Low-Voltage Circuit Breakers

James R. White, Shermco IndustriesColumns, Spring 2021 Columns, Tech Quiz

This edition of the Tech Quiz discusses one thing we all deal with, either at home or at work: low-voltage circuit breakers. Typically, they can last for years without causing problems, but they do require some maintenance and care. Continue on to find out what’s in store for you! 1. When the topic of low-voltage circuit breakers comes up, what …

Portable and Mobile Ladder Safety

Paul Chamberlain, American Electrical Testing Co., LLCColumns, Safety Corner, Spring 2021 Columns

Falls from ladders account for 20% of all fatalities and lost-workday injuries in general industry according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) statistics. Ensuring that all ladders meet OSHA and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards is critical in mitigating this statistic. OSHA Regulatory Requirements OSHA published an update to its walking-working surface rule (Subpart D) for general industry …

Animal Damage in the Field

Don A. GenutisColumns, In the Field, Spring 2021 Columns

Emergencies always seem to occur on Fridays and weekends, and true to form, a panicked customer called about a power outage to a significant portion of a college campus on a Friday morning. It seemed likely to be a 4,160 volt cable or unit substation problem, so we pulled two technicians away from an acceptance testing project and got them on …

Measuring Field Winding Insulation Resistance

Steve Turner, Arizona Public Service CompanyColumns, Relay Column, Spring 2021 Columns

Multi-function numerical generator protection relays can calculate the insulation resistance of a synchronous generator field winding to ground. The calculation can be performed on an energized or de-energized generator. The particular relay discussed in this article uses a separate module located close to the rotor slip rings and brushes to monitor the field. The close proximity of the module to …

Looking at NFPA 70E 2021: Part 2

Ron Widup and James (Jim) R. WhiteColumns, NFPA 70E and NETA, Spring 2021 Columns

This issue of NETA World continues with the deep dive into the NFPA 70E revisions that went into the 2021 edition. Part 1 in the Winter 2020 issue covered the reorganization (which was not nearly as extensive as in previous editions); reviewed Article 100 Definitions; and began on Article 110 General Requirements for Electrical Safety-Related Work Practices with Section 110.1 …

PowerTest 2021 — An All-New Virtual Experience

Scott Blizard, American Electrical Testing Company LLCPresident's Desk, Columns, Spring 2021 Columns

It is January 20, 2021, and the country is in the midst of a resurgence of the COVID-19 virus. The Conference Committee, in consultation with the NETA Board of Directors, has decided  to go totally virtual with PowerTest 2021,  the premier electrical maintenance and safety conference intended for all electrical professionals and especially beneficial for field service technicians, inspectors, utility …

Application of Crushed Rock in Substations

Jeffrey R. Jowett, MeggerColumns, Spring 2021 Columns, Tech Tips

Although it can readily be overlooked, an important and fundamental consideration in any electrical application is safety, and one of the most effective tools in the application of safety is redundancy. If one safeguard fails, there’s another right there to act as a safety net. There’s hardly a greater necessity for redundant safety than in a substation, where arcing could …