Unless your background is in ac power, it’s possible you haven’t run into the term triplen harmonic. Triplen harmonics have to do with the third harmonic. Even-numbered harmonics do not normally exist in power systems due to symmetry between the positive and negative halves of the ac cycle. It is the odd-numbered harmonics that engineers […]
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Don’t touch that! Things they don’t teach you in circuits lab
The domain of most electronics engineers these days is confined to voltage levels ranging from microvolts on up to a few hundred volts. But when electronic equipment fails or there’s a problem with facility wiring, these same engineers may, in a pinch, be called upon to do basic troubleshooting of power levels far beyond their […]
Non-contact voltage true-rms ac/dc clamp meters measure voltage, current simultaneously
The new Fluke 377 FC and 378 FC Non-Contact Voltage True-RMS ac/dc Clamp Meters are the only clamp meters that make accurate non-contact voltage measurements without test leads. The Fluke 377 FC and 378 FC True-rms clamp meters use Field-Sense technology to make testing faster and safer, all without touching a live conductor. You get […]
Finding fiber-optic cable anomalies
Optical fiber is a form of waveguide. The lateral dimension of a waveguide depends upon the wavelength of the signal conveyed. A waveguide is not capable of carrying a wavelength much larger than its diameter. Optical fibers are characterized by their core diameters. In single-mode fiber, the standard core diameter is 9 μm. Standard multi-mode […]
Researchers get a charge out of measuring eels with battery powered oscilloscopes
Next time you find yourself swimming around with electric eels, try grabbing one and then put the leads of a battery powered oscilloscope on its head and tail. According to University of Central Florida zoology professor Will Crampton, you’ll probably measure a voltage in the 700-V range. Crampton and his associates went to the rivers […]
Checking power line quality with test instruments
The average homeowner probably doesn’t think about the quality of the electrical power coming out of household wall sockets. But that’s not the case for large industrial facilities where capacitive, inductive, and non-linear electrical loads can be large enough to distort the ac waveform. In those cases, electrical power quality becomes an important measurement. Electric […]
Fluke test tools and protecting against arc flash
Fluke Corp. has manufactured electrical test and measurement instruments for decades, and these instruments have been well-known for accuracy, durability and great user-friendly interfaces. Maintaining those qualities, Fluke is now emphasizing electrical safety. This emphasis is apparent in Fluke’s new line of electricians’ hand tools, which are designed and built with the idea that after […]
The difference between spontaneous emissions and stimulated emissions
The terms spontaneous emission and stimulated emission sometimes get confused. The term thermal emission sometimes gets thrown into the mix as well. Here are the basic definitions to help sort things out and the procedures for measuring these parameters. When we speak of spontaneous or stimulated emissions we are referring to atoms whose electrons are […]
Electrical tester calibrator helps comply with new regulatory standards
The 5322A Electrical Tester Calibrator is a multi-device calibrator built to facilitate compliance with exacting international standards such as the UK’s BS7671 17th Edition, IEC/EN Standards, Australia and New Zealand’s AS/NZS 3000 and Chinese verification/calibration regulations for various electrical testers. The 5322A combines many functions into a single instrument, replacing discrete resistors, decade boxes, and […]
Mitigating ac motor-shaft voltage and bearing currents
Bearing problems are the greatest single contributing factor in motor failure. Often motor damage happens before bearing wear is noticeable. To avoid expensive repairs and costly downtime, early detection is essential. Proper installation of replacement bearings and correct lubrication are critical. It is well known that insufficient lubrication brings early bearing failure, but many maintenance […]
