Bar Code Research (BARC) Electrical Interview Experience: A Comprehensive Guide for Aspirants

Admitting that your GATE score was 754 and your BARC written exam score was a respectable 197/300 as of 9th April 2023, your journey to the prestigious BARC Interview begins. This article provides a detailed account of the interview process, focusing on the technical questions that led to your selection for the OCES TSO program.

Overview of the Process

The journey to the interview panel at ANUSHAKTI Nagar, Mumbai, involved several steps:

Document and biometric verification Slot allotted for your interview – last one of the morning shift Waiting for approximately 45 minutes before entering the interview room

Interview Process

The interview process was structured in several segments, including technical questions, system protection, power electronics, and network questions, along with an understanding of the core subjects as mentioned in your GATE score.

The Interview Questions

Technical Questions

The technical questions were a mix of diversified topics such as:

Prestressed Concrete Magnetic Properties Saturation Fluid Mechanics Steel in reinforced concrete (RCC) Geotechnical Engineering (Soil Mechanics)

Lesson D: Transformer

One of the key areas explored was the Transformer. The interview questions from this section were as follows:

Draw and describe the working of a transformer Effects of frequency reduction on transformer operation Emf equation, B-H curve saturation, and flux behavior Inrush current and its specifications

Power System Protection

Key areas explored in this section included:

Relay characteristics and specifications in detail Difference between third harmonic and zero sequence currents Positive, negative, and zero sequence components Zero sequence voltage measurement techniques

Power Electronics

Questions focused on:

Differences between SCR and diodes Real-life applications and commutation DC-DC converter control logic and circuit diagrams Rectifier capacitor filter operations Buck-boost converter output voltage Drawing commutation processes (e.g., in class D circuits)

Network Questions

The interview also covered:

Nonlinear devices identification in Class D circuits Order of system and linearity Current locus in R-L, R-C, and R-L-C circuits Point of resonance in RLC circuits

Induction Machine

The final section delved into:

Torque-slip characteristics of induction motors Effect of voltage reduction on motor performance Torque-slip characteristics under varying voltage Motor operation limits under continued voltage reductions

Conclusion

The interview lasted 1 hour and 15 minutes, and upon feedback from the interview panel, you were selected amongst 20 other candidates. As of 28th June 2023, this experience was both challenging and rewarding, offering invaluable insights and practical learning.

Advice for Aspirants

Based on your journey, here are some key takeaways for aspiring candidates:

Focus on your core subjects for the interview – prepare thoroughly and choose your topics wisely Avoid non-core subjects as they may negatively impact your performance Expect rigorous questions and be ready for detailed explanations and practical demonstrations

Final Pledge

Although you did not join the BARC OCES TSO program, this experience remains invaluable. It is a testament to the importance of thorough preparation and understanding in competitive interviews like BARC.