The Value of Performing Power Factor Sweep Measurements on Bushings

Brandon DupuisIndustry Topics, Spring 2019 Industry Topics

Power factor measurement has long been accepted as an invaluable tool for identifying insulation defects such as aging, deterioration, moisture ingress, and localized failures involving the winding and bushing insulation of a power transformer. Historically, power factor measurements have been performed at a single test frequency (typically 60Hz) and at a single test voltage (typically 10kV). However, modern test instruments …

High-Power Batteries as Power Source with Dynamic Resistance Measurement and Both Sides Grounded

Adnan Šečić, Radenko Ostojić, and Nijaz HadžimejlićIndustry Topics, Spring 2019 Industry Topics

Electrical arc phenomena have been studied for a long time. It is an inevitable process that occurs during interruption of high electrical currents (e.g., during a short circuit current interruption). The effects of the electrical arc on the circuit breaker contacts are known, and great attention has been paid to developing methods to analyze arc behavior and minimize damage to …

Measuring Humidity: Why It’s Important

John OlobriIndustry Topics, Spring 2019 Industry Topics

Most people are all too aware of the effects humidity can have on human comfort and health, especially when combined with high temperatures. Perhaps less well known is how humidity can impact electrical systems. For example, high humidity can cause droplets of water to condense on circuits, producing problems such as shorting and corrosion. Many geographic regions are prone to …