Monday, April 26, 2010

AC & DC Machines:::Introduction

A machine is any device that uses energy to perform some work.A simple machine is a device that transforms the direction or magnitude of a force without consuming any energy.Electrical machines are normally grouped into either AC or DC.
Depending on the area of application both types produce the necessary power required each having its own advantages and disadvantages.
Read more>>>

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Corona

Have you ever wondered why high voltage power lines buzz (zszszs sound)? Its because they are producing corona which is interacting with the surrounding air.
 Corona is the process by which current, perhaps sustained, develops from an electrode with a high potential in a neutral fluid, usually air, by ionizing that fluid so as to create plasma around the electrode. The ions generated eventually pass charge to nearby areas of lower potential, or recombine to form neutral gas molecules. Plasma is a fourth state of matter (after solid, liquid, and gas). It is like a gas or liquid, but molecules are separated into atoms, and the outer electrons are stripped off and are freed into the plasma. In comparison, the sun is essentially a big ball of very hot plasma.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Power System Network


A detailed explanation of the conversion and distribution of electric energy from the power station to consumer units.This post describes how electric energy moves from the power generating station through conductors of various sizes to consumers premises.To minimize losses and for economical reasons, electrical energy has to be converted into different magnitudes during transmission and distribution until the consumer load.



Saturday, April 10, 2010

Electric Pole in the middle of a Road!!

Is this the 8th Wonder of the world?
In Igemebe North Constituency, Eastern Province-Kenya lies a mysterious and mixed up piece of what many might call an engineering mess.Right in the middle of Wiyara Road stands an electric pole.The completion of the road was to follow the installation of power to the area but the two projects ran in to each other resulting to the installation of an electric pole in the middle of the road.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Introducing AutoCAD Electrical 2010


AutoCAD® Electrical software is AutoCAD® software for controls designers. Purpose-built to create and modify electrical control systems, AutoCAD Electrical includes all the functionality of AutoCAD plus a complete set of electrical CAD features. Comprehensive symbol libraries and tools for automating electrical engineering tasks help save hours of effort, so you can spend more time innovating.
AutoCAD Electrical control design software offers significant productivity gains over AutoCAD. Features like real-time error checking and a library of more than 650,000 electrical symbols help to increase design efficiency, while the familiar AutoCAD environment facilitates a smooth transition. Designers can maintain existing AutoCAD workflows, while adopting the enhanced functionality of AutoCAD Electrical at their own pace.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Easter Sunday Power Blackout in Kenya

Kenya was today put out of power due to a breakdown in one of the power stations.According to KPLC (Kenya Power & Lighting Company) - the sole distribution and transmitting company, two Generators at Gitaru Power Station momentarily broke down leading to a shutdown of the other generators because they could not handle the load. The blackout lasted for an approximately 3hrs (from 1pm to 4pm) and was soon corrected by the engineers.Gitaru power station is the biggest station in terms of installed and effective capacity. The highest recorded combined output was on 22nd May 2002 when the output was 222MW and in November 2006 the unit recorded 220MW during one evening peak.The number of units installed are three, producing a total capacity of 225 MW which is the biggest hydro in E. Africa. Number 1 was commissioned 1999 with a rated capacity of 81.5.MW. the second and third were installed in 1978 rating a capacity of 72.5MW.






-------KenGen (Kenya Electricity Generating Company)