Using the Right Voltage Tester Can Save Lives
May 1, 2001, By John DeDad, Editorial Director
Proper safety procedures are critical when testing high-voltage systems. As the following examples prove, mistakes happen. However, when the safety of...
Motor Vibration Analysis: Keeping it Simple
Apr 1, 2001, By William R. Finley and Mark M. Hodowance, Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
There's typically no way around it. At some time during a motor's life, it is likely to experience high vibration levels. What's behind this maintenance...
Digging Leads to Shocking Discovery
Apr 1, 2001, By Paul E. Pritzker, P.E., C.S.P., Ph.D.
Always know the voltage of the system you plan to install, and review the applicable Code sections. It seemed like just another rainy day for a laborer...
A Cure for the Battery Blues
Mar 1, 2001, By Mark Lamendola, Technical Editor
The typical outage or voltage dip rarely lasts more than a few seconds. A properly sized UPS will provide that much ride-through. Do battery-based UPSs...
Circuits Are Hot Until Proven Otherwise
Mar 1, 2001, By Ralph Crawford, P.E.
After touching a fuse in an open 12kV fused switch cubicle, an electrician (contracted by a California water company for annual preventive maintenance)...
Calculating Your True Labor Cost
Mar 1, 2001, By Mike Holt, Mike Holt Enterprises, Inc.
Last month we discussed the importance of properly estimating total labor hours when determining a bid price. However, this is only one step in the process....
Troubleshooting Control Circuits
Mar 1, 2001, By Mike Coleman, Ralph Bowden, and Paul Frank, PRIMEDIA Workplace Learning
Because the wiring and the inputs and outputs (I/Os) are the most vulnerable elements in a system, be sure to locate and identify these elements in the...
When Disaster Strikes, What Do You Do?
Mar 1, 2001, By Robert B. Morgan, Senior Editor
Consider this scenario: A fire strikes a facility, seriously injuring some visitors. To make matters worse, the problems just keep unfolding. The damages,...
Putting a CMMS to Work for You
Mar 1, 2001, By Nell Hinchey, Datastream Systems
It's easy to implement a CMMS without realizing the depth and scope of the project you've undertaken. We all want to increase efficiency and reduce costs....
How to Maintain and Test UPS Systems
Mar 1, 2001, By John E. Diamond, Cushman & Wakefield
Effective testing of a UPS system is a complex and potentially dangerous operation if you don't do it correctly. After 10 years of successful uninterrupted...
Labor Hours and the Estimate Summary
Feb 1, 2001, By Mike Holt
The first in a multi-part series, this article will outline nine steps to preparing more accurate bids. This month, we'll discuss total labor hours.Summarizing...
Benefits of Battery-Capacity Testing
Feb 1, 2001, By Glenn Alber
Battery-capacity testing is an essential part of battery maintenance. But how do you do it effectively?How do you know your UPS will have "enough battery"...
Using the Wrong Tool Can Be Dangerous
Feb 1, 2001, By Eugene Tims
Two electricians receive burns while using a poorly designed test instrument with inadequate leads.Just before the arc flash severely burned the two electricians,...
Don't Slip Up When Greasing Your Bearing
Jan 1, 2001, By John Paschal
Want to prevent unannounced motor downtime? Installing bearing isolators will greatly help your cause.There's no doubt about it. Motors are wonderful...
The Case of the Flickering Warehouse
Jan 1, 2001, By Stan Turkel
From the files of a power quality detective, this case examines how a warehouse endured continuous problems with high-pressure sodium lights.As the man...
