Reader Feedback
By Staff -- Plant Engineering, 8/1/2004
Dangerous solutionThe "Bus Buddy" solution printed on Page 80 of the June 2004 issue of PLANT ENGINEERING is extremely dangerous. Modifications of the containment enclosure of an electric bus duct should not be made casually...and must never involve a violation of the insulation/air gap spaces between the conductors and the enclosure.
Your magazine has been sponsoring a web video about electric arc flashing and the release of electrical energy. This solution is almost a guarantee that a real world demonstration of an arc event will occur because of metal shavings from drilling the holes, too long bolts, loose bolts, etc.
I hold qualifications as an Accident Investigator with extensive training and more experience than I desire. I can assure you that I would shut down any job or plant where I found a modification such as is suggested by the "Bus Buddy" solution.
Charles R. Lee, Jr., P.E.
CorrectionEvery once in a while I see a "gotcha" in your editorial ["Comment," June 2004, p 13]. Eli Goldratt, not Goldblatt, authored The Goal and subsequent constraint theory books. I am sure Eli would not mind a correction.
Joe Greil, Director, Facilities & Services, United Technologies Corp.
Mr. Greil is right. Our apologies to Mr. Goldratt. The Editors
