Book reviews: A look inside

Guidelines for protecting ac motors

AC Motor Protection develops the electrical, mechanical, and thermal models that determine motor characteristics and that lead to optimum thermal and fault protection. Written for anyone who specifies or sets motor protective relays, this 90-p illustrated reference explains why understanding the relationship among motor horsepower, speed, locked rotor torque, full load and locked rotor current, and hot and cold locked rotor limit times are important to thermal protection of the motor.

The book begins with a review of synchronous and induction motor principles. From there, chapters build on the understanding of motor characteristics by presenting fundamental mathematical equations as well as their rationale. Protection using thermal modeling is discussed in detail, including starting and running states and fault protection. The section on motor thermal limit curves presents those of rotor and stator.

The section on motor protection requirements includes topics on pullout or stall protection; normal and high-inertia starting; speed switch and impedance relay supervision; phase and ground, differential, current balance, abnormal voltage, synchronous motor, drive, and running overload protection; thermal vs. overcurrent model; and RTDs.

Also included are guidelines for calculating settings for motor protection relays. These guidelines discuss required motor data, estimating motor data, CT rating and selection criteria, and setting methods.

Author Stanley Zocholl has B.S. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering from Drexel University. He is an IEEE Life Fellow and a member of the Power Engineering Society and the Industrial Application Society. He is also a member of the Power System Relaying Committee and past chair of the Relay Input Sources Subcommittee. Zocholl joined Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories in 1991 in the position of Distinguished Engineer. He holds more than a dozen patents using solid state and microprocessor technology.

AC Motor Protection by Stanley E. Zocholl. Published and distributed by Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc., 2350 NE Hopkins Court, Pullman, WA 99163; 509-332-1890. 2003, paperback, 90 pp. $34.95. selinc.com/zocholl/index.html .

When it breaks, fix it

Managing Maintenance Shutdowns and Outages is a book designed for use in heavy maintenance environments including refineries, power plants, chemical plants, mines, airports, large factories, and other large facilities. It is designed specifically for the project teams that might consist of maintenance managers, project engineers, supervisors, maintenance engineers, planners, clerks, and people who are in training for these positions. Prior background in shutdowns or project management would be useful but is not essential.

Another target audience consists of the contractors who participate in shutdowns. These groups might be in total turnkey control of the shutdown or might only supply labor for the event.

Of the material in this book, 80% is concerned with the time before the first wrench is turned, 15% is execution tactics to keep the project on course, and the remaining 5% is concerned with reporting and recording the lessons learned.

Simply, the promise of this book is to save you money on your next outage. To achieve that saving, you will have a new and deeper understanding of how to effectively manage the myriad of details of large maintenance jobs and projects such as power plant outages, refinery refits, etc. This understanding will include an increased ability to plan for and manage such projects, leading to savings by avoiding problems.

There are three major cost items in a factory, process plant, oil drilling platform, or other large facility:

1. Capital investment, including building or expanding a facility

3. Catastrophic breakdowns, forced shutdowns, and large accidents, fires, and explosions

5. Intentional scheduled shutdowns, outages, and turnarounds.

6. This book is designed to help an organization manage costs of the third item. The concepts and ideas can also be used to manage both the first item (but the driver and organization are somewhat different), and the nonscheduled event.

   This book also contains a complete shutdown glossary and an outside resources section.

   Managing Maintenance Shutdowns and Outages by Joel Levitt is published by Industrial Press, Inc., 200 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016-4078; 212-889-6330. 2004, hardcover, 244 pp, $41.95. industrialpress.com

   Maintenance information in a small package

   Mechanical Trades Pocket Manual is a concise reference for maintenance and mechanical craftspersons. It provides information for preventive maintenance and mechanical repair, and includes tricks of the trade that will help mechanics expected to perform the impossible to get production running quickly. While the book is primarily concerned with installation, maintenance, and repair of machinery and equipment, it also covers other fields of activity. Current methods, procedures, equipment, tools, and techniques are presented in plain, easy-to-understand language to aid the mechanic in the performance of day-to-day activities. New sections on lubrication, vibration measurement, and PM inspection show troubleshooting techniques and help the mechanic fix the real problem, not just treat the symptoms of troublesome equipment.

   Drawings, photographs, and tables are used throughout this book to illustrate the text and help in the performance of repair activities. Discussions of principles and theory are limited to the key information necessary to understand the subject matter.

   While this book covers topics from shafting to bearings, carpentry to welding, measurement to machine assembly; it is impossible to give the depth of detail for each and every subject in a small pocket manual.

   A list of some of the contents shows the breadth of subject matter covered in this pocket manual:

   • Safety

   • The Basic Toolbox

   • V-Belts

   • Power Tools-Portable

   • Positive Drive Belts

   • Power Tools-Stationary

   • Chain Drives

   • Twist Drills

   • Gear Drives

   • Mechanical Drawing

   • Shaft Couplings

   • Electrical Drawing

   • Screw Threads

   • Isometric Drawing

   • Fasteners

   • Isometric Pipe Drawing

   • Gaskets and Seals

   • Sketching

   • Pumps

   • Field Layout

   • Fans

   • Machinery Installation

   • Basic Electricity

   • Machine Assembly

   • AC Motors

   • Torque Wrenches

   • PM

   • Measurement

   • Structural Steel

   • Plain Bearings

   • Welding

   • Anti-Friction Bearings

   • Bearing Life

   • Crane Hand Signals

   • Bearing Installation

   • Pipefitting

   • Vibration Measurement

   • Steam Traps

   • Lubrication

   • Steam Piping

   • Power Transmission

   • Sprinkler Systems

   • Shafting

   • Carpentry

   • Flat Belts

   • Shop Math.

   • Mechanical Trades Pocket Manual , 5th edition , by Thomas Bieber Davis and Carl A. Nelson, Sr. 2004, softcover, 520 pp, $15.

     A second book by the same authors, Millwrights & Mechanics Guide , 5th Edition , provides more indepth coverage on the same topics. 2004, softcover, 1123 pp, $50.

     Both books are published by Audel, a division of Wiley Publishing, Inc., 10475 Crosspoint Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46256; 317-572-4355. audelbooks.com

     Practical text teaches control system design

     Analog and Digital Circuits for Electronic Control System Applications covers the latest techniques in microcontroller-based control system design using the MSP430 microcontroller from Texas Instruments (TI). Today’s control systems increasingly require greater speed and accuracy in their measurements and calculations. New design approaches using the microcontroller and digital signal processor (DSP) are emerging. Those who design today’s control systems must understand these new approaches, the tools available, and how best to apply them.

     The book covers microcontroller system circuits, including:

     • Sensors and their output signals

     • Design and application of signal conditioning circuits

     • Analog-to-digital (A/D) and digital-to-analog (D/A) circuit design

     • Operation and application of the TI MSP430 microcontroller

     • Data transmission circuits

     • System power control circuitry

     • The 312-p book contains many illustrations and specific circuit examples, including a fully tested and documented hands-on project using the MPS430 that makes use of the principles described in the book.

       The book comes with a companion CD-ROM, which contains a fully searchable e-book version of the text in Adobe PDF format, including all appendices; a user’s guide to the MSP430x1xx family of microcontrollers; and layout wiring of printed circuit board (PCB) interconnection layers.

       Author Gerald Luecke has nearly 50 yr experience in the design of semiconductor discrete component and integrated circuits — 32 of which were spent at Texas Instruments. He has spent the last 25 yr writing, editing, and publishing books about the fundamental concepts of electricity and electronics, integrated circuits, and digital electronics. He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering.

       Analog and Digital Circuits for Electronic Control System Applications by Gerald Luecke. Published by Newnes, a division of Elsevier, 30 Corporate Drive, 4th Floor, Burlington, MA 01803; 800-545-2522. 2005, paperback, 312 pp. $49.95. books.elsevier.com

       Step-by-step approach for learning CAD

       Beginning AutoCAD 2004 is a course based on learning and practicing the essentials of 2D drawing using AutoCAD. Its hands-on approach is suited to independent learning as well as classroom instruction. The book’s focus on 2D drawing offers the reader a thorough grounding in the subject.

       The learn-by-doing approach makes this book ideal for anyone involved in engineering, construction, or architecture — anywhere the focus is on productivity and practical skills.

       The book covers new AutoCAD features, making it a good refresher course or reference for those upgrading to the new software release. It is also relevant to anyone using other recent releases.

       Author Bob McFarlane is curriculum manager for CAD and new media at Motherwell College, Scotland, and an Autodesk Educational Developer.

       Beginning AutoCAD 2004 by Bob McFarlane. Published by Newnes, a division of Elsevier, 30 Corporate Drive, 4th Floor, Burlington, MA 01803; 800-545-2522. 2004, paperback, 382 pp, $29.95. books.elsevier.com

       NEC explained for installers

       Guide to the 2005 National Electric Code extracts need-to-know information from the new National Electric Code (NEC), then arranges it for easy access and highlights the changes.

       Rather than covering everything in the NEC, this book concentrates only on the requirements for electrical installations. By omitting the engineering and manufacturing requirements, much of the confusion of the NEC is eliminated. This leaves only the rules that apply to installing electrical wiring.

       Learning the contents of this book will enable you to:

       • Understand the terms and rules for installation set forth in the NEC

       • Identify what’s new in the 2005 version

       • Review each section of the NEC that applies to electrical installation

       • Find summary information on the new model ordinances

       • Learn about the significant changes in bonding and grounding requirements

       • Explore the expanded section covering communications equipment

       • Comprehend the new definitions and be able to use them in interpreting the Code requirements.

       • Author Paul Rosenberg is a leading voice in the electrical industry. A master electrician, he is an instructor at Iowa State University and has written for many major industry publications.

         Guide to the 2005 National Electric Code by Paul Rosenberg. Published by Audel, a division of Wiley Publishing, Inc., 10475 Crosspoint Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46256; 317-572-4355. 2004, paperback, 816 pp, $40. audelbooks.com

         Using current transformers in power protection systems

         Analyzing and Applying Current Transformers is a reference book concerned with the application and operation of current transformers (CTs) used as current transducers for input to protective relays in electrical power systems. The book presents transformer concepts that provide the fundamentals to understand the nonlinear characteristics, accuracy ratings, and transient behavior of CTs.

         Author Stanley Zocholl has B.S. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering from Drexel University. He is an IEEE Life Fellow and a member of the Power Engineering Society and the Industrial Application Society. He is also a member of the Power System Relaying Committee and past chair of the Relay Input Sources Subcommittee. Mr. Zocholl joined Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories in 1991.

         Analyzing and Applying Current Transformers by Stanley Zocholl. Published and distributed by Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. 2350 NE Hopkins Court, Pullman, WA 99163; 509-332-1890. 2004, paperback, 95 pp, $34.95. selinc.com .

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