Utility Operations & Infrastructure Flashcards
7 cards from real UMC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Utility Operations & Infrastructure flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of a SCADA system in utility operations?
Answer: Monitoring and controlling remote infrastructure in real time
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems allow utility operators to remotely monitor and control infrastructure such as pumps, valves, and substations in real time.
Which water treatment process removes dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium to reduce hardness?
Answer: Ion exchange softening
Ion exchange softening replaces hardness-causing calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions, effectively reducing water hardness.
In electric distribution systems, what device automatically isolates a faulted section while keeping the rest of the network energized?
Answer: Sectionalizer
A sectionalizer counts fault current interruptions and opens to isolate the faulted section after an upstream recloser operates.
A utility's integrated resource plan (IRP) is primarily used to:
Answer: Forecast long-term supply and demand and plan for future resources
An IRP is a long-range planning document that balances projected demand growth against supply options including generation, efficiency, and demand response.
What does the term 'non-revenue water' (NRW) refer to in a water utility?
Answer: Water produced but not billed due to leaks, theft, or metering errors
Non-revenue water is the difference between water put into the distribution system and water billed to customers, encompassing physical losses, unbilled authorized uses, and apparent losses.
Which natural gas pipeline integrity management program component involves physically inspecting pipe walls from the inside?
Answer: In-line inspection (smart pig)
In-line inspection tools, commonly called 'smart pigs,' travel through the pipeline and use magnetic flux leakage or ultrasonic sensors to detect metal loss and anomalies.
In utility asset management, what does 'condition-based maintenance' mean?
Answer: Performing maintenance based on actual asset condition data and diagnostics
Condition-based maintenance uses real-time or periodic condition data—such as vibration, temperature, or oil analysis—to trigger maintenance only when indicators show degradation.