Expanding Your Troubleshooting Arsenal
Nov 1, 1999, By Chuck Newcombe and Ed Shen
The versatile multimeter should not be the only weapon in your troubleshooting arsenal. A host of other useful tools has become more portable, affordable, and user-friendly....
Beyond Work Orders: Get More from Your CMMS
Oct 1, 1999, By Mark Lamendola, Technical Editor
At its most basic level, a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) is a work order tool that helps you get the right people on the job. But, like an iceberg, 90% of its functionality lies beneath the surface....
Make Your Accounting Software Add Up
Oct 1, 1999, By Mark Lamendola, Technical Editor
You have an accounting software package, but you still have accounting glitches. What could be wrong?...
Case of the Double Transformer Failure
Oct 1, 1999, By C. Sankaran, P.E.
A transformer manufacturer tries to minimize construction cost by using solid conductors for tap changer connections. Lack of conductor flexibility appears to be leading cause of problem....
Fire Uncovers Problems
Sep 1, 1999, By Harry B. Zackrisoon, Jr., P.E.
Fire destroys equipment. Strangely, additional electrical equipment not consumed by fire is also ruined. What was the cause of this secondary damage?...
10 Tips to Save Time with CAD
Sep 1, 1999, By Mark Lamendola, Technical Editor
You spent big bucks on a CAD system, but you still don't see the gains you expected. Time is money, but your CAD system seems to soak it up. What efficiencies are you missing out on?...
Electrostatic Discharge: Causes, Effects, and Solutions
Sep 1, 1999, By Ken Michaels, Bell South Corp.
Many items in today's workplace can store thousands of volts in electrostatic charges. Yet, it only takes 25 electrostatic volts to irreparably damage an integrated circuit....
Motor Drives: Doing More with Less
Sep 1, 1999, Edited by Mark Lamendola, Technical Editor
Cutting energy costs for motors usually means installing an electronic drive. The savings from electronic drives go far beyond just energy costs. In many...
Maintaining Your Power Distribution System
Aug 1, 1999, By Mark Hartfiel, Power Engineering, Inc.
You've probably heard the athlete's proverb, "No pain, no gain." In the electrical world, it's "No maintenance, no operations." How much maintenance do you need?...
Smoke And Switchboards Don't Mix
Aug 1, 1999, By Robert E. Garrett, P.E.
Burnt cable insulation causes damage to store's electrical equipment just before its grand opening. After much effort, its replacement needs a replacement....
Electrical Maintenance: Poor Planning Can Lead to Catastrophe
Aug 1, 1999, By Mark Lamendola, Technical Editor
Unless you have a solid maintenance plan, you are planning to fail. What are the criteria for a solid maintenance plan, and how do you make it work? How do you plan for success, instead of failure?...
Maintain More, Repair Less: Where to Focus
Aug 1, 1999, By Mark Lamendola, Technical Editor
No matter how hard you work or how fast you repair equipment, production stops, so management cuts your budget. Sound familiar? It doesn't have to....
Infrared Thermometry for Electrical Maintenance
Aug 1, 1999, By Michele Hohmann, Raytek
Temperature change is often a red flag of impending harm to people or equipment. Today, accurate temperature measurement is easy; if you know what to do and where to look....
CMMS: More Than A Work Order System
Jul 1, 1999, By Mark Lamendola, Technical Editor
Today's CMMSs offer four powerful features earlier systems did not. Learn how they can increase your uptime and lower costs....
Overflowing Oil: Overwhelming Evidence
Jul 1, 1999, By Ralph Crawford, P.E.
A deficient engineering design, coupled with poor contractor's judgement and a malfunctioning relay, lead to gen-set fire....
