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Standards [Electrical Apparatus](Electrical Apparatus Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Final transformer efficiency rule sees changes Distribution transformer efficiencies have been regulated by the U.S. Department of Energy for several years. This past April, the DoE issued its Final Rule, modifying some of the efficiencies established in earlier rulemaking. Some values were left unchanged. Others were increased. For example, allowable losses were reduced 18% for low-voltage dry-type units, while efficiencies of medium-voltage liquid-filled units remained unchanged. The standards will supposedly result in savings of 3.63 quadrillion BTU's of energy for equipment sold over 30 years between 2016 and 2045. That, of course, depends upon how many new transformers are put in service during that period. Find more information at tinyurl.com/DOE-AEES. New committees and technical activity called for The International Electrotechnical Commission is considering a proposal from the Chinese National Committee for formation of a new IEC Technical Committee on UHV a-c transmission systems. The scope of work for the new organization would include guidance for planning, designing, construction, operation, and maintenance of a-c systems at 1,000 kV and above. The IEC has also proposed two new fields of technical activity, calling for the creation of new Technical Committees to investigate preparation of new international standards, as follows: *The Chinese National Committee proposes standardization in the field of ultrahigh-voltage a-c transmission technology, at 1,000 kV and above. * Existing technical groups propose new standards for "Switchgear and Controlgear and Their Assemblies for Low Voltage" ( 1 kV or below a-c, 1.5 kV and below d-c). Changes in technology justifying this effort include increasing use of IT subsystems, electronic components, aluminum conductors, and d-c power supply distribution in switchgear. Meanwhile, the IEC has published several new documents: *IEC 62606 Ed. 1.0 b:2013, General Requirements for Arc Fault Detection Devices. Price: $401. *IEC/TS 62548 Ed. 1.0 en:2013, Photovoltaic (PV) Arrays-Design Requirements. Price: $25. *IEC 60076-3 Ed. 3.0 b:2013, Power Transformers-Part 3: Insulation Levels, Dielectric Tests, and External Clearances in Air. Price: $292. Copies of these documents may be ordered from IHS, 15 Inverness Way East, Englewood, Colo. 80112-5704; (800) 8547179. Smart Grid interoperability standard is given approval The American National Standards Institute has adopted ANSI/NEMA SG-1C 1 -2013, Smart Grid Interoperable and Conformant Testing and Certification Scheme Operator Guidelines. The document describes roles and responsibilities for each of four main participants in the testing protocol for interoperability and security among Smart Grid products. ANSI has adopted the following standards revisions as well: * ANSI/NECA 410-2013, Standard for Installing and Maintaining Liquid-Filled Transformers (replacing the 2005 edition). * ANSI/UL 1277-2013, Standard for Safety for Electrical Power and Control Tray Cables with Optional Optical-Fiber Members. This Revision allows cable testing with d-c voltage. ANSI has also announced national adoptions of these international standards: *ANSI/UL 60079-0-2013, Standard for Safety for Explosive Atmospheres-Part 0: Equipment-General Requirements (national adoption of IEC 60079-0 with modifications and revision of ANSI/UL 600790-2009). * ANSI/UL 60947-1-2013, Standard for Safety for Low-Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear-Part I: General Rules (national adoption of IEC 60947-1 with modifications and revision of ANSI/UL 609471-2007). Smart Grid and wiring documents are put online To promote rapid adoption of ANSI/ NEMA SG-1C 1-2013, Smart Grid Interoperable and Conformant Testing and Certification Scheme Operator Guidelines, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association has made the document available online at the NEMA Web site "for a limited time" at no charge. The duration of the offer, announced in July, was not stated. The document describes roles and responsibilities for participants in a "testing scheme for interoperability and security among Smart Grid products." Contributors include internationally accredited testing bodies and laboratories. NEMA has also published ANSI/NEMA MW 1000-2013, Magnet Wire. The document includes definitions, type designations, dimensions, constructions, performance, and test methods for round, rectangular, and square-film-insulated and fibrous covered copper and aluminum wires. View contents and scope, or order a hard or electronic copy for $128, at www .nema.org. * Edited by the EA staff (c) 2013 Barks Publications |