ArresterNEWS                 
A Monthly eNewsletter from ArresterWorks June 2008

ArresterNEWS is a totally independent monthly e-journal dealing with system reliability and arresters. 

Understanding New IEC Mechanical Tests
 

IEC TC37 Maintenance Team 4 (The IEC High Voltage Arrester Committee)  is nearly done with the latest improvement to IEC arrester standard 60099-4.  It is anticipated that in 6 months an amendment covering New and Improved Mechanical Tests will be published.   ArresterFacts 007 "Understanding the New IEC Mechanical Testing Requirements" outlines the new requirements in a way that is easy to follow and will be useful for both the manufacturer and specifier of arresters.  This document does not replace the standard, but stands as an aid to better understand it.  The changes focus on the Polymer housed arrester.  The value of working load of the polymer arrester is well defined for the first time.  The biggest change in the test requirement is the addition of a 1000 cycle bending moment test.  Take a look in side..  Sections include Definitions, What's Changed, Short Test Desctiptions, Comparison to IEEE, and others.

 
 

ArresterFacts 007 Front Cover Image

 
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Siemens Arrester Condition Monitor
 Siemens Introduces a New Leakage Current Monitor
Siemens has introduced a cost effective, accurate, simple, and easy to read leakage current monitor.  This device is built for the most rugged environments.  Visit the Siemens website for more details
 
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Arrester Patent Review of the Month
The Siemens Arrester Conditon Monitor is also the subject of my Patent Review Page this month.  See ArresterWorks Patent Review and The Full US Patent (7,336,193) on this new product.
 
The Electrolytic Arrester Story
In a recent visit to the GE offices in Schenectady NY I was in awe for having walked in the halls once walked in by Thomas Edison and Charles Steinmetz.  These 1900 vintage building housed one of the greatest arrester design teams that ever existed.  The Electrolytic Arrester concept was developed in the very building I was walking in and tested in the building next door where Dr. Steinmetz had one of the first ever high voltage power labs that could simulate lightning. As I researched this article, it was thrilling to know that the characters in this early 1900's saga walked in the very same halls as I did just a few weeks before. 
 
This is what I learned.
 
 In 1907 the battle for arrester market share and design domination was in full swing between the GE and Westinghouse companies.  The Electrolytic Arrester Story provides a peek at what the battle entailed. Engineers E E F Creighton from GE and RP Jackson from Westinghouse dueled it out at the AIEE  winter meeting and the patent office.   Read the article to see who won.  Enjoy.
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Surge Protection Hall of Fame

Andrew R Hileman

Bob Hileman
 
Bob Hileman, as he is known to most, is the author of the most comprehensive book on Insulation Coordination ever written.  His 766 page, 18 chapter masterpiece, is simply titled "Insulation Coordination for Power Systems."  It is currently the most often referenced book on this important subject in the overvoltage protection world. 
 
Before retirement in the early 2000s his presence at IEEE and IEC meetings was larger than life.  His depth of knowledge in power systems went well beyond insulation coordination.  When he spoke in his unique raspy voice, he had everyone's undivided attention.  His comments and guidance in the business is among the best of the best.  Even to this day, seldom does an insulation coordination meeting go on without some reference to "What did Bob say in chapter so-and-so on this subject?"  His contribution to standards continues on.   

For more

 Hall of Fame Citation

Suggestions for inductees are welcome.  Send to Jwoodworth@arresterworks.com
 
 
Arrester History  Photo of the Month
Electrolytic Arrester Cut-a-way
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1910
Electrolytic Arrester 
This arrester was the primary form  of substation arresters in the first quarter of the 20th century in the US.  See the Electrolytic Arrester Story to see how it came about.
Distribution System
Overvoltage Protection Course Now Available
As of this month, ArresterWorks is now available to visit your site to present 4-8 hour seminars on the protection of Distribution System Overvoltage Protection Seminars as well as Substation and Transmission Line