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 06, 2024

Blog #41 - Smart Thermostats

December 06, 2024/ Graham VanBrunt

More on Home Automation.

"Today, we're diving into the world of smart thermostats - a revolutionary technology that's transforming how we control our home's climate and save energy.”

Imagine coming home on a chilly winter evening to find your house perfectly warm and cozy, without having wasted energy all day.

Or picture your air conditioner kicking in just before you arrive home on a sweltering summer afternoon. Welcome to the world of smart thermostats – your gateway to energy-efficient home automation!

Think of smart thermostats as the brainy cousins of traditional thermostats. They're like having a tiny, energy-savvy assistant managing your home's temperature. These clever devices learn your habits, adapt to your schedule, and can be controlled from anywhere using your smartphone.

Let me highlight four compelling reasons to invest in a smart thermostat:

Energy Savings: You can slash your energy bills by up to 23%

aConvenience: Control your home's temperature from anywhere

Learning Capabilities: These devices adapt to your preferences automatically

Insights: Receive detailed reports on your energy usage

The magic happens through a combination of sensors, Wi-Fi connectivity, and intelligent algorithms. Smart thermostats monitor room occupancy, outside temperature, and your daily routines to create a personalized heating and cooling schedule.

Don't be intimidated by installation. Most smart thermostats are designed for easy setup. The process typically involves turning off your HVAC system, removing the old thermostat, connecting color-coded wires, and following on-screen instructions. If DIY isn't your thing, many HVAC companies offer professional installation.

To get the most out of your smart thermostat:

Use the mobile app to adjust settings on the go

Let the device learn your routines

Take advantage of geofencing

Regularly review your energy reports

When selecting a smart thermostat, focus on these items.

Smart thermostats are more than just temperature controllers. They're your first step into a world of energy-efficient home automation. By investing in this technology, you're not just saving money - you're creating a more comfortable, intelligent home environment.

Here are some of the top smart thermostats are available on the market today…

The Ecobee Smart Thermostat stands out for its comprehensive features, including smart home integration with Alexa and Google home, while providing energy reports, SmartSensor for room-specific temperature control, and built-in air quality monitoring. It also doubles as a home security device.

Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen): Known for its sleek design and AI-powered learning capabilities, this thermostat creates customized heating and cooling schedules. It supports broad smart home integration and includes a remote room sensor for even temperature distribution throughout your home.

Amazon has a Smart Thermostat: This budget-friendly option offers simplicity and ease of use while still providing smart features. It works well with Alexa and is a great choice for those looking for an affordable smart thermostat

The Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat: This thermostat comes with a remote room sensor and supports up to 20 sensors for whole-home temperature monitoring. It's compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and offers dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity.

Sensi Touch 2 Smart Thermostat by Emerson: Features a large 4.3-inch color touch screen, this thermostat supports room sensors and generates energy usage reports. It works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and SmartThings.

These thermostats offer a range of features to suit different needs and budgets, from advanced AI learning capabilities to simple, user-friendly interfaces. All of the aforementioned thermostats aim to improve home comfort while helping users save on energy costs and are only a small part of home automation.

Home automation is designed to be accessible and adaptable to various lifestyles. Most popular brands prioritize user-friendliness, ensuring that there’s likely a product available to enhance your convenience. For further insights on home automation, you can,

visit this website…https://bit.ly/4eM25ZS...and browse the various products that are available and pick and choose from their abundant sources of home automation kits and products.