Intelligent Power Today Magazine

News and Trends

Counterfeiting Kills

Each year, the counterfeiting of well-known brands and products continues to rise, creating an even more threatening problem. Such well-known counterfeited brands, including consumer safety and critical electrical products, are estimated to be five to seven percent of world trade. The International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC) estimates that the counterfeiting of distinguished brands costs industries $600 billion each year worldwide and may result in as many as 750,000 lost jobs every year in the United States.

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Buyer's Guide

News & Trends

2024 CE Code Training - Better Understanding of the Rules

CE Code training is intended to do a lot more than instruct about what changes have taken place since the last time Canada issued a national electrical code. We are producing a series of courses across Canada by one of Canada’s leading experts on the 2024 Edition of Canada’s Electrical...

Featured

Advanced protection against electromagnetic exposures and electric arc

HAZARDS AROUND While working live in the energized grid, presence of voltage around the workers requires special attention. However, live-line (live working) techniques are widely applied for decades, several accidents in the past prove that the level of safety must be improved to minimize...

State of Industry

Illuminating Decisions: EPRI Lights the Way for Modern Lighting Adoption

Facility managers and operators understand the critical role lighting plays in their daily operations. Accounting for roughly 30% of a commercial building's energy load, lighting significantly impacts energy consumption and associated maintenance costs. However, focusing solely on the...

Electrical Protection

Arc Flash Hazards: Understanding the Risks and Implementing Protective Measures

Overcurrent faults, including short circuits, pose a significant threat within electrical systems. Beyond equipment damage and system outages, these faults can also lead to a dangerous phenomenon known as an arc flash. Arc flashes are intense electrical discharges that generate extremely high temperatures and a powerful pressure wave. This article explores the dangers of arc flash events, highlights the importance of arc flash hazard analysis, and discusses various protective measures to minimize the risk of injury.

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Understanding Arc Flash Hazards

Arc flash is a type of electrical explosion that results from a short circuit through the air. It releases intense, rapid bursts of energy that can cause fires, explosions, and emit harmful levels of heat, light, and pressure.

Causes of Arc Flash

Common causes include accidental contact with electrical systems, equipment failure, poor maintenance, or an environment conducive to electrical discharge, highlighting the...

Electrical Protection Articles

Lightning Protection Systems

Integration of Lightning Protection Systems with Building Management Systems

The integration of Lightning Protection Systems (LPS) with Building Management Systems (BMS) represents a significant technological advancement in electrical protection. This integration facilitates real-time monitoring and data acquisition, enhancing the ability to protect structures from...

Overcurrent and Short Circuit Protection

The Evolution of Circuit Breaker Technology

Circuit breakers play a critical role in overcurrent and short circuit protection within electrical systems. Their function is to interrupt the flow of current when it exceeds safe limits, preventing equipment damage and potential fires. Over the past century, circuit breaker technology has...

Monitoring Circuit Breakers

Monitoring circuit breakers: Reviewing current testing methodologies BY FINLEY LEDBETTER, Group CBS Circuit breakers, from low-voltage molded case to high-voltage SF6 (sulfur hexafluoride) circuit breakers, all connect and isolate electrical loads from downstream machinery. While some breakers are...

A Closer Look into the True Cost of Replacing Electrical Switchgear

During my switchgear modernization presentations all over the US, I am constantly reminded of the concerns customers face with their aging electrical infrastructure. For the most part, these center around safety, reliability and productivity: Replacements parts are very hard (or impossible) to...