Automation and decision support systems – MCQs – EE

1. What is the main purpose of automation in electrical engineering?
(A) To reduce human intervention and improve efficiency
(B) To increase manual operation
(C) To complicate system control
(D) To remove monitoring completely

2. Which of the following is a key component of an automation system?
(A) Sensors and actuators
(B) Manual switches
(C) Paper-based records
(D) Human operators only

3. Decision Support Systems (DSS) are primarily used to:
(A) Assist in making informed decisions using data and models
(B) Replace human decision-makers entirely
(C) Generate random decisions
(D) Control hardware directly

4. Which of the following is a benefit of automation in power systems?
(A) Improved reliability and operational efficiency
(B) Increased downtime
(C) Higher maintenance requirements
(D) Manual data entry

5. SCADA stands for:
(A) Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition
(B) System Control and Digital Automation
(C) Signal Control and Distribution Access
(D) Supervisory Command and Direct Action

6. In automation, PLC stands for:
(A) Programmable Logic Controller
(B) Power Line Control
(C) Process Line Circuit
(D) Passive Logic Component

7. Which component in an automation system collects real-time data from the field?
(A) Sensors
(B) Controller
(C) Actuator
(D) Human operator

8. Decision Support Systems often integrate with:
(A) Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Analytics
(B) Manual filing systems
(C) Typewriters
(D) Analog meters

9. The main goal of industrial automation is to:
(A) Increase productivity and consistency
(B) Reduce accuracy
(C) Slow down operations
(D) Remove data logging

10. In an automated power system, actuators are used to:
(A) Execute control actions
(B) Sense temperature
(C) Process data
(D) Store readings

11. A Decision Support System (DSS) typically consists of:
(A) Database, model base, and user interface
(B) Manual records only
(C) Circuits and transformers
(D) Relays and switches

12. Real-time automation systems are designed to:
(A) Respond immediately to changing inputs and conditions
(B) Operate manually
(C) Store data offline only
(D) Generate static reports

13. Which technology enables remote monitoring and control in automation?
(A) SCADA
(B) Relay protection
(C) Transformer tap changer
(D) Manual switchgear

14. Which of the following is an example of a decision support tool?
(A) Expert system
(B) Circuit breaker
(C) Power relay
(D) Transistor

15. Automation systems in power plants help in:
(A) Load control, safety monitoring, and performance optimization
(B) Increasing manual workload
(C) Reducing system visibility
(D) Ignoring alarms

16. The Human-Machine Interface (HMI) allows operators to:
(A) Interact with and monitor automation systems
(B) Repair circuits manually
(C) Change physical sensors
(D) Remove controllers

17. DSS in electrical systems helps in:
(A) Planning and scheduling power generation and distribution
(B) Replacing sensors
(C) Controlling voltage manually
(D) Drawing single-line diagrams

18. Which of the following best describes closed-loop control in automation?
(A) The system continuously adjusts based on feedback
(B) The system operates manually
(C) Control signals are pre-set
(D) There is no feedback used

19. A knowledge-based system in DSS uses:
(A) Expert knowledge and reasoning rules
(B) Random number generators
(C) Manual decisions
(D) Fixed thresholds only

20. Automation reduces human error by:
(A) Standardizing processes and responses
(B) Removing data validation
(C) Ignoring inputs
(D) Increasing manual intervention

21. Which of the following is an advantage of DSS in power systems?
(A) Better decision-making under uncertainty
(B) Manual control of loads
(C) Slower response to events
(D) Reduced data visibility

22. A Distributed Control System (DCS) is used for:
(A) Supervising and controlling industrial processes locally and remotely
(B) Manual operation
(C) Data storage only
(D) Physical protection of relays

23. In automation, feedback signals are essential for:
(A) Maintaining system stability and accuracy
(B) Disabling the controller
(C) Increasing delay
(D) Manual override

24. DSS supports decision-making by providing:
(A) Analytical tools, data visualization, and predictive models
(B) Manual notes
(C) Random outputs
(D) Hardware circuits

25. Which of the following automation architectures supports modularity and scalability?
(A) Distributed Control System (DCS)
(B) Manual relay logic
(C) Single switchboard design
(D) Local-only monitoring

26. AI-based Decision Support Systems can use machine learning for:
(A) Predicting faults and optimizing system performance
(B) Replacing all sensors
(C) Increasing manual entries
(D) Reducing data accuracy

27. In automation, redundancy is implemented to:
(A) Improve reliability by duplicating critical components
(B) Reduce backup capacity
(C) Save system cost
(D) Eliminate controllers

28. In smart grids, automation and DSS help in:
(A) Real-time load balancing and fault diagnosis
(B) Manual control of breakers
(C) Ignoring load variation
(D) Delaying control responses

29. The data acquisition process in automation systems involves:
(A) Collecting, processing, and transmitting measurement data
(B) Manually entering voltage readings
(C) Only archiving past data
(D) Ignoring sensor outputs

30. The ultimate goal of Automation and DSS in electrical systems is to:
(A) Achieve intelligent, efficient, and reliable system operation
(B) Replace all monitoring
(C) Increase manual dependency
(D) Slow system responses