IEEE1346-1998: A New Tool To Combat Voltage Sags
Mar 1, 1999, By R. Larry Morgan, P.E.
Recently approved, this new standard provides a method of determining compatibility between utility-caused voltage sags and your electronic devices. It also provides guidelines for corrective action....
Online Shopping: The Real Story
Mar 1, 1999, By Mark Lamendola, Technical Editor
You're tempted by the online superstores and electrical vendor sites you've seen on the Internet. The prices are good, and the promises of quick delivery save you expensive time. You could conveniently place an order and have it delivered to your door. The question is: Should you?...
Demystifying Isolated Grounding Systems — Part 1
Mar 1, 1999, By Ken Michaels, Bell South Corp.
Your objective is to extend the zero volt reference to the neutral-ground input at the equipment location....
Digital Telephony: Sending High-Speed Data Over Phone Lines
Mar 1, 1999, By Paul Rosenberg, Datacom Consulting Editor
Since new communication systems are overwhelmingly digital, analog is slowly on its way out. Therefore, local telephone companies may offer some or all of these digital services you can recommend to your customers....
Playing The Computer Telephony Acronym Game
Mar 1, 1999, By Paul Rosenberg, Datacom Consulting Editor
There are so many acronyms for telephone services and links between data communications and telecommunications, it's hard to keep track of what's available. And with so many services offered, it's that much harder to make knowledgeable and sensible recommendations to your customers....
MCCB Application, Field Testing, and Maintenance Detailed in NEMA Standards
Feb 1, 1999, By EC&M Staff
NEMA AB3-1996, Molded Case Circuit Breakers and Their Application, describes the types of available molded case circuit breakers (MCCBs), along with many...
Hands-on Training for Electrical Test Toll Users
Feb 1, 1999, By EC&M Staff
Users of electrical measurement tools, who want to maximize their troubleshooting and maintenance skills, can now take hands-on training sessions from...
21st Annual NETA Technical Conference
Feb 1, 1999, By EC&M Staff
The 21st Annual Technical Conference, Seminars, and Exhibits of the InterNational Electrical Testing Association (NETA) will be held March 9-12 in Pittsburgh....
Locating That Underground Cable Fault
Feb 1, 1999, Dennis Koep
What method or combination of methods is best for locating underground cable faults?Finding the location of an underground cable fault doesn't have to...
Wiring a building switchboard from an outdoor transformer.
Feb 1, 1999, Hartwell, Frederic P.
Many rules must be correlated when a customer-owned outdoor transformer supplies a large switchboard.We received a deceptively simple question about the...
YMCA Saves Big Money in Powerful Way
Feb 1, 1999, Edited by Mark Lamendola, Technical Editor
The Greenwich, Conn., YMCA facility is saving an estimated $60,000 annually with the installation of an energy-efficient co-generation system. This amount...
The basics of transformers. (part 4)
Feb 1, 1999, DeDad, John A.
There are many transformer configurations available today, each applicable to a certain situation or design requirement. Let's discuss one of the more...
New Portable Label Printer Meets Specs and Saves Time
Feb 1, 1999, Edited by Ellen Parson, Managing Editor
Saving time in cable identification is an ongoing challenge for any contractor in the electrical industry. In addition to saving time, contractors must...
Unconventional Transformer Connections — Part 3
Feb 1, 1999, By Scott Falke, ozone@ieee.org
Using ordinary single-phase transformers in unusual applications can have extraordinary benefits. We'll examine three more configurations here....
Don't Get Zapped By Cable Clearance Over Water
Feb 1, 1999, By Donald C. Thorn, Ph.D., P.E.
After a sailboat comes in contact with a low utility power line, attorneys look to forensic engineering for answers to the fatal accident....
Effects of harmonics on power systems - Part 2
Feb 1, 1999, Sankaran, C.
Once you've recognized that harmonics are in a circuit or in an electrical system, the next step is to carry out tests to determine the magnitude and...
Hospitals' Emergency System Connections
Feb 1, 1999, By EC&M Staff
Hospitals' Emergency System Connections I enjoy testing my NEC knowledge by reading your “Quizzes on the Code” column. I believe your answer to Question...
Correspondence Lesson 1: The Application of Controls
Feb 1, 1999, By Paul Rosenberg, Consulting Datacom Editor
The real genius of control work is being able to combine the many different devices to get a very complex and difficult job done. This first lesson is a step in that direction....
Power Quality Training: Its Past, Present, And Future
Feb 1, 1999, By Ken Michaels, F.D. Hayes Electric Co.
With today's technology, power quality students have many choices. And as more electrical contractors strive to keep up with that technology, many new training methods become viable alternatives to costly classroom instruction....
What's My Short-Circuit Value?
Feb 1, 1999, By Jerry R. Borland, P.E., Technical Editor
Here's why your electric utility won't and sometimes can't give you an available fault current value....
Emergency Lighting: No More Ugly Duckling
Feb 1, 1999, By Joseph R. Knisley, Senior Editorial Consultant
Once the dread of architects, you can now incorporate emergency lighting fixtures into an innovative design without sacrificing performance....
Make Accounting Software Count — Part 2
Feb 1, 1999, By Mark Lamendola, Technical Editor
What principles do you need to know to get the most out of your accounting software?...
Can Someone Refresh my Memory?
Feb 1, 1999, Edited by Robert J. Lawrie
One of my electricians asked if it was a Code violation to install a 200A-rated, 42-circuit-load center, main lugs only, with protection consisting of a 100A switch/circuit breaker....
1999 Construction Forecast
Feb 1, 1999, By John A. DeDad, Editor-in-Chief
"If 1998 was Mark McGwire hitting 70 home runs, what we'll see in 1999 is 62 home runs:something that would have been a record breaker, except for the...
Solid Grounding For Your Generator
Feb 1, 1999, By Harry L. Masten, P.E., C.P.E.
Generator grounding errors can cause current flow in de-energized circuits. This can cause nuisance tripping of protective circuits, with costly and possibly lethal results....
