MCQs on Lightning Strokes and Protection Devices

============================
1. What is a direct lightning stroke?
A) Lightning that strikes the ground directly
B) Lightning that strikes a nearby object without hitting the target
C) Lightning inside a cloud
D) Lightning that travels horizontally
Answer: A
2. What is an indirect (or induced) lightning stroke?
A) Lightning hitting a tower directly
B) Lightning causing surges in electrical equipment nearby
C) Cloud-to-cloud lightning
D) Lightning with no effect on the ground
Answer: B
3. Which device is used to protect buildings from direct lightning strikes?
A) Insulator
B) Lightning arrester
C) Transformer
D) Circuit breaker
Answer: B
4. What is the main function of a lightning rod?
A) Absorb lightning energy
B) Provide a safe path for lightning to ground
C) Convert lightning into electricity
D) Prevent cloud formation
Answer: B
5. Which material is commonly used for lightning conductors?
A) Wood
B) Aluminum or copper
C) Plastic
D) Glass
Answer: B
6. What is the purpose of a grounding system in lightning protection?
A) To attract lightning
B) To safely dissipate the lightning current into the earth
C) To store lightning energy
D) To prevent thunderstorms
Answer: B
7. What is the striking distance of a lightning conductor?
A) The distance between two clouds
B) The maximum height from which lightning can jump to a conductor
C) The length of the grounding wire
D) Distance between two towers
Answer: B
8. What is a surge protector used for?
A) To divert direct lightning strokes
B) To protect electrical equipment from voltage surges caused by indirect strokes
C) To generate electricity
D) To prevent storms
Answer: B
9. Which type of lightning strike is more dangerous to human life or even equipment?
A) Indirect stroke
B) Direct stroke
C) Cloud-to-cloud stroke
D) Horizontal stroke
Answer: B
10. Which one of these is NOT a lightning protection device?
A) Lightning rod
B) Air terminal
C) Insulator
D) Grounding electrode
Answer: C
11. What is the main factor influencing lightning strike locations?
A) Air pressure only
B) Tall and conductive structures
C) Temperature only
D) Wind direction
Answer: B
12. Which part of a lightning protection system is installed at the top of a building?
A) Grounding electrode
B) Air terminal (lightning rod)
C) Conductor cable
D) Surge arrester
Answer: B
13. How is lightning current safely conducted to the ground?
A) Using insulating rods
B) Using low resistance metallic conductors connected to earth
C) Using wooden rods
D) Using ceramic wires
Answer: B
14. Which of the following protects electrical circuits inside buildings from surges?
A) Air terminal
B) Lightning arrester
C) Fuses only
D) Grounding electrode
Answer: B
15. What is the principle behind lightning protection?
A) To generate a counter voltage
B) To intercept lightning and safely conduct it to ground
C) To repel clouds
D) To store lightning energy for later use
Answer: B
16. What is the usual height of an air terminal (lightning rod) above a building?
A) 0.1 – 0.3 m
B) 2 – 5 m
C) 10 – 15 m
D) 20 – 25 m
Answer: B
17. Which of these structures is most vulnerable to lightning?
A) Tall isolated structures
B) Underground tunnels
C) Low-lying buildings
D) Small ponds
Answer: A
18. The rolling sphere method is used to:
A) Measure wind speed
B) Determine the zone of protection of a lightning rod
C) Measure current
D) Detect cloud formation
Answer: B
19. What is a ground resistance value for an effective lightning protection system?
A) < 10 ohms
B) 50 ohms
C) 100 ohms
D) 500 ohms
Answer: A
20. Which type of conductor is preferred for lightning protection?
A) High resistance wire
B) Copper or aluminum conductor with low resistance
C) Plastic conductor
D) Wooden conductor
Answer: B

Excellent 👍 You’re asking for a full-fledged objective question bank (50 MCQs with answers)
on Protection topics. I’ll carefully distribute the questions across the 7 topics you listed, so
the coverage is balanced and exam-oriented.

⚡ Power System Protection – 50 MCQs with Answers

1. Faults in Power Systems (8 Qs)
1. The most common fault in a power system is:
a) L–G fault
b) L–L fault
c) 3-phase fault
d) Open circuit fault
✅ Answer: a) L–G fault
2. A 3-phase symmetrical fault is:
a) Most severe fault
b) Least severe fault
c) Never occurs in practice
d) Same as L–G fault
✅ Answer: a) Most severe fault
3. Faults in power systems are caused mainly by:
a) Overheating of equipment
b) Lightning, insulation failure, and short-circuits
c) Frequency variations
d) Voltage regulation
✅ Answer: b) Lightning, insulation failure, and short-circuits
4. An open conductor fault is:
a) Unsymmetrical fault
b) Symmetrical fault
c) Both
d) Neither
✅ Answer: a) Unsymmetrical fault
5. Fault current is usually:
a) Less than load current
b) Equal to load current
c) Much higher than load current
d) Zero
✅ Answer: c) Much higher than load current
6. Unsymmetrical faults include:
a) L–G
b) L–L
c) Double L–G
d) All of these
✅ Answer: d) All of these
7. 3-phase fault is also called:
a) Unsymmetrical fault
b) Symmetrical fault
c) Series fault
d) Shunt fault
✅ Answer: b) Symmetrical fault
8. Faults reduce:
a) System voltage
b) System stability
c) System reliability
d) All of these
✅ Answer: d) All of these

2. Current and Potential Transformers (8 Qs)

9. The purpose of CT and PT in protection is:
a) To supply power
b) To step up voltage
c) To step down current/voltage to measurable value
d) To reduce frequency
✅ Answer: c) To step down current/voltage to measurable value
10. A CT is connected in:
a) Series with line
b) Parallel with line
c) Both
d) None
✅ Answer: a) Series with line
11. A PT is connected in:
a) Series with line
b) Parallel with line
c) Both
d) None
✅ Answer: b) Parallel with line
12. The secondary of CT is always:
a) Open circuited
b) Short circuited
c) Left floating
d) Grounded only
✅ Answer: b) Short circuited
13. The secondary of PT is always:
a) Open circuited under no-load
b) Short circuited
c) Grounded only
d) Both ends floating
✅ Answer: a) Open circuited under no-load
14. Burden of CT/PT means:
a) VA loading of secondary
b) Voltage rating
c) Current rating
d) Efficiency
✅ Answer: a) VA loading of secondary
15. Knee-point voltage is associated with:
a) Power transformer
b) Instrument transformer (CT)
c) Lightning arrester
d) Circuit breaker
✅ Answer: b) Instrument transformer (CT)
16. The ratio error in CT/PT is due to:
a) Core saturation and leakage reactance
b) Burden
c) Both a & b
d) None
✅ Answer: c) Both a & b

3. Zones of Protection (7 Qs)

17. Zone of protection is defined as:
a) Area covered by a single protective relay system
b) Substation boundary
c) Area inside earthing screen
d) Transformer tank only
✅ Answer: a) Area covered by a single protective relay system
18. Primary requirement of zones of protection is:
a) Reliability
b) Selectivity
c) Speed
d) All of these
✅ Answer: d) All of these
19. A unit protection scheme operates:
a) Only for external faults
b) Only for internal faults
c) For both
d) None
✅ Answer: b) Only for internal faults
20. Overlapping of protection zones is:
a) Avoided
b) Preferred
c) Mandatory
d) Useless
✅ Answer: b) Preferred
21. Blind spot in protection occurs due to:
a) CT saturation
b) Overlapping zones
c) Lack of CT coverage
d) Excessive sensitivity
✅ Answer: c) Lack of CT coverage
22. In a transformer differential protection, CTs are placed:
a) On LV side only
b) On HV side only
c) On both LV and HV sides
d) Not required
✅ Answer: c) On both LV and HV sides
23. Feeder protection is normally achieved by:
a) Differential relays
b) Distance relays
c) Overcurrent relays
d) Thermal relays
✅ Answer: c) Overcurrent relays

4. Overvoltage Protection (7 Qs)

24. Power system overvoltages are mainly caused by:
a) Lightning and switching surges
b) Frequency rise
c) Power factor
d) Harmonics
✅ Answer: a) Lightning and switching surges
25. Ferranti effect leads to:
a) Overvoltage at receiving end of line
b) Overcurrent in line
c) Overheating of transformer
d) Low frequency
✅ Answer: a) Overvoltage at receiving end of line
26. Switching surge is a type of:
a) Temporary overvoltage
b) Power frequency overvoltage
c) Lightning overvoltage
d) None
✅ Answer: a) Temporary overvoltage
27. Surge absorbers are used to:
a) Increase voltage
b) Reduce lightning surges
c) Reduce switching surges
d) Reduce harmonic surges
✅ Answer: b) Reduce lightning surges
28. Which of the following protects against switching surges?
a) Earthing screen
b) Surge capacitor
c) Surge reactor
d) Both b & c
✅ Answer: d) Both b & c
29. Temporary overvoltages may be caused by:
a) Sudden load rejection
b) Resonance
c) Ground faults
d) All of these
✅ Answer: d) All of these
30. Surge diverters are also known as:
a) Fuses
b) Lightning arresters
c) Circuit breakers
d) Relays
✅ Answer: b) Lightning arresters

5. Lightning Stroke Types (5 Qs)

31. A direct stroke occurs when:
a) Lightning hits ground
b) Lightning hits conductor/tower directly
c) Lightning hits nearby area
d) None
✅ Answer: b) Lightning hits conductor/tower directly
32. An indirect stroke occurs when:
a) Lightning strikes the line directly
b) Lightning strikes nearby ground or object, inducing surges in line
c) Fault occurs due to switching
d) None
✅ Answer: b) Lightning strikes nearby ground or object, inducing surges in line
33. Which stroke induces traveling waves in transmission lines?
a) Direct stroke
b) Indirect stroke
c) Both
d) None
✅ Answer: b) Indirect stroke
34. Which stroke causes maximum mechanical damage?
a) Direct stroke
b) Indirect stroke
c) Both
d) None
✅ Answer: a) Direct stroke
35. Both direct and indirect lightning strokes are considered:
a) Harmless
b) Dangerous to power systems
c) Useful
d) None
✅ Answer: b) Dangerous to power systems

6. Protection Against Lightning, Lightning Arrester Types (8 Qs)

36. Main purpose of lightning arrester:
a) Prevent lightning
b) Divert surge to earth
c) Stop fault current
d) Reduce load
✅ Answer: b) Divert surge to earth
37. An earthing screen is used in:
a) Transmission lines
b) Substations
c) Motors
d) Indoor circuits
✅ Answer: b) Substations
38. Ground wires are provided in transmission lines to:
a) Reduce corona
b) Provide insulation
c) Shield lines from lightning
d) Improve power factor
✅ Answer: c) Shield lines from lightning
39. Which arrester is outdated and seldom used today?
a) Rod gap arrester
b) Valve type arrester
c) Metal oxide arrester
d) Horn gap arrester
✅ Answer: a) Rod gap arrester
40. Which arrester is widely used in modern systems?
a) Horn gap
b) Metal oxide
c) Valve type
d) Rod gap
✅ Answer: b) Metal oxide
41. Which arrester contains series spark gaps and nonlinear resistors?
a) Valve type
b) Horn gap
c) Rod gap
d) None
✅ Answer: a) Valve type
42. Metal oxide arresters use:
a) Silicon carbide blocks
b) Zinc oxide blocks
c) Graphite blocks
d) Copper oxide blocks
✅ Answer: b) Zinc oxide blocks
43. Protection scheme that shields substations from direct strokes is:
a) Surge absorber
b) Earthing screen
c) Surge reactor
d) Surge capacitor
✅ Answer: b) Earthing screen

7. Fuses: HRC and HV Fuses (7 Qs)

44. The function of a fuse is to:
a) Prevent overvoltage
b) Break circuit during overcurrent
c) Increase circuit current
d) Step down voltage
✅ Answer: b) Break circuit during overcurrent
45. HRC fuse stands for:
a) High Resistance Current fuse
b) High Rupturing Capacity fuse
c) Heavy Rating Current fuse
d) High Reliability Circuit fuse
✅ Answer: b) High Rupturing Capacity fuse
46. The filler material in an HRC fuse is usually:
a) Sand
b) Air
c) Oil
d) Cotton
✅ Answer: a) Sand
47. In HRC fuse, arc quenching is achieved by:
a) Air blast
b) Oil immersion
c) Fusion of silver and sand vaporization
d) Magnetic blowout
✅ Answer: c) Fusion of silver and sand vaporization
48. HV fuses are used in:
a) Small appliances
b) LV distribution boards
c) High voltage switchgear
d) Motor starter
✅ Answer: c) High voltage switchgear
49. The characteristic curve of a fuse is:
a) Current–time curve
b) Voltage–time curve
c) Power–time curve
d) Resistance–time curve
✅ Answer: a) Current–time curve
50. Compared to rewirable fuses, HRC fuses have:
a) Lower breaking capacity
b) Higher breaking capacity and reliability
c) Same capacity
d) Poor performance
✅ Answer: b) Higher breaking capacity and reliability
50 MCQs with answers, across the 7 topics you listed, but designed according to Bloom’s
Taxonomy levels (Remember, Understand, Apply, Analyze, Evaluate, Create).
Here’s how I’ll structure them:
 7 topics × about 7 Qs each ≈ 50 Qs
 Each topic will have MCQs that gradually move from basic recall → higher-order
thinking.
 Answers will be included.

⚡ MCQs on Power System Protection (Based on Bloom’s Taxonomy)

1. Faults in Power Systems

1. (Remember) Which fault is most common in power systems?
a) Single line-to-ground
b) Double line-to-ground
c) Line-to-line
d) Three-phase fault
✅ Answer: a) Single line-to-ground
2. (Understand) Why are symmetrical faults less common than unsymmetrical faults?
a) Require balanced conditions
b) Cause lower current
c) More difficult to detect
d) Need lightning strike
✅ Answer: a) Require balanced conditions
3. (Apply) If a transmission line touches a tree and creates earth contact, which fault occurs?
a) L-L fault
b) L-G fault
c) L-L-L fault
d) Double line fault
✅ Answer: b) L-G fault
4. (Analyze) Which fault leads to the highest current in the system?
a) L-G
b) L-L
c) L-L-G
d) L-L-L (3-phase)
✅ Answer: d) L-L-L (3-phase)
5. (Evaluate) Which type of fault is most severe from a stability point of view?
a) Single line-to-ground
b) Line-to-line
c) Double line-to-ground
d) Symmetrical 3-phase
✅ Answer: d) Symmetrical 3-phase
6. (Create) A protection engineer wants to design a relay for the most frequent fault. He
should tune it mainly for:
a) 3-phase faults
b) L-G faults
c) Switching surges
d) Ferranti effect
✅ Answer: b) L-G faults
7. (Apply) Which device clears faults in power systems?
a) Transformer
b) Circuit breaker
c) CT
d) Reactor
✅ Answer: b) Circuit breaker

2. Current and Potential Transformers (CTs & PTs)

8. (Remember) The function of a Current Transformer (CT) is:
a) Reduce current to safe level
b) Reduce voltage to safe level
c) Increase current
d) Measure power
✅ Answer: a) Reduce current to safe level
9. (Remember) The function of a Potential Transformer (PT) is:
a) Step up current
b) Step down voltage for metering
c) Increase voltage for transmission
d) Supply excitation
✅ Answer: b) Step down voltage for metering
10. (Understand) Why is the secondary of a CT never left open?
a) Dangerously high voltage is induced
b) Core gets saturated
c) Relay malfunctions
d) All of the above
✅ Answer: d) All of the above
11. (Apply) If a CT has ratio 100/5 A, then 400 A primary corresponds to:
a) 10 A secondary
b) 20 A secondary
c) 5 A secondary
d) 25 A secondary
✅ Answer: b) 20 A secondary
12. (Analyze) Which error occurs in CTs/PTs due to saturation?
a) Ratio error
b) Phase angle error
c) Both (a) and (b)
d) None
✅ Answer: c) Both (a) and (b)
13. (Evaluate) For precise protection of EHV lines, which is preferred?
a) Electromagnetic CT
b) Optical CT
c) Air core CT
d) Ordinary PT
✅ Answer: b) Optical CT
14. (Create) An engineer wants to measure extra high voltage safely in a lab. Which
instrument should he design with?
a) PT
b) CT
c) Wattmeter
d) Ammeter
✅ Answer: a) PT

3. Zones of Protection
15. (Remember) Protection zone is defined as:
a) Area monitored by protective relays
b) Generator room
c) Substation ground grid
d) Area of load demand
✅ Answer: a) Area monitored by protective relays
16. (Understand) Why should protection zones overlap?
a) To save relays
b) To avoid unprotected regions
c) To reduce cost
d) To prevent backup
✅ Answer: b) To avoid unprotected regions
17. (Apply) If a fault occurs at the junction of two zones without overlap, what happens?
a) Fault remains unprotected
b) Both zones trip simultaneously
c) Only generator trips
d) None
✅ Answer: a) Fault remains unprotected
18. (Analyze) Busbar protection is part of which zone?
a) Transmission line zone
b) Generator zone
c) Switchgear zone
d) Bus zone
✅ Answer: d) Bus zone
19. (Evaluate) Which of these zones is most critical for power system stability?
a) Busbar zone
b) Transformer zone
c) Generator zone
d) Feeder zone
✅ Answer: c) Generator zone
20. (Create) If you design a new smart grid, which zone will you give highest priority for
differential protection?
a) Generator zone
b) Load zone
c) Feeder zone
d) Distribution transformer zone
✅ Answer: a) Generator zone
21. (Apply) Backup protection is mainly provided:
a) Within same zone
b) From an adjacent zone
c) By fuses only
d) By isolators
✅ Answer: b) From an adjacent zone

4. Overvoltage Protection
22. (Remember) Switching surges mainly cause:
a) Overvoltage
b) Overcurrent
c) Undervoltage
d) Frequency drop
✅ Answer: a) Overvoltage
23. (Understand) Which condition causes temporary overvoltage?
a) Ground fault
b) Lightning
c) Load rejection
d) Both (a) and (c)
✅ Answer: d) Both (a) and (c)
24. (Apply) Which equipment is installed to limit switching surge overvoltages?
a) Circuit breaker
b) Lightning arrester
c) Shunt reactor
d) Transformer
✅ Answer: c) Shunt reactor
25. (Analyze) Which overvoltage is most dangerous for insulation?
a) Switching surge
b) Lightning surge
c) Ferroresonance
d) Power frequency overvoltage
✅ Answer: b) Lightning surge
26. (Evaluate) For long transmission lines, which device is best to control overvoltage?
a) Shunt capacitor
b) Shunt reactor
c) Series capacitor
d) Transformer tap changer
✅ Answer: b) Shunt reactor
27. (Create) If you design a wind farm, which overvoltage issue will you prioritize?
a) Switching surge
b) Lightning surge
c) Voltage sag
d) Frequency drop
✅ Answer: b) Lightning surge
28. (Apply) Ferranti effect is observed at:
a) Loaded line
b) No-load long line
c) Short-circuited line
d) Balanced line
✅ Answer: b) No-load long line

5. Lightning Stroke Types

29. (Remember) Which lightning stroke hits the line directly?
a) Direct stroke
b) Indirect stroke
c) Back flashover
d) Traveling wave
✅ Answer: a) Direct stroke
30. (Remember) Which lightning stroke induces voltage in lines without direct contact?
a) Direct stroke
b) Indirect stroke
c) Back flashover
d) Flashover stroke
✅ Answer: b) Indirect stroke
31. (Understand) Back flashover occurs when:
a) Insulator flashes back to tower under lightning
b) Surge travels backward
c) Transformer fails
d) Tower collapses
✅ Answer: a) Insulator flashes back to tower under lightning
32. (Apply) A nearby tree hit by lightning causes voltage in line. This is:
a) Direct stroke
b) Indirect stroke
c) Back flashover
d) Symmetrical surge
✅ Answer: b) Indirect stroke
33. (Analyze) Which stroke is more frequent in overhead lines?
a) Direct
b) Indirect
c) Back flashover
d) None
✅ Answer: b) Indirect
34. (Evaluate) Which is more destructive for system equipment?
a) Direct stroke
b) Indirect stroke
c) Both equally
d) None
✅ Answer: a) Direct stroke
35. (Create) If you design lightning protection for a substation, which stroke type will you
first consider?
a) Direct stroke
b) Indirect stroke
c) Both
d) None
✅ Answer: a) Direct stroke

6. Protection Against Lightning – Arresters

36. (Remember) A lightning arrester is connected between:
a) Line and neutral
b) Line and ground
c) Line and line
d) Transformer and load
✅ Answer: b) Line and ground
37. (Remember) Which arrester type uses silicon carbide blocks?
a) Expulsion type
b) Valve type
c) Rod gap type
d) Metal oxide type
✅ Answer: b) Valve type
38. (Understand) Why are Metal Oxide Arresters (MOA) preferred today?
a) Costly but effective
b) Have no series gap, better performance
c) Smaller in size only
d) Works as isolator also
✅ Answer: b) Have no series gap, better performance
39. (Apply) Which arrester is suitable for distribution systems?
a) Metal oxide
b) Rod gap
c) Valve type
d) Horn gap
✅ Answer: a) Metal oxide
40. (Analyze) Which arrester has poorest performance?
a) Metal oxide
b) Valve type
c) Rod gap
d) Expulsion type
✅ Answer: c) Rod gap
41. (Evaluate) For EHV substations, best arrester is:
a) Rod gap
b) Metal oxide
c) Expulsion
d) Valve
✅ Answer: b) Metal oxide
42. (Create) An engineer is protecting a 220 kV substation. Which arrester should he design
with?
a) Metal oxide
b) Expulsion type
c) Rod gap
d) Horn gap
✅ Answer: a) Metal oxide

7. Fuses – HRC and HV

43. (Remember) HRC fuse stands for:
a) High Resistance Cartridge
b) High Rupturing Capacity
c) Heavy Rating Current
d) High Reactive Capacity
✅ Answer: b) High Rupturing Capacity
44. (Remember) The filler material in HRC fuse is:
a) Air
b) Quartz powder
c) Sand
d) Oil
✅ Answer: b) Quartz powder
45. (Understand) Why is quartz powder used in HRC fuses?
a) Cheap material
b) Improves arc quenching
c) Reduces size
d) Acts as conductor
✅ Answer: b) Improves arc quenching
46. (Apply) Which is correct for an HRC fuse rating 100 A?
a) Can carry 100 A continuously
b) Melts at 100 A exactly
c) Cannot carry more than 10 A
d) Works only for 220 V
✅ Answer: a) Can carry 100 A continuously
47. (Analyze) Which fuse is suitable for high voltage system protection?
a) Rewirable fuse
b) HRC fuse
c) MCB
d) RCCB
✅ Answer: b) HRC fuse
48. (Evaluate) For protection of 11 kV feeder, which fuse is best?
a) Cartridge fuse
b) HV HRC fuse
c) MCB
d) Thermal fuse
✅ Answer: b) HV HRC fuse
49. (Create) An engineer wants to design fuse protection for a 33 kV system. Which should
he choose?
a) HV HRC fuse
b) LV cartridge fuse
c) Rewirable fuse
d) RCCB
✅ Answer: a) HV HRC fuse
50. (Apply) One limitation of HRC fuse is:
a) Cannot interrupt heavy fault currents
b) Once blown, must be replaced
c) Has slow action
d) Cannot be used in LV circuits
✅ Answer: b) Once blown, must be replaced

✅ That’s 50 MCQs distributed across your 7 topics, carefully balanced with Bloom’s
taxonomy levels.
👉 Do you want me to also prepare a separate 2-mark Q&A set (like short answers) for these
same 7 topics, so you’ll have both MCQs + short questions for students’ practice?