PHOTO: © www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/ReggieLavoie
Distance Protection Impedance Measurement Fundamentals: Phase-to-Phase and Phase-to-Ground Faults
Distance protection measures loop impedances to determine the location of a fault on the protected line. There are six loops: A-B, B-C, C-A, A-G, B-G, and C-G. This article demonstrates how distance protection measures the apparent loop impedance for B-Phase-to-C-Phase and A-Phase-to-Ground faults. The loop impedances for phase-to-phase and phase-to-ground faults are not equivalent due to the presence of neutral …
Becoming the Technician: A Guide to Reliability and Excellence
PHOTO: © istockphoto.com/portfolio/gremlin
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Why Does Informative Annex Q Matter at All?
We’ll get to the punch line first. Your personal safety relies on one person and one person only….and that person is you. Look in the mirror — that’s it. Electricity is a powerful force — one that helps us each and every day in all that we do. With that power comes an element of significant risk: severe injury or …
Ensuring the Safety and Reliability of Electrical Power Systems
As we approach the end of another successful year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the achievements and challenges that have defined our industry. This past quarter, we had the privilege of hosting the inaugural Electrical Power Innovations Conference (EPIC), and I’m thrilled to report that it was a tremendous success. EPIC brought together leaders, innovators, and professionals …
Building on the NETA Legacy of Service
In writing my first President’s Desk message I found myself reflecting on those who laid the foundation for the InterNational Electrical Testing Association it is now my privilege to serve as NETA Board President. It is daunting to look back on NETA’s history for insight from the people who built the Association from a concept to a coveted accreditation protecting …
Rules for Grounding and Bonding
Grounding and bonding are integral parts of an electrical system and must be properly understood, installed, and maintained for maximum safety and performance. Accordingly, the National Electrical Code© (NEC©) focuses on describing, defining, and regulating this element, specifically in Article 250 Grounding and Bonding of Electrical Systems. Grounding electrical systems serve the dual purpose of limiting voltages that might otherwise …
Circuit Breakers
Circuit breakers are critical components that allow the power distribution system to operate safely and reliably. As NETA Certified Technicians, we need to be familiar with the different types of circuit breakers and how they function. 1. When using a circuit breaker for isolation, what is the most effective way to lock it out?a. Lock it in the open position.b. …
Human Error Traps and Safety
The Six-P Rule (Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance) can go a long way to preventing human error, but humans still make mistakes. James Reason, a prominent University of Manchester professor, psychologist, and author, states: “Human error is a consequence, not a cause. Errors are shaped by upstream workplace and organizational factors. Only by understanding the context of the error …
Basics of Breaker Failure Protection
Breaker failure protection provides backup protection in case the local circuit breaker fails to clear a system fault. If a breaker fails to trip, adjacent breakers must be tripped to isolate the fault from the sources feeding it. Figure 1 illustrates a fault on the transmission line served by Breaker 3 and Breaker 4. If Breaker 3 fails to open, Breaker 2, Breaker 5, and …