News Electrical | Education

In our NEW series on Advanced Metering, we unpack why advanced metering devices should not only be truly reliable devices but also, provide information that helps users to achieve tangible results. In part 1, we gave an overview of traditional PQ data reporting, touched on workforce dynamics and then outlined the path to tangible results. In the second instalment, we discuss how Advanced Metering e...

Having a truly reliable monitoring device is certainly the starting point for any business that relies on power availability, but it is certainly not enough. What use it is for engineers and facility managers to have access to highly accurate data if they can’t get real insight from that data? In this NEW series, we unpack why advanced metering devices should not only be truly reliable devices but also, provide information that helps users to achieve tangible results, information that is meaningful and actionable. In part 1, we give...

Electrical contractors face risks on the jobsite every day. But risk assessments for electrical installations, when performed correctly, can help reduce the overall risk of injury. In this article, we take a deeper dive into this invaluable tool. What are electrical installation risk assessments? An electrical installation risk assessment is a procedure that helps electrical workers identify hazards, assess risks, and implement risk controls before beginning work at a site. During the assessment, a worker must weigh the likelih...

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Are you working in an explosive environment? Are the areas in your workplace properly classified according to the necessary documentation? Is the equipment installed and properly rated for safe operation in those explosive atmospheres? In the first article of the series, we introduce you to explosive environments in the workplace. We give an overview on how to classify explosive areas according to the necessary standards, and explain the compliance standards your company should adhere to, for...

The power availability and reliability of a distribution system encompasses its entire lifecycle, from design to operations. Schneider Electric challenges you to consider these five approaches: 1. Pre-engineered reference designs A pre-engineered medium and/or low voltage electrical distribution system will be based on a reference design that has been validated for the specific application. A design should include the core power system design...

Are you planning on renewing or adding circuit breakers to your current electrical installation? Is it possible to reduce the cost of purchasing these circuit breakers whilst still being adequately protected? This NEW series introduces you to the technique of how circuit breakers are cascaded in a system. In Part 1 we give an explanation of what cascading is, its advantages, and the conditions required to implement cascading. In Part 2...

In our latest series, we’re discussing the cascading of circuit breakers. In Part 1, we give an explanation of what cascading is, its advantages, and the conditions required to implement cascading. This second and final instalment in the series touches on the topic of selectivity, by giving an overview on how it can be enhanced in your system by the implementation of cascading circuit br...

Due to technology advancements, thermal imaging has become more affordable, easier to use and more broadly deployed in a variety of industrial and commercial markets. That is good news if you’re a contractor looking to add thermal imaging to your range of services, because most customers have likely heard of it. Thermal cameras produce thermal (heat) pictures of equipment, allowing your customers to see nearly immediate benefits from such a service. In one pass through a facility, you can usually find at least one comp...

Welcome to your comprehensive guide on Transformers. Before you get started on the final instalment, why not take a moment to catch up on all the articles in this interesting series: Part 1: Understanding Transformers and how they work Part 2: Advantages, disadvantages and types of 3-Phase Transformers Part 3: ...

  Anyone who makes their living by working with electricity quickly develops a healthy respect for anything with even a remote chance of being "live." Yet, the pressures of the getting a job done on time or getting a mission-critical piece of equipment back on line can result in carelessness and uncharacteristic mistakes by even the most seasoned electrician… The list below was developed by FLUKE as a quick reminder of what not to do when taking electrical measurements: Replace the original fuse with a cheaper one. If your digital multimeter meets today's safety standards, that fuse...

We’re unpacking transformers in our NEW series. An important discussion point is the protection of transformers. In this article, we give an overview of protection schemes specifically for oil-type transformers. Catch-up on previous articles in the series: Part 1: Understanding Transformers and how they work Part 2: Advantages, disadvantages and types of 3-Phase Transformers...

Welcome to part two in your guide on 3-Phase Transformers. In this NEW series, we’re unpacking the different types of these transformers, how they are connected, their advantages and disadvantages as well as a view on the protection they require. Stay tuned to catch the entire series! Part 1: Understanding Transformers and how they work Part 2: Advantages, disadvantages and types of 3-Phase Transfor...

Welcome to your guide on 3-Phase transformers – what are they, what different types exist, how are they connected, what are their advantages and disadvantages and how do you protect them… We’re answering all these question in our NEW series. Don’t miss out, SUBSCRIBE to receive these newsletters straight to your inbox!   What are Transformers? A transformer is an electrical device that consists of two or more coils of wire that transfers electrical energy by means of a changing magnetic field. A voltage transformer is a sta...

Residual Current Monitoring in an Industrial Environment We're wrapping up our series on Condition Monitoring, by discussing Residual Current Monitoring (RCM) as an essential system to implement in any industrial environment. By monitoring the state of the electrical system in a facility, RCM assists in detecting faults early – reducing downtime and saving money. Catch up on previous articles in our ...

Are electrical motor faults and failures a prominent cause of downtime in your facility? Then you should be engaging in methods to increase the lifespan of your equipment. In our latest series on Condition Monitoring, we’re unpacking the various means of predictive maintenance and equipment preservation.   In Part 1...

When vibration increases beyond normal levels, it may be a sign of alignment issues or a source of trouble. In order to avoid costly downtime, you will need fast and actionable answers. In our NEW series on Condition Monitoring, we’re discussing what it entails to implement a condition monitoring system in a facility. In Part 1...

Monitoring machines for vibration can save you time and money. A machine going offline can impact quality and production. Monitoring machines for vibration issues identifies trends and helps reduce the potential for the machine going offline. In our NEW series on Condition Monitoring, we’re unpacking what it entails to implement a condition monitoring system in a facility. In Part 1...

Employing a condition monitoring system in your facility can ensure the reliability of your operations. How? By implementing processes to monitor your equipment, you can ensure machine up-time, the reduction in consequential damage to machinery, and the improvement of the overall operational efficiency. In this NEW series, we introduce you to condition monitoring. In Part 1, we start by reviewing the various benefits of a condition monitoring system, the commonly used techniques and the different types of condition...

What is Partial Discharge (PD)? A partial discharge is an electrical discharge or spark that bridges a small portion of the high voltage insulation between two conducting electrodes or a conducting electrode and earth. Partial discharge can occur at any point in the insulation system, where the electric field strength exceeds the breakdown strength of the insulating material. Partial discharge can occur in voids within solid insulation, across the surface of insulating material due to contaminants or irregularities, within gas bubbles in liquid insulation or around an electrode in gas (corona...

Are you considering efforts to reduce the electricity cost in your plant? Do you require extra power for a plant upgrade, but without having to change the existing electrical supply? If you answered ‘Yes!’, then you will appreciate this NEW series on power factor correction. In this informative 2-part read, we begin by outlining what power factor is. In the second article, we will discuss power factor correction and how it is performed to achieve a maximum power factor of 1 (unity). What is the Power Factor? The power factor is a ratio between ...

Is your facility connected to a mobile network that is slow in speed? Is your equipment taking too long to upload pertinent system information? Are you often having to deal with frustrated employees or customers as a result? In this quick informative article, we introduce you to the 5G mobile network – the answer to slow and delayed communication. Learn about how 5G compares against the previous generation and how it could potentially affect your business. What is 5G? 5G is the new global wireless standard, known as the 5th generation mobile networ...

We’re wrapping up our series on Variable Speed Drives! Missed out on the first two articles? In Part 1, we introduced you to the basic principle of operation of a VSD, and touched on their key benefits In Part 2...

Is there a device that can reduce downtime whilst increasing the lifespan of your electrical motor? In our NEW series, we’re unpacking Variable Speed Drives. In Part 1, we introduced you to the basic principle of operation of a VSD, and touched on their key benefits In Part 2, we give an overview of the types of VSD’s, and delve into how a VSD works Watch this space to catch the full se...

Do you see your plant constantly on a breakdown as a result of a motor failure? Are you forced to spend a vast amount of time replacing electrical motors that are essential to the productivity of your plant? Is there a device that can reduce downtime whilst increasing the lifespan of your electrical motor? In this NEW series, we discuss Variable Speed Drives as an essential component to increase the lifespan of your electrical motors and reduce maintenance-associated downtime.  In part 1, we give you an overview of VSD’s – what they are, their benefits and the protection they offer t...

Step into the future with the arrival of The Fourth Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0. Large-scale machine-to-machine communication and the Internet of Things (IoT) are being integrated for increased automation, improved communication, and self-monitoring. Is your facility ready for the automation of traditional manufacturing and industrial practices, using modern smart technology? Welcome to Industry 4.0 The fourth industrial revolution, which came into existence in the past few years, is established as Industry 4.0. More flexible production, greater productivity, and the development of ...

When vibration increases beyond normal levels, it may be a sign of alignment issues or source of trouble. In order to avoid costly downtime, you will need fast and actionable answers. In this article, we outline when and how to use & set-up vibration monitoring on assets. Missed out on the first article in the series? Click below to catch up now: Part One – Understanding vibration: Causes and effects Why choose vibration monitoring? The need for actionable data in plants and other facilities is typically unquestioned by most reliability and maintenance teams. Where people typically diverg...

Monitoring machines for vibration can save you time and money. A machine going offline can impact quality and production. Monitoring machines for vibration issues identifies trends and helps reduce the potential for the machine going offline. In the first article of this NEW series, we will outline what vibration is, common causes of vibration and the effects of vibration. Watch this space to catch the full series! What is Vibration? Vibration is simply a back and forth movement—or oscillation—of machines and components in motorized equipment. Vibration in industrial equipment can be a sympto...

We’re wrapping up our series on Circuit Breakers by taking a look at: 1. The common reasons why an industrial circuit breaker might trip 2. How to size a circuit breaker Missed out on previous articles in this series? Click below to catch up now! Part One              - Circuit breaker basics and how they compare to fuses Par...

The next article in our series on Circuit Breakers discusses a few common types of breakers. Missed out on the first two articles? Follow the links below to catch up on parts one and two in the series: Part One - Gain an understanding of what circuit breakers are, how they work and how they compare to fuses. Part Two - Learn about...