Electric Motor
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, etc. Control circuits can also be configured or programed in… Read more
Oct 23, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
Energy and Power
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 these functions: Provide protection against direct contact (at least IPXXB)… Read more
Sep 25, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
Energy and Power
Rules for power distribution in LV switchgear and protection of branch / distributed lines
In designing a power distribution concept, encompassing the sizing of systems and devices, it is essential to align the requirements and feasibility with both the end user and the manufacturer. The appropriate sizing of low-voltage switchgear necessitates an understanding of… Read more
Sep 20, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
High Voltage
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 the breaker contacts. Contents: Voltage levels of circuit breakers: High… Read more
Sep 06, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
Energy and Power
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 electrical loads against loss of power. The load’s normal power… Read more
Aug 23, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
Energy and Power
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 in compliance with the instructions (technical catalogue/assembly instruction manual) of… Read more
Aug 07, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
Energy and Power
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 switches require an operator to change the power source, while… Read more
Aug 02, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
Electrical Lectures
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 brick and timber. The mains intake position is at high… Read more
Jul 19, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
Energy and Power
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 earthings internationally used and standardized by IEC 60364 have as… Read more
Jul 05, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
Energy and Power
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 coupling and common impedance. And the reasons for influences are: Capacitive… Read more
Jun 30, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
Energy and Power
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 a continuous low resistance path back to the main electrical… Read more
Jun 19, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
Energy and Power
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 of these leakage currents may cause highly sensitive residual protection… Read more
Jun 02, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
Energy and Power
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 system TT or TN-S system IT system Important recommendations #1… Read more
Apr 19, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
Energy and Power
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 standard NF C 15-100 covers all the LV electrical installations…. Read more
Apr 17, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
Energy and Power
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 protection located upstream of each MV/LV power supply transformer. The… Read more
Apr 14, 2017 | By Edvard Csanyi
