Recent content by mtb856

I'm not sure what you mean by the upriser cable, but there are current measurements being taken all over the substation. The substation has current transformers (CTs) and potential transformers (PTs) to monitor power flow in and out of the substation for metering purposes as well as for line...

We use many different fuse brands in our company, so "J&P" may be one, but it's not a slang term that I've heard for a fuse. More modern substations don't use fuses, but instead have PCBs (Power Circuit Breakers), circuit switchers, and transrupters. They can operate without having to be...

It's backup protection in case the feeder protection fails. It is also the protection for the transformer (or other equipment behind the feeder fuses) in case a problem occurs with it: snake on the transformer conductors, internal fault, loss of insulating oil, lightning arrestor failure (shorts...

Arduino "Serial port" greyed out? You should go to Device Manager on your computer (assuming you have windows) with the Arduino plugged in and see what port your computer assigned it. Then use that COM port in the Arduino software to communicate with it. That's assuming you installed the...

Thanks Berkeman, I appreciate the help.

Thanks berkeman, I hadn't even considered the solder fan...I really do need one of those. As far as the etching, I've never tried it before but thought that it looked interesting. If it's really that hazardous, I may just keep buying regular boards and soldering wires. -Aaron

I'd done a few searches for test benches, but I don't think I saw that thread. That should give me plenty of ideas, thanks!

Hi everyone, I'm looking into building a test bench in my garage, as currently my parts are strewn about my kitchen table and computer desk. I'm mainly going to be working with my Arduino and doing computer building/electrical repairs, maybe some PCB etching once I learn how. So far I'm...

Probably should have started a new thread for that question, but here is a opamp square wave generating circuit. It works well as long as you have an opamp with a decent slew rate (depending on how high of a frequency that you want to generate)...

I work for Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company. As far as the specifications, I'm going to have to apologize and say that I wouldn't even know who to ask for that. My only interaction with Distribution is with the bucket truck line guys that hook the lines up to the substation, I'm...

Small world! I enjoyed his class thoroughly myself, and I agree with what you said about him teaching students how to reason things out for themselves. I remember going to his office for help several times, and he would never give me the answer...but he would guide me into realizing the answer...

I actually worked in that area for 4 years as well, very fun and interesting. I worked at the slave side, getting all the substation equipment working with the RTU and testing with the SCADA front end at our headquarters. Like you said though, I wanted to see the rest of the substation so I...

I work for a utility in the South. As far as you question goes, I'm not an expert on our distribution lines (I work in substation protective relaying), but I would say most of the lines I see have the neutral above the phase wires. I believe we do that for lightning reasons, from what others...

Jim, did you go to Auburn? This is off topic, but I graduated from there in 2007. I actually had Dr. Gross for my undergraduate power class right before he retired. Regards, -Aaron

I agree with the others. I work for an electric utility and we have warnings about walking in wet ground around power lines. We have to wear dielectric boots if working in those conditions. If there is a phase to ground fault on a power line (like a crane contacting a line) and you are...