Wednesday

It’s of course important to choose the right tool for the job but it’s just as important to know how to use it in order to make it sing!  Electricity can be measured in many ways and for a wide range of applications, from low voltage circuit level measurements to high voltage transmission systems and everything in between.  The purpose of testing also can vary greatly from simple voltage and current measurements to power consumption to power quality. 

These wide ranging applications can require different measurement tools, methods and have different standards applied.  Regardless of application it’s important to have an understanding of how to make proper measurements for each application.  Considerations such as accuracy, resolution, bandwidth, transducers need to be addressed when approaching any situation.  However, getting good data is just part of the job.  The best meter in the world is no good if it doesn’t meet the needs of the application, so there are other considerations such as user interface, packaging, remote communications that also need to be addressed before starting any project. 

This seminar will cover the various measurement methods applicable to your industry.  We’ll cover transducers, measurement techniques, user interfaces, data storage, communications and how meters and instruments work.  We’ll continue the discussion and review the data collected and how it’s applied and interpreted in the standards and practices of the power monitoring industry.  We’ll also peer into the future to discuss trends on the horizon. 

Electrical power system analysis starts with a core set of instruments and analysis techniques. Understanding the fundamentals is absolutely necessary in order to assess the health of your equipment.

Beginning with basic principles for each test, the seminar will cover specific tests for transformers, circuit breakers (air, vacuum, oil, and gas), switchgear, and switches.  The seminar format will allow time for questions and interaction with attendees during the presentation. 

Have you ever been confused about the application or proper sizing of wires and cables? What seems to be a simple process can have several contributing factors that affect the overall calculation for proper sizing and application.

A must for anyone involved in the electrical field, this seminar is designed to explain the ampacity and condition of use for various conductors used in the electrical industry. Different conditions involving conductor terminations such as temperatures, number of conductors in a raceway, continuous loads, and all play a part in determining the correct conductor for a particular installation. Basic principles to determine conductor ampacities are covered in detail. Principles presented are selection of conductors using the Allowable Ampacity Tables by calculation, ampacity correction factors for high ambient temperatures and for excessive conductors, rules on termination temperatures, conductors supplying a continuous load, equipment manufacturer's installation instructions, and selecting conductors for environmental conditions.

Load Tap Changers have long since been known as the trouble makers of transformers and have caused many bank failures and high dollar repairs. Today there are many technologies than can drastically reduce failures and stretch the maintenance interval without sacrificing reliability. These technologies are not difficult to use nor overly expensive to install. This paper will cover the use of Dissolved Gas Analysis to be a viable means to determine both the health and maintenance cycles of load tap changers. By analyzing the component gases formed as a load tap changer operates, it is possible to determine what is going on inside. Maintenance can be scheduled to occur only on those LTCs that require it and not on those who don't saving valuable O&M capital. Successful programs have proven to have very few in service failures minimizing forced outages and lowered reliability figures. A second technology used in conjunction or separately, called oil filtration, has proven to be a viable means to reduce maintenance and failures of load tap changers and increases service life between overhauls. Filtration is especially valuable in problematic units requiring annual or semiannual inspections and service. The reduction in man hours additionally leads to lower O&M costs permitting existing manpower to conduct other critical tasks.

Electrical power system analysis starts with a core set of instruments and analysis techniques. Understanding the fundamentals is absolutely necessary in order to assess the health of your equipment.

This seminar is offered in two parts, either or both of which can be attended. Some of the most common electrical test equipment and theory will be covered, including use of a megohmmeter, insulation power factor, dc winding resistance and microhmmeter. These tests will be related back to the ANSI/NETA MTS-2007 standard.

Beginning with basic principles for each test, the seminar will cover specific tests for transformers, circuit breakers (air, vacuum, oil, and gas), switchgear, and switches. The seminar format will allow time for questions and interaction with attendees during the presentation.

In order for one to properly install the appropriate wiring methods or to inspect a swimming pool or similar installation, one must be familiar with and understand NEC Article 680. Article 680 is divided into seven parts covering such things as a permanently installed swimming pool, a storable swimming pool, spas and hot tubs, fountains, and hydromassage bathtubs to name a few. All of these installations have specific requirements. This seminar takes an in-depth look at these explicit requirements for the unique combination of water, people, and electricity. Some of the topics covered will include such things as wiring methods, grounding and bonding, lighting and receptacle locations, motors, and GFCI requirements. This information is a must for installers and inspectors alike who desire a safe environment in and around these wet locations where the combination of water, electricity, and personnel demand a hazard-free experience.