Tag: Electrical Transformer

Being Safe When Working With Electrical Transformers

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

In accordance to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) all electrical wiring and equipment must be in accordance with NFPA 70.  Electricity is hazardous and all employees working with transformers are subject to protection.  This is unless it is an existing installation which can be allowed to continue in service based on authorization of the jurisdiction in power over it.

In this article we will review basic information within NFPA 70 regarding transformers.

Transformer rooms that are made from fire-resistant construction with a minimum fire rating of an hour needs to be used with any individual, dry-type transformers of more than 112 ½ kVA rating.  Below this there isn’t specific installation requirements for the room in which the transformer is located.   Ones rated over thirty five hundred volts need to be installed within a vault with three hours fire-resistance.

Doorways leading into a vault from the interior of the building must have doors that are not only tight fitting but also have a minimum fire rating of three hours.  One exception is when the transformers are protected by automatic sprinklers, water sprayers or carbon dioxide in which a one hour rating is sufficient.

The NFPA 70E addresses safety standards in electrical safety.  These requirements are in place to protect all employees who install, maintain, and repair electrical systems and their components.  It recognizes the dangers associated with electrical energy.  These guidelines are in place to prevent against injury or death.

In order to comply with the NFPA 70E all employees working and operating electrical equipment above 50V must wear arc-flash protective gear.  Arc-flash is an electrical current passes through the air when the insulation between electrified conductors can no longer withstand the voltage being applied. Even a flash that lasts under a second can be severe, leading to a fatality.

In order to establish compliance with the NFPA 70E there is a checklist that lays out both short-term and long-term actions to take.  Some of them are listed below:

  • Maintenance mechanics, facility repair workers and electricians are not allowed to work on hot or live equipment while wearing all cotton apparel.
  • Equipment should be de-energized as much as possible before work is performed.
  • Hazard warning labels should be placed on all electrical equipment.
  • Workers should be trained in arc-flash hazards.
  • Logout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures need to be updated and reviewed often to be sure all control panels are included.
  • LOTO training needs to be constantly assessed to ensure employees are trained properly. If there is an issue they should be retrained.

There are so many conditions in place to ensure the NFPA 70E requirements are met within your company by all employees working with electrical equipment and components.

J&P Electrical is a full service electrical equipment company.  At J&P, we supply contractors, end users and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned and obsolete electrical equipment. Contact us today at https://jpelectricalcompany.com for all of your bus plug, circuit breaker, switchboard, fuses, disconnects and more.

J & P Electrical Company

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Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Transformers

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

 

It is important to properly install electrical components of all varieties.  This is especially crucial with the installation of transformers. Below you will find some important tips on properly installing a transformer.

If you are installing a transformer outdoors it is important that you take precautions to keep the public safe as well as the transformer safe from outdoor elements.  When picking a location for the transformer take into consideration a location that minimizes the ability of the transformer to become damaged from human and natural elements. Keep the transformer away from hazards that might fall on top of it or run into it.  Minimize the risk by location the transformer in a safe environment.

Depending on the location of the outdoor transformer will depend on how the enclosure should be built.  The building should be secure so that small fingers, hands and objects cannot get inserted in but that allow for proper ventilation.

If you have an extremely heavy transformer be sure that the ground on which it sit is firm.  The area needs to support the unit without any shifting.  Soil rich in clay should be avoided.  It is recommended that the soil be sturdy enough to avoid any shifting or sinking of the transformer unit.

Indoor transformers have further considerations to keep in mind.  If you have a heavy transformer the area needs to be located in a structurally sound space.  You must ensure the structure has the integrity to withstand the weight of the transformer over a long period of time.  Support beams and columns best support heavy weight well.

To keep the unit from overheating the proper ventilation is required.  Never install a transformer up against the wall.  The transformer will perform best if as much air as possible is allowed to surround the exterior of the unit.  The goal is for the unit to remain the same temperature as the air that surrounds it.

The unit will be noisy.  Be sure it is placed in an area with sound-absorbent materials on the wall.  A location without too many people within the area would work well.

For both dry-type and liquid-filled transformers water and humidity can create problems for the unit.  A location that is free of humidity and water are important for the wellbeing of the transformer.  It should also be an area free of containments. Keep the space in a pollutant free environment as well.  The location should also be easily accessed.

As you can see when it comes to the location of the transformer it is crucial.  Without a perfect location, proper maintenance and adequate care your transformer will have unexpected performance issues.  This can cost a lot to repair as well as cause major delays.  This can all be avoided simply by locating the unit in a place that takes into the special location requirements necessary for transformer units.

J&P Electrical is a full service electrical equipment company. At J&P, we supply contractors, end users and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned and obsolete electrical equipment. Contact us today at https://jpelectricalcompany.com for all of your bus plug, circuit breaker, switchboard, fuses, disconnects and more.

J & P Electrical Company

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Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Electrical Disconnects

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

There is so much to learn about the vast array of electrical components that are used in our everyday lives.  One of the systems that is critical in electrical circuits is the disconnect switch.  A disconnect switch is used to interrupt the power running to an electrical circuit or group of circuits.  Disconnects provide safety in a wide variety of settings in which they are used.  In commercial and residential applications disconnects are used to de-energize the circuit in order for it to be worked on safely.  In order to be one hundred percent effective it must be installed and maintained properly.  It also requires that safety procedures are followed and proper education is provided for those in charge of operating it.

In commercial use, disconnects are used for power distribution.  Disconnect manages the distribution of power throughout the plant.  If one area of the planet needs more electricity, disconnects allow the flow of electricity to be switched.  This enables one area to have use of more electricity than another area.  If a section of the plant needs maintenance, disconnects allow power to be shut down in that section and remain on in other areas.  Disconnects are used for safety as well.  If the power is needed to be shut down in the entire plant all at once disconnects are locked out.  This also saves them from accidentally being turned on before the area is secure and ready.

Lockout systems are important because they prevent the system from being turned on without being ready.  There are different times in which disconnects are used.  One is in need of maintenance and one is in need of emergency.  The lockout is so important in that reintroducing power or electricity into the circuit before the system is ready can be incredibly dangerous.  In residential uses a lockout could be something as simple as a piece of tape holding the switch in the off position.  For safety it is important that the person that turns disconnects off is the one to restart it.  This leaves one person in charge of the electricity which provides an extra level of safety to the situation.

Although in residential uses disconnects are often manually controlled as in an on and off switch commercial uses may choose to operate disconnects with a key.  This way it helps to confirm that the user is meaning to deactivate the switch.  In some systems once the power is disconnected the system needs to completely restart once the switch is connected again.

There are many different disconnects available for sale for a number of different residential and commercial uses.  Make sure when you purchase disconnects that you choose one that is rated for the application you will be using it for.  Choosing disconnects that are over powered or under powered poses a safety risk.  It is best to purchase exactly what you need to meet your requirements.

J&P Electrical is a full service electrical equipment company. At J&P, we supply contractors, end users and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned and obsolete electrical equipment. Contact us today at https://jpelectricalcompany.com for all of your bus plug, circuit breaker, switchboard, fuses, disconnects and more.

J & P Electrical Company

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