Designing, installing, and maintaining an adequate grounding system is as important a part of substation design and maintenance as any other. “Out of sight, out of mind” definitely does not apply here. The grounding grid is not only essential to proper function and power quality but is also critically important to worker safety as well as that of public passersby. …
An out-of-phase synchronization (OOPS) event results in a torque transient on the generator and prime mover. It exposes the generator, generator step-up (GSU) transformer, and system elements to a current transient that puts mechanical and thermal stresses on windings and other conductors. These transients can be significant and result in through-current magnitude equivalent to a three-phase fault located at the …
Relay testing has long been one of the more technically demanding and complicated aspects of the business of electrical acceptance and maintenance testing. The plethora of skills required to be an excellent relay technician includes (in no particular order) electrical theory, power system design, AC and DC control drawing interpretation, and the ability to simulate power system faults to name …
First published in 1979, NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, has evolved tremendously over the years and is arguably the premier electrical safety work practices standard available to the electrical worker. The current 2024 edition is 113 pages, three chapters, and 19 Informative Annex sections. Many sources of information and safety knowledge are embedded in these pages, …
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 …
On a recent family vacation to Florida, this author was amazed at the number of locations openly advertising the purchase of medical marijuana. This discovery highlighted the need to revisit current information on the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana (Figure 1). With recreational or medical marijuana use now legal in many US states, workplaces should review their health and …
The saying, “Everything’s bigger in Texas,” has never sounded better than when it refers to NETA’s PowerTest24 Conference scheduled for February 26 to March 1, 2024, at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas. Early registrations are on pace to make this year’s conference the largest ever hosted by NETA, and it wouldn’t be possible without the invaluable sponsors and speakers …