Control Systems Questions and Answers – Linear Approximation of the Non-Linear System

This set of Control Systems Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Linear
Approximation of the Nonlinear System”.
1. Due to which of the following reasons excessive band width in control systems should be
avoided?
a) It leads to slow speed of response
b) It leads to low relative stability
c) Noise is proportional to bandwidth
d) Presence of feedback
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: Excessive Bandwidth causes increases in the noise with the same proportion as the
bandwidth and hence noise is not good for any signal therefore the excessive bandwidth is not
desirable.
2. In a stable control system backlash can cause which of the following?
a) Underdamping
b) Overdamping
c) Poor stability at reduced values of open loop gain
d) Low-level oscillations
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: In stable control systems backlash is the form of the error which may cause low level of
the oscillations and hence can be useful sometimes as it increases the damping.
3. In an automatic control system which of the following elements is not used?
a) Error detector
b) Final control element
c) Sensor
d) Oscillator
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: In an automatic control system oscillator is not used because the oscillator increases
the oscillations but our aim is to reduce the oscillations and hence oscillator is not used.
4. In a control system the output of the controller is given to
a) Final control element
b) Amplifier
c) Comparator
d) Sensor
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: In control system the output of the controller is given to the final control element it may
be the plant or any other controller which-ever is used in the control circuit.
5. A controller, essentially, is a
a) Sensor
b) Clipper
c) Comparator
d) Amplifier
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: A controller is essentially the comparator which compares the given input with the
reference input and generates the error signal.
6. Which of the following is the input to a controller?
a) Servo signal
b) Desired variable value
c) Error signal
d) Sensed signal
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: Error signal is the input to the controller and it causes the output to be the desired
output.
7. The on-off controller is a _____ system.
a) Digital
b) Linear
c) Non-linear
d) Discontinuous
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: The on-off controller is discontinuous at the point when the system changes its state
from on to off.
8. The capacitance, in force-current analogy, is analogous to
a) Momentum
b) Velocity
c) Displacement
d) Mass
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: The capacitance in the force current is analogous to the mass and this analogy is also
called parallel analogy as mostly all the elements are parallel.
9. The temperature, under thermal and electrical system analogy, is considered analogous to
a) Voltage
b) Current
c) Capacitance
d) Charge
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: The temperature under thermal and electrical system analogy is considered analogous
to the voltage and is similar to the Force voltage analogy.
10. In electrical-pneumatic system analogy the current is considered analogous to
a) Velocity
b) Pressure
c) Air flow
d) Air flow rate
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: In electrical-pneumatic system analogy the current is analogous to the air-flow rate.
11. The use of feedback element in the feedback loop is:
a) It converts the output variable ‘c’ to another suitable feedback variable ‘b’ to compare with the
input command signal.
b) It is the actuating element
c) To increase the stability
d) None of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: The feedback can be positive and negative and so applied is to produce the error signal
so as to get the desired output.
12. The major components of a controller are:
a) Control element
b) Error detector and control element
c) Feedback element
d) Error detector and feedback element
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: Controller is the extra block used in the system to get the desired characteristics and
consists of two major components as the error detector and control element in the forward path.
13. Practically all the elements are:
a) Linear
b) Non-linear
c) Exponential
d) None of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: It is not practically possible to achieve linear elements as there is some error present so
practically all the elements present are non-linear but can be made linear only to some extent.
14. The need of assuming non-linear element as linear:
a) Simplicity of analysis and accuracy of results
b) Ease of calculations
c) Less time consuming
d) Mathematical tool available
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: All the mathematical tools are available as per ideal cases so it is necessary to make
assumptions for non-ideal to be nearly ideal and hence do the necessary calculations as needed.
15. A non-linear element can be treated as the linear element.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: It is possible to make non-linear elements linear to make necessary calculations as
practically non-linear elements are present and we make certain assumptions to make them linear.

Control Systems Questions and Answers – Controller Components – I

This set of Control Systems Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Controller
Components – I”.
1. Low power transducers called sensors prefer:
a) Linear relationship between controlled variable and output variable
b) Non-functional relationship between controlled variable and output variable
c) Non-linear relationship between controlled variable and output variable
d) Not related with each other
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Sensors are different from transducers as in transducers the energy is converted from
one form to another while in sensors only the energy is sensed not converted and it is possible to get
the accurate results in less time.
2. The chief advantage offered by the electronics is:
a) Differencing and stable amplification by Op-Amp
b) Stable amplification of power level by use of power transistor and SCR’s
c) Differencing and stable amplification of power level by Op-Amp
d) No amplification with the Op-Amp
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: Advantage of electronics is that every type of energy is converted into measurable and
storage energy and electronically differencing to get the error signal and its amplifier.
3. Which of the motions in actuators are preferred:
a) Translator
b) Rotary
c) Stationary
d) Non-Stationary
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: An actuator in a control systems perform variety of task in hydraulic, pneumatic and
electrical system but majorly they are all controlling rotary motions.
4. Assertion (A): Electric actuators are used control system for high torque applications.
Reason (R): Due to linear speed-Torque characteristics.
a) Both A and R are true and R is correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true but R is not correct explanation of A
c) A is true but R is false
d) A is false but R is true
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Electric actuators are the devices that are used to convert non measurable form of
energy into measurable and are used in high torque applications due to linear speed torque
characteristics but not used in low speed where hydraulic actuators are still used.
5. Low power DC and AC motors are also known as _________
a) Servomotors
b) Tachogenerators
c) A.C. generators
d) D.C. generators
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Electric actuators are of two kinds’ ac and dc motors and with low power rating they are
called ac servomotors.
6. The torque developed by the motor when stationary with the full applied voltage__________
a) Stalled torque
b) Torque
c) Force
d) Couple
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Stalled torque is the important figure of merit of Servomotor which is important for
linearity characteristics.
7. High torque/inertia ratio means:
a) Stalled torque
b) Stalled inertia
c) Stalled toque/inertia ratio
d) Lower motor time constant
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: High torque/inertia ratio means the ration of torque to the inertia should be high as for
higher torque the inertia must be very low and this indicates lower time constant as it leads to
dynamic response.
8. Electric actuators for stepped motion are known as stepper motor.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Stepper motors are the motors in which the motion generated is in the form of steps
with respect to the time and works on the same principle as electric actuators but with stepped
motion.
9. DC motors can be modeled as:
a) Armature controlled
b) Field Controlled
c) Both a and b
d) None of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: DC motors are the motors that work o the direct current and commutators are replaced
by slip rings and can be classified based on the construction as armature controlled or field
controlled.
10. Assertion (A): Pneumatic actuators are not as messy as hydraulic ones.
Reason (R): Pneumatic suffer from leakages and inherent inaccuracies.
a) Both A and R are true and R is correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true but R is not correct explanation of A
c) A is true but R is false
d) A is false but R is true
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: Pneumatic actuators are the devices that convert the motion of air into measurable
form of the energy and can also be used in low speed applications but they suffer leakages and
inherent in accuracies.
11. DC motors are constructed using:
a) Permanent Magnet
b) Electromagnet.
c) Magnets are not used
d) Plastics
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: DC motors are are the motors that work o the direct current and commutators are
replaced by slip rings and now constructed using permanent magnets having high flux density.
12. Permanent magnets used for DC motors because of:
a) High residual flux density
b) High coercivity
c) Both a and b
d) Retentivity
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: Permanent magnets are hard magnets with the area og B-H curve more and they are
less used at core of the magnet and are used for DC servomotors as they have high residual flux
density and high coercivity.

Control Systems Questions and Answers – Controller Components –

II
This set of Control Systems Interview Questions and Answers for freshers focuses on “Controller
Components – II”.
1. Different type of construction in permanent type DC magnet are :
a) Slotted armature type
b) Surface wound armature type
c) Surface wound rotating armature, stationary wound type.
d) All of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: Permanent magnet are the hard magnets that have broad B-H curve and can not be
used as the core of the transformer due to their high retentivity and can be constructed by various
ways as described above.
2. Assertion (A): Slotted armature type in this armature is placed in slotted armature with DC
windings placed inside the slots.
Reason (R): The construction is highly reliable and rugged but has high torque.
a) Both A and R are true and R is correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true but R is not correct explanation of A
c) A is true but R is false
d) A is false but R is true
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: Slotted armature as the name indicates in which armature is paced in slots but high
inertia is present causing higher torque and less used.
3. A much lower inertia in Surface wound armature type is obtained by placing the winding on a non-
magnetic cylinder which rotates in annular space between permanent magnet stator and stationary
rotor.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Because of larger air gap strong permanent magnets are needed and much lower
inertia is obtained by placing non-magnetic cylinder which rotates in annular space between
permanent magnet stator and stationary rotor.
4. Lower inertia is obtained due to much larger gap and hence stronger magnets are used for this
purpose.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Stronger permanent magnets are used so as to cause lower inertia as in Surface
wound rotating armature and stationary wound type.
5. PMDC when coupled to a rotating shaft would generate a voltage proportional to speed and thus
would serve as____________
a) Tachometer
b) Servomotor
c) D.C. motor
d) A.C. motor
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Tachometer is a device that has relationship between voltage and speed and this is
used in the controller to enhance the gain of the control system.
6. PMDC device is commonly employed for:
a) Speed feedback in speed control system
b) Internal velocity feedback loop of a position control system
c) This device is used in both speed feedback and internal velocity feedback control
d) None of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: The current rating of this type of device is very small and it is to be connected to the
input end of the OP-AMP.
7. Commutation process of a DC motor can be accomplished by solid devices (transistors and
SCR’s).
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation:Commutation process refers to the process in the alternating current is used as input in
the DC motor and in case of a DC motor this can be accomplished by solid devices as the IC’s and
transistors.
8. DC motors are constructed using Permanent Magnet resulting in:
a) Higher torque/inertia ratio
b) Higher operating frequency
c) No filed losses
d) All of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: DC motors are extensively using Permanent Magnets for its construction as they
provide higher torque/inertia ratio, higher operating frequency, no field losses.
9. Speed of a permanent magnet DC motor:
a) It is directly proportional to the armature voltage at a given load torque
b) The speed torque characteristics are more flat than in a wound field motor
c) It depends upon armature voltage and are more flat than in a wound field motor
d) None of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: Speed of a permanent magnet DC motor is directly proportional to the armature voltage
at a given load torque and speed torque characteristics are more flat than in a wound field motor as
the effect of armature reaction is less pronounced in a PM motor.
10. Assertion (A): DC servomotors have practically taken over from AC servomotors in most control
application.
Reason (R): Low brush commutator friction and still higher torque/inertia have been achieved in DC
servomotors.
a) Both A and R are true and R is correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true but R is not correct explanation of A
c) A is true but R is false
d) A is false but R is true
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: AC servomotors are replaced by DC servomotors as frictional losses and higher
torque/inertia ratios have been achieved.

Control Systems Questions and Answers – Stepper Motors

This set of Control Systems Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Stepper
Motors”.
1. A variable reluctance stepper motor is constructed of ______________ material with salient poles.
a) Paramagnetic
b) Ferromagnetic
c) Diamagnetic
d) Non-magnetic
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: A variable reluctance stepper motor is the motor that has motion in steps with respect
to increase in time and constructed of ferromagnetic material with salient poles.
2. In a three-stack 12/8-pole VR motor, the rotor pole pitch is
a) 15º
b) 30º
c) 45º
d) 60º
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: Pole pitch is defined as the number of armature slots to the pole pitch and here this has
been converted into degrees.
3. A stepper motor having a resolution of 300 steps/rev and running at 2400 rpm has a pulse rate of-
pps.
a) 4000
b) 8000
c) 6000
d) 10,000
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: Pulse per second is mathematically given as PPS = (Rpm/60)*(number of steps per
minute).
4. If a hybrid stepper motor has a rotor pitch of 36º and a step angle of 9º, the number of its phases
must be
a) 4
b) 2
c) 3
d) 6
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Step angle is defined as =(Ns-Nr)/(Ns+Nr)*360.
5. The rotor of a stepper motor has no
a) Windings
b) Commutator
c) Brushes
d) All of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: The rotor is the rotatory part of the motor of a stepper motor and has no windings,
commutator and brushes.
6. A stepping motor is a ____________ device.
a) Mechanical
b) Electrical
c) Analogue
d) Incremental
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: A stepping motor is a motor in which the motion in the form of steps and is a
incremental device i which as the time increases the steps are increased.
7. The rotational speed of a given stepper motor is determined solely by the
a) Shaft load
b) Step pulse frequency
c) Polarity of stator current
d) Magnitude of stator current.
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: The stator part of a motor is the stationary part of the motor and rotational speed of a
given stepper motor is given by the step pulse frequency.
8. Which of the following phase switching sequence represents half-step operation of a VR stepper
motor ?
a) A, B, C,A……..
b) A, C, B,A…….
c) AB, BC, CA, AB……..
d) A, AB, B, BC……..
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: In the half step operation of a Variable reluctance motor physical step resolution is
multiplied by 2 and control signals appear to be digital rather than analog.
9. A stepper motor may be considered as a ____________ converter.
a) Dc to dc
b) Ac to ac
c) Dc to ac
d) Digital-to-analogue
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: A stepper motor is a motor in which the motion is in steps and it is an increemental
device and may be considered as a digital to analog converter.
10. What is the step angle of a permanent-magnet stepper motor having 8 stator poles and 4 rotor
poles?
a) 60º
b) 45º
c) 30º
d) 15º
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: Step angle is defined as =(Ns-Nr)/(Ns+Nr)*360 where Ns is the number of stator poles
and Nr is the number of rotor poles.

Control Systems Questions and Answers – Hydraulic Systems

This set of Control Systems Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Hydraulic
Systems”.
1. Heavy lifting work is often accomplished by shifting fluids in big machines. The power system of
such machines can be described as
a) Reciprocating
b) Pneumatic
c) Hydraulic
d) Hybrid
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: The power system of heavy and big machines can be described by hydraulic systems
and heavy lifting work is often accomplished by shifting fluids in big machines.
2. The scientific principle that makes hydraulic systems possible is
a) Pascal’s principle
b) Boyle’s law
c) Bernoulli’s principle
d) The fluid flow principle
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Pascal’s principle is the basis of hydraulic system which states that the water exerts
pressure in all direction.
3. Pneumatic and other power systems can support three kinds of motion; they are
a) Linear, reciprocating, and random motion
b) Linear, flowing, and rotary motion
c) Linear, zigzag, and spiral motion
d) Linear, reciprocating, and rotary motion
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: Pneumatic systems are the systems that control the process where the motion is in air
and can support linear, reciprocating, and rotary motion.
4. A single acting cylinder can be pressurized externally from one direction only.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Pressure variation is possible only if the force is acting from one direction if the force
will be acting from multiple directions then the force cancellation is also possible.
5. A one-way valve that lets air into the reservoir of a compressor, but doesn’t let it out, is a
a) Check valve
b) Receiver valve
c) Control valve
d) Three way valve
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Check valve is a one-way valve that lets air into the reservoir of a compressor, but
doesn’t let it out as the name indicates it allows air to enter as it has one entrance.
6. Series circuits work on both hydraulic and pneumatic actuators.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Series circuits are the circuits where the components are connected in series and the
component is called lumped component and work for both hydraulic and pneumatic error detectors.
7. 5/2 way single solenoid valve has:
a) 2 ports 2 positions
b) 5 ports 2 positions
c) 5 ports 5 positions
d) 2 ports 5 positions
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation:5/2 way single solenoid valve is the valve in which the valve is in the shape of solenoid
has 5 ports equally spaced and 2 flow positions.
8. The ____________________ converts the compressed air energy into mechanical energy in the
form of linear movement in one direction only.
a) Piston cylinders
b) Double acting cylinders
c) Single acting cylinders
d) Hydraulic pumps
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation:Single acting cylinders converts the compressed air energy into mechanical energy in
the form of linear movement in one direction only.
9. A _____________ restricts air flow.
a) Throttle valve
b) Shuttle valve
c) Directional control valve
d) Single acting cylinder
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Air valve is restricted by the valve it allows only that entry as desired and throttle valve
restricts the airflow.
10. When the piston area of the cylinder is connected to the atmosphere, the piston of the single-
acting cylinder is pressed by the spring to the ________________
a) Cylinder center
b) Cylinder down
c) Cylinder bottom
d) Cylinder upper
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Piston is the part in the cylinder that is used to create the pressure difference and in
case of single-acting cylinder it is pressed by the spring to the cylinder center .

Control Systems Questions and Answers – Pneumatic Systems

This set of Control Systems Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Pneumatic
Systems”.
1. Fluid power circuits use schematic drawings to:
a) Simplify component function details
b) Make it so only trained persons can understand the functions
c) Make the drawing look impressive
d) Make untrained person to understand
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Blueprint of any structure is the model that replicates the functions of the original model
makes the functional details easy to understand.
2. A pneumatic symbol is:
a) Different from a hydraulic symbol used for the same function
b) The same as a hydraulic symbol used for the same function
c) Not to be compared to a hydraulic symbol used for the same function
d) None of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: The representation for hydraulic and pneumatic systems are different and for creating
the easy readability and symbols for both used for the same function.
3. Pneumatic systems usually do not exceed:
a) 1 hp
b) 1 to 2 hp
c) 2 to 3 hp
d) 4 to 5 hp
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Pneumatic system are the systems in which the control action is mainly controlling the
flow of air and mostly do not exceed 1 hp where hp is the horse power unit of power.
4. Most hydraulic circuits:
a) Operate from a central hydraulic power unit
b) Use air-over-oil power units
c) Have a dedicated power unit
d) Does not have dedicated power unit
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: Hydraulic circuits are the circuits where the operation involves conversion of the hydel
power into the electrical energy so that it can be stored and used and these operate from a central
hydraulic power unit.
5. Hydraulic and pneumatic circuits:
a) Perform the same way for all functions
b) Perform differently for all functions
c) Perform the same with some exceptions
d) Does not perform all the functions
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: Both circuits hydraulic and pneumatic are similar in functionalities and complexities but
pneumatic are preferred over hydraulic as pneumatic systems are cleaner.
6. The lubricator in a pneumatic circuit is the:
a) First element in line
b) Second element in line
c) Last element in line
d) Third element in line
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: The lubricator is the fluid that is used to lubricate the parts of the pneumatic circuits to
reduce the friction and lubricator in a pneumatic circuit is the last element.
7. Series circuits work on both hydraulic and pneumatic actuators.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: Series circuits are the circuits that in which the elements are connected in series and
do not work on both hydraulic and pneumatic actuators.
8. When comparing first cost of hydraulic systems to pneumatic systems, generally they are:
a) More expensive to purchase
b) Less expensive to purchase
c) Cost is same
d) Cost is not required
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: Operating cost that is the cost of the operating or using it practically in daily life and
operating cost of hydraulic systems to pneumatic systems is less.
9. When comparing operating cost of hydraulic systems to pneumatic systems, generally they are.
a) More expensive to operate
b) Less expensive to operate
c) Cost is same to operate
d) Cost is not required
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: Operating cost that is the cost of the operating or using it practically in daily life and
operating cost of hydraulic systems to pneumatic systems is less.
10. The most common hydraulic fluid is:
a) Mineral oil
b) Synthetic fluid
c) Water
d) Gel
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: Hydraulic fluid is the fluid that is causing conversion process and used in control action
which is chemically inert and readily available.