Electrical engineer interview questions

Electrical engineer interview questions and answers

Electrical interviews test circuit fundamentals, machines, power systems and safety - and for many roles, automation basics. These are the questions asked most, with what each one checks.

What to revise before the interview

  • Ohm's law and Kirchhoff's laws
  • AC vs DC, RMS values, single vs three phase
  • Transformers: working, losses, efficiency
  • Motors: induction motor working, starters
  • Power factor and its correction
  • Protection: fuses, MCB, ELCB/RCCB, relays
  • Earthing and electrical safety
  • PLC and automation basics

  1. 1.State Ohm's law and Kirchhoff's laws.

    What they're checking
    Fundamentals.
    How to answer
    Ohm's law: V = IR. Kirchhoff's current law: currents entering a node equal those leaving. Kirchhoff's voltage law: voltages around a closed loop sum to zero.

  2. 2.How does a transformer work?

    What they're checking
    The most common machines question.
    How to answer
    Alternating current in the primary winding creates a changing magnetic flux in the core, which induces a voltage in the secondary (mutual induction). The voltage ratio follows the turns ratio. It doesn't work on steady DC.

  3. 3.What losses occur in a transformer?

    What they're checking
    Deeper understanding.
    How to answer
    Core (iron) losses - hysteresis and eddy currents, roughly constant - and copper losses in the windings, which vary with load. Laminated cores reduce eddy current losses.

  4. 4.What is power factor, and why improve it?

    What they're checking
    Power systems knowledge with practical value.
    How to answer
    The ratio of real power to apparent power (cos of the phase angle). Low power factor means more current for the same useful power - higher losses and possible penalties. Improve it with capacitor banks.

  5. 5.How does a three-phase induction motor start rotating?

    What they're checking
    Machines.
    How to answer
    Three-phase supply creates a rotating magnetic field in the stator, which induces currents in the rotor; the interaction produces torque. The rotor runs slightly slower than the field (slip).

  6. 6.Why do large motors need starters?

    What they're checking
    Practical knowledge.
    How to answer
    Motors draw a very high current at start. Starters such as star-delta or soft starters reduce starting current to protect the motor and the supply.

  7. 7.MCB vs RCCB?

    What they're checking
    Protection devices.
    How to answer
    An MCB trips on overload and short circuit; an RCCB trips on leakage current to earth, protecting people from electric shock. They are often used together.

  8. 8.Why is earthing necessary?

    What they're checking
    Safety.
    How to answer
    It gives fault current a low-resistance path to the ground, so protective devices trip and exposed metal parts don't stay at a dangerous voltage.

  9. 9.What is a PLC?

    What they're checking
    Automation roles are common for electrical engineers.
    How to answer
    A programmable logic controller reads inputs (sensors, switches), runs a program (often ladder logic) and controls outputs (motors, valves) in industrial automation.

  10. 10.Explain your final-year project.

    What they're checking
    Ownership and depth.
    How to answer
    The problem, your circuit or system design, components and why, testing and results. Be ready to explain any calculation.

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Frequently asked questions

What should electrical freshers revise first?

Circuit laws, AC fundamentals, transformers, induction motors, power factor, protection and earthing, plus your project.

Which companies hire electrical engineers in India?

Power, manufacturing, electronics and automation companies, consulting firms and many IT services companies, which hire from all branches.

Is PLC knowledge required?

For automation, maintenance and manufacturing roles, basic PLC and ladder logic help a lot. A short course with hands-on practice is worth it.

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