Just so you know, we have had and are currently able to do some light metal fabrication if you should have the need for this. We recently built a small skid for a power center which went out to Nevada to one of the mines. This was actually the second one we have done for these folks this year so they must have liked the first.
We have been doing custom door fabrication for Motor Control Centers when the need arises and closing in existing holes in enclosure doors for a couples of contractors doing field modifications to existing panels. We purchased a better brake and shear this year and Brandan has been putting them to good use. He is currently making two custom doors for a remodel of an existing MCC. This equipment is located at a pumping station for our local US Army base, Camp W.G. Williams.
We have always had the ability to do MIG welding but we have a TIG welder now and have had for over a year or two. We purchased the TIG machine to do repairs on heatsinks and other aluminum items we need to repair after a "blow-out" has occurred. We then machine the surface to make it so we can re-seat the diode, SCR or whatever the device may be. We routinely do this for another large customer here in the Salt Lake valley.
So if you have a need for some light metal work, please call us. We can also help with your larger requirements as we have two local welding shops we work with on a regular basis. These partners build all of our larger skids and other products that we need from time to time and do great work.
Have a happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Scott
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Surge Suppression
Although I have written about our product line of transient voltage surge suppression, I have not addressed the correct way to apply or install them. The main reason I suppose is due to the fact that every application is different. Many factors come into play in the application of a SPD (Surge Protection Device). They can be located or applied in various ways depending on the system configuration, size and of course voltage.
There are several types and styles for various applications. And within those there are many voltage options to match up to your type of feed and voltage level. Saying this, it is probably best to talk to us about concerns and or problems you have encountered. At that time we can review your entire electrical system if necessary based on your need or concern. We can then recommend a product or products you may need to best fit your application.
A little bit about installation:
One of the most neglected parts of making your device work as intended is proper installation of the device. Correct installation is absolutely a must in order for the SPD to do it's job as it was designed to do. I really can't tell you how may installations I have seen that are completely ineffective due to the lack of knowledge of the installer. I am not an expert on the cause and effect of a voltage/current event and the effected di/dt of dv/dt on the system. What I do know is that a properly installed TVSS or what we now call SPD will greatly reduce the effect and damage normally seen on a typical electrical system.
When installing a SPD or surge protection device, it is best to mount it in a way that will result in the shortest lead length you can possibly connect with. Doing this, you reduce the overall inductance of the connection path to the device. Just to give you an example, one study I read measured a rise in let-through voltage of 100% at just eighteen inches of lead length. The study also found a 400% increase at just fifty four inches. This is significant when you think in multiples your applied system voltage plus tolerance. The recommended lead length for connecting your SPD is six inches. This is typically impossible on a large switchboard as it is more than six inches from any possible connection point in the switchboard to a location where it is within the NEC code to properly mount the SPD. This is however very possible on sub-feeder panels where the sides of the panel have a more narrow wireway. These are typically within six inches of a breaker that can be a landing point for one of these devices.
It is also helpful to twist the leads together if at all possible between the device and the connection point. This helps reduce inductive coupling which also may lead to a reduction in time to the device. A seemingly small thing but this is measured in micro-seconds (or less) and is extremely important in the overall reduction of the spike or surge. Following these two application rules will make the SPD much more responsive when a spike or surge happens, thus reducing or eliminating completely the damage that is normally associated in one of these types of events.
We could spend all day talking about best practice for placement, sizing and installing a SPD. Trust me when I say that every application is different. It is important to spend the time with someone that understands surge protection. That way they will be able to recommend the proper device or devices for your application based on your specific need. The above information is mainly directed to the person that is or will be installing these devices. Just by following the advice that I have given you will result in a device that is at least installed in a way to make it as effective as possible so long is the placement is correct. As always, you can call me for more information regarding this matter.
Scott
There are several types and styles for various applications. And within those there are many voltage options to match up to your type of feed and voltage level. Saying this, it is probably best to talk to us about concerns and or problems you have encountered. At that time we can review your entire electrical system if necessary based on your need or concern. We can then recommend a product or products you may need to best fit your application.
A little bit about installation:
One of the most neglected parts of making your device work as intended is proper installation of the device. Correct installation is absolutely a must in order for the SPD to do it's job as it was designed to do. I really can't tell you how may installations I have seen that are completely ineffective due to the lack of knowledge of the installer. I am not an expert on the cause and effect of a voltage/current event and the effected di/dt of dv/dt on the system. What I do know is that a properly installed TVSS or what we now call SPD will greatly reduce the effect and damage normally seen on a typical electrical system.
When installing a SPD or surge protection device, it is best to mount it in a way that will result in the shortest lead length you can possibly connect with. Doing this, you reduce the overall inductance of the connection path to the device. Just to give you an example, one study I read measured a rise in let-through voltage of 100% at just eighteen inches of lead length. The study also found a 400% increase at just fifty four inches. This is significant when you think in multiples your applied system voltage plus tolerance. The recommended lead length for connecting your SPD is six inches. This is typically impossible on a large switchboard as it is more than six inches from any possible connection point in the switchboard to a location where it is within the NEC code to properly mount the SPD. This is however very possible on sub-feeder panels where the sides of the panel have a more narrow wireway. These are typically within six inches of a breaker that can be a landing point for one of these devices.
It is also helpful to twist the leads together if at all possible between the device and the connection point. This helps reduce inductive coupling which also may lead to a reduction in time to the device. A seemingly small thing but this is measured in micro-seconds (or less) and is extremely important in the overall reduction of the spike or surge. Following these two application rules will make the SPD much more responsive when a spike or surge happens, thus reducing or eliminating completely the damage that is normally associated in one of these types of events.
We could spend all day talking about best practice for placement, sizing and installing a SPD. Trust me when I say that every application is different. It is important to spend the time with someone that understands surge protection. That way they will be able to recommend the proper device or devices for your application based on your specific need. The above information is mainly directed to the person that is or will be installing these devices. Just by following the advice that I have given you will result in a device that is at least installed in a way to make it as effective as possible so long is the placement is correct. As always, you can call me for more information regarding this matter.
Scott
Monday, November 12, 2012
Circuit Breakers
Last week I was asked to get a circuit breaker for a customer. When I asked about the application, I was shortly chastised and then asked "does it matter"? Well, of course it does or I wouldn't have asked. So lets have a short discussion about breakers....
Just to put it simply, there are two basic types of circuit breakers and they are:
- Magnetic Trip Only
- Thermal Magnetic
Each have their own place and here is why:
Magnetic Trip Breakers are commonly referred to as "Instantaneous" breakers. They provide short circuit protection but do not have the built-in characteristics to provide overload protection. They typically have an adjustment feature for adjusting the instantaneous trip anywhere from four to eight times the rating of the breaker itself. There is no standard or regulation for this setting and it is usually adjusted in the field to meet the specific application.
These types of circuit breakers are typically provided on motor starters where they work in conjunction with the overload relay to provide complete protection for the application. These breaker are not intended to be used as a feeder as they provide no overload protection for the circuit.
Thermal Magnetic Breakers give you the short circuit protection of a magnetic only breaker but also have time delayed overload protection which can protect in the event of a thermal problem. This is typically detected via a bimetallic strip that is made up of two dissimilar metals that are bonded together in the breaker. When excess current flows through the device, it causes the metal strip to bend causing the breaker to open if the current is in excess of the rating of the device.
Magnetic breakers can be reset after a trip where a thermal magnetic breaker will not immediately reset after a thermal or overload trip until it has had time to cool back down from the trip.
This is a very basic explanation regarding these devices but maybe next time when I ask about the application, I won't get a ear-full about my asking as to the application.
Scott
Just to put it simply, there are two basic types of circuit breakers and they are:
- Magnetic Trip Only
- Thermal Magnetic
Each have their own place and here is why:
Magnetic Trip Breakers are commonly referred to as "Instantaneous" breakers. They provide short circuit protection but do not have the built-in characteristics to provide overload protection. They typically have an adjustment feature for adjusting the instantaneous trip anywhere from four to eight times the rating of the breaker itself. There is no standard or regulation for this setting and it is usually adjusted in the field to meet the specific application.
These types of circuit breakers are typically provided on motor starters where they work in conjunction with the overload relay to provide complete protection for the application. These breaker are not intended to be used as a feeder as they provide no overload protection for the circuit.
Thermal Magnetic Breakers give you the short circuit protection of a magnetic only breaker but also have time delayed overload protection which can protect in the event of a thermal problem. This is typically detected via a bimetallic strip that is made up of two dissimilar metals that are bonded together in the breaker. When excess current flows through the device, it causes the metal strip to bend causing the breaker to open if the current is in excess of the rating of the device.
Magnetic breakers can be reset after a trip where a thermal magnetic breaker will not immediately reset after a thermal or overload trip until it has had time to cool back down from the trip.
This is a very basic explanation regarding these devices but maybe next time when I ask about the application, I won't get a ear-full about my asking as to the application.
Scott
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