ASTM F18 Committee Report

James R. White, Shermco IndustriesFall 2019 Specifications & Standards, Specifications & Standards

The ASTM F18 committee meeting was held in Denver, Colorado, on April 1–5, 2019. Committee meetings are held annually in April and October. Wearing Apparel The F1506 Wearing Apparel Task Group did the main work in this session. This actually became several sessions, as F1506 was divided into smaller pieces so it could be handled more easily. The task group …

NFPA 70B Committee Report

David Huffman, Power Systems Testing CompanyFall 2019 Specifications & Standards, Specifications & Standards

The NFPA 70B Committee met in Nashville, Tennessee, in March 2019 to continue working on the NFPA 70B chapters. The narrative and explanatory sections in each chapter were moved to an annex.  While the current document title indicates that 70B is a recommended practice, it’s actually a guide. The work being done and keeping the word “should” in the recommended actions …

A Brief Summary: IEEE Guide for Dielectric Frequency Response Test

Diego RobalinoCorporate Alliance Corner, Fall 2019 CAP Corner

The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Standards Association recently approved the publication of IEEE Std. C57.161–2018, Guide for Dielectric Frequency Response Test. The work was developed within the IEEE Transformers Committee and the Dielectrics Subcommittee. The industry needed a document to better understand the field application of a non-intrusive and non-destructive method to assess the condition of oil-paper …

IEEE Transformers Committee Report

Scott Reed, MVAFall 2019 Specifications & Standards, Specifications & Standards

Insulating Fluids Subcommittee C57.104, IEEE Guide for The Interpretation of Gases Generated in Oil-Immersed Transformers (DGA) has undergone a significant revision that completely changes how DGA results should be interpreted for mineral-oil filled transformers.  The last time the guide was revised was 2008. It has gone through numerous draft versions and multiple ballots, and hundreds of comments have been reviewed. …

Protec Equipment Resources: Large Enough to Serve Your Needs, Small Enough to Care

NETA World StaffCorporate Alliance Corner, Fall 2019 CAP Corner

NETA Corporate Alliance Partners (CAPs) are a group of industry-leading companies that have joined forces with NETA to work together toward a common aim: improving quality, safety, and electrical system reliability. In our CAP Spotlight series, we look at what makes CAPs special and highlight some of their successes. In this issue, NETA World interviews Cody Richards, Protec’s Vice President …

Three Tips to Reduce Wasted Time When Testing Transformers

Brandon DupuisFall 2019 Industry Topics, Industry Topics

Performing offline electrical tests on transformers can be time consuming, especially when field measurements are not captured correctly the first time. This article identifies the electrical transformer test that technicians often struggle to perform efficiently and correctly and offers three field testing tips to address the issue. Building awareness can help test equipment users avoid situations where a significant amount …

Emerging Technologies

James R. White, Shermco IndustriesColumns, Fall 2019 Columns, Tech Quiz

Wikipedia defines emerging technologies: “Emerging technologies are technologies that are perceived as capable of changing the status quo. These technologies are generally new but include older technologies that are still controversial and relatively undeveloped in potential.” In this issue, we look at some emerging technologies that are in use now or might be in the future. This Tech Quiz is …

Another Test for Lightning Protection

Jeffrey R. Jowett, MeggerColumns, Fall 2019 Columns, Tech Tips

It doesn’t take an electrician or engineer to know that lightning is a major cause of electrical interference and damage. Protecting the electrical system against such a danger is paramount. A lightning stroke can be hotter than the surface of the sun, with voltage estimated as high as 120 million volts, including 400 kA and 500 megajoules of energy. Utility …

Electrical Service Work and Worker Fatigue: Take Care of Yourself!

Ron Widup, Shermco IndustriesColumns, Fall 2019 Columns, Safety Corner

Chances are you are in an electrical career you love: Testing, maintaining, installing, commissioning, designing, rebuilding, engineering, improving…and generally making electrical power systems safer and better. But are you doing so with a focus on managing the possible onset of acute or chronic fatigue? We live in a busy world — do more with less; be efficient in your tasks; …

NFPA 70E — 2021 Edition: Second Draft Meeting Highlights and Summary

Ron Widup and James (Jim) R. WhiteColumns, Fall 2019 Columns, NFPA 70E and NETA

The second draft technical committee meeting for the 2021 Edition of NFPA 70E was held July 15–19, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The public comments submitted for committee action following the first draft meeting were discussed and voted on. NETA was represented at the meeting and participated in the actions. To remind everyone of the NFPA process for changes to a …