Reference Articles 1 - 100 of 1196
-
Deploying Intelligent Power Supplies to Save Energy (.pdf)
Today's control systems increasingly use 24 V DC power. This places more demand than ever before on the power supply in the control cabinet. It also creates the need for larger power supplies to...(read more)
-
Reducing Energy Costs With Energy-Monitoring Devices (.pdf)
Newer energy-monitoring devices can detect electric current usage through inputs from onboard or external current transformers. Through user-accessible variable alarm and shutdown set points, the...(read more)
-
UL 508 A Short Circuit Current Ratings (.pdf)
The subject of short circuit current ratings, otherwise known as the SCCR, has been gaining increasing international awareness since the publication of the 2005 Edition of ANSI/NFPA 70 by the National...(read more)
-
Why Surge Protection is Necessary (.pdf)
Modern industrial, commercial, and residential life depend on the availability of electricity. The electricity supplied must be at a level of quality to facilitate efficient performance of today's...(read more)
-
Airflow Performace and Speed at a Glace: Fan Curves and Optimum Operating Points (.pdf)
Fans create a flow of air, which they can then force through equipment that needs cooling. The necessary output is determined from the flow rate and the required static pressure. If the airflow...(read more)
-
Bearing Systems for Fans: Ball Bearings Or Sleeve Bearings? (.pdf)
Like all rotating machine parts, the rotors of equipment fans need to be provided with bearings. Popular solutions today are either ball bearings or, increasingly, sleeve bearings. However it is not...(read more)
-
Fan Blades with Winglets for Quiet Fans (.pdf)
Modern fans operate reliably and usually behind the scenes. They are required to fulfil their job of cooling electronic components as unobtrusively and quietly as possible. At the same time, the mass...(read more)
-
Fan Variants: What Type Of Drive, What Type Of Material? (.pdf)
Small fans are differentiated not only in their type of construction but also by the type of drive used and the materials employed. An increasing role is played by integrated controls that are now...(read more)
-
Fans With Integrated Control and Monitoring: Intelligent Equipment Cooling - the Right Dose of Air (.pdf)
The perfect conversion of energy is the dream of all inventors and developers yet in reality it will always remain impossible. Energy loss will always occur, in most cases as waste heat. This must be...(read more)
-
Motor Design, Quality and Performance are Critical to Reliable Operation of Fans & Blowers (.pdf)
Most electronic systems create heat which needs to be removed. Blowers and fans are the most reliable, efficient way to control heat rise in electronic equipment. Although blower selection relies on a...(read more)
-
What Is The Correct Type Of Fan: Axial, Radial, Diagonal? (.pdf)
Fans are as varied in their construction as they are in their applications. These "air-donors" are primarily differentiated according the physical principle of the transfer of energy to the gas...(read more)
-
56-Gbaud PDM-QPSK: Coherent Detection and 2,500-km Transmission (.pdf)
A 56-Gbaud (224-Gb/s line rate) polarization-division multiplexed quadrature phase shift keyed (PDM-QPSK) signal is transmitted over 2,500 km (32 x 80 km) of fiber and is coherently detected using an...(read more)
-
A Comparison of Methods for Estimating Total Jitter Concerning Precision, Accuracy and Robustness (.pdf)
Oscilloscopes have been used extensively to analyze the jitter performance of serial data links providing estimates (measurements) of total jitter as well as its "random" and "deterministic" parts....(read more)
-
Active State Power Management (.pdf)
With the increasing cost of energy and awareness of environmental considerations, power saving is becoming more and more critical. Power saving has always been critical for mobile devices, but now...(read more)
-
Airflow Measurement Using Instrumented Inlet Rings (.pdf)
ebm-papst offers a simple airflow measurement technique for backward-curved centrifugal fans using modified versions of the inlet rings (IR) typically used with these fans to maximize performance. The...(read more)
-
Cable De-Embedding (.pdf)
Cable De-Embedding is a standard feature on all LeCroy SDA 7 Zi Series Oscilloscopes. This feature enables the user to remove the effects of a cable from their measurements....(read more)
-
Choosing a Strain Relief for Any Application (.pdf)
Any time electrical equipment manufacturers run wires, cords, or cabling out through the chassis of the equipment, special care must be taken to protect the cable or wires from stress and damage,...(read more)
-
Custom 2-Pole PLL (.pdf)
Jitter is defined as the timing uncertainty of an edge. In order to determine the timing uncertainty of a serial data signal edge, this edge must be compared to a reference clock edge. For most high...(read more)
-
External Triggering For PCI Express® Analyzers (.pdf)
External triggering is a valuable function for any protocol analyzer, enabling the analyzer to work synchronously with other test equipment....(read more)
-
Jitter Transfer Measurement in Clock Circuits (.pdf)
With increasing transfer rates and lower jitter margins, the performance of clock generation circuits has become of increasing importance. A key measurement of the performance of clock circuits is...(read more)
-
Membrane Switches-Your Options
The importance of having a durable and efficient membrane switch is imperative. It is especially important to have a membrane switch that can hold up and function properly under any and all weather...(read more)
-
A Multifaceted View of Distributed Generation Systems and Their Impacts
The term Distributed Generation (DG) encompasses a wide range of electric power generation sources - from a residential rooftop photovoltaic resource to a large wind farm. Hence, the impact of DG...(read more)
-
Alkaline Batteries
Zeus Alkaline Batteries are manufactured in various sizes to suit your application and needs. They are free of mercury and cadmium, which make them non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Alkaline...(read more)
-
Power Profile: The Mustique Company, Grenadine Islands
Providing power to a mainland community presents challenges for any company, but ensuring power to an island community takes the commitment of a strong company and the most reliable equipment...(read more)
-
Protecting Variable Frequency Drives
Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) Sophisticated and highly susceptible microprocessor based electronics and data communication networks are integrated across every sector of today's fast paced business...(read more)
-
Accurate Power Measurements Using Spectrum Analyzers (.pdf)
The aim of this application note is to provide information allowing for better use of the power measurement functions, to explain the measurement method employed and to highlight the causes for...(read more)
-
Lithium Battery Pack Design (.pdf)
Lithium Battery Design: The process of designing a lithium battery pack for a portable or stationary device begins with a few simple data points......(read more)
-
Insulation Resistance Profile and Its Use for Predictive Maintenance on Motors (.pdf)
Over the past several decades much research has been done in the area of insulation and its properties. Industry has used Insulation Resistance and Polarization Index tests for many decades to aid in...(read more)
-
Reciprocating Generator Sets: A Viable Choice in Sustainable Energy (.pdf)
Advances in combined heat and power technology and renewable fuel sources have joined to make reciprocating generator sets a practical choice in power generation and energy security....(read more)
-
2010 Power Quality Forecast (.pdf)
Power quality -- or, simply, the usability of electric power -- is of vital concern to modern life. A natural question to ask is: Will power quality improve -- or worsen -- in the near future? A look...(read more)
-
Basic Electrical Troubleshooting (.pdf)
A boiler feed pump being powered by two 3500 HP induction motors appears to be developing a problem. Failure of this pump will result in the loss of a generator currently producing half the station's...(read more)
-
Plugging into Reliability (.pdf)
At first glance, the device merely looks like a silver briefcase with a laptop computer that's taken out into the field by Upgrading's maintenance crews. But the MCE/Emax (motor circuit evaluator)...(read more)
-
Danfoss Components Chosen for South Africa's Bakeries
When Jvtronic Supplies (PTY) Ltd, an authorised Danfoss contractor and distributor in South Africa, was asked to produce panels for a bakery, their first choice of supplier was Danfoss...(read more)
-
Danfoss: a Key Part of North America's Wind Energy Solution
According to the Global Wind Energy Council, over 20 percent of US electric power could come from wind by 2030, reducing the use of natural gas by over 10 percent. This is welcome news for the...(read more)
-
Major Mobile Hydraulic Customers Switch to MBS 1350
In the mobile hydraulic industry, manufacturers are moving away from mechanical switches for their transmission and leg stability systems in favour of electronic switches. The change in preference is...(read more)
-
Technical Article: Fixing High Voltage - Overvoltage Problems (.pdf)
Overly high voltage levels can be detrimental to electrical devices, particularly electronics. However, voltages that are slightly above nominal may improve the efficiency of some devices like motors...(read more)
-
Key Tips for Proper Cable and Hose Carrier Installation
Proper installation of cables is critically important when installing a cable carrier onto a machine. These essential tips will help ensure optimal performance, improve reliability and result in...(read more)
-
No Load Power Consumption and Efficiency Legislation for External Power Supplies
The technical article provides a summary of the requirements of the various bodies which currently define and regulate the no load power consumption and active mode efficiency of external power...(read more)
-
High Energy Density Capacitor Research for Pulsed Power Applications Presented at the 2009 IEEE Pulse Power Conference (.pdf)
General Atomics Energy products (GA-ESI) presented recent research results at the 29th IEEE Electrical Insulation Conference. The conference was held in June, 2008 in Quebec. GA-ESI's paper, titled...(read more)
-
A 4-20 mA Signal Goes The Distance
A 4-20 mA control signal is one of the signals of choice in the Building Automation industry as well as in the Industrial Process arena. Most of the various transmitters and output devices available...(read more)
-
Control Voltage Transformer Selection Guide (.pdf)
To make the proper transformer selection, the load must be completely analyzed. Every electrically energized component in the control circuit must be considered. Electromagnetic control devices have...(read more)
-
CT Safety: How to Avoid the Serious Dangers of Improperly Installing CTs
Customers often ask why we don't recommend installing our CTs on uninsulated conductors when the insulation rating of the CT is 600 volts. This question most often arises when dealing with large...(read more)
-
Current to Voltage Conversion for BAS Systems
One of the differences that exists among the various BAS systems that are available today is the type of signals that are acceptable as analog inputs. For example, when it comes to DC voltage and...(read more)
-
Current Transformers
Current transformers (CT's) provide a simple, inexpensive and yet accurate means of sensing current flow in power conductors. They are available in 3 basic configurations: Split Core CT's are...(read more)
-
Determining Burden For Current Transformers
If a Current Transformer (CT) reads low, then the secondary is probably overloaded. Burden is the load which may be imposed on a transformer secondary by cables and connected devices without causing...(read more)
-
Monitoring Higher Voltages
Some building electrical systems just will not cooperate when it comes time to monitor power. You search and search and cannot find a point to monitor power on the low voltage side of the transformer...(read more)
-
Power Factor
Power Factor (pf) is the ratio of real power to total power. Real, or productive power, is the actual power used in a building, measured in kilowatts (kW). Reactive power generates the magnetic field...(read more)
-
Powering Multiple Devices from a Common Transformer
After properly sizing a control transformer for your application, there is an additional step in the selection process that should be considered. Even though the necessary steps have been taken to...(read more)
-
The Terms "Neutral" and "Ground" Seem to be Used Interchangeably. Do They Mean the Same?
A neutral is a connection to an electrical system. In a three-phase WYE configuration, one end of each of the three generator or transformer windings is connected to a common point. This common point...(read more)
-
Understanding the Basics of DC Power Supplies
BAS interface devices (such as output transducers, multiplexers and transmitters) typically require 24 VDC power. Since building power is 120 volts or greater and of the AC variety, a power supply is...(read more)
-
Using Current Monitoring for Load Analysis
Monitoring electrical current flow is an excellent method of gauging the performance of motor-driven devices (such as fans, pumps, and chillers) controlled by a building automation system (BAS)....(read more)
-
Putting the Data into Power Supply Data Sheets (.pdf)
Why is it that seemingly similar power supplies have significantly different performance and reliability characteristics? The answer may lie in the specification detail that can be missing from some...(read more)
-
Technical Article: Fixing Low Voltage - Undervoltage Problems (.pdf)
Chronic low voltage is a common problem that can affect any electric customer. The causes of this power quality problem are relatively easy to identify but potential energy saving measures could make...(read more)
-
A SiGe 10-Gb/s Multi-Pattern Bit Error Rate Tester
Due to recent advances in high-speed communication systems, reliable testing of these systems has been an issue of concern. Pseudo random bit (PRB) sequences provide a convenient way of testing these...(read more)
-
Application Block Diagrams for 10G BERT Test Systems (.pdf)
Centellax designs and manufactures a collection of low-cost instruments and test accessories, including a 10G BERT for 0.5-12.5Gbps applications. The TG1B1-A can be used for a collection of signal...(read more)
-
Application Block Diagrams for 40G BER Test Systems (.pdf)
Centellax designs and manufactures a collection of low-cost instruments and test accessories that can be combined to generate a low-feature set, extremely cost-effective modular 22-44Gbps Bit Error...(read more)
-
Centellax MMIC Amplifiers With Dynamic Gain Control (.pdf)
Centellax designs and manufactures GaAs MMIC amplifiers, most which have 30dB of dynamic gain control. These ICs can be controlled with an op amp circuit, or a microprocessor with a lookup table, to...(read more)
-
Centellax MMIC Amplifiers With On-Chip Power Detectors (.pdf)
Centellax designs and manufactures GaAs MMIC amplifiers, many which have an on-chip differential diode power detector. This feature can be used with an external opamp circuit, or a microprocessor with...(read more)
-
DC Surge Protection: The Need for DC Protection at Communications Sites (.pdf)
Electrical distribution systems have not changed significantly in decades. Conversely, electrical and electronic equipment have continued to become more complicated and susceptible to surge damage....(read more)
-
Generating 40G PRBS Patterns (.pdf)
In high speed analysis of serial links, it is important to use a data pattern that is very random to appropriately simulate the effects of any conceivable input to the system. An optimal pattern would...(read more)
-
MMIC Attenuator Single Supply Opamp Control Circuit (.pdf)
This application note details the typical attenuator performance vs. control voltage, and recommends an opamp control circuit to use the attenuator with a single bias supply....(read more)
-
Module, Accessory, and Instrument General Handling (.pdf)
Centellax modules, accessories, and test instruments achieve high levels of performance in part due to a carefully designed interface between external connectors and internal components. As a result,...(read more)
-
Programmable Divider System for 10g BERT Test System (.pdf)
The TG1B1-A operates from 9.85-11.35Gbps with the internal synthesizer. With an external programmable divider, Centellax offers an expanded range of operation for lower data rate applications. This...(read more)
-
Surface-Mount QFN Package - Handling and Assembly (.pdf)
Use of the plastic QFN (JEDEC MO-220 quad flat no-lead) package has recently soared, and now constitutes more than 50% of packaged IC applications. The QFN with exposed thermal paddle is a compact,...(read more)
-
Save Time and Money by Meeting the NFPA 79 Cable Requirements
Save Time and Money by Meeting the NFPA 79 Cable Requirements NFPA-79 is the section of the National Electric Code (NEC®) that focuses on the electrical wiring standards used with industrial...(read more)
-
Technical Article: An Introduction to Power Quality Basics (.pdf)
An overview of power quality basics: 1) Common power quality problems causes and symptoms 2) Typical solutions for power quality problems 3) Identifying types and causes of power quality problems 4)...(read more)
-
Choosing Power Distribution Units (PDUs) for Networking, Server and Telecom Applications (.pdf)
Faced with increasingly complex networks, managers are responsible for identifying reliable power sources for all of their equipment. This white paper establishes Power Distribution Units (PDUs) as a...(read more)
-
Choosing Regulatory-Compliant Power Strips for Every Area of a Healthcare Facility (.pdf)
The tangled web of regulatory compliance governing healthcare facilities often makes choosing the correct power strip a matter of guesswork and pure luck. This white paper untangles and simplifies...(read more)
-
How To: 1U UPS System Battery Replacement (.pdf)
Batteries can present a risk of electrical shock and burn from high short-circuit current. Observe proper precautions. Do not dispose of the batteries in a fire. Do not open the UPS or batteries. Do...(read more)
-
How To: 2U UPS System Battery Replacement (.pdf)
Unplug and turn off the UPS before performing battery replacement. Use tools with insulated handles. There are no user-serviceable parts inside the UPS. Battery replacement should be performed only by...(read more)
-
Outlet and Plug Types (.pdf)
This document shares the different types of plugs and outlet types available. These include IEC Connectors, NEMA Outlets, and NEMA plugs....(read more)
-
Practical Power Guidelines for Cisco VoIP and Internet Telephony Applications (.pdf)
Voice over IP (VoIP) is exploding in popularity as an application for business data networks. VoIP promises to consolidate a company's data and telecommunications infrastructure as well as its support...(read more)
-
Practical Power Guidelines for VoIP and Internet Telephony Applications (.pdf)
Voice over IP (VoIP) is exploding in popularity as an application for business data networks. VoIP promises to consolidate a company's data and telecommunications infrastructure as well as its support...(read more)
-
Protecting Your Computers and Electronics Against the Severe Weather of Storm Season (.pdf)
Although power problems occur throughout the year, the severe weather of the storm season presents the greatest danger to computers and electronics. Severe weather increases the incidence of power...(read more)
-
Black Box Patch Cables (.pdf)
The patch cable: It's often one of your network's least expensive components, but if you're not careful, it can also be your network's weakest link. That's because the quality of the cable plays a key...(read more)
-
Black Box VGA Cables (.pdf)
Everywhere you look these days, vendors are hawking bargain basement monitor cables. But low prices shouldn't be the only factor when you shop for VGA cable. And if clear, reliable video is a must for...(read more)
-
Data Line Transient Protection (.pdf)
Electrical transients (surges) on data lines can destroy computing equipment both in the business and home office environments. Many users appreciate the risk of power surges but overlook data line...(read more)
-
Robust Industrial Ethernet Infrastructure Consisting of Environmentally Hardened Network Cabling, Connectivity, and Active Components Is Essential to Long-Term Performance and Reliability (.pdf)
Industrial Ethernet is trending to be the principal infrastructure choice for mission-critical industrial automation and control applications. Industrial Ethernet is built on the same standards-based...(read more)
-
Connector Interface Frequency Chart (.pdf)
Chart illustrating the upper frequency limit of various interface types ......(read more)
-
Technical Reference: Common Connectivity Terms
There are so many terms to know that even long-term veterans get confused. L-com will help keep you up to date in Signal Electronics, Connectivity, Cabling compiled in our glossary below. New terms...(read more)
-
Video: Solid vs. Stranded Center Conductors
In coaxial cable there is a trade off in center connector construction.......(read more)
-
Video: What is the Difference in Flammability Ratings?
This video shows the comparison between flammability ratings NEC National Electrical Code articles and the corresponding UL Underwriters Laboratories test methods......(read more)
-
Resource: ECG, SK, and NTE Components Tutorial
ECG semiconductors were originally intended for the replacement, hobbyist, and experimental markets and in time found applications in industrial repair and maintenance departments....(read more)
-
Contract Assembly Partnering for Cable Assemblies
Wire, cable and cable assemblies are at the "perceived" low end of the supply chain. They are the commodity products of the electronics industry. This perception has created a cottage industry of...(read more)
-
Evaluating Selective Coordination Between Current-Limiting Fuses and Non Current-Limiting Circuit Breakers (.pdf)
System downtime is reduced when overcurrent protective devices are selectively coordinated. Designers should strive to limit the outage to only that circuit which is overloaded or which has faulted in...(read more)
-
Overmolding Circular Connectors in Cable Assemblies
Overmolding of cables and circular connectors provides opportunities within the interconnect industry to improve and, in many cases, reduce the total cost of ownership in cable assemblies. Cables and...(read more)
-
Guide for Power Supplies (.pdf)
Power supplies are amongst the most popular pieces of electronic test equipment. This isn't surprising, as controlled electrical energy is used in a tremendous number of ways. In this guide, we'll...(read more)
-
Flash testing: Getting it right during manufacturing
The flash Test (also known as High Voltage (HV), Dielectric Strength or HiPot) is one of the more controversial electrical safety tests and has provoked a lot of discussion and debate in recent years....(read more)
-
Out of the Frying Pan and Onto the Cable - Teflon® and other Fluoropolymers (.pdf)
Teflon, a product developed by DuPont and a common coating on cookware, is one of a group of compounds known as fluoropolymers. Fluoropolymers are fluorocarbon-based polymers with multiple strong...(read more)
-
SPC-0101 Box PC Application in Automation Communication System of Transformer Substation (.pdf)
With the developing of electric power industry, the automation degree of electric power equipments is increasing rapidly; communication management system of electric power is playing an important role...(read more)
-
SPC-0201 Used in Unmanned Substations (.pdf)
The electricity supply is a prerequisite for social production and people's daily lives. It is a difficult task to maintain the uninterrupted supply of electricity and at the same time to control...(read more)
-
A Quantitative TCO Comparison of 400V AC and 600V AC Power Systems (.pdf)
Power efficiency has become a critical focus for IT and facilities managers as they struggle to meet ever-increasing demands for faster, more reliable data processing while also reducing data center...(read more)
-
The Top Five Requirements That Define "Quality Power" in the Eyes of the Power Supplies in Your IT Systems (.pdf)
To support IT equipment as it was designed to operate, internal power supply units (PSUs) must have incoming power that meets five basic requirements, as defined by international standards set forth...(read more)
-
The Vector Approach to Data Center Power Planning (.pdf)
Many data centers, including most of those built before 2001, are at risk of outstripping their capacity to power and cool their IT systems. Already, data centers consume 10-30 times more energy per...(read more)
-
Surge Protection for the Home
Everything you need to know about protecting electronics in the home from damaging surges and transients. MCG's Senior Engineer Dion Neri discusses and solves residential surge protection problems...(read more)
-
Instrumentation Tray Cable and its Uses in Hazardous and Non-hazardous Locations (.pdf)
Type ITC cable, or Instrumentation Tray Cable, provides a cost effective alternative for installation of low power instrumentation and control circuits. The National Electric Code (NEC) define Type...(read more)
-
The Benefits of Connectorized I/O (.pdf)
Plug-and-play connectorization has been standard practice in industries ranging from appliance manufacturers to industrial sensors for many years. These industries have found it necessary to compete...(read more)
-
IEEE Emerald Book Series - Using SPDs in Applications with Primary & Alternate Power Systems (.pdf)
IEEE Standard 1100-2006 (Emerald Book), Section 9.8.5.14 (p. 369) "When used with a well-regulated generator, SPDs provide a high level of protection for sensitive equipment. However, if the generator...(read more)
-
IEEE Emerald Book Series ---Integrating SPDs into Power Distribution Equipment (.pdf)
IEEE Standard 1100-2006 (Emerald Book), Section 8.4.2.5 (p. 269), "...when an SPD is located inside switchboards or panelboards, there is a concern that failure of the SPD can cause collateral damage...(read more)
-
Inexpensive Scalar Measurement of a Band Pass Filter or Other Passive Device or Component (.pdf)
Set the leveled output power from the sweep signal generator to its maximum (usually between +12 to +20 dBm). Maximum dynamic range for the Krytar Power Meter is -39 to +20 dBm. Note that if +20 dBm...(read more)
