Ground Testing Procedures

Jeffrey R. Jowett, MeggerColumns, Tech Tips, Winter 2020 Columns

Effective ground testing is an informed combination of instrumentation and procedure. Accuracy, resolution, safety, noise suppression, graphics, clamp features, and general reliability are all critical, as they are with any electrical testing. But effective and accurate ground testing depends as much on adherence to procedure as it does on quality of instrumentation. If the operator does not understand and diligently …

Protective Relaying

James R. White, Shermco IndustriesColumns, Tech Quiz, Winter 2020 Columns

This edition of Tech Quiz covers protective relays. Many years ago, as I was teaching a protective relay class, a student asked, “What are these things?” I replied, “Relays,” to which he answered, “No, relays are those little black plastic things that go click-click.” I made sure to call them protective relays from then on. Things in the protective relaying …

Basic Fall Protection

Paul Chamberlain, American Electrical Testing Co., LLCColumns, Safety Corner, Winter 2020 Columns

Fall protection requirements and equipment varies depending upon where the work is being performed. The regulations can be confusing for some employees, so it is up to the manager or safety professional to understand the work, the environment the work is being performed in, and the equipment needed to mitigate the hazard of falling from height. When Is Protection Required? …

Combustion Turbine Generator Trip Analysis

Steve Turner, Arizona Public Service CompanyColumns, Relay Column, Winter 2020 Columns

Relay personnel responsible for testing protective relays are often called upon to troubleshoot and gather system data such as settings and event recordings when a major event occurs (for this example, a large generator trip). If only electromechanical relays are installed and no digital fault recorder is available, it can be difficult to determine the root cause of the trip …

Looking at NFPA 70E 2021: Part 1

Ron Widup and James (Jim) R. WhiteColumns, NFPA 70E and NETA, Winter 2020 Columns

In this issue of NETA World, we begin to explain some of the major changes in the 2021 edition of NFPA 70E. So whether you love the 70E, or find it a challenge and don’t want to deal with it…because your life at work is mandated by it, and you know what that means: Do it or else!  But that …

Welcome to the Winter Edition

Scott Blizard, American Electrical Testing Company LLCPresident's Desk, Columns, Winter 2020 Columns

This edition of NETA World features articles on electrical power system protection. Protection schemes covering feeder, generation, transmission, and transformers may have many similarities, but they often contain specific functions or schemes unique to that type of equipment.  Be sure you check out this edition’s four feature articles: “Challenges in Transformer Protection Testing,” by Scott Cooper of OMICRON electronics “Testing …