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Lightning Protection


Lightning Strikes

In Canada, lightning flashes occur about 2.34 million times a year; with the highest levels of concentration during the summer months. While most lightning on earth is ground-to-cloud,  recent research has identified that the majority of lightning events to tall structures, such as wind...

Physical Security & Monitoring


The Problem with Birds in Substation Outages

Birds have been a problem for electrical substations since the first power distribution systems were built. The elevated components of substations create ideal perches and overhangs for birds to nest and find safety. Critical electrical substation design principles now include deterrent elements...

Substation Technologies


Substation Protection


Protection of Electrical Power Transformers

INTRODUCTIONIn most large electrical systems, generators and power transformers are the two most expensive pieces of equipment. In addition to the capital cost of purchase, these two key devices are also the most critical to continuous and reliable operation of the system.Consider, for example, the...

Breakers & Relays


FERC Complaint Targets Duke, PJM Transmission Planning

A coalition of large energy consumers and ratepayer advocates has filed a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), urging the agency to prohibit transmission owners from independently planning "local" transmission projects exceeding 100 kilovolts (kV). The coalition argues...

Substation Testing & Maintenance


Effective and Safe Testing of GIS Switchgear

To fully assess the functionality of medium and high voltage circuit breakers, various mechanical and electrical parameters must be tested. Gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) in particular poses unique and special challenges, including the connection of the test equipment. In today‘s world, where...

Electrical Substations

Substation Maintenance Best Practices

Improving substation maintenance best practices for greater success

BY BUDO MILOVIC, DV-Power

Currently, substation maintenance—regular or emergency—operations and best practices must fit the utility’s goal of accomplishing more with less, in order to maximize assets and minimize outages. A caveat to this weighty goal is to accomplish more with less with a reduced workforce and under tight budgets. Field workers face this reality daily. Therefore, to overcome such challenges, maintenance crews have to be properly...

Electrical Substations Articles