Electrical Safety: 400 Amp Service Install Electrician In Gainesville Ga...

A Guide to Surge Protection

Today’s electrical appliances, stereo equipment and computer systems are much more important to our daily lives than we’d like to imagine. Our computers are our link to the world around us. They have become a center-point in the daily lives of many families. Think about it, what would you do if your computer burned up? Could you afford to replace it on a moment’s notice, and what about all the valuable data stored on it? Could you easily replace the Plasma screen television you bought for the holidays? You may want to consider protecting your valuable electronics with a proper surge protector.
What is a surge protector? A surge protector is your first line of defense against voltage surges or spikes in your home or office’s electrical system. Typically, a “surge” is when the voltage in your home increases slightly and lasts for about three nanoseconds. A “spike” is a voltage increase that lasts for one to two nanoseconds. Either one can have a devastating effect on your delicate electronics if they are unprotected.
Surge protectors come in many sizes, shapes and variations. Sometimes called a “power strip”, most homeowners know them for being able to extend the number of outlets available on a given wall outlet, like a more convenient extension cord. Unbeknownst to most homeowners, that so-called “power strip” can be a money saver if it’s ever called upon to do its job.

Read more: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/surgeprotection#ixzz14PK7Oh9x

Computer problems:lock up,damaged,loss of data

A voltage drop between the equipment and true earth may be due to earth current from the equipment. Although small, this noise voltage may be comparable with the signal voltages, on which IT equipment operates and creates disturbance.This kind of disturbance cannot be eliminated entirely - and consequently reduces data throughput. As a result, PCs will often slow down or lock-up, a frequent phenomenon in today’s offices.

Moeller Arc Flash Protection

Arc faults still occur in conventional electrical energy distribution systems – regardless of all the considerations and preliminary protective measures which have been implemented. An event of this type is seldom, but the damage caused and its effects are extremely serious. They range from injury to persons to massive damage to the switchgear systems and can result in standstills which can last for weeks and may even necessitate a complete replacement of the switchgear system. The factor of "availability" may not be ignored. An advantage should not be underestimated in today's competitive environment. Suitable protective measures must be undertaken to ensure it.

The most common causes of arc faults are:

• Human error when working on the switchgear system
• Bridging between conductor with conductive foreign bodies such as tools, parts or rodents
• Dirt or condensation
• Overvoltages
• Incorrectly dimensioned switching devices.

The ARCON® arc fault protection system from Moeller has been successfully employed in low-voltage switchgear systems for more than a decade. The system has impressively proven its capabilities not just in the laboratory, but also at customers in the field.

The ARCON® arc fault protection system is used whenever enhanced demands in terms of personnel protection or an interruption free energy supply are required, for example in:

• Computing centres
• Power supplies in tunnels
• Glassworks
• Paper industry
• Energy supplies for continuous manufacturing processes.

Extremely fast, extremely reliable:
ARCON® – The arc fault protection system from Moeller

The onset of an arc fault must be detected immediately – a lightning fast reaction is required. Moeller solves this with the arc fault protection system ARCON®.

The light sensors (ARC-SL) use optical fibre technology to monitor the main busbars and dropper bars, as well as all busbar assemblies and connection systems along their entire length. The radiation emitted by the arc fault is detected via the sleeving surface of the sensor. Only one line sensor is required for each switchgear section and main busbar system.

Alternatively available with current transformers with secondary currents of either 1 A or 5 A, the arc fault current is detected by measurement transducers positioned upstream of each feeder circuit-breaker. In the event of an arc fault, the light emitted by the fault and the arc fault current are detected by the sensors and evaluated in the master unit (ARC-EM). The central processing unit gives the disconnection signal to the quenching device (ARC-AT). The quenching device creates a bolted short-circuit on three poles parallel to the location of the fault. The voltage required for the arc fault is reduced on account of the short-circuit at the busbars and the arc fault is quenched in less than 2 ms after initiation, which is well before the maximum destructive force is achieved.

This is therefore achieved before the destructive maximum values of the arc fault are reached. The 3-phase short-circuit created by the quenching device is disconnected by the feeder circuit-breaker. This also receives the disconnection signal from the central processing unit as a back-up to the shunt release. Slave units are used to monitor and evaluate sensor signals, and in the event of an arc fault pass on signals to the central processing (master) unit via the bus. In its maximum configuration, the central processing unit can monitor two separate busbar sections and independently switch the individual quenching devices assigned to the busbar sections accordingly. Several central processing units can be used in one system if necessary. They are interconnected via a communication line and exchange overcurrent information with each other in the event of an arc-fault.

The ARCON® arc fault protection system offers personnel protection over and above that which is required by relevant standards. The implementation of system function protection sets new standards in the construction of power distribution systems, offering constantly high quality during operation and ensuring the continuity of the production process.

System function protection

System function protection means that the switchgear system can be immediately re-operated after it has shutdown due to an arc-fault after the cause of the arc-fault has been eliminated, and the insulation resistance has been measured and verified. Exchange of distribution system parts, components and equipment in the switchgear power section resulting from an effect of an arc-fault is not necessary. Complete functional endurance of all system parts and equipment is achieved. The criteria for system and personnel protection (compliant to EN 60439-1, supplement 2) are automatically assumed into the system protection function.

http://www.moeller.net/en/products_solutions/power_distribution/power_communication/arc_fault_protection/index.jsp

Watch this Video on Arc Flash

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbfqF_IAQlk&feature=player_embedded

Arc Flash Inspection Video

Check out this You Tube Video on Arc Flash Evaluation..http://youtu.be/pKZF1oAKhkE

ARC FLASH COMPLIANCE

ARC FLASH COMPLIANCE

OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has issued a set of regulation meant to address in general, electrical on the job safety and has included arc flash training as part of the overall electrical safety training requirements.

OSHA Standards 29-CFR, Part 1910. Occupational Safety and Health Standards. 1910 sub part S (electrical) Standard number 1910.333 specifically addresses Standards for Work Practices and references the National Fire Prevention Association publication, NFPA 70E.

OSHA 29CFR 1910.335 (a) (1)(i) requires the use of protective equipment when working where a potential electrical hazard exists and 29CFR 1910.132(d)(1) requires that employers assess the workplace for hazards and the need for personal protective equipment. OSHA compliance is required by any plant, building or facility.