Tag: Power Systems

Utility Capacitor Bank Switch Failure Investigation By: Tom Grebe, Principal Consultant tgrebe@enernex.com 865-770-4880     Power system apparatus, such as switchgear, capacitor banks, and surge arresters may be exposed to various types of transients. Transients from restrikes during vacuum switch opening may cause problems for electrical equipment because they can cause local overstressing of the insulation system and exceed su...

Utility Capacitor Bank Studies By: Tom Grebe, Principal Consultant tgrebe@enernex.com 865-770-4880     Recent and upcoming power plant retirements are resulting in a need to reinforce our transmission systems. One measure being adopted is to install additional reactive power in the form of capacitor banks that often require detailed harmonic or transient simulation studies to assure a successful design. The analysis of utilit...

Arc Flash is the result of a rapid release of energy due to an arcing fault between multiple phases, a single phase and ground, and multiple phases and ground. An arc fault is often caused by 1) Human mistake (e.g., dropping a tool, accidental contact with live part), 2) Environment (e.g., water vapor), 3) Equipment failure (e.g., insufficient insulation, deteriorated insulation, corrosion), 4) Overvoltage conditions, and 5) A combination of the any of the...