GATE EE 2027 · SUBJECT 06 / 10

Power Systems: Syllabus, Topics & Reference Books

Generation, transmission, load flow, fault analysis, protection, control and stability.

Power Systems syllabus topics

The following topic groups come from the syllabus content included in this study hub. Consult the official GATE 2027 website for examination updates.

  1. Basic concepts of electrical power generation,
  2. AC and DC transmission concepts,
  3. Models and performance of transmission lines and cables,
  4. Economic Load Dispatch (with and without considering transmission losses),
  5. Series and shunt compensation,
  6. Electric field distribution and insulators,
  7. Distribution systems,
  8. Per‐unit quantities,
  9. Bus admittance matrix,
  10. Gauss- Seidel and Newton-Raphson load flow methods,
  11. Voltage and Frequency control,
  12. Power factor correction,
  13. Symmetrical components,
  14. Symmetrical and unsymmetrical fault analysis,
  15. Principles of over‐current, differential, directional and distance protection;
  16. Circuit breakers,
  17. System stability concepts,
  18. Equal area criterion.

How to prepare this subject

  1. Check topic coverage. Work through the groups above and mark unfamiliar concepts.
  2. Learn and practise. Study one relevant reference book, then solve worked examples without looking at the solutions.
  3. Apply concepts. Use GATE EE previous-year questions to assess where you need additional practice.
  4. Revise and test. Create a short formula or concept sheet and reattempt questions you initially missed.

Recommended reference books

These are textbook suggestions for studying this subject, not a mandatory purchase list.

  • Electrical Power Systems — C. L. Wadhwa
  • Modern Power System Analysis — D. P. Kothari & I. J. Nagrath
  • Power System Analysis — J. J. Grainger & W. D. Stevenson

Free resources for practice

Use the downloadable question-paper collection and year-wise weightage report as supporting study materials.

GATE EE Study Hub is an independent educational initiative by Manoranjan Kumar. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the GATE organizers.

STEP-BY-STEP LEARNING

Per-unit impedance and change of base

Calculate base impedance and current, then convert a line reactance between system bases.

Key learning goal: Translate physical ohms into per-unit quantities and understand why base selection must be consistent.

Read the detailed worked example and self-check question →

Quick concept check: A reactance is 20 Ω on the same original 100 MVA, 132 kV base. What is its per-unit value?

Check the answer

Xpu = 20/174.24 ≈ 0.1148 pu. It is half the 40 Ω reactance on that same base.

Common pitfalls: Applying √3 twice when computing Zbase. Changing the power base but forgetting to update the numerical pu value.