Whether you are new to the industry or are well seasoned and want to review some of the basic information that you learned in the past, these courses and lessons will clearly outline what you are looking for. “Power Systems Electric” is On-Line training that bridges the gaps between textbook theories and practical power systems experience. As a retired electrical engineer who has gone through the experience of developing a career in electrical power systems, I know how frustrating it can be to try and find the answers, so I put together these courses that I feel would have been a major help to me in my development. I have also taken suggestions from students of what they would like to see in addition to these courses which I have given live in person.

Basic Electrical Learning

For those new to the industry, there is a beginner’s group of courses that cover the “Fundamentals of Electricity ” including DC and AC Circuit Analysis. These lessons examine such basics as Ohm’s Law, Series, and Parallel Circuits. The first, and perhaps most important, relationship between current, voltage, and impedance, “Ohm’s Law”, and its relevance to Series and Parallel Circuits. Subsequently, this will lead to the development of Kirchhoff’s Laws as they help to further analyze Network Analysis & Metering Circuits.

Conductors and Insulators are investigated along with their connected components, Capacitors, Inductors, and how they are influenced by Electromagnetism.

Alternating Current (AC – an electric current that periodically reverses direction) is the form in which electric power is delivered to businesses and residences, and it is the form of electrical energy that consumers typically use when they plug kitchen appliances, televisions, fans, and electric lamps into a wall socket.

The abbreviations AC and DC are often used to mean simply alternating and direct, as they are applied to current or voltage.

These AC courses deal specifically with sinusoidal waveforms and will provide the student with the basic understanding of working with circuits involving Alternating Current, which includes sinusoidal waveforms, vectors & phasors, reactance & impedance of R,L,C circuits, as they relate to the basic laws and theorems of electricity. This includes working with AC Power, Power Factor, Resonance, Complex Numbers, Reactance, and Impedance

Advanced Electrical Learning

These Courses involve subjects such as “Short Circuit Analysis for HV Three-Phase Systems ” which introduces the student to the basic concepts of fault studies on a high voltage three-phase system. System modeling is then used in order to aid in this process, with the ability to move between asymmetrical and symmetrical systems. With hey Searle and extensive study of “Per Phase” & “Per Unit” methodologies system faults are analyzed with the use of symmetrical components.

“A Per-Unit System ” is the expression of system quantities as fractions of a defined base unit quantity. Calculations are simplified because quantities expressed as per unit do not change when they are referred from one side of a transformer to the other.

In these courses, you will learn exactly what Per Unit Analysis is, the main advantages of using it, how manufacturers of equipment use and rate their products, and the technique of converting to and from the Per Unit system.

Several examples of working with Per Unit are demonstrated in this crisp clear presentation. When you finish you will have a though understanding of this subject.

It is important for all power engineers and technicians to be familiar with the concept of Per Unit as it is being used and referred to every day in power flow, short circuit evaluation, and motor starting studies.

The method of “Symmetrical Components ” is used to simplify asymmetrical three-phase voltages and current analysis by converting the unbalanced system into two sets of balanced phasors and a set of single-phase phasors, or symmetrical components. These sets of phasors are called the positive, negative, and zero sequence components.

An understanding of this method is essential for the understanding of fault analysis and modern-day protection schemes. These courses will provide you with the knowledge to comprehend the concept and how it is applied.

Supplemental Electrical Lessons

In all power electrical analyses, the student will encounter special Trigonometric and Mathematical identities and equations. This site contains special supplemental lessons that zero in on those identities and equations. For example, there are lessons that take you from the “Fundamentals of Trigonometry ” to the more sophisticated requirements in electrical engineering. As you work and study in electrical engineering you are going to run into proofs and equations that are based on trigonometry. A good example of this is when studying AC current, voltage, and impedance calculations, phasors or vectors are used and combined mathematically. Further adventures into complex power will also require a knowledge of trig functions and identities. As a student of this course, you will be introduced to these or at least re-introduced to these that may have been long since forgotten.
In mathematics, “The Derivative of a Function ” of a real variable measures the sensitivity to change of the function value (output value) with respect to a change in its argument (input value). Derivatives are a fundamental tool of calculus. For example, the derivative of the position of a moving object with respect to time is the object’s velocity: this measures how quickly the position of the object changes when time advances.

Specialized Electrical Lessons

Specialized lessons include the “Protection & Control(P & C)” principles of high voltage stations. HV Bus Differential Protection is studied along with restrictions due to CT saturation & mismatch and its solution, “Restraint Differential Protection”.

High Voltage Circuit Breakers are examined as to the various Types (Oil, Vacuum, Air Blast, SF6), their Controls as well as the introduction of potential transformers & current transformers, and their use in conjunction with the relevant instruments such as ammeters, voltmeters, watt meters, and energy meters.

Other lessons include the study of “Transformers ” including core construction along with losses, cooling, and mitigation techniques. Three-phase transformer configurations are studied along with harmonic distortion, CT saturation, and on-load tap-changer problems and how these problems are dealt with. Over-current and restraint differential transformer protection is developed along with a look at some examples of ” Old School relays” as well as modern IDE (intelligent Electrical Devices) relays.

Transformer Connections: (Y – Y; Delta – Delta; Y – Delta; Delta – Y & Y – Zag Zig) are examined along with Transformer Clock System Vector Nomenclature.

Lastly, there is a special section dedicated to “Single and Three-Phase Metering “, including old analog and new digital kilowatt-hour meters.

Conclusion

Regardless of whether or not you are new to the industrial power system, you’ll find what you’re looking for on this site in the way of training. In order to review or select any of these courses, left-click on any of the blue highlighted hyperlinked words of this posting or on “14 Courses Available” from the top menu of the landing page. All of the courses have a free introduction

As a bonus and in the way of a thank you, for your interest in PSPT’s WEB (and Blog) page, I’m making available my 50-page “Electrical Power” crib sheets. These were prepared for use with my courses that are available on this site. There is one section associated with each course and is extremely valuable while viewing the course, as well as a recall of the pertinent formulas and information after the fact. The contained information is also useful during any technical career as a quick reference from time to time. Simply click here or on the picture to the right to be taken to where you can download this item.

November 12, 2024

Blog #30 - Residential Battery Backup Generators

November 12, 2024/ Graham VanBrunt

Did you know that major power outages in North America have increased by 67% since 2000? We've seen firsthand how devastating unexpected blackouts can be for families. Whether it's losing hundreds of dollars in spoiled food or dealing with dangerous winter outages, having a reliable backup power solution isn't just a luxury – it's becoming a necessity. In this next series of blogs, I'll walk you through the subject of residential battery backup generators, from selecting the right size to maintaining your investment.

Residential battery backup generators offer homeowners a reliable energy storage solution to ensure seamless power during outages. These advanced systems, distinct from traditional gas generators, use rechargeable batteries to store and convert electricity efficiently. Their quiet operation, minimal maintenance needs, and eco-friendly nature make them an attractive alternative for comprehensive home power management. By integrating directly with home electrical systems, these backup solutions deliver automatic, whole-house coverage and support critical appliances like HVAC and refrigerators. Whether considering Tesla Powerwall alternatives or evaluating battery backup installation, understanding their features is essential for making an informed investment in home energy security.

We will discover the best residential battery backup generators available today comparing whole-house systems, learning the essential features, and find the perfect power solution for your home.

At their core, residential battery backup generators are energy storage systems designed to provide emergency power during grid outages. They work by storing electricity in large battery banks, which can then be converted back into usable household current when the power goes out. This stored energy allows you to keep your critical home systems and appliances running until utility service is restored.

The key difference lies in the power source. Traditional gas-powered generators rely on an internal combustion engine to produce electricity, while battery backup systems use rechargeable batteries. This makes battery backups much quieter, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly than their noisy, fume-producing counterparts. Battery systems also eliminate the need to store and refuel with gasoline or propane.

Key Components: Inverter, Battery Bank, and Transfer Switch

The three essential components of a residential battery backup system are the inverter, the battery bank, and the transfer switch. The inverter converts the battery's stored DC power into usable AC electricity for your home. The battery bank is where the energy is stored, typically made up of multiple deep-cycle batteries. And the transfer switch automatically detects a grid outage and seamlessly switches your home's circuits over to the backup power.

Advantages Over Conventional Gas Generators

Beyond the benefits of noise and emissions reduction, battery backups offer several other key advantages. They require minimal maintenance, with no oil changes or tune-ups needed. They also start up instantly when the power goes out, without the delay of a gas generator. And because they're integrated directly into your me's electrical system, battery backups provide whole-house coverage, not just for individual circuits or appliances.

How Battery Backup Systems Integrate with Home Electrical Systems

Residential battery backup generators are designed to integrate directly with your home's existing electrical infrastructure. They connect to your main service panel, allowing them to automatically power critical circuits like the HVAC system, refrigerator, and essential lighting when the grid goes down. This integration also enables advanced features like load shedding and smart home integration for remote monitoring and control.

Looking at the outside of the smart panel, it looks like this…and here is where you connect, up to 3 DELTA Pro Ultras. opening the front panel to have a look inside, we see…

The Antenna used for communications

The Interlock for manual transfer of an external stand-by generator

The external stand-by Generator main circuit breaker

The Grid main circuit breaker

This is where the individual Branch circuit breakers will be located

Nothing is located here which is the Dead front cover

Located here is the Emergency stop button

Power input, output button

Three Power input, output ports

The Smart Home Panel 2 can be used to connect

to a generator.

It is also used as a sub panel, to connect with the main panel, to access grid power, which can seamlessly feed residential loads directly and, or charge the delta pro battery pacts.

At the same time, you can connect solar panels to the power station.

This smart home panel can intelligently manage all these power sources, grid, batteries, solar panels, and gas powered generators.

If you are looking for reliable power when you need it most? Look no further than the top names in portable power solutions: (The 4 sites listed below are live… Simply click on each to go there and experience special savings… There is no charge for for just looking.)

EcoFlow, https://bit.ly/3MjaFTV

Anker, https://bit.ly/4dEzzbW

Bluetti, https://bit.ly/3yxdCNE and

Jackery, https://bit.ly/3YCiw5Y

These industry leaders offer cutting-edge battery backup systems to keep you powered up during outages, outdoor adventures, or off-grid living.

EcoFlow's DELTA series provides expandable home backup power, while their RIVER line offers compact portability. Anker's PowerHouse series combines high capacity with fast charging technology. Bluetti's modular power stations scale to meet your energy needs, from camping to whole-home backup. Jackery's Explorer series delivers solar-ready power in rugged, portable packages.

Whether you need a small power bank for your devices or a whole-home backup solution, these brands have you covered. Their innovative designs, reliable performance, and versatile charging options ensure you'll never be left in the dark.

Don't wait for the next power outage to catch you unprepared. Visit the displayed WEB sites to compare the top models and find the perfect battery backup system for your needs.