Solar Installations and Testing

Morgan Gieni, Magna IV EngineeringColumns, Tech Quiz, Winter 2024 Columns

Solar energy is a significant factor in today’s electrical energy market. NETA Certified Technicians need to understand how solar panels function and become familiar with best practices for installation, testing, and maintenance. 1. What type of energy do solar panels convert into electricity? a. Chemical b. Nuclear c. Radiant  d. Gravitational 2. What type of electricity is generated within solar …

Circuit Breakers

Morgan Gieni, Magna IV EngineeringColumns, Fall 2024 Columns, Tech Quiz

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. …

Transformers

Morgan Gieni, Magna IV EngineeringColumns, Tech Quiz

Transformers are critical power system components, allowing transmission and distribution of power throughout the industry. As NETA Certified Technicians, we should be familiar with the various sizes, configurations, and types of transformers.  1. Which type of transformer is usually connected to a utility generator?a. Step-down transformerb. Isolation transformerc. Step-up transformer d. Three winding transformer 2. What does the DY1 designation on …

Protective Relays

Virginia Balitski, Magna IV EngineeringColumns, Spring 2024 Columns, Tech Quiz

Protective relays are critical power systems components, and it is essential to design and use them properly to detect power system issues. As NETA-certified technicians, we must be familiar with the purpose and operation of various types of protective relays.  1. Which type of relay was the earliest design for protective relaying? a. Interconnector relay b. Electromechanical relay c. Static …

NFPA 70B–2023, Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance

Virginia Balitski, Magna IV EngineeringColumns, Tech Quiz, Winter 2023 Columns

The 2023 edition of NFPA 70B saw it converted from a recommended practice to the Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance. This NFPA 70B update will continue to work in conjunction with ANSI/NETA standards and other NFPA standards to provide details on power system maintenance to NETA companies and NETA technicians.   1. Which option does NFPA 70B define as “a …

IEC 61850 Defines Communication Requirements

Virginia Balitski, Magna IV EngineeringColumns, Fall 2023 Columns, Tech Quiz

Communication plays a critical role in the operation of modern substations. As the industry was evolving into the digital age, there was a need for a unified communication architecture, and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) began to develop international standards for communication. In this quiz, we will explore the international communication standard IEC 61850.  1. What is the international standard …

Communications and Fiber Optics

Virginia Balitski, Magna IV EngineeringColumns, Summer 2023 Columns, Tech Quiz

Communication is vital in everything we do, and it isn’t just the funny phrases at the end of the telephone game as kids. As NETA Certified Technicians, we must be familiar with different communication systems since they are essential to proper power system operation. In this quiz, we discuss some communication systems and associated components.  Virginia Balitski, CET, Manager – …

Rotating Machinery

Virginia Balitski, Magna IV EngineeringColumns, Spring 2023 Columns, Tech Quiz

Rotating machinery is an essential component of most power systems, from compressors in petrochemical plants to turbines in hydroelectric generation plants. NETA Certified Technicians must be familiar with the maintenance and possible failure means of various rotating machines.   Virginia Balitski, CET, Manager – Training and Development, has worked for Magna IV Engineering since 2006. Virginia started her career as …

Off-Line Partial Discharge Cable Testing

Virginia Balitski, Magna IV EngineeringColumns, Tech Quiz, Winter 2022 Columns

NETA Certified Technicians must continually adjust to advancing technology and diagnostic testing techniques. Over the years, cable testing has advanced to where multiple testing methods can be selected. After careful consideration of system requirements, a site owner may choose off-line partial discharge (PD) testing as one of their cable testing methods. This quiz looks at some details on partial discharge …

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Virginia Balitski, Magna IV EngineeringColumns, Fall 2022 Columns, Tech Quiz

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming much more common for commercial and personal use. The electrical testing industry has started to see an impact regarding EVs and EV charging stations. This quiz will go over some EV charging station information that may be relevant to NETA Technicians. What battery type is primarily used for EVs? a. Lithium-ion b. Lead-acid c. Alkaline …