Equipment Operation Flashcards

Infrared thermography of an electrical panel reveals one breaker lug significantly hotter than others. What is the most likely issue?

Answer: Loose or corroded connection

Localized hot spots at terminations usually indicate high resistance from loose or corroded connections.

In a vibration analysis report, a high reading at 1x running speed in the radial direction most commonly indicates what?

Answer: Imbalance

Imbalance produces a dominant radial vibration at once per revolution.

Why is a deaerator used in a steam boiler plant?

Answer: To remove dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide from feedwater

Removing dissolved gases from feedwater prevents oxygen pitting and corrosion in the boiler and piping.

A water-cooled chiller shows high head pressure on a hot day. Which is a likely operational cause?

Answer: Low condenser water flow or high entering condenser water temperature

Insufficient condenser flow or warm condenser water raises condensing pressure.

What does a demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) sequence typically use to modulate outdoor air?

Answer: Space CO2 concentration

DCV uses CO2 sensors as a proxy for occupancy to reduce outdoor air when spaces are lightly occupied.

Automatic transfer switches for emergency power should transfer to the generator within what time for life safety (Level 1) loads under NFPA 110?

Answer: 10 seconds

NFPA 110 Type 10 systems must restore power to emergency loads within 10 seconds.

An operator notices a boiler flame is lazy, yellow, and smoky. What adjustment is most likely needed?

Answer: Increase combustion air to improve air-fuel ratio

A yellow, smoky flame indicates incomplete combustion from too little air, so the air-fuel ratio must be corrected, ideally with a combustion analyzer.