Understanding The Basics of Wye Transformer Calculations

By Mike Holt, NEC Consultant

Commercial Load Calculations

By Mike Holt, NEC Consultant

Understanding variable speed drives

By Turkel, Solomon S.

Understanding Induction Motor Nameplate Information

By Ed Cowern, P.E., Baldor Electric Co.

The Basics of Digital Multimeters

By Jim Gregorec, Ideal Industries, Inc.

Sizing a circuit breaker.

By Pauley, Jim; Young, Sandi

Insulation Resistance Testing: How and Why?

By John A. DeDad

The T5 Fluorescent Lamp: Coming on Strong

By Joe Knisley, Senior Editorial Consultant

Effects of harmonics on power systems

By Sankaran, C.

Making the Transition from CAD to BIM

Mar 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By James Bratton, Dynalectric — An EMCOR Co.

In today's fast-paced competitive construction market, it's no longer enough to execute a project in the real world of girders, sheet metal, pipe, and...

The Highs and Lows of Motor Voltage

May 1, 2000 12:00 PM, By Ed Cowern, P.E.

Operating a motor at the "outer limits" of its voltage requirements reduces its efficiency and causes premature failure....

The 10 Worst Grounding Mistakes You'll Ever Make

Aug 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By David Herres, Master Electrician

Proper grounding and bonding prevent unwanted voltage on non-current-carrying metal objects, such as tool and appliance casings, raceways, and enclosures, as well as facilitate the correct operation of overcurrent devices....

Power Factor, Capacitors, Harmonic Filters, and Resonance — Part 1

Feb 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Tom Shaughnessy, PowerCET Corp.

According to the IEEE Standard Dictionary of Electrical and Electronic Terms, power factor (PF) is defined as the ratio of the circuit power (watts) to...

The Basics of Conductor Reactance and Voltage Drop Part 1

Dec 1, 2008 12:00 PM

Variable current will generate inductance, capacitance, and their related properties of inductive and capacitive reactance. Although there's no energy...

Understanding the Differences Between Bonding, Grounding, and Earthing

Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Larry Ray and S. Frank Waterer, Square D Engineering Services/Schneider Electric

The importance of bonding and grounding in commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings cannot be overstated. The grounded circuits of machines...

Ground Testing Techniques

Nov 1, 2006 12:00 PM, By Jeff Jowett, Megger

Prior to about 15 years ago, the basic methodology for ground testing remained fundamentally unchanged since it was originally devised in the early 20th...

The Shocking Truth About Grounding Electrode Conductors

Nov 1, 2006 12:00 PM, By Edward J. Osoliniec, P.E., Engineering Consultant

Have you done any service work lately, and noticed a spark as you connect or reconnect the grounding electrode conductor to the ground rod of what appeared...

Plumber Electrocuted After Installing Unsafe Temporary Power Connection at New Construction Residential Housing Development

Mar 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Chris Shiver, P.E., Cerny & Ivey Engineers, Inc.

When plumbers Jim and Dave arrived at a new residential development, their task at hand certainly seemed routine performing trim-out work (installation...

Basic Training

Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Michael Eby, Editor-in-Chief

You would think one of the most basic concepts of an electrical system would be the most widely understood. But after years of working in the electrical...

Ladder Logic Basics

Apr 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Steve Vidal, P.E., Joseph J. Vidal & Sons, Inc.

A specialized segment of the electrical construction and maintenance industry, AC motor control is an area that requires specific knowledge in order to...

Calculating Series Voltage Drop

Jun 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Walter Boncal, P.E., Electrical Designers' Reference

Series voltage drop is the progressive loss of voltage that occurs when feeding a string of parallel-connected loads. It's of particular concern when...

Calculating Single- and 3-Phase Parameters

Apr 1, 2008 12:00 PM

Welcome to the first in a series of articles focusing on electrical calculation basics. This month, we'll discuss the most fundamental of calculations...

Sizing Gen-Sets For Large Motor Starting

Feb 1, 2000 12:00 PM, By Larry A. Bey, Cummins Onan Corp.

Remember, an on-site engine-generator set is a limited source of power, both in horsepower available from the engine, and kVA available from the generator. As such, it must be large enough to start as well as run connected motor loads....

Transfer Switches Simplified

Jan 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By David Herres, Master Electrician

As backup power sources become more common in residential construction (Photo 1), many homeowners have learned about the needs and benefits of transfer...

Troubleshooting Residential Submersible Pump Systems

Dec 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By David Herres, Master Electrician

Why is it that residential deep well submersible pump system malfunctions are notoriously hard to diagnose? For one, a pump/motor assembly suspended 10...

Understanding Fire Pump Controller Applications

Mar 24, 2009 4:03 PM, By Warren Shill, Underwriters Laboratories

Fire pump controllers are control panels containing electrical components, such as circuit breaker, switches, relays, and other devices, dedicated to the operation of fire pumps....

Module Behavior

Apr 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Beck Ireland, Staff Writer

Prolonging PV module life by improving inverter maintenance and manufacturing...

From the Forensic Files of NIOSH

May 15, 2009 3:50 PM

Disregard for established lockout/tagout procedures is not only risky, but it can also be fatal, as was evidenced by the death of an electrician at a California newspaper recycling factory....

Common Legal Disputes on Construction Projects

Mar 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Marilyn Klinger, Sedgwick Deter Moran & Arnold LLP

During times like these, when the world is experiencing economic troubles and money is tight, disputes often arise because construction project participants...