses the earth or sea as the return path?

o A) Bipolar with Metallic Return

o B) Monopolar with Ground Return

o C) Back-to-Back HVDC

o D) Monopolar with Metallic Return

Answer: B) Monopolar with Ground Return

9. Which of the following is absent in HVDC lines but present in HVAC lines?

o A) EMI Effect

o B) Corona Effect

o C) Inductive Effect

o D) Harmonics
Answer: C) Inductive Effect

10. What is a Back-to-Back HVDC link typically used for?

o A) Long-distance transmission

o B) Submarine cable transmission

o C) Asynchronous connection without transmission line

 o D) Multilevel power distribution
Answer: C) Asynchronous connection without transmission line

11. Which HVDC component is responsible for converting AC to DC and vice versa?

o A) Filters

o B) Converters

o C) Transformers

o D) Electrodes
Answer: B) Converters

12. What is the main issue with using transformers in HVDC transmission?

o A) They overheat at high DC voltages

o B) Transformers do not work on DC

o C) They cause harmonics in the system

o D) They are more expensive than AC transformers

Answer: B) Transformers do not work on DC

13. Which of the following types of cables is NOT typically used in HVDC systems?

o A) Mass-Impregnated (MI) cables

o B) Low-Pressure Oil-Filled (LPOF) cables

o C) Extruded Cross-Linked Polyethylene (XLPE) cables

o D) Gas-insulated cables
Answer: D) Gas-insulated cables

14. What is the purpose of the Metallic Return Transfer Breaker (MRTB) in HVDC systems?

o A) To transfer current to metallic return path during pole outage

o B) To increase the efficiency of the converters

o C) To manage reactive power compensation

o D) To prevent ground currents

Answer: A) To transfer current to metallic return path during pole outage

15. In HVDC, which controller is responsible for regulating the DC current on the rectifier side?

o A) Inverter controller

o B) Voltage controller

o C) Current controller
 o D) Reactive power controller
Answer: C) Current controller

16. What happens in a commutation failure in HVDC transmission?

o A) Loss of synchronization between poles

o B) The valve remains conducting and doesn't turn off

o C) Reduction in overall power losses

o D) Increase in power transmitted

Answer: B) The valve remains conducting and doesn't turn off

17. Which of the following is a major cause of commutation failure?

o A) Capacitor malfunction

o B) Decrease in commutating voltage

o C) Sudden decrease in direct current

o D) Overload of the converter transformer

Answer: B) Decrease in commutating voltage

18. What is the break-even distance where HVDC becomes more economical than HVAC?

o A) Less than 500 km

o B) Between 500 km and 800 km

o C) Between 800 km and 1200 km

o D) More than 1200 km

Answer: C) Between 800 km and 1200 km

19. What is the main reason for higher initial costs in HVDC systems?

o A) Maintenance of overhead lines

o B) Cost of converters and substations

o C) Need for more conductors

o D) More complex filters

Answer: B) Cost of converters and substations

20. Which type of control is most common on the inverter side of HVDC transmission systems?

o A) Extinction angle control

o B) Current control

o C) Voltage control
 o D) Harmonic control
Answer: A) Extinction angle control

21. In HVDC systems, harmonics are mainly produced by:

o A) Converter switching

o B) DC cables

o C) Ground electrodes

o D) Capacitors
Answer: A) Converter switching

22. Which material is often used for HVDC electrode design to prevent environmental impacts?

o A) Copper

o B) Aluminum

o C) Graphite

o D) Steel
Answer: C) Graphite

23. How do VSC-based HVDC systems handle DC faults compared to LCC-based systems?

o A) VSC systems manage them better

o B) VSC systems have more serious disturbances

o C) LCC systems are unaffected by DC faults

o D) Both handle faults similarly

Answer: B) VSC systems have more serious disturbances

24. Which of the following is NOT typically part of the reactive power compensation in HVDC?

o A) Capacitor banks

o B) Filters

o C) Transformers

o D) Reactors
Answer: C) Transformers

25. Which type of HVDC system is used for short-term ground return during pole outage?

o A) Bipolar HVDC with Ground Return

o B) Monopolar HVDC with Metallic Return

o C) Back-to-Back HVDC Link

 o D) Bipolar HVDC with Metallic Return
Answer: A) Bipolar HVDC with Ground Return

26. What is the typical operating angle (α) for HVDC rectifiers to minimize reactive power?

o A) 0–5 degrees

o B) 10–15 degrees

o C) 15–20 degrees

o D) 25–30 degrees
Answer: C) 15–20 degrees

27. Which of the following is NOT a common cause of losses in HVDC transmission?

o A) Converter losses

o B) Cable losses

o C) Overvoltage spikes

o D) Electromagnetic interference
Answer: D) Electromagnetic interference

28. In which part of the HVDC system are DC-side filters typically used?

o A) Converters

o B) Transformers

o C) Overhead lines

o D) Electrodes
Answer: C) Overhead lines

29. The extinction angle (γ) in HVDC inverters is maintained to prevent:

o A) Voltage loss

o B) Current surges

o C) Commutation failure

o D) Harmonic distortion
Answer: C) Commutation failure

30. Which of the following helps stabilize DC current in HVDC transmission?

o A) Ground electrodes

o B) DC reactor

o C) Shunt capacitors
 o D) AC reactor
Answer: B) DC reactor

31. What is the primary component used to handle DC faults in VSC-based HVDC systems?

o A) Surge arresters

o B) DC breakers

o C) Filters

o D) Capacitor banks
Answer: B) DC breakers

32. In HVDC systems, where are grounding electrodes typically located?

o A) At the converter station

o B) Along the overhead lines

o C) Near the sea or water bodies

o D) Inside substations
Answer: C) Near the sea or water bodies

33. Which type of HVDC transmission is typically used for underwater cables?

o A) Bipolar HVDC

o B) Monopolar HVDC

o C) Back-to-Back HVDC

o D) Hybrid HVDC
Answer: A) Bipolar HVDC

34. HVDC systems are primarily preferred over HVAC systems for:

o A) Short-distance transmission

o B) Undersea and long-distance transmission

o C) Urban power distribution

o D) Residential power supply

Answer: B) Undersea and long-distance transmission

35. Which component controls the timing of thyristor switching in LCC HVDC systems?

o A) Smoothing reactor

o B) Gate trigger circuits

o C) Capacitor banks
 o D) Commutating voltage
Answer: B) Gate trigger circuits

36. Which of the following systems requires the least maintenance in HVDC?

o A) Converters

o B) Overhead lines

o C) Underground cables

o D) Grounding electrodes
Answer: C) Underground cables

37. Which of the following is a drawback of the VSC-HVDC system compared to LCC-HVDC?

o A) Higher complexity in converters

o B) Increased cost of installation

o C) Lower efficiency for long distances

o D) Lack of reactive power control

Answer: C) Lower efficiency for long distances

38. The term “black start” in HVDC refers to:

o A) Starting the system after a power outage without external power

o B) Restarting a failed converter unit

o C) Switching to a backup transmission line

o D) Maintaining operations during faults

Answer: A) Starting the system after a power outage without external power

39. HVDC systems help stabilize grids by:

o A) Increasing AC grid harmonics

o B) Reducing frequency variations

o C) Causing power surges

o D) Preventing energy losses

Answer: B) Reducing frequency variations

40. Which configuration offers HVDC's greatest reliability during pole outage?

o A) Monopolar with Ground Return

o B) Bipolar with Ground Return

o C) Back-to-Back HVDC
 o D) Monopolar with Metallic Return
Answer: B) Bipolar with Ground Return

41. What component is key in controlling DC voltage in VSC HVDC systems?

o A) Capacitors

o B) Thyristors

o C) Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs)

o D) Smoothing reactors
Answer: C) Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs)

42. HVDC transmission typically uses which type of cables for submarine applications?

o A) Extruded XLPE cables

o B) MI cables

o C) Overhead cables

o D) LPOF cables
Answer: A) Extruded XLPE cables

43. Which country pioneered the use of HVDC technology in 1954?

o A) USA

o B) Sweden

o C) Germany

o D) France
Answer: B) Sweden

44. Which device is used to control reactive power in VSC-based HVDC systems?

o A) Thyristors

o B) STATCOMs

o C) DC reactors

o D) Filter banks
Answer: B) STATCOMs

45. Which of the following is a challenge for underwater HVDC transmission?

o A) Higher inductive losses

o B) Complex insulation requirements

o C) Skin effect in conductors

 o D) Increased resistive losses
Answer: B) Complex insulation requirements

46. Which HVDC system type is most suited for bulk power transmission over long distances?

o A) Monopolar with Ground Return

o B) Back-to-Back HVDC

o C) Bipolar HVDC

o D) Hybrid HVDC
Answer: C) Bipolar HVDC

47. In HVDC technology, the reactive power compensation is primarily needed on which side?

o A) AC side

o B) DC side

o C) Converter side

o D) Transmission side
Answer: A) AC side

48. Which power converter technology is most commonly used in HVDC systems today?

o A) Voltage Source Converter (VSC)

o B) Direct Current Converter (DCC)

o C) Current Source Converter (CSC)

o D) Line-Commutated Converter (LCC)

Answer: A) Voltage Source Converter (VSC)

49. What frequency is typically used for HVDC converter transformers?

o A) 50 Hz

o B) 60 Hz

o C) 0 Hz (DC)

o D) Either 50 or 60 Hz
Answer: D) Either 50 or 60 Hz

50. Which of the following is NOT a benefit of HVDC systems?

o A) Long-distance power transmission

o B) Increased power transfer efficiency

o C) Simple converter station design

o D) Stability improvement for weak grids
Answer: C) Simple converter station design