Chapter 9 Flashcards
AHJ
Authority Having Jurisdiction
The building official, electrical
inspector, fire marshal, or other
individuals or entities
responsible for interpretation
and enforcement of local
building and electrical codes.
TDMM.* Page G-14
Alternating Current
(ac)
A current flow that alternates
periodically (usually sinusoidal)
in magnitude and direction.
TDMM.* Page G-7
Apparent Power
The product of the measured
voltage and measured
amperage. Expressed in
volt amperes.
TDMM.* Page 9-10
Arc Flash
A short circuit through the air.
When insulation or isolation
between electrified conductors
is breached or can no longer
withstand the applied voltage, an
arc flash occurs.
TDMM.* Page 9-28
AWG
American Wire Gauge
A system used to specify wire
size. The greater the wire
diameter, the smaller
the AWG value.
TDMM.* Page G-8
Capacitance
1 . The ability of an electronic
component to store electrical
energy.
2. The opposition to a change in
voltage.
TDMM.* Page G-30
Delta
The difference between two
values, symbolized with a
triangle (△).
TDMM: Page G-54
Direct Current (dc)
Current flow that has a constant
direction. The letters dc are also
used generically to refer to any
constant waveform or signal
(e.g., a battery voltage of 3 volts
direct current [Vdc]).
TDMM: Page G-58
Frequency
The number of cycles that a
periodic signal completes in a
given time. If the unit of time is
one second, the frequency is
stated in hertz (Hz). One Hz is
equal to one cycle per second.
TDMM.* Page G-83
Harmonics
Multiples of the basic frequency
of a sine wave (e.g., the third
harmonic of 60 Hz power
frequency is 180 Hz).
TDMM.* Page 9-79
Impedance
The total opposition to ac
current flow. Measured in ohms.
TDMM.* Page 9-8
Inductance
1 . The property of an electrical
force field built around a
conductor when current flows
through it.
2. The resistance to change in
current.
TDMM: Page G-95
ITE Power
Information Technology
Equipment Power
The power consumed by ICT to
manage, monitor, control,
process, store, and route data
within the data center, excluding
all infrastructure technology
equipment.
TDMM.* Page G-96
LOTO
Lockout/ Tagout
A means to protect personnel
from the unexpected start-up or
reenergization of equipment by
ensuring that equipment
remains completely shut off
during routine maintenance
and repairs.
TDMM.* Page 9-29
LVD
Low Voltage Disconnect
A device that is used to
disconnect the battery at a
preset voltage during battery
discharge and allow
reconnection only when utility
power has been restored. Called
a “no volt release” in the
United Kingdom.
TDMM.* Page 9-54
Noise
Unwanted electrical signals that
are induced onto, or superimposed
upon, the power line.
TDMM.* Page 9-79
PDU
A device that has a transformer,
surge suppression, single-point
ground, panelboards, and
monitoring under a single
enclosure.
TDMM.* Page 9-26
Phase Difference
The relationship in time
between two waveforms
of the same frequency.
TDMM.* Page 9-3
Phase Configuration
The number of phases and the
type of connection between the
utility and the user.
TDMM.* Phase 9-4
Power
1 . The rate of transfer or
absorption of energy per unit time
in a system.
2. The energy required to operate
an electrical device (e.g., motor,
amplifier, telephone transmitter).
TDMM.* Page G-146
Reactance
The opposition to the flow of ac
current caused by inductance
and capacitance. Expressed
in ohms.
TDMM.* Page 9-8
Redundancy
Providing secondary
components that either become
instantly operational or are
continuously operational so that
the failure of a primary
component will not result in
mission failure.
TDMM.* G-761
Resistance
A measure of opposition a
material offers to the flow of
direct current. Measured
in ohms.
TDMM.* Page G-765
RPP
Remote Power Panel
A power distribution cabinet
downstream from a power
distribution unit (PDU) or
uninterruptible power supply
(UPS), typically containing
circuits and breakers, without a
transformer, located
near the load.
TDMM.* Page G-763
SDS
Safety Data Sheet
A document prepared by the
manufacturer describing all
known chemical, radiological,
and other hazards of a specific
product. Formerly called
material safety data sheet
(MSDS).
TDMM.* Page G-168
Short Circuit
A faulty or accidental connection
between two points of different
potential in an electric circuit,
bypassing the load and
establishing a path of low
resistance through which an
excessive current can flow.
TDMM.* Page 9-13
Sine Wave
The mathematical representation
of an alternating voltage
or current waveform.
TDMM.* Page 9-2
SPD
Surge Protection Device
A protective device for limiting
transient voltages by diverting or
limiting surge current. It has a
nonlinear voltage-current
characteristic that reduces voltages
exceeding the normal safe system
levels by a rapid increase in conducted
current. Also called a voltage limiter,
overvoltage protector, (surge) arrestor,
or transient voltage surge suppressor
(TVSS).
TDMM.* Page G-189
STS
Static Transfer Switch
A device that can transfer
electrical loads between two
synchronized power sources in a
break before making (open
transition) transfer in a fraction
of a second, typically one
quarter of a cycle.
TDMM.* Page 9-50
UPS
Uninterruptible Power Supply
A system that provides a continuous
supply of power to a load using stored
energy when the normal source of
energy is not available or is of
unacceptable quality. A UPS will
provide power until the stored energy
of the system has been depleted, or
when the acceptable quality of either
an alternative source of power (e.g.,
generator) or the normal source of
power returns to acceptable quality.
TDMM.* Page G-202
Wye
A power system in which only
one point (usually the midpoint
of a supply transformer bank) is
grounded. If the neutral is
present, it is not grounded
along the line.
TDMM.* Page G-211
What is an ac circuit?
An electrical current that
periodically reverses (alternates)
its direction of flow because the
polarity of the voltage source
constantly changes
TDMM.* Page 9-2
What term is used to
describe the mathematical
representation of an
alternating voltage or
current waveform?
Sine wave
TDMM: Page 9-2
What is a sine wave cycle?
One variation of the sine wave
from zero to maximum
(positive), back through zero,
to minimum (negative),
and back to zero
TDMM.* Page 9-2
What term is used to
describe the number of
times a sine wave cycle
occurs in one second?
Frequency
TDMM.* Page 9-2
What unit of measure is
used to express the
frequency of a sine
wave cycle?
Hertz (Hz)
TDMM.* Page 9-2
How is the rms value of a
sine wave calculated?
By multiplying the zero-to-peak
value of the sine wave by 0.7071
TDMM.* Page 9-2
Name 4 defined
characteristics of ac power
provided by commercial
utility sources.
1 .Frequency (in Hz)
2.Voltage (in V)
3.Power (in kVA or kW)
4.Phase (single or three-phase)
TDMM.* Page 9-2
Name 2 typical frequencies
provided by commercial
utility sources.
1.50 Hz
2.60 Hz
TDMM.* Page 9-3
What is the most common
single-phase service
voltage value?
120/240 v
TDMM.* Page 9-3
What are the most
common three-phase
service voltage values?
*208 Y/120 V
*240 v
480 Y/277 V
TDMM. Page 9-3
What is the available power
of a given system?
The amperage that is available
to the user at the nominal
system voltage
TDMM.* Page 9-3
What units of measure are
used to express the
available power for
a large system?
*Kilovolt-ampere (kVA)
*Kilowatt (kW)
TDMM: Page 9-3
What does phase
difference describe?
The relationship in time
between two waveforms
of the same frequency
TDMM.* Page 9-3
What does it mean if two
waveforms are described
as being “in phase”?
That the two waveforms match
each other in electrical degrees
TDMM.* Page 9-4
How many waveforms are
produced when electrical
power is generated?
3 waveforms, each 120 degrees
out of phase with the others
TDMM.* Page 9-4
What is phase
configuration?
The number of phases and the
type of connection between the
utility and the user
TDMM.* Page 9-4
What term is used to
describe the electrical
system between the
serving utility and the
customer’s site?
Distribution system
TDMM.* Page 9-6
What is the
electrical wiring system?
The cabling between the
connection to the distribution
system at the customer’s site
and various equipment (loads)
to be powered
TDMM.* Page 9-6
Name 3 characteristics of
various loads that affect
the amount of power
required for those loads.
1 .Resistance
2.Inductance
3.Capacitance
TDMM.* Page 9-7
Which characteristics are
responsible for creating the
difference between the real
power (in watts) and the
apparent power (in volt-
amperes) for the required
load of an ac circuit?
Inductance and capacitance
TDMM.* Page 9-7
True or False
The formula for Ohm’s law
always applies to
dc circuits.
True. The formula for Ohm’s law
always applies to dc circuits, but
it only applies to ac circuits that
are purely resistive (e.g.,
incandescent lamps, resistive
heating elements).
TDMM.* Page 9-8
What is reactance?
The opposition to the flow of ac
current caused by inductance
and capacitance
TDMM.* Page 9-8
What term is used to describe
the total opposition to ac
current flow?
Impedance
TDMM.* Page 9-8
What is inductive
reactance?
The portion of impedance that
opposes a change in current
flow because of magnetic
field coupling
TDMM.* Page 9-8
What is capacitive
reactance?
The portion of impedance that
opposes a change in voltage
because of electric
field coupling
TDMM.* Page 9-8
What formula is used to
calculate the power for a
purely resistive ac circuit?
P=V x I
TDMM.* Page 9-9
What determines the lag
time in an ac circuit with
inductive reactance?
The amount of inductance
TDMM.* Page 9-9
What is apparent power?
The product of the measured
voltage and measured
amperage
TDMM.* Page 9-70
How is apparent power
expressed?
In volt-amperes (VA)
TDMM.* Page 9-10
Where are measurements
for apparent power
performed?
On the line side of the system
TDMM.* Page 9-10
Where are measurements
for real power performed?
On the load side of the system
TDMM.* Page 9-70
How is real power
expressed?
In watts (W)
TDMM.* Page 9-10
What is used to show the
relationship between watts
and volt-amperes?
Power factor (PF)
TDMM.* Page 9-10
What measurement is
commonly used for typical
loads if the PF is unknown?
0.8
TDMM.* Page 9-71
What type of power is used
to size electrical
distribution equipment?
Apparent power
TDMM.* Page 9-11
What unit of measure is
used to indicate the
amount of power that is
consumed by a circuit at
any given time?
Watts
TDMM.* Page 9-11
How are watt-hours
determined?
By multiplying the number of
watts consumed by the number
of hours that the watts are
being consumed
TDMM.* Page 9-11
What unit of measure is
used for heat?
British thermal unit (Btu)
TDMM.* Page 9-11
What is the efficiency of a
circuit or load?
The amount of input power
required to provide a
predetermined output power,
expressed as a percentage
TDMM.* Page 9-12
What does horsepower (HP)
measure?
Mechanical power
TDMM.* Page 9-72
What factors must be
known in order to calculate
voltage drop?
*R = Resistance per foot of the
conductor (ohms/ft) (amperes)
*l = Current in the conductor
*L = One-way length of circuit
(footage)
*A = Cross-sectional area of
conductor (circular mils)
K = Specific resistance
TDMM. Page 9-12
What is a short circuit?
A faulty or accidental connection
between two points of different
potential in an electric circuit,
bypassing the load and
establishing a path of low
resistance through which an
excessive current can flow
TDMM.* Page 9-73
Why is a short circuit study
performed?
To determine the required
ratings for the power distribution
system equipment
TDMM.* Page 9-13
What is the purpose of the
AWG system?
To provide a standard reference
for comparing various conductor
materials
TDMM.* Page 9-15
What has an AWG system
number represented
historically?
Roughly the number of steps
involved in the process
of wire drawing
TDMM.* Page 9-75
What is the relationship
between the AWG number
and the size of the wire
it represents?
It is an inverse relationship. The
smaller the number, the larger
the wire.
TDMM.* Page 9-75
What is a circular mil?
A unit of area equal to the area
of a circle one mil in diameter
TDMM.* Page 9-15
What formula is used to
convert circular mils to
square mils?
Square mils = Circular mils x 0.7854
TDMM.* Page 9-76
Name 3 characteristics
related to the ampacity
of a conductor.
1 .Conductor size
2.Temperature
3.Means of insulation
TDMM.* Page 9-17
Name 4 forms of distortion
that may be present in the
power created by the utility.
1 .Voltage fluctuations
2.Current fluctuations
3.Frequency variations
4.Noise
TDMM.* Page 9-18
Define surge as it relates to
voltage and current
fluctuation.
Short duration (usually subcycle)
rapid increase in voltage or
current that can often be up to
thousands of volts in amplitude.
The duration is less than a half
cycle (8.3 milliseconds) of the
normal voltage waveform.
TDMM.* Page 9-18, Table 9.3
Define swell as it relates to
voltage and current
fluctuation.
An increase in the nominal
voltage or current lasting from
0.5 cycles to one minute.
TDMM.* Page 9-18, Table 9.3
Define sag as it relates to
voltage and current
fluctuation.
A decrease in nominal voltage
or current lasting 0.5 cycles
up to one minute.
TDMM: Page 9-18, Table 9.3
What is overvoltage?
An increase in the nominal
voltage for more than
3600 cycles (one minute)
TDMM.* Page 9-18, Table 9.3
What is undervoltage?
A decrease in the nominal
voltage for more than
3600 cycles (one minute)
TDMM.* Page 9-18, Table 9.3
What term is used to refer
to a total absence of
voltage on one or more
phase conductors for a
period of time?
Interruption
TDMM.* Page 9-18, Table 9.3
True or False
Frequency variation is a
common occurrence.
False. Frequency variation is not
a common occurrence.
TDMM.* Page 9-19
Name 3 sources of
frequency variation.
1 .lnadequately regulated source
2.Utility company correction
3.Switching
TDMM.* Page 9-19
What are the harmonics of
a sine wave?
Multiples of the basic frequency
(e.g., the third harmonic of a 60
Hz power frequency is 180 Hz)
TDMM.* Page 9-79
What is the maximum
allowable total harmonic
distortion of the voltage
waveform per IEEE 519?
5 percent
TDMM.* Page 9-79
What term is used to
describe unwanted
electrical signals that are
induced onto, or
superimposed upon, the
power line?
Noise
TDMM.* Page 9-19
Name 2 categories of
noise related to
power distribution.
1 .Common-mode noise
2.Differential-mode noise
TDMM.* Page 9-19
What type of noise is
present between phase and
ground or between neutral
and ground, but not
between each line?
Common-mode noise
TDMM.* Page 9-79