Energy and Power
A real life analogy of the jurisdiction of the protection relay
Formally, a relay is a logical element which processes the inputs (mostly voltages and currents) from the system/apparatus and issues a trip decision if a fault within the protection relay‘s jurisdiction is detected. A conceptual diagram of relay is shown… Read more
Feb 09, 2015 | By Edvard Csanyi
Electrical Lectures
Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs) For Beginners
This technical article focuses on the widely used miniature circuit breakers rated for 240 V or less. These are smaller and lower-rated versions of industrial-grade molded-case circuit breakers rated for 600 V or less. These miniature breakers, called air circuit… Read more
Jan 26, 2015 | By Edvard Csanyi
Protection
An example of transformer overload and short circuit protection
Transformer protection consists of both overload protection and short circuit protection. Overload protection is usually accomplished via proper selection of the secondary overcurrent protective device. NEC Article 450 gives specific primary and secondary overcurrent device ratings that may not be… Read more
Jan 21, 2015 | By Edvard Csanyi
Energy and Power
Electrical life (durability) of LV circuit breakers due to the switching operations
According to the standard IEC 947-2, there is actually no defined stipulation regarding the requirements of electrical life of a circuit breaker. The numbers of switching operations which a circuit breaker under no-load, normal load, overload and short-circuit conditions has… Read more
Dec 01, 2014 | By Edvard Csanyi
Energy and Power
Let’s analyse phase-to-earth faults in a single-incomer power system
Power-system protection should detect faults and isolate the faulty parts of the power system while keeping the fault-free parts in operation. Protection units are chosen according to the power-system configuration (parallel operation of generators or transformers, loop or radial power system,… Read more
Oct 17, 2014 | By Edvard Csanyi
Energy and Power
Applications and characteristics of overcurrent potection relays (ANSI 50, 51)
Overcurrent relays are the most commonly-used protective relay type. Time-overcurrent relays are available with various timing characteristics to coordinate with other protective devices and to protect specific equipment. Instantaneous overcurrent relays have no inherent time delay and are used for fast short-circuit… Read more
Oct 08, 2014 | By Edvard Csanyi
Energy and Power
Rating Definitions Applied to Low Voltage Molded-Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB)
The molded-case circuit breaker is the “workhorse” for system protection 600V and below. A circuit breaker is a device designed to open and close by nonautomatic means and to open the circuit automatically on a predetermined overcurrent without damage to itself when… Read more
Sep 19, 2014 | By Edvard Csanyi
Energy and Power
Rating Definitions Applied to Medium Voltage Circuit Breaker
The medium voltage circuit breaker is the device of choice when sophisticated system protection at the medium voltage level is required. Most modern medium voltage circuit breakers use a vacuum as the interrupting means, although sulfur-hexafluoride (SF6) based units still exist and in use. Medium… Read more
Sep 03, 2014 | By Edvard Csanyi
Energy and Power
5 most common critical power distribution topologies
In many of today’s mission-critical applications, ever-increasing reliability requirements are the norm. A critical part of this reliability is the reliability of the electric power distribution system for a given facility. Among the most demanding applications is that of a… Read more
Aug 15, 2014 | By Edvard Csanyi
High Voltage
An Example of Choosing 138 kV Line Circuit Breaker
To better understand a process of high voltage equipment selection, let’s discuss an example of choosing 138 kV Line #3 Circuit Breaker, shown in Figure 1, assuming that the following information about the system is available: The following information about… Read more
Jul 23, 2014 | By Edvard Csanyi
Power Substation
How To Locate Current Transformers in HV Substation
Current transformers are used for protection, instrumentation, metering and control. It is only the first function that has any bearing on the location of the current transformer. Ideally the current transformers should be on the power source side of the circuit… Read more
Mar 14, 2014 | By Edvard Csanyi
Energy and Power
Purposes and Examples of Safety Interlocking Devices
Most switchboards and motor control centres are fitted with a variety of electrical and mechanical safety interlocking devices. Their purposes are to protect against for example: Withdrawing the switching device while it is carrying load or fault current. Prevent the switching… Read more
Feb 05, 2014 | By Edvard Csanyi
Energy and Power
What’s Really Important When You’re Designing The Low Voltage Switchgear?
Here what’s important when you’re designing the low voltage switchgear: Device Application in the Supply Circuit Short-circuit strength Release (Trip Unit) Device Application in Supply Circuits (Coupling) Device Application in the Distribution Circuit Device Application in the Final Circuit The… Read more
Oct 07, 2013 | By Edvard Csanyi
Electric Motor
Sizing The DOL Motor Starter Parts (Contactor, Fuse, Circuit Breaker and Thermal Overload Relay)
In this technical article we’ll calculate the size of each part of DOL motor starter for the system voltage 415V, 5HP three phase household application induction motor, code A, motor efficiency 80%, motor RPM 750, power factor 0.8 and overload… Read more
Sep 11, 2013 | By Jignesh Parmar
High Voltage
Talking about HV shunt reactor switching (part 2)
Continued from first part: Talking About HV Shunt Reactor Switching (part 1) Scope (explained in previous part) Shunt reactors application (explained in previous part) Closing operation (explained in previous part) Opening operation Conclusions In the case of shunt reactors the… Read more
Jul 31, 2013 | By Nicola
