A load tap changer (LTC) failure can be catastrophic to the electric power system. The load tap changer (LTC) is one of the few moving parts of a transformer, and this makes it more susceptible to routine wear and tear. When an LTC fails, it may take the transformer with it. Based on our experience, we estimate that about 40 …
What is human error? A human error is the outcome of an action that does not produce results as intended. It can be summed up by saying things did not go as planned. The 6P Rule (Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance) can go a long way to preventing a human error, but there is still that human factor. James …
NETA Board Meeting June 20–21, 2019 Girdwood, Alaska NETA’s June Board of Directors meeting took place in “The Last Frontier,” Girdwood, Alaska. The meeting focused on budget and program initiatives proposed for the new fiscal year. NAMO/MUSE Meeting June 22–24, 2019 Port Hueneme, California NETA representatives conducted an informational session on the NETA Training and Certification Exam with members of …
ANSI/NETA ECS-2020 Revision Completed ANSI/NETA ECS, Standard for Electrical Commissioning of Electrical Power Equipment & Systems, 2020 Edition, completed the American National Standard revision process. ANSI administrative approval was received on September 9, 2019. ANSI/NETA ECS-2020 supersedes the 2015 Edition. ANSI/NETA ECS describes the systematic process of documenting and placing into service newly installed or retrofitted electrical power equipment and …
There has been much emphasis in Canada recently on looking at electrical maintenance from two perspectives: safety and production. Many times, these go hand in hand. The standards committees in Canada are paying specific attention to devices that — when not maintained properly — can have an adverse effect on the electrical safety of workers. These include the most commonly …
Cybersecurity is one of the greatest challenges to grid reliability. As more facilities and devices become IP-routable communications-enabled, the threats multiply along with the incredible productivity gains. This additional complexity impacts the work of field testing organizations in the form of a bewildering milieu of new technologies, processes, and regulations. Without awareness of the threats and security best practices, it …
Medium-voltage cables are an integral part of modern power systems and have existed for over 100 years in various forms. Over the past 50 years, extruded cables have largely displaced paper insulated cables. Extruded cables offer many advantages over older designs, but are similarly prone to failure. Such failures are a significant impediment to improving overall power system reliability. Since …
With an ever-growing demand for a more reliable distribution grid, utilities are constantly looking for possibilities to optimize their distribution networks by implementing distribution automation. One method to improve the network and reduce permanent outages is using pole-mounted reclosers, due to their wide range of functionality. By introducing built-in voltage sensing on both source and load sides, automation can easily …
Coming up through the ranks in the power industry, I quickly realized I didn’t know what I didn’t know! There are so many facets of the power industry: generation, protection and controls, distribution and delivery, reliability, drives, uninterruptable power supplies, system studies, safety, maintenance, testing, as well as other areas that are vital for the safe and reliable delivery and …
Protection from hazards always begins with proper prior planning. An important aid to correctly and thoroughly planning a job includes using a tool known throughout the industry as a pre-job briefing, commonly called a PJB. This tool is called a tailboard or tailboard meeting in construction parlance, but no matter what it is called, PJBs are all designed to do …