Keith Lane, P.E., RCDD/NTS Specialist, LC, LEED AP, Vice President - Engineering, SASCO, Seattle
Articles
Power Factor Correction Capacitors: Part 1
Incorporating power-factor correction capacitors into a building's electrical system can mean life-cycle cost savings and increased system capacity for owners. These devices also may help developers achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. However, successful installation depends on identifying potential problem, such as over correction (leading power factor) and harmonic currents that could cause capacitor failure. Power factor defined Mathematically, power factor is the ratio between kW and kVA (PF = kW / kVA).
Power Quality and Generators – Part 10: Generators and the 2005 NEC
This is the tenth and final article in a series covering basic engineering and code issues for standby generators and critical systems. Here, we take a look at some of the effects that the 2005 National Electrical Code will have on standby generators. The 2005 National Electrical Code (NEC) has some major changes that could significantly transform the way emergency distribution systems are designed and built in the near future. Here, I will identify some changes regarding standby generator systems and provide some insight into the effect that these changes will have on the everyday design and implementation of emergency, standby and optional generator electrical distribution systems.
Power Quality and Generators, Part 8: Basic Calculations for Sizing Generators and the Impacts of Certain Loads
This is the eighth article in a series covering basic engineering and code issues for standby generators and critical systems used in commercial building. This month’s column covers the basic calculations for sizing standby generators. Once the starting kVA (sKVA), starting kW (sKW) and the alternator kW requirements are calculated by hand for generator sizing, these values are fed into sizing software to determine a particular manufacturer’s recommended generator sizes.
Power Quality and Generators – Part 7: Commissioning, Training and Long-Term O&M Programs
This is the seventh article in a series covering basic engineering and code issues for standby generators and critical systems used in commercial building. Commissioning is an important “last step” in specifying and installing gensets. A good commissioning plan is essential for providing instruction to an owner and maintenance personnel for long-term generator testing and maintenance.
LEED-Certified Lighting Pays Off in Other Ways
LEED certification can be difficult and expensive to obtain, and therefore requires creative input from all design entities, including the electrical engineer.
Power Quality and Generators – Part 6: Generator Sizing and UPS
This is the sixth article in a series covering basic engineering and code issues for standby generators and critical systems used in commercial building. When a power event occurs, the uninterruptible power supply provides the temporary ridethrough until the generator kicks in. In this installment of the series, I summarize some of the rotary and flywheel UPS technology available today.
Power Quality and Generators – Part 5: Paralleling Generators in Critical Applications
This is the fifth article in a series covering basic engineering and code issues for standby generators and critical systems used in commercial building. Standby generators play a key role in electrical distribution systems utilized in critical environments. Standby gensets can serve life-safety loads as well as legally required standby and optional loads as defined in Section 700 of the National Electrical Code.
Power Quality and Generators – Part 4: Fuel Configurations for Standby Gensets
This is the fourth article in a series covering basic engineering and code issues for standby generators and critical systems used in commercial building. This month’s column covers various alternative fuel configurations that can be used for standby generators. We’ll also review the National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements for on-site fuel supplies and concerns over liquid petroleum storage and gas piping. In my experience, when a typical commercial building or critical infrastructure uses a standby generator, it is most often diesel-driven.