ASTM F18 Committee Report

Virginia Balitski, Magna IV EngineeringSpecifications & Standards, Spring 2024 Specifications & Standards

The ASTM F18 Committee currently has jurisdiction over 38 standards and plays a critical role in the protection of the electrical worker. The F18 Committee meets twice a year to review and revise the standards. There are 300 members and numerous subcommittees.  The last ASTM F18 meeting was held October 30–November 1, 2023, in Washington, DC. During that period, the …

Protective Relays

Virginia Balitski, Magna IV EngineeringColumns, Spring 2024 Columns, Tech Quiz

Protective relays are critical power systems components, and it is essential to design and use them properly to detect power system issues. As NETA-certified technicians, we must be familiar with the purpose and operation of various types of protective relays.  1. Which type of relay was the earliest design for protective relaying? a. Interconnector relay b. Electromechanical relay c. Static …

NFPA 70B–2023, Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance

Virginia Balitski, Magna IV EngineeringColumns, Tech Quiz, Winter 2023 Columns

The 2023 edition of NFPA 70B saw it converted from a recommended practice to the Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance. This NFPA 70B update will continue to work in conjunction with ANSI/NETA standards and other NFPA standards to provide details on power system maintenance to NETA companies and NETA technicians.   1. Which option does NFPA 70B define as “a …

ASTM F18 Committee Report

Virginia Balitski, Magna IV EngineeringFall 2023 Specifications & Standards, Specifications & Standards

It has been a while since there has been an ASTM F18 report, so let’s start off with a review of some background information. The ASTM F18 Committee on Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers was formed in 1974. It currently has jurisdiction over 38 standards and plays a critical role in the protection of the electrical worker. The F18 committee …

IEC 61850 Defines Communication Requirements

Virginia Balitski, Magna IV EngineeringColumns, Fall 2023 Columns, Tech Quiz

Communication plays a critical role in the operation of modern substations. As the industry was evolving into the digital age, there was a need for a unified communication architecture, and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) began to develop international standards for communication. In this quiz, we will explore the international communication standard IEC 61850.  1. What is the international standard …

Communications and Fiber Optics

Virginia Balitski, Magna IV EngineeringColumns, Summer 2023 Columns, Tech Quiz

Communication is vital in everything we do, and it isn’t just the funny phrases at the end of the telephone game as kids. As NETA Certified Technicians, we must be familiar with different communication systems since they are essential to proper power system operation. In this quiz, we discuss some communication systems and associated components.  Virginia Balitski, CET, Manager – …

Rotating Machinery

Virginia Balitski, Magna IV EngineeringColumns, Spring 2023 Columns, Tech Quiz

Rotating machinery is an essential component of most power systems, from compressors in petrochemical plants to turbines in hydroelectric generation plants. NETA Certified Technicians must be familiar with the maintenance and possible failure means of various rotating machines.   Virginia Balitski, CET, Manager – Training and Development, has worked for Magna IV Engineering since 2006. Virginia started her career as …

Off-Line Partial Discharge Cable Testing

Virginia Balitski, Magna IV EngineeringColumns, Tech Quiz, Winter 2022 Columns

NETA Certified Technicians must continually adjust to advancing technology and diagnostic testing techniques. Over the years, cable testing has advanced to where multiple testing methods can be selected. After careful consideration of system requirements, a site owner may choose off-line partial discharge (PD) testing as one of their cable testing methods. This quiz looks at some details on partial discharge …

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Virginia Balitski, Magna IV EngineeringColumns, Fall 2022 Columns, Tech Quiz

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming much more common for commercial and personal use. The electrical testing industry has started to see an impact regarding EVs and EV charging stations. This quiz will go over some EV charging station information that may be relevant to NETA Technicians. What battery type is primarily used for EVs? a. Lithium-ion b. Lead-acid c. Alkaline …

Safety

Virginia Balitski, Magna IV EngineeringColumns, Summer 2022 Columns, Tech Quiz

Safety is an important consideration for any workplace and for NETA Certified Technicians. ANSI/NETA MTS-2019 recognizes that an overwhelming majority of the tests and inspections carried out by NETA Certified Technicians are potentially hazardous. It is essential that workers are aware of the hazards involved with the tasks they perform.    QUESTIONS What United States regulatory agency exists regarding workplace …