Scientists at the University of California, San Diego have developed a highly sensitive magnetic material they say could drastically change computer hard drives and electrical grids. Made of thin layers of nickel and vanadium oxide, the material is extremely responsive to heat and requires only a small shift in temperature to alter its magnetic properties. "We can control the … [Read more...]
Power Lines to Help Map Space Weather
A one-to-two-year pilot project scheduled for launch later this year will utilize U.S. high-voltage power lines as a means to better understand solar events that threaten the electric grid. Led by heliophysicist Antti Pulkkinen of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., the research team will use scientific substations installed under high-voltage power … [Read more...]
Power Line Carriers Offer RF Interference Immunity to Utility Substations
AMETEK Power Instruments is offering two power line carrier products that address the growing concern of RF interference caused by the use of 3G/4G "smart" phones and routers in substation environments. According to the company, the new TC-10B/TCF-10B and Universal Power Line Carrier (UPLC) products are protected against changes in performance beyond specified tolerance, … [Read more...]
IEC 61558-2-10:2014 – Safety of Transformers, Reactors, Power Supply Units and Combinations Thereof – Part 2-10: Particular Requirements and Tests for Separating Transformers with High Insulation Level and Separating Transformers with Output Voltages Exceeding 1,000V
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has published IEC 61558-2-10 ed1., "Safety of Transformers, Reactors, Power Supply Units and Combinations Thereof - Part 2-10: Particular Requirements and Tests for Separating Transformers with High Insulation Level and Separating Transformers with Outpit Voltages Exceeding 1,000V." The standard is available in the IEC’s … [Read more...]
Using Lightning to Test Power Grid Health
A Swedish researcher has developed a new method of employing lightning and other high voltage currents to benefit power companies. Normally considered disruptive to transmission lines and destructive to the power grid, these so-called natural transients could be used instead to monitor the wear and tear on power components. “We can use these high voltages to obtain more … [Read more...]
MIT Study Sparks White Sands-SunZia Interference Debate
A new Massachusetts Institute of Technology study on the potential impacts of the proposed SunZia transmission line on White Sands Missile Range validates concerns regarding the project, a U.S. state lawmaker said earlier this week. Speaking to reporters during a telephone conference call on Tuesday, U.S. Congressman Steve Pearce of New Mexico said the study, which has not … [Read more...]
Earth Ground Testers Verify Reliable Grounding of Electrical Equipment
Test and measurement equipment provider Fluke Corporation has released the 1623-2 and 1625-2 earth ground testers for verification of a reliable connection to earth for grounded electrical systems. The new 1623-2 and 1625-2 earth ground testers are designed to assist engineers and electricians in meeting electrical codes, engineering standards, and local regulations to ensure … [Read more...]
EV ‘Charge-Packet’ Method May Prevent Electric Grid Crash
Researchers at the University of Vermont have created a new method to handle the strain new electric vehicles will place on the nation’s electric grid. Plug-in electric vehicles, while still a small portion of the automotive market, continue to grow rapidly in popularity in part due to decreasing manufacturing costs and wider availability. In 2013, sales of full electric and … [Read more...]
Radar Interference Mitigation Strategy to Boost Wind Turbine Installations
A new agreement between a UK air traffic services company and two wind turbine developers could unlock up to 2.2GW of potential new wind energy across the UK. The deal, signed between NATS and wind turbine developers SSE and Vattenfall, secures the funding for alterations to two Raytheon-manufactured radar sites— Lowther Hill and Great Dun Fell—to enable better mitigation of … [Read more...]
IEC/TR 61869-102:2014(E): Instrument Transformers – Part 102: Ferroresonance Oscillations in Substations with Inductive Voltage Transformers
From the International Electrotechnical Commission webstore: "IEC/TR 61869-102:2014(E) provides technical information for understanding the undesirable phenomenon of ferroresonance oscillations in medium voltage and high voltage networks in connection with inductive voltage transformers. Ferroresonance can cause considerable damage to voltage transformers and other equipment. … [Read more...]
