Condition of maintenance: It’s a term found in NFPA codes and standards, but do you really understand what it means? If not, check out Informative Annex S Assessing the Condition of Maintenance, in the 2024 edition of the NFPA 70E.
Passion and Progress
With my term as NETA’s Board President coming to a close, it seems fitting that the theme of the Summer 2024 issue of NETA World is Transformers in that I have had the privilege of serving NETA during a transformative time in the Association’s history. Thanks to the dedication of our Board of Directors, volunteers, members, and partners, NETA …
Ground-Grid Integrity Revisited
Utility substations are undergirded by large — sometimes massive — grounding grids. These are made up of electrodes, much like the familiar ground rod, but with extended responsibilities. The grid must provide a means to carry electrical currents into the earth under normal and fault conditions without exceeding operating and equipment limits. The grid must also assure the safety of …
Power Transformer Hazard Awareness
Performing condition analysis or maintenance on a power transformer and ancillary devices is a potentially hazardous task that requires well-trained test personnel to identify and mitigate risks. Products and equipment that are designed to test and diagnose equipment while in operation, such as infrared cameras, partial-discharge detection equipment, and online oil analysis can be used to determine a power transformer’s …
Optimizing 50/27 Inadvertent Energization Protection
The 50/27 inadvertent energization protection function (Figure 1) is an overcurrent function supervised by generator terminal bus voltage derived from system-side voltage transformers (VTs). Inadvertent or accidental energizing of off-line generators has occurred frequently enough to warrant using dedicated protection logic to detect this condition. Operating errors, breaker flashovers, control circuit malfunctions, or a combination of these causes have resulted …
Medium-Voltage Cable Testing and the Importance of Processes
In a previous article, I discussed the challenges and the importance of proper cable installation. Here, we turn our attention to the challenges of obtaining accurate test results. These best practices and processes come with a field technician’s ability to be efficient and confident in their test results. I have been around the industry long enough to be present for …