Electrical
NEC 220.87 Load Study: Using Measured Demand to Size an Existing Service
How an NEC 220.87 load study works: a year of demand data or a 30-day recording, the 125% test, a worked example, and mistakes that get studies rejected.
10 min read
Topic
Electrical
Insights from electrical engineers on NEC® compliance, arc flash safety, grounding, and preventing electrical failures in commercial and industrial facilities.
At a glance
- Articles
- 89
- With a live demo
- 8
- Published per year
- 20193 articles
- 20208 articles
- 202110 articles
- 202218 articles
- 202312 articles
- 202412 articles
- 202513 articles
- 202613 articles
- Subject Matter Expert
- Brian J. Brackensick, M.S., P.E.
Start here
Longer guides that explain the methods and the codes behind this work.
- Proven Arc Flash Labeling: What You Need To Know
12 min read
- What Is a Ufer Ground? NEC Requirements, Inspection and Testing
14 min readInteractive
- Fall of Potential vs. Point-to-Point: What Each Ground Test Proves
14 min readInteractive
Articles
1 to 24 of 89
Electrical
Fall of Potential vs. Point-to-Point: What Each Ground Test Proves
How far to place the current probe in a fall of potential test, the 62% rule, 12 common mistakes, and why ground resistance can't prove bonding.
14 min readInteractive
Forensic
Why Dust, Dirt, and Contamination Can Cause Electrical Equipment Failure
Dust, metal fines, and damp residue can lead to electrical equipment failure. Learn the 5 ways it happens and why compressed air can make it worse.
9 min read
Electrical
4-20 mA Current Loop: How It Works, With a Live Simulator
How a 4-20 mA current loop works: live zero, the 250 ohm resistor, loop resistance, NAMUR NE 43 faults and the current mirror inside a transmitter.
11 min readInteractive
Fire Investigation
What Is an Open Neutral? Symptoms, Dangers and a Live Demo
An open neutral can push half a home's circuits far above 120 V. See what it means on an outlet tester, the symptoms, what to do and a live demo.
12 min readInteractive
Electrical
Pool Grounding and Bonding: What NEC Article 680 Requires
Pool grounding and bonding under NEC Article 680: equipotential bonding, the 8 AWG bond, water bonding and GFCI protection, explained by licensed engineers.
3 min read
Electrical
Is Electrical Engineering Hard? An Honest Answer from Practicing Engineers
Is electrical engineering hard? Yes, it is one of the harder majors: the toughest courses, how it compares, and the path to a PE license.
8 min readInteractive
Electrical
How Summer Heat, HVAC Systems, and Moisture Create Hidden Electrical Risks in Commercial Buildings
Summer heat and HVAC condensation quietly stress commercial electrical systems. See the hidden failure points engineers find and how to cut fire risk.
6 min read
Forensic
Investigating Electrical Failures After Flooding or Water Intrusion
Electrical failures after flooding often surface when power returns. The warning signs, and how forensic engineers investigate flooded systems.
6 min read
Forensic
What Happens to Electrical Systems When Buildings Sit Vacant Too Long
Vacant buildings quietly develop electrical hazards like corrosion, moisture, and degraded wiring. Learn the risks and preventive steps owners should take.
6 min read
Corrosion and Cathodic Protection
Choosing a Real-World Electrical & Corrosion Engineering Expert Witness
What separates a field-tested electrical and corrosion expert witness from paper-only opinions? Get screening questions and a retain-or-pass checklist.
8 min read
Electrical
Best Practices for Testing and Commissioning Grounding Systems in Large Sites
Get grounding system testing right at large sites: soil resistivity, fall-of-potential methods, documentation, and commissioning tips from licensed PEs.
6 min read
Electrical
How Extreme Weather Events & Seasonal Power Surges Cause Electrical Failures in Commercial Buildings
Storms and seasonal power surges are a leading cause of commercial electrical failures. Learn the warning signs and how load analysis reduces downtime.
8 min read
Electrical
Safe Use & Maintenance of Portable Generators & Backup Power Systems That Keep Your Family Prepared
Learn portable generator safety essentials: safe placement, grounding, load management, and maintenance schedules that prevent fires and protect your home.
6 min read
Electrical
How Renewable Energy Impacts Electrical Load & Infrastructure Safety
See how renewable energy integration changes electrical loads, fault currents, and arc-flash risk, plus how engineers keep facility infrastructure safe.
7 min read
Electrical
Why Your Facility Needs Routine Electrical Audits, Even When Everything Seems Fine
Routine electrical audits uncover hidden overloads, insulation decay and code issues before they cause fires. What an audit includes and when to book one.
6 min read
Forensic
Integrating PD Detection in High Voltage Gear After Fire Exposure
PD detection, or partial discharge testing, after fire exposure finds hidden insulation damage in high voltage gear before it is re-energized.
6 min read
Forensic
Worried About a PC or Computer Fire? Here’s Everything You Need to Know
Is my computer on fire or just hot? Smoke, a burning plastic smell or sparks mean act now: unplug only if safe, use a Class C extinguisher, never water.
12 min read
Electrical
When Does Your Business Need a Reliable Surge Protection Upgrade?
Spot the five signs your business needs a commercial surge protection upgrade, from aging SPDs to glitchy equipment, and what a layered system includes.
10 min read
Forensic
Looking at the Root Cause of Electrical Appliance Fires Using Forensic X-Ray and Thermal Imaging
See how forensic X-ray and thermal imaging reveal the root cause of electrical appliance fires, without destroying evidence insurers and courts rely on.
8 min read
Electrical
The Benefits of Preventive Maintenance in Electrical Systems for Small Businesses
Preventive electrical maintenance helps small businesses avoid fires, downtime and code violations: what a maintenance plan includes and why it pays off.
6 min read
Electrical
Protecting Your Home: The Importance of Electrical Grounding and Bonding
Grounding and bonding are your home's core electrical safeguards. Learn how they stop surges, shocks, and fires, and how professionals test them.
7 min read
Electrical
The Basics of Electrical Design Services for New Construction
What electrical design services for new construction cover: load calculations, power distribution, lighting layouts and NEC code compliance.
6 min read
Electrical
Hidden Expenses from Poor Power Quality: Preventing Voltage Sags and Surges with Electrical Load Analysis
Voltage sags and surges quietly drain profits through equipment damage and downtime. Learn how electrical load analysis prevents power quality losses.
7 min read
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