Intelligent Power Today Magazine

News and Trends

Illuminating Decisions: EPRI Lights the Way for Modern Lighting Adoption

Facility managers and operators understand the critical role lighting plays in their daily operations. Accounting for roughly 30% of a commercial building's energy load, lighting significantly impacts energy consumption and associated maintenance costs. However, focusing solely on the initial fixture cost misses a crucial aspect of responsible lighting management – the long-term perspective.

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Beyond the Sticker Price: Unveiling the True Cost of Light

Modern lighting solutions promise a...

Buyer's Guide

News & Trends

Counterfeiting Kills

Each year, the counterfeiting of well-known brands and products continues to rise, creating an even more threatening problem. Such well-known counterfeited brands, including consumer safety and critical electrical products, are estimated to be five to seven percent of world trade. The International...

Featured

Advanced protection against electromagnetic exposures and electric arc

HAZARDS AROUND While working live in the energized grid, presence of voltage around the workers requires special attention. However, live-line (live working) techniques are widely applied for decades, several accidents in the past prove that the level of safety must be improved to minimize...

Introducing Intelligent Power Today

Welcome to Intelligent Power Today Magazine, our publication that explores and explains the who, what, where, when, why and how of intelligent electrical devices, a collection of complex mechanical devices and sophisticated control systems used in industrial, commercial, and institutional...

Electrical Protection

Impact of Climate Change on Lightning Protection Strategies

Climate change is altering global weather patterns, leading to a potential increase in lightning activity. This phenomenon poses a significant challenge for existing lightning protection strategies and standards. This article explores how changing weather patterns and increased lightning intensity are impacting the design and implementation of lightning protection systems (LPS) for structures and infrastructure.

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Changing Weather Patterns and Lightning Activity

Climate change has been linked to more extreme weather conditions, including increased temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and more volatile atmospheric conditions, all of which contribute to a higher frequency and intensity of lightning strikes.

Increased Lightning Frequency

Studies have shown that for every 1°C increase in global temperature, the frequency of lightning strikes can increase by approximately 12%. This heightened activity presents a growing challenge for existing lightning protection systems.

Intensified Lightning Intensity

Not only is lightning becoming more frequent, but it is also...

Electrical Protection Articles

Transformer Protection

Improving Grid Stability

Electrical transformers are vital components in power transmission and distribution systems, stepping up or down voltage levels to efficiently deliver electricity. However, these transformers are susceptible to various internal and external faults that can lead to catastrophic damage and widespread...

A Closer Look into the True Cost of Replacing Electrical Switchgear

During my switchgear modernization presentations all over the US, I am constantly reminded of the concerns customers face with their aging electrical infrastructure. For the most part, these center around safety, reliability and productivity: Replacements parts are very hard (or impossible) to...

Protecting Industrial Control Circuits

Addressing relay challenges with the modern technology BY MARK STEPHENS & ALDEN WRIGHT, Electric Power Research Institute In 2009, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) began an effort to create improved alternating current (AC) “ice cube” relays that could withstand voltage sags...