Condition Monitoring: Generator Stator Ground Capacitance

Steve Turner, Arizona Public Service CompanyColumns, Relay Column, Winter 2022 Columns

This article demonstrates how to use numerical generator protection relay profile capability to measure the stator ground capacitance of a large combustion turbine generator. The measurements are taken when the generator is on-line and running at full speed while the generator breaker is open (no load), and again during startup as the exported power increases. The stator capacitance-to-ground (Figure 1) …

NFPA 70E, 2024 Edition: Second Draft Meeting

Ron Widup, Shermco IndustriesColumns, NFPA 70E and NETA, Winter 2022 Columns

In late August 2022, the NFPA 70E Technical Committee met for the Second Draft meeting related to the revision of what will be the 2024 edition of NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. This was the step in the revision process where the 70E Technical Committee meets to review Public Comments as well as NFPA Correlating Committee …

Recognizing Your Dedication

Eric Beckman, National Field Services, NETA PresidentPresident's Desk, Columns, Winter 2022 Columns

As so many parts of the world face challenges due to extreme weather and geological events, I want to take a moment to recognize electrical workers and their families. As we all have learned, the electrical infrastructure is quite possibly the most essential part of our life these days. We tend to forget that we can’t accomplish many of the …

Ground Enhancements: An Answer to Difficult Grounding Situations

Jeffrey R. Jowett, MeggerColumns, Tech Tips, Winter 2022 Columns

As part of the electrification of a facility, it is commonly thought that merely connecting the system to a driven ground rod means that the building is grounded. It’s not that simple. By pure luck, such an approach may indeed work. But the considerable value of the building, the efficiency of operation, the wealth of information and knowledge that is …

Off-Line Partial Discharge Cable Testing

Virginia Balitski, Magna IV EngineeringColumns, Tech Quiz, Winter 2022 Columns

NETA Certified Technicians must continually adjust to advancing technology and diagnostic testing techniques. Over the years, cable testing has advanced to where multiple testing methods can be selected. After careful consideration of system requirements, a site owner may choose off-line partial discharge (PD) testing as one of their cable testing methods. This quiz looks at some details on partial discharge …

Programs, Policies, Manuals, Procedures, and Training

Paul Chamberlain, Asplundh Engineering Services, LLCColumns, Safety Corner, Winter 2022 Columns

Several regulatory agencies direct which documents are required when performing a company’s tasks. In some cases, federal and state requirements must be adhered to for the same task or hazard. For example, in the United States, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and state environmental agencies such as the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MA DEP) regulate potential environmental …

Medium-Voltage Cable Installation Issues

Mose Ramieh, CBS Field ServicesColumns, In the Field, Winter 2022 Columns

Properly installed and maintained medium-voltage cable is highly reliable, and when properly installed, there is little or no maintenance to be performed. Yes, you should keep the terminations clean, and yes, you can perform a periodic VLF with tan delta or partial discharge test to trend degradation over the years. However, in my experience, the No. 1 reason cables fail …