Troubleshooting three basic hardwired control circuits used in starting electric motor
Generally speaking, basic control circuits are used in starting, stopping, sequencing, and safety automatic interlocking of equipment and machines. The control circuit consists of relays, relay contacts, contactors, timers, counters,… Read more
Oct 23, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
How to choose a form of separation for LV switchboard and how to classify them
By form of separation it is meant the type of subdivision provided within the switchboard. Separation by means of barriers or partitions (metallic or insulating) may have several functions. And… Read more
Sep 25, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
Rules for power distribution in LV switchgear and protection of branch / distributed lines
Power distribution in low voltage switchgear can be defined as supplying power to a number of physically separate and individually protected circuits from a single circuit. Depending on the circuits… Read more
Sep 20, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
Main circuit breaker types from 1000 V MCB to 1000 kV dead tank breaker
This technical article discusses two important circuit breaker classifications – by voltage level (from low to medium and high voltage) and secondly by technology (extinguishing method or medium that insulates… Read more
Sep 06, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
Should transfer switch be equipped with contactors or circuit breakers? Manual or automatic?
Transfer switches support multiple operation modes (manual, automatic, non-automatic, bypass isolation, etc.) and feature a range of different switching mechanisms (contactors, circuit breakers). Transfer switches are used to protect critical… Read more
Aug 23, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
Practical advice for positioning of circuit breakers inside LV switchboard
Mounting of the different mechanical and electrical components (enclosures, busbars, functional units – circuit breakers, etc.) which constitute the LV switchboard defined by the original manufacturer must be carried out… Read more
Aug 07, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
How to install a manual transfer switch for a backup system in 16 steps
A manual transfer switch is installed next to the main service panel to override the normal electrical service with power from a backup generator during a power outage. Manual transfer… Read more
Aug 02, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
11-step procedure for a successful electrical circuit design (LV project example)
Let’s take an example of electrical circuit design. A consumer lives in a bungalow with a detached garage and workshop, as shown in Figure 1. The building method is traditional… Read more
Jul 19, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
How choice of system earthing affects low voltage switchgear?
Choice of system earthing affects not only dependability (in the largest sense) but also installation, in particular with respect to the low voltage switchgear to be implemented. The three system… Read more
Jul 05, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
System earthings and incidents on MV side that result in LV disturbances
Low voltage networks, unless a replacement uninterruptible power supply (with galvanic insulation) or a LV/LV transformer is used, are influenced by MV. This influence takes the form of: capacitive coupling, galvanic… Read more
Jun 30, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
Practice for good grounding and bonding a home wiring system
All home electrical systems must be bonded and grounded according to code standards. This entails two tasks: First, the metal water and gas pipes must be connected electrically to create… Read more
Jun 19, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
Twelve installation tips for implementing a good residual protection
All installations have an earth leakage current that is mainly due to the conductor’s capacitive leakage and to anti-parasitic or EMI filtering capacitors, for example class I equipment. The sum… Read more
Jun 02, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
Rules for dimensioning, disconnecting and protecting the neutral conductor
Dimensioning of neutral conductor Smaller than the cross-sectional area of the phase conductors… Equal to the cross-sectional area of the phase conductors Greater than or equal… Neutral conductor disconnection TN-C… Read more
Apr 19, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
Thumb rules for surge arrester installation in different earthing systems
A variety of documents deal with the subject of surge arrester installation: for example in France, standard NF C 15-531 focuses on the installation rules of LV surge arresters, and… Read more
Apr 17, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
Circuit breaker selections for low voltage installation (with discrimination)
The LV installation which forms the subject of this study is shown in figure 1 above. This study includes discrimination and coordination of protection between the LV equipment and the… Read more
Apr 14, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi