Consulting-Specifying Engineer’s top 5 most read articles online, for April 3 to 9, covered networking VFDs, commissioning electrical systems, designing emergency generator systems, specifying electrical distribution systems, and building controls. Link to each article below. 

1. Networking VFDs in high-performance buildings

Historically, the use of variable frequency drives (VFDs) has been limited to large motors and projects with healthy infrastructure budgets. However, as each iteration of the energy code mandates variable flow control of mechanical systems on smaller systems, VFDs have become more commonplace. While their implementation has been typically limited to providing code-required variable flow, VFDs are capable of communicating a wealth of information on system energy consumption, equipment health, and diagnostics.

2. Risk management: Commissioning electrical systems

Commissioning electrical systems has become a study of economics and risk. Factors such as capital expenditure, age, safety, reliability, efficiency, and energy costs must be weighed in conjunction with replacement costs and liability risk to formulate and prioritize recommissioning and retro-commissioning plans.

3. Designing emergency and standby generator systems

Consulting engineers who specify emergency and standby power equipment understand that installations for mission critical facilities, such as hospitals and data centers, are required to comply with NFPA 110: Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems, in conjunction with NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC). System designers must interpret the requirements of NFPA 110, ensure their designs follow them, and educate their clients about how the standard affects their operations.

4. Specifying electrical distribution systems

It is useful for both electrical and nonelectrical engineers to understand basic features when selecting, specifying, and applying electrical distribution systems.

5. Building controls drive smart lighting, HVAC design

Driven by market demand to reduce operating costs, the combination of efficient lighting technology, versatile controls, and sophisticated modeling tools offers new opportunities to improve overall building performance.

This list was developed using CFE Media’s web analytics for stories viewed on www.csemag.com, April 3 to 9, for articles published within the last two months
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Joy Chang, digital project manager, CFE Media, jchang@cfemedia.com.

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