Learn more about how Industry 4.0 is influencing power system testing and best practices for implementation. Industry 4.0 signifies the fourth stage of an ever-evolving industrial revolution and focuses on greater operational efficiency and sustainability through new technological advancements. These advancements include, for example, the use of smart sensors and monitoring systems in support of condition-based maintenance; artificial intelligence for processing large amounts of collected data a...
Feb 03, 2023•21 min
Learn about the types of circuit breakers used in Europe and how are they tested. Circuit Breakers are the most essential assets for turning on and off any connections in the power grid. Different regions in the world use very different circuit breakers, and very different testing methods. In our new Energy Talks mini-series, called “Circuit Breaker Testing Around the World” , we look at the different types of circuit breakers and testing methods used in various regions of the globe. OMICRON cir...
Jan 13, 2023•33 min
Learn about the types of circuit breakers used in the United States and how are they tested. Circuit Breakers are the most essential assets for turning on and off any connections in the power grid. Different regions in the world use very different circuit breakers, and very different testing methods. In our new Energy Talks mini-series, called “Circuit Breaker Testing Around the World” , we look at the different types of circuit breakers and testing methods used in various regions of the globe. ...
Dec 21, 2022•29 min
Discover how field testing engineers in the Middle East simplify their work with OMICRON’s COMPANO 100. It is always interesting to hear about how different regions of the world perform power system testing – there are many similarities, but also differences based on, for example, specific challenges and needs in regional testing environments. In this episode, OMICRON Field Testing Experts Mohamed Ali, Fadi Zatari and Ahmed Abdelwahab discuss how power system testing is performed in the Middle E...
Dec 07, 2022•30 min
Learn how vulnerability management tools ensure a more effective cybersecurity in power grids. With increased digitalization, the vulnerability of power utility systems to cyber attacks, blackmail and blackouts is on the rise. In this episode, you will discover how power utilities can best manage cybersecurity risks and protect their systems from intrusion. It is essential that power utilities take proactive steps to ensure the security of their systems, such as implementing vulnerability manage...
Nov 16, 2022•28 min
Best practices for testing power transformers during onsite commissioning from our field experts. In the shoes of field engineers – This is one of many Energy Talks episodes in which we offer you practical tips for testing electrical equipment at power substations. During the onsite commissioning of power transformers, a set of tests are performed to confirm that the power transformer can be put into service. In this episode of Energy Talks, OMICRON field testing experts Bernhard Engstler and Ma...
Nov 09, 2022•26 min
Learn how to validate the quality of power system measurement data for more reliable assessments. In this episode, David Gopp , Data Scientist and Digital Transformation Expert at OMICRON, discusses how pattern recognition ensures the optimal quality and validity of power system measurement data. High-quality power system measurement data is essential for making reliable condition assessments of electrical equipment and predicting asset lifetime. David explains how artificial intelligence is eff...
Oct 19, 2022•19 min
Enhance the safety and efficiency of ISDS component testing in expanding power grids. In this episode, Florian Fink , OMICRON expert for the testing of industrial and distribution grid applications, discusses the role of intelligent secondary distribution substations (ISDS) in rapidly expanding power grids. He also explains how ISDS components can support operations and facilitate the planning of future grid expansions with high reliability and efficiency. In response to the increasing number of...
Oct 10, 2022•18 min
Additional highlights and live coverage from a leading international power systems industry exhibition - the CIGRE Session 2022 In this episode, we will continue our coverage of the 2022 CIGRE conference and exhibition – a leading international power system industry event for technical experts worldwide. For those who were not able to attend this year’s event in person, we have devoted this and the previous Energy Talks episodes to share various impressions of CIGRE 2022 with you. Reporting dire...
Sep 22, 2022•24 min
Highlights from a leading international power systems industry exhibition. The CIGRE conference and exhibition is a leading power systems industry event for technical experts worldwide. It takes place every two years in Paris, France – most recently at the end of August 2022. However, due to the COVID pandemic, it has been four years since the event was last physically held in 2018. For those who were not able to attend this year’s event in person, we are devoting two episodes of Energy Talks to...
Sep 13, 2022•34 min
Keep an eye on partial discharge activity between diagnostic measurements. In this episode, we expand our earlier discussions about partial discharge (PD) testing and monitoring . Specifically, we talk about the advantages of using temporary online monitoring to trend PD activity and track developing insulation defects between diagnostic measurements. Joining us for this discussion are OMICRON partial discharge experts Bogdan Gorgan and Patrick Zander . Both have been prior guest experts in Ener...
Aug 23, 2022•27 min
Discover how fire-weather forecasting helps electrical utilities effectively plan their response. In this episode, we will expand our discussion from an earlier episode about fire mitigation at electrical utilities. As the typical fire season has grown longer in many parts of the world, so-called fire-weather forecasting supported with advanced data intelligence is helping electrical utilities effectively plan their response before wildfires start and spread. Guest experts Renny Vandewege , Vice...
Jul 27, 2022•43 min
Discover the advantages of protection testing standardization and automation. The life cycles of Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) used in protection systems at electrical utilities are becoming shorter. Additionally, the time spans between firmware updates for these devices are decreasing. Electrical utilities need to verify several parameters more frequently, such as the functional requirements, the quality of new firmware, the correctness of commissioning, the parameter settings and more....
Jul 12, 2022•19 min
Join our community of listeners from all over the world. We cover a wide variety of topics , such as: • Best practices for diagnosing the condition of electrical equipment • The impact of renewable energy and growing demand on the power grid • How to prepare and prevent blackouts • The digital transformation and importance of cyber security in power systems • As well as upcoming trends that will impact the power system For these topics and more, our guest experts share their knowledge, field exp...
Jul 12, 2022•2 min
Learn how OMICRON’s core values of innovation, diversity and inclusion attract and keep employees. Growing organizations are confronted with an increasingly competitive situation for recruiting and retaining talented employees, especially in technical fields. How are organizations in the power industry dealing with this situation? OMICRON human resources experts Cordula Böhmer and Ruben Fuentes share their experiences and insights into this topic. They also describe how OMICRON endeavors to expa...
Jun 30, 2022•26 min
Save time with an automated workflow and a new method for determining CVT capacitances. Voltage transformers are an essential part of the electrical energy system. Regular tests of inductive voltage transformers (VTs) and capacitive voltage transformers (CVTs) ensure reliable operation for both protection and metering purposes. In this episode, OMICRON instrument transformer testing experts Thomas Bischof and Felix Feustel describe how automated workflows and a new method for determining CVT cap...
Jun 29, 2022•12 min
Discover how the validation of measurement data lays the foundation for more reliable assessments. In this episode, OMICRON data transformation experts David Gopp and Lukas Klingenschmid talk about the validation of measurement data and the role it plays in achieving a successful digital transformation in the power industry. They explain how data validation is used to check different factors that can influence the consistency and quality of measurement data, such as the measurement setup, the ac...
May 30, 2022•24 min
Best practices for substation tests on current and voltage transformers from a field testing expert. In the shoes of field engineers – This is one of many Energy Talks episodes in which we offer you practical tips for testing electrical equipment at power substations. In this episode, OMICRON field testing expert Marcus Stenner shares his many years of practical experience in instrument transformer testing at power substations all over the world. Marcus describes the various tests performed on c...
May 13, 2022•17 min
Learn how to successfully implement cybersecurity into critical power system infrastructures. We focus on the topic of cyber security in Part 3 of our Energy Talks miniseries called “Digital Transformation in the Power Industry”. In this episode, OMICRON cybersecurity experts Thomas Friedel and Eugenio Carvalheira discuss the importance of cybersecurity in the digital transformation and how it plays a critical role in power system infrastructures. Some governments, such as in Germany, have intro...
Apr 27, 2022•45 min
Find out how Pacific Gas & Electric is reducing the risk of wildfire sparks from downed power lines. We are all aware about the present and increasing risk of devastating wildfires all over the world, especially those recently experienced in Australia and the western United States. Prolonged dry conditions in these regions have greatly increased the risk of wildfires starting and spreading with alarming speed. Wildfires cause not only massive destruction to the power system infrastructure, o...
Apr 13, 2022•40 min
Optimize PD measurement sensitivity for reliable insulation defect detection in noisy environments. In this episode of Energy Talks, you will find out how partial discharge (PD) measurements performed in the ultra-high frequency (UHF) range can be a reliable alternative or complementary PD detection approach in noisy onsite testing environments. The conventional method for PD measurement according to the IEC 60270 standard allows a precise calibration but requires a sufficiently high signal-to-n...
Mar 30, 2022•34 min
Learn about what factors can prevent successful implementation and how to overcome them. In our regular Energy Talks miniseries called Digital Transformation in the Power Industry, you will learn about the steps to take in making a successful digital transformation, which involves using digital technologies to create new business processes, culture, and customer experiences to meet changing business and market requirements. In Part 2 of this miniseries, OMICRON digital transformation experts Jua...
Mar 24, 2022•37 min
Advanced protection testing saves time, reduces costs and optimizes performance in power systems. In these times of aging assets and new technologies being implemented into evolving power systems, the demand for protection testing is increasing substantially while protection testing professionals are becoming increasingly scarce. This is a challenge for the whole energy sector, as a reliable and continuous power supply needs to be ensured. Therefore, protection relays, which are a key component ...
Mar 21, 2022•45 min
Learn how vibrations play a role in reliably assessing the condition of on-load tap changers. On-load tap changers, also known as O-L-T-Cs, are devices fitted on to power transformers that regulate the output voltage to required levels. With the help of the O-L-T-C, the transformer turns ratio can be adjusted under load to deal with voltage fluctuations and maintain a stable voltage level in the electrical grid. To reliably analyze and assess the condition of on-load tap-changers, advanced diagn...
Mar 10, 2022•16 min
General outlooks and insights into implementing a successful digital transformation into the future. Digital Transformation in the Power Industry is the theme of our new Energy Talks podcast miniseries with various episodes about the process of using digital technologies to create new — or modify existing — business processes, culture, and customer experiences to meet changing business and market requirements. In this and upcoming episodes on this topic, you will learn about the steps to take in...
Feb 18, 2022•20 min
Assessing the insulation condition of generators and motors to ensure reliability on the high seas. Just as on land, rotating electrical machines used to generate electrical power for lighting, critical equipment and communications systems on cruise ships and other large vessels are subject to various mechanical, electrical and environmental forces that can affect their condition. To keep motors and generators reliably operating on the high seas, certain electrical diagnostic tests are recommend...
Feb 03, 2022•25 min
How to avoid errors that can result in inaccurate billing and revenue losses. Current transformers (CTs) used for metering purposes in medium-voltage power systems must have a high accuracy from class 0.5 up to class 0.1 to ensure accurate billing. Therefore, it is essential to inspect and calibrate metering CTs at regular intervals. In this episode, SENSELEQ Business Development Engineer Roland Bürger and OMICRON product manager for instrument transformer testing Felix Feustel share their insig...
Jan 28, 2022•21 min
How to master the PD measurement challenges of limited space and noise in the test environment. Large-scale wind parks utilize different types of transformers, including cast-resin, also known as dry-type transformers, installed in wind turbines. The most common reason for failure in various types of transformers is the electric breakdown of the insulation due to a wide variety of factors. Partial discharge (PD) measurements performed during commissioning and in a periodic maintenance plan can r...
Jan 04, 2022•41 min
Coordinated teamwork ensures greater power line measurement safety and efficiency Since we last spoke with Gustav Lundqvist in Energy Talks Episode Number 3, he has grown his electrical measurement service company Kraftdiagnos in relation to both team size and the types of tests performed for customers on both medium-voltage and high-voltage electrical equipment in power grids throughout Sweden. Touch voltage measurements on power lines are one area of testing that remains in high demand for the...
Dec 16, 2021•36 min
Improved data reliability, accessibility and usability for power grids, PAC systems and IED networks. In today’s power systems, data is growing exponentially. Therefore, industry-specific data management solutions are becoming essential to enable better decision making for planning, organization, and execution. The successful operation of expanding power grids, PAC systems and IED networks is based on how well their data management systems enable system operators to easily access consistent, up-...
Dec 03, 2021•22 min
