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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

C O VER S T O RY FEAT URES

7 Presidents Desk
Ron Widup, Shermco Industries
NETA President
58 Using Test Plans as a Tool for Protection
7HVWLQJ6SHFLFDWLRQV
Benton Vandiver, OMICRON electronics Corp. USA

74 Lessons Learned from a 400kV Busbar

Misoperation Using the IEC 61850 Standard
Dhanabal Mani, Vijay Shanmugasundaram,
and Jason Buneo, Megger

66
66 Going Beyond Automated
Relay Testing: Using Power
System Models
74
Automated testing is often used to test protective
relays, but special cases exist that cannot be
adequately covered. This article presents three
examples that illustrate how to test protection
functions using simple model power systems
and symmetrical components.
Steve Turner, Beckwith Electric Company, Inc.

TABLE OF CONTENTS NETAWORLD 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

IN EVERY ISSUE SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS

11 NFPA 70E and NETA 100 ANSI/NETA Standards Update

Electrical Risk Management
104 ASTM F18 Committee Report
Ron Widup and Jim White, Shermco Industries
Jim White, Shermco Industries
18 No-Outage Corner
Using No-Outage Testing Techniques for
Post-Natural Disaster Triage NETA NEWS
Don A. Genutis, Halco Testing Services
22 Tech Quiz 46 NETA 2016 Alliance Recognition Award
Protective Relaying for Electrical Power Systems Honoree: Finley Ledbetter
Jim White, Shermco Industries Carla Kalogeridis, NETA
28 Tech Tips 51 PowerTest 2016 Deep in the Heart of
Grounding in the Solar Industry Texas, PowerTest 2016 Comes to Fort Worth
Jeff Jowett, Megger
82 NETA 2016 Outstanding Achievement Award
34 Safety Corner Honoree: Jim Cialdea
Arc-Rated Clothing and Electrical Carla Kalogeridis, NETA
Hazard Footwear
Paul Chamberlain, American Electrical Testing Co., Inc. 108 NETA Members and Alliance Partners
Gather in Fort Worth, Texas
39 Relay Column Jill Howell, NETA
Improving System Protection Reliability
and Security
Steve Turner, Beckwith Electric Company, Inc.
NETA NEWS SETTING THE STANDARD

INDUSTRY TOPICS
89 The Evolution of Circuit Breakers
Paul H. Grein, Circuit Breaker Sales Co., Inc.
97 Establishing Maintenance Zero for Large
Power Transformers in Todays Electrical
Utility Sector
Ray Curry, American Transmission Company
24 NETAs Electrical Testing Technical
&HUWLFDWLRQ3URJUDP6HWWLQJWKH
Standard, Energizing the Future
Kristen Wicks, NETA
118 NETA Standards Review Council Appoints
New Members
Kristen Wicks, NETA

ADVANCEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY NETA NEWS IMPORTANT LISTS

112 Time is Ticking to Address Grid 124 NETA Accredited Companies

Interconnection Standards 130 Advertiser List
Mark Siira, ComRent International

4 SUMMER 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS


Delivering Powerful Reliability Solutions
 Power System Acceptance Testing
 Commissioning and Start-up
 Maintenance
 Life-Cycle Extension
 Troubleshoot and Repair
 Training and Engineering Services
 Planning and Operations Support
 Project Management
Sigma Six Solutions, Inc.
2200 West Valley Hwy North, Suite 100 | Auburn, WA 98001
2IFH|6DOHV OF PRODUCTION, CATASTROPHIC EQUIPMENT FAILURE, SERIOUS INJURY
ZZZVLJPDVL[FRP
3050 Old Centre Avenue, Suite 102
Portage, MI 49024
Toll free: 888.300.NETA (6382)
Phone: 269.488.NETA (6382)
Fax: 269.488.6383
neta@netaworld.org
www.netaworld.org
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Missy Richard
NETA Ofcers
PRESIDENT: Ron Widup, Shermco Industries
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT: Jim Cialdea, Three-C Electrical Co., Inc.
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT: Scott Blizard, American Electrical Testing Co., Inc.
SECRETARY: Mose Ramieh, Power & Generation Testing, Inc.
TREASURER: John White, Sigma Six Solutions
NETA Board of Directors
Ken Bassett (Potomac Testing, Inc.)
Eric Beckman (National Field Services)
Scott Blizard (American Electrical Testing Co., Inc.)
Jim Cialdea (Three-C Electrical Co., Inc.)
Lorne Gara (Orbis Engineering Field Services, Ltd.)
Dan Hook (Western Electrical Services, Inc.)
David Huffman (Power Systems Testing)
Alan Peterson (Utility Service Corporation)
Mose Ramieh (Power & Generation Testing, Inc.)
Bob Sheppard (Southwest Energy Services, LLC)
John White (Sigma Six Solutions)
Ron Widup (Shermco Industries)
NETA World Staff
TECHNICAL EDITORS: Roderic L. Hageman, Tim Cotter
ASSISTANT TECHNICAL EDITORS: Jim Caldea, Dan Hook,
Dave Huffman, Bob Sheppard
ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Resa Pickel
MANAGING EDITOR: Jayne Tanz, CMP
ADVERTISING MANAGER: Laura McDonald
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION: Hour Custom Publishing
NETA Committee Chairs
CONFERENCE: Ron Widup; MEMBERSHIP: Ken Bassett;
PROMOTIONS/MARKETING: Scott Blizard; SAFETY: Scott Blizard and Jim White;
TECHNICAL: Alan Peterson; TECHNICAL EXAM: Ron Widup;
CONTINUING TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT: David Huffman;
TRAINING: Kerry Heid; FINANCE: John White;
NOMINATIONS: Alan Peterson; STRATEGY: Mose Ramieh;
ALLIANCE PROGRAM: Jim Cialdea
Copyright 2016, 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
OR DEATH.
 PRESIDENTS DESK

SAFETY IN THE SUMMERTIME

The last time we talked was at the beginning of PowerTest 2016 in Fort Worth, and
wasnt that a fantastic event? Many thanks to all of the presenters, sponsors, subject
matter experts, industry leaders, and suppliers of goods and services who helped us
break attendance records as well as achieve high marks for overall satisfaction with
the conference. I extend a special shout-out to all of the NETA staff who worked
tirelessly to put the event together.
Mark your calendars for next years PowerTest event in Anaheim, California,
February 27 March 3, 2017. Its sure to be a great one.

Summertime means fun time fun at work and fun at home. With the summer
heat come longer days, and hopefully, more work for us all. So take a little extra
time to think about the small stuff that makes us all work a little safer.

As you go about your daily activities this summer, whether at work or home,
please do so with an extra thought of caution. At Shermco, we have an initiative
focused on human performance that is, trying to understand better why we
do what we do the way we do it. An important part of it is managing elements
of human performance to make sure we always do things the right way with
the least amount of risk. Its a good topic for all of us to think about.

So buckle your seatbelt, wear your helmet when riding bicycles and
motorcycles, keep that ladder in good condition, and be careful on
the roof of your house.

And, oh yeah even though its a little hot, wear all

that arc-rated PPE stuff at work.

Sincerely,

Ron Widup
President
NETA InterNational Electrical Testing Association

PRESIDENTS DESK
 the test equipment answer

We support testing
Protective Relays and Metering

Batteries and UPS

Transformers

VLF, Tan Delta and Partial Discharge

Cable fault location

Substations & High Voltage Circuit Breakers

SF6 Analysis

Low & Medium Voltage Circuit Breakers

Motors and Rotating Apparatus

Power Monitoring

rental | support | logistics

888.902.6111 | info@intellirentco.com | intellirentco.com
 THE NFPA 70E AND NETA

B Y R O N W I D U P AND J AM ES R. WH IT E, Shermco Industries

Risk assessment is a critical function for keeping us safe on

the job. Assessing risk happens every day whether driving a
car, walking across a street, or participating in sports, risks are
associated with all of them. When it comes to assessing risks on
the job, though, we become unsure about what we need to do.
STARTING AT THE BEGINNING
Typically, companies have a Job Safety Analysis or Job Hazard Analysis that documents the method
used to determine the risks, the work practices, and the PPE needed for a particular task. NFPA
70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace provides guidance for assessing risk in Article 130.

To begin the process of assessing risk:

Perform a visual examination of the equipment.

Look at the condition of the equipment, the environment, whether
it is indoors or outdoors, whether there is room to safely perform the
task, and the presence of a recent maintenance test or calibration
decal as recommended by NFPA 70B and ANSI/NETA MTS-
2015. For example, look for the presence of rodent droppings or
other signs of varmints. If theyre in your switchgear room,
they are probably in your switchgear. They are unpredictable and
could cause a fault at any time.

Review appropriate company SOPs and policies concerning Figure 1: Rodents and other varmints
the task(s) about to be performed. Non-contact inspections, can cause faults in switchgear.
such as infrared thermography, can be conducted without the
use of arc-rated clothing and PPE, provided the equipment is in normal operating
condition and the worker remains outside the restricted-approach boundary However,
per Table 130.7(C)(15)(A)(a), the above guidance does not include opening of doors
or covers.

Understand how various systems are aected. When the circuit or system is deenergized,
will it affect critical or safety systems? Is temporary power needed for those systems? What
needs to be done to prevent back-feeding of other equipment? Examples of critical systems

ELECTRICAL RISK MANAGEMENT NETAWORLD 11

THE NFPA 70E AND NETA
are emergency alarm systems or
lighting in stairwells. Normal operating
condition means that equipment doors
and panels are properly installed and
secured, theres no evidence of im-
pending failure, and the equipment has
been properly maintained Without
access to test and maintenance records,
proper maintenance can be difficult
to determine. Its not practical to review
hundreds, possibly thousands, of records
to determine if the equipment about to
be worked on is properly maintained.
However, ANSI/NETA MTS 2015,
Standard for Maintenance Testing
Specifications for Electrical Power
Equipment & Systems and NFPA 70B-
2016, Recommended Practice for Electrical
Equipment Maintenance both contain
requirements for a test or calibration decal
system such as that shown in Figure 2.
Understand the Test and Maintenance
Decal System NFPA 70B Section 11.27,
shows that a red label indicates the
equipment has severe issues that could
affect safety or operation, while a yellow
label indicates a defect that should not
affect safety or operation but should be
addressed as soon as practical. A white
label indicates the equipment has no
identified defects and is fully operational
and ready for continued service.
Figure 2: Test or Calibration Decals
Technicians must use all their senses to detect
unusual odors, sounds, scorched paint on the
equipment, discoloration of components, and
hot spots or other conditions that may indicate
a potential problem.
Collect all of the important information
needed to assess the risk and decide which
12 SUMMER 2016
PPE and other safety procedures are
appropriate to minimize the risks. An
energized electrical work permit (EEWP) as
specified by NFPA 70E is one method to
accomplish this. An example form is in NFPA
70E Informative Annex J.
NFPA 70E Section 130.2 Electrically Safe
Work Conditions directs us to place
electrical conductors and circuit parts into
an electrically safe work condition if we are
within the restricted-approach boundary or
the arc-flash boundary, or when interacting
with equipment in a manner that could cause
failure. Interacting does not include normal
operation of equipment but does include
such tasks such as racking circuit breakers
and installing and removing MCC buckets or
bus plugs.
NFPA 70E Section 130.2(B) Energized
Electrical Work Permit (EEWP) is part of the
required documentation for any energized
electrical task. There are exceptions listed
in 130.2(B)(3), but an EEWP is part of the
electrical risk assessment process for most
tasks. Voltage testing and troubleshooting
are two exceptions to completing an EEWP,
but an EEWP could assist in evaluating the
risks and hazards associated with the task.
The approval process is not necessary, but
the EEWP records the information needed
to assess the risk and the steps needed to
safeguard the worker and others. The EEWP
in Informative Annex J is considered non-
mandatory information, which means it can
be modified to more closely fit the needs and
circumstances of a company or task.
NFPA 70E Section 130.4(A) Shock Risk
Assessment would include determining
the nominal phase-to-phase voltage of the
system, along with the approach boundaries
(limited and restricted) and shock-protective
PPE required.
To perform an arc-flash risk assessment in
accordance with 130.5, first determine if
an arc-flash hazard exists. An arc-flash risk
exists if the technician is exposed to energized
ELECTRICAL RISK MANAGEMENT
 THE NFPA 70E AND NETA
electrical conductors or circuit parts. The
amount of risk will vary with the tasks
being performed. The hazard is the available
short-circuit current, the voltage, and the
clearing time of the overcurrent protective
device (OCPD). The arc-flash boundary,
working distance, condition of maintenance
of the equipment or circuit, arc-flash
protective clothing, and PPE such as shown
in Figure 3 will also have to be determined.

Figure 4: Safety Barrier Tape Used as a

Boundary Marker

If necessary, ground the equipment and use

a means to account for temporary personal
protective grounds and equipment, such as
tags and specialized forms like those shown in
Figure 5.

Figure 3: Arc-Rated Clothing and Panel

Removal

Refer to Table H.3(b) in NFPA 70E Informative

Annex H if an arc-flash-hazard warning label
is present on the equipment. Do not use
Table 130.7(C)(16) to determine the required
arc-rated clothing and PPE. If there is
no label, use the table method [Tables
130.7(C)(15)(A)(a), 130.7(C)(15)(A)(b) and
130.7(C)(16)]. If the limits of Table 130.7(C)
(15)(a)(b) are exceeded, an incident energy
analysis must be conducted. Figure 5: Grounding Awareness Tags
(Coutesy of BP American, Inc.)
Determine what is needed to protect
unqualified workers from the risks of shock Other items to review include:
or arc flash. This usually involves setting up Inspect all tools and equipment prior to
safety barriers or signage, but may require the start of work, including test
the use of an attendant, in accordance with instruments, leads and accessories, live-
130.7(E) Alerting Techniques. The safety line tools, insulated tools, rubber
barrier or barricade is set up at the limited- insulating blankets, shielding or gloves,
approach boundary or the arc-flash boundary, arc-rated clothing and PPE, as required.
whichever is farther out, according to 130.7(E) Inspect everything, even if it is known to
(2) Barricades (Figure 4). be good.

ELECTRICAL RISK MANAGEMENT NETAWORLD 13

THE NFPA 70E AND NETA
Determine whether a safety backup is
required, as well as the training, experience,
and PPE required for the safety backup.
All these items should be documented.
Determine whether temporary insulating
shielding is needed on nearby energized
electrical circuits or whether other means
are required to guard nearby equipment
to prevent incidental contact.
Document the installation or removal of
any specialized test instruments that
may be required, such as circuit analyzers
or recorders.
If troubleshooting, the equipment may have to
be de-energized or operated to allow opening
the door. Since it is no longer operating
normally, arc-rated clothing and PPE will
be required even to operate the overcurrent
protective device to remove it from service.
Refer to the arc-flash risk assessment for the
proper protection.
When the cause of the malfunction is
determined, repair may be required to return
the equipment or circuit to service. Repair
includes any task using tools, such as removing
and installing components, tightening or
replacement of conductors, and so on.
It would be wise to evaluate the condition of
the equipment before repairs begin, as the risks
will be greater when energized conductors or
circuit parts are being handled or replaced.
The task work on energized electrical conductors and
circuit parts, including voltage testing in Table
130.7(C)(15)(A)(a) indicates that arc-rated
PPE is always required, which would include
troubleshooting.
ALL E LE C T RIC A L TASKS
INVOLVE RIS K
The hazard is present whenever the equipment
or circuit is energized, and therefore, so is
an element of risk. Risk can be reduced
considerably by operating the equipment
remotely or by covering adjacent circuits with
14 SUMMER 2016
rubber-insulating shields, but the associated
risk will never be zero as long as the equipment
is energized.
The risk that remains after all appropriate
steps have been taken is referred to as the
residual risk, which must be evaluated. If
the residual risk is still too great, the work
cannot be performed while the equipment is
energized. If a trained and experienced (read:
qualified) technician carefully evaluates the
risk and believes it can be done safely, then
that task can be done energized. However,
if the technicians experience indicates that
the conditions look too risky, or if they do
not have the correct training or experience,
then the energized task cannot proceed.
A different approach to accomplish the task
would need to be formulated, which would
probably include de-energizing the equipment.
SUMMARY
Assessing risk is a vital part of safety not just
electrical safety, but all work-site safety issues.
The employer can only do so much. It is the
employee at the scene, observing the equipment
and conditions, who ultimately must determine
the level of risk.
One good adage: Always be responsible for your
personal safety. Relying on others could result
in a less-than-satisfactory outcome. Listen to
your gut feelings. Often, accidents could have
been avoided if the worker stopped when that
little voice in their ear said, I wouldnt do
that, if I were you. Step back and re-evaluate
the situation because maybe something was
missed. Having a second look or asking for a
second opinion is never a bad thing.
A huge part of the risk-assessment equation
is how well the personnel performing the task
are trained. If workers are not following the
appropriate policies or procedures, it is often
a lack of training thats at fault. Check-the-box
training may satisfy the paper trail, but does
little or nothing to promote safety or safe work
practices. Employees must be trained and show
ELECTRICAL RISK MANAGEMENT
they understand the importance of what they Ron Widup and Jim White are
do and how to do it. People must understand NETAs representatives to NFPA Technical
Committee 70E (Electrical Safety
why it needs to be done the right way instead
Requirements for Employee Workplaces).
of a more convenient way. Both gentlemen are employees of Shermco
Industries in Dallas, Texas, a NETA
Be careful out there. Accredited Company. Ron Widup is
Ron Widup CEO 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
Jim White system technicians. Jim is a Principal
member of NFPA 70B representing
Shermco Industries, NETAs alternate member of NFPA
70E, and NETAs Principal representative to the ASTM F18
Committee Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers.
WERE MORE THAN JUST PARTS.
WERE PART OF THE
SOLUTION.

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Of course, if you already know exactly what you need, we make it easy to buy online on our constantly
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 Industrial Electric Testing, Inc.

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NO-OUTAGE CORNER

USING NO-OUTAGE
TESTING TECHNIQUES FOR
POST-NATURAL
TRIAGE B Y D O N A . G E N U TI S ,
Halco Testing Services

A few weeks ago here in Southern California, we were in the

midst of a battering string of El Nio storms that created
widespread surface flooding. During this same timeframe, we
experienced a 4.5-magnitude earthquake, the Mississippi River
was flooding its banks, and the Eastern U.S. was hit with one
of the worst snowstorms in modern history. Natural disasters
force us to consider how to best conduct electrical equipment
assessment and maintain reliability when confronted with these
challenging attacks from nature.
There are many types of natural disasters and interrelated events that can potentially wreak havoc
upon our electrical systems. For example, flooding from freshwater rivers and saltwater storm
surges can submerge outdoor substations and low-lying indoor equipment. Water is one of the top
killers of electrical equipment. Floods and precipitation can cause insulation flash-over resulting in
insulation damage. High-humidity conditions can damage insulation through moisture absorption
in organic insulation and cause conductor corrosion, even if the exposure duration is relatively
brief. Corrosion problems can potentially cause long-term difficulty in high-resistance conductor
connections, and salt water can significantly accelerate this corrosion process. Particulates suspended
in flood waters can settle between moving apparatus components and create future mechanical
operational problems with moving parts.

18 SUMMER 2016 USING NO OUTAGE TESTING TECHNIQUES FOR POST-NATURAL DISASTER TRIAGE

Outdoor insulation is designed to function in
wet weather, but extreme weather conditions
can initiate and accelerate failures of marginal
insulation. Precipitation from rain, snow, and
sleet can potentially compromise outdoor
insulation and challenge equipment's
weatherproofing integrity. Damp, heavy
snow and sleet can accumulate on overhead
lines and other outdoor equipment, adding
greater weight to lines and creating excessive
mechanical stresses to all related structural
components.
In addition to water-related challenges, high
winds from storms, tornados, and hurricanes
can damage overhead lines and outdoor
substations. Also, earthquakes can physically
jolt indoor and outdoor equipment, creating
damaging mechanical stresses. Mechanical
problems due to high winds and earthquakes
can break or deform insulation or conductors
and mechanisms. Mechanical forces produced
by these weather events can break or crack
insulators, and ceramic insulators may be at
much greater risk due to their more brittle
structural properties. High winds can also
propel projectiles that can damage equipment
and enclosures. Equipment enclosures sealed
adequately during normal conditions may fail
to keep out sand and dirt from extreme winds
that can subsequently contaminate insulation or
migrate their way into operating mechanisms.
Extreme heat can also contribute to
overheating and cause other equipment to be
indirectly stressed due to increased heat-related
load demands. Thermal stresses can lead to
immediate failure and cause hidden long-
term effects by reducing overall equipment life
expectancy.
If equipment is de-energized due to a direct
or indirect fault, the opportunity to perform
traditional outage-based inspections, testing,
and field reconditioning and repairs must be
seized. No-outage techniques should then be
used after the outage-based work has been
completed and power has been restored to help
ensure success.
USING NO OUTAGE TESTING TECHNIQUES FOR POST-NATURAL DISASTER TRIAGE
NO-OUTAGE CORNER
Energized equipment should not be ignored.
Equipment may still be operational but close
to failure, and no-outage testing techniques
can often identify these looming failures. The
best no-outage methods for these assessments
are typically visual inspections and partial-
discharge (PD) detection using TEV and
ultrasonics, infrared inspection, and insulating
fluid testing.
Ultrasonic PD inspections are perhaps the
best method for detecting medium- and high-
voltage surface-related insulation problems.
TEV PD inspections are very effective for
detecting elusive medium-voltage internal
insulation defects. Infrared technology is a great
technique for spotting conductor damage at all
voltage levels, and insulating fluid sampling
and testing can help ensure the integrity of
transformers and other fluid-insulated devices.
Experienced technicians with a careful eye can
fill in most of the remaining gaps to detect
other problems.
We must adapt our daily practices to better
consider environmental conditions and also
prepare ourselves for the inevitable task of
assessing electrical equipment after natural
disasters strike. No-outage inspection
techniques are the most efficient methods to
provide equipment condition assessment and
ensure future reliability. However, equipment
exposed to natural disasters must also be
monitored for future long-term problems that
may result from abnormal conditions.
Don A. Genutis holds a BSEE and was a
NETA Certified Technician for more than
15 years. He has held various principal
positions during his 30-year career in the
electrical testing field. He primarily focused
on advancing no-outage testing techniques
for the last 15 years. Don presently serves as President of
Halco Testing Services in Los Angeles, California.
NETAWORLD
NETAWORLD 19
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Let us suppoort you with our quality repair, calibration and servicing
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TECH QUIZ

No. 114

James R. (Jim) White

is the Training Director
of Shermco Industries,
PROTECTIVE RELAYING FOR
Inc., in Dallas, Texas.
He is the principal
member on the NFPA
ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEMS
B Y JI M W H I TE , Shermco Industries
technical committee
Recommended Practice
for Electrical Equipment
Maintenance (NFPA
This issues Tech Quiz looks at protective relaying for electrical power systems.
70B). Jim represents Testing protective relays is a huge part of the protection scheme, and, if not done
NETA as an alternate accurately, can cause false tripping or worse a no-trip condition. Most protective
member of the NFPA relays today are digital and have eliminated many of the problem areas associated
Technical Committee
Electrical Safety with electromechanical relays, but they still need to have the calibration and
in the Workplace functions verified.
(NFPA 70E) and
represents NETA 1. Match the device number with the relay 3. What type of protective relay requires two
on the ASTM F18 function: voltages that can have their magnitudes and
Committee Electrical a. 50 ____ 1. Differential phase angles varied from each other?
Protective Equipment
For Workers. Jim is an b. 86 ____ 2. Undervoltage a. Undervoltage
IEEE Senior Member c. 87 ____ 3. Instantaneous overcurrent b. Overvoltage
and in 2011 received the d. 27 ____ 4. Lockout c. Percent differential
IEEE/PCIC Electrical e. 25 ____ 5. Directional overcurrent d. Synch check
Safety Excellence
award. Jim is a past
f. 67 ____ 6. Synch check e. Directional power
Chairman (2008) of the 2. A percentage differential relay with a 25 4. A type 21 protective relay would be a:
IEEE Electrical Safety
Workshop (ESW).
percent slope characteristic has 4.9 A in one a. Distance
restraint coil and 4.2 A in the other. b. ac reclosing
a. What is the calculated imbalance? c. Pilot wire
______ percent d. Ground detector
b. Will this relay operate with this imbalance? e. Excitation
Yes / No
c. Based on its characteristic, what is this relay
most likely protecting? ______ or ______
See answers on page 120.

22 SUMMER 2016 TECH QUIZ

 S ELECTRICAL TESTING
CERTIFICATION PROGRAM:
SETTING
S E THE STANDARD, ENERGIZING THE FUTURE
BY K RIST EN WICK S,
An organization is only as strong as the people
who belong to it. NETAs reputation as a technical
leader in the electrical power systems industry
is built firmly on a long tradition of excellence
driven by the pursuit of quality, reliability, and
safety. This culture is a direct reflection of each
individual who chooses to participate in NETAs
many programs, from companies seeking NETA
Accreditation as third-party electrical testing
firms, to implementing the use of ANSI/NETA
standards when field testing electrical power
systems and equipment, to individuals who
elect to take the path toward becoming a NETA
Certified Technician. If NETAs Accredited
Companies are the foundation on which the
association is built, then NETAs Certified
Technicians are the keystone that locks
everything into place.
In addition to representing their NETA
Accredited Companies, NETA Certified
Technicians are the face of NETA as an
24 SUMMER 2016 NETAS ELECTRICAL TESTING TECHNICIAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM:
N E TA
association. Each person who holds NETA
Certified credentials is responsible for
representing what it means to test to the ANSI/
NETA standards, assuring that the intent of
these documents does not merely exist between
the covers, but is implemented each day in the
field. It is a badge of honor to hold a NETA
Certification at any level, and this is due largely
to the stringent requirements for certification.
In the year 2000, NETAs exam blueprints
became an official American National Standard
with the publication of the ANSI/NETA ETT
Standard for Certification of Electrical Testing
Technicians,, and are the industry standard for
Technicians
defining the required knowledge, skills, and
abilities commensurate with competency as a
qualified electrical testing technician. As with
all things in life, the only constant is change.
In order to meet the needs of a constantly
evolving industry, it is necessary to refresh
the certification program and infuse it with
new examination materials to assure that the
certification program remains robust and
consistent in its integrity as a true reflection of
the practice of electrical testing technicians.
In March of 2015, NETAs Board of Directors
approved a project to increase the associations
efforts toward certification program
development and maintenance. This project
kicked off in April of 2015 and is nearing the
final stages of the first phase of completion now
SETTING THE STANDARD, ENERGIZING THE FUTURE
 almost exactly a year later in May of 2016. The
project has seen the participation of over two-
thirds of NETA Accredited Companies, whose
technicians participated in the job analysis survey
in the summer of 2015. Those survey results
were the framework for a fresh look at NETAs
certification examinations. A team of 18 subject
matter experts, under the leadership of NETAs
exam development committee, confirmed the
revised blueprints, and have been in the process
of developing new exam questions to complete
the revised examinations for technicians Level 2,
Level 3, and Level 4.
July 2016 will be the first administration of the
new exam content based upon the redesigned
blueprints. More information about the
exam redesign project and requirements for
certification are available on the NETA website
at www.netaworld.org.
RESPONSIBLE FOR ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEM COMMISSION?
Get the ANSI/NETA Standard for Acceptance Testing and BUNDLE YOUR ORDER
the ANSI/NETA Standard for Electrical Commissioning.
Save 28% when you purchase the ANSI/NETA ATS 2013 and ANSI/NETA ECS 2015 together.
To order: visit www.netaworld.org, call 888.300.6382, or email neta@netaworld.org
NETA is extremely fortunate to have members
who are willing to donate one of the most
valuable assets: their time. Their efforts assure
continued growth and success for NETA,
its NETA Accredited Companies,
and most of all, its NETA Certified
Technicians. To each company that takes
on the challenging process of applying
for NETA Accreditation, and to each
technician who elects to follow the path
toward certification, thank you. Your
commitment to quality, reliability, and
safety is something to be proud of, and
assures a bright future for all whose lives
are powered by the electrical equipment
and systems in your care. Coming together is the
beginning. Keeping together
Kristen Wicks is NETAs Technical Services is progress. Working together
Director. is success. Henry Ford.
AND SAVE!
New!
 TWO NEW SELF-PACED TECHNICAL SEMINARS
(SPTS)

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ADDITIONAL Learn at your own pace. Advance your knowledge. Ask about
continuing education. Earn CTD*Credits for NETA Level III
COURSES and IV Technicians. Order online at: www.netaworld.org or
AVAILABLE call 888-300-6382 (NETA)
*CTDs awarded when participant receives a passing score on the prociency exam.
228 Merrick Road 601 Union Street
Lynbrook, NY 11563 Brooklyn, NY 11215
(631) 589-6343/Fax (516) 596-3680 (718) 786-4900
TECH TIPS
IN THE SOLAR INDUSTRY
BY J EFF J OWET T,
Solar energy is a rapidly developing and expanding segment of the
electrical power industry, spurred by the need for additional sources
and green (i.e., environmentally friendly) generation.
In photovoltaic power generation, a miniscule
fraction of the limitless energy of the sun is
chemically converted to usable electricity.
Solar generation can provide power directly
to homes and commercial facilities and is also
integrated into the larger power grid. The
basic unit of generation is the solar panel
(module), where the suns energy is converted
to electricity. The individual modules can then
be tied together into arrays, sometimes covering
vast areas of land to enhance total output.
Like the more common parts of the electrical
system, solar generation must be grounded.
In Photovoltaic Design & Installation by Ryan
Mayfield (John Wiley & Sons), Mayfield
refers to grounding as the most confusing,
debatable, and fun topic in the photovoltaic
world. Just as in other segments of the grid,
effective ground protection consists of two
distinct and inter-related parts: bonding
and grounding. Bonding (also referred to
as equipment grounding) is the connecting
of individual pieces of equipment in an
equipotential network. System grounding is
the termination of the equipment grounding
at an electrode buried in the earth. This article
will examine equipment grounding first.
E QUIP M E NT GR OUNDI NG
The purpose of equipment grounding is to
maintain all electrically conductive components at
ground potential. If a live conductor accidentally
28 SUMMER 2016
Megger
contacts any of the protected equipment, the
current is provided with a low impedance path
to ground that effectively shunts it around
personnel while inciting protective devices to
trip. Accordingly, the National Electrical Code
(NEC) states that exposed non-current-carrying
metal parts of module frames, equipment, and
conductor enclosures shall be grounded. This
requirement applies to all PV systems.
The equipment-grounding conductor runs
alongside the other conductors in the PV
circuitry. It is defined by the NEC as the
conductive path installed to connect normally
non-current-carrying metal parts of equipment
together and to the system-grounded conductor
or to the grounding-electrode conductor, or
both. Electrical components such as combiner
boxes, inverters, disconnects, battery boxes, and
any metallic box holding electrical equipment
can have a properly sized conductor connected
to the ground lug on the equipment and then
to the grounding system, thereby creating an
equipment-grounding conductor (EGC). Every
module must be connected to an EGC. There
is often a connection point on the frame for this
purpose, usually in the middle of the long edge,
but necessary hardware and instructions have
been reported as frequently lacking.
Two means of connection are most employed:
ground lugs and grounding clips. A ground lug
(Figure 1a) is a metallic screw-type clamp. It can
GROUNDING IN THE SOLAR INDUSTRY

be placed at the manufacturers suggested point
on the module. The EGC is then screwed tight to
the lug. The same EGC can be run from lug
to lug, thereby connecting the whole array. The
lug must be rated for outdoor use and direct
burial. This option, however, can be tedious and
time-consuming.
Figure 1a: Ground Lug
Alternatively, a grounding clip (Figure 1b) can
be placed between the module and the racking
system that composes the structure upon which
the modules are mounted. The clip pierces the
module frame and the racking system, metallically
bonding the two and making the mounting rails
the EGC. Be certain all the rails are connected
together, which can be done prior to installation
of the modules.
Figure 1b: Grounding Clip
GROUNDING IN THE SOLAR INDUSTRY
TECH TIPS
After all components are bonded together,
a single EGC can be bonded to one of the
rails and brought to the combiner box. This
method is not as labor-intensive, but the clips
must be placed precisely as specified by the clip
manufacturer. Full contact with the module
and rack must be verified; otherwise, there is
the possibility of an open or weak bond that
would defeat the purpose of ground protection
of the array. Similarly, if a module is removed,
it must be done without disrupting the ground
continuity of any other part of the structure. If
the lug method uses a continuous conductor,
then the structure remains protected. Proper
rail bonding assures similar protection where
the clip method has been used.
The equipment-grounding conductor must
be sized properly to accommodate maximum
prospective current. Again, the requirements
are set forth in the NEC and are based on the
over-current protection device (OCPD) for the
system. A ground fault protection device (GFP)
should also be installed in the system. Article
690.45 provides a table that specifies the gauge
of the EGC based on the amperage rating of the
OCPD. Not all PV systems require OCPDs.
In that case, the grounding conductor is sized
based on the short-circuit current. The same
table can be used, substituting the short-circuit
current for the OCPD of the same rating,
but no gauge smaller than 14 AWG should ever
be used.
If there is no ground fault protection device
(GFP) installed in the system, the EGC is sized
with an ampacity at least twice that of what is
called the conditions of use ampacity for the
current-carrying conductors. These parameters
are given in Tables 310.15(B)(2)(a), 310.15(B)
(2)(c), 310.16, and 310.17 of the NEC.
However, these are last-option measures, and
it is highly advantageous to have an installed
GFP. Fortunately, all grid-direct inverters come
standard with built-in GFPs, and for battery-
based systems, they are easy to integrate.
In addition to considering the potential damage
to undersized conductors from over-currents,
the possibility of physical damage should also
NETAWORLD
NETAWORLD 29
TECH TIPS
be taken into account. If such risk exists, the
EGC can be protected in conduit or be at least
6 AWG, as the heavier gauge will withstand
physical abuse that might damage a lighter
gauge. In the PV industry, EGCs are most
commonly bare copper. Within conduit, either
bare copper or insulated ground conductors are
used. Using building wiring for ground wire in
conduit is acceptable.
Finally, all the current-carrying protection
of equipment grounding will be lost if not
connected to adequate system grounding.
Currents traveling on the grounding conductors
must be diverted to earth at low impedance
to not exploit unwanted paths through
equipment and personnel. This function
requires an adequate grounding electrode (GE)
making contact with the surrounding earth.
The most commonly recognized electrode
is the ground rod, often a copper rod driven
eight feet into the earth. For a better ground,
or in poorly conductive soil, a deeper rod can
be driven. Also, extra rods can be added and
paralleled together with a conductor. To avoid
the two rods behaving as only one, the second
rod is added at a horizontal distance slightly
greater than its depth. A second rod will
generally decrease ground resistance by about
40 percent, but additional rods invoke the Law
of Diminishing Returns, as increments become
progressively smaller.
The solar industry also uses the Ufer
ground. For roof-mounted arrays, the steel
reinforcement of the concrete foundation may
be used to make contact with the earth. It is
a good idea, however, to augment this with a
parallel ground rod, as lightning strikes can
damage foundations by vaporizing the trapped
moisture in the concrete. (Historical note: Ufer
is not an acronym, as sometimes reported. It
is actually the name of Herbert G. Ufer, the
electrical engineer who pioneered the method.
During WWII, a method was needed to safely
ground ammunition bunkers at obvious
risk and it was Ufer who came up with the
30 SUMMER 2016
idea that the foundation steel already in place
would serve.)
GROUNDING ELECTRODE
CONDUCTOR
The second essential element in system
grounding is the grounding electrode
conductor (GEC).This is a conductor that
connects the rod(s) or Ufer to a point where
all the other grounded conductors can be
connected. A good example is a 6 AWG or
4 AWG wire from the grounding electrode
at one end to the ground busbar inside the main
distribution panel (MDP) at the other end.
Article 690.47 is the principal NEC reference.
If the PV system is utility-interactive, either
grid-direct or battery-based, the PV system
grounding is then paralleled with the existing
utility system ground. Electrically separate
grounds can develop voltage gradients between
them that will behave counter to the purpose
of the grounding system, causing ground
currents to flow into an electrical system.
Paralleling them together brings them to the
same potential. There are two common ways
to make the system-grounding connection in a
utility-interactive system.
One is to connect an additional ground rod
or two to the inverter system grounding (6
AWG GEC recommended) and parallel it to
the existing utility electrode (Figure 2 top).
This must be done with a GEC of the same
gauge as the existing utility GEC. A second
method is to run a GEC from the inverter to
the existing utility electrode (Figure 2 bottom).
This conductor would be sized according to
NEC requirements. For stand-alone, battery-
based systems (the solar array is providing the
sole source of electricity to the ac load), a utility
ground is unavailable, so a new grounding
electrode must be installed. Two 6 AWG or
4 AWG GECs must then be connected, one
from the dc wiring enclosure where the inverter
connects to the battery bank and the other
from the ac MDP.
GROUNDING IN THE SOLAR INDUSTRY
 For utility-interactive systems, a GEC will
already be in place from the original contractor.
Stand-alone, battery-based systems require the
installation of a new GE and GEC. The GE is
installed as close to the MDP as possible. If the
GEC is run outside without conduit, it should
be at least 6 AWG. The robustness of this gauge
is considered sufficient to provide physical
protection. If the GEC can be run without
exposure to physical damage, an 8 AWG
conductor for the dc side may be adequate.

Jeffrey R. Jowett is a Senior Applications

Figure 2: Two Common Ways to Make
System-Grounding Connection in a Utility-
Interactive System
As to sizing the GEC, Article 250.66 of the
NEC describes the requirements for the ac
side, and Article 250.166 covers the dc side.
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.

ANSI/NETA MTS - 2015 UPDATED EDITION

To learn more about the newest edition of the

ORDER NOW! ANSI/NETA MTS Standard for Maintenance Testing

Specifications, visit netaworld.org/standards.
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IN THE KINDLE STORE
 SAFETY CORNER

AND ELECTRIC
A CAL HAZARD FOOTWEAR
B Y PA U L CH AM BERL AIN, American Electrical Testing Co., Inc.

Everyone wears clothes. However, not everyone needs to wear

clothes designed to protect from the inherent hazards in their job.
If employees work on electric power generation, transmission,
and distribution equipment, then special clothing is necessary
for certain tasks.
Per OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.269,
employers need to assess a workplace and
whether an employee will be exposed to the
hazards of flames or electric arcs. Upon finding
a potential for exposure, the employer must
estimate the potential incident heat energy
the employee could be exposed to and provide
the employee with the appropriate personal
protective equipment (PPE). In addition, if
employees will be exposed to flames and arcs,
the employer must ensure that the material
worn by employees is not untreated meltable
fabric (e.g., polyester, rayon, fleece, natural
fiber blended with meltable fibers, etc.).
Available materials are listed in ASTM F1506
Flame Resistant and Arc Rated Textile Materials
for Wearing Apparel for Use by Electrical
Workers Exposed to Momentary Electric Arc
and Related Thermal Hazards.
Further, in regulation 1910.269, OSHA states:
The employer shall ensure that the outer layer of
clothing worn by an employee, except for
clothing not required to be arc rated, is flame
resistant under any of the following conditions:
1. The employee is exposed to contact with
energized circuit parts operating at more
than 600 volts,
2. An electric arc could ignite flammable
material in the work area that, in turn,
could ignite the employees clothing,
3. Molten metal or electric arcs from faulted
conductors in the work area could ignite
the employees clothing, or
4. The incident heat energy exceeds 2.0 cal/
cm2.
Per NFPA 70E 2015 Standard for Electrical Safety
in the Workplace, the employer must provide
arc-rated (AR) clothing for potential arc-flash
hazards in an atmosphere not regulated by
the OSHA 1910.269 standard. Section 130.4
and 130.6 of NFPA 70E clearly states that it is
the employers responsibility to identify the
hazards and provide the necessary AR clothing
to mitigate those hazards. It also instructs
the employee in proper inspection of that PPE.
Once it is determined that flame-resistant clothing
is required, the employer must provide clothing
that is appropriately rated for the potential
hazard. In 1910.269, OSHA further states:
The employer shall ensure that each employee
exposed to hazards from electric arcs wears
protective clothing and other protective
equipment with an arc rating greater
than or equal to the heat energy estimated
whenever that estimate exceeds 2.0 cal/cm2.
This protective equipment shall cover the
employees entire body, except as follows:

34 SUMMER 2016 ARC-RATED CLOTHING AND ELECTRICAL HAZARD FOOTWEAR

 SAFETY CORNER

1. Arc-rated protection is not necessary for the

employees hands when the employee is
wearing rubber insulating gloves with
protectors, or, if the estimated incident
energy is no more than 14 cal/cm2,
heavy-duty leather work gloves with a
weight of at least 407 gm/m2 (12 oz/yd2),
2. Arc-rated protection is not necessary for
the employees feet when the employee
is wearing heavy-duty work shoes or boots,
3. Arc-rated protection is not necessary
for the employees head when the
employee is wearing head protection
meeting 1910.135 if the estimated
incident energy is less than 9 cal/cm2
for exposures involving single-phase arcs
in open air or 5 cal/cm2 for other exposures,
4. The protection for the employees head
may consist of head protection meeting
1910.135 and a face shield with a
minimum arc rating of 8 cal/cm2 if
the estimated incident-energy exposure is
less than 13 cal/cm2 for exposures involving
single-phase arcs in open air or 9 cal/cm2
for other exposures, and
5. For exposures involving single-phase arcs
in open air, the arc rating for the
employees head and face protection may
be 4 cal/cm2 less than the estimated
incident energy.
The other aspect to employee training is
care of their PPE. If it is worn, damaged, or
deteriorated, then it cannot adequately protect
them from potential hazards. Employees must
learn to inspect all PPE prior to and after
use. A guideline in the inspection and care of
AR clothing is found in ASTM F1449
Standard Guide for Industrial Laundering of
Flame, Thermal, and Arc Resistant Clothing
and ASTM F2757 Standard Guide for Home
Laundering Care and Maintenance of Flame,
Thermal and Arc Resistant Clothing.
Clothing. These
ASTM standards are a requirement for
management of AR clothing, whether laundered
at home or commercially. Many AR clothing
manufacturers offer helpful online aids to
provide guidance to employees on the proper
use, care, and maintenance of AR clothing.

As the potential incident energy increases,

so must the protection level provided to the
employee. Again, it is the employers
responsibility to assess the workplace, identify
potential hazards, and provide adequate
protection to the hazard.

Training employees in the proper use and

care of the PPE provided is very important.
Employees ability to identify electrical
hazards, their knowledge of electrical equipment
and its nominal voltage, and understanding
when proper PPE is required are vitally If they will be exposed to the hazard of flames
important and will go a long way in ensuring or electrical arc, employees must also wear
that they are protecting themselves from heavy-duty work boots or shoes. Per OSHA
potential hazards. 29 CFR 1910.136(a): Each affected employee

ARC-RATED CLOTHING AND ELECTRICAL HAZARD FOOTWEAR NETAWORLD 35

SAFETY CORNER
shall wear protective footwear when working in
areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due
to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the
sole, and where such employees feet are exposed to
electrical hazards.
Likely, the boot or shoe will also need to be
safety-toed and meet ASTM F2413 Standard
Specification for Performance Requirements
for Protective (Safety) Toe Cap Footwear.
Footwear.
Additionally, the boots must be electrical
hazard-rated footwear (EH). EH footwear is
manufactured with non-conductive, electrical-
shock-resistant soles and heels. The outsole
provides a secondary source of electric-shock-
resistance protection to the wearer against
the hazards from an incidental contact with
live electrical circuits, electrically energized
conductors, parts, or apparatus. It must be
capable of withstanding the application of
18,000 volts at 60 hertz for one minute with
no current flow or leakage current in excess of
one milliampere under dry conditions. Should
the assessed potential exceed this, protection
such as rubber dielectric over boots or shoes
will be required.
36 SUMMER 2016 ARC-RATED CLOTHING AND ELECTRICAL HAZARD FOOTWEAR
Proper care of footwear is also very important.
Exposed toe caps indicate a breakthrough
in the leather of the boot, providing less arc
and flame protection. Simple things such as
broken, missing, or overly long laces can pose
a simple trip hazard, which can cause serious
injury. Wear in the sole of the boot exposes the
employee to step potential during a ground
fault. Spilled flammable materials can soak into
a leather boot, possibly causing a flame hazard.
Therefore, cleaning and maintaining boots and
shoes used for protection is highly important.
Wearing the correct AR clothing and boots
protects employees from many potential
hazards. Ensuring that this equipment is clean
and well maintained is an important step in
providing adequate protection to the wearer.
Knowledge of how to inspect, clean, and
maintain these garments and footwear must
be given to the employee by the employer to
ensure a safe and productive workplace.
Paul Chamberlain has been
the Safety Manager for American
Electrical Testing Co., Inc. since
2009. He has been in the safety field
for the past 17 years, working for
various companies and in various
industries. He received a bachelor
of science degree from Massachusetts
Maritime Academy.
 1 965-2
965-201
015
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RELAY COLUMN
The users, owners, and operators of the bulk
power system within these areas account for
virtually all the electricity supplied in the
United States, Canada, and a portion of Baja
California Norte, Mxico. NERC released
an official report in May 2013 that featured
statistics for protection misoperations across
the entire country.
Major disturbances are ranked using a Daily
Severity Risk Index. These include the following
blackouts:
1989 Quebec Solar Flare
1996 Western Disturbance
2003 Eastern Interconnection Blackout
Primarily, misoperations resulted due to the
following reasons (Figure 2):
Incorrect settings/logic/design errors
Communication failure
Relay failure or malfunction
These events include human error during
testing and maintenance activities. These errors
result in protection system activation that has
contributed to large disturbance events.
Figure 2: NERC 2012 Misoperation Table
Most of these misoperations contribute to
increasing Security Risk Index (SRI) and indicate
that the number of transmission element outages
is increasing.
C OR R E C T IVE AC TI ONS
Applications requiring coordination of
functionally different relay elements should
be avoided. This type of coordination is
almost always problematic and is the cause of
numerous misoperations reported in the study
period. For example, an overcurrent element
40 SUMMER 2016 IMPROVING SYSTEM PROTECTION RELIABILITY AND SECURITY
should not coordinate with a distance element;
while the distance element has a fixed reach,
the effective reach of the overcurrent element
is dependent upon the strength of the source.
Misoperations due to setting errors can be
reduced using the following techniques:
Peer reviews
Increased training
More extensive fault studies
Standard-setting templates for standard
schemes
Periodic review of existing settings when
there is a change in system topography
Remember that the greater the complexity
of the protection scheme, the greater risk of
misoperation. Simplicity is elegance.
MI SOPERATI ON ANALY SIS
87 Generator Phase Dierential Protection
The customer reported a questionable generator
protection relay trip. There are two main
protection relays provided by different
manufacturers, but only one operated.
Review of the relay settings revealed that the
relay that did not trip had a higher pickup
setting by a factor greater than four times. The
CTs have a knee point of 100 volts or less,
which is low, and there was the presence of
heavy dc offset in the C-Phase current (Figure 3).
Figure 3: C-Phase Neutral Side CT Excitation
Characteristic
Figures 4A and 4B show the high levels of dc offset
present in C-Phase current during the event.
In fact, dc offset current is the number-one
cause of CT saturation.
 RELAY COLUMN
The blue triangle in Figure 6 corresponds to the
C-Phase operating point, which was just on the
boundary of operation. The misoperation occurred
when the current was coming out of saturation.

Figure 4A: Generator C-Phase Current

Figure 6: 87 Phase Differential Operating Characteristic

The dc offset present in fault current exponentially

decays as shown in Figure 7. The digital Fourier
transform algorithm cannot fully reject it.

Figure 4B: Generator C-Phase Differential Current

Here is the minimum pickup for the relay that

did not operate:

TapO87P = (4.4 amps)(0.3) = 1.32 amps

As shown in Figure 5, the customer copied the

settings from an arbitrary example in the
Figure 7: DC Offset Current
manufacturer relay instruction book. The relay
that tripped was more than four times as sensitive.
Best Practice: If the dc offset from transformer
inrush (e.g., black start) or fault condition can
cause CT saturation, then the following are
appropriate for generator phase differential
protection settings:
Minimum pickup up to 0.5 amps secondary
Slope of 20 percent
Time delay up to 5 8 cycles

Detailed calculations are necessary for generator

differential protection to determine if CTs can
saturate; do not simply copy settings from the
relay instruction book without actual verification.

Higher C-class CTs can help to mitigate saturation

Figure 5: Nominal Current Calculations (Figure 8).

IMPROVING SYSTEM PROTECTION RELIABILITY AND SECURITY NETAWORLD 41

RELAY COLUMN
operating conditions. If failure occurs in the
lower voltage portion of winding near neutral, a
generator trip will not typically occur until some
other relay protection detects a problem (e.g.,
arcing becomes so widespread that other portions
of winding become involved). 27TN sees stator
ground faults very close to the machine neutral as
shown in Figure 10.

Figure 8: CT Saturation Calculation

VCTMAX = 2(RCT + 2Rlead + Rburden)

The factor of 2 accounts for a fully offset current

waveform, which is worse case.

27TN Third Harmonic Neutral Undervoltage

A utility experienced several misoperations when
Figure 10: 27TN and 59N Zones of Stator
system voltage was low. However, the trip shown
Ground Fault Protection
in Figure 9 occurred when the machine was
under-excited and drawing vars from the system.
Third-harmonic neutral voltage changes as a
function of load. The pickup setting is typically
set equal to one-half of the minimum value
measured during normal operation. Figure 11
illustrates how complex it can be to securely set
27TN protection through the blocking functions.

Figure 9: Machine Real and Reactive Power at

Time of 27TN Trip

The machine nominal power is 746.5 watts

secondary.
Conventional protection (59N) cannot detect
grounds in the last five to 10 percent of the stator
winding. Actually, 27TN is not always reliable
and may have to be blocked during specific
Figure 11: 27TN Settings
The solution for this particular machine is
to block on low-forward power as this is the
prevailing system condition when the nuisance

42 SUMMER 2016 IMPROVING SYSTEM PROTECTION RELIABILITY AND SECURITY

trip occurs. The main drawback to this solution
is no protection for stator ground faults close to
neutral during this operating condition.

Best Practice: The customer was urged to

considering installation of 100 percent stator
ground fault protection using sub-harmonic
voltage injection (64S), which they did (Figure 12).

Figure 13B: Core and Winding Damage Burned

Open Bar in a Slot

Figure 12: 64S Protection Connection

Recent experience with four such failures in
large generators demonstrates that lack of proper
protection can be disastrous. Each of the four
failures caused massive damage to generators and
collectively had total cost, including repair and
loss of generation, close to $500 million. This
demonstrates that the failure of stator windings
in the last five percent of the winding is not
uncommon. See Figures 13A, 13B and 13C.
Figure 13A: Winding Damage Broken
Stator Winding Conductor
Figure 13C: Burned Away Copper - Fractured
Connection Ring
64S provides the following advantages:
Detects stator ground when winding
insulation first starts to break down and trips
unit before catastrophic damage occurs.
Trips in order of cycles since 20 Hz signal is
decoupled from 60 Hz power system.
Detects grounds close to machine neutral
or even right at neutral providing 100
percent coverage of stator windings.
Detects grounds when machine is starting up
or offline.
Reliably operates with generator in various
operating modes (such as a synchronous
condenser) and at all levels of real and reactive
power output.
Commissions in less than one hour, assuming
there are no wiring errors. See Figure 14.

IMPROVING SYSTEM PROTECTION RELIABILITY AND SECURITY NETAWORLD 43


Figure 14: Numerical Generator Relay 20 Hz
Metering
Incorrect Phase Rotation Settings
Numerical protection relays require a setting to
determine the correct phase rotation. Figure 15
illustrates ABC phase rotation; however, some
power systems are ACB.
Figure 15: ABC Phase Rotation
Two customers experienced generator protection
misoperations due to incorrect phase rotation
settings. The first misoperation was 40 loss-of-
field protection (Figure 16).
Figure 16: 40 Loss-of-Field Protection
44 SUMMER 2016 IMPROVING SYSTEM PROTECTION RELIABILITY AND SECURITY
Sequence of events:
40 operates on Z1 (positive-sequence
impedance).
40 measures incorrect impedance due to
wrong phase rotation setting.
40 trips each time customer attempts to
synch the generator to the grid.
The second misoperation was 78 out-of-step
protection (Figure 17).
Figure 17: 78 Out-of-Step Protection
Sequence of events:
78 operates on Z1 (positive-sequence
impedance).
78 measures incorrect impedance due to
wrong phase rotation setting.
78 tripped during external event.
How did either incorrect relay setting make it
past commissioning? Both elements (40 and
78) were effectively operating on Z2 (negative-
sequence impedance) due to the incorrect
phase rotation settings.
Best Practice: Modern numerical relays have
built-in tools to determine the actual phase
rotation. Phase rotation can quickly be checked
using numerical relay metering.
CONCLUSI ON
The 2013 NERC report covered relay In the
2013 NERC report on relay misoperations
across the country, over one-third of the total
events were due to incorrect setting, logic,
testing, and design errors. Simplified software
for complex applications and visualization
tools can enhance proper relay settings and Steve Turner, an IEEE Senior Member,
is a Senior Applications Engineer at
operation. And finally, correction actions Beckwith Electric Company. His previous
must be taken such as peer reviews, training, experience includes work as an application
analysis, the use of standards-setting templates, engineer with GEC Alstom, and as an
and periodic reviews. application engineer in the international
market for SEL, focusing on transmission
line protection applications. Steve worked for Duke Energy
(formerly Progress Energy), where he developed a patent
for double-ended fault location on overhead transmission
lines. He has a BSEE and MSEE from Virginia Tech.
Steve has presented at numerous conferences including
Georgia Tech Protective Relay Conference, Western Protective
Relay Conference, Energy Council of the Northeast
(ECNE), and Doble User Groups, as well as various
international conferences.
 FINLEY LEDBETTER:
NETA Will Bring Together People
From All Over The World
BY CARL A K AL OG ERIDIS, NETA

Congratulations! Finley Ledbetter receives the 2016 Alliance Recognition Award from Jim Cialdea.

NETA 2016 Alliance Recognition Award honoree
Finley Ledbetter is an ideas man, an entrepreneur at
heart. But as good as he is with numbers and
recognizing a great business opportunity, Ledbetter
has always put people first.
Bill Schofield, president of Ledbetters flagship
company, Circuit Breaker Sales (CBS), has worked for
Ledbetter for 18 years. In July 1998, Ledbetter
purchased Schofields former company, Astro Power
Systems. I believe he hired me to be quarterback, but
then made me coach and waterboy also, Schofield says.
Schofield remembers the day he interviewed with
CBS. Finley was giving him a tour, and they happened
upon a delivery driver. Ledbetter had heard that the
driver was in an on-the-job accident the day before.
Schofield was impressed by Ledbetters sincere concern
for the driver without a mention about the damage to
the company truck. You could see the genuine concern
on his face making sure that the driver was OK,
Schofield says.
The driver assured Ledbetter that he was fine, but
confessed that the truck was messed up. Schofield recalls
that Finley casually replied, Well, you were wanting a
new truck anyhow, so I guess you better go get one.
I was very impressed with the fact that Finley only
cared about his people, not his stuff, Schofield says,
and to this day, I think it is the same.
Schofield says Finley is an excellent businessman and
has a great mind for numbers, ideas, and execution.
He is not afraid to take a chance, nor too proud to
admit when something is not working.
Over the last decade, Finley has hired lots of great,
talented folks and given them the freedom to champion
their own segments of the business, Schofield says. I
am proud to call him my partner in several businesses
and my friend in life.
F U TU R E O F NE TA
The Alliance Recognition Award is NETAs way of
honoring worthy contributors to the electrical testing
industry people like Finley Ledbetter who have
not only been dedicated supporters of NETA and the
work of the association, but also have furthered the
industry and inspired others to do the same. Presented
annually at PowerTest, this years honor went to
Ledbetter in recognition of his example of how to
achieve personal success, take good care of employees
and customers, and still have time to devote to making
the industry stronger.
Ledbetter accomplished much of his work for the
industry as a long-time supporter of NETA, including
presenting and sponsoring at PowerTest as well as
authoring articles. Ive come to all of the NETA
conferences since the second one in 1977, Ledbetter
says. I started as one of the youngest, and now Im
one of the oldest.
Over the last 10 years, NETA has really upped its
industry presence and leadership, Ledbetter says.
NETA has become a serious technical organization
where it doesnt matter who you are, but what you do,
he explains. If you bring value to the group through
good ideas, youll have stature.
Ledbetter believes the next 10 years will develop
NETA into more of a worldwide organization. When
you look at how far its come to date, its certainly
possible, and its what needs to happen, he says. I see
the future of NETA as bringing together people from
all over the world.
A SOLUTI ONS-DRI VEN LEADER
Finley Ledbetter has worked in power engineering for
35 years, including serving as an applications engineer
and instructor for the Multi-Amp Institute. He was
instrumental in founding Shermco Engineering
Services Division, a division of Shermco Industries,
which later became a NETA Accredited Company.
In 1982, Ledbetter founded Group CBS, Inc.,
which now owns 12 circuit breaker service shops in
the United States. He is a member of IEEE and his
company, Circuit Breaker Sales Co., Inc., is a NETA
Corporate Alliance Partner. In addition, Ledbetter is
a charter member and past president of Professional
Electrical Apparatus Recyclers League (PEARL),
bringing to the organization the quality standards he
had already established at his own company. He was a
key contributor to the PEARL standards.
In presenting the NETA Alliance Award to Ledbetter
at PowerTest 2016, Jim Cialdea, Owner and CEO
of 3-C Electrical Company, underscored Ledbetters
role in establishing the used equipment market.
Finley worked to take the used equipment industry
to a higher standard of quality, Cialdea says. He
was one of the first to put time, effort, and money
into developing procedures that redefined the
reconditioned, remanufactured industry.
As an ideas guy and an entrepreneur, Finley is motivated
when he sees a need to develop a product or service
solution, Cialdea says. He is a guy you can count on,
someone who puts 150 percent into everything he does.
Schofield emphasizes that Finley is not looking for
awards or pats on the back; rather, he seeks a higher
personal satisfaction. When one of our customers
brags that we solved their problem when nobody
else could or that we spent hours on R&D to figure
something out, that is what makes Finley smile,
Schofield says. He is constantly thinking of new and
innovative ways to approach things in our electrical
segment. There is no other equivalent individual who
puts as much energy, effort, and brainpower into the
industry as Finley does.
F OC U S E D ON FA M ILIES
Cialdea describes Ledbetter as laid back, un-
presumptuous, and softspoken, someone who likes to
have fun and is a huge basketball fan. He is husband to
Joni Ledbetter and father to three sons and a daughter.
All four of his children are involved with Group CBS
in different capacities and in different companies
although daughter Ashley McWhorter says he
gave us a lot of choices, and we all had opportunities
to go do other things.

Growing up, McWhorter remembers her father

traveling a great deal, building the Group CBS
companies. Now, working for him, you see how hard
he works and see him in a whole new light, she says.
It is amazing and enlightening to see all the things he
has accomplished over some 30 years, including how
he took care of our family growing up as well as the
hundreds of families that work for him.
Finley gets children involved in the business early.
McWhorter says her father is always busy and not one
to take stock of what he has accomplished or what he
contributes. He just keeps moving and creating, she
says. McWhorter adds that the Alliance Recognition
Award means a lot to him, and even though he doesnt
say much about it, you know what he is feeling.

McWhorter says her father is happiest when surrounded

by family especially when he and wife Joni are on
their way to the ranch for the weekend knowing all
the kids and grandkids will be heading there, too. He
loves to watch Mom driving her bulldozer, the kids
feeding the cows, and the grandkids chasing frogs,
she says. If he can find the elusive golden circuit Finley, Finley III, and daughter Ashley Ledbetter
breaker, that will be just the icing on the top. McWhorter at PowerTest 2016. Finley keeps his family
close. All of his children are involved in the Group CBS
Carla Kalogeridis is part of the NETA World Journal businesses and are SMEs.
editorial team.

Meet Finley Ledbetter, NETAs 2016 Alliance Partner Honoree

Over the years, Finley Ledbetter has started and sold more than 40 companies, including well-known
organizations like Instel and Sentinel Power Services. In fact, he is connected in one way or another to
numerous NETA Alliance Companies and industry suppliers.

Ledbetter graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Texas, Arlington.
While still in college, Ledbetter interned at Multi-Amp and later ADE, and was hired by the firm upon
graduation. From there he went to Round House, and then on to Shermco Industries where he
developed its Engineering Services Division. In 1982, he became a founding partner in Group CBS
and currently leads 17 Group CBS companies. Finley Ledbetter is still focused on coming up with the
next idea.
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Ron Widup, PowerTest Conference Chair, welcomes a packed opening session.
DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS, POWERTEST
2016 COMES TO FORT WORTH
As they say, Everythings bigger in Texas, which have traveled its winding history to build a stronger
this year, included the opportunities for learning at
PowerTest 2016, held in the states fifth-largest city,
Fort Worth.
PowerTest attendance continues to grow each year,
with record numbers in 2016. Individuals attending
PowerTest are the boots on the ground as well as
the messengers who take information, technology,
and solutions gathered at PowerTest back home to
their companies. PowerTest is recognized as one of
the best educational and networking events in the
electrical power testing industry.
Fort Worth shares several common traits with the
electrical power testing industry. For example, Fort
Worth is a community ready to take on modern
challenges for expansion and growth. Its cattle and
oil heritage is interwoven with an array of diverse
industries that make the city an exciting place to live
and visit.
Similarly, this premier electrical maintenance and
safety event brings together industry experts who
electrical power industry with technicians, engineers,
and professionals fiercely committed to education
and improving the industry. This years technical
session line-up helped industry professionals grab the
bull by the horns and ride to the top of their game.
POWERTEST MONDAY
Monday morning, the registration area is energized
as attendees converge for a week of high-powered
learning, networking, and a fabulous breakfast
sponsored by Circuit Breaker Sales. After filling
up on omelets and coffee, attendees sauntered
into the Welcoming Address from Conference
Chair Ron Widup. Ron reminded everyone to
be safe, explained the weeks order of events, and
introduced Keynote Speaker Gary Norland.
Gary Norland, survivor of a horrific 12,500 volt
200 amp overhead power line shock, shared his
unforgettable story to a filled room. Gary emphasized
his message that hard work and dedication to your
job should be a focus but not your only focus.
The impact of an injury goes beyond the physical
challenges, impacting not only you but your
friends and family in ways you cannot imagine.
He wants people to understand that if you dont
take safety seriously, your life could resemble his
in less than a second.
Following the opening sessions, attendees
broke into smaller segments for a total of 28
technical presentations available in five different
tracks: Electrical Safety, Reliability, Equipment,
Circuit Breakers, and Electrical Commissioning.
These tracks pack a lot of information into
each 45-minute presentation, in addition to
a four-hour symposium where attendees can
participate in discussion led by a moderator and
panel of subject matter experts. This year, Ron
Widup led the Technical Reports Symposium,
providing attendees an opportunity to interact
with subject-matter experts on technical report
writing, structure, readability, and professional
style and framework.
In the midst of this packed schedule, NETA
Members and Alliance Partners find a little time
to relax and enjoy a meal together during the
NETA Member and Alliance Luncheon. This
event features technical roundtable discussions
that are summarized and reported on during
dessert. This is also the venue that hosts the
annual NETA Alliance Recognition Award
for an Alliance Partner who has demonstrated
exceptional dedication to bettering the industry
through service to NETA. This year, Finley
Ledbetter, founder of Group CBS, Inc., was called
to the stage and recognized for his many years of
dedication to the industry and his contributions
to NETA.
Additionally, the NETA Outstanding Achievement
Award is presented to a NETA Member who,
despite daily responsibilities at a full-time job,
has created time in his schedule to advance the
association toward fulfilling NETAs mission. These
contributions can be technical or organizational,
and are often both. Jim Cialdea, Owner and Chief
Executive Officer of 3-C Electrical, was honored to
accept this award for his role on the NETA Board
of Directors, and as NETAs First Vice President,
Alliance Committee Chair, and member of the
Membership Review Committee, Technical Exam
Committee, and Standards Review Council.
Attendees reconvened in the main ballroom for
the New Product Forum before heading upstairs
to the 11 excellent hospitality suites hosted
by BCS Switchgear, Inc.; Doble Engineering
Company; Electric Power Systems; Electro Rent
Corporation; Group CBS, Inc.; IBEW LU 269;
Megger and AVO Training Institute, Inc.; Protec
Equipment Resources; RESA Power Solutions;
Shermco Industries; and SMC International.
Each year, suite hosts up the ante with more
creative ideas to entice attendees through their
doors, and this year was no exception. A winner-
takes-all casino night, performances from Patsy
Cline and Dolly Parton entertainer look-a-likes,
PowerTest attendees participate in Mondays
technical tracks.
a kick-up-your-heels-and-dance blues band, and
the Dallas Mav ManiAACs were just some of
the thrilling attractions this year. Attendees had
a lot of fun while creating new relationships and
reconnecting with business associates and friends,
making this night a favorite among attendees and
hosts alike.
POWERTEST TUESDAY
Tuesday, attendees gathered again for a day of
technical discussions with another breakfast
sponsored by Group CBS, which flowed right
into four panel sessions: Electrical Safety,
Cable Testing, Circuit Breaker Maintenance,
and Protection and Control. Panelists worked
 THANK YOU TO NETAS
CORPORATE ALLIANCE PARTNERS!
POWERTEST 2016 SPOTLIGHT
STAGE PRESENTATIONS

AVO TRAINING INSTITUTE

TITLE: HOW IMPORTANT IS ELECTRICAL
EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE?

BCS SWITCHGEAR
TITLE: NEWS ON MOLDED CASE AND
INSULATED CASE SWITCHGEAR

CIRCUIT BREAKER SALES

TITLE: CHANGES IN THE CONSTRUCTION &
DURABILITY OF CIRCUIT BREAKERS: FROM
STICKS & STONES TO CARBON FIBER.

COMRENT INTERNATIONAL
TITLE: HIGH-DEFINITION
COMMISSIONING PART 2

DOBLE ENGINEERING
TITLE: IMPROVING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ASSESSMENTS THROUGH IN-SERVICE
SURVEYING SOLUTIONS

ELECTRO RENT
TITLE: TEST EQUIPMENT
ACQUISITION METHODS, INCLUDING
A FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE
The PowerTest 2017 Trade Show featured over 100
INTELLIRENT
booths displaying the latest in leading technology. TITLE: THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN
ELECTRICAL TESTING
in tandem with attendees during these sessions,
MEGGER
creating lively conversation to address real- TITLE: TRAX TRANSFORMER AND SUBSTATION
world problems faced in the field and providing TEST SYSTEM
real-world solutions to take home and apply. OMICRON
Rooms were filled with people engaging in TITLE: A GUIDED WORKFLOW APPROACH TO
Q&A and learning from each other. TRANSFORMER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING

PROTEC EQUIPMENT RESOURCES

Lunch was provided at the PowerTest Trade
Show, where attendees dined on gourmet
sandwiches and desserts as they traversed the
carpeted aisles of the convention center. This
may be the biggest event of the entire conference
and where most business is conducted for
attendees and vendors alike. New products and
technologies waited around every corner, along
with knowledgeable sales reps eager to help.
The PowerTest Trade Show was held at the
Fort Worth Convention Center, just across the
street from the Omni Hotel. Each year, this
event features industry leaders at the Spotlight
TITLE: BATTERY TESTING METHODOLOGIES
SMC INTERNATIONAL
TITLE: FIND OUT WHAT YOUR MICRO
OHMMETER IS MISSING
UTILITY RELAY COMPANY
TITLE: ADVANCING LOW-VOLTAGE CIRCUIT
BREAKER RETROFIT PROTECTION TECHNOLOGY
WEIDMANN
TITLE: MOISTURE IN INSULATION AND
TRANSFORMER DRYOUT
Spotlight Stage Presentations can be
downloaded from the netaworld.org
website under the Corporate Alliance Tab
An exciting evening of hospitality suites was hosted by 11 industry leaders.
Stage. Thirteen presentations were given by
NETA's Corporate Alliance Partners. The
event included presentations by AVO Training
Institute, Inc.; BCS Switchgear, Inc.; Circuit
Breaker Sales Co., Inc.; ComRent International;
Doble Engineering Company; Intellirent;,
Megger; Protec Equipment Resources; SMC
International; Utility Relay Company; and
Weidmann Electrical Technology Inc. (Editors
note: For more information on the Spotlight Stage
presentations, see sidebar.)
Each year, exhibitors raise the bar with their
booths, and it is always a great time to meet new
people and connect with old colleagues. One of
the highlights of the Trade Show is a door-prize
PowerBash 2016
was an evening
of grand food,
best of the show
awards, dancing,
and professional
comradery.
raffle that takes place at the end of the show. This
year's winners were not disappointed with the
excellent offerings from exhibitors as well as from
NETA, including an Apple iPad and $500 cash.
Following the PowerTest Trade Show, everyone
headed back to the hotel for the PowerBash
Awards Reception and Dinner, and the turnout
was impressive to say the least. Thanks go out to
Karl Zimmerman and his band for providing
the musical backdrop for a smorgasbord of food,
drinks, and desserts. Over 400 people attended
the event and were present to congratulate this
year's recipients of the awards for Technical
Presentations, Trade Show Exhibitors, and
Hospitality Suites. Congratulations to all!

PowerBash marks the end of the first two
whirlwind days of technical and social events,
and the beginning of three more days of
technical seminars. It's sort of the seventh-
inning stretch of PowerTest, the pause before
the more intense educational innings to come.
PO W E R T E ST W E DNE SDAY,
T H U R S D AY, AND F RIDAY
Wednesday and Thursday have always featured
four-hour technical seminars that offer
attendees a more thorough exploration of
various subject matters. Attendees gain hands-
on experience applying and troubleshooting
relays for transformers and distribution lines.
On Friday, Doble Engineering Company added
one more day of learning with its Laboratory
Seminar. The seminar offered attendees an
interactive experience, combining theoretical
background with practical experience and
hands-on examples, including case studies
illustrating common problems found in the
field. People were eager to participate in this
event, and more than 60 people attended.
TRADE SHOW EXHIBITION WINNERS
MOST INNOVATIVE MADDOX INDUSTRIAL TRANSFORMER
MOST VISITED CIRCUIT BREAKER SALES CO., INC.
BEST IN SHOW MEGGER/AVO TRAINING INSTITUTE, INC.
TECHNICAL PRESENTATIONS WINNERS
SAFETY ARC-FLASH MITIGATION BY TRANSFORMER
DIFFERENTIAL RELAY PROTECTION
PRESENTERS: MOSE RAMIEH III, PGTI, A CE POWER COMPANY,
AND RANDALL SAGAN, MBUSI
RELIABILITY IMPROVING SAFETY THROUGH
PARTIAL DISCHARGE SURVEYING
PRESENTER: TONY MCGRAIL, DOBLE ENGINEERING COMPANY
CIRCUIT BREAKERS VACUUM INTERRUPTERS:
PRESSURE VS. AGE A STUDY OF VACUUM LEVELS IN
314 SERVICE AGE VACUUM BREAKERS
PRESENTER: FINLEY LEDBETTER, GROUP CBS, INC.
EQUIPMENT UNDERSTANDING TRANSFORMER
DIFFERENTIAL PROTECTION
PRESENTER: WILL KNAPEK, OMICRON ELECTRONICS CORP. USA
COMMISSIONING ELECTRICAL COMMISSIONING TIPS AND
TRENDS FOR ADVANCED CRITICAL FACILITIES APPLICATIONS
PRESENTER: CORY DOZHIER, ORACLE
BEST OVERALL HOW DISRUPTIONS IN DC AND
COMMUNICATIONS AFFECT PROTECTION
PRESENTER: KARL ZIMMERMAN, SCHWEITZER ENGINEERING
LABORATORIES, INC.
HOSPITALITY SUITE WINNERS
MOST CREATIVE SHERMCO INDUSTRIES
MOST APPETIZING PROTEC EQUIPMENT RESOURCES
MOST TECHNICAL GROUP CBS, INC.
MOST ENTERTAINING BCS SWITCHGEAR, INC.
MOST HOSPITABLE MEGGER/AVO TRAINING INSTITUTE, INC.
POWERTEST 2016 SELFIE-PHOTO
CONTEST WINNERS
GRAND PRIZE WINNER:
MOSE RAMIEH III, PGTI, A CE POWER COMPANY
SECOND PLACE WINNERS:
TOM WARNING, SHERMCO INDUSTRIES
ELECTRO RENT POWERTEST 2016 TEAM
SARAH BAUMANN, MEGGER
 Tuesdays panel sessions featured lively discussions on Electrical Safety, Cable Testing, Circuit Breaker
Maintenance, and Protection & Control.

P OW E RT E ST 2016 Next year is already shaping up to be a heck of

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FEATURE
AS A TOOL FOR PROTECTION TESTING
SPECIFICATIONSB Y B E N T ON VANDIV ER III,
Over the past 30-plus years, I have had numerous conversations
with technicians, engineers, and managers on how to create the best
test plan for many of the relays, protection schemes, and protection-
and-control (PAC) systems used in the utility industry.
The discussion generally turned into a lengthy
laundry list of what they actually wanted to
accomplish during their test process. Some of
the tasks mentioned included:
Proof of calibration
Proof of proper settings
Proof of the ac system components
Proof of the dc system components
Verify the interconnections
Verify the functions
Verify the scheme logic
Verify the overall protection system coordination
For these tasks, the test plan comprised a
specific list of the test methods and steps
required to accomplish them. For the proof-of
tasks in electromechanical devices and systems,
the steps were essentially specified by the
manufacturer in the device instruction manual
and any special publications dealing with
maintenance tasks or calibration. For newer
technologies, these specifications evolved to
more black-box testing designed to prove the
device specifications or troubleshoot the devices
components and calibration, since typically, the
setting parameters were directly set or displayed
58 SUMMER 2016
OMICRON electronics Corp. USA
physically on the device. In the newest digital
technologies, this has been supplanted by
software programming of the parameters and
firmware updates, self-diagnostics, observational
testing, logs, and reports.
Most often, what was actually desired from the
test plan was the least amount of work to satisfy
a testing compliance requirement. In addition,
they wanted an assurance that the testing
performed was sufficient for the task(s) that
the tester executed, and that the test procedure
was correct, accurate, and repeatable. It was a
bonus if the test procedure was self-instructing
or automated so that training was minimized,
the ultimate goal being the one-button test.
In the past, a working test plan for a PAC device
or system was not automatically delivered with
it, nor was it made by accident. It evolved from
three distinct steps driven by the utility user:
1) The test philosophy implemented by the user
2) The users protection philosophy and a generic
test plan structure developed from it
3) The users final configuration/settings of the
Intelligent Electronic Device (IED) or system
(Figure 1)
USING TEST PLANS AS A TOOL FOR
PROTECTION TESTING SPECIFICATIONS

Figure 1: An IED-Specific Test Plan
A users test philosophy is often based on
operational history usually scenarios of
specific device misoperations from a variety
of causes as well as compliance issues,
manufacturer guidelines, and industry standards.
Often, the philosophy was known but not
always documented effectively and was
internally perpetuated through on-the-job
knowledge (e.g., We always test at 2x, 3x, 4x
pickup.) As PAC technology changed, the
testing philosophy adapted slowly or not at all,
resulting in unnecessary or improper testing
of the new PAC device or system. This also
extended to:
Test equipment used
Tolerance definitions and performance
expectations
Test methods applied
Proper training (knowledge and skills)
Documentation of the objectives (compliance,
calibration, etc.)
Some examples would be using a one-phase
test set on a relay using three-phase algorithms
and logic; using electromechanical tolerances
on a precision digital device; step-change
injections expecting dynamic performance; or
no PC/software user skills and expecting one-
day training to master the PC-controlled test
kit. The proactive user would take all these
points into consideration and craft a protection
system specification(s) that would clearly
convey how the devices and systems should
be applied, the test philosophy employed,
and how it was to be achieved. It was a
USING TEST PLANS AS A TOOL FOR
PROTECTION TESTING SPECIFICATIONS
FEATURE
living document continually updated based
on current PAC devices and systems in use,
compliance requirements, training requirements,
and performance expectations.
When a specific protection philosophy was
applied, it refined the definition of what was to
be tested. Using a basic four-zone step distance
scheme as an example, we could construct a
generic four-zone step distance test plan of the
functions (reclosing, loss of potential, etc.);
protection elements (21P, 21G, 50/51, 59, etc.);
interfaces (physical I/O, control, etc.); and logic
(permissive overreach transfer trip {POTT} and
breaker failure, etc.) that should be tested and
should include the test equipment, tolerances, and
test methods stated in our test specification.
At this point, the test plan could be used as a
functional test specification (Figure 2) for this
type PAC device or system because the What,
Why, and How questions should now be known.
Figure 2: Test Specifications
However, we still do not have an executable
test plan because we are missing the specific
manufacturer device(s) used, the specific
configuration parameters, and the specific
protection settings that finally dictate the exact
testing to be performed. For instance, the
specific line being protected may not require
a fourth zone element, so the configuration
information would indicate it is not used or
required. This would mean only three zone
elements need to be tested, and any scheme,
function, or logic associated with only the
fourth zone would be ignored.
NETAWORLD 59
FEATURE
So a mechanism to get these configuration
parameters/protection settings into the generic
test plan was needed, as these were typically entered
manually (today, of course, they are possibly
imported electronically.) Often, the parameters
used in a specific PAC device vary from
manufacturer to manufacturer, even when they
perform identical functionality. Further, the actual
parameters used to define the test method can
be a different data type or mathematical equivalent.
So translation of these specific device parameters
into test method parameters was another task
necessary to create the executable test plan.
Today, many utilities have lost expertise and
cannot follow these steps; they increasingly
rely on other sources to bridge these gaps.
With modern software solutions, the specific
IED can be data modeled and parameters
imported, then recalculations made and
mapped to the functional test module
performing the specific defined testing task,
including the required hardware interfaces
(Figure 3). Additionally, modern test software
can use purpose-built test modules or a
power system mathematical model to relieve
the task of defining individual test methods for
each function, element, or logic scheme.
Since the beginning of my career and regardless
of the protection devices and/or systems and
technology used, there has never been a perfect
tool for creating such test plans. The fact is that
it requires a deep knowledge and understanding
of what it is you are testing. Whether it is
an auxiliary dc relay or a modern HV digital
line protection IED, or an application like a
permissive overreach transfer trip scheme over
fiber, understanding what it is designed to do
and how it does it is necessary for organizing
any of the previous testing tasks successfully.
Figure 3: The Hardware Setting Parameters
60 SUMMER 2016
Some may disagree, citing that a good generic
test specification can be written from a
common denominator (generic) practice,
an approach that in turn can generate the
required test plan. But I see this as a chicken-
and-the-egg discussion or Schrodingers cat
situation: If you do not know the actual device
details, how can you possibly test it? Even in
the case of the simplest network model, you
must understand how it works, its limitations,
and the data it requires to function correctly.
However, there is no argument in the industry
that device technology dictates the test tools
and techniques required and that the objective
is the proof of the device as applied in situ.
So taking the device out of its commissioned
state to make functional or element tests
indicates lack of good specifications and
systems engineering. A properly engineered
IED or PAC system will be testable with the
correct tools and simulations.
The fact is, there is nothing to test until there
is a device or system design, and no design
until there is a specification to build it a certain
way. So we are back to the specification again.
Naturally, one would conclude that whatever
this specification is, it should then be used to
define the test plan. If we are talking design
absolutes like the strength of an I-beam made
from different materials, then yes, it could
be. For instance, a 10-foot-long oak I-beam
may have a design-loading factor of 100
pounds, whereas one made from cold steel
might be 1,000 pounds. To prove the design,
a simple test would anchor one end of the
beam and apply an increasing dead load at the
other end until the beam failed. This would
be destructive, but necessary to prove the
design and specification, and many industries
perform these tests.
In PAC systems, we do not typically test
them until they fail (we let Murphy take
care of that), but we do need to apply best
practices in verifying their design and
operation prior to implementation and
during service life. The other consideration
for PAC systems and their devices is the
variable nature of designing/applying them.
USING TEST PLANS AS A TOOL FOR
PROTECTION TESTING SPECIFICATIONS
 FEATURE
Most of todays devices are digital, use
communications, and are programmable in
configuration and scheme logic, making
their testing dependent on their intended
application and the specific parameters used
(Figure 4). The device specification cannot be
used directly for defining the test plan because
there are too many variables, overlapping
functions, and implementations unique to
the manufacturer.

Figure 5: IED Test Results Distance Zone Elements

Figure 4: IED Test Plans Adapting to Actual Settings
and Creating Specific Functional Tests
Further, when we take multiple devices and use
them together in PAC systems, the aggregate
specifications of all those devices could create
conflicting test requirements across the system
and, in some cases, damage them if not properly
considered. The specific settings/parameters
applied based on the intended application
restricts them and blends these devices to work
together within the PAC system. This provides
the details necessary for developing the test
plan. Once the test plan is derived according
to our required task list and proven against the
PAC system configuration, then it can be the
basis for extracting the test specification for this
specific PAC system implementation.
DEVELOPMENT METHODOLOGY
TEST SPECIFICATION
The multifunctional design of modern numerical
protection devices usually requires different
methods to test the different functions integrated
in each of them. It is obvious that to define the
test specification, we need to start with the type
of protection being tested.
As mentioned, the test specification depends on
the users testing philosophy and the regulators
compliance requirements. It defines what types of
tests need to be performed for different types of
function elements, schemes, or applications as well
as any characteristics of the test method used depending
on the purpose of the test: type, acceptance,
commissioning, maintenance, etc. (Figure 6).

This methodology could be seen as backwards

but for one key point: With the knowledge of
the application and the specific parameters of
the configured devices, we are able to define a
white-box testing environment, one in which
we know the output based on the internal
responses of the system based components/
devices from known application-based input
simulations. In other words, we have a detailed
understanding of the devices and system, and
therefore, can prepare a proper test plan to
prove it. (Figure 5) Figure 6: IED Zone Characteristic Test Results

USING TEST PLANS AS A TOOL FOR NETAWORLD

NETAWORLD 61
PROTECTION TESTING SPECIFICATIONS
 Based on the testing philosophy, a generic test
plan can be structured that defines the required
test hardware and specific implementation
considerations based on the PAC device or
protection IED dependent:
Interfaces: hardwired voltage, current, I/O
or IEC 61850 GOOSE, or sampled values
Bay configuration (for example, breaker-
and-a-half) or application configuration
(two- ended line model)
Once the generic test specification for a protection
type is created as a generic test plan, it can be
customized to meet the specific functionality of
a selected manufacturers IED used for the protection
type under consideration and represented then by
an IED-specific test plan (Figure 7).
Figure 7: Completed IED-Specific Test Plan
The test specifications must define:
The functionality of the tested
multifunctional protection IED represented
by different protection function elements,
such as distance, differential, overcurrent, etc.
The required test devices needed to execute
the tests
The interfaces between the test equipment
and the test object
62 SUMMER 2016
The test modules (methods) to be executed
as required by the testing philosophy
Such an approach allows improvement of
the testing process efficiency by defining the
required hardware configuration only once
at the beginning of the test specification. The
hardware configuration represents the signal
path between the testing tool and the test object
and contains complete information about:
The assignments between the inputs and
outputs of the test software and the test
object terminals
The used test hardware as well as its
configuration
The wiring between the test hardware and
the test object terminals
The setting parameters of the test object are
also not specified individually for each test
module, but only once at the beginning
of the executable test plan configuration
(Figure 8). The same applies to the generation
of a single test report that covers all test
results. Any number and type of test
modules can be combined into one central
document to form a complete test plan that
matches the requirements of the functions tested.
Figure 8: IED Functional Model with Specific
Configuration and Settings
USING TEST PLANS AS A TOOL FOR
PROTECTION TESTING SPECIFICATIONS
The test plan can be executed as an automatic
sequence. When running it, the defined test
functions of each selected module are executed
before the program automatically switches to
the next one, until all the modules have been
completed. After the completion of the test,
the software enters the results into the test
plan document, which creates a comprehensive
overall test report.
The test report still contains all of the test
settings (protection device parameters, test
modules used, test points, etc.). Using a
protection IED-specific test specification for
testing several relays that differ only in their
parameter settings (e.g. relays of the same type
on different feeders) is substantially simplified
since a test plan, once created, only needs
minor adjustments.
The fundamental difference between a test plan
and a test specification is that a test plan not
only tells us how to perform the test, but it also
has knowledge of what the test results should be.
A generalized test specification cannot contain
the specific expected results, only relative
parameters like tolerances. When describing to
a technician, contractor, or test company via a
test specification, the information must be as
specific as possible and derived by extracting
that specification from successful test plans.
If an independent way existed to describe all the
devices, interfaces, communications, logic, and
settings used in PAC systems, then our industry
could evolve engineering tools to define its
many unique applications in a standardized
way. In fact, it would be possible to not only
self-describe the PAC system as designed, but
also provide a mechanism to self-define its test
plan based on those defined relationships. You
guessed it: Thats IEC 61850.
Although long-coming, IEC 61850 (Ed 2) is
approaching a new level of maturity. In Part 6,
the Substation Configuration Language (SCL)
has grown to encompass more information on
PAC devices. This substantially increases the
self-description details where the key data and
relationships of the configured devices from the
SCL can be used. If combining application/test
USING TEST PLANS AS A TOOL FOR
PROTECTION TESTING SPECIFICATIONS
tool knowledge with the existing SCL data,
test plans could be defined directly. Expansion
of the SCL to include test devices described
as logical nodes with data objects and data
attributes would enable the goal of creating test
plans and test specifications.
A utility using the IEC 61850 data model can
define the single line diagram, all functions
used, and their logical nodes/data types.
From this, a device-independent specification
can be made using the System Specification
Description (SSD) file with a top-down
design that will constrain vendors and system
integrators to the utilitys system specification.
This means the supplier is not free to make a
non-conformant, bottom-up design using their
own tags and architecture. Further, with test
tool/device extensions of the SCL, the utility
could also include the test plan from the SSD
with all test processes defined (what to test
with expected values) and then easily formalize
a conformant test specification from it (an
annotated report).
CONCLUSIONS
The ability to create a properly constrained test
specification that has value has always been a
challenge, but IEC 61850 is poised to deliver
on a long-awaited capability creating a test
specification from the top down that includes
the functional test plan, too.
The best specification is one that:
Exists
Describes what, not how
Cites relevant industry standards
Clearly defines testing tasks such as
acceptance, commissioning, routine, and
maintenance
Has only one interpretation
Is available to all parties
Is the spec agreed to by all parties involved
Only includes what is necessary
Is consistent (avoid using it or which
and clearly specify what)
Defines the jargon and abbreviations
common within the industry
Describes the test objectives so a novice
can understand them
NETAWORLD
NETAWORLD 63
 7(&+1,&$/ 6$)(7<
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ENGINEERING SERVICES TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMISSIONING

Protection Systems Design, Commissioning, Relays
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FEATURE
G O I N G B EY O N D AUT OMAT E D
USIN G P OW ER S Y S T E M M O D E LS
B Y S TE V E TU R NER, Beckwith Electric Company, Inc.
Automated testing is often used to test
protective relays, but special cases exist that
cannot be adequately covered. This article
presents three examples that illustrate how to
test protection functions using simple model
power systems and symmetrical components.
Model power systems calculate test signals
that are equivalent to the actual steady-state
fault conditions when precise test signals are
required. The ability to calculate test signals
rather than solely relying upon software is a
valuable skill for testing protective relays.
The three examples given are:
Zigzag transformer inside transformer
differential zone
Sensitive ground directional overcurrent
protection for ungrounded systems
Directional power for intertie protection
ZIG ZAG T R ANF ORMER
INS IDE T R ANSF ORMER
DIF F E RE NT IA L Z ONE
The first example demonstrates how zero-
sequence current elimination is applied for
transformer differential protection.
66 SUMMER 2016
A shunt-connected zigzag transformer provides
a zero-sequence current sink for ungrounded
systems by establishing a connection from
ground to neutral (Figure 1). During ground
faults, zero-sequence current (I0) flows up
through the neutral of the zigzag transformer.
By applying the zigzag transformer as a ground
source, it is now simple to apply non-directional
overcurrent protection for the detection of
single line-to-ground faults. If the system is left
ungrounded, very low current is produced on
the faulted phase during single line-to-ground
faults, due only to the capacitance-to-ground
of the unfaulted phases. Conventional ground
over-current protection is useless.
A zigzag transformer consists of three 1:1 ratio
transformers. Each leg of the zigzag transformer
consists of two windings that are 120 degrees
out of phase. Windings are wound around
the core such that zero-sequence current flows
through the bank when system unbalance exists
(i.e., ground fault). Only exciting current flows
through a zigzag transformer during balanced
system conditions; positive- and negative-
sequence current cannot flow since they are
120 degrees out of phase. The grounding
transformer appears as the leakage reactance of
the core during a ground fault.
GOING BEYOND AUTOMATED RELAY TESTING
USING POWER SYSTEM MODELS
 FEATURE

Figure 2: Ungrounded System with Zigzag Transformer for Ground Current

Zero-Sequence Current Elimination (Figure 2)

IA = IB = IC

IA = IB = IC =

The currents shown above are taken directly

from the CT secondary and have been divided
by the tap setting for the delta winding to
convert them into per unit. If zero-sequence
current elimination is selected (Figure 3),
Figure 1: Zigzag Transformer Three-Line then the numerical relay calculates the ground
Diagram current as follows:

IG = IA + IB + IC
A grounding resistor is sometimes used to
IG =
limit ground faults to lower levels than with
the zigzag transformer solidly grounded.
Typically, the zigzag transformer is sized such IA, IB and IC are the internally compensated
that its impedance is 100 percent on its own currents:
base; 400 amps primary is the 10-second IA = IA + IB = IB + IC= IC +
rating commonly applied throughout the
United States.

If the zigzag transformer is located inside the IA = - =0 I B = 0 IC = 0

zone of transformer differential protection,
as in the delta-connected windings shown
in Figure 2, then the zero-sequence current
contribution during external ground faults
must be eliminated or a misoperation can
occur. Here is one method showing how
numerical transformer protection relays can
reliably remove the ground current. Figure 3: Zero-Sequence Current Elimination (Relay Settings)

GOING BEYOND AUTOMATED RELAY TESTING NETAWORLD

NETAWORLD 67
USING POWER SYSTEM MODELS
FEATURE
Figure 4 shows the transformer differential
operating characteristic. Point A is the filtered
operating point for an external ground fault,
and Point B is unfiltered.

Figure 4: Transformer Differential Operating

Characteristic

Note that custom settings that properly

account for the phase shift can also be used for
this application.

Zigzag Transformer Impedance Model and

Symmetrical Component Calculations
Figure 5a shows the zero-sequence model for
the zigzag transformer. Note that it does not
appear in either the positive- or negative-
sequence networks.

Figure 5b: Symmetrical Component Diagram

Figure 5c shows the ground-current distribution

for a single phase-to-ground fault. Note the
current magnitudes are normalized to the total
zero-sequence current (3I0).
Figure 5a: Zigzag Transformer Zero-Sequence
Impedance Model

Figure 5b shows the symmetrical component

diagram for the two-winding wye-delta
transformer with the zigzag transformer
connected to the delta side. Note that the load
is connected wye and solidly grounded at the
neutral. The CTs for the delta side are shown as
well. ZT is the impedance of the two-winding
wye-delta transformer, and ZZig is the impedance
of the zigzag transformer. The zigzag transformer
provides 400 amps primary during a ground-
fault current when the system is unloaded. Figure 5c: Ground Current Distribution

68 SUMMER 2016 GOING BEYOND AUTOMATED RELAY TESTING

USING POWER SYSTEM MODELS
 FEATURE

Figure 5d: Base Values and Impedances (Mathcad)

Figure 5d shows the base values and impedances

used for this particular example.

SENSITIVE GROUND
DIRECTIONAL OVERCURRENT Figure 6: SEF Pickup Setting Range
PROTECTION FOR
UNGROUNDED SYSTEM Figure 7 illustrates how the operating current
The first example was for an ungrounded power is commonly measured for distribution feeders.
system grounded via a zigzag transformer. Note that IG is the ground current input. A
Remember, as stated previously in regards to an toroidal CT is also used but is only applicable
ungrounded power system: If the system is left at lower voltages since all the phase conductors
ungrounded, high magnitude voltage appears must pass through the center opening.
on the unfaulted phases during single line-
to-ground faults and conventional ground-
overcurrent protection is useless due to the very
low magnitude ground current.

It is possible to protect the feeders for single

line-to-ground faults using sensitive-earth-fault
(SEF) protection. SEF protection can detect
ground-fault current in the order of milli-amps
secondary. Figure 6 shows the pickup range for
an SEF element. If the CT ratio is 100:5 then
the range in primary is 0.5 to 20 amps. Figure 7: SEF Current Input

GOING BEYOND AUTOMATED RELAY TESTING NETAWORLD

NETAWORLD 69
USING POWER SYSTEM MODELS
FEATURE
Figure 8 shows a single line-to-ground fault on a
distribution feeder supplied via an ungrounded
wye winding. The power system is grounded
through the total stray capacitance to ground
(XC0g).
Figure 8: Single Line-to-Ground Fault on
Ungrounded System
Directionality makes SEF secure since ground
current flows in the unfaulted phases for the
non-faulted feeders as shown in Figure 9a.
Figure 9a: Ground Current in Unfaulted
Feeder(s)
Figure 9b shows the SEF directional operating
characteristic. The maximum torque angle
between the zero-sequence voltage and ground
current is 90 degrees leading, since the voltage
drop behind the relay in the zero-sequence
network is across the total stray capacitance to
ground (XC0g).
70 SUMMER 2016
Figure 9b: SEF Directional Operating
Characteristic
Calculate the ground fault current (Ig) as
follows:
Ig = 3I0
Where:
1
I0 = (per unit)
2ZT+Zc0+3RF
ZT = distribution transformer impedance
Zc0 = -jXc0
1
Xc0 =
2Cg
f = nominal frequency
Cg = total stray capacitance to ground
RF = ground fault resistance
Note that the impedance of the distribution
feeder can be ignored since the impedance
of the stray capacitance is so high. This
calculation does not take any load into
account. You can increase the fault resistance
until the ground fault current is equal to
the minimum pickup setting to test the
maximum sensitivity of the SEF protection.
Figure 10 shows the symmetrical-component
zero-sequence network.
GOING BEYOND AUTOMATED RELAY TESTING
USING POWER SYSTEM MODELS

Figure 10: Zero-Sequence Network
DIRECTIONAL POWER FOR
INTERTIE PROTECTION
The last example demonstrates how to calculate
test signals for directional power protection
(Figure 11). Note that this type of protection
typically operates on real power (W).
Power protection may be useful to detect the
loss of utility supply, depending upon the
size of the distributed generator (DG) and its
load, feeder load, and the local utility import/
export restrictions. Forward power is defined
as power exported from a DG to a utility.
Reverse power is defined as power imported
by a DG from a utility.
Figure 11: Directional Power
It is convenient to set the pickup in per-
unit (PU) based upon the numerical relay
nominal power. The choice of the base PU
is typically taken from the kVA rating of
the interconnection transformer, the DG
aggregate generating capacity, or some other
value agreed upon by the DG and the utility.
Normalized PU power flow measurements are
GOING BEYOND AUTOMATED RELAY TESTING
USING POWER SYSTEM MODELS
FEATURE
based on the Nominal Voltage and Nominal
Current setting, as shown in Figure 12.
Figure 12: Relay Configuration
Use the forward over-power function to limit
the amount of power flow into the utility if
the DG is allowed to supply power to the
utility (export). Use the reverse under-power
function to ensure that the DG is importing
a minimal amount of power from the utility
for peak shaving applications when no
export of power from the DG to the utility
is allowed.
Nominal Power
Here is how one particular numerical relay
internally calculates the nominal power (Pnom):
VT Configuration Line-Ground (L-G)
Nominal Power = 3VnomInom
VT Configuration Line-Line (L-L)
Nominal Power = 3VnomInom
Pickup Setting
Suppose, for example, the utility requires that
the directional power (32) elements trips at 50
kW primary.
VT Ratio = 4160/120 = 35 (Open Delta)
Vnom = 120 volts L-L
CR Ratio = 400/5 = 80 (Wye)
Inom = 5 amps
Note: The values above were arbitrarily selected
but are typical.
Pickup = (50 kW)/(VTRCTR) = 18 watts
secondary
Pickup = (18 watts)/(3120V5A) = 0.02
per unit
NETAWORLD 71
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FEATURE

From A 400kV
Busbar Misoperation Using The
IEC 61850 STANDARD
B Y D H A N A B A L M A N I , V IJ AY SH ANM UG ASUNDARAM , AND J ASON BUNEO , Megger

The implementation of IEC 61850 standard for substation design

and commissioning is rapidly becoming the dominant method of
defining grid protection schemes throughout the world. The
protection logic that involves dc control circuits is executed internally
in the intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) and effectively communicated
between the IEDs via Generic Object Oriented Substation Events
(GOOSE) messages. Any error in the mapping of GOOSE signals
will result in undesired operation of the protection schemes.

The main buses in power substations are
designed to carry load currents through the
individual feeders as well as high amplitude
currents during bus fault conditions. Any delay
in fault isolation or improper relay operation
could result in severe damage to the substation
buses and the equipment connected to them.
Therefore, proper design and testing of the bus-
bar protection scheme is required to ensure safe
and reliable operation of the substation. The
complex protection schemes such as bus-bar
and breaker-failure protection are relatively
easy to design using the modern IEC 61850
standard. However, the implementation of
these schemes in the real world poses certain
unique challenges.
This article discusses the investigation of
the tripping of a 400 kV substation due to
improper operation of a bus-bar protection
scheme. This incident happened when a zone
two fault occurred on one of the 400 kV line
feeders, immediately triggering a breaker-
failure condition. Under a normal trip scenario,
the zone two timer will time out and the line
IED will issue a trip signal to the line breaker
to isolate the fault. The line IED will also then
issue a breaker-failure initiate (BFI) signal to
bus-bar IEDs through GOOSE messages. The
breaker-failure condition is only declared when
the line breaker fails to trip within a specified
breaker-failure time. However, in this case, the
breaker-failure condition was initiated before
the zone two timer expired instead of after.
An investigation was carried out to determine
the reason for declaring a breaker-failure
condition even before zone two tripping of the
line IED. Further analysis of the IEC 61850
network and GOOSE configurations led to

74 SUMMER 2016 LESSONS LEARNED FROM A 400kV BUSBAR

MISOPERATION USING THE IEC 61850 STANDARD

the conclusion that the BFI signal was mapped
incorrectly. The bus-bar IEDs were configured
to receive a BFI signal through GOOSE
messaging for a fault pick-up signal instead of a
fault-trip signal by protection IEDs. This minor
error caused the entire substation to be out of
service. This article discusses testing methods
that would help prevent this situation.
I N T R OD U CT ION
The protection schemes used in substations
are implemented through protective relays
from various manufacturers. Legacy systems
that use electro-mechanical relays share critical
information such as breaker status, interlock
signals, etc., through a network of copper wires
monitored by some control center. With the
advent of IEDs, data sharing between protective
relays and control centers has become possible
by using Ethernet and fiber optic cables. This
has reduced the amount of copper necessary in
substations, making them cheaper to produce
and maintain. However, the interoperability
between different relay manufacturers has become
increasingly difficult, as many IED manufacturers
have adopted proprietary standards for data
representation and interpretation. In 2005, a
common standard was first published by a shared
effort from IEC 60870-5-101, -103, -104, and
Utility Communication Architecture 2.0 (UCA
2.0), and called IEC-61850.
The IEC-61850 standard allowed direct
communication between IEDs from multiple
vendors in a substation. The IEDs in a substation
followed an abstract model for data definition,
which could be interpreted by all the compliant
manufacturers. A local area network (LAN)
switch connected between IEDs passed the data
as GOOSE messages. These messages contain
essential information such as control signals
and acknowledgements. The implementation of
the IEC-61850 standard through LAN-based
architecture considerably increased the reliability
and speed of peer-to-peer communication.
Also, a complex protection scheme could be
implemented easily through the LAN-based
design without increasing the complexity of
physical wiring.
LESSONS LEARNED FROM A 400kV BUSBAR
MISOPERATION USING THE IEC 61850 STANDARD
FEATURE
A protection scheme is implemented by
configuring the IEDs to send or receive
GOOSE messages from other substation
equipment. Depending upon the complexity
of the protection scheme implemented,
a GOOSE message could pass through a
number of switches until the destination
IED is reached. After analyzing the received
message, further actions are carried out by the
destination IED. A redundant network in LAN
design prevents data loss by re-routing the path
taken by the messages. Numerous network
topologies have been adopted to maintain an
un-interrupted data flow from the source IED
to the destination IED.
An IED in the substation can send or receive
GOOSE messages to or from many different
IEDs in the network. The proper mapping of
GOOSE messages between IEDs is essential for
execution of a protection scheme. The number
of signals mapped depends on the number
of IEDs and the elements of the protection
scheme being implemented in the substation.
The IEC 61850 standard ensures that the
control functions and message flags seen on
the communication network will be the same
no matter which manufacturer device is used.
However, mapping the IEDs internal logic
to the IEC 61850 standard can be tricky, and
great attention to detail must be maintained.
THE SYSTEM
A newly constructed 400kV IEC 61850
substation was fully commissioned prior to the
work on this article. It consists of six
D-configuration systems, referred to as a DIA by
the customer, and is provided with a distributed
busbar protection scheme as per Figure 1.
A D-configuration system has three circuit
breakers with two outgoing circuits; one circuit
is for line and the other circuit is for transformer
or bus reactor. Both circuits could be lines as
well. For circuit breaker maintenance of any
line, the load gets tranferred automatically
from one bus to the other bus. No changeover
of the line from one bus to another is required.
For any bus-fault conditions or scheduled
NETAWORLD
NETAWORLD 75
FEATURE
maintenance, all interconnections will be on
the healthy bus, and no disturbance will come
to the other circuits. Even if both buses become
dead, circuits can remain in service through the
tie circuit breaker. This is very advantageous in
maintaining system stability.
Figure 1: 400kV Substation One-Line Diagram
The IEC 61850-based substation automation
system (SAS) architecture used in this substation
is shown in Figure 2. This architecture is defined
in two levels as station level and bay level.
A redundant PC-based human-to-machine
interface (HMI) is used to control the subsation
at station level, which supports communication
over IEC 61850-8-1 bus as an IEC 61850
client. An IEC 61850-8-1 inter-bay bus provides
station-to-bay and bay-to-station exchanges. In
this case, an Ethernet LAN is set up with ring
configuration to maintain reliability, availabilty,
and interoperability requirements of the system.
Reduntant gateways are used to exchange the
information to remote network control centers
using IEC 60870-5-101 protocol.
The bay level system consists of all circuit breakers,
current and potential transformers, power
transformers, and protective relays. IEDs in the
bay level perform all functions including control,
monitoring, and protection. The data exchange
between bay level and station level happens with
fiber optic ring connection according to IEC
61850-8-1 protocol.
76 SUMMER 2016
Figure 2: Bay and Station Level IEC 61850
Communication Architecture
This busbar protection scheme is implemented
for Main Bus I and Main Bus II. All bay control
units are connected with fiber optic cable to
their main busbar relay for transmitting each
bays load current values, isolator, and breaker
statuses. An equivalent single-line digram of
the substation is configured in the busbar main
IEDs for proper replication of the substation
and for ensuring correct decision making in the
protective scheme. In the case of a bus-fault or
breaker-failure condition, the main busbar IEDs
make the decision to isolate the faulty feeders by
sending a trip command to the bay IEDs and, in
turn, the bay IEDs trip the respective bay circuit
breakers. This data sharing occurs within the
busbar protection relay network; these trip signals
are also sent as GOOSE messages over the IEC
61850 bus.
IED ENGINEERING AND SYSTEM
LEVEL ENGINEERING
The IED engineering process involves configuring
the protection functions, interlock logic, metering
functions, etc., in each of the IEDs. This process
is shown in Figure 3. The IED configuration
description (ICD) file is then exported from
each IED, into the substation configuration
language (SCL) file. The SCL output contains
the IEDs capabilities (logical devices, logical
nodes). It also reports the control blocks
available in the ICD files that are used as
inputs in the system-level engineering design.
Configuration tools are used to set up the
LESSONS LEARNED FROM A 400kV BUSBAR
MISOPERATION USING THE IEC 61850 STANDARD

communication between various devices. The
transmission of the data sets is decided by the
report control blocks. Also, GOOSE messages
are configured in the system-level engineering
tool with GOOSE control blocks.
Figure 3: Engineering Process for Configuring
IEDs in a GOOSE-Enabled Substation
Ethernet switch configurations are then
defined and downloaded into the switches. In
this IEC 61850 network, GOOSE messages
have priority over other messages, so Ethernet
switches are necessary to support the IEEE
802.1P standard for priority tagging. Finally,
once the system-level engineering is completed,
the SCL file is re-imported back into IEDs,
where all the configured GOOSE inputs
coming from other IEDs are connected to
the correct functions. Once the configuration
is downloaded to the individual IEDs, the
complete system architecture is defined.
Using the isolator logic, the busbar relay is
capable of identifying and isolating respective
feeders connected with the faulty bus. Also,
this busbar scheme is combined with breaker
failure protection. Any protection trip of
respective bay protection IEDs will send a
trip signal to respective busbar bay IEDs to
initiate the breaker failure protection (Figure
4). If the breaker fails to trip, this action will
cause a breaker-failure protection trip with BFI
initiation and timer timeout. In IEC 61850
substations, a BFI signal may be configured as
a GOOSE message from the protection IEDs
to the breaker failure protection relays. The
busbar IED will trip all feeders connected with
LESSONS LEARNED FROM A 400kV BUSBAR
MISOPERATION USING THE IEC 61850 STANDARD
FEATURE
the bus of the faulty feeder. Fault selection is
processed by the busbar main protection IED
with isolator staus [1].
Figure 4: Breaker Failure Scheme Operation Logic
4 0 0 k V SUBSTATI ON
COMMI SSI ONI NG
During commissioning of the substation, the
protection IEDs operation, busbar protection,
and all other trip logic were verified to be in
proper working order. Later, an additional bay
was added to the existing system. All of the
protection schemes associated with the new bay
were verified as well.
After successful commissioning of the new bay,
a feeder was connected to Bus-I. Subsequently,
there was a zone two line fault on the newly added
400kV line. Both Main I and Main-II distance
protection relays in the substation sensed the fault
correctly on zone two and started the zone-two
timer. The zone-two trip timer is set for 300 ms.
It was observed that the busbar protection relay
operated within 200 ms for this fault and tripped
the feeeders connected with Bus-I and Bus-II,
thereby causing the entire 400kV substation to be
taken out of service.
After careful physical inspection of the substation
and busbar protection relays, it was determined
that there was no real bus fault, and the busbar
relay had misoperated due to improper breaker-
failure protection. The BFI signal was sent to
the busbar IEDs through a GOOSE signal.
After careful analysis of the IED GOOSE
configuration, it was found that the newly added
bay had distance-protection GOOSE messages
NETAWORLD 77
 configured with a start signal for breaker-failure
initiation instead of a trip signal. Since the
breaker-failure initiation started the function
block timer with a start input, its timer operated
within 150 ms instead of waiting for the 300 ms
zone two timer to expire first. This caused the Figure 6: Example of Incorrect IED GOOSE
breaker failure to trip before the zone two timer. Configuration
Due to this small mistake, both the Main-I and
Main-II protection operated, leading to an entire
substation blockout. The erroneous logic is shown
in Figure 5.

Figure 7: Example of Correct IED GOOSE

Figure 5: Breaker Failure Scheme Operation
Logic with Improper Configuration
Figures 6 and 7 show the signal configuration of
the GOOSE assignment for the breaker-failure
initiation sent to busbar protection IEDs. This
signal configuration is defined in the IED-level
engineering and in the main-line protection
IEDs. Figure 6 shows a simulation example of the
wrong GOOSE configuration for breaker-failure
initiation. In this case, the zone two start signal
has been assigned to breaker-failure protection
initiation as a GOOSE output. Whenever a zone
two fault occurs, the zone two start signal will
send a BFI and cause a breaker-failure trip before
the zone two timer completes and clears the fault.
Figure 7 shows the simulation example of the
corrected GOOSE configuration for breaker-
failure initiation. In this scenario, if there is a zone
two fault, the breaker-failure protection will not
send any GOOSE signal to the busbar IEDs from
the main protection IEDs to initiate the breaker-
failure trip. The IED will send a GOOSE signal
to the bus bar IEDs only when there is a trip
issued by the protection IEDs.
Configuration
It is necessary to test the IEDs protection schemes
and GOOSE signals properly before commissioning
the IEC 61850 substation or adding additional
bays in the existing IEC 61850 substations. It
is fairly easy to verify copper wire schemes for
breaker-failure protection schemes or other
protection schemes when adding additional bays
into service in a conventional substation. In the
case of IEC 61850 substations, it requires special
care. GOOSE-monitoring software can test an
IEDs GOOSE configurations before putting
IEDs and bays into service. Importing the SCL
file of the IED under test into the GOOSE
monitoring software can assist in verifying the
GOOSE signals as required.
Figure 8 shows one of the trip GOOSE signals
from a distance protection IED. The purple font
in this particular data set indicates the non-
operation of the distance function and that
its signal status is low. This means that this
GOOSE signal will be seen by other relays in
the substation as non-operative.
Figure 8: GOOSE Monitoring, No Operation
of Protection Function

78 SU
SUMMER
UMM
MER
R 2016
6 LESSONS LEARNED FROM A 400kV BUSBAR
MISOPERATION USING THE IEC 61850 STANDARD
Figure 9 provides an example where the
GOOSE signal color is red. It indicates that this
signal is high and that the protection function
has operated; therefore, this GOOSE will
register when the distance protection trip goes
high. The mapped IEDs that use this GOOSE
signal will process and operate accordingly.
Figure 9: GOOSE Monitoring, Operation
of Protection Function
With reference to Figure 8 and Figure 9, any
GOOSE used in protection schemes can be
tested and verified without any risk of
misoperation of the relays or unwanted
interruption of the substations. The BFI GOOSE
signals have been corrected from a start signal to a
trip and downloaded to the distance protection
IEDs. Since there is no change in data sets,
it is not required to update the system-level
engineering in the substation level (Figure 3).
Necessary validation of signal mapping and
GOOSE configuration in line with substation
configuration is required in any IEC 61850
substation when adding new bay/feeders into
the existing substation.
C ON C L U S I ON
IEC 61850 substations are increasing in use
throughout the world. Necessary testing
procedures, such as one of the methods
discussed in this article to validate IEC
61850 GOOSE mappings, are required to
follow the commissioning of those stations
for proper operation. More challenges lie
ahead in IEC 61850 substations, especially
LESSONS LEARNED FROM A 400kV BUSBAR
MISOPERATION USING THE IEC 61850 STANDARD
when adding additional bays into service within
existing IEC 61850 substations. As always,
additional care is required at the commissioning
stage for any substation.
REFERENCES
Krishnan, Rajiv and Bapuji Palki. First Experiences with Design
and Engineering of IEC 61850 Based Substation Automation
Systems in India, CEPSI 2006 Conference, Mumbai, India,
November 6 - 10, 2006.
Dhanabal Mani received his Bachelor
of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
from Bharathiyar University, India,
in 2001. He commissioned the first
400kV IEC61850 substation in
India in Madhya Pradesh as a Lead
Commissioning Engineer of the
Substation Automation Group at ABB
India Ltd. He has also developed custom
relay applications as a R&D engineer at ABB Ltd, Sweden.
Dhanabal joined Megger India as an Application Manager
in August 2009 and is presently based in Dallas. He has
over 13 years of field experience in protective relaying and
commissioning, and has published numerous articles and
presented at various international conferences on the subject.
Vijay Shanmugasundaram received
his Bachelor of Technology with
distinction in Electrical and Electronics
Engineering from Amrita University,
India, in 2008. He joined the Defense
Research and Development Organization
(DRDO) of India as a junior research
fellow, specializing in the performance
optimization of induction motors. In
2011, Vijay received his Master of Science in Electrical
Engineering focusing on power systems, from North Carolina
State University. As a part of this program, he worked on
IEC61850 substation development in Siemenss Energy
and Automation department. Vijay joined Megger as an
Applications Engineer in December 2012 and is currently
working on developing IEC61850 applications. He is
an active member of IEEE and EPRI, participating in
conferences and contributing to the working groups.
Jason Buneo received his B.S and M.S in
Electrical Engineering from the University
of Buffalo. In 2005, he joined GE Energy
Services as a Field Service Engineer. He
specialized in arc-flash coordination
studies, protective relay testing and
calibration, and low-/medium-voltage
switchgear repair. In 2008, he joined Megger
as an Applications Engineer where he assisted Meggers customer
base in their relay testing needs. He became the Applications
Development Manager in 2012 and now specializes in
developing automated testing applications for protective relays.
Jason continues to work closely with utility and industrial
customers to develop new testing solutions. Jason has published
several technical papers in industry journals and conferences
and is active in the IEEE Power Systems Relaying Committee.
NETAWORLD
NETAWORLD 79
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 2 0 16 NETA OUT STANDING ACH IEV EM ENT AWARD
JIM CIALDEA:
EVERYONE SHOULD
BE PART OF THE
ASSOCIATIONS
THAT SHAPE
THEIR INDUSTRY
B Y CA R L A K A L OG ERIDIS, NETA
NETA 2016 If hes asked or hired to do something, hes going
to get it done sometimes painfully but hes
Outstanding going to do it right no matter how long it takes,
Achievement says Jims son Steve Cialdea, who has worked part-
time for his father since age 16 and came on full-
Award honoree time a couple of years ago after earning his masters
Jim Cialdea has in electrical engineering.
a motto, one I always wanted to work with him, says Steve,
that applies to an engineer with his fathers firm, 3-C Electrical
Company, named for Jims father and his two
every aspect of brothers who started the company in 1971 to
his personal and service, install, and maintain electrical power
distribution equipment. Today, the organization
professional life:
has grown to 60 employees with offices in
If youre going Massachusetts and Maine. All of 3-C
to do it, you Electricals technicians are NETA certified.
might as well 3-C was a NETA member company
back in the 1970s for a while when Jims
do it right. father was running the company, until
their focus became more construction.
When Jim Cialdea and Alex Picciolo
took over, they started moving the business again
toward testing and maintenance. I have been to
every NETA PowerTest conference since the early
1990s, Cialdea says. It was Jayne Tanz who first
came up in her very convincing way and
suggested that we re-join.
Joining NETA again falls under the category of
82 SUMMER 2016
Jim Cialdea,
Cialdea
3C Electrical
Electrica
owner
ow
wner
neer and
an
and
CEO, alway
always
a technician
at heart.
another one of those things that Jim Cialdea did
right. It has been an excellent choice, an important
one in helping us to grow our business, he says.
Everyone should be a part of the associations
that shape their industry. Cialdea and Picciolo
worked hard to build 3-C Electrical into a NETA
Accredited Company.
NETAs Outstanding Achievement Award is given
in recognition of an individuals commitment
to NETA and leadership through service to the
association. It is always a difficult decision to
make since every single member contributes to
the growth and advancement of our industry
each day that they are in the field serving clients
and participating throughout the industry in
volunteer efforts, says Ron Widup, CEO
and President of Shermco Industries
and President of the NETA Board of
Directors, who presented Cialdea with
the Outstanding Achievement Award
at this years PowerTest conference. The
conference ran March 14 18, 2016, at
the Omni Fort Worth Hotel in Fort Worth,
Texas.
PowerTest 2016 represents the largest gathering
of electrical power systems professionals
in the industry and is the only conference
and trade show specifically designed for the
electrical testing industry. As it is every year,
JIM CIALDEA: EVERYONE SHOULD BE PART OF
THE ASSOCIATIONS THAT SHAPE THEIR INDUSTRY
the Outstanding Achievement Award was
presented by NETAs President at the Member
and Alliance Luncheon on PowerTest Monday.
It is quite an honor to receive this acknowledgement
knowing who received the award in the past and
understanding all the people who do so much for
NETA says Jim Cialdea. It was a surprise.
Widup acknowledged that it is a tough task to
choose an honoree because so many members work
tirelessly to keep the business of the association
moving forward and usually outside of regular
business hours. It is also a humbling experience to
take stock of all the work that gets done by people
who have the drive, determination, and heart to
make this all possible, Widup adds.
This year was no exception. Widup says Jim
Cialdea was selected as the 2016 recipient
because he embodies all the qualities that this
award represents by being committed to the
advancement of NETA from a business as well as a
technical perspective.
Jim is always willing to pitch in and lead or
contribute to a new initiative or breathe life into
an existing program that needs a helping hand,
says Widup.
Widup says Cialdea gives the impression of not
taking things too seriously, but adds, Under that
calm exterior is a mind committed to asking the
tough questions, creating solutions, and getting it
done the right way instead of the easy way.
Steve Cialdea says his father is greatly respected
among his employees because he leads by
example. Hes a workaholic, and if theres
trouble, hes not afraid to be in the field with
the guys taking care of things, he says. Hes
respected because everyone knows that he can
do the job of any one of his employees.
Steve says his fathers excellent reputation
spreads from his company to the industry as
well. They keep giving him awards, so he must
be doing something right, he laughs. Hes
extremely involved in professional societies and
has the utmost respect and admiration of his
industry colleagues.
JIM CIALDEA: EVERYONE SHOULD BE PART OF
THE ASSOCIATIONS THAT SHAPE THEIR INDUSTRY
Alex Piccioli, COO and Co-owner of 3-C
Electrical Company, has worked with Jim Cialdea
for more than three decades. Jim is very well
respected in the electrical power industry and
related community by building long-lasting
relationships, and devotion to family and
employees, says Piccioli, as well as his ability to
provide engineered solutions to clients, passion
for promoting education and supporting those
institutions, and commitment to foster the growth
and continued participation in state and national
code panels and organizations.
Early Days at 3C Electrical Jim and his uncle plot a course
for success.
Jim was extremely appreciative of the
acknowledgement from his NETA colleagues,
adds wife Doreen Cialdea. NETA is a great
organization, and participating in NETA is very
important to him. He says NETA improves the
industry, and he has enjoyed building many close
relationships over the years.
ON HI S DOWNTI ME
Jim Cialdea is a Registered Professional Engineer,
a Licensed Master Electrician, a Licensed
Construction Supervisor, and a Level IV NETA
Certified Technician. Like his son, Jim followed
in his own fathers footsteps and now has
over 30 years of experience in the electrical
testing industry.
In addition to several other volunteer
positions he holds with other organizations,
Cialdea is the First Vice President of NETA,
has served as a member of the NETA Board
NETAWORLD
NETAWORLD 83
Always a positive influence, Jim and Doreen Cialdea
willing to do whatever it takes
to make it happen.
of Directors since 2011, is a Membership Review
Committee member, one of the newest members of
the NETA Standards Review Council, chair of the
Alliance Committee, and a member of the Exam
Review Committee.
Cialdea has many hobbies and passions outside
of electrical testing and technology, including
photography, history, boating, and traveling. His
wife would add music and wine to that list.
He is just an all-around nice guy who is always
ready with a kind word, a smile, and a laugh,
says Widup. And hes always up for an adventure
or just kicking back with a beer and some good
conversation.
There has never been a want for excitement
when working with and having many a fun time
with Jim over the past 33+ years, says
Piccioli. We have had the very good
fortune to start together in the family
business, and sustaining the companys
growth with the beliefs of safety, quality,
and value for our employees and clients.
Secretary of the IEEE PES Boston Chapter Receiving Outstanding
Achievement Award From
NETA President, Ron Widup
84 SUMMER 2016
Relaxing at his favorite pastime
A SEAT AT THE TABLE
In making his presentation to Jim Cialdea at
PowerTest, Widup commended him for his
dedication to improving the industry and the
world around him.
Looking ahead, Cialdea, who was recently
appointed to the Standards Review Council,
is looking forward to helping write the ANSI/
NETA standards. He says he is very honored to
be sitting at the table with this group of very smart
people and is looking forward to expanding his
relationship through NETA and sharing and
exchanging ideas.
It is important to contribute, to improve the
standards, Cialdea says. Getting involved not
only makes the industry better, but helps make
your company better, and makes us all better
professionals. Sharing information and ideas
helps us make everyone better.
Carla Kalogeridis is part of the NETA World
Journal editorial team.
Training 3C Technicians
JIM CIALDEA: EVERYONE SHOULD BE PART OF
THE ASSOCIATIONS THAT SHAPE THEIR INDUSTRY
 JAMES G. CIALDEA,
NETAs 2016 Outstanding Achievement Award Honoree
Jim Cialdea, P.E., is Owner and Chief Executive Ofcer of 3C
Electrical Company, Inc., in Westborough, Massachusetts.
Jim began working at 3C Electrical under the tutelage and
training of his father, Giulio Cialdea,in 1984. He took over
the business in 1988 and, under his able leadership, 3C
Electrical has achieved marked success in performing g and NETA Certied Test Technician Level IV. He holds
a broad range of engineering activities and
endeavors, including facilitating and implementing
new plant and systems designs for supply-side
and demand-side customers, expanding and
affecting improvements to the complex
electrical systems at existing customer
facilities, implementation of all manner of
preventative maintenance programs, and performing related technical
and support services designed to add quality and value for
3Cs customers.
Jim is a Registered Professional Engineer, Licensed
Master Electrician, Licensed Construction Supervisor,
M
a
a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Power Option, from
Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Jim brings an inherent
W
knowledge of the practical aspects of electrical power
engineering with over 30 years experience managing
and executing projects. In addition to serving on the
NETA Board of Directors and several NETA committees,
JJim holds several volunteer positions including IEEE Power
and Energy Society Boston Chapter Secretary, member
a
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Electrical Code
Advisory Sub-Committee, and MECA Past President.
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 INDUSTRY TOPICS

Of Circuit Breakers
B Y PA U L H . G REIN, Circuit Breaker Sales Co., Inc.

This article examines the changes to medium voltage circuit

breaker testing over three generations spanning 70 years from
1945 to today. It discusses the challenges and driving forces
that evolved circuit breaker testing, including technological
advances in circuit breaker technology, safety practices, and
test equipment.

Figure 1: The Evolution of Cicuit Breakers

Photo courtesy of Brian Kaylor

In May 1945, World War II ended; that
same year, Westinghouse introduced its first
medium-voltage air-magnetic circuit breakers,
and the first American standard for ac power
circuit breakers was published. Circuit breakers
of the day were heavy, expensive, unreliable
devices that required regular upkeep to ensure
they performed as expected. Early technicians
worked in hazardous environments where
profits often trumped employee safety. Over
three generations spanning 70 years, circuit
breaker technology has advanced and safety
practices have improved. This article examines
three generations of circuit breaker technicians,
and how technological and safety advancements
have led up to the testing they perform today.
THE OI L YEARS, 1 9 4 5-1975
The Golden Years is often the moniker used
to describe the period following World War
II. Regulatory intervention from federal and
local governments was minimal, and the power
equipment industry benefited immensely from
an era of rapid growth. Between the years 1946
and 1947 alone, power usage grew almost 15
percent, creating an avid demand for power
equipment and men qualified to operate

THE EVOLUTION OF CIRCUIT BREAKERS NETAWORLD

NETAWORLD 89
INDUSTRY TOPICS
and maintain it. The demand for electric
power and advances in productivity created a
need for circuit breakers with higher current
ratings and interrupting capacities. Growth
continued for decades, at a diminishing
rate, until it stagnated in the tumultuous
1970s to the average 7 percent we see today.
While the golden years may delineate the
economic growth that drove the circuit
breaker industry, the oil years better describes
the breaker technology that ruled the era.
Circuit Breakers in the Oil Years
Before and in the decades immediately
following World War II, the most common
medium-voltage circuit breaker technology
used was oil-tank circuit breakers. Many of
the switchgear manufacturers that served the
American market during World War II remain
in business today, including General Electric,
Westinghouse (now Eaton Cutler-Hammer),
and ABB. This article bases its discussion on
Westinghouses introduction of circuit breaker
technology with the understanding that
competing manufacturers may have innovated
the technology earlier or later.
The 1940s saw the beginning of a major
transition from oil-tank to air-magnetic
circuit breakers, but oil-tank technology
remained the workhorse of American utilities
and factories. Despite the introduction of air-
magnetic technology, Westinghouse continued
manufacturing its type B and type F oil-
tank circuit breakers into the early 1950s.
However, extinguishing the arcs produced
from larger interrupting currents in insulating
oil was reaching its technological limit; for
the Westinghouse model B-28-B to achieve
maximum ratings of 15kV, 500MVA, 2000A,
the breaker had swollen to over 2,000 pounds.
To meet the continually increasing demand for
higher ratings, Westinghouse introduced its
DH-type medium-voltage air-magnetic circuit
breakers and switchgear in 1939. Initially, the
DH line was limited to 5kV up to 150MVA,
but by 1946, the maximum voltage
olt of the DH
was extended to 15kV; over time,
me the maximum
rated interrupting capacity of th
the DH breaker
reached 1,000 MVA.
90 SUMMER 2016
In 1963, Westinghouse introduced the DH-P
type air-magnetic Porcel-line circuit breaker
and switchgear, with all live parts insulated to
ground by high-strength porcelain insulation
versus the paper phenolic insulation used in
the DH designs, but by this time the oil-
generation circuit breaker technician was
certainly eyeing retirement.
Safety in the Oil Years
Safety was not a priority in industrial
environments until the Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA) was
created in 1970 when the Williams-Steiger
Act was signed into law. Electrical safety was
not emphasized until 1979 when the National
Fire Protection Association (NFPA) published
NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in
the Workplace, at OSHAs request. Prior to
OSHA and NFPA 70E, responsibility for
maintaining safe work practices fell on the
technician, and electrically safe work practices
were anything but. Electrical safety in the
beginning of the oil generation can be
summed up by this excerpt from the American
Electricians Handbook of 1942, which is
comical by todays standards:
158. Electricians often test for the presence
of voltage by touching the conductors with the
fingers. This method is safe where the voltage
does not exceed 250 and is often convenient to
locate a blown-out fuse or for ascertaining whether
or not a circuit is alive. Some men can endure
the electric shock that results without discomfort
whereas others cannot. Therefore, the method
is not feasible in some cases.
Which are the outside wires and which is the
neutral of a 115/230-volt, three-wire system can
be determined in this way by noting the intensity
of the shock that results by touching different pairs
of wires with the fingers. Use the method with
rc
caution and be certain the voltage of the circuit
does not exceed 250 before touching the conductors.
to
The precautions
p uti listed in circuit breaker
eak
instruction and installation books of the day
nstruction an d
were largely written
w to protect the equipment
me
from
rom being damaged
d rather than protecting
cti
TTHE EVOLUTION OF CIRCUIT
CU BREAKERS
AKER

personnel from injury. The equipment was
designed for increased operating safety when
compared to previous generation designs; the
primary circuits were isolated via steel barriers
rather than exposed, and interlocking was
integrated into the racking mechanism.
Advanced safety features aside, working with
oil-tank circuit breakers was a risky endeavor;
the breakers were formidable devices whose
bulk made them difficult to install and
maintain, and their insulation systems were
antiquated and often toxic. Combining these
factors with the early manufacturing capabilities
of the day resulted in unreliable operation,
especially compared to todays standards.
When oil circuit breaker failures occurred,
the consequences were usually catastrophic.
Circuit Breaker Testing in the Oil Years
The majority of circuit breaker testing
performed in the oil years was a mechanical
process analogous to performing maintenance
on an automobile rather than maintaining
electrical equipment. Maintenance consisted
of testing, cleaning, and changing the oil then
physically inspecting the operating mechanism,
contact condition, connections, and looking
for signs of carbonization. Maintenance was
performed by in-house technicians with
limited specialized training or test equipment.
If available, dedicated test equipment was
limited to dielectric test sets that measured the
insulating oil resistance and high-potential test
sets for the solid insulation. Test equipment and
practices did improve through the oil years, but
advancements were adopted slowly. It wasnt until
the next generation that circuit breaker testing
would begin to resemble what we see today.
T H E A I R Y E AR S, 1945-1975
The economic good times experienced during
thee golden years following World War II
would
ou not last forever. A combination of
macroeconomic
ac events includingding the oil
embargo
mb of 1973 stalled the eeconomy,
ecoonomy, but
b 00
growth
ow in thehe power equipment inindustry
nddustry crept
d crep
along
on at 7 per
percent. While the economic
no setting
n The innovations in
of the
t period
io may have been w wanting, the
th
THE
HE EVOLUTION
E ON OF CIRCUIT BREAKERS
S NETAWORLD
INDUSTRY TOPICS
technological advances and safety environment
we experience today took root in the air years
between 1965 and 1995.
From Oil to Air
As mentioned previously, the transition from
oil-tank to air-magnetic circuit breakers
began in the 1940s, but the first generation
of air circuit breakers was limited to light-
duty applications with maximum ratings of
5kV, 50MVA, 1200A. However, customer
interest for the new technology and the
technological limitations of oil-tank designs
encouraged manufacturers to increase ratings
quickly. In 1946, air magnetic circuit breaker
ratings were extended up to 15kV, 500MVA,
2,000A applications. The first generation of
Westinghouse air-magnetic breakers reached
their technological limit in 1958 with the
model 150-DH-1000, 3,000A circuit breaker.
To reach the extended 1,000MVA interrupt
and 3,000A continuous current ratings, the
breaker design had bloated to 3,908 pounds
with each arc chute weighing in at over
600 pounds!
The introduction of air magnetic technology
brought many advantages over the oil-tank
breakers they replaced, including:
Removal of the oil and the associated
chemical and fire hazards
Higher contact breaking speeds and faster
arc quenching
Smaller arc duration allowing extended
service life of contacts
Extended interrupt and continuous current
ratings
Smaller size and weight at a given rating
Much less maintenance
Westinghouse introduced its second generation
DH-P Porcel-line model air-magnetic circuit
breakers in 1963. Initially, the breakers were
rated up to 15kV, 750MVA interrupt, and
,
2,000A continuous current ratings; by 1974,
the maximum cucurrent ratings were increased to
1,000MVA, 3,000A.
introduced in second-generation
ake technology stemmed from
air circuit breaker
91
INDUSTRY TOPICS
advancements in design, m materials, and
manufacturing. Rather than paperp phenolic
insulation used in early generation
ne circuit
breakers, the DH-P relied on porcelain to
insulate all live parts from ground.
ound Porcelain
and similar advanced insulation material
technologies are non-tracking, non-combustible,
and non-hygroscopic. The reduction of insulation
tracking and non-hygroscopic properties
allowed circuit breakers to become more
compact and lowered the risk of failure from
flash-over, increasing reliability and safety.
Technician safety was also improved by
replacing antiquated materials that could be
toxic when mishandled.
Early air circuit breaker designs were furnished
with a solenoid operated mechanism with cast
parts and monolithic pole assemblies. By the
late 1960s, stored-energy spring mechanisms
had phased out the solenoid operator, markedly
increasing operating speeds. By 1968, cast
mechanisms were replaced with machined and
modern fabricated mechanisms. Finally, after
1970, monolithic pole units were phased out by
the post-insulator pole unit, the single/isolated
pole designs employed today. These and other
advancements to circuit breaker design had an
enormous impact on circuit breaker reliability
so much so that it is common to find
equipment commissioned in the 1960s still in
use today, over 50 years later.
At the end of the air years, vacuum circuit
breaker technology was arriving in American
utilities, factories, and distribution systems.
The first-generation vacuum breakers, such as
the Westinghouse DVP introduced in 1978,
were directly interchangeable with the air-
circuit breakers they would eventually replace.
The improvements that accelerated during the
air years were not limited to circuit breaker
technology. Test equipment and especially
safety practices developed considerably during
the air years.
T H E A IR S AF E T Y ERA
The safety environment that many of us take
for granted today was pioneered a generation
ago as workplace and electrical safety originated
92 SUMMER 2016
during
ur the air i years. After the Williams-Steiger
ir iiaa
Act
cctt was signed
gnn into law in 1970, 70 creating
OSHA,
SSHA,
HA, iin
n 119
1979
9979
79 th
thee NFPA
NFPAP p publish
published
ublish NFPA
70E, the firstt nationally
n accepted standard that
aaddressed
ddressed eelelectrical
l safety requirements for
employee workplaces.
The first edition of NFPA 70E included
installation work practices; since that first
edition, the document has continuously
improved. Published in 1981, the second
edition added safety-related work practices. In
1983, safety-related maintenance requirements
were included as well. At the end of the air
years in 1995, the fifth edition of NFPA
70E introduced arc-flash hazards. Since their
partnership began, OSHA and NFPA have
worked together to establish standards and
codes documenting safe work practices to ensure
employee safety in the workplace and levy
fines when those standards are not followed.
The air years established the advancement of
technician safety through the foundation of
standardized and enforced safety practices,
which in turn impacted how breaker testing
was performed.
Air Years Circuit Breaker Testing
From generation to generation, circuit breaker
testing requirements have expanded in scope
and scale. The introduction of new circuit
breaker technology and the advancement of test
equipment and safety practices brought forth
both new types of tests and testing requirements.
The transition between circuit breaker technologies
was a gradual process requiring technicians to
maintain the equipment of current and
previous generations. The growing knowledge
and experience required to effectually test
the rapidly expanding arena of circuit
breaker technologies led to the increased
use of specialized breaker technicians, often
employed from outside testing companies versus
in-house technicians. Outsourcing circuit breaker
testing introduced new challenges, the largest
of which was ensuring that testing was
performed consistently and accurately by
suitably experienced and trained technicians.
THE EVOLUTION OF CIRCUIT BREAKERS

A group of electrical testing business owners
recognized the need to standardize electrical
testing to combat the inconsistent testing
and safety practices that were commonplace.
In 1972, the National Electrical Testing
Association (NETA) was formed with
the goal of establishing uniform testing
procedures for electrical equipment. In 1977,
NETA published ATS-1977, Acceptance Testing
Specifications for Electrical Power Distribution
Equipment and Systems. ATS-1977 illustrates
how circuit breaker testing has expanded
since the 1940s. Comparing the maintenance
recommendations from circa 1940s and 1950s
maintenance manuals to the ATS-1977 test
recommendations for like equipment gives an
indication of how the types of testing continue
to grow. Apart from the basic mechanical
inspections predominant in the oil years, all of
the following tests either took root or became
expected during the air years:
1. Visual and mechanical inspections
Contact alignment and condition
Lubrication
Tightness of bolted connections
2. Contact resistance
3. Travel time test
4. Sample insulating liquid
Dielectric strength
Acidity
Interfacial tension
Color
5. Minimum pickup voltage tests
Close
Trip
6. Insulation resistance testing
7. AC and/or dc over-potential testing
8. Control wire insulation testing
9. Power factor testing
The expanding knowledge requirement was
not limited to understanding the idiosyncrasies
of the various types of breaker technology
not to mention the various manufacturers and
models but also included the theory and
application of new testing requirements. Testing
was beginning to see a gradual transition from
corrective to preventative maintenance, a trend
that would accelerate in generations to come.
THE EVOLUTION OF CIRCUIT BREAKERS
INDUSTRY TOPICS
THE VACUUM GENERATI ON:
1 9 8 5-TODAY
For much of America, the 1970s was a
tumultuous time and the 1980s were not
free from hardships, but most would agree
that history has shown the decade to be a
turning point for the country economically
and technologically. Driven in part by the
intense competition between the United
States and the Soviet Union, technological
innovation and other advancements exploded
in the vacuum generation. Many of the most
significant circuit breaker advancements took
place during the vacuum generation.
Vacuum Circuit Breakers
In 1978, Westinghouse introduced the DVP
type in 500 and 750 MVA, its first vacuum
circuit breaker model. The DVP was not a new
line of switchgear; it was an introduction to
vacuum technology used with its existing DHP
Porcel-line switchgear (directly interchangeable,
identically-rated DH-Ps). Competing manufacturers
took a similar approach to introducing vacuum
interruption technology. In 1981, Westinghouse
introduced its VCP line of vacuum circuit
breakers and associated VacClad switchgear in
ratings up to 15kV and 1,000 MVA. VCP was
Westinghouses first generation of modern
vacuum circuit breakers.
Vacuum interruption is arguably the most
significant innovation in medium-voltage circuit
breaker technology. Vacuum interruption has
numerous advantages over previous generation
equipment, including:
Breaker size and weight are significantly
reduced, allowing two-high stacking
construction and making them physically
easier to remove and transport for maintenance.
Removal of air-magnetic arc chutes eliminates
associated maintenance and handling issues.
Contact upkeep is reduced to monitoring
versus maintenance.
Vacuum insulation strength greatly reduces
the required contact gap, allowing breaker
operating mechanisms to become faster to
operate, more reliable, and easier to maintain.
Interrupting arcs are contained, making
them non-explosive.
NETAWORLD
NETA WORLD 93
INDUSTRY TOPICS
The mechanisms require significantly less
stored kinetic energy during operation,
making them safer to maintain.
In 1986, Westinghouse introduced the second
generation VCP-W line of vacuum circuit
breaker and associated VacClad-W switchgear
in ratings up to 15kV at 1,500 MVA and 38kV
at 40kA. VCP-W included product improvements
in manufacturing design and performance. In
1995, an arc-resistant version of the VCP-W
brand was introduced: VCP-W is Eatons current
switchgear offering in medium voltage.
The most recent innovations in medium-
voltage circuit breaker technology involve
the operating mechanism rather than the
interrupting medium. Several manufacturers
have introduced magnetic-actuator operating
mechanisms that have few moving parts, require
no maintenance or adjustments over the life of
the product, and are warranteed for five years
versus the industry standard of one year.
M ODE RN S AF E T Y
During the air years, the largest contributor
to technician safety was the development and
enforcement of modern safety practices. In
the vacuum generation, safety practices were
further enhanced by OSHAs institution of
lock-out/tag-out procedures in 1989, the
recognition of arc-flash hazards by the NFPA
in 1994, and subsequent efforts to reduce
exposure to arc flash. Recent efforts to reduce
or remove the risk of arc flash include arc-flash
studies, the implementation of remote and
integrated racking devices, and use of advanced
personal protective equipment.
During the vacuum generation, the most
significant contributor to safety was technological
innovation. The advantages of vacuum circuit
breaker technology partnered with modern
manufacturing capabilities and materials have
dramatically increased the reliability of modern
power equipment operation and safety features.
Increased equipment reliability results in
longer maintenance cycles and fewer failures,
which in turn reduces maintenance technicians
exposure to the hazards.
94 SUMMER 2016
Despite the progression of safety afforded by
procedural and technological advancements,
the modern technician faces many of the
same risks as those of previous generations.
The implementation of new technology in
the power industry is a slow process. There
are countless installations across the United
States that still use air-magnetic and even
oil-tank circuit breaker technology that has
been in service for over 40 or even 50 years.
The continually expanding knowledge and
experience level required to safely maintain
power equipment technology spanning three
generations may be the greatest challenge to
present-day maintenance technicians.
Testing Technicians Today
So far, three generations of circuit breakers have
been discussed the oil, air, and vacuum
eras as well as how technology and safety
advancements have affected circuit breaker
testing. The primary challenge that todays
technicians face is the overwhelming level
of expertise needed to effectively and safely
evaluate three generations of equipment.
Over the last 70 years, four or five major and
several minor switchgear manufacturers have
collectively produced over 100 combinations
of models and ratings of medium voltage
circuit breakers. Medium-voltage circuit
breakers have been the focus of this article,
but electrical maintenance personnel and
technicians are also responsible for testing the
entire lineup of electrical equipment, including
low-voltage circuit breakers, motor starters,
transformers, cables, motors, metering, relays,
and ground fault systems. To overcome these
challenges, technicians have evolved from
mechanics to electrical maintenance personnel
to technicians who specialize in narrow fields
of expertise. Specialized technicians may have
some experience on the entire spectrum, but
have focused expertise and training that is
limited to a few and sometimes a single
category of electrical equipment. No matter
what their specific category of expertise
may be, all technicians must be trained and
proficient in safe work practices.
THE EVOLUTION OF CIRCUIT BREAKERS

L O O K IN G F ORWAR D
The greatest changes to the industry are and
will continue to be driven by globalization
and advancements to circuit breaker and
manufacturing technologies. These and other
factors have driven costs down to where it
almost makes more sense to replace equipment
rather than maintain it, and modern breaker
designs encourage that practice.
Circuit breaker designs are becoming modular.
The trend began with plug-and-play parts
such as coils and motors, but now, complete
mechanisms and interrupting assemblies are
designed to be quickly and easily replaced in
the field. Opinions will vary on whether the
philosophy of make it fast over make it last
is an improvement, but most would agree that
it is unlikely that switchgear commissioned
today will still be in service in the year 2075.
Over the years, the means and methods of
electrical testing may have changed, but the
goal has remained the same: the upkeep and
preservation of electrical equipment. Dramatic
improvements to circuit breaker technology,
safety practices, and testing capabilities have
resulted in continually increasing performance
and reliability. Without question, modern
equipment is easier and safer to maintain, and
as the aging equipment of previous generation
is slowly upgraded and industry innovations
continue, the risks and costs of maintaining it
will continue to decrease.
Paul Grein has been with Group CBS
since 2008, working primarily at Circuit
Breaker Sales in Gainesville, Texas. He
has worked with industrial electrical
equipment for 20 years, beginning in the
Navy as a Nuclear-qualified Electrician
on the submarine USS Topeka SSN 754
from 1996 through 2002, followed by
positions in the steel industry through 2005. Paul has a
BSEE from the University of Texas at Dallas (2007) and
an MBA from the University of North Texas (2014).
He participates in the IEEE/ANSI PES C37 Standards
Committee, which publishes and maintains the design
and testing standards that govern the industrial power
equipment industry. Pauls primary responsibilities at CBS
and the Group include sales, engineering design, technical
expertise, standards, project management, and engineering
team management.
THE EVOLUTION OF CIRCUIT BREAKERS
INDUSTRY TOPICS
REFERENCES
ABB (2014). AMVAC. Medium Voltage Indoor Circuit
Breakers Descriptive Bulletin,
Bulletin, pp. 6-7. Lake Mary: ABB.
Croft, T (1942). American Electricians' Handbook, 5th
Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company.
Eaton (2013). Medium Voltage Switchgear. In
CA08100014E Aftermarket, Renewal Parts and
Life Extension Solutions Catalog, pp. V12-T17-53 -
64. Eaton.
Howell, J (2014). NETA Setting the Standard.
NETA World Journal, pp. 1-4.
Jooma, Z. (2016). History of the NFPA 70E.
Retrieved from Electricity and Control:
http://www.eandcspoton.co.za/resources/docs/
Hazardous/History_of_the_NFPA.pdf
Littelfuse (2005). Electrical Safety Hazards Handbook.
Des Plaines: Littelfuse Inc.
NETA (1977). Acceptance Testing Specifications for
Electrical Power Distribution Equipment & Systems.
Meriden: National Electrical Testing Association.
U.S. EIA (2016, January 15). History of Energy
Consumption in the United States, 17752009.
Retrieved from U.S. Energy Information
Administration's Today in Energy: https://www.eia.
gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=10#
Westinghouse (1941). Type "DH" "De-ion" Air Circuit
Breakers Instruction Book. Pittsburgh: Westinghouse.
Westinghouse (1944). "Unitized" Heavy-Duty Metal-Clad
Switchgear. Pittsburgh: Westinghouse Electric &
Manufacturing Company.
Westinghouse (1949). Instructions - High-Voltage Metal-
Clad Switchgear with "F" and "B" Oil Circuit Breakers.
Pittsburgh: Westinghouse Electric Corporation.
Westinghouse (1949). Unitized Metal-Clad Switchgear
Light-Duty DH Type Descriptive Bulletin.
East Pittsburgh: Westinghose Electric Corporation.
Westinghouse (1958). Descriptive Bulletin Standardized
Metal-Clad Switchgear. East Pittsburgh: Westinghouse
Electric Corporation.
Westinghouse (1959). Instrcutions De-ion Air Circuit
Breaker Type 150-DH-1000. East Pittsburgh:
Westinghouse Electric Corporation.
Westinghouse (1965). Porcel-line Metal-Clad Switchgear
with Type DH-P Air Circuit Breakers Descriptive
Bulletin. East Pittsburgh: Westinghouse Electric
Corporation, Switchgear Division.
NETAWORLD
NET 95
SAVE THE DATE
Join us in the land
of golden promise.
February 27 through March 3

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 INDUSTRY TOPICS

For Large Power Transformers

In Today's Electrical Utility Sector
B Y R AY CU R RY, American Transmission Company

Use the best of the past to build the future. Unknown

In the previous article (see NETA World Journal, Winter 2015), I
touched on items that affect transformer installation and testing.
Now, I want to focus on two items that have changed the field
assembly of these transformers. Both have their origin in the 1970s
and continue to have a strong influence today.

FA L L P R OT E C T ION A ND on top of the main tank for the placement of

C O N F IN E D S PA C E railing systems. Some manufacturers provide
First and foremost was the establishment of an attachment area for installing a may pole
OSHA, and in particular, CFR 1910. Perhaps (see picture). This pole is rated to have up to
four workers attached at one time and still
the most influential thing to happen in the
meet OSHA code.
1970s was the establishment of OSHA. The
development of OSHA Regulation CFR 1910
on Fall Protection and Confined Space has
had a major influence on how the assembly
of large power transformers is accomplished.

Before any assembly work is started, the

best practice is to ground the transformer to
the ground grid of the substation. It is also
a good practice to ground all cranes, lifts,
processing trailers, and tankers.

In the area of fall protection, enhancements

to and development of man lifts, work
platforms, and body harnesses are designed
to comply with OSHA regulations. When
assembling large transformers, workers
operate anywhere from 10 to 40 feet above the
ground. Some transformers have attachments

ESTABLISHING MAINTENANCE ZERO FOR LARGE POWER NETAWORLD

NETAWORLD 97
TRANSFORMERS IN TODAY'S ELECTRICAL UTILITY SECTOR
INDUSTRY TOPICS
Todays power transformer is designed with a
smaller main tank. The intent of this design is
to aid shipping the largest MVA transformer
over the road versus railroad shipment. The
length and width of todays transformer has
not changed much, but the height has been
greatly reduced. This reduction creates two
challenges for the assembly crew: (1) more
field assembly on top of the transformers
main tank and (2) in most designs, very
restricted work space for any inside tank
work required to connect the high- and low-
side bushings. To address the inside work,
draw lead bushings are sometimes used. Side
wall access flanges allow employees to make
up winding connections on the bottom of
the bushings.
By OSHA regulation, should any assembly
work be required inside of the main
transformer tank, this entry point and
workspace must be treated as a confined
space. The regulation states that the entry
is by permit only. Another part of the
regulation requires that the contractor have
extraction equipment present while workers
are in the permitted space.
DE SIGN A ND E NGI NEERI NG
C H ANG E S
The second influential item of the 1970s affecting
transformer field assembly is design and
engineering changes. Advancements that began in
the 1970s have become global today. Transformer
manufacturers must use the building blocks of
the past to compete successfully today.
The advancement of computer-aided design
(CAD), for example, gave rise to computer-
aided engineering (CAE), which allowed the
engineer to build with modeling software.
These programs grew in many directions
and gave birth to new support services and
ancillary equipment. Start-up companies
provided polymers, epoxy resins, and new
dielectric insulations, which in turn allowed
the transformer to be built with a higher basic
insulation level or basic impulse level (BIL),
which led to higher kilovolt (kV) levels.
98 SUMMER 2016
When fully loaded, these large transformers
produce a tremendous amount of heat. To
dissipate this heat, mineral oil is used with
pumps and radiators. Silicone and other fluids
were developed through the 1970s, but mineral
oil still provides the best heat transfer in the
large transformer. However, mineral oil can
have a negative impact on the environment.
To counter this, new products for containment
and engineered systems have been initiated for
most transformers, new and old.
With respect to ancillary equipment,
Reinhausen developed the vacuum tap
changer and grew its world market share in
the 1970s. Most distribution and transmission
class transformers have load tap changers.
The vacuum tap changer requires far less
maintenance compared to older tap changers.
Likewise, companies such as Ohio Brass
and Qualitrol, among others, developed and
improved transformer products through the
1970s and 1980s. Microprocessor-based
protective relays a vast improvement over
the electro-mechanical relay now protect
this expensive capital equipment.
Computer modeling software has also provided
design engineers with the ability to build a
transformer that operates with more efficiency,
heavier load cycle, and longer operating life.
To gain this capability, field assembly and
oil processing has been improved from the
1970s to now. Companies such as Barron have
designed vacuum/oil processing trailers that
are also computer controlled. All transformers
in the high-voltage class (50kV and above) are
designed to withstand full vacuum. The high
vacuum is used to dry or pull moisture out of
the transformer. In the 1970s, this processing
equipment would attain 800 to 1,000 microns
or 0.8 to one Torr. Todays equipment will
typically reach 40 to 200 microns. To put this
in better perspective:
1,000 microns = 1 Torr = 1 millimeter of mercury
Because of improved design and assembly,
todays transformers use neoprene and nitrile
rubber gaskets, compared to units built in the
ESTABLISHING MAINTENANCE ZERO FOR LARGE POWER
TRANSFORMERS IN TODAY'S ELECTRICAL UTILITY SECTOR

1960s and 1970s, which used cork or cork-
neoprene. On the older transformer, oil leaks
occurred early as the cork dried out, which in
turn affected annual maintenance work. The
preferred gasket or O-ring rubber is Nitrile
70 or Nitrile 90. Many transformers of the
late 1980s are in service today with Nitrile 70
and have had little or no oil leak issues caused
from degradation of the nitrile. When these
units were first assembled and processed, the
benefit of having the advanced gaskets and
O-rings was a tighter transformer with respect
to vacuum/pressure leaks. In turn, this reduced
the vacuum processing time.
Even with the higher vacuum, the processing
and oil filling of a large transformer takes time.
Typically, most of these transformers will hold
10,000 to 26,000 gallons of oil. As part of
the processing, oil is heated and degassed as
it flows through the processing equipment at
a rate of 20 to 30 gallons per minute, heated
again, and injected into the transformer tank.
Some transformer manufacturers also require
oil recirculation to obtain lower moisture
levels. After all, in most installations, the
manufacturer is providing a warranty that may
last several years.
Another aspect of todays transformer is the
preservation of the oil. Many transformers of
the 1970s used a nitrogen blanket to control
oil moisture buildup. Todays transmission
class transformer will use the conservator oil
preservation system (COPS). With the use
of COPS, todays transformer now has a very
sensitive dissolved gas analyzer (DGA) system.
With the use of another protective relay a
gas-sensing relay that will detect explosive
gases the transformer now has enhanced
protection against electrical faults that occur
inside the transformer main tank.
When an electric arc happens in an oil
transformer, explosive gasses are produced;
if allowed to accumulate, further damage or
transformer failure may occur.
ESTABLISHING MAINTENANCE ZERO FOR LARGE POWER
TRANSFORMERS IN TODAY'S ELECTRICAL UTILITY SECTOR
INDUSTRY TOPICS
An objective of every large power transformer
assembly and installation is to maximize its
life cycle by establishing a sound maintenance
program. A term used today is Maintenance
Zero. By obtaining the proper installation,
vacuum/oil processing, and detailed final in-
service testing, the transformer owner lays
the foundation for 40-plus years of useful
transformer life. In the next article in this
series, I will outline how power transformer
testing, test equipment, and record keeping
have changed from the 1970s to today.
There are challenges going forward. One is
maintaining a skilled workforce that can deliver
quality technical workmanship safely to the
customer. Another is building a strong working
relationship between the manufacturer and the
field assembler/processor/testing company. As
a result, many NETA Certified Companies
have formed strong working relationships with
Hyundai, GE, ABB, and Siemens to name a
few. These relationships are strengthened with
factory training, technical seminars, and new
product engineering updates. With many of
todays transformers built overseas, reliability
to the end customer has taken on a whole new
meaning and significance.
Ray Curry graduated from Penn
State University in 1969. He joined
Westinghouse Electric in the East
Pittsburgh Division and the PCB
Division at Trafford, Pennsylvania. In
1977, Ray relocated with Westinghouse
to St. Louis, Missouri, working in the
E&ISD Division as a Field Service
Engineer specializing in high-voltage switchgear and
construction/commissioning power substations. After
retiring from Westinghouse in 1994, Ray managed two
municipal electrical systems for the cities of Chanute and
Garden City, Kansas, from 1994-2000. From 2007 to
the present, Ray has been a Commissioning Engineer
with American Transmission Company, building and
maintaining over 500 69kV-138kV to 345kV electrical
substations, including more than 200 power transformers
within the ATC Service Footprint. He sits on ATCs Safety
Committee and has maintained an active affiliation with
NETA for six years.
NETAWORLD
NETAWORLD 99
SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS ACTIVITY
ANSI/NETA STANDARDS UPDATE
ANSI/NETA ECS-2015
STANDARD FOR
ELECTRICAL
COM
CO MIS
MM SION
ISS NG
NG
ONIING
S P E C I F I C AT I O N S
FOR ELECTRICAL
EQUI ENT AND SYST
PME
UIPM SYSTEEMS
G SPECIFICATIONS
ANSI/NETA ATS-201X
REVISION IN PROCESS
The ANSI/NETA Standard for Acceptance
Testing Specifications for Electrical Power
Equipment and Systems began the review
and revision process in October 2014 at
the Standards Review Council meeting.
The initial ballot and draft document
will be issued on April 22, 2016 with a
closing date of May 22, 2016. The draft
document will be available for public
comment from April 22, 2016 through
June 6, 2016. The document is expected
to be published as a revised ANSI
standard in the spring of 2017.
The ANSI/NETA ATS covers the
suggested field tests and inspections that
are available to assess the suitability for
initial energization of electrical power
equipment and systems. The purpose
of these specifications is to assure that
tested electrical equipment and systems
are operational, are within applicable
standards and manufacturers tolerances,
and are installed in accordance with
design specifications.
100 SUMMER 2016
B Y K R IST EN W ICK S, NETA
2015
ANSI/NETA ETT-2015
STANDARD FOR
CERTIFICATION
OF ELEC TRI
RICC AL TES
TESTI
TIN
TECHNICIANS
POWER
ANSI/NETA ECS-2015
FIRST EDITION AMERICAN
NATIONAL STANDARD
The ANSI/NETA ECS Standard for
Electrical Commissioning of Electrical Power
Equipment and Systems,
Systems, 2015 edition,
was approved as an American National
Standard on December 3, 2014. This new
standard is available for purchase in the
NETA Bookstore online at netaworld.org.
The ANSI/NETA ECS describes the
systematic process of documenting and
placing into service newly installed or
retrofitted electrical power equipment
and systems. This document shall be
used in conjunction with the most recent
edition of the ANSI/NETA Standard
for Acceptance Testing Specifications for
Electrical Power Equipment and Systems.
Systems.
The individual electrical components
shall be subjected to factory and field tests,
as required, to validate the individual
components. It is not the intent of these
specifications to provide comprehensive
details on the commissioning of
mechanical equipment, mechanical
NG
instrumentation systems, and related
components.
Voltage classes addressed include:
Low-Voltage Systems (less than
1,000 volts)
Medium-Voltage Systems (greater
than 1,000 volts and less than
100,000 volts)
High-Voltage and Extra-High
Voltage Systems (greater than
100 kV and less than 1,000 kV)
References
ASHRAE, ANSI/NETA ATS, NECA,
NFPA 70E, OSHA, GSA Building
Commissioning Guide
ANSI/NETA MTS-2015
NEW EDITION
The ANSI/NETA MTS Standard for
Maintenance Testing Specifications for
Electrical Power Equipment and Systems,
Systems,
2015 edition, was approved as an American
National Standard on December 3, 2014,
and supersedes the ANSI/NETA MTS-
2011. This new standard is available
ANSI/NETA STANDARDS UPDATES
for purchase in the NETA Bookstore online at Updated references to industry standards
netaworld.org. Many more revisions, all marked in the PARTICIPATION
margins for ease of use Comments and
The ANSI/NETA MTS contains specifications suggestions on any
that cover suggested field tests and inspections ANSI/NETA ETT-2015 of the standards are
available to assess the suitability for continued NEW EDITION always welcome and
service and reliability of electrical power ANSI/NETA ETT Standard for Certification should be directed to
equipment and systems. The purpose of these of Electrical Testing Technicians,
Technicians, 2015 edition, the NETA office at
specifications is to assure that tested electrical was approved as an American National Standard neta@netaworld.org
equipment and systems are operational and on December 3, 2014, and supersedes the or 888-300-6382.
within applicable standards and manufacturers ANSI/NETA ETT-2010. This new standard is To learn more about
tolerances, and that the equipment and systems available for purchase in the NETA Bookstore the NETA standards
are suitable for continued service. online at netaworld.org. review and revision
process, to purchase
Revisions include: The ANSI/NETA ETT establishes minimum these standards, or to
New numbering system for more accurate requirements for qualifications, certification, get involved, please visit
referencing training, and experience for the electrical www.netaworld.org or
Protective relays testing technician. It also provides criteria for call 888-300-6382.
Instrument transformers documenting qualifications for certification
Rotating machinery and details the minimum qualifications for an
New Table 100.11 independent and impartial certifying body to
Revised Table 100.1 certify electrical testing technicians.
CALL FOR EXHIBITORS
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is calling.
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SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS ACTIVITY
B Y J IM W H ITE ,
(Editors note: Stephen Hester attended the
ASTM F18 Committee meeting, as Jim White
was on vacation.)
The ASTM F18 committee is responsible
for all rubber insulating PPE, as well as arc-
flash PPE, live-line tools, insulated tools, and
insulated bucket trucks. The F18 committee
met in Las Vegas, Nevada, from October 47,
2015. The next meeting is scheduled for San
Antonio, Texas, April 1013, 2016.
The OSHA update was provided by Marcia
Eblen of Pacific Gas and Electric. Marcia
briefed the committee on the requirements for
care and maintenance of arc-rated daily work
wear. OSHA is emphasizing that employers are
responsible for the proper laundering of arc-
rated clothing, whether it is laundered at home
by the individual worker or in a commercial
facility such as Aramark or CINTAS.
Additionally, workers must be trained in
the specific requirements for laundering
their arc-rated clothing, and employers are
responsible for inspecting clothing to ensure
that laundering protocols are followed and to
ensure serviceability of the garments.
The NFPA 70E update was provided by Nestor
Kolcio. Members were briefed on the number
of public inputs (PI) to the 2018 edition (over
400) and a couple of key proposals such as
moving the tasks table from 130.7(C)(15) to
130.5 and keeping the lower limit of the dc
104 SUMMER 2016
Shermco Industries
approach boundary table at <100 volts. Some
members expressed concern since OSHAs
guidance for de-energizing equipment is <50
volts ac or dc.
F18.65.30 Discussed the changes to the
arc-rated hood testing method. For example,
its already acknowledged that an 8 cal/cm2
face shield is effective at approximately 25
cal/cm2. Hugh Hoagland recommended an
additional test shot to demonstrate reliability
of the hood assembly at incident energy levels
above the rated ATPV.
F18.65.23 Discussed the scope changes,
removing obsolete information, and
distinguishing between fabric manufacturers
and garment manufacturers since those who
make the actual garments may not be the
ones making the fabric that goes in them.
A lively debate ensued over the definition of
the word durability.
F18.65 Discussed the status of standards
under the jurisdiction of the subcommittee:
F1506-10: Under review
F1891-12: Current
F1958/1958M-12: Current
F1959/1959M-12: Under review
F2178-12: Current
F2621-12: Current
F2675/F2675M-13: Current
F2676-09: Due for revision
ASTM F18 COMMITTEE REPORT
 SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS ACTIVITY
Also discussed the balloting results on
several revisions to F1506 where negative
votes were submitted with comments. For
the most part, the comments were based on
extremely narrow interpretations of language
or individual words used in the standard and
were not accepted by the subcommittee.
F18.35.37 Engaged in spirited discussions
on testing live-line tools. Some key points:
The portion of shotgun sticks below the
operating mechanism is not tested due to
the presence of metal parts.
Extendo sticks must be cleaned and waxed
on the inside. The inner surfaces of these
sticks can collect dirt and moisture, which
may, under the right conditions, create a
short inside the stick.
Some committee members claimed that
some testing organizations do not test
the sticks wet in violation of 1910.269.
If true, it would benefit those who do not
test their own sticks to know this.
Some members from the utilities pointed
out that rubber insulating gloves are not
required when using live-line tools as long
as all body parts are outside the minimum
approach distances in the NESC and
1910.269. Non-utility industry practice
is to use gloves in conjunction with live-
line tools. The utility industry appears
still divided on the subject.
Questions were raised about per-foot
testing versus end-to-end testing of live-
line tools. Of course, the big issues regard
the appropriate test equipment and the
duration for an end-to-end test. A 10-
or 12-foot stick presents a considerable
challenge when testing at 75 kV per foot,
given the test equipment currently in use.
Consensus favored continuing with the
current per-foot method.
Are hot sticks considered live-line tools
when applying personal protective
grounds? Some members argued no
since were not contacting conductors at
ASTM F18 COMMITTEE REPORT
rated line voltage. Given the If its not
grounded, its not dead rule-of-thumb
and the fact that applying grounds by
hand is allowed at 600 volts and below
this discussion may resurface in the
future.
Apparently, some sticks have passed
testing with elongated or deformed rivets.
This indicates excessive mechanical stress
and is cause to remove the stick from
service and repair or replace.
F18.15.03 Emphasized discussion that
dielectric overshoe footwear (not EH-rated
footwear) used as primary protection must
be inspected before use, maintained, and
dielectrically tested every six months.
F18.35.43 Discussed the issue of whether
there should be dielectric testing and retesting
requirements for insulated hand tools.
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, NETAs alternate member of NFPA 70E, and
a member of ASTM F18 Committee Electrical Protective
Equipment for Workers.
NETAWORLD
NETA WORLD 105
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 NETA MEMBERS
ALLIANCE PARTNERS
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
BY J IL L H OWEL L , NETA

NETAs 2016 Annual Member and Member and
Alliance Meetings were held on March 13, 2016, in Fort
Worth, Texas, welcoming over 100 NETA Accredited
Company representatives, Alliance Partners, and
Corporate Alliance participants. The event was held in
the Omni Fort Worth Hotel on the Sunday leading into
PowerTest 2016. The Annual Meeting kicks off
PowerTest each year, transitioning into a week-long
series of technical sessions, professional exchange, and
networking opportunities. It brings together the
largest gathering of NETA Accredited Company
representatives and industry professionals who are
aligned in their commitment to continually work to
improve safety, reliability, and quality across the
electrical power systems industry.
The NETA Member Meeting, a meeting open only to
NETA Accredited Companies, brings together
representatives and technicians from the many NETA
Accredited Companies that attend PowerTest to
provide an update on NETA business. The agenda
included membership updates, nominations and
elections of officers, recognition of volunteers and
committee chairs, association news, and a review of
program plans for the year.
This year, NETA recognized one member in particular
who has served on the NETA Board since 1988. Rod
Hageman, who recently stepped down from the Board,
is the owner of PRIT Services, a NETA Accredited
Company since 1986. (PRIT Services was recently sold
to Shermco Industries.) NETA and its members are

One hundred plus NETA Accredited Company Members and Alliance Partners gathered for this year's annual meeting
in Fort Worth, Texas.
 The meeting included an overview
of NETA's program updates,
technical reports, and a series of
roundtable discussions.
NETA President Ron Widup opens the 2016 Annual
Member and Member and Alliance Meetings.

grateful for Rods commitment and service to NETA

over the years. Rod will continue his work with the
organization serving on the Standards Review Council
and as the Executive Editor for the NETA World Journal
(see inset).

The NETA Member and Alliance Meeting takes place

during the second half of the NETA Member Meeting.
Corporate Alliance and Alliance Partners were invited
to join the NETA Accredited Companies in the
afternoon for roundtable discussions, technical reporting,
NETA member volunteers are recognized for their contributions to
and NETA updates. Roundtable discussions were hosted
the association.
by each of NETAs 13 Corporate Alliance Partners with the
goal of providing an opportunity to exchange information

and ideas. To name just a few roundtable topics:
Significant Changes and Opportunities in
Commissioning and Testing
Field Force Automation and Cybersecurity
Best Practices for Compliance
Power Factor Opening Doors to Advanced
Diagnostics
During the NETA Member and Alliance Meeting,
NETA Accredited Company Representatives also cover
the many technical resources available to Members
and Alliance Partners such as NETA publications,
training, the online NETA discussion forum at
www.engtips.com, and the online technical library at
www.electricalmanuals.net. This particular segment of
the meeting brings subject matter experts together from
across the electrical power industrys many business
sectors to create an open dialogue, with a level of
questions and technical discussion hard to find outside
of this face-to-face forum.
Throughout the week of PowerTest, many special events
are designed to promote the exchange of ideas and
information sharing. For upcoming Alliance Partner
events, watch your inbox for emails from NETA and
look for notices in the NETA World Journal.
If you would like additional information about the NETA
Alliance Program or would like to enroll, visit netaworld.
NETA SALUTES
ROD HAGEMAN,
President and CEO of PRIT Service, Inc.,
for 27 years of service to the NETA Board of Directors.
Rod stepped down from the Board this year following
Shermco Industries acquisition of PRIT Service,
announced in March 2016.
Over the years, Rod has dedicated thousands of hours to the association. He plans to
continue serving the industry and NETA as Chief Editor and committee Chairman for
the NETA World Journal and as a member of NETAs Standards Review Council,
Technical Exam Committee, and Co-Chair of the Technical Working Committee.
We all like to joke that when you volunteer for NETA, it is a lifetime commitment. PRIT
Service began in the late 1950s as a response to requests for information from several
large industrial companies. At that time, Lynn Hageman was a testing engineer for
Commonwealth Edison. During testing of Commonwealth Edisons protective
equipment, Lynn regularly met with maintenance and engineering staff of these
companies who asked him for solutions to their power problems and recommendations
for maintenance of their distribution equipment. It became apparent to Lynn that the
industry needed independent testing and engineering services, and thus PRIT Service began.
In 1972, Rod Hageman graduated from college and assumed leadership of the company.
Over the last 30 years, PRIT has been part of a growing industry. In 1986, PRIT Service
joined NETA and has enjoyed the benefits of being part of an organization that has a vast
amount of technical knowledge shared between members. Rod Hageman joined the
NETA Board of Directors in 1988 and has been a faithful contributor to the association
ever since. Thank you, Rod, for your vision, leadership, technical expertise, and your dedication
to NETA and improving the safety and reliability of the electrical power systems industry.
ADVANCEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY

TIME IS TICKING
TO ADDRESS
Gr id I n te r c on n e c ti on S tan dards
BY M ARK SIIRA , ComRent International

Standards have always been an important consideration in

the work of engineers and testing companies, but their role is
increasing with the deployment of smart grids and the changes
in how buildings interact with electricity. Some changes coming
in the next two years will impact the testing done on systems that
are interconnected to the electric power system (EPS).

WHY ARE THINGS CHANGING
NOW?
The electric power infrastructure is transforming
from a system of power interconnections to a
diverse, interconnected, interdependent, and
adaptive system. As the smart grid develops,
interconnection standards will evolve to help
enable interoperability, interconnection and
integration of disparate systems, information
technology,and communications.
The need for change is most notably caused
by the increasing use of renewable energy.
Based on the experience in Europe, operations
improvements were needed to efficiently feed
in solar and wind energy and minimize any
problems to the grid. The renewable energy
production can be optimized by allowing the
local utility operation to communicate with
distributed energy resources and modify their
power output characteristics. In addition,
some changes are required due to the need to
improve voltage and frequency stability as well
as power quality.
Fortunately for the sanity of engineers, a plan
exists for updating the standards to address
these changes.
HOW THE SYSTEM WO R K S
Say a roof-mounted solar panel is being
installed and connected to the grid through an
inverter. Power engineers can look to a host of
standards for guidance, including:
Article 690 of the National Electrical
Code (NEC) minimizing electrical
hazards in installation and operation
Underwriters Laboratory (UL) 1741
additional fire and safety considerations
regarding distributed generators that use a
dc power source like a solar panel
IEEE 1547, Standard for Interconnecting
Distributed Resources with Electric
Power Systems for the basis of the
interconnection of the photovoltaic device
itself to the power grid
IEEE 1547.1, Standard Conformance Test
Procedures for Equipment Interconnecting
Distributed Resources with Electric Power
Systems for commissioning tests

112 SUMMER 2016 TIME IS TICKING TO ADDRESS GRID INTERCONNECTION STANDARDS


The installer has to be aware of the NEC and
how it is applied in the local area before projects
are considered. The inverter is type-tested to
UL-1741 at a Nationally Recognized Testing
Laboratory (NRTL), and then the project
may be tested to IEEE 1547.1 standards by
the utility before interconnection. This usually
depends on how large the system is relative to
other sources on the distribution system.
System-level standards are an area of focus
for the Institute of Electrical and Electronic
Engineers (IEEE) regarding the smart grid,
with interconnection and interoperability
defined below (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Relationships of Standards Related to
Interconnection
Interconnection is a widely known concept
and the fundamental area covered by the IEEE
1547 series of standards. Generally, it deals with
equipment and functions used to interconnect
a distributed energy resource unit to an area
electric power system (distribution network).
Interoperability is the seamless interaction of
the communication and information technology
systems and addresses the capability of multiple
networks, systems, devices, applications, or
components to exchange and use information
securely and effectively. It is important to
understand two definitions related to these
standards:
Information technology classifies the types
and methods of information exchanged
between entities that interact with the ESS.
Communication technology deals with the
data network paths available to transport
that information.
TIME IS TICKING TO ADDRESS GRID INTERCONNECTION STANDARDS
ADVANCEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY
The IEEE 1547 family of standards is starting
a cycle of revisions needed due to the reasons
expressed above and to accommodate smart-
grid functionality. This has started with the
core standard, IEEE 1547, which was published
in 2003 to reflect the evolution in the industry.
A full revision of IEEE 1547 is underway and
estimated to be published by 2018. In considering
the scope and intentions of a full revision of
IEEE 1547, a wide variety of stakeholders may
change requirements for emerging technologies
and applications such as energy storage,
microgrids, inverter communications, voltage,
and frequency ride-through instead of
disconnection, higher renewable penetrations,
and cyber security, among others.
FI RST GUI DE TO
I NTEROPERABI LI TY AND
SMART GRI D
IEEE 2030, Guide for Smart Grid Interoperability
of Energy Technology and Information Technology
Operation with the Electric Power System (EPS),
End-Use Applications, and Loads takes a similar
system-of-systems approach.
More than 400 professionals from across
the global communications, IT, and power
industries collaborated in developing IEEE
2030, and when it was released in 2011,
it established the worlds first interface-by-
interface guide to interoperability across
the electric power system. IEEE 2030 is a
technology-agnostic roadmap to the standards
and functional interfaces for securely integrating
EPS with communications and IT as well as
facilitating data exchange across the smart grid.
This is important because it provides the tools
and information to allow increasing clarity
in the specifying requirements of systems for
communication and power system functions.
The smart grid is bringing definitive change
to the way buildings relate with electricity.
Whereas historically most buildings have only
been consumers of electricity, more and more
buildings will also serve as points of value for
power generation in the smart grid. For example,
integrating renewables with energy storage
NETAWORLD
NETA WORLD 113
ADVANCEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY
systems could allow for additional functions to
support the utility, such as frequency regulation,
power quality stabilization, and more
sophisticated schemes to replace simple
disconnection when abnormal conditions exist.
W H AT W ILL C H ANGE?
Initially, the changes will be seen in IEEE
1547, anticipated to be approved and
published before 2018. It is intended to
standardize interconnections of distributed
generators to EPSs. The original standard
published in 2003 did not fully comprehend
the impact of inverters (from renewable
sources) on the system. Inverters convert
the dc power from a solar array or wind
turbine into ac power that is exported to the
electric power system. As a result, inverter-
based systems were subjected to additional
scrutiny and occasional delays in project
implementation. The standard is focused on
interconnections to medium-voltage distribution
feeders; high-voltage bulk generation and
transmission will not be addressed.
The old rules require a distributed energy
source to disconnect from the EPS within two
seconds and reconnect within five minutes of
an abnormal condition being present (power
outage or voltage spike). The new rules are more
complex and will likely require more testing. The
requirements will apply when the EPS operator
(the utility) determines they are needed. These
might be where there are a large number of
renewable energy sources in a small area.
Here are the topics where you may see the most
change :
Voltage and Reactive Power Control
Requirements
o Wider range of settings
o Distributed energy resource (DER) will
be required to adjust voltage by adjusting
power factor output
Response to Abnormal Voltage and
Frequency Conditions
o The old rules had allowable voltage and
frequency ranges specified, and
recommended settings were relatively tight.
o The new rules include ride-through
114 SUMMER 2016 TIME IS TICKING TO ADDRESS GRID INTERCONNECTION STANDARDS
requirements (See Figure 2).
The new rules will have both must-trip
and must-run regions.
The new rules will require DERs to
remain online during certain disturbances.
Momentary cessation is the mechanism
for low-voltage ride-through.
Inverters would stop sourcing power,
but not trip.
Would be allowed to come back online
immediately when conditions return
to normal (no five-minute wait for
return-to-service).
Power Quality Requirements
Interoperability requirements
o Requires information exchange capability
using standard protocol
o Addresses cybersecurity
o May require simulation and modeling data
Unintentional Islanding
o May have special treatment for micro
grids and energy storage systems
Please note that these are based on the current
draft of the working group, and specific
requirements could change before the
document is published.
Since the ride-through requirements are a
new concept, we have included Figure 2 to
graphically illustrate what could be frequency
or voltage on the vertical axis and time (event
duration 0 to 20 seconds) on the horizontal
axis. The figure describes typical ride-through
concepts used: continuous operation, mandatory
operation, permissive operation, ride-through
trip allowed, and mandatory (shall) trip.
Figure 2: The Ride-Through Concept
We hope this overview has convinced you that
there are major changes coming to what will
be tested in the future. We are beginning to see

training on these concepts related to California
Rule 21, where many of these requirements have
become the standard already. More information
can be obtained from ComRent.com or California
Energy Commission Rule 21 Smart Inverter
Working Group Technical Reference Materials
at www.energy.ca.gov/electricity_analysis/rule21/.
B E PA R T OF T H E F U T U RE
Standards development driven by the emerging,
real-world needs of facility engineers will help
ensure this transformation is achieved as simply,
cost-effectively, and efficiently as possible. All
of the standards-making organizations need
your help. If you want to get involved and
help write the standard, sign up for the IEEE
1547 ListServ at http://grouper.ieee.org/groups/
scc21/1547_revision/1547revision_index.html.
Then, you can join the working group by
expressing your interest in the IEEE project
system. Identify yourself to sub-group leads to get
involved in groups working on the specific topics
of interest to you.
ADVANCEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY
Mark Siira is the Director of Technology
Strategy for ComRent International, a
leader in load testing solutions. He is a senior
member of IEEE, including a member
of the IEEE Standards Coordinating
Committee 21, which establishes standards
for grid interconnection and smart grid
interoperability; Working Group Chair
of IEEE 2030.2 Guide for Interoperability of Energy Storage
Systems; Vice Chair for IEEE1547 Interconnection Standard
Revision, focusing on interoperability, simulation and modeling,
and testing, and he is starting activity on IEEE1547.1
Test Procedures for Interconnection. Mark is also an active
participant in the IEEE Power Systems Relaying Committee;
Vice Chair of committee K10 - SCC21 Distributed Resources
Standard Coordination; and a member of committee I25
Substation Commissioning best practices report to NERC.
Additionally, he is a member of the UL Standards Technical
Panels 1741 (Inverters), UL2200 (Generators) and 6171
(Wind farms interconnection), as well as Sub-Group Chair of
the EPRI Energy Storage Integration Council, which is leading
an effort to define commissioning practices for energy storage
and PV systems. Mark has spent 20 years in the distributed
power generation industry developing products and solutions for
an inverter and energy storage appliance, combined heat and
power systems, critical power systems paralleling switchgear, and
microturbines. He has a BS in mechanical engineering from
GMI Engineering and Management Institute (now Kettering
University) and an MBA from Harvard University.
 FORT WORTH, TEXAS
OMNI FORT WORTH HOTEL
MARCH 14-18, 2016
www.powertest.org
888.300.6382 (NETA)

A special thanks to our Sponsors

We would like to acknowledge and thank our sponsors
for helping make PowerTest 2016 possible.
Premium

High Voltage

Medium Voltage Low Voltage

General Hospitality Suite Sponsors

BCS Switchgear, Inc. Protec Equipment Resources
Electric Power Systems RESA Power Solutions
Electro Rent Shermco Industries
Group CBS, Inc. SMC International
IBEW LU 269 Doble Engineering Company
Megger/AVO Training
Institute, Inc.

THE PREMIER ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY EVENT + HOSTED BY

NETA Standards Review Council, from left to right: Dave Huffman, Alan Peterson, Jim Cialdea, Ralph Patterson,
Leif Hoegberg, Missy Richard, Rod Hageman, Kristen Wicks, Dan Hook, Tim Cotter, Ron Widup, Lorne Gara.

NETA STANDARDS REVIEW COUNCIL

APPOINTS NEW MEMBERS
BY K RIST EN WICK S, NETA

NETAs Standards Review Council (SRC) met in Texas on February 19 -20,

2016, at Shermco Industries Irving office. The main focus was preparation
of the final draft document of the ANSI/NETA Standard for Acceptance
Testing Specifications for Electrical Power Equipment and Systems,
Systems, which
was subsequently put forth for initial balloting and public comment
in April 2016. Most of the preparatory work was accomplished at this
meeting, and the committee completed the outstanding review work
remotely following the meeting.
NETAs Standards Review Council serves as the remains technically accurate through its ANSI
executive technical committee for the association standards, the certification exams, and other
and has a history of committee members who are technically related programs and projects for the
deeply committed to assuring that NETAs voice association. It is a responsibility not taken lightly

118 SUMMER 2016 NETA STANDARDS REVIEW COUNCIL

APPOINTS NEW MEMBERS
 and one that requires a great deal of time and
effort in person as well as remotely.
NETA is thrilled to announce the addition
of three new SRC members to the team: Jim
Cialdea of 3C Electrical Company, Inc.; Leif
Hoegberg of Electrical Reliability Services;
and Dan Hook of Western Electrical Services.
As the associations newly appointed Executive
Director, Missy Richard was welcomed as a
committee member. Kristen Wicks, NETA
staff liaison for the SRC, was appointed as an
official member of the committee by Technical
Chair Alan Peterson. This committee
expansion comes at a perfect time to support
NETAs technical growth in support of the
associations mission.
few. It is incredibly gratifying to know that an
increasing number of members and industry
partners see the value that their relationships
with NETA provide to the association, to the
industry, to their technicians, and to themselves.
There is definite truth to the statement, You
make a living by what you get; you make a life
by what you give.
NETA thanks its many volunteers for donating
their time and talents to the pursuit of a vision
that is greater than the sum of its parts. If you are
interested in learning more about how you can
join the efforts being made to advance the
electrical testing industry, contact the NETA
office at neta@netaworld.org or call (888)
300-6382.

Historically, NETA has been an organization Kristen Wicks is the Technical Services Director
that accomplishes much with the hands of at NETA.

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 TECH QUIZ ANSWERS

No. 114
A N S W E R S
A NS W ERS
1. a. 50 3. Instantaneous overcurrent
b. 86 4. Lockout
c. 87 1. Differential
d. 27 2. Undervoltage
e. 25 6. Synch check
f. 67 5. Directional overcurrent

2. a. What is the calculated imbalance?

16.6 percent
b. Will this relay operate with this imbalance?
Yes / No Figure 1: Synch Check Relay Circle Characteristic
For this relay to operate, the percent slope characteristic
must be exceeded, which is not the case in this example.
The relay will restrain.
c. Based on its characteristic, what is this relay most likely
protecting? Transformer or generator

3. d. Synch check relays require two voltages. One voltage

is used as the nominal (rated) voltage and the other
voltage is varied. The characteristic in Figure 1 shows how
the two voltages are used to check the size of the circle.
For a relay rated at 120 V, one voltage is typically set to
120 V at zero degrees, while the second voltage is set to
120 V and the phase angle is varied to find its operating
angles. At the 60-degree circle setting (the largest of the
circles) and at 120 V, the relay will close its contacts at 60
degrees plus-or-minus the tolerance of the relay, which
is usually 10 percent. Note that 120 V is in the center of
the circle, and at zero-degree phase angle difference, the
relay contacts will flicker if the second voltage is increased Figure 2: Synch Check Timing Characteristic
to 480 V (with the first voltage at 120 V). The timing
test is performed by setting both voltages at zero-degree
phase angle. One voltage is usually set to 120 V (or rated
voltage), while the second voltage is set to zero V and the NFPA Disclaimer: Although Jim White is a member of the NFPA
relay timed (see Figure 2). Technical Committee for both NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety
in the Workplace and NFPA 70B Recommended Practice for Electrical
Equipment Maintenance, the views and opinions expressed in this message
4. a. A type 21 relay is any type of distance relay, but not are purely the authors and shall not be considered an official position of the
blocking or unblocking relays. NFPA or any of its technical committees and shall not be considered to be,
nor be relied upon as, a formal interpretation or promotion of the NFPA.
Readers are encouraged to refer to the entire text of all referenced documents.

120 SUMMER 2016 TECH QUIZ

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124 SUMMER 2016 NETA ACCREDITED COMPANIES

 NETA ACCREDITED COMPANIES Setting the Standard

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DYMAX Service, LLC
4213 Kropf Ave.
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Eastern High Voltage
11A South Gold Dr.
Robbinsville, NJ 08691-1606
(609) 890-8300 Fax: (609) 588-8090
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ELECT, P.C.
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Wendell, NC 27591
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4436 Parkway Commerce Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32808
(407) 578-6424 Fax: 407-578-6408
www.epsii.com
Electric Power Systems, Inc.
7000 E. 47th Avenue Drive, Suite 100
Denver, CO 80216
(720) 857-7273 Fax: 303-928-8020
www.epsii.com
Electric Power Systems, Inc.
23823 Andrew Rd.
Plainfield, IL 60585
(815) 577-9515 Fax: (815) 577-9516
www.epsii.com
Electric Power Systems, Inc. Electric Power Systems, Inc.
2601 Center Rd., # 101 6141 Connecticut Ave.
Hinckley, OH 44233 Kansas City, MO 64120
(330) 460-3706 Fax: (330) 460-3708 (816) 241-9990 Fax: (816) 241-9992
www.epsii.com www.epsii.com
Electric Power Systems, Inc. Electric Power Systems, Inc.
56 Bibber Pkwy #1 2495 Boulevard of the Generals
Brunswick, ME 04011 Norristown, PA 19403
(207) 837-6527 (610) 630-0286
www.epsii.com www.epsii.com
Electric Power Systems, Inc. Electric Power Systems, Inc.
4100 Greenbriar Dr., Ste. 160 1129 East Hwy. 30
Stafford, TX 77477 Gonzalez, LA 70817
(713) 644-5400 (225) 644-0150 Fax: (225) 644-6249
www.epsii.com www.epsii.com
Electric Power Systems, Inc. Electric Power Systems, Inc.
11861 Longsdorf St. 7925 Dunbrook Rd., Ste. G
Riverview, MI 48193 San Diego, CA 92126
(734) 282-3311 (858) 566-6317
www.epsii.com www.epsii.com
Electric Power Systems, Inc. Electrical & Electronic Controls
827 Union St., 6149 Hunter Rd.
Salem, VA 24153 Ooltewah, TN 37363
(540) 375-0084 Fax: (540) 375-0094 (423) 344-7666 (23)
www.epsii.com Fax: (423) 344-4494
eecontrols@comcast.net
Electric Power Systems, Inc. Michael Hughes
915 Holt Ave., Unit 9
Manchester, NH 03109 Electrical Energy Experts, Inc.
(603) 657-7371 Fax: 603-657-7370 W129N10818, Washington Dr.
www.epsii.com Germantown, WI 53022
(262) 255-5222 Fax: (262) 242-2360
Electric Power Systems, Inc. bill@electricalenergyexperts.com
146 Space Park Dr. www.electricalenergyexperts.com
Nashville, TN 37211 William Styer
(615) 834-0999 Fax: (615) 834-0129
www.epsii.com Electrical Equipment Upgrading, Inc.
21 Telfair Place, Savannah, GA 31415
Electric Power Systems, Inc. (912) 232-7402 Fax: (912) 233-4355
8515 Cella Alameda NE, Ste. A kmiller@eeu-inc.com
Albuquerque, NM 87113 www.eeu-inc.com
(505) 792-7761 Kevin Miller
www.epsii.com
Electrical Maintenance & Testing Inc.
Electric Power Systems, Inc. 12342 Hancock St., Carmel, IN 46032
7140 Dean Martin Drive, Suite 900 (317) 853-6795 Fax: (317) 853-6799
Las Vegas, NV 89118 info@emtesting.com
(702) 815-1342 www.emtesting.com
www.epsii.com Brian K. Borst
Electric Power Systems, Inc. Electrical Reliability Services
319 US Hwy. 70 E, Unit E 1057 Doniphan Park Circle, Ste. A
Garner, NC 27529 El Paso, TX 79922
(919) 322-2670 (915) 587-9440 Fax: (915) 587-9010
www.epsii.com www.electricalreliability.com
Electric Power Systems, Inc. Electrical Reliability Services
1090 Montour West Industrial Blvd. 1775 W. University Dr., Ste. 128
Coraopolis, PA 15108 Tempe, AZ 85281
(412) 276-4559 (480) 966-4568 Fax: (480) 966-4569
www.epsii.com www.electricalreliability.com
Electrical Reliability Services
1426 Sens Rd. Ste. 5
Houston, TX 77571
(281) 241-2800 Fax: (281) 241-2801
www.electricalreliability.com
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
5909 Sea Lion Place, Ste. C
Carlsbad, CA 92010
(858) 695-9551
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.
Lee's Summit, MO 64086
(816) 525-7156 Fax: (816) 524-3274
www.electricalreliability.com
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
10606 Bloomfield Ave.
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
(562) 236-9555 Fax: (562) 777-8914
www.electricalreliability.com
Electrical Reliability Services
3535 Emerson Parkway, Ste. A
Gonzales, LA 70737
(225) 755-0530 Fax: (225) 751-5055
www.electricalreliability.com

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NETAWORLD 125
 NETA ACCREDITED COMPANIES Setting the Standard

Electrical Reliability Services Elemco Services, Inc. Hampton Tedder Technical Services High Voltage Maintenance Corp.
245 Hood Rd. 228 Merrick Rd. , 3747 West Roanoke Ave. 9305 Gerwig Ln., Ste. B
Sulphur, LA 70665 Lynbrook, NY 11563 Phoenix, AZ 85009 Columbia, MD 21046
(337) 583-2411 Fax: (337) 583-2410 (631) 589-6343 Fax: (631) 589-6670 (480) 967-7765 Fax: (480) 967-7762 (410) 309-5970 Fax: (410) 309-0220
www.electricalreliability.com courtney@elemco.com www.hamptontedder.com www.hvmcorp.com
www.elemco.com
Electrical Reliability Services Courtney Gallo Harford Electrical Testing Co., Inc. High Voltage Maintenance Corp.
11000 Metro Pkwy., Ste. 30 1108 Clayton Rd. 24371 Catherine Industrial Dr,
Ft. Myers, FL 33966 EnerG Test Joppa, MD 21085 Ste. 207
(239) 693-7100 Fax: (239) 693-7772 204 Gale Lane (410) 679-4477 Fax: (410) 679-0800 Novi, MI 48375
www.electricalreliability.com Bldg. 2 - 2nd Floor testing@harfordtesting.com (248) 305-5596 Fax: (248) 305-5579
Kennett Square, PA 19348 www.harfordtesting.com www.hvmcorp.com
Electrical Reliability Services (484) 731-0200 Fax: (484) 713-0209 Vincent Biondino
2222 West Valley Hwy. N., Ste 160 kbleiler@energtest.com High Energy Electrical Testing, Inc. High Voltage Maintenance Corp.
Auburn, WA 98001 www.energtest.com 515 S. Ocean Ave. 5100 Energy Dr.
(253) 736-6010 Fax: (253) 736-6015 Katie Bleiler Seaside Park, NJ 08752 Dayton, OH 45414
www.electricalreliability.com (732) 938-2275 Fax: (732) 938-2277 (937) 278-0811 Fax: (937) 278-7791
Energis High Voltage Resources, Inc. hinrg@comcast.net www.hvmcorp.com
Electrical Reliability Services 1361 Glory Rd. www.highenergyelectric.com
3412 South 1400 West, Unit A Green Bay, WI 54304 Charles Blanchard High Voltage Service, LLC
West Valley City, UT 84119 (920) 632-7929 Fax: (920) 632-7928 3890 Pheasant Ridge Dr. NE, Ste. 170
(801) 975-6461 info@energisinc.com High Voltage Maintenance Corp. Blaine, MN 55449
www.electricalreliability.com www.energisinc.com 24 Walpole Park South Dr. (763) 784-4040 Fax: (763) 784-5397
Mick Petzold Walpole, MA 02081 www.hvserviceinc.com
Electrical Reliability Services (508) 668-9205 Mike Mavetz
6351 Hinson St., Ste. B EPS Technology www.hvmcorp.com
Las Vegas, NV 89118 29 N. Plains Hwy., Ste. 12 HMT, Inc.
(702) 597-0020 Fax: (702) 597-0095 Wallingford, CT 06492 High Voltage Maintenance Corp. 6268 Route 31
www.electricalreliability.com (203) 679-0145 941 Busse Rd. Cicero, NY 13039
www.eps-technology.com Elk Grove Village, Il 60007 (315) 699-5563 Fax: (315) 699-5911
Electrical Reliability Services (847) 640-0005 jpertgen@hmt-electric.com
9636 St. Vincent, Unit A Grounded Technologies, Inc. www.hvmcorp.com www.hmt-electric.com
Shreveport, LA 71106 10505 S. Progress Way, Ste. 105 John Pertgen
(318) 869-4244 Parker, CO 80134 High Voltage Maintenance Corp.
www.electricalreliability.com P-(303) 781-2560 7200 Industrial Park Blvd. Industrial Electric Testing, Inc.
F- (303) 781-5240 Mentor, OH 44060 11321 West Distribution Ave.
Electrical Reliability Services jodymedina@groundedtech.com (440) 951-2706 Fax: (440) 951-6798 Jacksonville, FL 32256
610 Executive Campus Dr. www.groundedtech.com www.hvmcorp.com (904) 260-8378 Fax: (904) 260-0737
Westerville, OH 43082 Jody Medina gbenzenberg@bellsouth.net
(877) 468-6384 Fax: (614) 410-8420 High Voltage Maintenance Corp. www.industrialelectrictesting.com
info@electricalreliability.com Grubb Engineering, Inc. 3000 S. Calhoun Rd. Gary Benzenberg
www.electricalreliability.com 3128 Sidney Brooks New Berlin, WI 53151
San Antonio, Tx 78235 (262) 784-3660 Fax: (262) 784-5124 Industrial Electric Testing, Inc.
Electrical Testing and Maintenance Corp. (210) 658-7250 Fax: (210) 658-9805 www.hvmcorp.com 201 NW 1st Ave.
3673 Cherry Rd., Ste. 101 joy@grubbengineering.com Hallandale, FL 33009-4029
Memphis, TN 38118 www.grubbengineering.com High Voltage Maintenance Corp. (954) 456-7020
(901) 566-5557 Robert D. Grubb Jr. 8320 Brookville Rd. #E www.industrialelectrictesting.com
r.gregory@etmcorp.com Indianapolis, IN 46239
www.etmcorp.net Hampton Tedder Technical Services (317) 322-2055 Fax: (317) 322-2056 Industrial Electronics Group
Ron Gregory 4571 State St. www.hvmcorp.com 850369 Highway 17 South
Montclair, CA 91763 P.O. Box 1870
Electrical Testing, Inc. (909) 628-1256 x214 High Voltage Maintenance Corp. Yulee, FL 32041
2671 Cedartown Hwy. Fax: (909) 628-6375 1250 Broadway, Ste. 2300 (904) 225-9529 Fax: (904) 225-0834
Rome, GA 30161-6791 matt.tedder@hamptontedder.com New York, NY 10001 butch@industrialgroups.com
(706) 234-7623 Fax: (706) 236-9028 www.hamptontedder.com (718) 239-0359 www.industrialgroups.com
steve@electricaltestinginc.com Matt Tedder www.hvmcorp.com Butch E. Teal
www.electricaltestinginc.com
Hampton Tedder Technical Services High Voltage Maintenance Corp. Industrial Tests, Inc.
Electrical Testing Solutions 4920 Alto Ave. 355 Vista Park Dr. 4021 Alvis Ct., Ste. 1
2909 Green Hill Ct. Las Vegas, NV 89115 Pittsburgh, PA 15205-1206 Rocklin, CA 95677
Oshkosh, WI 54904 (702) 452-9200 Fax: (702) 453-5412 (412) 747-0550 Fax: (412) 747-0554 (916) 296-1200 Fax: (916) 632-0300
(920) 420-2986 Fax: (920) 235-7136 www.hamptontedder.com www.hvmcorp.com greg@indtest.com
tmachado@electricaltestingsolutions.com Roger Cates www.industrialtests.com
www.electricaltestingsolutions.com High Voltage Maintenance Corp. Greg Poole
Tito Machado 150 North Plains Industrial Rd.
Wallingford, CT 06492
(203) 949-2650 Fax: (203) 949-2646
www.hvmcorp.com

126 SUMMER 2016 NETA ACCREDITED COMPANIES

 NETA ACCREDITED COMPANIES Setting the Standard

Infra-Red Building and Power Service Magna IV Engineering Orbis Engineering Field Services Ltd. Power Products & Solutions, LLC
152 Centre St. 96 Inverness Dr. East, Unit R #300, 9404 - 41st Ave. 12465 Grey Commercial Rd.
Holbrook, MA 02343-1011 Englewood, CO 80112 Edmonton, AB T6E 6G8 Midland, NC 28107
(781) 767-0888 Fax: (781) 767-3462 (303) 799-1273 Fax: (303) 790-4816 Canada (704) 573-0420 x12
tom.mcdonald@infraredbps.com info.denver@magnaiv.com (780) 988-1455 Fax: (780) 988-0191 Fax: (704) 573-3693
www.infraredbps.com Aric Proskurniak lorne@orbisengineering.net ralph.patterson@powerproducts.biz
Thomas McDonald Sr. www.orbisengineering.net www.powerproducts.biz
Magna IV Engineering Lorne Gara Ralph Patterson
Longo Electrical-Mechanical, Inc. Avenida del Condor #590
One Harry Shupe Blvd., Box 511 Oficina 601 Pacic Power Testing, Inc. Power Products & Solutions, LLC
Wharton, NJ 07885 Huechuraba, Santiago 8580676 14280 Doolittle Dr. 13 Jenkins Ct.
(973) 537-0400 Fax: (937) 537-0404 Chile San Leandro, CA 94577 Mauldin, SC 29662
jmlongo@elongo.com +(56) 9-9-517-4642 (510) 351-8811 Fax: (510) 351-6655 (800) 328-7382
www.elongo.com info.chile@magnaiv.com steve@pacificpowertesting.com ralph.patterson@powerproducts.biz
Joe Longo Harvey Mendoza www.pacificpowertesting.com www.powerproducts.biz
Steve Emmert Raymond Pesaturo
Longo Electrical-Mechanical, Inc. Magna IV Engineering
1625 Pennsylvania Ave. 1040 Winnipeg St. Pacic Powertech, Inc. Power Services, LLC
Linden, NJ 07036 Regina , SK S4R 8P8 #110, 2071 Kingsway Ave. 998 Dimco Way, P.O. Box 750066
(908) 925-2900 Fax: (908) 925-9427 Canada Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 6N2 Centerville, OH 45475
jmlongo@elongo.com (306) 585-2100 Fax: (306) 585-2191 Canada (937) 439-9660 Fax: (937) 439-9611
www.elongo.com info.regina@magnaiv.com (604) 944-6697 Fax: (604) 944-1271 mkbeucler@aol.com
Joe Longo Andrew Westerman jkonkin@pacificpowertech.ca Mark Beucler
www.pacificpowertech.ca
Longo Electrical-Mechanical, Inc. Magna IV Engineering Josh Konkin Power Solutions Group, Ltd.
1400 F Adams Rd. 106, 4268 Lozells Ave. 425 W. Kerr Rd.
Bensalem, PA 19020 Burnaby, BC VSA 0C6 Canada Phasor Engineering Tipp City, OH 45371
(215) 638-1333 Fax: (215) 638-1366 (604) 421-8020 Sabaneta Industrial Park #216 (937) 506-8444 Fax: (937) 506-8434
jmlongo@elongo.com Scott Nixon Mercedita, PR 00715 bwilloughby@powersolutionsgroup.com
www.elongo.com Puerto Rico www.powersolutionsgroup.com
Joe Longo Magna IV Engineering (787) 844-9366 Fax: (787) 841-6385 Barry Willoughby
11811 North Freeway, Ste. 500 rcastro@phasorinc.com
M&L Power Systems, Inc. Houston, TX 77060 Rafael Castro Power Solutions Group, Ltd.
109 White Oak Ln., Ste. 82 (281) 436-7329 135 Old School House Rd.
Old Bridge, NJ 08857 www.magnaiv.com Potomac Testing, Inc. Piedmont, SC 29673
(732) 679-1800 Fax: (732) 679-9326 1610 Professional Blvd., Ste. A (864) 845-1084 Fax:: (864) 845-1085
milind@mlpower.com National Field Services Crofton, MD 21114 fcrawford@powersolutionsgroup.com
www.mlpower.com 649 Franklin St. (301) 352-1930 Fax: (301) 352-1936 www.powersolutionsgroup.com
Milind Bagle Lewisville, TX 75057 kbassett@potomactesting.com Anthony Crawford
(972) 420-0157 www.potomactesting.com
Magna IV Engineering www.natlfield.com Ken Bassett Power Solutions Group, Ltd.
1103 Parsons Rd. SW Eric Beckman 670 Lakeview Plaza Blvd.
Edmonton, AB T6X 0X2 Power & Generation Testing, Inc., Columbus, OH 43085
Canada Nationwide Electrical Testing, Inc. a CE Power Company (614) 310-8018
(780) 462-3111 Fax: (780) 450-2994 6050 Southard Trace 480 Cave Rd. sspohn@powersolutionsgroup.com
info@magnaiv.com Cumming, GA 30040 Nashville, TN 37210 www.powersolutionsgroup.com
www.magnaiv.com (770) 667-1875 Fax: (770) 667-6578 (615) 882-9455 Fax: (615) 882-9591 Stuart Spohn
Virgina Balitski Shashi@N-E-T-Inc.com mose@pgti.net
www.n-e-t-inc.com www.pgti.net Power Systems Testing Co.
Magna IV Engineering Shashikant B. Bagle Mose Ramieh 4688 W. Jennifer Ave., Ste. 108
200, 688 Heritage Dr. Fresno, CA 93722
Calgary, AB T2H 1M6 North Central Electric, Inc. Power Engineering Services, Inc. (559) 275-2171 ext 15
Canada 69 Midway Ave. 9179 Shadow Creek Lane Fax: (559) 275-6556
(403) 723-0575 Fax: (403) 723-0580 Hulmeville, PA 19047-5827 Converse, TX 78109 dave@pstcpower.com
info.calgary@magnaiv.com (215) 945-7632 Fax: (215) 945-6362 (210) 590-4936 Fax: (210) 590-6214 www.powersystemstesting.com
Dave Emerson ncetest@aol.com engelke@pe-svcs.com David Huffman
www.ncetest.com www.pe-svcs.com
Magna IV Engineering Robert Messina Miles R. Engelke Power Systems Testing Co.
8219D Fraser Ave. 600 S. Grand Ave., Ste. 113
Fort McMurray, AB T9H 0A2 Northern Electrical Testing, Inc. POWER PLUS Engineering, Inc. Santa Ana, CA 92705-4152
Canada 1991 Woodslee Dr. 46575 Magellan (714) 542-6089 Fax: (714) 542-0737
(780) 791-3122 Fax: (780) 791-3159 Troy, MI 48083-2236 Novi, MI 48377 www.powersystemstesting.com
info.fmcmurray@magnaiv.com (248) 689-8980 Fax: (248) 689-3418 (248) 344-0200 Fax: (248) 305-9105
Ryan Morgan ldetterman@northerntesting.com smancuso@epowerplus.com
www.northerntesting.com www.epowerplus.com
Lyle Detterman Salvatore Mancuso

NETA ACCREDITED COMPANIES NETAWORLD 127

 NETA ACCREDITED COMPANIES Setting the Standard

Power Systems Testing Co. Premier Power Maintenance Corporation REV Engineering, LTD Shermco Industries
6736 Preston Ave, Ste. E 3066 Finley Island Cir NW 3236 - 50 Ave. SE 33002 FM 2004
Livermore, CA 94551 Decatur, AL 35601 Calgary, AB T2B 3A3 Angleton, TX 77515
(510) 783-5096 Fax: (510) 732-9287 (256) 355-1444 Canada (979)848-1406 Fax: (979) 848-0012
www.powersystemstesting.com johnnie.mcclung@premierpower.us (403) 287-0156 Fax: (403) 287-0198 cking@shermco.com
www.premierpowermaintenance.com rdavidson@reveng.ca www.shermco.com
Power Test, Inc. Johnnie McClung www.reveng.ca Chris King
2200 Highway 49 Roland Nicholas Davidson, IV
Harrisburg, NC 28075 Premier Power Maintenance Corporation Shermco Industries
(704) 200-8311 Fax: (704) 455-7909 4301 Iverson Blvd., Ste. H Saber Power Services 1357 N. 108th E. Ave.
rich@powertestinc.com Trinity, AL 35673 9841 Saber Power Lane Tulsa, OK 74116
www.powertestinc.com (256) 355-3006 Rosharon, TX 77583-5188 (918) 234-2300
Richard Walker kevin.templeman@premierpower.us (713) 222-9102 jharrison@shermco.com
www.premierpowermaintenance.com info@saberpower.com www.shermco.com
POWER Testing and Energization, Inc. Kevin Templeman www.saberpower.com Jim Harrison
14006 NW 3rd Ct., Ste. 101 Mark Reid
Vancouver, WA 98685 Premier Power Maintenance Corporation Shermco Industries
(360) 597-2800 Fax: (360) 576-7182 7301 E County Road 142 Scott Testing Inc. 796 11th St.
chris.zavadlov@powerte.com Blytheville, AR 72315 1698 5th St. Marion, IA 52302
www.powerte.com (870) 762-2100 Ewing, NJ 08638 (319) 377-3377 Fax: (319) 377-3399
Chris Zavadlov kevin.templeman@premierpower.us (609) 882-2400 Fax: (609) 882-5660 jedwards@shermco.com
www.premierpowermaintenance.com rsorbello@scotttesting.com www.shermco.com
POWER Testing and Energization, Inc. Kevin Templeman www.scotttesting.com Jason Edwards
731 E. Ball Rd., Ste. 100 Russ Sorbello
Anaheim, CA 92805 Premier Power Maintenance Corporation Shermco Industries
(714) 507-2702 7262 Kensington Rd. Sentinel Power Services, Inc. 2100 Dixon St., Ste. C
www.powerte.com Brighton, MI 48116 7517 E. Pine St. Des Moines, IA 50316
(517) 230-6620 Tulsa, OK 74115 (515) 263-8482
POWER Testing and Energization, Inc. brian.ellegiers@premierpower.us (918) 359-0350 jedwards@shermco.com
22035 70th Ave. South www.premierpowermaintenance.com gellis@spstulsa.com www.shermco.com
Kent, WA 98032 Brian Ellegiers www.sentinelpowerservices.com Jason Edwards
(253) 437-3100 Greg Ellis
www.powerte.com Premier Power Maintenance Corporation Shermco Industries
4537 S. Nucor Rd. Sentinel Power Services, Inc. 4383 Professional Parkway
Powertech Services, Inc. Crawfordsville, IN 47933 1110 West B St., Ste. H Groveport, OH 43125
4095 South Dye Rd. (317) 879-0660 Russellville, AR 72801 (614) 836-8556 Fax: (614) 836-8557
Swartz Creek, MI 48473-1570 kevin.templeman@premierpower.us (918) 359-0350 jharrison@shermco.com
(810) 720-2280 Fax: (810) 720-2283 www.premierpowermaintenance.com gellis@spstulsa.com www.shermco.com
kirkd@powertechservices.com Kevin Templeman www.sentinelpowerservices.com Jim Harrison
www.powertechservices.com Greg Ellis
Kirk Dyszlewski Reuter & Hanney, Inc. Shermco Industries
149 Railroad Dr. Shermco Industries 998 East Berwood Ave.
Precision Testing Group Northampton Industrial Park 2425 E. Pioneer Dr. Saint Paul, MN 55110
5475 Highway 86, Unit 1 Ivyland, PA 18974 Irving, TX 75061 (651) 484-5533 Fax: (651) 484-7686
Elizabeth, CO 80107 (215) 364-5333 Fax: (215) 364-5365 (972) 793-5523 Fax: (972) 793-5542 jedwards@shermco.com
(303) 621-2776 Fax: (303) 621-2573 mikereuter@reuterhanney.com rwidup@shermco.com www.shermco.com
glenn@precisiontestinggroup.com www.reuterhanney.com www.shermco.com Jason Edwards
Glenn Stuckey Michael Reuter Ron Widup
Shermco Industries
Premier Power Maintenance Corporation Reuter & Hanney, Inc. Shermco Industries 12000 Network Blvd., Bldg D,, Ste. 410
6525 Guion Rd. 4270-I Henninger Ct. 112 Industrial Dr., PO Box 606 San Antonio, TX 78249
Indianapolis, IN 46268 Chantilly, VA 20151 Minooka, IL 60447 (512) 267-4800 Fax: (512) 267-4808
(317) 879-0660 (703) 263-7163 Fax: 703-263-1478 (815) 467-5577 Fax: (815) 467-5883 cking@shermco.com
kevin.templeman@premierpower.us www.reuterhanney.com rwidup@shermco.com www.shermco.com
www.premierpowermaintenance.com www.shermco.com Chris King
Kevin Templeman Reuter & Hanney, Inc. Ron Widup
11620 Crossroads Circle, Suites D-E Shermco Industries Canada Inc.
Premier Power Maintenance Corporation Middle River, MD 21220 Shermco Industries 1033 Kearns Crescent, Box 995
2725 Jason Rd. (410) 344-0300 Fax: (410) 335-4389 1705 Hur Industrial Blvd. Regina, SK S4P 3B2
Ashland, KY 41102 www.reuterhanney.com Cedar Park, TX 78613 Canada
(606) 929-5969 Michael Jester (512) 267-4800 Fax: (512) 258-5571 (306) 949-8131 Fax: (306) 522-9181
jay.milstead@premierpower.us cking@shermco.com kheid@magnaelectric.com
www.premierpowermaintenance.com www.shermco.com www.shermco.com
Jay Milstead Chris King Kerry Heid

128 SUMMER 2016 NETA ACCREDITED COMPANIES

 NETA ACCREDITED COMPANIES Setting the Standard

Shermco Industries Canada Inc. Taurus Power & Controls, Inc.
851-58th St. East 9999 SW Avery St.
Saskatoon, SK S7K 6X5 Tualatin, OR 97062-9517
Canada (503) 692-9004 Fax: (503) 692-9273
(306) 955-8131 robtaurus@tauruspower.com
Fax: (306) 955-9181 www.tauruspower.com
ajaques@magnaelectric.com Rob Bulfinch
www.shermco.com Taurus Power & Controls, Inc.
Adam Jaques 19226 66th Ave. S, Ste. L102
Kent, WA 98032
Shermco Industries Canada Inc. (425) 656-4170 Fax: (425) 656-4172
3731-98 St. servicereq@tauruspower.com
Edmonton, AB T6E 5N2 www.tauruspower.com
Canada David Koons
(780) 436-8831 Fax: (780) 468-9646
cgrant@magnaelectric.com 3C Electrical Co., Inc.
www.shermco.com 40 Washington St.
Cal Grant Westborough, MA 01581
(508) 881-3911 Fax: (508) 881-4814
Shermco Industries Canada Inc. jim@three-c.com
3430 25th St. NE www.three-c.com
Calgary, AB T1Y 6C1 Jim Cialdea
Canada
(403) 769-9300 Fax: (403)769-9369 3C Electrical Co., Inc.
cgrant@magnaelectric.com 72 Sanford Dr.
www.shermco.com Gorham, ME 04038
Cal Grant (800) 649-6314 Fax: (207) 782-0162
jim@three-c.com
Shermco Industries Canada Inc. www.three-c.com
1375 Church Ave. Jim Cialdea
Winnipeg, MB R2X 2T7
Canada Tidal Power Services, LLC
(204) 925-4022 Fax: (204) 925-4021 4202 Chance Lane
cbrandt@magnaelectric.com Rosharon, TX 77583
www.shermco.com (281) 710-9150 Fax: (713) 583-1216
Curtis Brandt monty.janak@tidalpowerservices.com
www.tidalpowerservices.com
Sigma Six Solutions, Inc. Monty C. Janak
2200 West Valley Hwy., Ste. 100
Auburn, WA 98001 Tidal Power Services, LLC
(253) 333-9730 Fax: (253) 859-5382 8184 Highway 44, Ste. 105
jwhite@sigmasix.com Gonzales, LA 70737
www.sigmasix.com (225) 644-8170 Fax: (225) 644-8215
John White www.tidalpowerservices.com
Darryn Kimbrough
Southern New England Electrical Testing, LLC
3 Buel St., Ste. 4 Tidal Power Services, LLC
Wallingford, CT 06492 1056 Mosswood Dr.
(203) 269-8778 Fax: (203) 269-8775 Sulphur, LA 70663
dave.asplund@sneet.org (337) 558-5457 Fax: (337) 558-5305
www.sneet.org www.tidalpowerservices.com
David Asplund, Sr. Steve Drake
Southwest Energy Systems, LLC Tony Demaria Electric, Inc.
2231 East Jones Ave., Ste. A 131 West F St.
Phoenix, AZ 85040 Wilmington, CA 90744
(602) 438-7500 Fax: (602) 438-7501 (310) 816-3130
bob.sheppard@southwestenergysystems.com (310) 549-9747
www.southwestenergysystems.com neno@tdeinc.com
Robert Sheppard www.tdeinc.com
Nenad Pasic
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
Utilities Instrumentation Service, Inc.
2290 Bishop Circle East
Dexter, MI 48130
(734) 424-1200 Fax: (734) 424-0031
GEWalls@UISCorp.com
www.uiscorp.com
Gary E. Walls
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, Inc.
14311 29th St. East
Sumner , WA 98390
(253) 891-1995 Fax: (253) 891-1511
dhook@westernelectricalservices.com
www.westernelectricalservices.com
Dan Hook
Western Electrical Services, Inc.
3676 W. California Ave., #C, 106
Salt Lake City, UT 84104
(888) 395-2021 Fax: (253) 891-1511
rcoomes@westernelectricalservices.com
www.westernelectricalservices.com
Rob Coomes
Western Electrical Services, Inc.
5680 South 32nd St.
Phoenix, AZ 85040
(602) 426-1667 Fax: (253) 891-1511
carcher@westernelectricalservices.com
www.westernelectricalservices.com
Craig Archer
Western Electrical Services, Inc.
4510 NE 68th Dr., Ste. 122
Vancouver, WA 98661
(888) 395-2021 Fax: (253) 891-1511
Tasciutto@westernelectricalservices.com
www.westernelectricalservices.com
Tony Asciutto

NETA ACCREDITED COMPANIES NETAWORLD 129

ADVERTISERS
This issues advertisers are identified below.
Please thank these advertisers by telling them you
saw their advertisement in YOUR magazine
NETA World.
INDEPENDENT NETA
ACCREDITED COMPANIES
Absolute Testing Services, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
American Electrical Testing Co., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Apparatus Testing and Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Burlington Electrical Testing Co., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Eastern High Voltage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Electrical Energy Experts, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Electrical Reliability Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Elemco Services, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
EnerG Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Harford Electrical Testing Co., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
High Voltage Maintenance Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Industrial Electric Testing, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Infra-Red Building and Power Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Nationwide Electrical Testing, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
North Central Electric, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Orbis Engineering Field Services, Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Potomac Testing, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Power Products & Solutions, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Power Services, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Power Systems Testing Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
POWER Testing and Energization, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Scott Testing, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Shermco Industries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Sigma Six Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Taurus Power & Controls, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
3C Electrical Co. Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Tony Demaria Electric, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Trace Electrical Services & Testing, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Utility Service Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
130 SUMMER 2016
MANUFACTURERS AND
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS
AEMC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Aero Tec Laboratories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Ampteks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
ANSI/NETA ATS & ECS Bundle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
ANSI/NETA MTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Arbiter Systems, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
AVO Training Institute, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
BCS Switchgear, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Belyea Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Burlington Safety Laboratory, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Doble Engineering Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Dranetz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Electro Rent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38, 65
Elsco. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45, 106
Group CBS, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
High Voltage, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
High Voltage Electrical Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
HV Diagnostics, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Instel Power Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Intellirent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
IRISS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
L.W. Brittain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Megger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Front Cover
Monster Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
National Switchgear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
NETA PowerTest Call for Sponsors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
NETA PowerTest Save The Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
NETA PowerTest Call for Exhibitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
NETA PowerTest Thank You Sponsors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
NETA Why Hire NAC? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
OMICRON electronics Corp. USA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover
Phenix Technologies, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Protec Equipment Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Quality Switchgear, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Raytech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Back Cover
Sertec Relay Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
SMC International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Solid State Exchange & Repair Co.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Southland Electrical Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
SPTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Technitrol, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Thyritronics, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Utility Relay Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Vacuum Interrupters, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Vanguard Instrument Co., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23, 102
ADVERTISERS
 BATTERY-OPERATED
2.5kV VARIABLE FREQUENCY
POWER FACTOR TEST SET
Perfect for ALL of your power factor measuring needs

'HVLJQHGIRUIDVWHDV\HOGPHDVXUHPHQWV
ZLWK5D\WHFKSUHFLVLRQDQGDFFXUDF\
Battery-operated Unique to market
Built-in standard capacitor
Test frequency 10 Hz 400 Hz
External safety switch for safe operation
Easy export of results using USB interface
Built-in printer

TROUBLE-FREE AND BACKED BY OUR 5 YEAR WARRANTY!

Toll free 888 484 3779 | Phone 267 404 2676 | Fax 267 404 2685
118 South 2nd St., Perkasie, PA 18944

www.RaytechUSA.com
 Benton Vandiver
Application Engineer

Tomorrows protection testing, today!

As a power systems engineer its essential that I keep up to date
with whats going on in the market and what our customers need.
Based on this, I am constantly looking for better ways of doing
things. Take our simulation-based protection testing solution; now
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www.omicronenergy.com | 1-800-OMICRON