AEMC® Instruments: Over 125 Years of Technical Heritage and Innovation in Test Instrumentation

NETACorporate Alliance Corner, Winter 2020 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 continuing CAP Spotlight series, we highlight some of their individual successes. In this issue, NETA World interviews John Olobri, Director of Sales and Marketing for AEMC® Instruments …

ANSI/NETA Standards Update

NETASpecifications & Standards, Winter 2020 Specifications & Standards

ANSI/NETA ATS–2017 Revision Underway ANSI/NETA ATS–2017, Standard for Acceptance Testing Specifications for Electrical Power Equipment & Systems continues an American National Standard revision process that is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2020. The new edition will be released in March 2021. A project intent notification published in ANSI’s Standards Action on January 3, 2020, announced the opening …

Impact of SFRA Setup Issues on Transformer Frequency Response

Michael D. WolfIndustry Topics, Winter 2020 Industry Topics

Sweep frequency response analysis (SFRA) is a popular test to confirm the mechanical and electrical integrity of a transformer. However, the resulting traces can be difficult for field personnel to interpret due to the visual nature of the data. It is more straightforward to compare numbers against prior data or against a stated limit than to interpret subtle differences in …

Understanding and Avoiding Battery Failure

Rodrick J. Van WartIndustry Topics, Winter 2020 Industry Topics

Earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, wildfires, and the like do not occur with any predicted great frequency. Nonetheless, we have established precautionary programs that protect people and property from the physical threats posed by such events. In recent times, however, we have witnessed all too well the impact these events can have on the quality of our lives and businesses. Our world …

Ground Testing Procedures

Jeffrey R. Jowett, MeggerColumns, Tech Tips, Winter 2020 Columns

Effective ground testing is an informed combination of instrumentation and procedure. Accuracy, resolution, safety, noise suppression, graphics, clamp features, and general reliability are all critical, as they are with any electrical testing. But effective and accurate ground testing depends as much on adherence to procedure as it does on quality of instrumentation. If the operator does not understand and diligently …

Protective Relaying

James R. White, Shermco IndustriesColumns, Tech Quiz, Winter 2020 Columns

This edition of Tech Quiz covers protective relays. Many years ago, as I was teaching a protective relay class, a student asked, “What are these things?” I replied, “Relays,” to which he answered, “No, relays are those little black plastic things that go click-click.” I made sure to call them protective relays from then on. Things in the protective relaying …

Basic Fall Protection

Paul Chamberlain, Asplundh Engineering Services, LLCColumns, Safety Corner, Winter 2020 Columns

Fall protection requirements and equipment varies depending upon where the work is being performed. The regulations can be confusing for some employees, so it is up to the manager or safety professional to understand the work, the environment the work is being performed in, and the equipment needed to mitigate the hazard of falling from height. When Is Protection Required? …

Combustion Turbine Generator Trip Analysis

Steve Turner, Arizona Public Service CompanyColumns, Relay Column, Winter 2020 Columns

Relay personnel responsible for testing protective relays are often called upon to troubleshoot and gather system data such as settings and event recordings when a major event occurs (for this example, a large generator trip). If only electromechanical relays are installed and no digital fault recorder is available, it can be difficult to determine the root cause of the trip …

Investigating an Electromechanical Differential Relay Misoperation

Alex Rangel, PE, Saber Power Services, LLCFeatures, Winter 2020 Features

Transformer differential protection based on ANSI 87 is one of the most common protection methods for large power transformers due to its outstanding speed and accuracy. However, given the complexity of this method when applied on delta-wye grounded transformers, mistakes made during the design and/or installation phases might not be detected promptly and can eventually cause an undesired operation — …

Looking at NFPA 70E 2021: Part 1

Ron Widup and James (Jim) R. WhiteColumns, NFPA 70E and NETA, Winter 2020 Columns

In this issue of NETA World, we begin to explain some of the major changes in the 2021 edition of NFPA 70E. So whether you love the 70E, or find it a challenge and don’t want to deal with it…because your life at work is mandated by it, and you know what that means: Do it or else!  But that …