Uncovering Power Quality Culprits
Apr 1, 2010, Roger Lawrence, P.E., CEM, FIEEE, RGL Solutions
There’s more to determining responsibility for power quality problems than meets the eye...
The Truth Behind PQ Solutions and Energy Savings
Mar 1, 2010, By Daniel J. Carnovale, P.E. / CEM and Timothy J. Hronek, P.E. / CEM, Eaton Corp.
Overstated marketing claims on some power quality devices don’t deliver promised energy savings...
Spinning the Broadcast Web
Feb 1, 2010, By Dawn MacFadyen, P.E., LEED AP, Syska Hennessy Group
Isolated ground (IG) systems have long been considered best practice for reducing noise (Electrical Noise on page C38) signals on the power supply of...
Lighting Upgrades and Power Quality Problems
Dec 1, 2009, By Eric Witkowski, Manitoba Hydro
How to ensure total harmonic distortion (THD) doesn’t dramatically increase following a lighting retrofit...
Solving Problems after Energy Upgrades
Nov 1, 2009, By Randy Barnett, Step1 energy Audit
Learning to troubleshoot and repair power quality problems in-house after an energy upgrade ...
The Case of Stray Voltage in a Lake
Nov 1, 2009, By Donald R. Johnson, P.E., Johnson Engineering
Faulty concentric neutrals on high-voltage underground cables lead to one teenage swimmer’s drowning and two others’ brain injuries ...
Michigan Initiates Ongoing Power Quality Assessment Plan
Oct 12, 2009,
The Michigan Public Service Commission recently released the findings from research it conducted regarding electric power quality, service reliability and power plant generating cost efficiency...
The Basics of Using Circuit Breakers with Surge Protectors
Oct 1, 2009, By Dion Neri, MCG Surge Protection
Clearing up confusion over what type of circuit breaker to use with surge protectors...
UPS Evaluation Report Released
Aug 10, 2009,
Examining the 2009 offerings by six of the largest uninterruptible power supply (UPS) manufacturers in the 500kVA and larger capacity range, Mission Critical West, Redondo Beach, Calif., recently unveiled its Tier IV Critical Facilities Infrastructure study....
Extending UPS Operation
Aug 1, 2009, By Henry Hu & Jeff Donato, Emerson Network Power
Cutting back on preventive maintenance procedures you’re your uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems during tough economic times can spell disaster down the line...
Evaluating Electric Snowmelt Systems
Aug 1, 2009, By Paul Christoferson, Madsen, Kneppers & Associates, Inc.
IR cameras and thermographic analysis can save time and money in maintenance and troubleshooting of many electrical circuits, particularly snowmelt systems...
Addressing Ground Faults on MV Generators
Jul 1, 2009, By Sergio Panetta, P.E., i-Gard, and David D. Shipp, P.E., Eaton Electrical Systems & Services
Medium-voltage (MV) generators are not designed to withstand full fault current during a single phase-to-ground fault, which is why they are connected...
The Basics of PF Correction on Single Induction Motors
Jun 1, 2009,
How to size capacitors correctly and lower your electrical energy usage costs in the process...
Harmonics in Industrial Power Systems
Jun 1, 2009, By Neal Ciurro, Qual-Tech Engineers
Knowing when and how to add power factor correction capacitors to industrial power systems ...
The Basics of Variable-Frequency Drives
May 1, 2009, By Peter Novak, Fluor, Inc.
How to use various types of VFDs and harmonic mitigation tactics to combat the heat loss that accompanies these devices...
Maximizing VFD and UPS Performance
Apr 1, 2009, By Randy Barnett, American Trainco, Inc.
If you're installing a variable-frequency drive (VFD) or uninterruptible power supply (UPS) or if you already have this equipment in place you should...
Power Factor, Capacitors, Harmonic Filters, and Resonance Part 2
Mar 1, 2009, By Tom Shaughnessy, PowerCET Corp.
Last month, we discussed low power factor and how resonance can disrupt facility operations. This month, we'll talk about harmonic filter design and various...
Power Factor, Capacitors, Harmonic Filters, and Resonance — Part 1
Feb 1, 2009, 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...
Saving Energy Through Load Balancing and Scheduling
Jan 1, 2009, By Randy Barnett, American Trainco, Inc., for the Fluke Corp.
You can find significant energy-saving opportunities through load balancing and load scheduling when using power logging test tools. Whether conducting...
Six-Pulse Conversion and Harmonics
Dec 1, 2008, By John DeDad, Senior Director, Editorial and EC&M Development
Most modern industrial facilities have widespread applications of nonlinear loads, many of which represent a significant portion of the total facility...
