NETA World Journal | Winter 2012

WIN WINTER2012

DOUBLE-ENDED FAULT LOCATORS

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I S S N 2 1 6 7 - 3 5 9 4 N E TA TA W O R L D J O U R N A L P R I N T I S S N 2 1 6 7 - 3 5 8 6 N E TA TA W O R L D J O U R N A L O N L I N E

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

C O V E R S T O RY

F E AT U R E S

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PRESIDENT’S DESK Mose Ramieh, Power & Generation Testing, Inc. NETA President

38

GPS TESTING, THE FUTURE OF TESTING

By Will Knapek, OMICRON Electronics

84

AN INTRODUCTION TO END-TO-END TESTING

By Chris Werstiuk, Manta Test Systems

22 END-TO-END TESTING DOUBLEENDED FAULT LOCATORS FOR HIGH-VOLTAGE OVERHEAD TRANSMISSION LINES

38

By Steve Turner, Beckwith Electric Company, Inc. High magnitude current flows through the conductor and connected equipment to the point of the disturbance when a fault (for example, lightning strike) occurs on an overhead, high-voltage transmission line. The heavy current can quickly damage the line conductor and connected equipment (for example, transformer bank).

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NETAWORLD

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TABLE OF CONTENTS I N E V E RY I S S U E

I N D U S T RY T O P I C S

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56

THE NFPA 70E AND NETA An Update on the Process and Status of the 2015 Edition of NFPA 70E Jim White & Ron Widup, Shermco Industries

68

NICHE MARKET TESTING Data Center Maintenance–Part 2– The Electrical Infrastructure System Lynn Hamrick, Shermco Industries

78

93

SUCCESS IN SMALL ENGINEERING BUSINESS John White, Sigma Six Solutions

N E TA N E W S

18

TESTING ROTATING MACHINERY

KEEPING THE WINDS OF CHANGE TO OUR BACK Jill Howell

Partial Discharge Test Vicki Warren, Iris Power LP.

34

NO-OUTAGE INSPECTION CORNER

SHERMCO INDUSTRIES OPENS NEW LOCATION

44

DUDE ELECTRICAL TESTING LLC JOINS THE RANKS AS A NETA ACCREDITED COMPANY

46

AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE NEW WORLD TRADE CENTER

Optimum Medium-Voltage Cable System Testing Strategy Don A. Genutis, No-Outage Electrical Testing, Inc.

102 SAFETY CORNER Performing Personnel Audits Paul Chamberlain, American Electrical Testing Co.

108 TECH TIPS

Jill Howell

55

AMP QUALITY ENERGY SOLUTIONS JOINS THE RANKS AS A NETA ACCREDITED COMPANY

67

ENERGIS PROUDLY JOINS THE RANKS AS A NETA ACCREDITED COMPANY

74

THE NETA ALLIANCE PROGRAM

Variations in the Measurement of Resistivity Jeff Jowett, Megger

S P E C I F I C AT I O N S A N D S TA N D A R D S A C T I V I T Y

114 CSA UPDATES Kerry Heid, Magna Electric Corp.

119 ANSI/NETA STANDARDS UPDATES

Jill Howell

98

WHAT HAPPENS AT NETA MEETINGS Kristen Wicks

113 NETA AND FRIENDS AT IEEE PCIC 2012 Sara Dillon

120 NETA ACCREDITED COMPANIES 126 ADVERTISER LIST

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

February 18 – 21, 2013 Sheraton New Orleans New Orleans, Louisiana

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

The Premier Electrical Maintenance and Safety Event

Join us February 18-21, 2013 PowerTest 2013 returns to New Orleans, a city where the culture has made it a favorite of travelers throughout the world; it is a place that exudes passion for building the future while honoring the knowledge of the past.

PowerTest 2013 energizes and renews the commitment to improving safety and reliability, sharing experiences, and growing the collective knowledge within the electrical power systems industry. This event brings together experts, technicians, managers, inspector, contractors, engineers, manufacturers, operators - industry leaders all working to build a better future on a global scale.

Keynote Address JIM O’NEIL Quanta Services James F. O’Neil serves as chief executive officer and president of Quanta Services. In this position, he oversees the company’s operations and strategic initiatives across the electric power, natural gas, renewable energy, telecommunications, broadband cable, and wireless industries.

Second Line Parade Join us Sunday evening for the PowerTest 2013 Second Line Parade. We’ll gather at the Sheraton hotel and be led by a Grand Marshall, a 40 piece band, and costumed characters, into the heart of the French Quarter. A private Bourbon Street balcony awaits with refreshments, a five-course meal featuring Cajun and Creole foods, and music for kicking up your heels.

Sunday, February 17, 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM Sign up when you register online. $165 per person.

Sponsored by

Day One: MONDAY

Sound the trumpets and dance in the streets! NETA is jazzed up to showcase some of the best presenters in the industry. Participate in a full day of engaging, 45-minute presentations sure to spark your thinking and power up new ideas. Choose from detailed technical paper track topics and participate in the Arc-Flash Mitigation Symposium.

SAFETY ◆ Electrical Safety Myths and Misconceptions Jim White, Shermco Industries

◆ Electrical Safety Through Design, Installation, and Maintenance Dennis K. Neitzel, AVO Training Institute, Inc.

◆ Meaningful Testing of Protection Schemes Jay Gosalia, Doble Engineering Co.

◆ Why Should We Measure Line Impedance?

Will Knapek, OMICRON electronics Corp. USA

◆ Applying and Commissioning Transformer Protection Scott Cooper, Manta Test Systems

◆ Why Apply Protective Relays?

Karl Zimmerman, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.

◆ Utilizing Ground Fault Resistance to Accurately Test Distance Elements Jason Buneo, Megger

◆ Internal Electrical Safety Audit

EQUIPMENT ◆ I Have A Lot of Numbers, What Do They Mean:

◆ Electrical Safety – A New Paradigm

◆ DC Winding Resistance: Theory Versus Practice

Terry Becker, P.E., ESPS Electrical Safety Program Solutions, Inc. David Ian Windley, WINTEK Engineering, Ltd.

◆ An Effective Electrical Safety Program

Daryld Ray Crow, DRC Consultants, Ltd

◆ Finding and Retaining Qualified Electrical

Workers: It’s About Safety in the Workplace Mike Moore, Shermco Industries

RELIABILITY ◆ Detecting Common Power Quality Issues Andrew P. Sagl, Megger

◆ Risk, Reliability, and Relationships: The Art and Science of Transformer Maintenance Alan Ross, SD Myers

◆ Go Green or Go Home

Noah Bethel, PdMA Corporation

◆ Transformer Diagnostics Using Dissolved Gas and Furans Melvin Wright, LICA Transformer Consulting

◆ Role of On-Line Condition Monitoring for Power Transformer Operation and Maintenance Tony McGrail, Doble Engineering Co. Kenneth Elkinson, Doble Engineering Co.

◆ The Hidden Gems in Power Quality Monitoring Ross M. Ignall, Dranetz Technologies

RELAY ◆ Applying 100 Percent Stator Ground Fault

Protection for Generators via Low Frequency Injection Steve Turner, Beckwith Electric Company

Basic Interpretation of Two-Winding Transformer Data William Keith Hill, Doble Engineering Co.

Charles Sweetser, OMICRON electronics Corp. USA

◆ VLF MWT – How to Apply the New Way of Cable Condition Assessment Martin Jenny, BAUR

◆ Are You Really Testing Your Instrument Transformers?

Mike Hancock, Shermco Industries

◆ Partial Discharge of Rotating Machines – Is it Science or Black Magic?

Vicki Warren, Iris Power LP

◆ Partial Discharge Substation RFI Surveying,

UHF On-Line Testing of Transformer and Acoustic Location of PD Gregory Thomas Topjian, Doble Engineering Co.

CIRCUIT BREAKERS ◆ Troubleshooting Circuit Breaker Control Schemes Rick Youngblood, Doble Engineering Co.

◆ Predicting the Remaining Life of Service Aged Vacuum Interrupters John Cadick, Cadick Corporation Finley Ledbetter, Group CBS

◆ Testing and Troubleshooting of Low- to Medium-Voltage Circuit Breakers Bret Alan Hammonds, Megger Robert Foster, Megger

SYMPOSIUM ON ARC-FLASH MITIGATION Moderator: Rod Hageman, PRIT Service, Inc.

Day Two:

Days Three and Four:

Join in the discussion during the Tuesday morning panel sessions. Select two of the four panel topics and get ready to learn from experts and peers, alike.

Take advantage of a unique opportunity to choose from 12 in-depth, 4-hour seminars on Wednesday and Thursday.

TUESDAY MORNING

WEDNESDAY - THURSDAY

SAFETY

Practical Application Examples Karl Zimmerman, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. Dave Costello, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.

Moderator: Jim White, Shermco Industries Panelists: Al Winfield, Cadick Corporation, Dennis Neitzel, AVO Training Institute, Inc., Ray Crow, DRC Consultants, Ltd., Daleep Mohla, DCM Elect Consulting Services

◆ How Do They Do It? Electrical Power Measurement Methods, Practices, and Standards Ross Ignall, Dranetz

MOTORS AND GENERATORS

◆ Failure Processes in Rotating Equipment

Moderator: Calvin Earp, Shermco Industries Panelists: Vicki Warren, Iris Power LP, Noah Bethel, PdMA Corporation

Vicki Warren, Iris Power LP

◆ Maintaining and Testing Low and

Medium-Voltage Circuit Breakers Dave Smith, Canada Training Group

MEDIUM-VOLTAGE CABLES

Moderator: Tony Demaria, Tony Demaria Electric Panelists: Craig Goodwin, HV Diagnostics, Inc., Mark Walton, General Cable Corporation, Oscal Morel, UtilX Corporation, Rick Eynon, Eynon Power

◆ Maintaining Your Protective Relay Sanity Dennis Moon, AVO Training Institute, Inc.

◆ Proper Techniques in Oil Sampling

David Koehle, Doble Engineering Co. Lance Lewand, Doble Engineering Co.

CIRCUIT BREAKERS

◆ PMU Testing Requirements

Moderator: Eric Beckman, National Field Services Panelist: Finley Ledbetter, Group CBS, Malcom Frederick, Shermco Industries, Dan Hook, Western Eleectrical Services Inc.

Scott Short, Doble Engineering Co.opy

◆ Advanced Condition Assessment of Power, Distribution, and Instrument Transformers Dr. Diego Robalino, Megger Dinesh Chhajer, Megger

TUESDAY AFTERNOON POWERTEST 2013 TRADE SHOW

◆ Battery Maintenance and Testing

PowerTest 2013 features more than 100 exhibits from top-tier electrical power vendors. No other show brings together this many companies focused on electrical safety and maintenance. See you on Tuesday!

TUESDAY EVENING POWERBASH

SEMINAR TITLES: ◆ Symmetrical Components – FUNdamentals and

Rod VanWart, AVO Training Institute

◆ Medium-Voltage Cable Testing Utilizing VLF Technology: A Primer on the Application and Data Interpretation Craig Goodwin, HV Diagnostics Inc.

◆ Hazards of Electricity, Shock, Arc, and Blast:

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An Educational Journey Through Case Studies Jim White, Shermco Industries

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◆ The Field Repair and Adjustment of Low-Voltage PowerBash 2013 is the culmination Power Circuit Breakers of two days of intense conference sessions and marks the Malcolm Frederick, Shermco Industries commencement an additional two days of high-impact Jim Miller, Shermco Industries seminars. Everyone who’s anyone is sure to be there. ® ®

Hospitality Suites

Monday, February 18, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Mingle with a host of leaders at Monday night’s Hospitality Suites. Talk with the experts, find solutions for your business, and catch up on the latest products and services as each sponsoring company shares their own brand of hospitality.

Sunday, February 17, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Megger Best Practice New Orleans Megger’s seminar will address many of the critical and costly aspects of substation maintenance. The interactive session will feature practical presentations on current methods and practices to help ensure the reliability of high-voltage circuit breakers, power transformers, and batteries. You must preregister for this event by contacting Megger: 214-330-3539.

Monday, February 18, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM PowerDB USER GROUP Free user’s group meeting open to all users of PowerDB software. You must preregister for this event by contacting Megger: 214-330-3539.

Spouse/Guest Pass The special lounge will be available exclusively for guests of PowerTest attendees – stocked daily with light refreshments and information on all of the local activities. Includes a lunch voucher, admission to the Hospitality Suites, Trade Show, and the PowerBash Reception. $75 per person

Social Pass The Social Pass includes admission to the Hospitality Suites, Trade Show, and the PowerBash Reception.

SPONSORS High Voltage

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Early Bird Registration is Now Open!

Register on-line at: www.powertest.org Or Call: 888-300-6382 (NETA)

PowerTest 2013 Registration Easy Steps for Registration:

Non-Members

NAC Members

Full Conference:

$759

$699

Single Day:

$480

$450

1. Go to www.powertest.org and review the complete PowerTest 2013 on-line brochure.

Seminars:

$269

$249

2. Decide the number of days you will attend.

Register Online:

3. Tuesday attendees select up to two panels.

To register for PowerTest 2013 save time by registering online.

You‘ll find a complete brochure and registration form available at www.powertest.org.

4. Wednesday attendees sign up for up to two seminars. (Additional fees apply.)

Join & Save Join the Gold Alliance Program for $775 and your PowerTest 2013 conference registration is included!

Standard Alliance Program participants can upgrade to Gold Alliance status for only $600 to receive a complimentary PowerTest conference registration!

Hotel Reservations: Sheraton New Orleans 888- 627-7033 500 Canal Street New Orleans, Louisiana 70130 Reservation Deadline: January 18,2013 Group Name: NETA/PowerTest Group Rate: $210

Payment:

(Included in registration fee.)

5. Thursday attendees sign up for up to two seminars. (Additional fees apply.)

6. Register for two or more seminars and receive 15% off. Use code PTSEM 2013-2013 to receive this discount.

7. Sign up for the “Second Line Parade”.

Space is limited, so register early.

(Additional fees apply.)

8. Sign up for Spouse/Guest Passes.

(Additional fees apply.)

9. Sign up for PowerTest 2013 conference polo shirts and select size. (Additional fees apply.)

NETA accepts all major credit cards. Save time and register on-line at www.powertest.org or call 888-300-6382 (NETA).

Extras!

PowerTest 2013 Technical Papers - Registered conference attendees will receive all PowerTest technical presentations on a USB drive on site in their registration bag.

Register Today!

THE “GO-TO” STANDARDS FOR ELECTRICAL SAFETY AND RELIABILITY The ANSI/NETA Standards for Acceptance and Maintenance Testing Specifications for Electrical Power Equipment and Systems!

ANSI/NETA MTS-2011 - New Edition This standard should always be referenced when writing maintenance specifications or performing routine testing on electrical power systems.

ANSI/NETA ATS-2009 This standard should always be referenced in design specifications or when performing acceptance testing on power system installations.

ANSI/NETA MTS-2011

ANSI/NETA ETT-2010 This standard ensures that your acceptance and maintenance tests are being preformed by qualified technicians who are certified in accordance with ANSI/NETA ETT requirements.

Available in Bound, CD ROM, or PDF

STANDARD FOR

MAINTENANCE TESTING SPECIFICA SPECIFICATIONS F O R

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PRESIDENT: Mose Ramieh, Power & Generation Testing, Inc.

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT: David Huffman, Power Systems Testing Co. SECOND VICE PRESIDENT: Ron Widup, Shermco Industries

SECRETARY: Walt Cleary, Burlington Electrical Testing Co., Inc.

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NETA Board of Directors Ken Bassett (Potomac Testing, Inc.) Scott Blizard (American Electrical Testing Co., Inc.) Jim Cialdea (Three-C Electrical Co., Inc.) Walt Cleary (Burlington Electrical Testing Co., Inc.) Roderic Hageman (PRIT Service, Inc.) Kerry Heid (Magna Electric Corporation) David Huffman (Power Systems Testing) Alan Peterson (Utility Service Corporation) Mose Ramieh (Power & Generation Testing, Inc.) John White (Sigma Six Solutions) Ron Widup (Shermco Industries)

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TECHNICAL EDITOR: Roderic L. Hageman

ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Diane W. Hageman, Resa Pickel MANAGING EDITOR: Jayne Tanz, CMP

ADVERTISING MANAGER: Sara M. G. Dillon

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION: Newhall Klein, Inc.

NETA Committee Chairs

CONFERENCE: Ron Widup; MEMBERSHIP: Ken Bassett;

PROMOTIONS/MARKETING: Kerry Heid; SAFETY: Lynn Hamrick; TECHNICAL: Alan Peterson; TECHNICAL EXAM: Ron Widup; WORLD ADVISORY: Diane Hageman;

CONTINUING TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT: David Huffman; TRAINING: Kerry Heid; FINANCE: John White;

NOMINATIONS: Alan Peterson; STRATEGY: Mose Ramieh; AFFILIATE PROGRAM: Jim Cialdea

© Copyright 2012, NETA

NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER

NETA World is published quarterly by the InterNational Electrical Testing Association.

Opinions, views and conclusions expressed in articles herein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of NETA. Publication herein does not constitute or imply endorsement of any opinion, product, or service by NETA, its directors, officers, members, employees or agents (herein “NETA”).

All technical data in this publication reflects the experience of individuals using specific tools, products, equipment and components under specific conditions and circumstances which may or may not be fully reported and over which NETA has neither exercised nor reserved control.

Such data has not been independently tested or otherwise verified by NETA. NETA MAKES NO ENDORSEMENT, REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY AS TO ANY OPINION, PRODUCT OR SERVICE REFERENCED OR ADVERTISED IN THIS PUBLICATION. NETA EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY TO ANY CONSUMER, PURCHASER OR ANY OTHER PERSON USING ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE REFERENCED OR ADVERTISED HEREIN FOR ANY INJURIES OR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, DIRECT OR INDIRECT DAMAGES. NETA FURTHER DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OF IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. ELECTRICAL TESTING SHALL BE PERFORMED ONLY BY TRAINED ELECTRICAL PERSONNEL AND SHALL BE SUPERVISED BY NETA CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS/ LEVEL III OR IV OR BY NICET CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS IN ELECTRICAL TESTING TECHNOLOGY/LEVEL III OR IV. FAILURE TO ADHERE TO ADEQUATE TRAINING, SAFETY REQUIREMENTS, AND APPLICABLE PROCEDURES MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF PRODUCTION, CATASTROPHIC EQUIPMENT FAILURE, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

PRESIDENT’S DESK

When I started in this business the things discussed in this issue were mere science fiction. Many of us long in the tooth guys have seen so much progress that, at least to me, it is mind boggling.

When I was younger, the only way for relays and other protective devices to communicate was over wire. Next it was fiber, and now we have equipment that can run via the internet and synchronize via satellite. I’m eager to read this issue so I can better appreciate this new technology.

I think the articles in this and recent issues of NETAWORLD indicate that in system control and protection times are changing.. We have gone from wire and mechanically connected control/ protection which was not very precise, was bulky, and required constant maintenance to very sophisticated electronic devices that can communicate with each other over WiFi and that require little or no maintenance. These changes, while good for the electrical industry, have taken away aspects of the maintenance on which testing companies focused. This change is being reflected in the business model and strategic direction that NETA Accredited Companies are pursuing.

NETA, as the trend setter, is also changing to accommodate the latest innovations and shifts that are occurring within NETA Accredited Companys. We, as the industry leaders, must continue to promote the need for independent testing to all writers and users of specifications and encourage the use of NETA Accredited Companies to perform the testing. It is my opinion that NETA, as the undisputed leader in the independent electrical testing industry, should do all we can to provide a membership path for any company/organization that does independent electrical testing.

My best wishes to all for a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year. See you in New Orleans!

Mose Ramieh NETA President

PRESIDENT’S DESK

SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY

SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY

SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY SYNERGY

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THE NFPA 70E AND NETA

AN UPDATE ON THE PROCESS AND STATUS OF THE 2015 EDITION OF NFPA 70E

BY JIM WHITE AND R O N W I D U P,

Shermco Industries

So, have you gotten accustomed to the recent changes in the 2012 edition of NFPA 70E? If you haven’t then take a little advice and get up to speed – because you will need to understand it so you can get ready for the changes in the 2015 edition! But don’t worry – every issue of a new standard, whether it is a NETA standard, IEEE or NFPA standard, or just about any consensus standard in our industry will have changes. We learn from doing, and as we implement the requirements in each new edition, we convert the requirements from words on page to procedures for electrical workers in the field.

We are challenged anew because the process for developing the NFPA 70E document has changed significantly. The new process is being incorporated into all NFPA standards as they come into cycle. The 70E is the first large standard to use this new process, and it is interesting, to say the least. There is new terminology for such things as proposals (now Public Input), Report on Proposals (now first draft) and actions taken on the proposals.

No longer are reject, accept, accept in principal or accept in principal in part heard. Now, it’s most often first revision and resolve. One of the biggest changes in the process is that proposals/ public inputs are no longer considered as mandatory items that have to be answered. They are now considered more as suggestions, and the

technical committee has the freedom to modify the standard using multiple public inputs as it believes necessary, whether there is public input or not. This aspect of the new process was difficult to embrace, but the committee found the flexibility welcome when it needed to rewrite sections, such as 130.3, in order to remove duplication and unneeded wording.

The software used by the NFPA to support the process has been changed and completely rewritten. As with any large scale software implementation, there were a few electronic bumps in the highway. Hats off to the NFPA liaison Michael Fontaine and our Technical Committee Chair David Dini – as they had to develop a number of work-arounds in order to keep us on track.

AN UPDATE ON THE PROCESS AND STATUS OF THE 2015 EDITION OF NFPA 70E

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THE NFPA 70E AND NETA The first draft will be available for public review around Februar y 22, 2013. Please review the changes and make comments if you are so inclined, and also take note the comments stage on the first draft will close on May 3, 2013.

I M P O R TA N T D AT E S T O KNOW AND REMEMBER More than 450 public inputs (PIs) were considered by the technical committee during this cycle. These various inputs were processed and converted into a first draft. If all the suggestions for change continue, there is no doubt the 2015 edition of NFPA 70E will be a very much-changed standard (and arguably for the better). The first draft will be available for public review around February 22, 2013. Please review the changes and make comments if you are so inclined, and also take note that the comments stage on the first draft will close on May 3, 2013.

From there the technical committee has to have their second draft meeting no later than October 18, 2013. The second draft goes to committee members on January 3, 2014. Any objections to the second draft have to be filed with NFPA by way of a NITMAM (Notice of Intent to Make

a Motion) by February 7, 2014. Any appeals to the decisions on NITMAMs must be filed by April 4, 2014 and June 24, 2014 is the final date for appeal decisions.

POSSIBLE CHANGES It is really too early in the cycle to tell what will be accepted and what will be rejected at the second draft meeting. It should be noted that some of the proposed changes have strong committee support. One of those changes was a revision to the tables for choosing arc flash PPE for specific tasks [Tables 130.7(C)(15)(a) and 130.7(C)(15)(b)]. In past cycles there have been objections to the tables, and one of the oftendiscussed objections is that they incorporate risk into the selection of arc-flash PPE (i.e., Hazard/ Risk Categories). Although the committee has a long history of validation of the HRC methodology (from 1999 to present), many committee members felt we could do better.

Table 130.7(C)(15)(a): Arc-Flash Hazard Identification for Alternating Current (AC) Systems (Note 1)

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AN UPDATE ON THE PROCESS AND STATUS OF THE 2015 EDITION OF NFPA 70E

THE NFPA 70E AND NETA

Table 130.7(C)(15)(b): Arc-Flash Hazard PPE Categories A new approach to the tables was further advanced by OSHA’s representative to the committee, David Wallis.

The proposal is that Table 130.7(C)(15)(a) and (b) be split into to two separate tables. The first table only assesses whether there is an arc-flash hazard or not. If not, no further requirements (other than normally-required PPE) are suggested. If there is no arc-flash hazard, it will not be covered in the table.

If there is an arc-flash hazard, the user is referred to the second table, which assigns arc-flash PPE based on the hazard. This second table uses the same limits for available short-circuit current and operating time of the overcurrent protective device as the current edition of NFPA 70E. The arc-flash boundaries have been rounded up to the next full measurement in feet which may cause some interpretation issues. The committee

felt that since the tables were most often being used with little or no calculations being performed, they should be conservative. Some users may look at these arc-flash boundaries and try to apply them to other situations or methods, which could lead them to incorrect conclusions.

As an example, Article 130 states that all parts of the body within the arc-flash boundary must be protected. That is a correct statement, but a look at PPE Category 1 would lead a person to think that the back of the head is within the arc-flash boundary (requiring the use of a balaclava), which it probably would not be. The PPE requirements currently in Table 130.7(C) (16) remain the same for the 2015 edition of NFPA 70E and no balaclava is required at this level. Remember, sometimes the reason behind the numbers gets lost and users of NFPA 70E may misapply the information that is meant to be used only in a specific circumstance, such as the tables.

AN UPDATE ON THE PROCESS AND STATUS OF THE 2015 EDITION OF NFPA 70E

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THE NFPA 70E AND NETA Along with the change to the tables is a global revision that changes Hazard/Risk Category (HRC) to PPE Category. This should not cause any heartburn, since the underlying numbers are still the same, but risk is no longer a part of the tables. Another change that is proposed in the first draft is the elimination of HRC 0 as a category. The committee believed that HRC 0 no longer had any purpose with the changes recommended to the tables, and if there is an arc-flash hazard, the worker should be in arcrated PPE and clothing.

THE DENVER EXPERIENCE: S E V E N D AY S O F ELECTRICAL SAFETY FUN The process to change a vital document for industry can be time consuming, and this edition was no exception. But it is amazing what a room of about 70 people with a common vision and purpose (making the workplace safer for electrical workers) can get accomplished. Before the first draft meeting began, we spent about 10 hours on Saturday and Sunday in committee meetings for the tables and Article 130, and then the next five days were 12 to 13 hours spent each day going through the new process and working on public inputs. Initially, like a large and onerous electrical maintenance outage, it really looked bad. The first official working day (Monday) we were only able to address about 40 PI’s. Once we

got into the rhythm (and mostly due to Michael and David’s work-arounds) we finished all 450+ PI’s by 7 p.m. Friday evening. Many, many more changes in NFPA 70E have been proposed.

We encourage all NETA members and Alliance Subscribers to review the first draft when it is published and to make comments for changes that would improve the 70E. Be safe out there.

Ron Widup and Jim White are NETA’S representatives to NFPA Technical Committee 70E (Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces). Both gentlemen are employees of Shermco Industries in Dallas, Texas a NETA Accredited Company. Ron Widup is President of Shermco and has been with the company since 1983. He is a Principal member of the Technical Committee on “Electrical Safety in the Workplace” (NFPA 70E) and a Principal member of the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) Code Panel 11. He is also a member of the technical committee “Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance” (NFPA 70B), and a member of the NETA Board of Directors and Standards Review Council. Jim White is nationally recognized for technical skills and safety training in the electrical power systems industry. He is the Training Director for Shermco Industries, and has spent the last twenty years directly involved in technical skills and safety training for electrical power system technicians. Jim is a Principal member of NFPA 70B representing Shermco Industries, NETA’s alternate member of NFPA 70E, and a member of ASTM F18 Committee “Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers”.

We e n c o u r a g e a l l N E TA m e m b e r s a n d Alliance Subscribers to review the first draft when it is published and to make comments for changes that would improve the 70E. .

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AN UPDATE ON THE PROCESS AND STATUS OF THE 2015 EDITION OF NFPA 70E

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BY JILL HOWELL

The electrical power industry is in the midst of tremendous growth and change. Along with it, many experienced technicians and industry professionals are retiring. This threatens to create a challenging shortage of talent, knowledge, and experience. All of these factors point to a greater need for industry professionals to collaborate and organize to share knowledge, experiences, and resources. The strength of the electrical power industry’s future is dependent on the industry’s collective ability to produce the needed manpower, respond so that historical knowledge is assimilated with new ideas, and improve safety and reliability in the years ahead.

Growth: “Electricity usage in the United States is projected to grow more than twice as fast as committed resources over the next 10 years. Unless additional resources are brought into service, some areas could fall below their target capacity margins within two or three years. In parts of Western Canada, demand is projected to outpace resource growth within about two years. We are at the stage where emergency situations are becoming more frequent," said Rick Sergel, president and CEO of NERC. Change: Wind, solar and nuclear generation are an important part of the electrical power industry’s future. Today’s power systems

require collaboration between veteran technicians with historical experience and new technicians, educated in alternative technologies to address the challenge of reliably integrating remotely located wind, solar and nuclear resources into the bulk power system.

Additionally in the industrial sector, thousands of electrical power systems that have been in place for 20-30 years are in desperate need of maintenance and/or replacement all while new systems are being installed at an accelerated rate. Now more than ever before, industry professionals rely on continuing education programs, technical conferences, training organizations, and professional networks to keep them current with today’s technology and practices in order to obtain the answers and experience required to service both the old and the new electrical power systems in place today.

The NETA Alliance Program, (recently evolved from the NETA Affiliate Program), was established with the idea of forming a network of professionals that would share knowledge and experiences and come together based on a common interest in putting safety and reliability first. These people are professionals who are committed to continuing education and personal development with the goal of ensuring

that they are prepared to address the challenges of today and those in the future. They create a community that can provide their experience to others and, at the same time, benefit from other’s experience via the NETA Alliance Program.

NETA recently surveyed the NETA Alliance subscribers and asked what benefits they would like to see most from their association with NETA. Here were the top responses: t 5FDIOJDBM USBJOJOH t *OEVTUSZ JOGPSNBUJPO t 3FHVMBS VQEBUFT PO JOEVTUSZ TUBOEBSET t 4IBSFE MFBSOJOH BOE FYQFSJFODFT t /FUXPSLJOH XJUI /&5" NFNCFST BOE /FUXPSLJOH XJUI /&5" NFNCFST BOE industry professionals t 0O MJOF BDDFTT UP B MJCSBSZ PG UFDIOJDBM 0O MJOF BDDFTT UP B MJCSBSZ PG UFDIOJDBM papers and articles

W h a t i s t h e N E TA A l l i a n c e P ro g r a m ?

The NETA Alliance Program was estabestablished with the goal of engaging individuindividuals rather than companies in the pursuit of improving safety and reliability in the industry. The Alliance Program is subsubscription-based, meaning that there are no prerequisites or credentials necessary to bebecome an Alliance subscriber. While there is not a certification or qualification attached to being a NETA Alliance participant, this program is home to professionals who share NETA’s mission, leaders who bring perspectives from all sectors of the electrical power inindustry and those who put quality and safety first.

t %JTDPVOUT PO TUBOEBSET BOE %JTDPVOUT PO TUBOEBSET BOE technical publications In 2012, NETA launched an expansion plan for the NETA Alliance Program creating a volunteer committee made up of current Alliance participants from all sectors of the industry.

The committee is charged with learning more about the needs of the Alliance industry sectors and with those insights expanding the Alliance Program to offer new educational resources and opportunities to exchange ideas. NETA’s goal is to grow the Alliance Program in order to provide an invaluable connection across industry sectors and between old school and new school thinking.

This will bring together diverse experiences serving to help build relationships between the islands of knowledge and expertise to create a stronger professional resource. To that end, it is most important that NETA Alliance participants represent all facets of the electrical power industry contributing a broad perspective as NETA seeks to work with each sector to support their contribution to improving safety and reliability within the electrical power industry.

NETA Alliance Industry Representation includes: t &RVJQNFOU .BOVGBDUVSFT t &OHJOFFST t $POUSBDUPST t t 'BDJMJUZ .BOBHFST t 6UJMJUJFT t t &RVJQNFOU 3FOUBM BOE 3FTFMMFST t 1PXFS 1PXFS 5SBOTNJTTJPO 5SBOTNJTTJPO BOE BOE Distribution Supervisors t *OTVSBODF BHFODJFT For information about subscribing to the NETA Alliance Program visit www.netaworld.org or contact Jill Howell at jhowell@netaworld.org.

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FEATURE

END-TO-END TESTING OF

DOUBLE-ENDED FAULT LOCATORS

BY STEVE TURNER,

Beckwith Electric Company, Inc..

FOR HIGH VOLTAGE, OVERHEAD TRANSMISSION LINES

FEATURE SYNOPSIS High magnitude current flows through the conductor and connected equipment to the point of the disturbance when a fault (for example, lightning strike) occurs on an overhead, highvoltage transmission line. The heavy current can quickly damage the line conductor and connected equipment (for example, transformer bank).

Modern protective relays detect the presence of a disturbance on overhead transmission lines and send commands to open the circuit breakers at each end before any damage occurs. Accurate fault location helps utility personnel expedite service restoration, thereby reducing outage time. If the distance to the fault is known, the utility can quickly dispatch line crews for any necessary repair. Otherwise a lot of time and expense is required to patrol the overhead line for possible damage.

Referring to Figure 1, a lightning strike hits the upper line conductor between transmission towers #1 and #2. The voltage at the strike builds rapidly until it flashes over to ground and high magnitude current flows on the faulted phase(s).

Modern protective relays at Substation S (to the left of Figure 1) and Substation R (to the right of Figure 1) monitor the transmission line by measuring the local voltage and current flow at their respective locations. Fault voltage drops and fault current increases during a fault.

In the past, numerical line relays calculated the distance to the fault using data (voltage and current) measured at their respective locations; this method is referred to as a singleended method. Unfortunately, this method can experience significant error when there is fault

resistance (for example, wind blows a tree into the line conductor) and power is flowing through the line. There are now double-ended methods that are far superior.

INTRODUCTION This paper explains how to test double-ended fault locators for high-voltage, overhead transmission lines. There are many similarities to testing highspeed, communication-assisted tripping schemes (HSCATS); however, there are some important differences that are covered here in detail. Note that double-ended fault location is coming into vogue now, and these tests can be performed in unison while testing the HSCATS. Figure 2 illustrates a typical test setup on line number 2. Note that FL stands for fault locator and TS stands for test set. These tests require synchronized, three-phase test sets at both ends of the line. The distance to the fault with respect to Substation S is referred to as m.

These tests call for short-circuit studies to determine the fault voltage and current measured by each fault locator for faults internal to the protected line. Zero-sequence, mutual coupling of the parallel lines and high fault resistance during heavy load are considered as power system parameters. These signals are played back to the fault locators via the synchronized test sets.

The paper discusses fault location and illustrates one double-ended method. Classic problems associated with single-ended fault location are discussed as well.

FIGURE 1: Lightning Strike on Overhead Transmission Line

END-TO-END TESTING OF DOUBLE-ENDED FAULT LOCATORS FOR HIGH-VOLTAGE, OVERHEAD TRANSMISSION LINES

FIGURE 2: One-Line Test Setup

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FEATURE FA U LT L O C AT I O N Fault location on overhead transmission systems has been researched by the electric utility industry since the early 1950s. Accurate fault location helps utility personnel: t &YQFEJUF TFSWJDF SFTUPSBUJPO t 3FEVDF PVUBHF UJNF t 3FEVDF PQFSBUJOH DPTUT t 3FEVDF DVTUPNFS DPNQMBJOUT Most numerical line relays use single-ended, faultlocation algorithms. While this method is simple and fast, the following commonly encountered factors can severely degrade accuracy: t )JHI GBVMU SFTJTUBODF t ;FSP TFRVFODF NVUVBM DPVQMJOH t /POIPNPHFOFPVT QPXFS TZTUFNT This paper presents one double-ended fault location technique for overhead transmission lines.

The method is only illustrated for the case of single phase-to-ground faults since this fault type occurs most frequently. However, the method can be applied equally as well for the other three fault types; that is, three-phase, phase-to-phase, and phase-to-phase-to-ground. Single phase-toground faults are typically the most rigorous for distance-to-fault calculations (that is, fault resistance and zero-sequence, mutual coupling).

The double-ended method is immune to the most common problems associated with fault location͸remote infeed and zero-sequence, mutual coupling. This algorithm requires only the negative-sequence voltage and current from both terminals, plus the positive-sequence line impedance. This method has been thoroughly tested using actual data recorded on a high-voltage transmission system in the Southeastern U.S.

PROBLEMS WITH EXISTING FA U LT L O C AT I O N M E T H O D S Fault resistance and zero-sequence, mutual coupling are the two most significant sources of error for existing single-ended methods.

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FIGURE 3: Single-Ended, Distance-to-Fault Calculation FAULT RESISTANCE Existing technology uses data from only one end of the overhead transmission line to calculate the distance-to-fault with respect to the local terminal.

Figure 3 illustrates the fault voltage and current measured from the two ends of a faulted overhead transmission line during a single phase-to-ground fault. The per-unit distance-to-fault with respect to Substation S is “m”; therefore, m . Z1L1 = total impedance of the faulted phase to the point of the fault from Substation S

(1-m) . Z1L1 = total impedance of the faulted phase to the point of the fault from Substation R RF = total fault resistance VS = faulted phase voltage measured at Substation S IS = faulted phase current measured at Substation S IR = faulted phase current measured at Substation R A very simple explanation of a popular singleended method is that the local fault voltage is divided by the local fault current to determine the faulted-phase, loop impedance, ZLOOP, from the substation to the fault. The imaginary part of ZLOOP (XF) is then calculated to ignore any fault resistance, which can be significant; for example,

END-TO-END TESTING OF DOUBLE-ENDED FAULT LOCATORS FOR HIGH-VOLTAGE, OVERHEAD TRANSMISSION LINES

FEATURE

Fault resistance and zero-sequence, mutual coupling are the two most significant sources of error for existing single-ended methods.

ZLOOP = VS/IS XF с Ȼŵ΂ LOOP΃

ƋƵĂƟŽŶ ϭ ƋƵĂƟŽŶ Ϯ

Where Ȼŵ΂͙΃ с /ŵĂŐŝŶĂƌLJ ƉĂƌƚ ŽĨ ͙ The fault reactance (XF) is then divided by the total reactance of the transmission line (XL) to estimate the per-unit distance-to-fault with respect to Station S. m = XF/XL

ƋƵĂƟŽŶ ϯ

Equations 1 through 3 are approximations, and as such are intended only to help the reader visualize how to calculate the distance-to-fault for a single phase-to-ground fault. Use zero-sequence compensation to measure the distance-to-fault in terms of positive-sequence line impedance only.

REMOTE INFEED IR, the fault current flowing into the fault resistance from the opposite end of the overhead transmission line, is referred to as remote infeed.

Herein lies the main problem with the method outlined previously, since it was assumed that the faulted phase current from both ends of the overhead transmission line are in-phase. If there is load flow, this is typically not the case. As the angular difference between IS and IR increases, so does the error.

The error occurs because the faulted-phase voltage measured at Substation S (VS) is dependent on the faulted-phase current flowing from Substation R (IR).

END-TO-END TESTING OF DOUBLE-ENDED FAULT LOCATORS FOR HIGH-VOLTAGE, OVERHEAD TRANSMISSION LINES

The faulted-phase voltage measured at Substation S is derived via Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (the sum of the voltages measured around any loop equals zero).

VS = IS . m x Z1L1 . (IS + IR) . RF ƋƵĂƟŽŶ ϰĂ If there is an angular displacement between IS and IR, a reactance component is introduced due to the voltage drop across the fault resistance when the imaginary part of the faulted-phase, loop impedance is calculated.

VS/IS = m . Z1L1 . IS + IR . RF IS

ƋƵĂƟŽŶ ϰď

VS/IS = m . Z1L1 н ;ϭ н ɲͿ . RF ƋƵĂƟŽŶ ϰĐ ɲ с /R/IS

ƋƵĂƟŽŶ ϰĚ

If the angle of IS is equal to the angle of IR, then the imaginary part of α . RF is zero; otherwise, the value is non-zero and error is introduced.

The amount of error increases with the value α.

Equations 4a through 4d are approximations and as such are only intended to help the reader visualize how to calculate the distance-to-fault for a single phase-to-ground fault.

ZERO-SEQUENCE, MUTUAL COUPLING WITH ANOTHER OVERHEAD TRANSMISSION LINE When two or more overhead transmission lines share the same right-of-way, there is coupling between the lines in the zero-sequence network since these components are in-phase.

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FEATURE Figure 4 illustrates a single phase-to-ground fault on Line 1. There is zero-sequence, mutual coupling between the adjacent overhead transmission lines because they share the same right-of-way (that is, they are in the same vicinity). Therefore, the faulted-phase current flowing in Line 2 (IS2) affects the faulted-phase voltage measured on Line 1 at Substation S. If IS1 and IS2 flow in opposite directions, the faulted-phase voltage measured on Line 1 at Substation S decreases; therefore, the faultedphase, loop impedance measured at Substation S for Line 1 is reduced (ZLOOP = V-/I) and the distance-to-fault calculation is closer to Substation S than the actual location of the fault.

This case is referred to as overreaching.

If IS1 and IS2 flow in the same direction, the faulted-phase voltage measured on Line 1 at Substation S increases; therefore, the faultedphase, loop impedance measured at Substation S for Line 1 is increased (ZLOOP = V+/I) and the distance-to-fault calculation is further from Station S than the actual location of the fault.

This case is referred to as underreaching.

The problems associated with zero-sequence, mutual coupling exist because of the following: t ɨF NPEFSO QSPUFDUJWF SFMBZ DBMDVMBUJOH UIF distance-to-fault does not account for the faulted-phase current flowing in the parallel overhead transmission line,

FIGURE 4: Single Phase-to-Ground Fault on Line 1

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t ɨF DBMDVMBUJPO JT OPU JNNVOF UP [FSP TFquence quantities.

There are a few relays available today that accept an input from the adjacent overhead transmission line so as to monitor the offending residual current and make necessary corrections.

However, this technique does not work properly when the offending overhead transmission line is out-of-service.

When the parallel overhead transmission line is out-of-service and grounded at both stations, loop current flows in the grounded line for faults involving ground on the parallel in-service line.

The loop current cannot be measured since the current transformers are outside of the loop flow.

Therefore, the distance-to-fault calculation on the parallel in-service line is too close at one station and too far at the other.

D O U B L E - E N D E D FA U LT L O C AT I O N This section introduces a double-ended fault location algorithm for high-voltage, overhead transmission lines. The algorithm uses synchronized voltage and current measurements from both ends of the line.

ADVANTAGES The double-ended fault location does not have any problems with fault resistance or zerosequence, mutual coupling due to the following:

FIGURE 5: Parallel Line Out-of-Service and Grounded at Both End

END-TO-END TESTING OF DOUBLE-ENDED FAULT LOCATORS FOR HIGH-VOLTAGE, OVERHEAD TRANSMISSION LINES

FEATURE t 6TF PG UJNF TZODISPOJ[FE WPMUBHF BOE current measurements from both ends of the overhead transmission line. t 0OMZ UIF OFHBUJWF TFRVFODF WPMUBHF BOE current is used to calculate the fault location.

Today, time-synchronization is available and commonly applied in substation control rooms via GPS satellite clock receivers. Both modern protective relays and digital fault recorders record the fault voltage and current from each end of the overhead transmission line.

The voltage and current measurements must be filtered such that only the fundamental quantities (60 Hz components in the United States) are applied for the calculations. Modern protective relays filter the voltage and current prior to executing any protection-related functions. These signals are usually available via an event report.

DERIVATION Transform voltage and current measured during fault conditions to their respective positive-, negative-, and zero-sequence quantities. Negative-sequence quantities are present for single phase-to-ground, phase-to-phase, and phaseto-phase-to-ground faults. Therefore, negativesequence quantities are very reliable.

FIGURE 6: Negative-Sequence Network for Faulted Overhead Transmission Line Figure 6 illustrates the negative-sequence network for a faulted overhead transmission line.

VϮ^ and IϮ^ are the negative-sequence quantities measured at Substation S. V2R and I2S are the negative-sequence quantities measured at Substation R. The per-unit distance to the fault with respect to Substation S is “m”; therefore, m . ZL = Total impedance of the conductor to the point of the fault from Substation S (1-m) . ZL = Total impedance of the conductor to the point of the fault from Substation R

The following two equations demonstrate how to calculate the negative-sequence voltage and current from the three-phase voltage and current measurements.

VϮ^ = Negative-sequence voltage measured at Substation S

VϮ с Ϭ͘ϯϯϯ . (Vࠧ н ࠧР . Vď н ࠧ . VĐͿ ƋƵĂƟŽŶ ϱࠧ

IϮ^ = Negative-sequence current measured at Substation S

IϮ с Ϭ͘ϯϯϯ . (Iࠧ н ࠧР . Iď н ࠧ . IĐͿ

VϮZ = Negative-sequence voltage measured at Substation R

ƋƵĂƟŽŶ ϱď

Where: ࠧ с ϭ ϭϮϬΣ ࠧР с ϭ ͲϭϮϬΣ

END-TO-END TESTING OF DOUBLE-ENDED FAULT LOCATORS FOR HIGH-VOLTAGE, OVERHEAD TRANSMISSION LINES

VF = Fault voltage at the point of the fault

IϮ^ = Negative-sequence current measured at Substation R IϮ = Total negative-sequence fault current (I2S + I2R)

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FEATURE Determine the apparent negative-sequence source impedances at Substations S and R as follows: ZϮ^ = - VϮ^/IϮ^

ƋƵĂƟŽŶ ϲĂ

ZϮZ = - VϮZ/IϮZ

ƋƵĂƟŽŶ ϲď

Derive two loop voltage equations in terms of the fault voltage: at Substation S -VϮ^ + IϮ^ . m . ZL + VF = 0 VF = VϮ^ - m . IϮ^ . ZL

ƋƵĂƟŽŶ ϳ

at Substation R -VϮZ + IϮZ . (1 – m) . ZL + VF= 0 VF = VϮ^+ m . IϮZ . ZL –IϮZ . ZL

ƋƵĂƟŽŶ ϴ

Set the two equations above equal to each other and solve for “m” with respect to Station S. VϮ^ - m . IϮ^ . ZL = VϮ^ + m . IϮ^ . ZL –IϮZ . ZL VϮ^ - VϮ^ + IϮ^ . ZL = m . IϮ . ZL

ƋƵĂƟŽŶ ϵ

m(S) = VϮ^ - VϮZ + IϮZ . Z1L IϮ . ZL ƋƵĂƟŽŶ ϭϬ

H O W T O T E S T T H E FA U LT L O C AT O R This section illustrates how to use timesynchronized test signals to verify that the double-ended, fault locator works correctly. The fault locating equipment must be enabled at both terminals and the communication channel must be available.

Equation (11) calculates the per unit distance-tofault with respect to Substation S: m = VϮ^ - VϮZ + IϮZ . ZL IϮ . ZIL

ƋƵĂƟŽŶ ϭϭ

EXAMPLE 1 The first example is the case of a resistive phaseto-ground fault on A-phase located 75 percent of the line (15 miles) from Substation S. It was simulated using Mathcad. You can also use short-circuit software such as ASPEN OneLiner or CAPE. Moderate load prior to the fault was modeled and the line is mutually coupled to another transmission line. The fault voltage and current at each end of the line are as follows: VAS с ϱϯ͘ϰ ͲϯϮ͘ϭΣ ǀŽůƚƐ sAR с ϱϱ͘ϲ Ͳϭϴ͘ϭΣ ǀŽůƚƐ VBS с ϲϴ͘ϲ ͲϭϮϴ͘ϱΣ ǀŽůƚƐ

sBR сϲϯ͘Ϯ ͲϭϮϯ͘ϬΣ ǀŽůƚƐ

V ^ с ϲϯ͘ϵ ϭϭϱ͘ϮΣ ǀŽůƚƐ s Z сϲϲ͘ϯ ϭϭϰ͘ϲΣ ǀŽůƚƐ The negative-sequence voltage and negativesequence current are as follows: VϮ^ с ϳ͘ϴϲ Ͳϭϯϯ͘ϴΣ ǀŽůƚƐ

sϮZ с ϲ͘ϵϬ Ͳϭϯϯ͘ϲΣ ǀŽůƚƐ

IϮ^ с Ϭ͘ϱϴ Ͳϭϯ͘ϵΣ ĂŵƉĞƌĞƐ

/ϮZ с Ϯ͘ϴϮ Ͳϯϲ͘ϰΣ ĂŵƉĞƌĞƐ

Equation (11) yields a result of 75 percent that matches the actual fault location. This example shows that equation (11) is immune to problems

Figure 7 is a simple model of a faulted transmission line. Substation S is the reference bus with respect to the distance-to-fault (m).

Z1L с WŽƐŝƟǀĞ ^ĞƋƵĞŶĐĞ >ŝŶĞ /ŵƉĞĚĂŶĐĞ ZdƌĂŶƐĨĞƌ с dƌĂŶƐĨĞƌ /ŵƉĞĚĂŶĐĞ ZM с DƵƚƵĂů ŽƵƉůŝŶŐ & с &ĂƵůƚ >ŽĐĂƟŽŶ VS с &ĂƵůƚ sŽůƚĂŐĞ Ăƚ ^ƵďƐƚĂƟŽŶ ^ VR с &ĂƵůƚ sŽůƚĂŐĞ Ăƚ ^ƵďƐƚĂƟŽŶ Z IS с &ĂƵůƚ ƵƌƌĞŶƚ ĨƌŽŵ ^ƵďƐƚĂƟŽŶ ^ IR с &ĂƵůƚ ƵƌƌĞŶƚ ĨƌŽŵ ^ƵďƐƚĂƟŽŶ Z

28

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WINTER 2012

FIGURE 7: Double-Ended Transmission Line Model

END-TO-END TESTING OF DOUBLE-ENDED FAULT LOCATORS FOR HIGH-VOLTAGE, OVERHEAD TRANSMISSION LINES

FEATURE associated with fault resistance and zero-sequence, mutual coupling since it only uses negativesequence quantities.

EXAMPLE 2 This example is an actual case where a phase-toground fault on A-phase occurred on a 230 kV overhead transmission line and was captured by digital fault recorders at both ends. Conventional methods proved futile when utility personnel tried to locate the fault. The fault turned out to be an old oak tree growing under the line. This vegetation represented an extremely high level of fault resistance (that is, many times greater than the impedance of the transmission line).

The double-ended, distance-to-fault equation correctly calculated the distance-to-fault with an error of less than 5 percent. The following are the actual calculations for this case.

Here are the time synchronized negative-sequence quantities measured at each end of the line: VϮ^ с ϴ͘ϰϱϰ Ϯϯϴ͘ϲΣ Ŭs

sϮZ с ϲ͘ϲϵϳ Ϯϯϵ͘ϰΣ Ŭs

IϮ^ с ϰϱϲ͘ϲϵ ϯϲϴ͘ϰΣ

/ϮZ с ϯϰϱ͘ϴϮ ϯϱϬ͘ϰΣ

IϮ =

IϮ^ + IϮZ с ϳϵϮ͘ϴϮ Ϭ͘ϳΣ

Z1L с Ϯϰ͘ϴϵϵ ϴϮ͘ϳΣ ɏ ƉƌŝŵĂƌLJ m = VϮ^ - VϮZ + IϮZ . Z1L IϮ . ZL VϮ^ – VϮZ + IϮZ . Z1L с ϲ͘ϵϱϮ ϳϳ͘ϱΣ Ŭs IϮ . Z1L с ϭϵ͘ϳ ϴϯ͘ϰΣ Ŭs

ͮŵͮ с Ϭ͘ϯϱϮ ƉĞƌͲƵŶŝƚ The actual line length is 35.43 miles. Therefore, the distance-to-fault with respect to Substation S was 12.5 miles. The actual distance-to-fault was 13 miles.

EXAMPLE 3 A B-C phase-to-phase fault occurred on a 230 kV overhead transmission line. The fault was due to a truck that caught fire under the line. The resulting smoke created a path for electrical current to flow between B- and C-phase conductors. The doubleended distance-to-fault equation was applied using the negative-sequence voltage and current recorded by instrumentation at the two ends of

END-TO-END TESTING OF DOUBLE-ENDED FAULT LOCATORS FOR HIGH-VOLTAGE, OVERHEAD TRANSMISSION LINES

FIGURE 8: Zero-Sequence Network the line. The error was less than two percent.

Below are the actual calculations for this case.

VϮ^ с ϱϭ͘ϳ ϭ͘ϵΣ Ŭs

sϮZ с ϯϳ͘ϵ ϭ͘ϯΣ Ŭs

IϮ^ с ϭϭ͕ϵϬϬ ϵϲ͘ϱΣ

/ϮZ с Ϯ͕ϰϳϬ ϵϰΣ

IϮ = IϮ^ + IϮZ с ϭϰ͕ϯϳϬ ϵϲΣ Z1L с ϭϭ͘ϵϲ ϴϱ͘ϴΣ ɏ ƉƌŝŵĂƌLJ ͮŵͮ с Ϭ͘ϬϵϮ ƉĞƌͲƵŶŝƚ The actual line length is 21 miles; therefore, the distance-to-fault with respect to Substation S was 1.93 miles.

ZERO-SEQUENCE, OVERHEAD TRANSMISSION LINE IMPEDANCE VERIFICATION You can calculate the zero-sequence impedance of the transmission line using the synchronized, zero-sequence voltage and current measured at each end of the line using the following equation: ZOL = IOS . ZOS-IOR . ZOR m . IOS-(m-1) . IOR

ƋƵĂƟŽŶ ϭϮ

Equation 12 does not account for zero-sequence mutual coupling.

Figure 8 is the corresponding zero-sequence network for faults involving ground.

DOUBLE-ENDED FA U LT L O C AT I O N F O R TRANSMISSION LINE PROTECTION Equation 11 can be implemented to provide high-speed protection of overhead transmission

NETAWORLD

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29

FEATURE

Note that double-ended fault location is coming into vogue, and these tests can be performed in unison while t e s t i n g t h e H S C AT S .

lines. Terminal voltage and current phasors can be calculated in real time and then passed from endto-end via a digital communications channel. The double-ended fault locator is immune to many problems associated with conventional distance based-schemes such as overreach and underreach.

CONCLUSIONS This paper explains how to test double-ended fault locators for high-voltage, overhead transmission lines. There are many similarities to testing highspeed communication-assisted tripping schemes (HSCATS); however, there are some important differences which are covered here in detail. Note that double-ended fault location is coming into vogue, and these tests can be performed in unison while testing the HSCATS. When a disturbance (for example, a lightning strike) occurs on a high-voltage, overhead transmission line, the line must be checked for any possible damage. If the distance-to-fault is known, line crews can be quickly dispatched for any necessary repair. Otherwise, a lot of time and expense is required to patrol the overhead line for possible damage.

Modern protective relays calculate the distanceto-fault using data (voltage and current) measured at the respective locations. This is referred to as a single-ended method. Error typically occurs when there is fault resistance (for example, wind blows a tree into the line conductor) and power is flowing through the line.

The double-ended method uses timesynchronized, filtered data from both ends of the overhead transmission line to determine the exact distance to the disturbance with respect to either

30

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WINTER 2012

end. The double-ended fault location does not have any problems with fault resistance or zerosequence, mutual coupling due to the following: t 5JNF TZODISPOJ[FE WPMUBHF BOE DVSSFOU measurements are used from both ends of the overhead transmission line. t 0OMZ UIF OFHBUJWF TFRVFODF WPMUBHF BOE current is used to calculate the fault location. t 5PEBZ UJNF TZODISPOJ[BUJPO JT DPNNPOMZ available and applied in substation control rooms via GPS satellite clock receivers. Both modern protective relays and digital fault recorders typically record the fault voltage and current from each end of the overhead transmission line. Use this data to accurately calculate the distance to the fault.

Steve Turner is a Senior Applications Engineer at Beckwith Electric Company. His previous experience includes working as an application engineer with GEC Alstom, an application engineer in the international market for SEL, focusing on transmission line protection applications. Steve worked for Progress Energy, where he developed a patent for double-ended fault location on transmission lines.

Steve has both a BSEE and MSEE from Virginia Tech University. He has presented at numerous conferences including: Georgia Tech Protective Relay Conference, Western Protective Relay Conference, ECNE and Doble User Groups, as well as various international conferences. Steve is a senior member of IEEE.

END-TO-END TESTING OF DOUBLE-ENDED FAULT LOCATORS FOR HIGH-VOLTAGE, OVERHEAD TRANSMISSION LINES

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SHERMCO INDUSTRIES OPENS NEW LOCATION Shermco Industries continued its expansion in September by opening a new office in San AntoAntonio. Located at 12000 Network Blvd., building D # 410, the office is both a sales and production facility, approximately 6,600 square feet.

Kevin Ewing, the Shermco regional manager that oversees the Austin and San Antonio offices, says the company opened in San Antonio due to the growth in that market.

“We are happy to be here and have already sesecured quite a bit of work,” said Ewing. “This area is great for us due to all the data center business.

We have six engineering field service technicians here and are currently looking for two more.”

Ewing also mentioned that due to the comcompany’s expansion mode, many of the Shermco offices have positions available in the electrical services industry.

“Right now we are looking to fill 54 positions corporate-wide,” said Ron Widup, Shermco president. “In Dallas, we recently took more square footage on Airport Freeway to accommoaccommodate our engineering department. And, we are very excited to now be open for business in San Antonio as we expand our suite of Shermco elecelectrical services throughout North America.”

ABOUT SHERMCO Shermco Industries provides professional training and safe and reliable testing, repair, maintenance and analysis of rotating apparatus and electrical power distribution systems and related equipment for the light, medium, and heavy industrial elecelectrical equipment nationwide. Founded in 1974 in Dallas, the company has two strategic business units: the Machine Services Division and the Engineering Services Division. At its combined corporate location in Irving, Texas; sales office in Brussels; and service centers in Austin, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Houston, Sweetwater, and Tulsa, Shermco Industries has over 440 full time employees. The company is a member in good standing with the Electrical Apparatus Service Association, the American Wind Energy AssoAssociation, the Professional Electrical Apparatus ReRecyclers League, and the InterNational Electrical Testing Association. For more information about Shermco Industries, visit www.shermco.com www.shermco.com..

Shermco Industries 12000 Network Blvd, Building D, Suite 410, San Antonio, Texas 78249 Office: 512.267.4800; Fax: 512.267.4808 kewing@shermco.com www.shermco.com Kevin Ewing

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TESTI THE FUTURE OF TESTING

BY WILLIAM KNAPEK, OMICRON electronics

The characteristic of an element is no longer dependent

on

the

mechanical

operation

of

a rotating disk, bearings, drag magnets, and

With the introduction of multifunction relays, testing methods for these devices must be approached in a different fashion. Gone are the days when the need to verify the operating characteristics of a relay were the only tests performed.

capacitors. The characteristic is derived from the execution of a mathematical formula determined by various settings, applied to

variables that

are the output of analog-to-digital converters modified by sequence filters by a microprocessor.

and carried out

This change in how the

protection element works means a change in what is important to test.

With the intelligent

electronic devices (IEDs) monitoring the health of the power system instead of multiple, single­ function,

electro-mechanical

relays,

internal

logic verification is as important as verifying the individual protection elements.

Testing of the logic in an lED presents a plethora of challenges. It is now the test technician's job to inject the proper voltages and currents to simulate various operating and fault scenarios and observe the elements' action to the overall logic scheme.

With electromechanical relays this was

fairly straight forward, as the tests were applied to

38

•

WINTER 2012

GPS TESTING, THE FUTURE OF TESTING

FEATURE one relay and one element. Now the challenge

on board which is used to send a synchronized

is to be able to simulate conditions that operate

time signal to earth.

an element without another element operating at

principle of four equations with four unknowns,

the same time.

a receiver must receive the time signal of at least four satellites to determine its position (longitude,

One of the tools available to the modern testing

latitude, and height) as well as accurate time.

technician is the ability to simulate faults in

The position can be determined to an accuracy

two relays at two different locations that are

of 66 feet and the time to an accuracy of

synchronized by Global Positioning Satellites (GPS).

Using the mathematical

14 nanoseconds.

With modern test sets, the capability

is available to test the protection scheme as a

Two types of GPS receivers are available.

One

system. Two or more locations can be set up to

is the navigation unit which is even available

inject a simulated fault into the local relay with

in your cell phone and the other is the satellite

the values that would be seen by that relay during

clock. The satellite clock has the ability to output

an actual fault. These signals are synchronized by

a selection of timing signals which can be used

the GPS signals and are coordinated to allow for

to synchronize third party units with each other.

a true system test.

To be able to use the time signal for synchroniza­ tion purposes, a GPS clock is needed, which pro­

THE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM

vides a number of timing signals. These signals are the IRIG-B, PPM, and a programmable pulse

The current GPS system consists of 31 satellites.

signal. The Inter-Range Instrumentation Group

Each satellite has a highly accurate atomic clock

time code is commonly known as IRIG-B. The

Cursor 1 Cursor 2

C2 - Cl

A-B.95%

I

0.925

0.950

� Impedance View: AB

1.000

0.975

9�[Q]�

1.025

1.050

�

XJO

'; Si nal

1.0 0.8

Phase

35.68 V 35.68 V

-6.25 0

35.47 V -3.682 V

VO-N

_33.970

29.59 V -19.94 V

VC-N

69.28 V

159.89 0 ·65.00 V

23.B2 V

IA

1 0.00 A

1 0.00 A

0.000 A

10

1 0.00 A

180.00 0 -10.00 A

0.000 A

0.6

IC

0.000 A

69.89 0

0.000 A

0.000 A

0.00 0

1.100

•

Ma nitu

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Real

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0.'

.(l.0

]. k

1. kY�

0.2

+----:7?,���'-"---

·0.2 .(l., ·600 -.00 ·200

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200

.00 600

RlmQ

Time Assessment Start

Sto

A-B,90 %

Name

A-B,95 %

I nore befor

A-B,95 %

TRIP 0>1

Tnom

Tdev-

Tdev+

Tact

Tdev

34.00 ms

RX

A·B.95 %

A·B.95 %

RX 0>1

25.00 ms

25.00 ms

42.50 ms 32.50 ms

B.5OO ms

TX

A·B,95 %

A·B,95 %

TX 0>1

34.30 ms

Assessment

+ 0 0

Figure 1: Fault At 95% of Line Length

GPS TESTING, THE FUTURE OF TESTING

NETAWORLD

•

39

FEATURE lRIC-B sjgnal is one pulse per second. The PPM

protection system must be verified. Testing the

is a pulse per minute and of course the program­

logic as a system will preclude misoperations of

mable signal is programmable to your needs. The

the protection system.

PPM and programmable signals can be used to

in schemes that involve multiple relays, such as

This is most important

synchronize test equipment at two or more loca­

breaker-failure schemes, differential schemes, and

tions to the closest accuracy around the world.

communication-based schemes.

The CPS system is thus well suited for this type of test due to its availability all over the world and due to the accuracy of the timing signal.

A state sequencer routine can be set up on one test set to start on a CPS pulse, inject the ap­ propriate analog signals, and then measure the

To synchronize a test set with a satellite clock,

response of an lED to the applied signals. A sec­

the PPM signal is used.

ond test set is set up at a remote location to start

This signal triggers Each

on the exact same CPS pulse. It applies the ap­

test sequence will be injecting the currents and

propriate analog signals to the remote relay with

each test set to start the testing sequence.

voltages at the same magnitudes and phase angles

the values expected at that location based on the

that the protective relay would see during the

fault characteristics.

actual fault.

Using a time signal view to measure the response

TESTING TRIP SYSTEMS

time of the outputs from the relay, the system

As modern relays often have complex logic

performance can be evaluated. These signals can

schemes applied, the actual operation of the

confirm that the protection system performs as

A-B. 5 Y.

I

PotOlJIt

Figure 2: Fault At 5% of Line Length

40

•

WINTER 2012

GPS TESTING, THE FUTURE OF TESTING

FEATURE designed. Figure 1 is an example of a time signal

When testing PMU's you must inject signals

view that can be used to verifY a communication

from various locations and retrieve the results

scheme. This test was for a permissive overreaching

for analysis.

transfer trip cheme (POTT).

must be exact or the results will not be a true

This relay was

injected with variables that equated to a fault at a location of95 percent of the line length.

The timing of the injected signals

representation of the power system condition.

CONCLUSION

Figure 2 is a screen shot of the remote location set

The advent of GPS

for a fault of five percent of the line length. As

look at the traditional testing methods.

you can see, the time signal view shows that the

possibilities are available in the commissioning and

system performs as intended.

maintenance of protection systems. Use of these

In the case of a bus differential system, several test sets can be set up to initiate a fault at the same time and measure the response of the 87B device.

has led to a new way to New

tools allows us to go well beyond the verification of pickup/dropout and curve verification of relays.

GPS or end-to-end testing is the future of testing.

This is a much more effective test than just verifY­ ing the pickup and timing of a differential relay.

It is possible to use different models of test sets to perform these tests. With the use of the GPS signal to start the test, which manufacturer's test set you use is not important as long as it produces a quality signal. However it must be noted that not all test sets will process the GPS signal at the same speed. This could cause a variance in the timing of the injected signals. This variance can skew the test results.

When using multivendor test sets,

you must perform a few trials, preferably in the lab, to see the difference in the signal start times.

When this is determined then an adjustment to the faster test set can be programmed to get all test sets to inject at the same time.

PMU TESTING

William Knapek received a BS Degree in Industrial Technology pom East Carolina University in 1994. In 1995 he retired pom the US Army as a Chief 1¥tzrrant Officer after 20 years 0/ service. During his time with the Army Corps of Engineers, he held positions as a power plant instrumentation specialist, a writer/instructor for the Army Engineer School and afacility engineerfor a Special Operations compound. He has been active in the electrical testing industry since retiring in 1995. He worked for NETA companies in the Nashville, Tenessee, area untiljoining OMICRON electronics as an application engineer in April 0/2008.

He is currently the Secondary Engineering Service and Customer Support Manager for OMICRON electronics Corp, USA. He is certified as a Senior NICET Technician and aformer NETA Level IV Test Technician. Will is a member ofIEEE.

Another application of GPS testing is to verifY the correct operation of phasor measurement units (PMU) or syncrophasors. These are appearing in

REFERENCES

more and more protection systems throughout the

1. Alexander Dier, Heinrich Metzler; GPS synconized rem at the Vorarlberger Illwerke AG; OMICRON User Conference, Berlin, November 1995

world. In typical applications PMU's are located

2. Global Positioning System; Wikipedia.com

at various points in the power system network and

3. Phasor Measurmenr Units; Wikipedia.com

synchronized by a GPS signal.

Synchrophasors

measure voltages and currents at diverse locations on a power grid and can output accurately time­ stamped voltage and current phasors. Because these phasors are truly synchronized, synchro­ nized comparison of two quantities is possible, in real time. These comparisons can be used to assess system conditions.

GPS TESTING, THE FUTURE OF TESTING

NETAWORLD

•

41

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BUILDING THE FUTURE AT GROUND ZERO:

AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE NEW WORLD TRADE CENTER

BY JILL HOWELL

Earlier this year, on its eleventh anniversary, the United States remembered the events of September 11th, the collapse of the World Trade Center Towers and the many lives that were lost. One would be hard-pressed to find a person who remained untouched after that fateful day. While the shock at the outrageousness of the actions of a few has faded from the limelight, the persevering nature of a city and its people continue to work toward honoring the lives lost with the construction of a new World Trade Center.

Some of those who helped in the aftermath of that tragic event will take part in rebuilding its future. Among these is Elemco Services, Inc. ElElemco was there in the days, weeks, and months following the collapse of the iconic structure, helping to ensure electrical systems were deenergized and lines were cleared enabling rescuers.

Earlier this year, Elemco Services was awarded the job of performing acceptance testing and commissioning on eight, 15-kV substations that feed the World Trade Center site. Additionally, they will perform acceptance testing and commissioning of Tower One, named One World Trade Center; Freedom Tower; and Tower Four.

Bob White explained that they have as many as twelve NETA technicians performing testing services for this project at any given time.

Not surprisingly, every aspect of this massive undertaking is focused on safety. Elemco Services began participating in March of 2008, with each crew member being required to take an OSHA safety course and earn an OSHA 10 card before setting foot on site. The project is estimated to take two years to complete with Tower One reaching completion in July 2013. One World Trade Center will rise 1,368 feet above street level, which will make it the tallest building in New York City, lofting 118 feet above the EmEmpire State Building. Eventually there will be a

AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE NEW WORLD TRADE CENTER

communications tower with an antenna that will rise to 1,776 feet, making it the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.

We interviewed Bob White, Elemco General Manager, to get the inside scoop on the challenges of performing electrical testing and commissioning for this magnificent monument.

Q: What are some of the challenges unique to this project?

“A big challenge is being able to get equipment in and out of the site due to security. If we are bringing in a test set that requires an elevator transport, there may be a half-day wait for the elevator. Every inch of the building has to travel up those elevators and everything has its priority.

It’s the nature of building a high rise.”

“Choosing the crew and getting them authorized is also a big task. Every worker has to fill out a seven page security form and have a criminal and background check completed to be government approved.”

Q: How does this project differ from other high rise projects?

“There is a very, very strong sentiment that it is an honor to be working here. Brian Williams recently did a program on 20/20 interviewing the

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iron workers that are doing the steel work. The foreman happens to be a Native American from the Mohawk Tribe. His grandfather worked on the Empire State Building and his father on the original World Trade Center. Many of these same people worked on the pile when doing recovery at the site of the collapse. For them, to be rebuildrebuilding it is a big deal. For my guys, it’s an opporopportunity to build a part of history, to help ensure that the World Trade Center will be constructed to the highest standards in the industry.”

Q: Are there lessons learned from 9/11 that impact the work Elemco is performing?

“The electrical infrastructure is constructed to be tamperproof, and the architecture is designed to withstand external force. The building inincludes a 185-foot windowless, concrete base designed specifically to withstand truck bombs, three-foot reinforced concrete walls in all stairstairwells and elevator shafts, and a dedicated set of staircases for firefighters.”

Q: How did Elemco happen to be chosen for the job?

“The process of selection was an open bid orgaorganized by the New York Port Authority. JB&B (Ja(Jaros, Baum & Bolles) was responsible for the buildbuilding design and developing the bid requirements.

The bid document specifically required commiscommissioning and acceptance testing to ANSI/NETA Standards by a NETA Accredited Company.

Elemco Services has been in business for over 40 years, working in the New York construction trade for most of them. Elemco participated in the recovery after the first attack on the World Trade Center in 1993. We are a respected partpartner and have worked with JB&B on numerous projects. I believe these are some the reasons Elemco was selected for the project. it usually comes down to reputation, experience, and of course pricing.”

The feeling of all throughout the job site is proud to be an American and proud to be doing this job the American way.

“Elemco is honored to have been chosen to help complete the new World Trade Center.

It is one of those projects that you tell your grandkids about.”

Elemco’s dedicated team of technicians workworking on the World Trade Center Includes Glenn Dredier (foreman), Harry Johnson, William Ward, Gregory Francis, Paul Castellaneta, AnAnthony Parise, Michael Sciara, Malcolm Green, Joe Glass, Monique Daniels, Hung Giang, Stan Pappas, Xinia Jamie, Ines Estrada, Andrew Tapia, Frank Magri, Richie Hanablet, Guy McGovern, and Joe Simon To get a sense of what it has meant to work on the project day in and day out, the NETA World staff interviewed a few of the Elemco technicians.

Glenn Dredger, Elemco, Technician

The creation of and adherence to voluntary national stanstandards created through a consensus body was born in New York, and it seems fitting that American National StanStandards continue to support the growth and prosperity of this country. NETA is proud to be an Accredited Standards Developer for the American National Standards Institute.

These standards, in the hands of qualified individuals such as NETA Accredited Companies and NETA Certified Test Technicians, are a powerful tool that goes a long way to ensure the highest level of safety and reliability.

To learn more about the World Trade Center ProgProgress, you can visit the website at http://www.panynj.gov/ wtcprogress/index.html.

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Glenn Dredger was chosen to be the foreman on the World Trade Center project for Elemco.

“One of the most interesting things is that there is one feeder that connects to the substations on the 4th and 93rd floors of Tower One. The feeder is an armored, jacketed cable supported once at the top of the riser and then it hangs free all the way to the basement. The bracket is built into the real.

When lowering the feeder down the shaft the last 10 feet has a flang-plate that mounts to the floor to support the cable. This design allows the cable to sway in the shaft along with the building up to 18 inches either way.”

AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE NEW WORLD TRADE CENTER

“When we energized the first feeder, there was a high level of confidence. With all the training and hard work preparing as a NETA Certified Technician, you feel really good after preformed all the testing on all the gear that is required acaccording to NETA Standards. We had complete confidence that everything would go smoothly when we threw the first switch. We’ve done it eight times now and tested every component acaccording to ANSI/NETA Standards. It’s been a pleasure and an honor. Very self satisfying!”

Richie Hamablet, Elemco Technician Richie Hamablet, one of 12 guys working for ElElemco on the new World Trade Center, reflects on the part he feels privileged to play.

“It has been amazing to bring it back to life. I am proud. Over the last three years on each 9/11 ananniversary there are the official ceremonies but we have our own before anyone else gets there. We were there the other day for this year’s 9/11 ananniversary, right in front of the reflecting pool. We had a moment of silence. Some of the guys know folks that were lost. My brother-in-law worked in the trade center. He wasn’t in the office that day, but he could have been easily taken out if the cards had been shuffled differently.”

“There are so many tourists. It’s great to see.

When you go to work, they stop and ask you questions and want their picture taken with you.

Crazy! But your chest fills up and just talking about working on it makes you feel good. Some people ask if we’re worried but you can’t think like that. We’re building America. You’ve got to make everyone proud. “ “They’re crazy on safety throughout the entire project. As a NETA guy we have to make sure our people are safe as well as the other workers. That means having to educate the other workers of the risk factors, where not to walk. We always have NETA guys as spotters. One guy watching the test equipment and the other monitoring where the other guys are, making sure the work site is clear, and that no one accidently walks into an unsafe zone.”

AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE NEW WORLD TRADE CENTER

We were there the other day for this year’s 9/11 anniversary, right in front of the reflecting pool.

We had a moment of silence.

Paul Castellaneta, Elemco Technician: Paul Castellaneta originally worked on the 9/11 memorial and now is happy to be working for Elemco, on the new World Trade Center towtowers. Paul is one in a team of technicians responresponsible for testing all of the incoming feeds and all the equipment to which they are attached. Paul says, “It’s quite remarkable, the amount of power needed to supply the site. There are eight differdifferent power substations coming from ConEd.” “One of the biggest challenges is really the vertivertical transportation, getting the men up and down the building. There are four different sites that we need to get men and equipment to. One day we might be on the 60th floor of Tower One and the next on the 4th floor of Tower Four. Right now concrete construction is only up to the 94th floor.

We are all looking forward to going to the top.

Friends and relatives ask me about the experience all the time. My son, who's eight, brought photos of the Trade Center to show everyone at school.

You really feel proud. There are guys that worked on the original buildings, and it is interesting to hear how it was then versus now. Personally, I am glad for the opportunity. Everyone wants to be a part of it. “

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TIMELINE OF THE NEW WORLD TRADE CENTER CONSTRUCTION: July 4, 2004 — The symbolic corner stone of One World Trade Center was laid in a ceremony, but construction work did not begin until 2006.

November 18, 2006 — The building’s foundation was poured laying 400 cubic yards of concrete.

December 19, 2006 — During a special ceremony held in Battery Park City, members of the public were invited to sign a 30-foot (9.1m) steel beam. This beam was the first to be welded into place forming the base.

December 2007 — One World Trade Center’s footings and foundations were nearly complete.

May 17, 2008 — The tower’s concrete core reached street level.

January 2010 — One World Trade Center base construction is complete.

Construction of the office floors and the first glass windows were installed.

An advanced cocoon scaffolding system was installed to protect workers from falling, marking the first time that such a safety system had been installed on a steel structure in the city.

December 16, 2010 — The tower’s construction reached the 52nd floor, marking the halfway point.

September 11, 2011 — The tower’s steel reached the 82nd floor while its concrete flooring reached the 72nd floor and class cladding reached the 56th floor.

To mark the 10th Anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the tower was specially illuminated, lit up in the colors of the American flag.

April 30, 2012 — One World Trade Center surpassed the Empire State Building’s roof height of 1250 feet.

September 14, 2012 — One World Trade Center’s steel officially topped out at the 105th floor. The final roof steel is installed along with the platform of the antenna.

November 2012 – March 2013 — The final construction of the tower’s 408-foot radio antenna is planned.

Source: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, World Trade Center Project Update.

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AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE NEW WORLD TRADE CENTER

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QUALITY ENERGY SOLUTIONS JOINS THE RANKS AS A NETA ACCREDITED COMPANY AMP Quality Energy Services was founded in 2009 with the intent of becoming an International ElectriElectrical Testing Association Accredited Company. We take great pride in our contributions to this industry.

Our vision at AMP is to further the Gospel of Christ while sustainsustaining exceptional employees providproviding quality services to the energy industry. We are grateful for the clients, vendors and team memmembers that have been with us this far and are looking forward to building on this accreditation.

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BY JOHN WHITE,

Sigma Six Solutions

Recent economic news has reminded us many times that small businesses are one of the keys for the successful recovery of the American global economy. While we are blessed with many large successful firms, small businesses are not only our hope for the future but also played a huge role historically. This role is enjoyed by the electrical engineering sector. Most businesses, regardless of size, had a start that consisted of a single or a small group of entrepreneurs who had a vision and sought to build their dream.

SUCCESS IN SMALL ENGINEERING BUSINESS

SUCCESS IN SMALL ENGINEERING BUSINESS Currently, many challenges are faced by a small business owner, given the conditions and maceramacerations of both the global and U.S. local economies.

Although it is not always clear as to this impact, there is reason to argue that the financial actions taken by our government is making it harder on small businesses rather than easier (financing and regulations). It appears that the future may hold both tax increases and more regulations, which impose more stress on our economy and the is-sues that business owners must endure. How-ever, starting and growing a business in the past has not been without numerous challenges, and these challenges will continue to be a part of the present and future.

My perspective on small business success is formed from decades of employment in a field engineering service niche, involving small to medium-sized business activity, in the electrical industry. You might wonder why I mention the global economy and the success of small special-ized engineering services in the same article. The point is that most employment growth comes from small business. And our big government politicians’ evaluation of this issue, while focused on results (such as unemployment numbers), is not dealing with many elements that help busi-nesses to succeed. Being in the engineering field, we can comprehend the difficulty of understand-ing a problem with many variables, especially those problems with more variables than math-ematical expressions to define them. However, solutions provided by the government must be simple in nature to attract consumer interest (think votes) and, therefore, often misses to pro-vide the most effective solutions.

Studies have shown that more than 50% of startups fail within the first five years and that roughly only one third are left after ten years. The good news though is that, even under the current eco-nomic and political environment, small business will continue to succeed, pardon the cliché, by taking care of business, by staring businesses for the right reasons, and by focusing on all the ele-ments in the business, not just the fun parts.

SUCCESS IN SMALL ENGINEERING BUSINESS

Let’s carry this discussion further by looking at some of the elements and challenges that small businesses have had to endure to succeed. By looking at past successes and failures, we gain the knowledge to develop strong and successful engineering businesses.

ENGINEERS AS ENTREPRENEURS We’ve read about successful entrepreneurs and how they tend to be great idea people. MoreMoreover, frequently you find that such inventive folks have enlisted help, such as business manmanagers, to make themselves successful with their business ventures. So where do engineers fall in this? Are some of them idea people? Or are some of them business wizards?

Webster’s Dictionary defines an entrepreneur as one who starts a business and assumes the risk for the sake of profit. Similarly, Wikipedia dedefines one as a person who owns or manages a business to make money through risk and iniinitiative. While these definitions may define an entrepreneur, they don’t outline what differentidifferentiates the successful ones from the others.

Do engineers inherently have or are they even schooled at being inventive, risk taking, and profit motivating? While these definitions point to what an entrepreneur is, they do not point to why one often starts a business. Many small business owners start their business because they came up with a good idea or a better way, and they have a passion for developing their idea.

This passion is crucial for success. To only posposses the profit motive is not enough to carry the business through upcoming trials and tribulatribulations that must be endured. It is the love of what one does that plays heavily in business developdevelopment and creates the profit mentioned in the definition. But regardless of the why, many small business entrepreneurs remain narrow in their business focus and allow that perspective to carry them too far into their future. Let’s follow a typitypical engineer entrepreneur through only a portion of the challenges being faced.

It is the love of what one does that plays heavily in business development and creates the profit through risk and initiative.

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SUCCESS IN SMALL ENGINEERING BUSINESS Y O U ’ V E S TA R T E D A BUSINESS, HOW DO YOU PRICE YOURSELF? I know what I was worth to my previous employemployer. How much should I mark that up? Should I just double that rate to cover overhead costs?

Should I triple it? Be careful, as it may not be easy to may dynamic change once you’ve estabestab lished a rate. At the very beginning, think about the market value for your service, not the cost of your service.

Va l u a b l e connections can often be made through networking.

This process can be extremely valuable for business success.

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When a start-up firm beings providing a service such as in the engineering field, the owner/manowner/manager aage ger er m must ust d decide on how much to charge for his/ his her service. It is easy to see how one might think he/she should start with a below-market price to get one’s foot in the door, help create volume in the business, and internally satisfy the selfconscience thoughts about not having the same skill level or service capability of hi/her seasoned competitors. With no customers you won’t have a business, so the acquisition of customers is exextremely high on the priority list. Hence, this is an opportunity to look well into the future and prevent the mistakes that can happen and to anaanalyze how a present decision can play out.

A customer who is secure through this self-conself-conscience pricing strategy can develop into pricing dilemma di d iillem mma ma down do the road. As the relationship dedo develops l over time, two things (among others) can occur. One is the need to offer a cheaper price that begins to disappear as the business posipositively develops in volume, skill, and reputation.

The ability to provide a valued service could grow much faster than was allowed for with the pricing strategy followed earlier. The second thing is that a now-loyal customer has become accustomed to receiving a particular level of serservice for the price paid. This sets a customer exexpectation of product versus price that gives the customer pause should the entrepreneur want to change the relationship between these two variables. But eventually, the entrepreneur must make that change. Accepting poor profits while taking risks is not what we inferred when reading the entrepreneur definition. A different perceppercep tion must be established to help this customer

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understand the pricing move. Perception can be formed through many avenues; one of them is certainly marketing.

SALES AND MARKETING To adequately cover sales and marketing is well beyond the scope of this article. But their importance warrants comments. Let’s just consider sales as having the objective of brining orders in the door. This is often an extremely foreign concept to engineers. The strategy, tactics, knowledge, skills, and planning involved in getting orders or securing contracts go way beyond what most engineers know. And marketing can be even more conceptually obscure. Sales success is easy to measure (purchase orders/contracts dollars), whereas marketing is quite difficult in many niches in which engineers find themselves.

These two business needs are normally ones that engineering entrepreneurs (especially in more traditional engineering disciplines) need to hire others to provide assistance.

When the time is right to add a sales or marketing position, it is easy for a business owner to consider one of his/her top performers (from a technical perspective) to move to a sales/marketing position. After all, the person is a top performer and the business needs new orders/ contracts, so let’s take one of our stars to run with sales.

If this works out well, it is often due to coincidence or luck. Or this may be because the offerings of the business are of such high quality and reputation that the salesperson becomes merely an order taker. In this case, it was a waste of a top performer. If this didn’t work out well, it may be that the top performer just didn’t have the right set of skills or perhaps the right personality and are not suited to being a top salesperson. Among other traits, salespeople need to be sociable. They must be good listeners to understand the customer’s needs and objectives.

However, they must also be good at starting and maintaining conversations, a characteristic extremely important in creating customer relationships. They can’t be fearful of cold calling (okay, most everyone is), and they have to know when

SUCCESS IN SMALL ENGINEERING BUSINESS

and the right manner of asking for the order. In an engineering business, it would be great if they were technically strong and had experience in the operations side of the business. Sounds a bit like Superman, doesn't it? So, the likelihood of any given business being able to find this person is slim.

The entrepreneur may have these traits and skills and may be the best person to bring in the cus­ tomers. But you can't be fully engaged in that activity and also expect to successfully manage the business. Something has to give, and you have to choose what to focus on to do the most good for your business. If the entrepreneur moves in and out of the various aspects of the business (sales, op­ erations, and finance), then those partic­ ular aspects of the business will go up and down based on the attention being given. This is typical of an approach that results in sporadic business success, inconsistent profits, poor man­ agement of risk, and lots of stress for the owner.

Valuable connections can often be made through networking. This process can be extremely valuable for business success. For electrical businesses, an excellent way to make connections is through the local IEEE Chapters. A wise entrepreneur will get involved and meet the professionals influential in the local community.

The involvement in IEEE, such as going through

other

the officer positions in the local Chapter,

vides a wealth of knowledge for

similar

firms

pro-

provides a worthy professional experience that

the younger business. In my experience, these

can bringvalue to the business. Other professional

technical professional organizations are a must

associations can also provide ways to meet

for the entrepreneur.

people and ultimately create a referral system. In addition, if the entrepreneur's specialty has a directly related association, this will form an excellent connection.

FINANCE This is an area in which most engineers need help. As engineers, we understand numbers very well. Of course, finance is all about numbers,

Some associations are set up to provide valu­

right? We can balance our checkbook as well as

able ser vices to the small business. For example,

the seasoned accountant, right? Perhaps the an­

engineering field service firms that specialize in

swers to those two questions are yes, but those

electrical field testing should consider joining

are the wrong questions.

the InterNational Electrical Testing Association (NETA). This organization can provide help in the form of marketing-related tools along with technical training, and networking with

SUCCESS IN SMALL ENGINEERING BUSINESS

Understanding your balance sheet is impor­ tant to realize the health of your business, but running your business from your balance sheet

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SUCCESS IN SMALL ENGINEERING BUSINESS is short sighted. To properly manage your opop erations, you must understand the income statement (profit and loss statement). You need an accurate and timely income statement to know how you are performing and to be able to make adjustments in your operations in an ongoing basis.

If you merely look at your checkbook (or the asset side of your balance sheet), you may get a comfortable feeling that money is accumulating.

But you know nothing about how much money you spent in gaining that cash nor do you know what future debt you have yet to cover with the same cash asset. This is where a financial propro fessional becomes invaluable. Most financial professionals create income statements on a monthly basis, and most use an accrual accountaccounting systems to run the business.

From the income statement, you can see how your operation is financially performing. Your statement should show the amount you earned (revenue) from work performed during the month. It should show the gross profit by subsub tracting, from that amount, the cost expended in creating the revenue [cost of revenue (COR) or more traditionally cost of goods sold]. The COR is frequently broken down into its major compocomponents so you can see how they might fluctuate month over month. Such a breakdown might include labor, materials, and other expenses inincurred as a result of the particular projects. Be sure that the projects used in creating the revrevenue for the month are the same projects used in creating the cost (COR) for that same month.

This is where accrual accounting becomes imimportant. If the projects used to create the costs don’t match with the projects used to create the revenue, you are not comparing apples to apples, and you cannot use this financial tool to help guide the business.

Finally, a simple income statement will state the overhead costs (those costs not spent in direct support of the customer project) and subtract them from gross profit to get what may be called profit from operations or operating profit. There are other important costs, such as the sale of asassets, earnings on investments, or even taxes, but

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these are not necessarily needed in the process of making operating decisions in a small and simple business. Again, these overhead costs should be appropriately matched to the month in which the expenditure occurred so that the monthly statement is accurate. Accrual accounting will properly match prepaid expenses to the pertinent month; for example, if you were to pay your rent in January for the entire year, the January income statement would only show one month of rent rather than the entire year paid.

The lesson learned here is to obtain a strong financial person. They can be invaluable in making day-to-day financial decisions that impact the health of he business and its success into the future. If you as an entrepreneur/owner are spending your time in the financial world, something in your business is not getting the attention it deserves.

YOUR PEOPLE ARE YOUR ASSETS In an engineering service business, people are your most important assets and are certainly a valuable asset with which to spend time. The owner whose style includes liking and being with people will have a much easier time being successful manager than the person who only thinks of people as a means of creating profit.

People are not heads; they are not bodies. They are the lifeblood of your business. They are the one who make your business successful. Particularly in a service business, people must be the most valued component. And unlike a piece of machinery, people have personalities. They have skills that you are not even likely aware of.

Each person is unique and must be managed as such. Policies and procedures are important to get consistency in behavior and performance; but to maximize the talents of people, they must be treated and managed as individuals. Finding and managing people is one of the largest challenges in running a business. And if people are not properly treated, nurtured, and developed, it could be a cause of failure of the business.

Compare recruiting and hiring to the football draft. You may be looking for the position player

SUCCESS IN SMALL ENGINEERING BUSINESS

to fill a need on the team, but you need to also

challenged and enjoying their career. But don't

look closely at the best player available and not

think managing people ends here.

be fearful of picking them up even when that's not the current hole that needs to be filled.

Today's world may have high unemployment, but strong technical engineering talent is not included in those folks sitting along the side­ lines. In addition to the skill you are looking for, look for attitude and self-motivation. Skills can be learned through education and training; at­ titude and self-motivation are much harder to achieve if they don't come with the candidate.

Imagine the difference between training a per­ son on a particular electrical theory versus train­ ing a person to develop a good attitude. While understanding psychology may be extremely helpful, we're generally more comfortable with engineering theory. So if they don't meet your bar from an attitude measurement, pass on them.

The strongest technical person in the world can do immeasurable damage to the business if they have a bad attitude.

People's needs vary and, as previously men­ tioned, need individual attention. The success in training, nurturing, and providing external mo­ tivational factors is dependent on the individual.

For example, all business owners desire to have loyal employees. What creates loyalty can be quite different from one person to another. The objective is the same with each person, and how you get there is often different.

SELLING YOUR BUSINESS While some business owners may choose to work until they are no longer physically able, there are certainly others who would like to dis­ pose of their business and retire or do something else. There are multiple choices for getting out of the business, but none that are always the right choice for everyone. Some may choose to keep the business in the family; others might choose to sell it. Even selling has several choices. The business could be sold to the employees. It could

Motivation is another human behavior that can

be sold to a strategic buyer or sold to a financial

be tricky. But it is easy to recognize the differ­

buyer such as a private equity group.

ence between a motivated person and one that is not. Don't believe that money solves this prob­ lem Much is written about the lack of compen­ sation (below market value) being a demoti­ vator while the addition of more money (beyond market value compensation)

In an eng ineering service business, people are your most important assets and are certainly a valuable asset with which to spend time.

is not a positive motivator. At best, more money may be a short-term motivator on performance, soon to be followed by retraction back to a performance level influenced

by

others

factors. Once you have stepped up with the extra money, while you may not fur­ ther motivate them, you can certainly demotivate them in the process of trying to get their compensation back to a suitable market value. This can get com­ plicated fast, so focus on hiring folks with great attitudes and who are self-motivated and keep them

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SUCCESS IN SMALL ENGINEERING BUSINESS

Entrepreneurs and business owners just need to combine the right business elements and characteristics along with their technical capability and success will f o l l o w.

If the objective is to sell to outsiders, it is imporimportant to start getting the business ready well in adadvance, such as two years. If the small business is typical of many, there are several things that can be done to make the business attractive to buybuyers. Some of these take a considerable amount of time. For example, if a finance system using the accrual system of accounting is accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) is not in place, this is one process that should be implemented. This should be done soon so as much financial history as possible is available to prospective buyers. Some buybuyeers rs wo would w ould like l to see five years of balance sheets and d iincome statements. Other reports that help a buyer to understand the value of the business include sales and marketing data as well as opop erations efficiency. Suffice it to say that more the data available from within the various business processes, the easier it will be for the entire staff during the selling process.

Selling to strategic buyers, who have some familfamiliarity with the seller’s niche market, may require less information to be developed during the due diligence process than selling to financial buyers who do not understand the industry. But, obviobviously, selling price is more important to the seller than the amount of time or work the selling propro cess takes.

Depending De D ependin ng on the size of the business and its complexity, l iit it may be wise to counsel with an investment banker. This is even more important when dealing with financial buyers. Finally, it is important to have a good merger and acquisiacquisition law firm as part of the seller’s team.

S U M M A RY I’ve always believed that businesses are either growing or shrinking. While you might have run across one that seems to be an anomaly to that statement, it is an exception. In the short run, even those constant size businesses have their

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ups and downs due to economic conditions. It is just easier to manage a firm for growth, and therefore be successful, than taking the other course. However, growth brings on new chalchal lenges, so the business owner must constantly be in a learning mode.

Earlier in this article, I mentioned the electrical testing organization known as NETA. Having been associated with NETA for almost 40 years, I have met and talked with many dozens of business owners in this particular niche of the electrical industry. And having watched their performance in the business world, I've come to realize that these firms tend to be more statistically successful than the typical start-up firm in America.

Why is this? It is because NETA helps them in those areas most desperately needed for success, such as quality of service, marketing, networking, and education.

In today’s world, engineering service firms have an advantage in the quest for success. The world is short of engineering people and the technical talents they possess. Entrepreneurs and business owners just need to combine the right business elements and characteristics along with their technical capability and success will follow.

John White currently holds the position of General Manager at Sigma Six Solutions, Inc and was formerly the President of Electro-Test, Inc. Through these two associations with NETA Accedited Companies, John has a combined member association with NETA of 37 years.

John has served as President of NETA and is currently on the Board of Directors holding positions as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee.

He holds a BSEE Degree from Washington State University, is a registered professional engineer, and is certified by NETA as a Senior Level IV Technician.

Reprinted with the permission of IEEE Industry Applications Magazine, July/August 2012

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ENERGIS PROUDLY JOINS THE RANKS AS A NETA ACCREDITED COMPANY Energis High Voltage Resources, Inc. is a singlesource energy service company specializing in high voltage electrical substation services includincluding testing and maintenance, commissioning, field modifications, equipment repair and rereplacement, and project management and engiengineering services for clients in the utility, nuclear, renewable energy, and industrial markets.

Energis is comprised of technically experienced individuals from within the electric industry and project management professionals. Their experiexperience and continual dedication to safety, quality, education, and development keeps Energis curcurrent and at the forefront of the energy industry.

Because the employees are the number one priorpriority, Energis has focused on a safety-conscious culculture. This culture is evident when you consider that the eighth full-time employee that Energis hired was a safety coordinator. Each employee goes through safety training on the first day of employment, is actively involved in preforming safety procedures on a daily basis, and participates in safety training throughout his or her career at Energis.

Dedication to quality has been a cornerstone of the company’s success. Energis has a strong cuscustomer focus, consistent processes and procedures, and a dedication to continual improvement. EnEnergis is now a NETA Accredited Company. This accreditation provides assurance to customers that

Energis is objective and proficient in the markets they serve, that its technicians have broad-based electrical and safety knowledge, and that the are continually trained to inspect, test, maintain, and calibrate various types of equipment.

To further dedication to quality management and standards, Energis is currently in the process of becoming ISO 9001 certified. Becoming ISO 9001 certified will put Energis in an elite group of only a few companies within the US with both certifications.

Green Bay, Wisconsin is the location Energis’s corporate office. Energis started in Green Bay with two employees and now employs 51 peopeople, the majority of whom are in the Green Bay office. Offices are also in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and in Albert Lea, Minnesota, with future sites in the plans.

In order to service current customers in thirteen states and Canada, Energis has a full fleet of vehivehicles and unique testing equipment that has grown every year Energis has been in business.

Their goals are to drive growth and create value, be a preferred provider to their customers, and continue to be an employer of choice to their employees.

NICHE MARKET TESTING

DATA CENTER MAINTENANCE

THE ELECTRICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEM THIS ARTIClE IS PART 2 OF A FOUR-PART SERIES ON DATA CENTER MAINTENANCE.

This article will focus on the key attributes of design activities and how they can affect data center reliability and its electrical maintenance program.

BY LYNN HAMRICK,

Shermco Industries

DATA CENTER RELIABILITY

•

Tier 3: composed of multiple active pow­

The Uptime Institute has provided a white paper

er distribution paths, but only one path

which presents expectations on data center per­

active, has redundant components, and is

formance'.

concurrently

This white paper presents a tiered­

regard to performance. For electrical power infra­ structure, the basic classifications are as follows: •

•

providing

Tier 4: composed of multiple active power distribution

paths,

Tier 1: composed of a single path for power

ponents,

distribution, without redundant components,

99.995% availability.

providing 99.671 % availability.

•

maintainable,

99.982% availability.

classification sy stem that grades data centers with

has

redundant

com­

and is fault tolerant, providing

Table 1 below provides supporting information on tier classification:

Tier 2: composed of a single path for power distribution, with redundant components, providing 99.741 % availability.

Tier Requirement

Tier 1

Tier II

Tier '"

Tier IV

Source

System

System

System

System + System

N

N+l

N ... l

Minimum of N ... l

Distribution Paths

1

1

I normal and 1 alternate

2 sim ultaneously active

Compartmentalization

No

No

Yes

Yes

Concurrently MaintaInable

No

No

Yes

Yes

Fault Tolerance

No

No

No

Yes

System Componant Redundancy

(single event)

Table 1: Tier Requirements Summary'

68

•

WINTER 2012

DATA CENTER MAINTEN ANCE - PART 2 - THE ELECTRIC AL INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEM

NICHE MARKET TESTING

Figure 1: Data Center Tier Classification

Figure 1 above, from www.colocationamerica.com, provides additional information Typically, data center managers migrate toward either Tier 3 or Tier 4 availability; therefore, they are constantly looking at ways to create redundancy in their infrastructure. This is especially true of data centers that are required to operate all day, every day. Without redundancy, data centers would have to shut down the systems to perform routine maintenance.

D ATA C E N T E R D E S I G N F O R MAINTENANCE Data centers fall into two major categories corporate data processing centers and commercial internet-based data centers. Corporate data centers are owned and operated by corporations, institutions, or government agencies. Their prime purpose includes supporting data processing and Web-oriented services for their own organizations, business partners and customers.

Data center equipment, applications, support, and maintenance are typically provided by internal information technology (IT) and maintenance departments. Based on internal staff skill sets, some specialized maintenance is outsourced to a group of specialized contractors or original equipment manufacturers.

Commercial data centers are primarily owned and operated by communication companies, unregulated competitive service providers, or other types of commercial operators. Each of these operators offer similar goals—to provide outsourced information technology (IT) services accessed through internet connectivity. Commercial data centers typically implement greater levels of redundancy and diversity of electrical infrastructure. This is due to their business plans revolving around economies of scale (i.e., more services sold per square foot of real estate). This often leads to unique issues not always found in the corporate data center environment. As with corporate data centers, data center equipment, applications, support, and maintenance are provided by internal IT and maintenance departments. However, commercial data centers typically outsource more of their maintenance to specialized contractors or original equipment manufacturers.

The one thing that both types of data centers have in common is that they are expected to operate without downtime. One of the ways they achieve their availability objectives is to design redundancy into the data center infrastructure. As the demand to be operational increases, often it is necessary to duplicate components that make up the data center infrastructure, either to allow

DATA CENTER MAINTENANCE – PART 2 – THE ELECTRICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEM

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NICHE MARKET TESTING for planned maintenance or to protect availability from unplanned failures. At the upper end of availability requirements, multiple power sources are funneled into a single data center to provide assurance that there will always be power available to run the facility. With regard to electrical infrastructure, these sources typically include the local utility, uninterruptible power source (UPS) systems, and generation systems. In addition to multiple power sources, distribution of electrical power throughout a data center facility is accomplished with a large array of electrical distribution components. For example, transformers, switchgear, service-entrance panels, breakers, distribution panels, UPSs, emergency backup generators, automatic transfer switches, batteries, control panels, etc.

The specific maintenance that a data center requires depends in part on its design, required availability level, and budget. Most data centers are considered mission-critical facilities and any downtime, planned or unplanned, has an impact on the business objectives of the data center.

Therefore, data center design should accommodate subsequent maintenance during operation with minimal downtime required. Below are a few examples of the implementation of a design philosophy that account for future maintenance needs: t Uninterruptible Power Supplies. Most UPS systems are designed to provide primary power to downstream equipment with immediate switching to a battery system upon loss of primary power. Typically, manufacturers do not provide a maintenance bypass switch within their system that would allow for bypassing the UPS system entirely to accommodate UPS maintenance and testing. UPS manufacturers do provide a bypass capability for the UPS battery systems. The UPS batteries must also be checked periodically, including occasional load testing. To accommodate load testing, a capability for either a permanent or a temporary load bank should be included in the design of the system. Failed

70ÊÊÊUÊÊ7 / , 2012

or discharged batteries mean the UPS will not be able to supply the temporary backup power needed in the event of a power sag or outage. Even though UPSs are not designed to keep a facility running during a long-term outage, they do provide the carryover capability that accommodates a seamless transfer to an alternate power source like a backup generator. t Backup Generators. Backup generators should be checked and tested periodically to ensure that they will function as designed and when required. As with the UPS batteries, this testing should include occasional load testing. To accommodate load testing, a capability for either a permanent or a temporary load bank should be included in the design of the system. Further, maintenance is not limited to just the engine and other mechanical and electrical components. Fuel and coolant must also be considered. Diesel fuel and coolant will degrade over time; therefore, periodic checks on the fuel and coolant quality should be provided. t Infrared (IR) Surveys. One of the most effective predictive maintenance tools available is an IR survey of the electrical infrastructure. These surveys can reveal areas of high resistance, identifying potential failures within the system. The survey must be performed while the system is operating and a direct line-of-sight is required for optimal test performance. This means that doors must be opened or covers removed to perform the survey, which can introduce a safety issue. To eliminate this safety issue, IR windows can be installed to accommodate the survey. Not only will this resolve the safety issue, it will also minimize the labor costs associated with the survey. t Transformer Oil Sampling. Another available and effective predictive maintenance tool is analysis of oil quality and dissolved gas for oil-filled transformers in accordance with

DATA CENTER MAINTENANCE – PART 2 – THE ELECTRICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEM

NICHE MARKET TESTING One unique issue for data center grounding and bonding is the creation of electrical continuity throughout racks and cabinets as well as the power infrastructure.

ANSI/IEEE C57.106. These analyses can be very useful in evaluating transformer health while the transformer is operating. The problem with acquiring the oil sample for these analyses is that the sample ports are typically located within the termination compartment of the transformer. As with the IR surveys, this means that doors must opened or covers removed to acquire the sample which can introduce a safety issue. To eliminate this safety issue, the sample ports and transformer gages can be extended to a compartment located on the side of the termination compartment.

Again, not only will this resolve the safety issue, it will also minimize the labor costs associated with performing the survey. t Accurate Documentation. Accurate and concise drawings and equipment documentation are key components to an effective maintenance program. This reduces the potential for human error while performing maintenance. Correct labeling of cables, circuit breakers, and other electrical infrastructure components can also enhance responses to unplanned disturbances. It is recommended that documentation be reviewed and upgraded at least every five years or whenever a significant change is made to the system.

D ATA C E N T E R G R O U N D I N G AND BONDING Grounding and bonding is so important to reliable data center operations that it is worth more discussion. One unique issue for data center grounding and bonding is the creation of electrical continuity throughout racks and cabinets as well as the power infrastructure. Because most racks and cabinets are made of painted components that are bolted together, there is no guarantee that electrical continuity exists from one rack

component to the next even if they are bolted together. In the data center, rack and cabinet bonding is important for safety, electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, and the correct grounding of switches, servers, and power strips. If specially designed paint-piercing hardware is not used for connection, something as simple as failing to scrape paint between sections of racks can result in a bonding issue that can affect system reliability. Typical issues with grounding systems in data centers are as follows: 1. Using the wrong type of grounding connectors. For example, connectors that use set screws to fasten grounding conductors can loosen over time, degrading the electrical bond. Copper compression lugs that do not loosen over time should be used.

2. Applying hardware (i.e., such as screws and washers, etc.) that are not designed to make an electrical bond, resulting in ungrounded equipment. Hardware, such as thread-forming screws and paint-piercing washers, and studs that cut through the durable finishes that coat data center racks and cabinets, should be used to create a metal-to-metal connection (bond).

3. Failing to create an electrical bond between the structural components of equipment racks and cabinets. Components, such as hardware and jumper cables that are tested for their ability to create electrical bonds and carry current, should be used.

Each component and connection in the system is critical to creating a low-impedance grounding path. Therefore, where possible, all grounding connectors within a data center should be listed to UL 467, Grounding and Bonding Equipment.

DATA CENTER MAINTENANCE – PART 2 – THE ELECTRICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEM

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NICHE MARKET TESTING Recommendations associated with a data center’s network-related, grounding systems is provided in TIA/EIA-942, Telecommunications Infrastructure Standard for Data Centers. The recommendations provided in this standard go well beyond the requirements of the National Electrical Code (NEC) to protect equipment and improve system reliability. The NEC Article 250 and ANSI-JSTD-607-A are also good resources for grounding system design requirements.

To ensure appropriate grounding requirements are being met, the ground resistance, along with the cumulative resistance of the grounding conductors and the connections, should be measured by testing. Ideally, it would be nice to have a resistance of zero ohms, but that is not achievable. In general, the lower the ground resistance, the safer and more reliable the system is considered to be. Values of a fraction of an ohm can be achieved with appropriate diligence applied to the design. Ground resistance measurement and testing is typically performed by qualified personnel using specialty test equipment designed for this type of testing. Use of a basic ohmmeter is not recommended due to the very low resistance values to be measured. For determining the ground resistance at the source of the ground connection (i.e., a ground rod or ground grid), it is recommended that a three-point fall-of-potential test be performed in accordance with IEEE Standard 81, IEEE Recommended Guide for Measuring Ground Resistance and Potential Gradients in the Earth.

Note that while grounding electrodes can vary from a single rod to a grid or array that is several hundred feet across, the fundamentals of testing are the same. A ground resistance of less than one ohm is a typical requirement for a data center.

Once this ground reference is established, ground

72

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system bonding can be verified by performing continuity testing to all racks, components, and grounding systems within the data center. Any continuity resistance measurement exceeding 0.5 ohm should be investigated and corrected.

S U M M A RY Data center managers are constantly looking at ways to improve system reliability. In many cases, this results in creating redundancy in their infrastructure. This is especially true of data centers that are required to operate all day, every day.

Without redundancy, data centers would have to shut down the systems to perform routine maintenance. In addition to system redundancies, there are other design attributes that can be included within a data center which will affect the cost-effectiveness of the electrical maintenance program for a data center. Many of these attributes can also reduce the potential for human error associated with performing the maintenance.

The grounding system for the facility can have a significant impact on the reliable operation of the facility. Therefore, quality design should be emphasized and appropriate testing should be provided to ensure the adequacy of the grounding system.

Lynn Hamrick brings over 25 years of working knowledge in design, permitting, construction, and startup of mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation and controls projects as well as experience in the operation and maintenance of facilities.

Lynn is a Professional Engineer, Certified Energy Manager and has a BS in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Tennessee. П Tier Classifications Define Site Infrastructure Performance, by W. Pitt Turner IV, PE, John H. Seader, PE, Vince Renaud, PE, and Kenneth G. Brill, Uptime Institute (2008).

DATA CENTER MAINTENANCE – PART 2 – THE ELECTRICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEM

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NETA. ACCREDITED COMPANT

THE ALLIANCE PROGRAM,

THE NEXT

BY JILL HOWELL

During the past six months, the NETA Affiliate Committee has been working on an expansion plan for the NETA Affiliate Program to greatly enhance the benefits offered to subscribers, inincreasing interaction and networking opportuniopportunities. One of the most visible parts of this evoluevolution is in the name of the program. The NETA Alliance Program replaces the NETA Affiliate Program, effective as of September 2012. All NETA Affiliate subscribers automatically became NETA Alliance Program subscribers who have access to all the additional benefits under the new program.

While this name change may seem subtle at first, the underlying rational directly aligns with the original intent of forming a section of the asassociation that supports individuals who are not directly involved with electrical testing, but who are still interested and impacted by those that are.

The relationship between NETA and the NETA Alliance Program participants is one of mutual respect and collaboration. It establishes a netnetwork of professionals who can share knowledge and experience and come together based on a common interest in putting safety and reliability first. These people are professionals who are comcommitted to furthering their education and personal development with the goal of ensuring that they are prepared to address the challenges of today and those in the future.

A recent survey of NETA Affiliate Program ParParticipants fueled the name change. One of the objectives was to gain a better understanding of what motivates participation in the program. ReResponses included many unique reasons for joinjoining, varying by business sector. Many people inindicated a keen interest in aligning with NETA and its commitment to setting the standard in electrical power testing safety and reliability.

From the results one thing is clear, NETA AlliAlliance Program subscribers value an alliance with NETA feeling it is important as they strive to achieve their professional and business goals. It allows them to stay current with the latest develdevelopments in the electrical power systems indusindustry, play a more engaged role in advancing the industry, and be a part of a greater community of industry leaders.

The goal of the NETA Alliance Program is to continue to grow its network, expand the benefits it provides industry professionals, and engage in participation with NETA and NETA members working to fulfill the association’s vision: …To assure that safety, quality, and system reliability are basic foundations of the electrical infrastructure.

NETA Alliance Program includes representarepresentatives from multiple Industry sectors: t &RVJQNFOU NBOVGBDUVSFT t &OHJOFFST t $POUSBDUPST t t *OTQFDUPST t 'BDJMJUZ NBOBHFST t 6UJMJUJFT t t &RVJQNFOU SFOUBM BOE SFTFMMFST t 1PXFS USBOTNJTTJPO BOE 1PXFS USBOTNJTTJPO BOE distribution supervisors t *OTVSBODF t If you were a NETA Affiliate Program subscriber, you are now a NETA Alliance Program sub sub-scriber. For information about subscribing to the NETA Alliance Program visit www.netaworld.org or contact Jill Howell at jhowell@netaworld.org.

N E TA A L L I A N C E P R O G R A M B E N E F I T S I N C L U D E : N E TA A L L I A N C E S U B S C R I P T I O N : $135 per person t 50% off of one NETA publication of your choice at the time of joining or renewal ($135 value). t 20% off of each NETA publication purchase. t "OOVBM TVCTDSJQUJPO UP /&5" 8PSME RVBSUFSMZ UFDIOJDBM KPVSOBM "OOVBM TVCTDSJQUJPO UP /&5" 8PSME RVBSUFSMZ UFDIOJDBM KPVSOBM WBMVF t "OOVBM TVCTDSJQUJPO UP UIF /&5" "MMJBODF /FXTMFUUFS – The opportunity to place press releases – The opportunity to announce new products t 20% Discounts on NETA's annual PowerTest Electrical Maintenance and Safety Conference. t 0QQPSUVOJUZ UP CF BO BDUJWF QBSUJDJQBOU JO EFWFMPQJOH "/4* TUBOEBSET t "DDFTT UP /&5" POMJOF UFDIOJDBM DPVSTFT t "DDFTT UP /&5" POMJOF UFDIOJDBM DPVSTFT t "DDFTT UP UIF /&5" UFDIOJDBM DPNNVOJUZ t "DDFTT UP /&5" "OOVBM .FNCFS "MMJBODF 1SPHSBN NFFUJOH (held the Sunday before PowerTest). t *OWJUBUJPO UP UIF /&5" .FNCFS "MMJBODF 1SPHSBN -VODIFPO *OWJUBUJPO UP UIF /&5" .FNCFS "MMJBODF 1SPHSBN -VODIFPO (held during PowerTest).

N E TA G O L D A L L I A N C E S U B S C R I P T I O N : $775 per person t Complimentary registration for the NETA annual PowerTest Electrical Maintenance and Safety Conference ($809 value). t Complimentary NETA publication ($275 value). t Discount on PowerTest seminars. t 20% off of each NETA publication purchase. t "OOVBM TVCTDSJQUJPO UP /&5" 8PSME RVBSUFSMZ UFDIOJDBM KPVSOBM "OOVBM TVCTDSJQUJPO UP /&5" 8PSME RVBSUFSMZ UFDIOJDBM KPVSOBM WBMVF t "OOVBM TVCTDSJQUJPO UP UIF /&5" "MMJBODF /FXTMFUUFS "OOVBM TVCTDSJQUJPO UP UIF /&5" "MMJBODF /FXTMFUUFS (distributed to NETA Members and Alliance Program subscribers).

– The opportunity to place press releases in – The opportunity to announce new products t 0QQPSUVOJUZ UP CF BO BDUJWF QBSUJDJQBOU JO EFWFMPQJOH "/4* 4UBOEBSET t "DDFTT UP /&5"hT 0OMJOF 5FDIOJDBM t "DDFTT UP /&5"hT 0OMJOF 5FDIOJDBM $PVSTFT $PVSTFT t "DDFTT UP /&5"hT t "DDFTT UP /&5"hT 5FDIOJDBM $PNNVOJUZ t "DDFTT UP /&5"hT "OOVBM .FNCFS "MMJBODF 1SPHSBN NFFUJOH (held the Sunday before PowerTest). t *OWJUBUJPO UP UIF /&5" .FNCFS "MMJBODF 1SPHSBN -VODIFPO *OWJUBUJPO UP UIF /&5" .FNCFS "MMJBODF 1SPHSBN -VODIFPO (held during PowerTest).

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TESTING ROTATING MACHINERY

PARTIAL P D DISCHARGE TEST B Y V I C K I WA R R E N , Iris Power LP.

Partial discharges (PD) are small electrical sparks that occur when voids exist within or on the surface of high voltage insulation of stator windings in motors and generators.

Figure 1: PD Due to Thermal Deterioration

78

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Figure 2: PD at the Voltage Stresss Coatings

PARTIAL DISCHARGE TEST

TESTING ROTATING MACHINERY These PD pulses can occur because of the thermal deterioration [Figure 1], manufacturing/installation processes [Figure 2], winding contamination, or stator bar movement during operation. As the insulation degrades, the number and magnitude of PD pulses will increase. Although the magnitude of the PD pulses cannot be directly related to the remaining life of the winding, the doubling of PD pulse magnitudes approximately every six months indicates rapid deterioration is occurring. If the rate of PD pulse activity increases rapidly, or the PD levels are high compared to other similar machines, this is an indicator that visual inspections and/or other testing methods are needed to confirm the insulation condition [IEEE 1434-2000].

Furthermore, if the PD magnitudes by the same test method from several identical windings are compared, the windings exhibiting higher PD activity are generally closer to failure.

A discharge can only occur when the electric stress (V/mm) exceeds the electrical breakdown point for the gas based on Paschen’s law. Other issues besides gap length that can affect the electric stress in a void are diameter, internal gas and pressure, and the nature of the surface in the void. In general, the product of the gap separation and the gas pressure establishes the voltage necessary to lead to a discharge, i.e., breakdown voltage [IEEE 1434-2000].

T H E O RY Once a void is created within the bulk or on the surface of insulation, a potential difference will build across it. The magnitude of this voltage will depend upon the applied voltage, the capacitance of the insulation and the gas in the void. The voltage that develops across the void is modeled in Figure 3.

When the applied 50/60 Hz increases sinusoidally, the apparent electric stress across the void increases until it reaches 3 kV/mm or the equivalent breakdown voltage in the void.

Overvoltage is the state at which the voltage across a void exceeds the breakdown voltage required for the void size and gas. The larger the overvoltage the more intense the space charge

The dependence on the free electron for a partial discharge makes the occurrence of PD a statistical event and therefore not predictable.

Figure 3: Electrical Stress in a Void Between Coil and the Core

PARTIAL DISCHARGE TEST

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TESTING ROTATING MACHINERY

Figure 4: PD as a Function of Applied Voltage effects in the void. Although a void may be in an overvoltage state, breakdown will not occur until a free electron (due to cosmic or natural radiation) appears within the gap and starts an avalanche of the electrons. This avalanche is a flow of electrons across the gap which gives rise to a very fast rise-time (a few nanoseconds) current pulse, called a partial discharge.

The dependence on the free electron for a partial discharge makes the occurrence of PD a statistical event and therefore not predictable.

Once the breakdown occurs, the voltage across the gap collapses to a voltage level sufficient to sustain the discharge. Most instruments only detect the initial breakdown pulse [IEC 6003427]. No further detectable discharges will occur

Figure 5: Phase-to-Ground Discharges

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until the gap voltage has reversed in polarity and another overvoltage condition is established. Thus, (as shown in Figure 4) for each pulse position there will be a detectable PD occurring twice in an ac cycle. However, the occurrence, magnitude, and pattern in a void are a complex phenomenon depending on the size, shape, internal gas pressure, and nature of the void surface and will deviate from cycle to cycle due to past space charge trapping.

PD CHARACTERISTICS Machines that have not been properly impregnated or that have been operating for several years at high temperatures tend to develop voids within the groundwall insulation. If both sides of the void have similar insulation materials then the charge distribution will be equal during the positive and negative cycles. In theory, there will be two observable PD pulses in each ac cycle of equal magnitude and opposite polarity per void within the bulk of the insulation [Figure 6]. These pulses clump at the classic positions for phaseto-ground dependent pulses, that is, negative pulses at 45° and the positive pulses at 225° with reference to the 50/60 Hz phase-to-ground voltage [Figure 5].

Figure 6: PD Polarity Characteristics

PARTIAL DISCHARGE TEST

TESTING ROTATING MACHINERY

Figure 7: Phase-to-Phase Discharges A machine that is frequently load cycled or severely overheated develops voids near the copper conductors. A void bounded by the copper conductor and insulation exhibits a different phenomenon than one within the bulk of the insulation. Though the basic breakdown mechanisms are the same, because the electrodes are of dissimilar materials, polarity predominance occurs. The mobility of the positive ions on the insulation surface is much lower than the negative ions on the conductor surface. The result is a predominance of negative ions migrating through the gap to the positive insulation surface. In this case, there will usually be an observable predominance of negative PD pulses clumped at 45° during the positive ac cycle [Figure 4].

Loose coils, poor semiconductive coatings, and problems with the grading/semicon interface can all lead to surface discharge between the stator bar and the grounded core iron, called slot discharges. As with those near the copper conductors, these discharges occur between electrodes made of different materials. Here, the immobile positive charges on the insulation and mobile negative charges on the grounded metallic electrode lead to pulses occurring during the negative ac cycle. Because the metallic electrode is grounded, the observable PD pulses will be predominantly positive clumped at 225° [Figure 6].

PARTIAL DISCHARGE TEST

Contamination and/or phase-to-phase discharges in the end arm area, on ring buses, or motor leads, can lead to partial discharge activity in these areas. Unlike the previously described pulses that are phase-to-ground voltage dependependent, these pulses are based on phase-to-phase voltages. Though these pulses tend to be very erratic, it is sometimes possible to distinguish these pulses from others by observing their lolocation with reference to the phase-to-ground voltage. Typically, because of the phase-to-phase voltage dependency there is a 30° phase shift from the classic phase positions associated with pulses that are phase-to-ground voltage dedependent as shown in Figure 7. Phase-to-phase pulses tend to clump at 15°, 75°, 195°, and 255°, based on the location of the pulses and the phase rotation of the machine. Sometimes, it is possible to determine which two phases are involved, but often it is difficult to extract that information accurately from the quantity of pulses detected.

See the Next issue for information about how to detect PD and how to interpret PD results.

Ms. Vicki Warren, Senior Product Engineer, Iris Power LP. Ms. Warren is an Electrical Engineer with extensive experience in testing and maintenance of motor and generator windings. Prior to joining Iris in 1996, she worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 13 years. While with the Corps she was responsible for the testing and maintenance of hydrogenerator windings, switchgear, transformers, protection and control devices, development of SCADA software, and the installation of local area networks. At Iris, Ms. Warren has been involved in using partial discharge testing to evaluate the condition of insulation systems used in medium to high voltage rotating machines, switchgear and transformers.

Additionally, Ms. Warren has worked extensively in the development and design of new products used for condition monitoring of insulation systems, both periodical and continual. Ms. Warren also actively participated in the development of multiple IEEE standards and guides, and was Chair of the IEEE 43-2000 Working Group.

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AN INTRODUCTION TO

END-TO-END TEST G

BY

CHRIS WERSTIUK,

Manta Test Systems

Your first end-to-end test can seem to be a daunt­ ing task, but the actual test procedure is not very complicated and can be performed more quickly and effectively than traditional relay test tech­ niques; if everything works correctly. That last statement is the hard part because you are typi­ cally working with a team at a remote location which makes it difficult to determine whether the problem lies with the test plan, relay settings, test-set configuration, or operator error. This ar­ ticle will introduce you to end-to-end testing and answer many of the questions you might have.

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AN INTRODUCTION TO END-TO-END TESTING

FEATURE

Figure 1: Typical Impedance Relay’s Zone of Protection

1. WHY DO WE PERFORM ENDTO-END TESTING? Providing protection for a transmission line is difdifficult because the typical transmission line is fed from multiple sources and can carry loads that vary significantly. Traditional protection schemes use an impedance relay on either side of the transmistransmission line that constantly monitors voltage and curcurrent to calculate impedance in real time. If a fault occurred on the transmission line, the measured impedance would be less than the calculated line impedance and the relays would operate to isolate the fault from the system. Unfortunately, the relays cannot be set at the exact line impedance because the typical protection-class current transformer

has a 10 percent error factor and the calculations will make assumptions (conductor spacing, splices, conductor impedance, etc.) that could cause the rerelay protection to overreach and isolate the wrong transmission line, so most impedance relays are set at 75 to 90 percent of the transmission line impedimpedance as shown in Figure 1. A time-delayed backup impedance element is often set to reach beyond the transmission line to protect for faults in that last 75 to100 percent of the protected line so that all faults will be isolated from the system eventually. This elelement will also provide backup protection for the adjacent transmission line as shown in Figure 2.

Remember that the other relay is looking in the opop posite direction as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 2: Typical Relay’s Primary and Backup Zones of Protection

AN INTRODUCTION TO END-TO-END TESTING

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FEATURE

Figure 3: Typical Transmission Line Impedance Protection Including All Zones ofProtection

Every misoperation will cost the utility labor and lost revenue, so 75-90 percent p rotection is often not good enough, even though both sides overlap to provide a reasonably good protection scheme. Modern protection schemes ap ply a communication channel between the relays on either side of a transmission line that allows the relays to communicate with each other. The simplest scheme (not really, but easiest to understand) app lies differential protection principles. Each relay measures the current entering or leaving the transmission line and shares its local current with the remote relay bidirectionally. If the current in does not match the current out, both relays will trip. These relays often have a backup scheme using traditional impedance protection that is only active if the relays are unable to communicate.

The other communication schemes have many names (DUTT, PUTT, POTT, DCUB, etc.) and operating parameters, but they all perform the same basic function. Both relays monitor the real-time impedance and current direction. If both relays agree the fault is between them, both relays will trip as soon as possible depending on the communication medium and scheme.

While it is possible to test each of the individual components of a communication scheme separately, many problems can only be detected when the entire scheme is tested as a whole. It is possible to test one side at a time which can give

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the tester a reasonable sense that the scheme will operate successfully on proven relay settings, but many problems with communication-assisted protection occur when the fault changes direction or by incorrectly defined communication delays which are inherent in the system. These problems can only be detected by properly applied end­ to-end testing or a review of an incorrect relay operation after a fault.

End-to-end testing was considered daunting a decade ago, but advances in relay testing technology and personal computers have reduced the complexity to a couple of extra steps for a reasonably experienced relay tester.

2. WHAT IS END-TO-END TESTING? End-to-end testing uses two or more test-sets at multiple locations to simulate a fault at each terminal of a transmission line simultaneously to evaluate the entire protective relay scheme as a whole. This test technique previously required specialized knowledge and equipment to perform, but modern test-sets make it a relatively simple task. Figure 4 represents an overview of the equipment and personnel re quired for a typical end-to-end test using a simple transmission line with two ends or, as they are sometimes called, nodes. It is possible to have a system with three or more nodes which simply adds another location to the test plan.

AN INTRODUCTION TO END·TO·END TESTING

FEATURE

Figure 4: Typical End- To-End Test Overview

The following components are necessary perform a successful end-to-end test:

to

1. A relay test-set for each location with a minimum of:

•

three voltage channels

•

three current channels

•

•

•

•

at least one programmable out ut to simulate breaker status or other externa signals

f

at least one programmable input to detect trip or breaker status signals an internal GPS clock (Some test-sets allow for other time signal synchronizations such as IRIG) or an external GPS clock with output signal and an additional test-set start input waveform playback or fault state/state simulator with at least three states available.

2. Some test-sets require a computer to control the test-set playback or state functions.

3. A computer and software to download and

display event records obtained from the relay after each test.

4. At least one relay tester at each location with

some form of communication between the two locations such as telephone or over­ network communication. It is possible, but not recommended, for one person to perform all tests if the relay, relay test-sets, and communication systems have all been configured properly.

5. A setting file, waveform, or detailed description of the specific test scenarios.

AN INTRODUCTION TO END·TO·END TESTING

Most system disturbances develope within one millisecond of their initiation and modern protective relays must be able to detect faults within this time frame to be effective.

6. An understanding of the relay protection

scheme and what the expected result for each test should be.

7. The design engineer who created the settings

and test plans standing by if any problems are detected that need correction.

3. HOW DOE S IT WORK? Most system disturbances develop within one mil­ lisecond of their initiation and modern protective relays must be able to detect faults within this time frame to be effective. Practical experience has shown that two test-sets must start within 10 mi­ croseconds of each other to provide reliable results.

This causes a problem for multiple relay testers at multiple locations because it is nearly impossible for them to press start within 10 microseconds of each other. The remote relay testers could use the power system to synchronize their test-sets, but this method could add up to one millisecond or 22° error to the test which is not within the ten microsecond tolerance required for consistent results. The GPS system time allows synchroni­ zation within 1 microsecond which is within the

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FEATURE

Figure 5-1: Typical 3-Phase Comtrade Fault File for 1st breaker

Figure 5-2: Typical 3-Phase Comtrade Fault File for 2nd breaker NBYJNVN BMMPXBCMF UJNF EFMBZ " TVCTUBUJPO TVCTUBUJPO *3*( signal can also be used but synchronization errors can be as high as 10 microseconds.

everyone involved, as long as everything works corcorrectly. However, waveform files can be difficult to troubleshoot if problems occur.

Once two test-sets have synchronized time sources, both test-sets simultaneously apply fault simulasimulations that are calculated to be similar to the signals that would occur if a real fault occurred. If the testsets are properly synchronized, and the test plans are created and implemented correctly, and the rerelays are set correctly, and the correct auxiliary conconnections are made, and the communication scheme is working, then the test should be successful.

Fault simulations can also be supplied in a test-set proprietary format that can be loaded directly into the test-set or in a standard spreadsheet format (Figure 6) to be entered using the state simulation GFBUVSF JO UIF UFTU TFU 4UBUF TJNVMBUJPOT BSF FBTJFS FBTJFS to understand and troubleshoot but can be prone to conversion errors.

Fault simulations can be supplied as waveform files (Figure 5) such as IEEE C37-111 COMTRADE files. This is typically the simplest method for

It is also important to note that different test-set manufacturers and test-set models may be synchronized to the same time source and set to the same start time, but may not start outputting the test at the same moment. Different firmware revisions

Figure 6: Typical State Simulation Instructions for 1st Breaker (SOURCE BUS) and 2nd Breaker (LOAD BUS)

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AN INTRODUCTION TO END-TO-END TESTING

FEATURE

Figure 7: Typical End-to-End Test Scheme can also be problematic with some manufacturers.

Always consult with the relay test-set manufacturmanufacturers if two different models of test-sets will be used for end-to-end testing on one line to determine if a correction factor must be applied. Different modmodels from the same manufacturer can produce differdifferent starting times without notice, and the correccorrection factors should be verified at the same location, if possible, before performing any remote testing.

4 . O N W H AT S C H E M E S SHOULD I PERFORM END-TOEND TESTING? End-to-end testing should be performed whenever it would be beneficial to test an entire protection scheme in real time to make sure that all equipment will operate correctly when required. This test technique need not be limited to transmission lines and can be applied any time you wish to test coordination between different devices. For example, a number of test-sets can be connected to the protective relays for all feeders in a system. A fault simulation can be played into all relays simultaneously to ensure that complex blocking schemes work as intended.

5. WHEN SHOULD I PERFORM END-TO-END TESTING? All new installations with remote communication between relays should be tested via end-to-end testing. This test technique can also be a useful and effective maintenance test, particularly if end-toend testing is performed during commissioning that will provide expected results. There is no more effective way of proving the entire protection scheme than replaying the same number of tests into the protection system and observing the same results. Performed correctly, using this test technique for maintenance tests can be more efficient as well.

AN INTRODUCTION TO END-TO-END TESTING

6. HOW DO I PERFORM AN END-TO-END TEST? The relay testers at each end of the line should perform the following steps when performing an end-to-end test: 1. Obtain all of the test cases for all sides of the test procedure from the design engineer bebefore the scheduled test date. This step can be skipped for line differential relays if the test is to be performed by personnel who have a good understanding of the relay’s intended operation and test-set functions. It is possible to create test plans for impedance schemes, but they will be a poor substitute for real simulasimulation files and may be too simple to truly test the entire scheme. A typical end-to-end test procedure will have 8 to 15 tests that are on either side of each impedance zone as shown in Figure 7. The test cases should have a combinacombination of fault types and phases. (For example: Test Case #1 = 3 Phase Fault, #2 = A-N fault, #3 = A-B fault, etc.)

2. Review all sides of each test case on a split screen and make sure the test plans make sense and that you understand what is supposed to happen. Most test plan files have a description such as “Test1=50%fromBRK1=Zone1Trip.”

4PNF DPNNPO QSPCMFNT UP MPPL GPS CFUXFFO all ends of a single test case include: r "SF QSFGBVMU UJNFT DPOTJTUFOU r "SF QSFGBVMU WPMUBHFT OFBSMZ JEFOUJDBM r "SF QSFGBVMU DVSSFOU NBHOJUVEFT OFBSMZ JEFOUJDBM r "SF QSFGBVMU DVSSFOU BOHMFT BQBSU r 4BNF GBVMU UJNFT r 4BNF GBVMU UZQF r 4BNF GBVMUFE QIBTFT PO DVSSFOU BOE WPMUBHF

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FEATURE r "SF GBVMU DVSSFOU NBHOJUVEFT JO QIBTF GPS MJOF GBVMUT BOE BQBSU GPS FYUFSOBM GBVMUT r "OZ QPTUGBVMU FOBCMFE 3. After arriving on site, determine the test MPDBUJPO TFUVQ ZPVS UFTU TFU JOTUBMM ZPVS (14 antenna outside the building with good access UP UIF TLZ BOE BQQMZ (14 UJNF BT ZPVS UFTU set reference. (Or use other reference such as *3*( JG SFRVJSFE 4. Always remember that the relays under test communicate with each other, and your actions could cause an unintended trip on the other sides. Communicate with all ends under test. If all locations agree, isolate the circuit breaker and relay under test at all locations.

5. Connect the appropriate digital inputs and outputs between your test-set and protection scheme. I always recommend using the circuit breaker under test as part of the test, if possible, instead of simulating the breaker contacts. $POOFDU $POOFDU ZPVS ZPVS UFTU TFU UFTU TFU UP SFQMBDF DVSSFOU DVSSFOU potential transformer connections using the site’s three-line drawings.

7. Prepare a metering test and communicate with remote testers. If they agree, apply a meter test on all sides and verify correct results. Make sure that A-phase from your test-set is A-phase in the relay and repeat for B- and C-phase. A three-phase balanced meter test will NOT prove this.

8. Communicate with all remote sites and determine which test plan will be used for the test. (Test Case #1 for example) 9. Load the selected test case into all test-sets.

Every site should have a unique test to load.

10. Place all circuit breakers in the correct positions or ensure circuit breaker contacts are properly simulated by the test-set.

11. Communicate with all remote sites and select a start time. Apply the start time to the test-set.

12. The test should start automatically.

13. Review targets for correct operation and download all event records. Review the event records for correct operation or no operation, as required by the test procedure. Clear event

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records in the relay between tests to make sure you get the correct event files.

3FQFBU 4UFQT GPS BMM UFTU DBTFT As you can see, the key to any end-to-end test QSPDFEVSF JT DPSSFDU QSFQBSBUJPO 4UFQT BOE PG the test procedure are the hardest parts of any endto-end test. If the design engineer has correctly specified the tests and their outcomes, and you have carefully reviewed the test cases, the actual test procedure usually runs very smoothly with enough practice. When you review the test results in the field, these two principles will apply to most communication schemes: 1. Faults inside the zone of protection (current at the same angle on both ends) will be isolated more quickly by both relays than they would without the communication scheme.

2. Faults outside the zone of protection (currents at each end 180° apart) will be ignored or have significant time delays.

You can make the test procedure even more comcomfortable by practicing before the test date: 4FU 4FU VQ UXP UFTU TFUT PO PQQPTJUF FOET PG PG B table so that you are not able to see each other’s actions.

2. Connect A-phase voltage and current from both test sets into any phase of the relay.

3. Perform the end-to-end test procedure using the same test plan.

4. Review the event record waveform from the relay. The voltages and currents should be identical.

5. Repeat until you feel comfortable.

Chris Werstiuk is an Electrical Technologist, Journeyman Electrician, Professional Engineer and author of the upcoming book, “digital Relay testing: A Practical Guide from the Field.”

He is also the founder of “RelayTesting. net”, an online resource for testing technicians who need custom test leads, test sheets templates, step-by-step testing guides, or an online forum to exchange ideas and information.

AN INTRODUCTION TO END-TO-END TESTING

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NO-OUTAGE INSPECTION CORNER

OPTIMUM MEDIUM-VOLTAGE CABLE SYSTEM TESTING STRATEGY B Y D O N A . G E N U T I S , No-Outage Electrical Testing, Inc.

Medium-voltage cable systems typically consist of terminations, splices, and the cable itself. All of these items fail but typically fail by different mechanisms. Therefore, different testing techniques must be applied to spot the failure modes most common to a specific item. By employing a structured cable system testing strategy, condition can be determined so that repair and replacement can be optimized to prevent future failfailures and increase reliability. Focusing resources on problem items will also result in substantial direct mone-tary savings.

Most facilities today cannot endure an extended outage to test the condition of their mediumvoltage, underground, electrical cables. However, as the cables continue to age, the likelihood of failure increases. This leaves the owner with a difficult decision - run to failure or take a more proactive approach.

The majority of synthetic (XLPE and EPR) cable systems fail at terminations and splices; therefore, focus should be on determining the condition of these components first. A high percentage of these components fail due to partial discharge activity so the primary strategy for determining cable system condition is to test the components for the presence of PD activity. Fortunately, new advances in on-line PD testing technologies can accurately provide valuable information relating to the condition of these components; therefore, on-line PD

testing should be the first consideration in developing a cable testing program.

Although great advances have been made recently in on-line cable PD testing, limitations are still encountered, most often in the form of background noise. Many sources of background noise can be present including conducted noise from process loads, radiated noise from nearby electronic equipment or radio frequency transmissions, and actual PD or corona reflections coupled to the test object from other components. New sophisticated noise reduction solutions have been introduced, but there can be limitations in regard to determining actual PD location. In some cases just distinguishing PD can be difficult. In high noise conditions, filtering may be necessary which will allow for accurate determination of the component condition near the test point but will limit the distance down

OPTIMUM MEDIUM-VOLTAGE CABLE SYSTEM TESTING STRATEGY

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NO-OUTAGE INSPECTION CORNER

Figure 1: Off-Line Cable Mapping of PD the cable where PD can be seen if the filtering is too restrictive because of noise. It is therefore advisable to always test both ends of the cable in order to accurately determine termination condition.

However, a distant splice problem may be missed in high noise situations. So the results of the first step on-line cable PD survey may not be precisely conclusive but should rule out PD problems for 90 percent or so of the cables tested, and if noise lev-

els are low, the results may be even more accurate.

When questionable results are encountered, the remaining cables should then be tested using off-line PD cable mapping techniques.

Off-line cable mapping (see Figure 1) requires an outage; therefore, the majority of noise sources are eliminated. This method provides the opportunity to verify and locate potential problems discovered during on-line testing and can be a very valuable technique to detect and locate PD on long circuits with multiple splices where typical on-line noise floor levels would limit the chances of this being successful. By slowly increasing the cable test voltage using an external VLF power source, the onset or inception of PD can be readily recognized, and the voltage can be increased to levels above normal operating voltage so that future defects can be located in the cable itself. Without noise present, accurate PD waveforms can be recorded, and using time-of-arrival techniques as shown in Figure 2, precise location can be determined.

Figure 2: Locating PD by Time-of-Arrival Techniques

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NO-OUTAGE INSPECTION CORNER

By employing an organized testing approach to cable assets, valuable condition information can be obtained which can then be used to select optimum remediation activities that focus primarily on the cable system components that require attention.

Figure 3: Cable lVttter Treeing

No

Figure 4: Cable Testing Guide

By combining on-line and off-line PD tests, cable

resistance instead of the pure capacitance of an

PD problems can be accurately identified, located,

ideal insulator. It has been shown that off-line VLF

and quantified so that optimum remedial actions

tan-delta testing provides good correlation to the

can be planned to eliminate these trouble spots.

degree of cable water treeing present in the cable

PD is not the only failure mode plaguing cable systems. The cable itself often fails because of con­ ductive problems, and many of these occur because of water trees. Cable water treeing (see Figure 3)

system; therefore, it provides a good indicator of bulk cable condition. By targeting cable systems with poor tan-delta test results for replacement, reliability can be increased significantly.

is a complex phenomena that could itself occupy

The flow chart shown in Figure 4 provides a simple

volumes of articles, but in simple terms, water trees

guide for employing the best test methods avail­

create conductive paths through the bulk of the in­

able for managing cable system assets. The first

sulation. These areas appear electrically as a small

step, however, should always be to regularly (at

OPTIMUM MEDIUM-VOLTAGE CABLE SYSTEM TESTING STRATEGY

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NO-OUTAGE INSPECTION CORNER least annually) perform an on-line PD survey of the associated switchgear equipment where the statistically high risk terminations are housed. The nonintrusive on-line switchgear PD survey allows for a quick check of the overall switchgear condition. It encompasses all components within the switchgear including the cable terminations. This quick and efficient test can pick up a severe termination problem and should not be substituted for the cable test program described above. Nevertheless, it pays great dividends without a great deal of effort. Besides, who wants to go through the process of determining cable system integrity only to have a switchgear failure?

By employing an organized testing approach to cable assets, valuable condition information can be obtained which can then be used to select optimum remediation activities that focus primar-

ily on the cable system components that require attention. Utilizing this approach will result in a much lower failure incidence rate and a remarkable increase in reliability.

Don A. Genutis received his BSEE from Carnegie Mellon University. He was a NETA Certified Technician for 15 years and is a Certified Corona Technician.

Don’s technical training and education are complemented by twenty-five years of practical field and laboratory electrical testing experience. Don serves as President on No-Outage Electrical Testing, Inc., a member of the EA technology group.

WHAT HAPPENS AT MEETINGS...

BY KRISTEN WICKS

The NETA Board of Directors and membership met in Las Vegas, Nevada, on September 20-21, 2012, at New York-New York Hotel. The Board Meeting focused heavily on reviewing, revising, and updating many of the policies as well as concontinued strategic discussion.

The Membership Meeting had an excellent turnout, with a great discussion on how to handle issues with molded-case circuit breakers, round tables to workshop three different NETA programs, as well as a special presentation on the OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) given by Kyle Kirkpatrick of Shermco Industries.

Ron Widup, President of Shermco, introduced Kyle and this subject by giving a detailed acaccount of a near miss he had as a young technician as a result of an arcblast. This experience forever

changed Ron, and is a driving force behind his motivation to make Shermco as safe as possible for every employee.

Kyle went on to explain the VPP process and tell about the experiences that Shermco has had to date as they work toward gaining the highest level of recognition possible, a Star Site. Taken from the VPP website, “In VPP, management, labor, and OSHA work cooperatively and proactively to prevent fatalities, injuries, and illnesses through a system focused on-site hazhazard prevention and control; worksite analysis; training; and management commitment and worker involvement. To participate, employers must submit an application to OSHA and unundergo a rigorous onsite evaluation by a team of safety and health professionals.”

NETA is proud to have members like Shermco who demonstrate excellence in all aspects of their bbusiness. usiiness. To learn learn more more ab about out u the the OSHA OSHA VolunVolun Volun lu tary P Protection rotectiion P Program, rogram, vi visit isit OS OSHA’s HA’ A’s we website bsite at http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/vpp/index.html. h ttp://www.osha.gov/dcsp/vpp/index.h : /www. :/ w osh ossh ha.g .go gov//dc dcs csp sp//vp vpp pp//iiindeexx. tml.

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Indus usttry Le Lead ade er in Tri rip p Un Unit it Re Repa pair irss

Thyritronics has been providing quality and timely trip unit repair to the electrical industr industryy for over 30 years. We wish to thank all our fine customers for their loyalty and many referrals.

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SEE OUR WEBSITE for all our services: www.thyritronics.com Now repairing: Siemens SB Type TL Square D MICROLOGIC Series B trip units Merlin Gerin ST & STR Units Call for all RMS-9 rating Plug needs Eddie Tate – Owner s Damian Hobson – Lead Technician

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SAFETY CORNER

B Y PA U L C H A M B E R L A I N , American Electrical Testing Co.

Personnel inspections, assessments, evaluations, or audits all intend to accomplish the same task, an evaluation of work performance.

These observations can be perper formed within any level of a comcompany and should be inclusive of all departments and skill levels. To enensure impartial results, some compacompanies hire an outside entity to perform these inspections for them. In most cases, companies choose to have a member of the management team conduct the observation with certain standards and expectations in mind. For example, the frequency of the inspection and proof checking to be done by a third party or safety manager.

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PERFORMING RM MING PERSONN PERSONNEL NEL AUDITS AUDITTS

SAFTEY CORNER OSHA requires the employee be observed perper forming the lockout / tagout procedures annually.

OSHA specifically states under 29 Code of FedFed eral Regulations 1910.147 when this verification is required. It is slightly varied for each of the differdiffer ent industries that OSHA regulates. Two specific regulations that pertain directly to electrical testtest ing are 1910.147, applicable in commercial type installations, and 1910.269 specifically regulates

the operation and maintenance of electric power generation, control, transformation, transmission, and distribution lines and equipment.

1910.147 requires that employers observe that procedures are being correctly followed by the employee(s) performing the lockout / tagout. ReRefer to excerpts below: 1910.147(c)(6) Periodic inspection.

1910.147(c)(6)(i) The employer shall conduct a periodic inspection of the energy control procedure at least annually to ensure that the procedure and the requirements of this standard are being followed.

1910.147(c)(6)(i)(A) The periodic inspection shall be performed by an auauthorized employee other than the ones(s) utilizing the energy control procedure being inspected.

1910.147(c)(6)(i)(B) The periodic inspection shall be conducted to correct any deviations or inadequacies identified.

1910.147(c)(6)(i)(C) Where lockout is used for energy control, the periodic inspection shall include a review, between the inspector and each authorized employee, of that employee's responsibilities under the energy control procedure being inspected.

1910.147(c)(6)(i)(D) Where tagout is used for energy control, the periodic inspection shall include a review, between the inspector and each authorized and affected employee, of that employee's responsibilities under the energy control procedure being inspected, and the elements set forth in paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of this section.

OSHA requires the employee be obser ved performing the l o c k o u t / t a g o u t p r o c e d u r e s a n n u a l l y.

PERFORMING PE ERFORMIN NG PERS PERSONNEL SONNEL AUDITS

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SAFETY CORNER 1910.147(c)(6)(ii) The employer shall certify that the periodic inspections have been performed. The certification shall identify the machine or equipment on which the energy control procedure was being utilized, the date of the inspection, the employees included in the inspection, and the person performing the inspection.

We can see that the 1910.269 standard does not differ greatly from 1910.147 in its requirements by taking a look at the excerpt below.

1910.269(a)(2)(ii)(D) The proper use of the special precautionary techniques, personal protective equipment, insulating and shieldshield ing materials, and insulated tools for working on or near exposed energized parts of electric equipment.

Note: For the purposes of this section, a person must have this training in order to be considered a qualiquali fied person.

1910.269(a)(2)(iii) The employer shall determine, through regular susu pervision and through inspections conducted on at least an annual basis that each employee is complycomply ing with the safety-related work practices required by this section.

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OSHA states that it is a requirement for the company to inspect and certify that employees are properly performing lockout/tagout. IncorIncorporating this certification as part of a field assessassessment or observation meets the above standard.

There are other required observations that are dedependent upon the task and industry. Another example of a task that requires a documented obob servation is the operation of a fork truck. Please check www.osha.gov as a guide in determining what applies.

Personnel audits can be tailored for field service companies and can encompass such duties as proper use of protective and cautionary flagging and tagging. In some instances a client may have a different procedure for this, so it would be good policy to ensure that employees not only follow their company’s policy, but where applicable, follow the client’s policy. The default course of action in this type of scenario is to play it safe and follow the more stringent policy. The observer would need to know what the client requirements are prior to performing the observation.

The auditor should also be familiar with the procedure that they are observing. In some cases, he or she may even be considered an expert in the task. If this is the case, then perhaps the auditor can give direction and add to the employee’s knowledge of the task by observing and critiquing.

Being knowledgeable in the procedure can also help the auditor identify when a procedure is being performed incorrectly. We all develop bad habits, and in a lot of cases we are unaware of them. So if the auditor is knowledgeable of the correct procedure and notices the employee performing it in a different or incorrect manner, the auditor can correct the task prior to it causing an incident.

PERFORMING PERSONNEL AUDITS

SAFTEY CORNER An obvious benefit to conducting field inspections and observations is ensuring that the employees use the correct personal protective equipment otherwise known as PPE. The manager should inspect the PPE to ensure that it is worn at the appropriate time and location, and that the PPE is in serviceable condition.

Inspection of the general work environment is a benefit to the company and the manager. Even though a lead technician or foreman may be conducting a prejob briefing inspection daily, he can still miss something that needs correction.

Having someone who can lend a fresh set of eyes to the area can help identify potential problems or issues that could contribute to lost production or an injury.

During a personnel audit, the inspector should make it a point to ask the employees thought provoking questions for honest feedback.

Is there anything that the company could do to make the job easier, safer, or better?

Does the equipment assigned to the project work correctly?

Do you have the right tools for the job?

Can you see the need for any additional PPE or tools to perform this task?

The answers to these questions can sometimes be challenging or even ludicrous, but occasionally a question can shed light on a brilliant idea and possibly become the catalyst to revolutionize a task. If the employee gives a good answer, consider rewarding the employee for the contribution and give credit where due. Comment on the safe behaviors you observed. Discuss with the employee any consequences of unsafe acts and safer ways to do the job.

Conducting field observations ensures that employees are following company policies and procedures such as vehicle safety and driving policies. Basic safety such as wearing seatbelts, inspection of vehicles, and not using cell phones while driving are items that should be included on a checklist.

PERFORMING PERSONNEL AUDITS

If the company requires a lot of driving, or has federally regulated vehicles, it may be necessary to observe employees while operating the vehicle.

This can either be conducted as a ride-along with the employee or follow-along observation.

Consider creating a separate form just for these types of observations, since the rules-of-the-road are extensive, and regulations vary depending upon the state in which they operate and the type of vehicle they drive.

Face time with field personnel is beneficial on its own. Having the manager get out into the field will increase communication with employees and show support and commitment from the management team. This in turn will potentially make the job more productive. The best way a manager can ensure he makes the time available to perform personnel audits is to schedule it. The best way a company can ensure that it gets done is to mandate it and reward those that meet or exceed the requirement.

In summary, there are many obvious advantages to performing site inspections, assessments, evaluevaluations, and audits. They boost morale, prevent injuries, and can be used to satisfy regulatory rerequirements. Inspectors should be knowledgeable in the scope of work, make time to get out into the field, be able to match the face to the name and give praise when it is due while at the same time ensuring proper procedures are being followed and equipment is in good working order and being used correctly. Audit forms such as these can go a long way in improving a company’s safety culture.

Keep a record of these audits in a secure place for future reference.

Paul Chamberlain has been the Safety Manager for American Electrical TestTesting Company Inc. since 2009. He has been in the safety field for the past 12 years, working for various companies and in various industries. He received a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

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TECH TIPS

IN THE

MEASUREMENT

OF RESISTIVITY

B Y J E F F J O W E T T, Megger

Most field operators in the grounding industry are, of course, familiar with the muchpracticed Wenner Method for measuring soil resistivity. It is simple and fairly easy and fits a broad range of application so that it well may be the only method ever needed. There are others, however, some of which have been reviewed in prior columns. An examination in some detail can be useful, not only as a practiced method, but also for what is revealed about the complexities of soil and its measurement.

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VARIATIONS IN THE MEASUREMENT OF RESISTIVITY

TECH TIPS

For the theoretician or engineer doing pure research, homogeneous soil is the Rosetta stone.

The Wenner Method utilizes the four terminals of a ground test set in a regular pattern, with current probes on the outside establishing a uniform test current through the soil by which the potential probes on the inside enable the test set to measure voltage drop caused by soil resistance. The probes are equally spaced and measure to a depth equal to the horizontal spacing between any pair. This familiar arrangement seems intuitively satisfying. But other arrangements have been suggested and formulae devised for their use. In standard notation, C for current probe and P for potential, the Wenner configuration would be represented as CPPC. The table below shows other configurations and their formulae.

CPPC W W

ʌЕ с ϮʋaRЕ

CCPP W W

ʌЖ с ϲʋaRЖ

CPCP W W

ʌЗ с ϯʋaRЗ

R is the reading from the meter and a is the probe spacing.

Note, curiously, that interchanging the C and P electrodes does not alter the familiar Wenner formula, a surprising and counter-intuitive conclusion. Or is it? It has been asserted that if measurements were made utilizing all three formulae at the same site, by merely changing the probe placement, taking a reading, and plugging it into the appropriate formula for that

VARIATIONS IN THE MEASUREMENT OF RESISTIVITY

spacing, all three calculations would produce the same result…that is, in homogeneous soil.

For the theoretician or engineer doing pure research, homogeneous soil is the Rosetta stone, and references to it appear regularly in the literature. In the practical world, homogeneous soil is rare…less so at construction sites, where fill is often brought in from disparate sources.

However, for practical use, it was asserted that deductions could be made about the nature of nonhomogeneities from these calculations. The formulae were deduced in a similar manner as for the Wenner configuration, which was reviewed in a previous article, and it can be shown that: ϯʌЕ с ʌЖ н ϮʌЗ and RЕ = RЖ + RЗ for homogeneous soil.

From this fairly simple base, we can see how critical spacing of probes can be utilized in a variety of situations, for practical use as well as pure research. Indeed, additional ones may be forthcoming, perhaps from a present-day reader, as unusual situations afford the appropriate challenges. An example is the process known as electrical coringР. coring A hole is bored to an appropriate depth for study, and should be filled with mud or other liquid material. One current probe is left on the surface and the other three probes lowered into the bore hole (Figure 1). Because of comparative remoteness and the vastness of surface area in comparison to the strictures of the bore hole, the effect of the surface probe can be discounted. The potential difference between the two P elecelec-

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TECH TIPS p

Il�

b

b a

I(

�

1(-

a

1

�

A

I

��I

B

Figure 2: An Example of Unequal Probe Spacing resistance is also increased (simply more soil between the probes) and it has been argued that this may help make the measurement itself easier by providing more to work with; i.e., the tester doesn't have to work on the edge of its sensitivity. An example of unequal spacing is given in Figure 2, where the configuration of electrodes remains symmetrical about the center but the distance between the potential probes is large compared to the distance to the adjacent current probe.

Therefore, the potential at A will be:

(lp/2n) [l/(b -a) -l/(b + a)]

Figure 1: Electrical Coring: An Alternative Approach to the wenner Probe Configuration

By symmetry, the potential difference between A and B will be twice this. The measured

trodes can be considered as emanating from the current entering through the probe (point A) deep in the bore hole. If soil were homoge­ neous, the potential at M to current entering at A is Ip/2nr, and at N it is Ip/2nrz. The potential difference, then, between M and N is:

=

the

method

a can

provide

an

The above describes the effects of some departures from the standard Wenner probe configuration.

What about departures from probe spacing?

Some investigators have reported an advantage in unequal spacint. If the distance between potential electrodes is increased relative to the current probes, the value of the measured

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WINTER 2012

R = (p/2rr) [4a/(b2 -02)] = (p/2rra) {4/[(b/ajZ -1])

In the uniform spacing of the Wenner system,

exploratory tool in nonhomogeneous soils.

110

Measured resistance, then, is:

P = 2naR [(aZ - 1)/4]

VII, therefore:

P = (2nR)/(1/r, -l/rz)

Therefore,

v = (2Ip/2rr) [l/(b -a) -l/(b + a)] = (lp/2rr) [4a/(b2 - 02)]

Substituting a for bl a, then:

E = (lp/2n) (l/r, -l/rz)

Measured resistance R

potential, then, is:

=

3 and the equation then reduces to:

a= 4naR

In this instance, a is only half the value of that used in the Wenner formula. If that correction were made, this then reduces to the familiar p

=

2naR. It has been argued that unequal

spacing provides little added advantage to the measurement, so its evaluation is left to the individual experience of the field practitioner.

VARIATIONS IN THE MEASUREMENT OF RESISTIVITY

TECH TIPS In designing electrode systems, soil resistivity is a critical factor. It is often sufficient for practical purposes to assume soil homogeneity. In surveying, however, it is the nonhomogeneities that are being sought. Formulae based on homogeneity are used and produce a result that is termed “apparent resistivity.” These values will often vary depending on spacing and location, as has been discussed, and the experienced practitioner can learn to make deductions as to the nature of the subsoil.

Nonhomogeneities are typically found as layers, which can be loam, sand, gravel, clay, rocks, as well as various mixtures. The layers are typically regarded as parallel to the surface, but may also be inclined at an angle to the surface.

It is no surprise that water table will generally produce a significant change in resistivity, and so can be considered as another layer. Vertical faults can produce resistivity changes across the surface, with both the soil type and depth of layer varying on opposite sides of the fault.

Indeed, such changes are used effectively to locate the position of the fault. Complex mathematics have been derived for all of these cases, beginning with the two-layer model, proceeding through multilayer systems, and treating both inclined layers and vertical faults and can be found in the literature. If methods designed for interpreting results for parallel layers prove inconclusive, it is an indication that inclined layers or a vertical fault may be present. By extension, systems have been

worked out for discovering buried objects, lodes of ore, tunnels, and caves. These have met with varying success in practical application, with one study reaching the conclusion that it is difficult to locate a conducting body at a depth greater than the mean of its linear dimensions. Nonetheless, these investigations remain noteworthy and will be reviewed at a later time.

Jeffrey R. Jowett is a Senior Applications Engineer for Megger in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, serving the manufacturing lines of Biddle, Megger, and multi-Amp for electrical test and measurement instrumentation.

He holds a BS in Biology and Chemistry from Ursinus College. He was employed for 22 years with James G. Biddle Co. which became Biddle Instruments and is now Megger. П E. W. Carpenter, “Some Notes concerning the Wenner Configuration”, Geophysical Prospecting, 3. Р C. and M. Schlumberger and E. G. Leonardon, “A New Contribution to Subsurface Studies by Means of Electrical Measurements in Drill Holes”, Technical Publication No. 503, The American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers. С L. S. Palmer, “Examples of Geoelectric Surveys”, Proceedings I.E.E., Vol. 106, Part A. Т Source of information: “Earth Resistances” by G. F. Tagg, George Newnes Ltd, London

Nonhomogeneities are typically found as layers, which can be loam, sand, g r a v e l , c l a y, r o c k s , as well as various mixtures.

VARIATIONS IN THE MEASUREMENT OF RESISTIVITY

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AND FRIENDS AT IEEE PCIC 2012 Shermco and NETA cohosted a suite at IEEE PCIC 2012 on Tuesday, September 25, 2012, in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Marriott New Orleans. The theme for the suite was the “Magic in the Bayou; Taking the Mystery out of Electrical Testing.” The entertainment featured a magician, a Tarot card reader, and an alligator wrestling, accompanied by food and drinks made in the spirit of the bayou. Each sponsor had a booth space and was able to interact with the attendees. Shermco and NETA gave away two iPads, a Kindle, a Nook e-reader, one PowerTest registration, and a hard copy of the NETA Standards. Items were given away every half hour in conjunction with other items donated

by Shermco.

Attendees asked various questions and inquired about the ANSI/NETA Standards and handbooks, PowerTest 2013, and training opportunities available through NETA. Many

Shermco and NETA hospitality suite at IEEE PCIC.

BY SARA DILLON

attendees were interested in the services offered by NETA Accredited Companies. Comments from attendees were positive about NETA’s presence at PCIC. The impression was that NETA is relevant to this audience and a welcome addition to the hospitality suites.

Shermco and NETA look forward to having another hopping suite at PCIC 2013 in Chicago, Illinois.

SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS ACTIVITY

CSA UPDATES B Y K E R RY H E I D , Magna Electric Corporation

C S A Z 4 6 3 I N P U B L I C R E V I E W S TA G E

M A I N T E N A N C E S T R AT E G I E S

Canada’s latest standard is now in for public review. CSA Z463 Guideline for Maintenance of Electrical Systems was officially released by CSA for public review on September 7, 2012. The public review period to review the comments and finalize the technical content is for 60 days after which the technical committee will convene on November 20 and 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta.

A common area where facility managers struggle is in trying to determine the type of maintenance strategy that best suits their operation. In some cases a combination of strategies must be deployed. CSA Z463 covers the various options regarding maintenance strategies and the advantages and disadvantages of each. This section lays the ground work for establishing the best program to meet individual budget, environment, and operating conditions. Z463 defines each strategy as follows:

This important guideline is the main document to be used in Canadian industry. Through the creation of the CSA Z462 Standard for Workplace Electrical Safety, Safety, it was realized that a national standard did not exist for electrical maintenance in Canada. A technical committee of over 40 members has spent the past 18 months working diligently to put the standard together.

The maintenance document is an important final chapter in the CSA group of standards for electrical safety. Canadian standards already cover important aspects of electrical safety including equipment manufacturing, installation practices, and workplace safety requirements. The final and missing piece is the documentation on maintaining these systems which is now provided through the Z463 document.

CSA Z463 covers a number of important areas to consider when building an effective electrical maintenance program.

The main contents in the body of the document are as follows:

M A I N T E N A N C E A S PA R T O F A QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM This clause in the document deals with the important asaspects of developing an overall management system for electrical maintenance. Information regarding personnel, standards, and overall philosophy are covered in this secsection. The section also brings forward the important conconsiderations of worker safety, reliability, and serviceability of installed equipment.

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Reactive Maintenance is an approach where we run it until it breaks down. down. Workers should perform actions, efforts or preventive work to maintain the equipment in original condition.

Preventive Maintenance can be defined as actions performed on a time or machine run based schedule that detects, precludes, or mitigates degradation of a component or system with the aim of sustaining or extending its useful life through controlling degradation to an acceptable level.

Predictive Maintenance can be defined as measurements that detect the onset of a problem, thereby allowing small issues to be eliminated or controlled prior to any significant deterioration in the equipment's physical state.

Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) is a maintenance strategy that analyzes the probability of equipment failure and defines appropriate maintenance techniques to increase the reliability of the system.

Risk-Based Maintenance (RBM) is a process where risk can be quantified and then prioritized. The results of this risk-based focus can be used to establish capital and expense allocations to preventive, predictive, and reactive maintenance management decisions.

CSA UPDATES

SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS ACTIVITY

E L E C T R I C A L M A I N T E N A N C E A S PA R T OF WORKPLACE SAFETY

SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE

This section of Z463 brings forward the importance of electrical maintenance and how it directly pertains to worker safety. Many facilities consider electrical maintenance a key component in the reliability of their process; however, electrical maintenance on certain devices also plays a major role in the safety of personnel. For instance, failure of a protective relay can have a major impact on arc flash incident energy and in turn on worker safety. A buried power cable failure can have a major effect on production within a facility but typically won’t have the same direct effect on worker safety. The considerations for maintenance strategies regarding the equipment and systems that have a direct impact on workers safety are covered here.

There are many industries in Canada that have specialized requirements for electrical maintenance that are not necessarily covered in the previous sections of Z463 and are not included in any other Canadian standard. These industries include airfields, ports and marinas, railway infrastructure, and mining as well as specialized green energy applications. The unique maintenance requirements in these industries are captured here as a standardized placement for industry access.

GENERAL MAINTENANCE PRACTICES CSA Z463 brings forward all the general maintenance practices currently used in industry. This clause actually looks at each option for the various on-line tests that can be performed with the plant in full production as well as the many off-line techniques performed typically during a maintenance outage. The on line and off line techniques are explained in detail so the users can determine the best application for their situations.

ANNEXES Over a dozen annexes are included with the Z462 stanstandard. This informational material covers example programs and strategies as well as examples of many technical pieces used to illustrate the importance of an electrical maintemaintenance program.

CSA Z463 will be reviewed by the Technical Committee in preparation for its release midway through 2013.

EQUIPMENT SPECIFIC MAINTENANCE PRACTICES This section of the guideline somewhat follows the NETA Maintenance Testing Specification Table of Contents. Z463 gives an overview of all the major power system components and the recommended tests and inspections. This is meant to give the user an overview of the requirements and is a segway to the NETA standard which includes all the dedetailed inspection requirements as well as test procedures and test results.

CSA UPDATES

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JAN. 27 –28, 2013 | HILTON SAN DIEGO BAYFRONT | SAN DIEGO, CALIF. http://elpconference.com

NET Register with this promo code and save $300 off full conference registration: NETA Now in its fourth year, the Electric Light & Power Executive Conference keeps getting better. This upcoming conference will focus on helping you, the utility executive, improve your company’s flexibility, reliability, efficiency and image. Regulations, policies, technologies, and customer, shareholder and regulator expectations have changed. Let the industry experts who present at this year’s event help you put these issues in perspective and provide ideas on navigating the changing, challenging electric utility industry.

Featured Conference Sessions Include: SMART GRID SCORE CARD Has the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act smart grid money been spent wisely? A panel of experts will discuss project schedules and results.

WHA YOUR UTILITY’S INVENTORY OF FLEXIBILITY? WHAT’S Utilities no longer can simply respond to market dynamics, they must proactively manage through changes and uncertainty. An expert panel will discuss balancing technology, generation mix, energy efficiency and demand response.

Announcing the 2013 Opening Keynote Speaker SUNDAY, JAN. 27 Michael Reagan, eldest son of President Ronald Reagan, best-selling author What would Ronald Reagan do? How would President Reagan manage these challenging political times? Michael takes the audience on a journey into the mindset and values of America’s most admired modern president. Michael will bring you behind the scenes of the campaign trail and into the private residence of the White House. Policy is the centerpiece of the day, and bipartisanship the goal after business hours. Michael will give an insight into policy and how President Reagan believed that America must use all of its resources to become energy-independent.

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SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS ACTIVITY

ANSI/NETA STANDARDS UPDATES

If you have any questions about the ANSI/NETA Standards, including how to ensure that your equipment is tested in accordance with the ANSI/NETA Standards, please contact the NETA office at neta@netaworld.org or call 888-300-6382

A N S I / N E TA AT S - 2 0 1 3 The ANSI/NETA Standard for AcAcceptance Testing Specifications for ElecElectrical Power Equipment and Systems is scheduled to be published as a revised document in February 2013. These specifications cover the suggested field tests and inspections that are available to assess the suitability for initial enenergization of electrical power equipequip ment and systems. The purpose of these specifications is to assure that tested electrical equipment and systems are operational, are within applicable stanstandards and manufacturers’ tolerances, and are installed in accordance with design specifications. Work on this document began in the spring of 2011.

Once completed, this standard will carry the designation of ANSI/NETA ATS-2013. The first public review peperiod began on June 15, 2012 and closed on July 30, 2012. The initial ballot was issued on September 12, 2012, with a closing date of October 13, 2012.

A N S I / N E TA M T S - 2 0 1 1 NEW EDITION! On May 16, 2011, NETA received notification that the ANSI/NETA Standard for Maintenance Testing SpeciSpecifications for Electrical Power Equipment and Systems was approved as a revised American National Standard. This doc doc-ument contains specifications which cover the suggested field tests and ininspections that are available to assess the suitability for continued service and rereliability of electrical power distribution equipment and systems. The purpose of these specifications is to assure that tested electrical equipment and systems are operational and within applicable standards and manufacturers’ toleranc toleranc-es and that the equipment and systems are suitable for continued service. It is available in hard copy, PDF, and CD Rom formats. Order your copy today at www.netaworld.org.

A N S I / N E TA E T T- 2 0 1 0 The ANSI/NETA Standard for CertiCertification of Electrical Testing Technicians was approved as an American National Standard on January 8, 2010. The docdocument was originally approved as an ANSI standard in 2000. This standard establishes minimum requirements for qualifications, certification, training, and experience for the electrical testtesting technician. It also provides critecriteria for documenting qualifications for certification and details the minimum qualifications for an independent and impartial certifying body to certify electrical testing technicians.

PARTICIPATION Comments and suggestions on any of the standards are always welcome and should be directed to the NETA office at neta@netaworld.org or 888-300-6382. To learn more about the NETA standards review and revision process, to purchase these standards, or to get involved, please visit www.netaworld.org or call 888-300-6382.

SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS ACTIVITY

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NETA ACCREDITED COMPANIES Setting the Standard A&F Electrical Testing, Inc. 80 Lake Ave. South, Ste. 10 Nesconset, NY 11767 (631) 584-5625 Fax: (631) 584-5720 kchilton@afelectricaltesting.com www.afelectricaltesting.com Kevin Chilton

Absolute Testing Services 6829 Guhn Rd. Houston, TX 77040 (832) 467-4446 Fax: (713) 849-3885 rgamble@absolutetesting.com www.texasats.com Richard Gamble

American Electrical Testing Co., Inc. 1672 SE 80th Bella Vista Dr. The Villages, FL 32162 (727) 447-4503 Fax: (727) 447-4984 rhoffman@aetco.us www.99aetco.com Bob Hoffman

A&F Electrical Testing, Inc. 80 Broad St. 5th Floor New York, NY 10004 (631) 584-5625 Fax: (631) 584-5720 afelectricaltesting@afelectricaltesting.com www.afelectricaltesting.com Florence Chilton

Advanced Testing Systems 15 Trowbridge Dr. Bethel, CT 06801 (203) 743-2001 Fax: (203) 743-2325 pmaccarthy@advtest.com www.advtest.com Pat MacCarthy

AMP Quality Energy Services, LLC 4220 West Schrimsher SW Site W1 P.O. Box 526 Huntsville, AL 35804 (256) 513-8255 brian@ampqes.com www.ampqes.com Brian Rodgers

ABM Electrical Power Solutions 3602 East Southern Ave., Ste. 1 & 2 Phoenix, AZ 85040 (602) 796-6583 www.met-test.com Jeff Militello

American Electrical Testing Co., Inc. 480 Neponset St., Building 6 Canton, MA 02021-1970 (781) 821-0121 Fax: (781) 821-0771 sblizard@aetco.us www.99aetco.com Scott A. Blizard

ABM Electrical Power Solutions 6280 South Valley View Blvd., Ste. 618 Las Vegas, NV 89118 (702) 216-0982 Fax: (702) 216-0983 www.met-test.com Jeff Militello ABM Electrical Power Solutions 814 Greenbrier Circle, Ste. E Chesapeake, VA 23320 (757) 548-5690 Fax: (757) 548-5417 www.met-test.com Mark Anthony Gaughan, III ABM Electrical Power Solutions 3700 Commerce Dr. #901-903 Baltimore, MD 21227 (410) 247-3300 Fax: (410) 247-0900 www.met-test.com Bill Hartman ABM Electrical Power Solutions 710 Thomson Park Dr. Cranberry Township, PA 16066-6427 (724) 772-4638 Fax: (724) 772-6003 william.mckenzie@met.lincfs.com www.met-test.com William (Pete) McKenzie ABM Electrical Power Solutions 5805 G Departure Dr. Raleigh, NC 27616 (919) 877-1008 Fax: (919) 501-7492 www.met-test.com Mark Robinson ABM Electrical Power Solutions 4390 Parliament Place, Ste. Q Lanham, MD 20706 (301) 967-3500 Fax: (301) 735-8953 www.met-test.com Frank Ceci

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American Electrical Testing Co., Inc. 34 Clover Dr. South Windsor, CT 06074 (860) 648-1013 Fax: (781) 821-0771 jpoulin@aetco.us www.99aetco.com Gerald Poulin American Electrical Testing Co., Inc. 76 Cain Dr. Brentwood, NY 11717 (631) 617-5330 Fax: (631) 630-2292 mschacker@aetco.us www.99aetco.com Michael Schacker American Electrical Testing Co., Inc. 50 Intervale Rd., Ste. 1 Boonton, NJ 07005 (973) 316-1180 Fax: (781) 316-1181 trosato@aetco.us www.99aetco.com Anthony Rosato American Electrical Testing Co., Inc. 1811 Executive Dr., Ste. M Indianapolis, IN 46241 (317) 487-2111 Fax: (781) 821-0771 rramsey@99aetco.us www.99aetco.com Rick Ramsey American Electrical Testing Co., Inc. Green Hills Commerce Center 5925 Tilghman St., Ste. 200 Allentown, PA 18104 (215) 219-6800 jmunley@aetco.us www.99aetco.us Jonathan Munley

Apparatus Testing and Engineering 11300 Sanders Dr., Ste. 29 Rancho Cordova, CA 95742 (916) 853-6280 Fax: (916) 853-6258 jlawler@apparatustesting.com www.apparatustesting.com James Lawler Apparatus Testing and Engineering 7083 Commerce Circle, Ste. H Pleasanton, CA 94588 (925) 454-1363 Fax: (925) 454-1499 info@apparatustesting.com www.apparatustesting.com Harold ( Jerry) Carr Applied Engineering Concepts 1105 N. Allen Ave. Pasadena, CA 91104 (626) 398-3052 Fax: (626) 398-3053 michel.c@aec-us.com www.aec-us.com Michel Castonguay Burlington Electrical Testing Co., Inc. 300 Cedar Ave. Croydon, PA 19021-6051 (215) 826-9400 (221) Fax: (215) 826-0964 waltc@betest.com www.betest.com Walter P. Cleary C.E. Testing, Inc. 6148 Tim Crews Rd. Macclenny, FL 32063 (904) 653-1900 Fax: (904) 653-1911 cetesting@aol.com Mark Chapman CE Power Solutions, LLC 4500 W. Mitchell Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45232 (513) 563-6150 Fax: (513) 563-6120 info@cepowersol.com Rhonda Harris

CE Power Solutions of Wisconsin, LLC 3255 W. Highview Dr. Appleton, WI 54914 (920) 968-0281 Fax: (920) 968-0282 jimvh@cepowersol.com James Van Handel Dude Testing 145 Tower Dr., Ste. 9 Burr Ridge, IL 60527 (815) 293-3388 Fax: (815) 293-3386 scott.dude@dudetesting.com www.dudetesting.com Scott Dude DYMAX Holdings, Inc. 4751 Mustang Circle St. Paul, MN 55112 (763) 717-3150 Fax: (763) 784-5397 gphilipp@dymaxservice.com www.dymaxservice.com Gene Philipp High Voltage Service, Inc. 4751 Mustang Circle St. Paul, MN 55112 (763) 717-3103 Fax: (763) 784-5397 www.hvserviceinc.com Mike Mavetz DYMAX Service Inc. 23426 Industrial Park Ct. Farmington Hills, MI 48335-2854 (248) 477-6066 Fax: (248) 477-6069 www.dymaxservice.com Bruce Robinson DYMAX Service Inc. 4213 Kropf Ave. Canton, OH 44706 (330) 484-6801 Fax: (740) 333-1271 www.dymaxservice.com Gary Swank Eastern High Voltage 11A South Gold Dr. Robbinsville, NJ 08691-1606 (609) 890-8300 Fax: (609) 588-8090 joewilson@easternhighvoltage.com www.easternhighvoltage.com Joseph Wilson ELECT, P.C. 7400-G Siemens Rd., P.O. Box 2080 Wendell, NC 27591 (919) 365-9775 Fax: (919) 365-9789 btyndall@elect-pc.com www.elect-pc.com Barry W. Tyndall Electric Power Systems, Inc. 21 Millpark Ct. Maryland Heights, MO 63043-3536 (314) 890-9999 Fax: (314) 890-9998 www.eps-international.com

NETA ACCREDITED COMPANIES

NETA ACCREDITED COMPANIES Setting the Standard Electric Power Systems, Inc. 557 E. Juanita Ave., #4 Mesa, AZ 85204 (480) 633-1490 Fax: (480) 633-7092 www.eps-international.com

Electric Power Systems, Inc. 146 Space Park Dr. Nashville, TN 37211 (615) 834-0999 Fax: (615) 834-0129 www.eps-international.com

Electrical Reliability Services 1775 W. University Dr., Ste. 128 Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 966-4568 Fax: (480) 966-4569 www.electricalreliability.com

Electrical Reliability Services 14141 Airline Hwy., Ste. W Baton Rouge, LA 70817 (225) 755-0530 Fax: (225) 751-5055 www.electricalreliability.com

Electric Power Systems, Inc. 4436 Parkway Commerce Blvd.

Orlando, FL 32808 (407) 578-6424 Fax: 407-578-6408 www.eps-international.com

Electric Power Systems, Inc. 1090 Montour West Industrial Blvd.

Coraopolis, PA 15108 (412) 276-4559 www.eps-international.com

Electrical Reliability Services 1426 Sens Rd. Ste. 5 La Porte, TX 77571 (281) 241-2800 Fax: (281) 241-2801 www.electricalreliability.com

Electrical Reliability Services 121 Louisiana Hwy., 108 East Sulphur, LA 70665 (337) 583-2411 Fax: (337) 583-2410 www.electricalreliability.com

Electric Power Systems, Inc. 6753 E. 47th Avenue Dr., Unit D Denver, CO 80216 (720) 857-7273 Fax: 303-928-8020 www.eps-international.com

Electric Power Systems, Inc. 6141 Connecticut Ave. Kansas City, MO 64120 (816) 241-9990 Fax: (816) 241-9992 www.eps-international.com

Electric Power Systems, Inc. 23823 Andrew Rd. Plainfield, IL 60585 (815) 577-9515 Fax: (815) 577-9516 www.eps-international.com

Electric Power Systems, Inc. 2495 Boulevard of the Generals Norristown, PA 19403 (610) 630-0286 www.eps-international.com

Electric Power Systems, Inc. 2601 Center Rd., # 101 Hinckley, OH 44233 (330) 460-3706 Fax: (330) 460-3708 www.eps-international.com

EPS Technology 29 N. Plains Hwy., Ste. 12 Wallingford, CT 06492 (203) 649-0145 www.eps-technology.com

Electric Power Systems, Inc. 1129 East Hwy 30 Gonzalez, LA 70737 (225) 644-0150 Fax: (225) 644-6249 www.eps-international.com

Electrical & Electronic Controls 6149 Hunter Rd. Ooltewah, TN 37363 (423) 344-7666 (23) Fax: (423) 344-4494 eecontrols@comcast.net Michael Hughes

Electric Power Systems, Inc. 56 Bibber Pkwy #1 Brunswick, ME 04011 (207) 837-6527 www.eps-international.com Electric Power Systems, Inc. 4100 Greenbriar Dr., Ste. 160 Stafford, TX 77477 (713) 644-5400 www.eps-international.com Electric Power Systems, Inc. 11861 Longsdorf St. Riverview, MI 48193 (734) 282-3311 www.eps-international.com Electric Power Systems, Inc. 827 Union St. Salem, VA 24153 (540) 375-0084 Fax: (540) 375-0094 www.eps-international.com Electric Power Systems, Inc. 915 Holt Ave., Unit 9 Manchester, NH 03109 (603) 657-7371 Fax: 603-657-7370 www.eps-international.com

NETA ACCREDITED COMPANIES

Electrical Energy Experts, Inc. W129N10818, Washington Dr. Germantown, WI 53022 (262) 255-5222 Fax: (262) 242-2360 bill@electricalenergyexperts.com www.electricalenergyexperts.com William Styer Electrical Equipment Upgrading, Inc. 21 Telfair Place Savannah, GA 31415 (912) 232-7402 Fax: (912) 233-4355 kmiller@eeu-inc.com www.eeu-inc.com Kevin Miller

Electrical Reliability Services 4099 SE International Way, Ste. 201 Milwaukie, OR 97222-8853 (503) 653-6781 Fax: (503) 659-9733 www.electricalreliability.com Electrical Reliability Services 5810 Van Allen Way Carlsbad, CA 92008 (760) 804-2972 www.electricalreliability.com Electrical Reliability Services 8500 Washington Pl. NE, Ste. A-6 Albuquerque, NM 87113 (505) 822-0237 Fax: (505) 822-0217 www.electricalreliability.com Electrical Reliability Services 1380 Greg Street, Ste. 217 Sparks, NV 89431 (775) 746-8484 Fax: (775) 356-5488 www.electricalreliability.com Electrical Reliability Services 2275 Northwest Pkwy SE, Ste. 180 Marietta, GA 30067 (770) 541-6600 Fax: (770) 541-6501 www.electricalreliability.com Electrical Reliability Services 7100 Broadway, Ste. 7E Denver, CO 80221-2915 (303) 427-8809 Fax: (303) 427-4080 www.electricalreliability.com Electrical Reliability Services 348 N.W. Capital Dr. Lees Summit, MO 64086 (816) 525-7156 Fax: (816) 524-3274 www.electricalreliability.com

Electrical Maintenance & Testing Inc. 12342 Hancock St. Carmel, IN 46032 (317) 853-6795 Fax: (317) 853-6799 www.emtesting.com Brian K. Borst

Electrical Reliability Services 6900 Koll Center Parkway, Ste. 415 Pleasanton, CA 94566 (925) 485-3400 Fax: (925) 485-3436 www.electricalreliability.com

Electrical Reliability Services 1057 Doniphan Park Circle, Ste. A El Paso, TX 79922 (915) 587-9440 Fax: (915) 587-9010 www.electricalreliability.com

Electrical Reliability Services 10606 Bloomfield Ave. Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 (562) 236-9555 Fax: (562) 777-8914 www.electricalreliability.com

Electrical Reliability Services 11000 Metro Pkwy., Ste. 30 Ft. Myers, FL 33966 (239) 693-7100 Fax: (239) 693-7772 www.electricalreliability.com Electrical Reliability Services 2222 West Valley Hwy. N., Ste 160 Auburn, WA 98001 (253) 736-6010 Fax: (253) 736-6015 www.electricalreliability.com Electrical Reliability Services 3412 South 1400 West, Unit A West Valley City, UT 84119 (801) 975-6461 www.electricalreliability.com Electrical Reliability Services 6351 Hinson St., Ste. B Las Vegas, NV 89118 (702) 597-0020 Fax: (702) 597-0095 www.electricalreliability.com Electrical Reliability Services 610 Executive Campus Dr. Westerville, OH 43082 (877) 468-6384 Fax: (614) 410-8420 info@electricalreliability.com www.electricalreliability.com Electrical Testing, Inc. 2671 Cedartown Hwy. Rome, GA 30161 (706) 234-7623 Fax: (706) 236-9028 steve@electricaltestinginc.com www.electricaltestinginc.com Steve C. Dodd Sr. Electrical Testing Solutions 2909 Green Hill Ct. Oshkosh, WI 54904 (920) 420-2986 Fax: (920) 235-7131 tmachado@electricaltestingsolutions.com www.electricaltestingsolutions.com Tito Machado Elemco Services, Inc. 228 Merrick Rd. Lynbrook, NY 11563 (631) 589-6343 Fax: (631) 589-6670 courtney@elemco.com www.elemco.com Courtney O'Brien

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NETA ACCREDITED COMPANIES Setting the Standard Energis High Voltage Resources, Inc. 1361 Glory Rd. Green Bay, WI 54304 (920) 632-7929 Fax: (920) 632-7928 info@energisinc.com www.energisinc.com Mike Petzold Grubb Emgineering, Inc. 3128 Sidney Brooks San Antonio, Tx 78235 (210) 658-7250 Fax: (210) 658-9805 bobby@grubbengineering.com www.grubbengineering.com Robert D. Grubb Jr. Hampton Tedder Technical Services 4571 State St. Montclair, CA 91763 (909) 628-1256 x214 Fax: (909) 628-6375 matt.tedder@hamptontedder.com www.hamptontedder.com Matt Tedder Hampton Tedder Technical Services 4920 Alto Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89115 (702) 452-9200 Fax: (702) 453-5412 www.hamptontedder.com Roger Cates Hampton Tedder Technical Services 3747 West Roanoke Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85009 (480) 967-7765 Fax: (480) 967-7762 www.hamptontedder.com Harford Electrical Testing Co., Inc. 1108 Clayton Rd. Joppa, MD 21085 (410) 679-4477 Fax: (410) 679-0800 harfordtesting@aol.com Vincent Biondino High Energy Electrical Testing, Inc. 2119 Orien Rd. Toms River, NJ 08755-1366 (732) 286-4088 Fax: (732) 286-4086 hinrg@comcast.net www.highenergyelectric.com James P. Ratshin High Voltage Maintenance Corp.

24 Walpole Park South Dr. Walpole, MA 02081 (508) 668-9205 www.hvmcorp.com High Voltage Maintenance Corp.

941 Busse Rd. Elk Grove Village, Il 60007 (847) 228-9595 www.hvmcorp.com

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High Voltage Maintenance Corp.

7200 Industrial Park Blvd.

Mentor, OH 44060 (440) 951-2706 Fax: (440) 951-6798 www.hvmcorp.com High Voltage Maintenance Corp.

3000 S. Calhoun Rd. New Berlin, WI 53151 (262) 784-3660 Fax: (262) 784-5124 www.hvmcorp.com High Voltage Maintenance Corp.

8320 Brookville Rd. #E Indianapolis, IN 46239 (317) 322-2055 Fax: (317) 322-2056 www.hvmcorp.com High Voltage Maintenance Corp.

1250 Broadway, Ste. 2300 New York, NY 10001 (718) 239-0359 www.hvmcorp.com High Voltage Maintenance Corp.

355 Vista Park Dr. Pittsburgh, PA 15205-1206 (412) 747-0550 Fax: (412) 747-0554 www.hvmcorp.com High Voltage Maintenance Corp.

150 North Plains Industrial Rd. Wallingford, CT 06492 (203) 949-2650 Fax: (203) 949-2646 www.hvmcorp.com High Voltage Maintenance Corp.

9305 Gerwig Ln., Ste. B Columbia, MD 21046 (410) 309-5970 Fax: (410) 309-0220 www.hvmcorp.com High Voltage Maintenance Corp.

24371 Catherine Industrial Dr. Ste. 207 Novi, MI 48375 (248) 305-5596 Fax: (248) 305-5579 www.hvmcorp.com High Voltage Maintenance Corp.

5100 Energy Dr. Dayton, OH 45414 (937) 278-0811 Fax: (937) 278-7791 www.hvmcorp.com HMT, Inc. 6268 Route 31 Cicero, NY 13039 (315) 699-5563 Fax: (315) 699-5911 jpertgen@hmt-electric.com www.hmt-electric.com John Pertgen

Industrial Electric Testing, Inc. 11321 West Distribution Ave. Jacksonville, FL 32256 (904) 260-8378 Fax: (904) 260-0737 gbenzenberg@bellsouth.net www.industrialelectrictesting.com Gary Benzenberg Industrial Electric Testing, Inc. 201 NW 1st Ave. Hallandale, FL 33009-4029 (954) 456-7020 www.industrialelectrictesting.com Industrial Electronics Group P.O. Box 1870 850369 Highway 17 South Yulee, FL 32041 (904) 225-9529 Fax: (904) 225-0834 butch@industrialgroups.com www.industrialgroups.com Butch E. Teal Industrial Tests, Inc. 4021 Alvis Ct., Ste. 1 Rocklin, CA 95677 (916) 296-1200 Fax: (916) 632-0300 greg@indtests.com www.industrialtests.com Greg Poole Infra-Red Building and Power Service 152 Centre St. Holbrook, MA 02343-1011 (781) 767-0888 Fax: (781) 767-3462 tom.mcdonald@infraredbps.net www.infraredbps.com Thomas McDonald Sr. M&L Power Systems, Inc. 109 White Oak Ln., Ste. 82 Old Bridge, NJ 08857 (732) 679-1800 Fax: (732) 679-9326 dan@mlpower.com www.mlpower.com Darshan Arora Magna Electric Corporation 1033 Kearns Crescent, Box 995 Regina, SK S4P 3B2 Canada (306) 949-8131 Fax: (306) 522-9181 kheid@magnaelectric.com www.magnaelectric.com Kerry Heid Magna Electric Corporation 3430 25th St. NE Calgary, AB T1Y 6C1 Canada (403) 769-9300 Fax: (403)769-9369 ppetrie@magnaelectric.com www.magnaelectric.com Pat Petrie

Magna Electric Corporation 851-58th St. East Saskatoon, SK S7K 6X5 Canada (306) 955-8131 x 5 Fax: (306) 955-9181 www.magnaelectric.com Luis Wilson Magna Electric Corporation 1375 Church Ave. Winnipeg, MB R2X 2Y7 Canada (204) 925-4022 Fax: (204) 925-4021 cbrandt@magnaelectric.com www.magnaelectric.com Curtis Brandt Magna IV Engineering 4103 - 97th St., N.W. Edmonton, AB T6E 6E9 Canada (780) 462-3111 Fax: (780) 462-9799 jwentzell@magnaiv.com www.magnaiv.com Jereme Wentzell Magna IV Engineering Unit 10, 10672- 46 St. S.E. Calgary, AB T2C 1G1 Canada (403) 723-0575 Fax: (403) 723-0580 info.calgary@magnaiv.com Jereme Wentzell Magna IV Engineering 8219D Fraser Ave. Fort McMurray, AB T9H 0A2 Canada (780) 791-3122 Fax: (780) 791-3159 info.fmcmurray@magnaiv.com Jereme Wentzell Magna IV Engineering 96 Inverness Dr. East, Unit R Englewood, CO 80112 (303) 799-1273 Fax: (303) 790-4816 info.denver@magnaiv.com Jereme Wentzell Magna IV Engineering Oficina 1407 Torre Norte 481 Nueva Tajamar Las Condes, Region Metropolitana 7550099 Chile +(56) 9-9-517-4642 info.chile@magnaiv.com Jereme Wentzell

NETA ACCREDITED COMPANIES

NETA ACCREDITED COMPANIES Setting the Standard Magna IV Engineering 1040 Winnipeg St. Regina , SK S4R 8P8 Canada (306) 504-6501 Fax: (306) 729-4897 info.regina@magnaiv.com Jereme Wentzell

Phasor Engineering Sabaneta Industrial Park #216 Mercedita, PR 715 Puerto Rico (787) 844-9366 Fax: (787) 841-6385 rcastro@phasorinc.com Rafael Castro

National Field Services 649 Franklin St. Lewisville, TX 75057 (972) 420-0157 www.natlfield.com Eric Beckman

Potomac Testing, Inc. 1610 Professional Blvd., Ste. A Crofton, MD 21114 (301) 352-1930 Fax: (301) 352-1936 kbassett@potomactesting.com www.potomactesting.com Ken Bassett

Nationwide Electrical Testing, Inc. 6050 Southard Trace Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 667-1875 Fax: (770) 667-6578 Shashi@N-E-T-Inc.com www.n-e-t-inc.com Shashikant B. Bagle

Potomac Testing, Inc. 11179 Hopson Rd., Ste. 5 Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-7334 Fax: (804) 798-7456 www.potomactesting.com

North Central Electric, Inc. 69 Midway Ave. Hulmeville, PA 19047-5827 (215) 945-7632 Fax: (215) 945-6362 ncetest@aol.com Robert Messina

Power & Generation Testing, Inc. 480 Cave Rd. Nashville, TN 37210 (615) 882-9455 Fax: (615) 882-9591 mose@pgti.net www.pgti.net Mose Ramieh

Northern Electrical Testing, Inc. 1991 Woodslee Dr. Troy, MI 48083-2236 (248) 689-8980 Fax: (248) 689-3418 ldetterman@northerntesting.com www.northerntesting.com Lyle Detterman

Power Engineering Services, Inc. 9179 Shadow Creek Lane Converse, TX 78109 (210) 590-4936 Fax: (210) 590-6214 engelke@pe-svcs.com www.pe-svcs.com Miles R. Engelke

Orbis Engineering Field Services Ltd. #300, 9404 - 41st Ave. Edmonton, AB T6E 6G8 Canada (780) 988-1455 Fax: (780) 988-0191 lorne@orbisengineering.net www.orbisengineering.net Lorne Gara

POWER PLUS Engineering, Inc. 46575 Magallan Dr. Novi, MI 48377 (248) 344-0200 Fax: (248) 305-9105 smancuso@epowerplus.com www.epowerplus.com Salvatore Mancuso

Pacific Power Testing, Inc. 14280 Doolittle Dr. San Leandro, CA 94577 (510) 351-8811 Fax: (510) 351-6655 steve@pacificpowertesting.com www.pacificpowertesting.com Steve Emmert Pacific Powertech, Inc. #110, 2071 Kingsway Ave. Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 1T2 Canada (604) 944-6697 Fax: (604) 944-1271 chite@pacificpowertech.ca www.magnaiv.ca Cameron Hite

NETA ACCREDITED COMPANIES

Power Products & Solutions, Inc. 12465 Grey Commercial Rd. Midland, NC 28107 (704) 573-0420 x12 Fax: (704) 573-3693 ralph.patterson@powerproducts.biz www.powerproducts.biz Ralph Patterson Power Products & Solutions, Inc. 13 Jenkins Ct. Mauldin, SC 29662 Fax: (800) 328-7382 ralph.patterson@powerproducts.biz www.powerproducts.biz Raymond Pesaturo

Power Services, LLC P.O. Box 750066, 998 Dimco Way Centerville, OH 45475 (937) 439-9660 Fax: (937) 439-9611 mkbeucler@aol.com Mark Beucler Power Solutions Group, Ltd. 425 W. Kerr Rd. Tipp City, OH 45371 (937) 506-8444 Fax: (937) 506-8434 bwilloughby@powersolutionsgroup.com www.powersolutionsgroup.com Barry Willoughby Power Solutions Group, Ltd. 135 Old School House Rd. Piedmont, SC 29673 (864) 845-1084 Fax:: (864) 845-1085 fcrawford@powersolutionsgroup.com www.powersolutionsgroup.com Frank Crawford Power Solutions Group, Ltd. 670 Lakeview Plaza Blvd.

Columbus, OH 43085 (614) 310-8018 sspohn@powersolutionsgroup.com www.powersolutionsgroup.com Stuart Spohn Power Systems Testing Co. 4688 W. Jennifer Ave., Ste. 108 Fresno, CA 93722 (559) 275-2171 ext 15 Fax: (559) 275-6556 dave@pstcpower.com www.powersystemstesting.com David Huffman Power Systems Testing Co. 600 S. Grand Ave., Ste. 113 Santa Ana, CA 92705-4152 (714) 542-6089 Fax: (714) 542-0737 www.powersystemstesting.com Power Systems Testing Co. 2267 Claremont Ct. Hayward, CA 94545-5001 (510) 783-5096 Fax: (510) 732-9287 www.powersystemstesting.com Power Test, Inc. 2200 Highway 49 Harrisburg, NC 28075 (704) 200-8311 Fax: (704) 455-7909 rich@powertestinc.com www.powertestinc.com Richard Walker

POWER Testing and Energization, Inc. 14006 NW 3rd Ct., Ste. 101 Vancouver, WA 98685 (360) 576-4826 Fax: (360) 576-7182 chris.zavadlov@powerte.com www.powerte.com Chris Zavadlov POWER Testing and Energization, Inc. 731 E. Ball Rd., Ste. 100 Anaheim, CA 92805 (714) 507-2702 http://www.powerte.com POWER Testing and Energization, Inc. 22035 70th Ave. South Kent, WA 98032 (253) 872-7747 www.powerte.com Powertech Services, Inc. 4095 South Dye Rd. Swartz Creek, MI 48473-1570 (810) 720-2280 Fax: (810) 720-2283 jbrown@powertechservices.com www.powertechservices.com Jean A. Brown Precision Testing Group 18590 Wedemeyer Rd. Kiowa, CO 80117 (303) 621-2776 Fax: (303) 621-2573 glenn@precisiontestinggroup.com Glenn Stuckey PRIT Service, Inc. 112 Industrial Dr., P.O. Box 606 Minooka, IL 60447 (815) 467-5577 Fax: (815) 467-5883 Rod.Hageman@pritserviceinc.com www.pritserviceinc.com Rod Hageman Reuter & Hanney, Inc. 149 Railroad Dr. Northampton Industrial Park Ivyland, PA 18974 (215) 364-5333 Fax: (215) 364-5365 mikereuter@reuterhanney.com www.reuterhanney.com Michael Reuter Reuter & Hanney, Inc. 4270-I Henninger Ct. Chantilly, VA 20151 (703) 263-7163 Fax: 703-263-1478 www.reuterhanney.com

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NETA ACCREDITED COMPANIES Setting the Standard Reuter & Hanney, Inc. 11620 Crossroads Circle, Suites D-E Middle River, MD 21220 (410) 344-0300 Fax: (410) 335-4389 www.reuterhanney.com Michael Jester REV Engineering, LTD 3236 - 50 Ave. SE Calgary, AB T2B 3A3 Canada (403) 287-0156 Fax: (403) 287-0198 rdavidson@reveng.ca www.reveng.ca Roland Nicholas Davidson, IV Scott Testing Inc. 1698 5th St. Ewing, NJ 08638 (609) 882-2400 Fax: (609) 882-5660 rsorbello@scotttesting.com www.scotttesting.com Russ Sorbello Shermco Industries 2425 E. Pioneer Dr. Irving, TX 75061 (972) 793-5523 Fax: (972) 793-5542 rwidup@shermco.com www.shermco.com Ron Widup Shermco Industries 1705 Hur Industrial Blvd.

Cedar Park, TX 77515 (512) 259-3060 Fax: (512) 258-5571 kewing@shermco.com www.shermco.com Kevin Ewing Shermco Industries 1357 FM 2004 Angleton, TX 78613 979)848-1406 Fax: (979) 848-0012 mfrederick@shermco.com www.shermco.com Malcom Frederick Shermco Industries 1357 N. 108th E. Ave. Tulsa, OK 74116 (918) 234-2300 jharrison@shermco.com www.shermco.com Jim Harrison

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Shermco Industries 777 10th St. Marion, IA 52302 (319) 377-3377 Fax: (319) 377-3399 Lhamrick@shermco.com www.shermco.com Lynn Hamrick

Taurus Power & Controls, Inc. 9999 SW Avery St. Tualatin, OR 97062-9517 (503) 692-9004 Fax: (503) 692-9273 robtaurus@tauruspower.com www.tauruspower.com Rob Bulfinch

Trace Electrical Services & Testing, LLC 293 Whitehead Rd. Hamilton, NJ 08619 (609) 588-8666 Fax: (609) 588-8667 jvasta@tracetesting.com www.tracetesting.com Joseph Vasta

Shermco Industries 2100 Dixon St., Ste. C Des Moines, IA 50316 Fax: (515) 263-8482 DesMoines@shermco.com www.shermco.com Lynn Hamrick

Taurus Power & Controls, Inc. 6617 S. 193rd Place, Ste. P104 Kent, WA 98032 (425) 656-4170 Fax: (425) 656-4172 jiml@tauruspower.com www.tauruspower.com Jim Lightner

Utilities Instrumentation Service, Inc. PO Box 981123 Ypsilanti, MI 48198-1123 (734) 482-1450 (14) Fax: (734) 482-0035 GEWalls@UISCorp.com www.uiscorp.com Gary E. Walls

Shermco Industries Boulevard Saint-Michel 47 1040 Brussels Brussels, Belgium +32 (0)2 400 00 54 Fax: +32 (0)2 400 00 32 cperry@shermco.com www.shermco.com Chris Perry

Three-C Electrical Co., Inc. 190 Pleasant St. Ashland, MA 01721 (508) 881-3911 Fax: (508) 881-4814 jim@three-c.com www.three-c.com Jim Cialdea

Shermco Industries 12000 Network Blvd., Bldg D, Ste. 410 San Antonio, TX 78249 (512) 267-4800 Fax: (512) 267-4808 kewing@shermco.com www.shermco.com Kevin Ewing Sigma Six Solutions, Inc. 2200 West Valley Hwy., Ste. 100 Auburn, WA 98001 (253) 333-9730 Fax: (253) 859-5382 jwhite@sigmasixinc.com www.sigmasixinc.com John White Southern New England Electrical Testing, LLC 3 Buel St., Ste. 4 Wallingford, CT 06492 (203) 269-8778 Fax: (203) 269-8775 dave.asplund@sneet.org www.sneet.org David Asplund, Sr. Southwest Energy Systems, LLC 2231 East Jones Ave., Ste. A Phoenix, AZ 85040 (602) 438-7500 Fax: (602) 438-7501 bob.sheppard@southwestenergysystems.com www.southwestenergysystems.com Robert Sheppard

Three-C Electrical Co., Inc. 79 Leighton Rd., Ste. 9 Augusta, ME 04330 (800) 649-6314 Fax: (207) 782-0162 jim@three-c.com www.three-c.com Jim Cialdea Tidal Power Services, LLC 4202 Chance Lane Rosharon, TX 77583 (281) 710-9150 Fax: (713) 583-1216 monty.janak@tidalpowerservices.com www.tidalpowerservices.com Monty C. Janak Tidal Power Services, LLC 18786 Lake Harbor Lane Prairieville, LA 70769 (225) 223-5677 Fax: (225) 208-1013 www.tidalpowerservices.com Darryn Kimbrough Tital Power Services, LLC 1056 Mosswood Dr. Sulphur, LA 70663 (337) 558-5476 Fax: (337) 558-5305 www.tidalpowerservices.com Steve Drake Tony Demaria Electric, Inc. 131 West F St. Wilmington, CA 90744 (310) 816-3130 x 111 Fax: (310) 549-9747 tde@tdeinc.com www.tdeinc.com Anthony Demaria

Utility Service Corporation 4614 Commercial Dr. NW Huntsville, AL 35816-2201 (256) 837-8400 Fax: (256) 837-8403 apeterson@utilserv.com www.utilserv.com Alan D. Peterson Western Electrical Services 14311 29th St. East Sumner , WA 98390 (253) 891-1995 Fax: (253) 891-1511 dhook@westernelectricalservices.com www.westernelectricalservices.com Daniel Hook Western Electrical Services 3676 W. California Ave. Bldg. C, Ste. 106 Salt Lake City, UT 84104 (253) 891-1995 dhook@westernelectricalservices.com www.westernelectricalservices.com Daniel Hook Western Electrical Services 5680 South 32nd St. Phoenix, AZ 85040 (253) 891-1995 dhook@westernelectricalservices.com www.westernelectricalservices.com Daniel Hook Western Electrical Services 4510 NE 68th Dr., Ste. 122 Vancouver, WA 98661 (253) 891-1995 Fax: (253) 891-1511 dhook@westernelectricalservices.com www.westernelectricalservices.com Daniel Hook

NETA ACCREDITED COMPANIES

:PV LOPX IPX XFMM XF IBOEMF B USBOTGPSNFS FNFSHFODZ

&MFDUSJD 4FSWJDF $PNQBOZ )FU[FM 4U $JODJOOBUJ 0) 'BY &NBJM FMTDP!GVTF OFU XXX FMFDUSJDTFSWJDF DPN

*NBHJOF IPX XFMM XF EP XIFO JUµT OPU

-BSHF TFMFDUJPO PG /FX $PQQFS 8PVOE %SZ 5ZQFT 6OJUT JO 4UPDL L7" UISV L7" "WBJMBCMF XJUI /&." *OEPPS BOE /&." 3 0VUEPPS &ODMPTVSFT :FBS 8BSSBOUZ 0JM 'JMMFE 6OJUT JO 4UPDL /FX 1BE .PVOUT L7" UP L7"

$BMM PS

/FX DPQQFS XPVOE SPVOE DPJM IJHI FG¾ DJFODZ ESZ UZQFT

ADVERTISERS

MANUFACTURERS AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

This issue’s advertisers are identified below.

Please thank these advertises by telling them you saw their advertisement in YOUR magazine – NETA World.

AEMC Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Aero Tec Laboratories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Ampteks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Arbiter Systems, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Arc Flash Study Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Avox Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Back Cover BCS Switchgear, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Belyea Company, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Burlington Safety Laboratory, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 CBS ArcSafe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 CBS ArcSafe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Doble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 Dranetz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Electric Light & Power Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Electric Service Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51, 125 ElectroRent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63, 112 EnerGtest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Group CBS, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 High Voltage, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 HV Diagnostics, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Intellirent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 IRISS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Maintenance Technology Magazine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Megger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Front Cover Megger Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Monster Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 National Switchgear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 NETA PowerTest Call for Exhibitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 NETA PowerTest Register Now . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 NETA – SPTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 NETA – Alliance Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 NETA – Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Noram-SMC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 OMICRON electronics Corp. USA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover Phenix Technologies, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Protec Equipment Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Quality Switchgear, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Raytech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Santa Fe Electric, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Solid State Exchange & Repair Co.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Summit Technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Technitrol, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Thyritronics, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Utility Products Conference & Expo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Utility Relay Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Vanguard Instrument Co., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 WEIDMANN Diagnostic Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

INDEPENDENT NETA ACCREDITED COMPANIES American Electrical Testing Co., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Apparatus Testing and Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Burlington Electrical Testing Co., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Eastern High Voltage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Electrical Energy Experts, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Electrical Reliability Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Elemco Services, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Harford Electrical Testing Co., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 High Voltage Maintenance Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Industrial Electrical Testing, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Infra-Red Building and Power Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 M&L Power Systems, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Nationwide Electrical Testing, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 North Central Electric, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Orbis Engineering Field Services, Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Potomac Testing, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Power & Generation Testing, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Power Products & Solutions, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Power Services, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Power Systems Testing Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 POWER Testing and Energization, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 PRIT Service, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Scott Testing, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Shermco Industries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Sigma Six Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Taurus Power & Controls, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Three-C Electrical Co. Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Tony Demaria Electric, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Trace Electrical Services & Testing, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Utility Service Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

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ADVERTISERS

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MI 3121 SMARTEC Insulation / Continuity MI 3200 TeraOhm 10kV

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My Dad tests transformers ... and with the PDL 650 system he can always find the location of a failure With the new PDL 650 Dad can track partial discharge (PD) in the transformer without opening it up. The PDL 650 creates a 3D-representation of a failure based on acoustic signals emitted by partial discharge.

When used together with the MPD 600 even electrical and UHF measurements can act as additional signal inputs.

By combining the data of electrical and acoustic signals Dad can examine transformers faster and more effectively than ever before.

Dad can generate a comprehensive report of a measurement with the click of a mouse. This way he can get a precise overview of all the transformers that he´s tested.

Visit us online and find out how the PDL 650 and MPD 600 can work for you!

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