Category: Power Systems
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Thyristor Power Converters: Function, Applications, Advantages & Disadvantages
Thyristors are semiconductor devices that tend to stay ‘ON’ once turned ON, and tend to stay ‘OFF’ once turned OFF. A momentary event is able to flip these devices into either ON or OFF states, where they will remain that way on their own, even after the cause of the state change is taken away.…
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Control Architectures for Smart EV Charging: Meeting NEC 2023, Demand Response, and Safety Standards
An Expert’s Guide to EV Load Management and NEC Compliance Smart EV charging control architectures are systems that intelligently manage how and when electric vehicles (EVs) draw power. These architectures are essential for electricians installing multiple EV Supply Equipment (EVSE) units, as they enable compliance with NEC 2023 Article 625, particularly regarding load management. The…
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How Residential Battery Backup Protects Your Home During Power Outages
Frequent power failures due to severe storms, aging grid infrastructure, and other unpredictable natural disasters are becoming a new reality for many households. An electrical outage not only affects comfort and convenience but can also endanger safety and lead to losses. Residential battery backup is a relatively new and trusted technology that is gaining popularity…
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The Difference Between Residential and Commercial Electrical Work
Electricians handle a variety of electrical systems, but residential and commercial work are not the same. Understanding the differences helps homeowners and business owners make informed decisions. This post details the difference between residential and commercial electrical work. Scope of Work Residential electrical work typically involves single-family and small apartment buildings. It includes installing wiring,…
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Maintenance Tips for Power Transformers
Maintenance is a routine and recurring activity of keeping a particular equipment or facility at its normal operating condition so that it can deliver its expected performance or service without causing any loss of time on account of accidental damage or breakdown. In other words, maintenance can be described as measures adopted to ensure that…
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The Problems Associated with Embedded Power Generation
The rate of the development of energy sources that are alternatives to hydrocarbons is happening at a greater pace than any other time before; this is mainly because of the environmental reasons i.e. the limitation of carbon dioxide emissions and for the longer-term sustainability of energy supplies. The role played by such alternative energy sources…
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The Effects of Low Power Factor on Electrical Equipment
The cosine of the angle between voltage and current in an AC circuit is referred to as the power factor. In a typical AC circuit, there is a phase difference Φ between the voltage and current. The term cos Φ is termed to as the power factor of the circuit; if the current is inductive,…
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Synchronous Compensators, What is their Purpose in Power Systems?
When designing a transmission or distribution system, the engineer must take into account not only the power requirement of the loads, but also the fact that they consume reactive power and to the same degree key, that networks include inductive and capacitive components which themselves absorb or generate reactive power. Power is generated and consumed…
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What is the Function of Unified Power Flow Controller?
In a number of cases, it may be possible to increase the grid’s capacity through enhanced control of the active and reactive power flow in the transmission network independently of busbar voltage. The Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) provides the reactive shunt compensation, active and reactive series compensation and phase shifting. It is thus capable…
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What are Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems (FACTS) Controllers?
Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) can be described as AC transmission systems incorporating power electronic-based controllers and other static controllers to boost controllability and increase power transfer capability. FACTS equipment that provides control of one or more of the parameters of an electrical network is often referred to as a FACTS controller. FACTS devices may…