When it comes to electrical systems in industrial and commercial facilities and power plants, total system reliability is the top priority. An approach to electrical system service that encompasses both ac and dc power systems is required. AC and dc systems play an interconnected and equally critical role in ensuring overall reliability, and daily production and equipment protection require seamless …
Diagnosing the condition of complex systems such as high-voltage rotating machines has never been a simple task. Design requirements, the use of different materials, and demanding operating conditions require multiple off-line tests and on-line monitors to provide information on the machine’s condition. Some tests only yield simple measurement results without high diagnostic value. This article describes the application of various …
Power factor measurement has long been accepted as an invaluable tool for identifying insulation defects such as aging, deterioration, moisture ingress, and localized failures involving the winding and bushing insulation of a power transformer. Historically, power factor measurements have been performed at a single test frequency (typically 60Hz) and at a single test voltage (typically 10kV). However, modern test instruments …
Electrical arc phenomena have been studied for a long time. It is an inevitable process that occurs during interruption of high electrical currents (e.g., during a short circuit current interruption). The effects of the electrical arc on the circuit breaker contacts are known, and great attention has been paid to developing methods to analyze arc behavior and minimize damage to …
Most people are all too aware of the effects humidity can have on human comfort and health, especially when combined with high temperatures. Perhaps less well known is how humidity can impact electrical systems. For example, high humidity can cause droplets of water to condense on circuits, producing problems such as shorting and corrosion. Many geographic regions are prone to …