Verifying the integrity of power cable insulation is an essential step to ensure the reliability and safety of electrical systems. Applied-voltage tests are widely used before commissioning new cables and during maintenance and diagnostic activities throughout their service life. These tests enable identification of insulation defects, dielectric degradation, or installation issues that could lead to operational failures, supply interruptions, or …
Fall-of-potential (FOP) testing is widely regarded as one of the most reliable methods for evaluating grounding system performance. Under ideal conditions, the procedure is straightforward: Electrodes are driven into the soil at prescribed intervals, measurements are recorded, and resistance values are calculated with a high degree of confidence. In practice, however, technicians often encounter less-than-ideal environments. Urban and industrial sites …
This paper analyzes the ground differential or restricted earth fault (REF) element for transformer protection and compares its performance against various levels of current transformer (CT) error and saturation. An empirical analysis was performed to determine the limits of today’s common digital relays as they experience CT errors. This can help engineers develop general guidelines for designing protection systems related …
I have spent many months researching how, as an equipment insurer, to enhance our understanding of underwriting risk by improving the assessment of electrical risk at medium- and high-voltage facilities through predictive analytics. The answer I found was partial discharge (PD) testing that uses touchless acoustical methods with intrinsic AI capability. Partial discharge is a localized voltage discharge within an …
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly influencing industries worldwide, and the electrical testing field is no exception. This two-part article presents a comprehensive perspective on the role of AI within the electrical testing industry. It offers insights into future applications for NETA Accredited Companies, while considering opportunities and challenges AI may bring to the electrical testing industry.
WHY HIRE A NETA-VERIFIED QEMC AND QEMW TEAM? Facility owners, utilities, contractors, and industrial operators need qualified organizations and personnel to perform maintenance in support of NFPA 70B. One of the most effective ways to achieve this objective is to partner with an electrical contractor that is a NETA Qualified Electrical Equipment Maintenance Company (QEMC) staffed by Qualified Electrical Equipment …
Transformer Turns Ratio (TTR) testing is a fundamental diagnostic method used to verify transformer winding integrity, tap-changer position, and compliance with nameplate data by comparing measured voltage ratios with theoretical values. This test enables early detection of winding deformation, incorrect internal connections, manufacturing defects, or tap-changer issues. However, when applied to rectifier transformers, complexity increases significantly due to multiple secondary …
PART 2: FROM CLASSROOM TO CAREER AND BEYOND Part 1 in the Spring issue of NETA World provided a retrospective on the implementation of the NETA Electrical Power Testing Technician (EPTT) curriculum at Long Beach City College (LBCC). That story is important, but it is only half of it. The real measure of success is what happens after students leave …
The decision to replace a medium-voltage cable is rarely straightforward. It involves high costs, plant downtime, mobilization of field crews, and a direct impact on the reliability of the electrical system. For many years, the dominant practice has been to adopt simplified criteria, generally based solely on cable age: Once a certain number of years has passed, replacement is planned. …
Electrical equipment forms the backbone of modern industrial and utility operations, including power generation, transmission and distribution networks, renewable energy facilities, manufacturing plants, and hyperscale data centers. As global demand for reliable and uninterrupted power continues to rise, capital budget constraints and extended lead times for critical components are forcing organizations to place greater emphasis on maximizing the operational life of existing assets.