Question 1: Sequence Control and Circuit Nameplates
(a) Define sequence control in electrical systems and explain why it is important.
(b) Describe a real-life example that illustrates the concept of sequence control.
(c) List three types of information commonly found on a circuit nameplate.
(d) Explain how incorrect interpretation of a nameplate could affect the operation of a machine.
Question 2: Types of Releases and Their Functions
(a) What is a release in an electrical circuit, and what is its main function?
(b) Differentiate between a thermal release and a magnetic release using simplified
explanations.
(c) Explain how a thermomagnetic release provides better protection than using only one type of
release.
(d) Which type of release would you use to protect a motor from both slow overload and sudden
short-circuit? Justify your answer.
Question 3: Special Protection Devices
(a) Describe how an electronic release works and one advantage it has over traditional
releases.
(b) What is the role of a Residual Current Device (RCD) in protecting people?
(c) Compare thermomagnetic releases and magnetic-only releases in terms of their use and
protection.
(d) Why are RCDs especially important in places like bathrooms and kitchens?
Question 4: Flowcharts and Timing Diagrams for Sequential Processes
Consider a simple automatic gate system at a parking lot entrance:
A vehicle arrives and triggers an Entry Sensor (ES).
If triggered, the Motor (M) activates to Open the gate.
Once the gate is fully open, a Limit Switch Open (LSO) signal becomes active.
The Motor stops.
After the vehicle clears the Entry Sensor (ES becomes inactive), a 5-second timer
(T) starts.
When the 5-second timer expires (Timer Done - TD), the Motor activates to Close the
gate.
Once the gate is fully closed, a Limit Switch Closed (LSC) signal becomes active.
The Motor stops, and the system waits for the next vehicle.
Assume dedicated Motor signals: Motor_Open and Motor_Close.
(a) Draw a Flowchart representing the sequence of operations described above. Use standard
flowchart symbols (Terminator, Process, Decision, Connector).
(b) Draw a Timing Diagram for one complete cycle of operation (vehicle arrives, gate opens,
vehicle leaves, gate closes). Clearly label and show the state (High/Active or Low/Inactive) over
time for the following signals:
Entry Sensor (ES)
Limit Switch Open (LSO)
Limit Switch Closed (LSC)
Motor_Open
Motor_Close
Timer_Active (Assume this signal is High while the timer is running)
Timer_Done (TD - Assume this is a pulse or goes High when the timer finishes)
(c) Based on your Timing Diagram in (b), what is the state of the Motor_Open signal at the exact
moment the Timer_Active signal first goes High? Explain why based on the sequence logic.
(d) What is one advantage of using a Timing Diagram compared to a Flowchart for
understanding this specific type of sequential process? What is one potential disadvantage or
limitation of a Timing Diagram?
Question 5: State Diagrams and Mealy/Moore Models
Consider a simplified control sequence for a batch mixing tank with one inlet valve (V_In), one
outlet valve (V_Out), a heater (H), and two level sensors (LS_Low, LS_High).
The process starts in an Idle state (tank empty).
Pressing a Start Button (SB) begins the process.
The Inlet Valve (V_In) opens to fill the tank.
When the liquid reaches the High Level Sensor (LS_High), V_In closes.
The Heater (H) turns on for exactly 15 seconds (use an internal timer event
"Timer_Done" to represent this).
After heating, the Outlet Valve (V_Out) opens to empty the tank.
When the liquid level falls below the Low Level Sensor (LS_Low), V_Out closes.
The system returns to the Idle state.
A Stop Button (StopB) can be pressed at any time to immediately stop all actions (close
valves, turn off heater) and return to the Idle state.
(a) Define the following terms in the context of State Diagrams:
i. State
ii. Transition
iii. Condition
(b) Draw a State Diagram to represent the control sequence described above. Clearly label all
states, conditions causing transitions, and actions performed within the states (Moore style
where possible) or during transitions (Mealy style where appropriate). Include the Stop Button
functionality.
(c) Explain the fundamental difference between a Mealy State Machine and a Moore State
Machine regarding how outputs (actions) are generated.
(d) Looking at the State Diagram you created in (b), would you classify it as purely Mealy, purely
Moore, or a mix? Justify your answer by pointing to specific outputs/actions (like V_In, H,
V_Out) and explaining whether they are associated primarily with states or transitions.
