Story of Ancient Electricity

The ancient battery in the Baghdad Museum

Ancient Electricity Generation and Using Procedure

Herein this article will try the understand the history of the first electricity evaluation and ancient electricity generation procedures and the uses of electricity. We also introduce our-self to Bagdad Battery.

Bangladesh Power Transmission and Distribution Line Privatization Plan

Bangladesh Power Transmission and Distribution System Planned to Operate through Private Ownership.

National electricity transmission and distribution line going to the private sector As a result, the private sector is also involved with the transmission system after the production of electricity. In the meantime, plans have been made to construct two transmission lines through the private sector.

Besides, the government has set a target of investing more than 4.5 billion taka by 2040 in private power sector. In this case, new investors will be given preference.

Relays: LEXIS OF RELAY

What Is Relay? How Do Relay Work?

 Relay a device that opens or closes a contact when energized. Relays are most commonly used in power systems, where their function is to detect defective lines or apparatus or other abnormal or dangerous occurrences and to initiate appropriate control action. 

When the voltage or current in a relay exceeds the specified “pickup” value, the relay contact changes its position and causes an action in the circuit breaker. A decision is made based on the information from the measuring instruments and relayed to the trip coil of the breaker, hence the name “relay.” Other relays are used as switches to turn on or off equipment.

 

What Is the Voltage Classification?

Nominal Voltage Classification in Transmission and Distribution System

To identify the voltage level effortlessly in a transmission and distribution system a significant voltage classification is essential. The voltage class is used not only to identify the level of system voltage, but the main importance is to classify the Apparatus voltage ranges for the operation and maintenance of an electrical energy transmission and distribution system.

CT (CURRENT TRANSFORMERS) IN ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

What is CT or Current Transformer in an Electrical Distribution System

The CT an abbreviation of Current Transformer is a type of instrument transformer that is used to measure the current in AC or Alternating Current systems, taking the reduced amount from its secondary winding which is proportional to the primary winding that is being measured.

Which is a Good Conductor of Electricity?

Good and bad conductors define the flow of electricity concerning resistivity. Many metals are good conductors of electricity due to their free-flowing electrons, on the other hand, materials are bad conductors or insulators that insulate or resist to flow of the electrons freely. 

There are some of the best conductors include silver, copper, gold, and aluminum. Copper, in particular, is widely used in electrical wiring and electronics due to its excellent conductivity and affordability.

List of Electrical Conductor  Materials

The Fact About Electrical Shock and Physiological Effects

An electrical shock occurs when an individual comes into contact with an electrical energy source. When electricity passes through the body, it can disrupt the normal functioning of the nervous system and cause a range of effects, from mild tingling sensations to severe injury or even death. The severity of an electrical shock depends on various factors such as the amount of current, the pathway it takes through the body, the duration of exposure, and the voltage.

Even low levels of electrical current passing through the body can cause muscle contractions, burns, and pain. Higher levels of current can lead to more severe injuries, including damage to internal organs, cardiac arrest, and severe burns. It's crucial to take precautions around electricity and use safety measures such as insulating materials, proper grounding, and safety protocols to prevent electrical shocks.

The Current Limit and Physiological Effects of Electric Shock 

The Fact of Fatal Current in Electrical Shock:

The real fact about fatal currents is that most fatal electric shocks happen to people who know better but ignore or are careless for a moment.

How Measure Electricity Made Simple - Even Your Kids Can Do It

How to measure Your Electricity?

We are thinking about measuring electricity today, did you know that Ben Franklin helped us learn about electricity over 250 years ago? Even though we cannot see electricity, this does not mean that we cannot measure it. In fact, performing measurements is often the only way to tell whether electricity is actually flowing through a wire. Have you ever heard of a volt, an amp, or a watt? Do you know the difference between voltage, current and power?

Photo: You can use a digital multi-meter to measure voltage, current, and resistance.

Fear? Not If You Use How to Measure Electricity The Right Way!

ALARM EQUIPMENT DETAILS FOR HV & EHV POWER TRANSMISSION SYSTEM

Fig: Fire drill in an airport

Alarm Equipment Associate with Power Control Panel in Transmission Grid Station

Where an alarm system is specified in this article, especially for High Voltage transmission grid and normal Voltage Distribution substation, it should consist of an initiating device, a display unit, and push buttons mounted on the front of the appropriate control panel, together with a continuously rated audible warning device flasher unit and relays. The relays should wherever possible, be mounted inside the same panel; where the number of alarms to be displayed makes this impracticable, a separate alarm relay cubicle or cubicles will be considered as an alternative.

Multiple Alarm Tone

Where it is necessary to differentiate between the urgency of alarms then various approved alarm tone devices should be provided in this Contract. In addition and where specified an alarm beacon to the approval of the Engineer should be provided.

How to Calculate Fuse Rating for Electrical Appliances?

Different Rating's Fuses

Fuse Rating Calculating Guide

The function of a fuse is to break a circuit when a current threshold is exceeded. It’s a single-function device, and historically single-use. Calculating the rating of very basic protection equipment fuse, we use the thump rule just select a fuse rated 150% - 200% of the normal operating current of the specific circuit. But actually, there are numerous calculations are involved in determining an appropriate fuse rating. Frequently necessary to consider other factors- including ambient temperature, available energy during a fault, inrush current, etc.

In order to select the proper rated fuse protective device, the following parameters and criteria need to be considered:

1.    What is the normal operating current of the circuit?

2.    What is the operating voltage?

3.    Is the circuit AC or DC?

4.    What is the operating ambient temperature?

5.    What is the available short-circuit current?

6.    What is the maximum allowable I²t?

7.    Are there in-rush currents available?

8.    Is the protective device being used for short-circuit protection, over-load protection, or both?

9.    What are the physical size limitations?

10.Is the PCB surface mount or thru-hole?

11.Does the fuse need to be "field-replaceable"?

12.Is reset ability an issue?

13.What safety agency approvals are needed?

14.How will I mount the device?

15.What are the cost considerations?

Formula to Calculate the Fuse Rating

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There is a simple and basic formula for working out the fuse rating, voltage or wattage for each appliance:

P=VxI

Where,

P for power in Watts;

V for voltage in volt);

I for current in Amps.

The fuse rating can be calculated by dividing the power used by the appliance by the voltage going into the appliance.

I (Amps) = P (Watts) ÷ V (Voltage).

Fuse Rating Calculation for Motor

A fuse for a machine is rated on the load that the machine carries when running. For example, a 1-HP (746W) motor operating at 115V would draw 746/115 = 6.5A at full load, so theoretically a 10A fuse would be sufficient.

What is Fusing Factor?

Fusing Factor is the ratio of minimum fusing current and current rating of fuse.

Therefore, fusing factor = Minimum fusing current or current rating of the fuse.

The value of fusing factor is always more than 1.

Fuse Size Calculation Formula

Fuse Wire Rating: The melting point and specific resistance of different metals used for fuse wire is as below:

Metal	Melting point	Specific Resistance
Aluminium	240oF	2.86 μ Ω – cm
Copper	2000oF	1.72 μ Ω – cm
Lead	624oF	21.0 μ Ω – cm
Silver	1830oF	1.64 μ Ω – cm
Tin	463oF	11.3 μ Ω – cm
Zinc	787oF	6.1 μ Ω – cm

Many times we have to face some physical places limitation to choose the fuse or circuit breaker mounting sizes.

It is this reason that fuse and circuit breaker manufacturers have created a wide selection of components with varying physical sizes. Typically however, there are a trade-offs that the engineer must consider.

Generally speaking, the smaller the fuse, the less current and/or capabilities that the fuse or circuit breaker may have. For example, a sub-miniature fuse maybe limited to 15A whereas the larger 1/4" x 1 1/4" glass tube fuse can accommodate up to 40A.

Additionally, although the fuse can be smaller, the corresponding fuse holder maybe substantially bigger adding to the consideration.

Get download the pdf copy of full guide to calculate the fuse ratings:

🔻Download🔻

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Read the article details on different type of Fuses and their uses

Switching and Earthing Operating Procedure

Switching and Earthing Operative Procedure in Electrical Energy Network

 

The keywords of this article are Switching & Earthing; we are not going to learn technical details about switching and earthing procedures in this piece, but we would like to keep in limit our focus on the key points to the safe operation of switching & earthing system.

The Switching

How keep your switching system safe and healthy in the electrical energy transmission and distribution network? Let’s review some important points that will keep you a smarter switching operator.

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Circuit Breakers and Isolator Operation

1.     Don’t allow switching or any operation in a system without clear permission of the controlling authority except in an emergency case for personnel or property;

2.     System control authority should directly communicate with an authorized person who will operate the switching;

3.     If direct contact is not possible for controlling authorities, the message may be relayed by a third party with written down without any alteration or abbreviation;

4.     If a switching or operating message send by any wireless devices then the receiver will write the message and readout to the sender to ensure that it has been received accurately;

5.     The circuit Breakers or Isolators operator should carry on the message from control authorities without delay  regarding switching or operation;

6.     If emergency switching is required to save the life or property, the report must be relayed to control authority as soon as possible;

7.     If any fault is visible to any equipment, operator must  inform to controlling authority immediately before operation or switching;

8.     Very details switching and operation record must maintain in a station Log.

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The Earthing

The earthing switch is very much related to switching or operating the circuit breakers and isolators. To ensure life and property isolator and earthing switch must be operated safely.

Circuit Main Earth or CME Operation

The Circuit Main Earth or CME must be operated under the supervision of authorized seniors and after clear instruction from the controlling authorities. The position of the earthing and location of each connection must be recorded in the station Log.

If you have many more ideas about switching and earthing operations, you can share them in the comments space. If you think others should know this for safe work, please don’t forget to hit the like or share button below.

Voltage Drop Calculation for Electrical Power Cable

What is Voltage Drop for Cable?

When current flows in a cable conductor a voltage drop is developed in between the ends of the conductor which is the product of flowing current and the impedance of the cable.

Why Calculation Voltage Drop?

It is a common obligation for the designer to calculate the voltage drop as requirements are the main factor in determining the minimum conductor sizes (cross-sectional area) that can be used for a particular electrical circuit.

How to Calculate Voltage Drop?

Calculating the voltage drop of a circuit the designer has two options to choose of them depending on the project requirements. These pretty two options are as below:

Simple Design Approach

Accurate Design Approach

The simple design approach is a rough estimated one which sometimes leads to the use of larger conductor cross-sectional areas than are necessary for the project. If you consider a simple approach, then basically the following information is needed:

·        

•     Type of cable;
•     Conductor cross-sectional area;
•     Method of installation (for AC circuits only);
•     Circuit route length;
•    Type of circuit (DC, single-phase AC or three-phase  AC);
•     Load on the circuit.

Information is not needed for a simple approach:

•   Type and nominal current rating of the associated overcurrent device;
•   Ambient temperature;
•   Whether the circuit is run singly or grouped with other  circuits;
•    The power factor of the load.

On the other hand, an accurate design approach takes more into consideration conductor operating temperature. Above mentioned four “not needed information” for a simple approach should consider for a more accurate approach, especially two factors namely:

•    The ambient temperature
•    Whether the circuit is to be run singly or grouped with other circuits.

Calculate Voltage Drop Smartly:

We who work with cable system sometimes have to calculate voltage drop in short and very smartly. Considering this point of view following two formulas may be helpful for voltage drop calculation smartly.

Voltage Drop Calculation Formula for Single Phase Circuit:

V_d=2Il (R cos ø + X sin ø)  V

Voltage Drop Calculation Formula for Three Phase Circuit:

V_d=√ 3 I l (R cos ø + X sin ø)  V

Where

V_d = Voltage drop in Volt;

I = Load current in Amper;

R =A C Resistance in Ω/km;

X =Reactance in Ω/km;

cos ø = Power factor;

l  = Length in km;

X = ^ωL10-3

 ^ω=2 π f

L = from table mh/km

The limit of voltage drop depends on national code and standards which vary from country to country, and hope we got some basic idea on Voltage Drop for Electrical Power Cable.

Electricity Myth and Fact in Our Socity

Electricity Myths Can be a Killer

There are lots of juicy myths on various subjects like earthquake, eclipse, etc. in almost every nation; but the fact is that electricity myths are not jukes or fun, just a little mistake can cause of severe electrical shock, burn or even death!!

If you don’t sure or without advice from electrician, do not believe any myth on electricity. To know the fact contact your nearest electricity utility company or any electrical professional or electrician.

Our post on electricity myth and fact may not be juicy or folky but will give you some important information that will help to use safe electricity as well as save your electricity.

Myths and Facts on Electrical Safety

Myth: Power lines are insulated, no chance to shock.                               

Fact: Most of the powerlines are not insulated and insulated powerlines also can be lost their insulation any time very easily.

Myth: This line is safe because it is not a high voltage line.

Fact: Actually high voltage is not required to kill anyone, ampere flowing through the body is enough to kill. Our house using about 100 ampere where the 1-ampere shock is enough to fatal heart irregularities.

Myth: Birds landing on electric wires, so wires are safe to touch.

Fact: No, Birds touching an only live wire and not touching any ground path to complete the circuit, that’s why birds are not electrifying.

Myth: The fallen conductor is shut off, no electricity presence.

Fact: Not true always, if it is fallen on poor conductive materials like dry earth or grasses, bitumen etc.

Myth: Live conductor make sparks; so no spark fallen wire is safe.

Fact: Actually sparks happen where there is loos contact, with firm contact sparks not happen.

Myth: As the ladder is not metallic, so it can rest on live electric line.

Fact: No, If you don’t know the material property and hazard risk level, don’t use ladder rest on powerline.

Myth: Bamboo and wood are not conductors.

Fact: Actually dry bamboo and wood are poor conductors, but witty or green bamboo and wood are conductive that may cause severe shock.

Myth: Rubber is an insulator, so rubber gloves and shoes are safe to touch electricity.

Fact: Only 100% pure rubber or especially electrical insulation type rubber is a good insulator, otherwise typically mixed materials used rubber gloves or shoes are not a good insulator.

Myth: Trimming the tree and touching on electric line for a short moment of time is not dangerous.

Fact: No, never do this. Call the nearest power utility department.

Myth: Digging a sallow/ few deep in the ground, no chance to reach an underground cable.

Fact: Underground cable may be in an upper layer than you are thinking, take advice from professional.

Myth: Electric shock become only for touching the live wire, close to it is no danger.

Fact: Closed to high voltage live line is as a danger as touching. Current can jump or arc. Keep a safe distance from the electric line always, at least 3 meters. 

This is not a myth

Myths and Facts on Electric Bill

Myth: It takes more energy to turn on the switch for the light bulb or fan, so better to keep it on to save the electricity bill.

Fact: No! there is no extra electricity used to switch ON/OFF. Turning the light/fan off saves the electricity consumes. Appliances consume a small amount of energy while on standby mode, better to unplug/switch off.

Myth: Keeping the AC running the whole day in the high setting is better than running at end of the day while the room is heated, this way saves energy.

Fact: Not a wise decision, cooling the hot room down takes less energy than running the AC the whole day in any setting.

Myth: The same device takes more energy in the 240V system than the 110V system.

Fact: No, the energy measured by a unit in watts comes from the multiplication of voltage and current. In an electrical system power/watt is always the same, if the voltage increases the current decreases proportionally and vice-versa. So, wattages remain the same and so does the cost.

Myth: Faulty wiring is the cause of paying more electric bills than that used.

Fact: Yes, if the wiring system with small leakage that will not lead your line to shut off, but some leakage current always passes out from the circuit even all the switches, that you have not used but counted on the energy meter for billing at end of the month.

Myth: Mis-wiring or using undersized wire causes more electric bills.

Fact: Yes, using undersized cable in house wiring is cause to pay more electric bill than that used. If the cable/wire size is not enough to carry the current safely, the wire becomes heated, and extra electrical energy uses as dissipated heat energy is the cause of the extra electric bill. 

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What is Electricity Kite?

Franklin wrote an article for the Pennsylvania Gazette in 1752, an article that tried to prove theoretically the existence of electricity. Franklin chooses a cloudy and stormy day to do his experiment, flying a kite to reach near lightning. Franklin's kite was silken, complete with the lightning road, a key sagging on the end of the string. When lighting struck the Franklin kite volt traveled through the string and charged the metal key. Franklin touching the key got shocked and proved the existence of electricity.

Last Line: Enjoy the myths but remember the fact before coming near to electricity.

What are the Effect of an Electric Current?

The Three Major Effects of Electric Current: Heating Effect, Magnetic Effect & Chemical Effect

If electric current flows through a medium or conductor it will experience one or more effects of heating, magnetic or chemical.

 

Heating effect of electric current

When an electric current flows through a wire, the wire gets heated. This is called the heating effect of electric current.

When current flow through a conductor or the movement of electron in a conductor that causes energy flow and called current flow generates heat on the conductor. The amount of generated heat depends on the conductor volume, amount of current flow, and the duration of current flow.

Uses of heating effects of electric current- We can use this heating effect of an electric current in our daily life such the heating effect of electric current is used in electrical appliances like- electric bulb, electric heater, electric iron, electric room heater, immersion heater, electric kettle, hairdryer etc. 

All these electrical appliances have a coil of wire called an element. When an electric current flows through the element it becomes hot and gives out heat. The amount of heat produced in a wire depends upon its material, length and thickness. Electric heater Electric room heater Electric Iron, Electric kettle.

An electric fuse is a safety device used in an electrical circuit which protects the electrical circuits and appliances and prevents fires. An electrical fuse is used in all electrical circuits in buildings. Electric fuse has a wire which melts quickly and breaks when large electric current flows through it. 

Read more datils about Fuse Rating Calculating Guide:  

How to Calculate Fuse Rating for Electrical Appliances?

Magnetic effect of electric current

When an electric current flows through a wire, it behaves like a magnet. This is called the magnetic effect of electric current.

The first scientist who showed that electric current also produces magnetic effect was Hans Christian Oersted.

When an electric current is passed through a coil of insulated wire wound around a piece of iron, it becomes a magnet. Such a magnet is called an electromagnet. 

If you wind a piece of insulated wire around an iron nail in the form of a coil. Connect the free ends of the wire to an electric cell through a switch. Place some pins near the nail that will experience a magnetic property or magnetic field surrounding it. Because, when electric current is passed, the iron nail becomes a magnet and attracts the pins. When an electric current is switched off, the nail loses its magnetism.

A conductor carrying current and wound into a solenoid produces a magnetic field very similar to a permanent magnet but has the advantage of being switched on and off by any switch which controls the circuit current.

The direction of the force depends on the direction of the current that flows through the conductor. You can find the direction with the simple right-hand rule, which states that: the index finger points in the direction of velocity ‘v’, middle finger points to the direction of magnetic field ‘B’ and the thumb points in the direction of the cross product ‘F’. The magnetic field can be denoted by

$\overrightarrow{F}=q\overrightarrow{v}\times \overrightarrow{B}$

Uses of magnetic effects of an electric current-The magnetic effect of electric current are the principle upon which electric bells, relays, instruments, motors and generators work. 

An electric bell has a coil of wire wound around a piece of iron which acts as an electromagnet. An iron strip with a hammer is kept close to the electromagnet. There is a contact screw near the iron strip. When the iron strip is in contact with the screw, current flows through the coil and becomes an electromagnet. It pulls the iron strip and the hammer at the end of the strip strikes the gong of the bell and produces sound. When the electromagnet pulls the iron strip, it also breaks the circuit and the iron strip comes back to the original position and the process repeats and the bell rings.

If you interested to read the other article regarding high voltage electric line and its electromagnetic effects on the human body:

Does High Voltage Power Line Risk for Human Health?

Chemical effect of the electric current

The passage of an electric current through a conducting solution causes a chemical reaction. That may cause the formation of bubbles of gas on the electrodes, deposits of metal on electrodes, changes of colour of solutions etc.

The electrical effect to the chemical bond of material is an electric current flows through a conducting liquid, the liquid is separated into its chemical parts.

The conductors which make contact with the liquid are called the anode and cathode (+ plate = anode, -plate = cathode). The liquid itself is called the electrolyte, and the process is called electrolysis.

The entire system is called a voltameter, If the electrodes take part in the chemical reaction they are called active electrodes, if they don’t, they are called inert or inactive electrodes.

Electrolysis of water (Hydrogen and oxygen) form at the two electrodes in the ratio 2:1. 

Uses of electrolysis: Used to electroplating-coating one metal with a thin layer of another metal in order to prevent rusting and also to improve the appearance; Used to purify metals and to extract metals from their ores; Used to coat a thin layer of dielectric on to the plate of an electrolytic capacitor.

Electrolysis is an industrial process used in the refining of metals and electroplating. It was one of the earliest industrial applications of electric current. Most of the aluminium produced today is extracted from its ore by electrochemical methods. 

Electroplating serves a double purpose by protecting a base metal from atmospheric erosion and also giving it a more expensive and attractive appearance. Silver and nickel plating has long been used to enhance the appearance of cutlery, candlesticks and sporting trophies.