Transformer bushings are one of the most critical components of a transformer. Today, up to 22% of major failures on high-voltage transformers can be tracked back to bushings. Almost half of these failures result in catastrophic failures such as explosions, fires, or oil spills. The cost of these damages and the lost opportunity to deliver energy could be several hundred …

An Interview with Pam Stevenson, Director of Equipment Operations at TDS Equipment With rising equipment costs, tighter project timelines, and increasing compliance demands, electrical teams are seeking smarter ways to access the necessary equipment without compromising quality or exceeding their budget.  That’s why more professionals are turning to third-party equipment sourcing partners like TDS Equipment. Pam Stevenson, Director of Equipment …

If you ask five people to describe a microgrid you might get five different answers. But one universally required function that cuts across all the nuances of what can make a microgrid a microgrid is the ability to “island” from the grid while continuing to serve onsite electrical loads. Islanding is the process of disconnecting and later reconnecting to the …

New fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) networks are being built at a record pace. An integral part of any fiber network is the fiber jumper assemblies that help interconnect the systems, their branching devices, and fiber drops. Fiber network owners put a lot of emphasis on quality components to ensure a future-proof network with minimal maintenance and power costs that will last at …

Wind turbine, solar, and battery storage — distributed energy resources (DER) — site transformers are generally excluded from dissolved gas IEEE and IEC standards for limits. The primary reason has to do with the unusually high levels of gassing that occur due to variable loads, harmonic content, resonance issues, and other conditions that are specific to DER applications. This has …

The global shift towards renewable energy, particularly solar power, is driving the clean energy revolution. However, solar energy’s intermittent nature challenges grid stability and consistent supply. Stationary battery systems offer a crucial solution for energy storage and grid management, capturing excess solar energy during peak hours and releasing it when needed. These advanced systems smooth power fluctuations, provide backup during …

We are in the midst of a metamorphosis of the North American grid. An energy transition is underway, leading to rapid changes in the energy resource mix. Governmental policies, changes in resource economics, and consumerdemand for clean energy are impacting the change. The challenge facing the industry now, and in the coming decade, is how to assure resource adequacy in …

Renewable and clean energy have been tremendous growth industries due to various forms of incentive programs at the local, state, and federal levels. Private companies are also interested in renewable and clean energy to satisfy their own internally set global obligations. Year over year, we see more clean and renewable energy being developed due to these incentives.  PROJECT STAKEHOLDERS A …

Solar farms are especially at risk because they are exposed to the elements and require dedicated electrical maintenance. Good grounding is essential, as the panel produces high DC voltages that can be sources of shock, fire, induced voltages, and electromagnetic interference on lines. Solar arrays sometimes use Class II modules, DC cables, and connectors. An isolation transformer connects these to …

Given the current state of the world, it’s hard to imagine there was ever a time when gas lamps were used to provide illumination and Thomas Edison was still working hard to perfect the incandescent light bulb. Over the many years since that time, our electrical needs have grown from proper lighting to dependence on a multitude of electrical products …