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Medium-Voltage Cable Testing and the Importance of Processes
In a previous article, I discussed the challenges and the importance of proper cable installation. Here, we turn our attention to the challenges of obtaining accurate test results. These best practices and processes come with a field technician’s ability to be efficient and confident in their test results. I have been around the industry long enough to be present for …
Laws of Relay Testing
Relay testing has long been one of the more technically demanding and complicated aspects of the business of electrical acceptance and maintenance testing. The plethora of skills required to be an excellent relay technician includes (in no particular order) electrical theory, power system design, AC and DC control drawing interpretation, and the ability to simulate power system faults to name …
From Should to Shall: NFPA 70B Becomes a Standard
In today’s rapidly evolving industrial landscape, ensuring the reliable operation and safety of electrical systems is crucial. More than ever, facility managers and businesses must prioritize regular maintenance, testing, and repairs to prevent hazards to equipment and personnel as well as costly downtime. Over the years, convincing clients of the importance of these electrical maintenance services has met various challenges, …
NFPA 70B: The Resurgence of the Electrical Maintenance Program
Numerous articles have been written about NFPA 70B in recent months following the recommended practice becoming a standard. All this chatter and renewed interest is coming from the perception — and rightfully so — that failure to perform minimum electrical maintenance could lead to OSHA fines. I’d like to believe that facilities that did not previously have an electrical maintenance …
Unraveling the Mystery of Baffling Transformer Trips
Modern substation control and communication have revolutionized the ability to troubleshoot system faults and mis-operations. Event fault records and documenting every input and output provide invaluable information to help answer the question, “What happened?” However, there are hundreds of thousands of systems with legacy equipment. These systems can present seemingly baffling challenges that could necessitate several attempts (test and try) …
Medium-Voltage Cable Installation Issues
Properly installed and maintained medium-voltage cable is highly reliable, and when properly installed, there is little or no maintenance to be performed. Yes, you should keep the terminations clean, and yes, you can perform a periodic VLF with tan delta or partial discharge test to trend degradation over the years. However, in my experience, the No. 1 reason cables fail …
DC Battery Systems
Electrical power systems, regardless of the industry (utility substations, industrial metal-clad switchgear, hospitals, data centers), are built with crucial auxiliary systems. These systems are dependent on each other to ensure these power users have electrical systems that are safe and reliable. The DC battery system might be one of the more critical of these systems. DC batteries provide power to …
The Three Arc-Flash Mitigation Levers
“It’s faster for us to put on the 40-calorie suit to rack breakers out than it is to use the remote racking system,” the customer said — and I wanted to add, “Yes, the remote racking system bought for your safety at a significant investment from your company.” But I did my best to hide my dismay and took the …
The Trouble with Ground Fault Testing
“What are you doing here?” asked the manufacturer’s testing representative. “We are doing start-up of the gear, and your work seems redundant.” Redundant? That depends on what each of us is responsible for checking. That depends on who is going to ensure that all the known potential failures get checked and as needed, corrected. As an industrial or commercial buyer, …