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.

December 18, 2024

Blog #46 - Using the Zooz ZEN71 as a Three-Way Switch

December 18, 2024/ Graham VanBrunt

As part of my home automation series this will be the 2nd video on The Zooz ZEN71 Switch and using it as a three way switch.

Eventually I will be posting training videos on the subject in my Stan store at this web address…https://stan.store/GVB

A three-way switch is a type of electrical switch that allows you to control a single light or set of lights from two different locations. It is commonly used in hallways or large rooms where you want to turn the lights on or off from either end. In a three-way switch setup, two switches are connected to the same light fixture, enabling this dual control functionality.

Several wiring schemes can be used to connect 3 way lighting circuits depending on the location of the source in relation to the switches and lights. These wiring diagrams show typical connections to standard single pole double throw switches.

Now let's look at how we will connect a Zooz ZEN71 switch to this existing three way switch set up.

This is OPTION 1 (Load and line in the same box)

The diagrams show all connections but ground (the ground wire was excluded in order to simplify the illustrations).

This top diagram illustrates the connections using regular double pole single throw switches that you will be converting.

You'll usually see the power line in this box (a bundle of black wires if it's a double or triple box) and the black from your 14-3 romex will be connected to another black (most likely your lights) instead of being connected to the switch. This option can have a few variations depending on the creativity of the electrician who first wired the 3-way.

The bottom diagram illustrates the connections replacing the left-hand illustrated switch with a Zooz Z wave switch.

If you can't match the diagrams exactly The Zooz manufacturers are very responsive so contact them and they will provide you with assistance.

This is OPTION 2 - with the Load and line in separate boxes.

You'll usually see the black from your 14-3 romex connected directly to the switch on both sides.

This can also be wired using different parts of the 14-3 as traveler so if the diagrams almost match but not quite, don't experiment, contact the manufacturer first.

OPTION 3 (two point control of Zoos switches)

There are a few different scenarios that may match your set-up better but they all include a situation where the power line (also called power source or line) is located by the light and not in any of the switch boxes. This is bad news because Zooz switches need direct connection to power and neutral to work. If you can't bring power and neutral to one of the boxes, you won't be able to use Zooz or most other Z-Wave in-wall switches.

If you're unsure about the wiring process or are unable to match your wiring to the provided diagrams, don't proceed with the installation. Take images of your installation and reach out to the manufacturer if you have any questions or experience any issues.

If you are ready to elevate your living space with home automation, now’s the perfect time to transform your home into a smart, efficient household! In order to explore an incredible range of innovative products that cater to all your smart home needs.

Simply go to this website…https://tinyurl.com/thesmartesthouse

Don’t miss out on exclusive discounts available for a limited time! Take the first step towards a smarter home and discover how easy it is to enhance your lifestyle with cutting-edge technology. Your dream home awaits!

Remember, this video has been brought to you by PSPT, where you will find electrical train training videos when you go to this web address…https://bit.ly/47YB3vh...which will also give you a free copy of my 50 page crib sheets that you can use while viewing any of the courses or just keep handy during your every day work.