NEMA releases two revised standards

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has released Revision 1 of MG 1-2003, Motors and Generators. MG 1-2003 provides more than 500 pp of manufacturing and performance data related to electric motors and generators, and is designed to assist users in the proper selection and application of motors and generators.

The revision incorporates several updates to the standard, including the complete revision of Part 5, Classification of Degrees of Protection Provided by Enclosures for Rotating Machines , which brings MG 1 into alignment with the IEC 60034-5 standard. Additionally, the section relating to the application of V-belt sheaves to ac motors having anti-friction bearings has been revised.

NEMA has also released ANSI C12.10-2004, American National Standard for Physical Aspects of Watt-Hour Meters —Safety Standard , revised for the first time since 1997. It covers the physical aspects of both detachable and bottom-connected watt-hour meters and associated registers. These include ratings, internal wiring arrangements, pertinent dimensions, markings, and other general specifications. Performance requirements are included in ANSI C12.1 and ANSI C12.20 .

Changes were made to the standard to bring it up to date with modern practice and new editions of other ANSI C12 standards. These changes include updating the title to more accurately reflect the contents, moving performance specifications for solid state registers on electromechanical meters to ANSI C12.1 , and the addition of new form designations.

ANSI C12.10-2004 may be purchased for $66 or MG 1-2003, Revision 1-2004 for $79 by visiting nema.org .

EPRI releases technology strategy

According to Electricity Technology Roadmap released by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the impact of electricity in the 21st century can be even greater if critical development and investment decisions are made now to transform the electricity system for the pressing needs of the new century.

EPRI identified three high-priority goals essential to assuring global economic health and well-being:

• Meeting the precision power requirements of the emerging digital economy

• Accelerating the development of clean energy technologies to reduce air pollution and address climate change

• Developing policies and tools to ensure universal access to the benefits of electricity throughout the world.

• EPRI president and CEO, Kurt Yeager, said that the cost of a modern smart electricity system could be offset many times over by immediate reliability and efficiency improvements. “Modernizing the electricity infrastructure could translate into at least $3 trillion per year in additional U.S. GDP by 2025.”

  A smart power system would include automated capabilities to optimize its own performance, anticipate problems, find robust solutions, and heal itself instantaneously without the need for outside intervention, according to EPRI. Such a system would deliver the high quality power required by sensitive digital technologies while giving consumers more power over their electricity use.

  Stabilizing atmospheric concentrations of CO ₂ at 550 ppm (twice the preindustrial level) would require that electricity provide the bulk of the world’s energy needs — and at least 75% of that electricity to be generated from zero-emitting sources by 2100.

  Power for all, as described in the Roadmap, calls for universal global electrification by 2050, at a minimum level of 1000 kWh per person per year. This would meet basic energy needs, improve most measures of quality of life, and enable universal participation in the global economy. Although U.S. electricity consumption is at more than 10 times this level, two-thirds of the world’s population remains below this minimum electrification level today.

  To view the latest version of EPRI’s Electricity Technology Roadmap in full, visit epri.com/roadmap .

  Industrial electricity training

  “Basic Industrial Electricity” and “Basic Industrial Electricity II” are comprehensive one-day seminars designed to benefit those working in maintenance that desire to increase their practical knowledge. The courses are open to multicraft maintenance technicians, electricians, mechanics, supervisors, mechanical and electrical engineers, or anyone else desiring to increase knowledge of electricity in an industrial setting. “Basic Industrial Electricity” topics include:

  • Fundamentals of electricity

  • Ohm’s law

  • Electrical drawings

  • Relays and contactors

  • Motor control circuits

  • Transformers

  • Single-phase distribution

  • Three-phase distribution

  • Three-phase induction motors

  • Motor protection.

  • “Basic Industrial Electricity II” topics include:

    • Three-phase motors

    • Motor nameplate information

    • Fuses and circuit breakers

    • Ground fault/short-circuit protection

    • Overload protection

    • Motor starters

    • Motor troubleshooting

    • Common causes of motor failure

    • Introduction to PLCs

    • Troubleshooting PLC controlled equipment.

    • For more information, or to register, call 800-242-6673 or go to the web site.

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