Wednesday

Commissioning of Protective Relay Systems
Karl Zimmerman, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
8:00 – 11:45

Performing tests on individual relays is a common practice for relay engineers and technicians. Most utilities and test organizations have a wide variety of test plans and practices. However, perhaps the greater challenge is properly commissioning an entire protection system, not just the individual relays.

This seminar suggests a process for performing consistent and thorough commissioning tests through many sources: breaking out relay logic into schematic drawings, using SER, metering, and event reports from relays; simulating performance using end-to-end testing and lab simulations; and other tools, including synchrophasor measurements. We examine and suggest approaches for commissioning several applications: distribution bus protection, short line protection using communication aided tripping, main-tie-main scheme, line and transformer differential protection. Finally, we propose that, while 100 percent commissioning certainty is not possible, we can approach 100 percent by integrating event report analysis to validate our commissioning strategy.

Bridging the Gap: Communicating Motor Reliability to Management
Noah Bethel, PdMA Corporation
8:00 – 11:45

"It's not the motor!" just doesn't cut it anymore in today's highly advanced maintenance reliability world. Convincing management to spend money on reliability for a motor that is running just fine requires a higher degree of communication than merely pointing fingers. From reliability technicians and engineers to reliability supervisors and management, a common communication protocol can increase the understanding of a reliability situation and make the decision easier for management.

By focusing on the six fault zone approach, this seminar will bridge the gap, providing insight into one of the largest problems faced in analyzing electrical equipment, accurately identifying where the true problem exists. Once identified, it is imperative that these issues be communicated to management efficiently and effectively.

I Have Circuit Breakers – How Do I Maintain Them?
Pat Beisert and Jim Miller, Shermco Industries
8:00 – 11:45

The workhorse of electrical systems, circuit breakers are required to remain ready to operate, either during an electrical fault condition or as a planned open/close operation, at any moment in time – sometimes without having had any previous activity for years. As the owner or responsible party for properly maintaining these critical components of the power system, how do you assure yourself of proper operation? Following the guidelines established by NETA's standards and other national standards, this session will detail the requirements for proper maintenance and operation of low- and medium-voltage circuit breakers.

From mechanical inspections to electrical tests along with properly documenting the procedures, this session will be both informative and educational. Field-experienced technical presenters will not only illustrate the standards and procedures for circuit breaker maintenance activities, they will provide real world tips and tricks for getting through the maintenance cycle efficiently and safely.

Light Pole Electrical Safety Testing
Mark Voigtsberger, Power Quality Testing
1:15 – 5:00

Testing of conductive light poles made of materials such as metal and concrete has, in the last three years, become a concern due to several highly publicized shock and electrocution cases that have taken place on city sidewalks. This seminar starts off by looking at past incidents, addresses current and proposed State laws and industry standards, discusses recommended safety precautions, and looks at available test equipment. This foundation is then used to assist attendees in setting up a local testing program that covers testing methods, confirmation methods, equipment limitations and false readings as well as how to properly safeguard the area in the event an energized pole is detected. Real life examples are used liberally throughout the session.

Setting Up an Effective Predictive Maintenance Program
Tim Thomas, Baker Instrument Company
1:15 – 5:00

Establishing and maintaining an effective predictive maintenance program takes planning, organizing, and executing. Many factors must be considered and implemented in the proper stages to insure success. Criticality of motors, education of personnel, purchasing the right equipment, and having "buy-in" from management must be thought through completely.

Different organizations and facilities require different approaches, but the basic design of all efficient and successful programs contain similar elements. Researching available equipment, deciding which technologies best fill your needs, and establishing industry standard guidelines are essential with every program. Planning is the key ingredient, followed by faithful, routine, and periodic testing. Success is measured over the long-term, and an effective predictive maintenance program will be a cost saving endeavor when managed correctly.

Transformer Protection: What You Need To Know
Rich Hunt, GE Multilin
1:15 – 5:00

The fundamentals of transformer protection must not only include electrical system parameters but must also integrate information from the transformer design and construction as well. Information will be presented on electrical protection methods with topics such as differential protection, overcurrents, ground faults, restricting ground fault levels, underfrequency, overvoltage, and overexcitation. Additionally, mechanical protection methods will be explained on sudden pressure and Buchholtz relay operation.

Protection methods must also include the transformer type, winding arrangement, current transformer (CT) connections, CT saturation, and transformer inrush characteristics. Information will be presented on transformer loss of useful life monitoring and arc-flash mitigation techniques. Each attendee will receive a handout of the presented material.

Thursday

Review of Electrical Tests to Assess Motor Windings
Vicki Warren, Iris Power Engineering
8:00 – 11:45

Surveys have shown that rotor and stator winding failures account for about half of motor failures. Thus to improve motor reliability and move to predictive maintenance for motors, tools are needed to assess the condition of the windings. There are several old and new test methods that have gained popularity with ac induction motor maintenance specialists. These include:

• Low and high voltage insulation resistance
• Capacitance and capacitive impedance
• Inductance and inductive impedance
• Surge testing
• Partial discharge testing (on-line and off-line)
• Current signature analysis

Each of these tests is critically examined and evaluated for Effectiveness, Limitations, Ease of Performance, and Ease of Data Interpretation. Standards will be referenced.

Interpreting Off-Line Partial Discharge and Very Low Frequency Tan Delta Test Results for Medium Voltage, Shielded Cable Systems
Tony Demaria, Tony Demaria Electric, Inc. and Rick Eynon, Magna Electric Corporation
8:00 – 11:45

With newer diagnostic testing techniques available on the market today, how do we interpret the results? Which test do we perform for acceptance and which test for maintenance? Is there a diagnostic test that is nondestructive? What do the readings mean? We will show you how to interpret your partial discharge results. Two years of collecting over a thousand very low frequency tan delta cable tests will be shared with you. Each participant will receive over ten pages of very low frequency tan delta test results, highlighting cables that failed the test and cables that failed upon energizing.

Low- and Medium-Voltage Circuit Breakers — Changes in the Technology and the Market
Michael Maxwell and Peter Stoppello, ABB, Inc.
8:00 – 11:45

Circuit breakers, both low-and medium-voltage, are prevalent in virtually every power system. Eventually, these devices exceed their life expectancy and must be repaired or replaced. Technology and developments in the low- and medium-voltage circuit breaker arena have made possible the upgrade and modernization of the aging circuit breaker infrastructure through the process of installing replacement units.

This session will explain advancements in technology, market-driven changes to circuit breaker construction, construction and operation of the circuit breaker elements, detailing the ANSI and IEC requirements, operation and maintenance of the units, and the challenges encountered when replacing existing circuit breaker infrastructure.

Rewriting Your Maintenance Procedures
Tom Machacek, Cornerstone Electrical Consultants, Inc.
1:15 – 5:00

For years, many industries have written standard maintenance instructions or procedures to provide a guide for personnel to perform tasks in a safe and consistent manner. These procedures can be 5, 10, 20 years old without ever being updated. OSHA updates, NFPA revisions, and company safety and maintenance policies are constantly evolving. Furthermore, the manufacturers are developing better maintenance materials and test equipment. Younger personnel may not have the same understanding of the unique tasks associated with the facility as did personnel when the procedures were originally written. Thus there is a need to update or rewrite the existing procedures. The overall benefit is improved safety of the personnel and improved reliability and availability of the equipment.

This session describes the development of a facility's standard maintenance procedure and demonstrates examples of procedures with links to websites.

Understanding Your Power Transformers: Information and Education
Kyle McQueen and Emilio Morales, Sunbelt Transformer and Arthur Molden, AMEESCO
1:15 – 5:00

Do you understand the wide variety of processes and information required when dealing with a power transformer? This session will present information ranging from such issues as proper transportation techniques, storage methods, routine maintenance practices, analysis of DGA, oil quality results, impulse testing, factory floor test results, common field tests and procedures. A comprehensive overview of these and other issues related to the power transformer will be presented. Structured as an interactive session, you will learn about the reading and evaluation of oil test reports, transformer storage, transportation, operation in the field, recommended maintenance in the field, and transformer factory testing.

The power transformer is vital to industrial and utility operations, and keeping them on line and properly maintained is key. Learn more about these very important components of electrical infrastructure.

Power System Testing: New Applications and Testing Techniques
Long Pong and Chuck Sweetser, Doble
1:15 – 5:00

The field analysis and evaluation of electrical power system equipment is an ever-evolving process, especially given the recent advancements in technology and equipment. Doble Engineering has put together a summary of some of these latest advancements in technology, and will present a comprehensive overview of how these technologies can benefit you. Technology such as Acoustic Emission (AE) testing of SF6 filled electrical apparatus, Sweep Frequency Response Analysis (SFRA), and the field-testing of capacitor banks utilizing insulation power factor test equipment will presented, with presentations that will not only explain how these technologies work, but will also show real world examples of their implementation in the field.

Utilizing these innovative techniques and methodologies will assist you in analyzing and assuring that your power system remains safe and reliable. This is a session that should not be missed for those wanting to stay abreast of the latest tools available to the evaluator and owner of electrical power systems.