Welcome to the Winter Edition

Scott Blizard, American Electrical Testing Company LLCPresident's Desk, Columns, Winter 2020 Columns

This edition of NETA World features articles on electrical power system protection. Protection schemes covering feeder, generation, transmission, and transformers may have many similarities, but they often contain specific functions or schemes unique to that type of equipment. 

Be sure you check out this edition’s four feature articles:

  • “Challenges in Transformer Protection Testing,” by Scott Cooper of OMICRON electronics
  • “Testing Techniques for Protection-Class Current Transformers,” by Dinesh Chhajer and Sughosh Kuber, Megger USA
  • “Testing and Commissioning a Distribution Recloser in Grid-Tie Solar Farms,” by Mohit Sharma of Megger and Luis Montoya, PE, of FlexGen Power Systems, formerly ABM
  • “Investigating an Electromechanical Differential Relay Misoperation,” by Alex Rangel of Saber Power Services, LLC

It is presently October 2020, and the country is in the middle of a COVID-19 virus resurgence.  NETA Member Companies and their technicians throughout the United States and in Canada have been identified as essential workers as they help support and maintain our nation’s critical infrastructure. Be sure to follow your company’s and customers’ safety policies for the COVID-19 pandemic. The policy should include many of the preventative measures to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus that have been communicated by the CDC in the United States and by the Public Health Agency of Canada. Be safe, and err on the side of caution.

Mark your calendars for PowerTest 2021, the premier electrical maintenance and safety conference on March 8–12, 2021. This will be the first hybrid conference in NETA’s history! If you are unable to attend PowerTest 2021 in person, NETA will provide an opportunity to attend virtually. This portion of the event will allow people to interact on a web-based platform rather than meeting in a physical location. Online sessions will include feature webinars and webcasts as well as opportunity for NETA Certified Technicians to receive CTDs for attending virtually. Call the NETA office for details on CTD and CEU credits offered for attending the virtual portion of PowerTest 2021. Be sure you register to ensure a spot among the leaders in the electrical testing industry.

Coach safe behavior….Live injury and disease free every day!

Scott A. Blizard, President
International Electrical Testing Association
Safety First…No One Gets Hurt!