Monday

It’s just 40 little words.  From planning every job, to selecting and using the appropriate PPE, to auditing the electrical safety program, it is just 40 little words to a successful

electrical safety program.  Labels, tables, and qualified persons are key ingredients to

the 40 little words concepts.

• Plan Every Job                       
• Anticipate Unexpected Events
• Use the Right Tool for the Job
• Use Procedures as Tools
• Isolate the Equipment
• Identify the Hazard
• Minimize the Hazard
• Protect the Person
• Assess People's Abilities
• Audit these Principles

The first wind farm in the world was installed in New Hampshire in 1980. Since that time, and particularly in recent years, wind generation has increased exponentially both in the U.S. and around the world [1]. Consequently the number of cabinet transformers used to step up the voltage from generation to transmission continues to increase in the U.S. New technology leads to new challenges and wind generation is not an exception. Recently, the study of dissolved gas analyses from wind farm transformers has displayed some of these challenges [2].  This paper will present data indicating that a significant percentage of these transformers have elevated gas levels. Along with these data, the paper will address some potential causes and suggest additional study of gassing in wind farm transformers. 

Electrical rotating machinery (motors and generators) not only have an insulation component to reliable operation and longevity, but are influenced heavily by mechanical and electrical stresses that can be detected through vibration analysis. Understanding the impact of electrical and mechanical stresses on a rotating machine is essential to keeping the unit on line and working. This presentation will cover the information technicians and engineers need to know in order to properly interpret and apply the results of vibration analysis. With an emphasis on case studies and real world applications, this will be an informative 45 minutes.

Many technicians seem to be blinded by a good power factor reading and fail to recognize the danger signals of high watts loss and especially capacitance shift in both transformer windings and bushings.This presentation will provide a better understanding of how all three factors must be taken into account to determine insulation health and equipment reliability.

Major regulatory changes are impacting chemicals in use for field and shop maintenance applications. California leads the nation in curbing volatile air compounds (VOC's) through stringent air emission standards. These regulatory standards have spread and now affect how we maintain and test electrical equipment in the Northeast from Virginia up to Vermont as part of the Ozone Transport Commission, http://www.otcair.org/. Learn about the most up-to-date standards throughout the US and how to navigate the new landscape of fewer compliant solutions. Leveraging lean concepts and principles, getting the job done, and complying with the latest standards does not need to cost more or take longer to complete maintenance or testing.

Electrical Emergency Response NFPA 70E and CSA Z462, our North American workplace electrical safety standards, require workers to be qualified in emergency response. Traditionally, electrical emergency response has been training in first aid, rescue breathing and CPR. These responses are all after the fact. Once the electrocution has occurred these emergency responses become paramount. What should the emergency response be before the electrocution happens, while it is happening, and while the victim is still engaged? This presentation explores a number of common scenarios involving electrocuted electrical workers over the last 131 years. There are many scenarios where someone could be electrocuted, and they all have certain things in common. Unwitting contact with something energized, not wearing protective equipment, and the physical characteristics of the contact all result in electrocutions. This 45 minute presentation is designed to stimulate discussion, develop emergency response skills, and satisfy the requirement of both standards.

This paper will review the basic concepts of power quality, definitions, standards and investigation process / techniques. 

 The various power quality concepts will be reviewed. Case studies will be presented to offer real life examples of power quality causes, effects, and resolutions.

 A specific staged, yet organized approach to power quality investigation will be presented. Application of the standards will be discussed. How to interface with utilities and equipment manufacturers to solve problems will be discussed. Connecting and configuring power quality instrument will be discussed.

 The following standards define the basis for measuring power quality:

• IEEE 1100 - IEEE Recommended Practice for Powering & Grounding Electronic Equipment

• IEEE-519 - Recommended Practices & Requirements for Harmonic Control in Electrical Power Systems

• IEEE 1250 - Guide for Service to Equipment Sensitive to Momentary Voltage Disturbances

• IEEE Standard 1159 - Recommended Practice for Monitoring Electric Power Quality

• P1433 - Draft Standard Glossary of Power Quality Terminology

• IEEE 1564 - Voltage Sag Indices Task Force

The ever present emphasis on technological efficiency is just one of several forces behind the pressure on companies to "go green" despite a trying economy. The ultimate criterion that determines whether a motor is truly green is energy efficiency. Technology, long the key to efficiency, can help resolve this issue through detailed computerized analysis of the motor, the power environment in which it operates, and even its reliability.

To improve motor reliability and move to predictive maintenance for motors, tools are needed to assess the condition of the windings. There are several test methods popular with AC induction motor testing specialists. These include low and high-voltage insulation resistance, capacitance and capacitive impedance, inductance and inductive impedance, surge testing, partial discharge testing, and current signature analysis. This paper critically examines and evaluates each test for: effectiveness; which windings/types of machines the test is effective; limitations; ease of performance and ease of interpretation. In addition, this paper proposes a novel approach to integrating the results and operating history to provide an overall motor assessment. Where possible, NETA and international standards will be referred to.

Considering purchasing a power monitor? Own one already? Whether your applications are in power quality monitoring, energy monitoring, or both, it can be a large investment and you want to get the most out of your money. As the old adage goes, the chain is only as strong as its weakest link. In this case, the weak link could be you, the monitor, or both! Getting the most out of your power monitor and knowing if it is right for each application requires an understanding of how power monitors work, along with accessories used such as PT's, CT's, communications, and others. In such cases, a little knowledge goes a long way in proving successful results and getting it right the first time.

This session will cover the many aspects of power monitors, how they work and the right applications for the different monitor types available on the market. We will also cover practical considerations such as transducer selection, communications and other aspects that contribute to successful use of these tools. This is an interactive session so bring your questions!

Cranes and derricks can be found on almost any construction site or where large-scale renovations are taking place. Crane accidents involve more than just the crane operator, and often times can be fatal to other workers in the immediate area. Contact with overhead electrical power lines is the leading cause of electrocution in the workplace, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics from 1992 to 2007 there were 1,998 fatalities due to contact with overhead lines. This accounts for approximately 42 percent of all electrocutions in the workplace. This paper discusses the latest changes to OSHA’s crane and derrick regulations, specifically the sections concerning working near overhead power lines.  

The presentation will outline various electrical test methodologies for condition assessment of medium voltage and transmission class cables for both commissioning and maintenance. Specifically dc, VLF and ac withstand testing as well as diagnostic tests such as partial discharge and tan delta (dielectric spectroscopy) will be discussed along with the advantages, disadvantages, and practical application of each test methodology. Practical applications will be discussed and several case studies will be presented.

The hazards of electricity are well known by industry. The electrical hazard analysis has been done or the process is well underway; electrical safety programs and procedures have been developed and implemented; and personal protective equipment has been purchased. With all of this in place, why are electrical injuries and fatalities still occurring at an alarming rate? Investigations into electrical incidents indicate that employers are not enforcing their electrical safety programs; employees are not adhering to the requirements; and employees are not properly qualified to perform the work they are assigned. This paper will address the mandated electrical worker training and qualification requirements and illustrate how this can save lives, as well as reduce risk for the employer.

At the IEEE Electrical Safety Workshop in 2008, Kerry Heid and Ron Widup presented a paper entitled "Electrical Equipment Performance and the Impact to personnel: an Arc-Flash Dilemma" that focused on electrical equipment performance and the impact to incident energy values. Using information presented in the paper which includes statistical data from NETA Accredited Companies, this presentation will present findings from additional research on the performance of service-aged electrical equipment and provide additional data obtained (from NETA) Accredited Companies that perform electrical maintenance testing on power system equipment.Types of failures, types of equipment, and average age of the equipment will be presented to identify the main culprits and to determine where best to focus critical maintenance dollars and effort.The presentation will also illustrate the importance of electrical maintenance and the effects of poor equipment performance on personnel safety and increased equipment damage. An overview of electrical maintenance methodology and frequency of maintenance testing will be provided based on the latest versions of NFPA and NETA publications.

Our Fossil Natural Gas fired power plants in DFW area were commissioned in 1957, 1967 & 1973. We have hundreds of old original medium voltage motors. We test our motors form Medium Voltage Switchgear cubicle breakers. By performing offline electrical testing, we have prevented in service motor winding failures.

This paper will discuss the root causes of electrical failures in motors and how high Voltage testing can help in early detection. The paper will review the insulation resistance test,polarization index test, DC hipot test, and the surge test along with outline the types of problems they can and cannot find. Most electrical failures are caused by a combination of the voltage spikes that occur at start up and normal deterioration. The problem often begins as a turn-to-turn short that will eventually go to ground. Without high voltage testing many of these problems will go undetected.

When testing a motor's insulation system, it is important that the right tests are performed. If high voltage testing is not performed it is nearly impossible to detect the weak insulation in advance of its failing.

Before making a logical decision about what kinds of testing should be done on motors to predict electrical failures, it must be understood what makes these failures occur. It is important to understand the different insulation groups, the aging process of the insulation, and review typical failure scenarios. Only then can decisions be made as to which tests should be included.