EEA Electrical Engineer Exam - independent technical foundations common mistakes
EEA Electrical Engineer Exam - independent technical foundations · Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
Using active power as apparent power
An inductive or distorted load may need more current than a unity-power-factor calculation implies.
What to do instead
Identify the waveform and power-factor definition before deriving current.
Adding impedance magnitudes directly
Reactances have phase relationships and can partly cancel in a series combination.
What to do instead
Combine the complex quantities first, then find the required magnitude.
Mixing equipment per-unit bases
Percent impedance is tied to the original rating and voltage reference.
What to do instead
Convert every impedance to the common stated base before assembling the network.
Equating device current rating with fault duty
Continuous loading capability does not establish interruption performance.
What to do instead
Check normal-load, fault-duty and coordination requirements separately.
Treating earthing as zero touch voltage
Actual impedance and fault current can create a potential difference even in a bonded system.
What to do instead
Use the complete arrangement and authorized protection assessment rather than a ground-symbol assumption.
Calling a display proof of compliance
A displayed value can have scaling, setup, calibration or boundary errors.
What to do instead
Record the method and instrument, compare with the actual criterion and investigate contradictions.
Averaging moist-air properties without a balance
Different streams may have different dry-air flows and moisture contents.
What to do instead
Use compatible mass and energy bases and the specified pressure conditions.
Treating one component result as system approval
A correct theoretical quantity does not verify every interface, operating scenario or legal requirement.
What to do instead
Trace the complete design objective, dependencies, tests and unresolved limitations.
Treating a model calculation as physical operating authorization.
The model omits equipment, legal and practical conditions.
What to do instead
State its classroom scope and obtain actual approved procedures before implementation.
Mixing energy with power.
Rates and totals have different dimensions.
What to do instead
Write units and multiply power by time only under a stated time model.
Using a display’s smallest increment as its accuracy.
Resolution does not measure bias, calibration or total uncertainty.
What to do instead
Read the instrument specification and include relevant uncertainty sources.
Applying a formula outside its stated assumptions.
Memorized expressions can hide geometry, waveform or operating restrictions.
What to do instead
State assumptions and test whether the supplied scenario satisfies them.