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Top Tasks for New Windows 8 Users
Like most new software, Windows 8 comes with a few administrative tasks you should do before using it. If you just upgraded to Windows 8, here's what you need to do, like, pronto:
Get your logon IDs straightened out. There are advantages and disadvantages to using a Microsoft account (formerly known as a Windows Live ID) as your logon ID. The two big advantages: your Outlook.com mail and contacts get pulled into the Windows 8 Mail and People apps; all your settings (including accounts and passwords for Facebook, Twitter and Flickr) travel to other Windows 8 computers when you log on with the same Microsoft account. Big disadvantage: Microsoft knows when you've logged on, and where, and can use your Windows logon ID to keep track of your browsing. Tough choice.
Show filename extensions. Windows hides a key piece of information from you that can help you identify and avoid viruses and discombobulate all sorts of, uh, combobulations. The next time you use Windows, take a few seconds and make it show you "file name extensions" — the little piece at the end of each file's name, usually three characters long (for example, .doc or .exe or .bat), that dictates how Windows treats the file.
Turn off Automatic Updates. Let Windows tell you when updates are available, but don't download or install them until you're good and ready. Now's the time to take de bull by de horns and de-horn de-bull. If you're willing to manage updates and look at them with a critical eye (you can see updates on updates at AskWoody.com), this is the way to go. (If you're setting up a computer for someone who finds basic computer maintenance intimidating, however, Automatic Updates may be the better option.)
If you have two hard drives, or a big USB drive that you aren't using, set up File History. It's Microsoft's answer to Apple's "Time Machine" — an easy way to save copies of all your files, going back to the beginning of time, on a backup disk. It'll save your tail, guaranteed.


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There goes any chance of Hulk Hogan staying off our wrestling and reality programming and retiring with dignity (dignity being a relative word, of course). The Hulkster is going to need more money, because his ex-wife took most of his.
Hogan and his wife of 26 years were divorced two years ago, but some details of their settlement were just revealed in a court filing obtained by the St. Petersburg Times. Linda Bollea gets 70 percent of the couple's savings and investments, 40 percent ownership in Hulk's business ventures, a $3 million "property settlement," and "a Mercedes-Benz, a Cadillac Escalade, a Corvette, a Rolls-Royce and various off-road vehicles."
It's not all bad! Hulk gets to keep all the money he makes from personal appearances, and doesn't have to pay alimony. So he still has a little something to show for his troubles, and your childhood is only 70 percent destroyed. At least we'll always have the Ultimate Warrior...oh.
Ex-wife put Hulk Hogan against ropes in divorce settlement [St. Pete Times]

subset: commoncrawl


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Planners' calls for 'authentic' windows are inconsistent with today's needs, say Sarah Lewis and Marion Baeli
Deep energy-saving domestic retrofits at the rate of about 13,000 a week are necessary to meet the Government's 2050 carbon reduction targets. The Government launched the £17 million Retrofit for the Future (RtF) programme in 2009 to address this challenge. Of all possible energy-saving interventions, installation of new windows has been the one measure most consistently adopted on RtF projects. Existing windows are replaced either with very efficient double glazing (sometimes vacuum-glazed) but most often with triple-glazed units with low-e coatings, which enable net solar gains rather than loss from glazed areas.
Windows are not the cheapest measure in a deep energy retrofit and their financial payback time is longer than many other improvements. However, good windows greatly increase indoor comfort. If occupants are comfortable, they are unlikely to turn the heating thermostat up. So if windows are such an important factor in decarbonising Britain, why do we still have so many single-glazed windows in the UK?
Here are some sums:
The thermal performance of a single-glazed sash windows is typically 4.3-4.8W/m²K, while the performance of a triple-glazed window is 1W/m²K, more than a four-fold improvement. Moreover, triple glazing also removes the unpleasant downdraughts associated with cold surfaces, eliminates mould growth and air-borne dust mite particles with their asthma-inducing consequences, and avoids wood rot and putty failure due to condensation. Triple glazing contributes to significant improvements in the health and comfort of occupants, as well reducing carbon emissions.
Under current planning regimes, 'authenticity' trumps human comfort and energy savings
Under current planning regimes, 'authenticity' often trumps human comfort and energy savings. Replacing windows often leads to lengthy and expensive planning negotiations, which are off-putting to organisations and individuals who wish to upgrade their properties. In different planning authorities and conservation areas, guidance varies as to what is an appropriate solution for the same building stock.
The technology of timber windows is developing rapidly to keep pace with the demands of government energy targets. High-performance timber windows that closely replicate historic sash windows are now available. The thin profiles of these advanced, conservation-standard, double-glazed windows have been carefully designed to match heritage sash windows, including their thin glazing bars. Windows which integrate very thin triple-glazed units are now also available. However, despite being almost identical in appearance to single-glazed windows, these new products are being rejected by many local authorities.
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is a notable exception. It recently deemed triple-glazed windows appropriate in a conservation area on a Passivhaus retrofit project by Paul Davis + Partners. The window looks identical to existing sashes from the exterior. To ensure airtightness, the bottom sash of the triple-glazed unit operates as a casement with an invisible tilt-and-turn mechanism. From the street, the difference is indiscernible.
Retrofit Insights, a recent report published by the Institute for Sustainability, suggests roll-out of exemplary low-energy refurbishments is possible with current technologies if best practice is employed. This is only possible if local authorities support adoption of high-performance products. Planners' requirements for windows to be single-glazed, bedded in putty and hand-painted are inconsistent with 21st century needs.
- Sarah Lewis is a director at Bere Architects
- Marion Baeli is an associate at AJ100 Sustainable Practice of the Year 2012 Paul Davis + Partners and author of a forthcoming book on the Retrofit for the Future programme
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This seat is a copy of the popular Baja SS seat but with a flat mounting surface on the bottom, a different stitch pattern and two harness slots in the back. That means no Baja Adapters are required when mounting to a flat surface or Corbeau brackets. This seat is a direct bolt in to most CJ5s, and all CJ7s and YJs. Please note the stock CJ mounting brackets have a steep angle to them. When bolting the Baja JP seat to the factory brackets it will put the seat in an extreme reclined position. If this is not comfortable for you we recommend using our mounting brackets to level the seats back out. The Baja JP will fit in any other vehicle with Corbeau Custom Brackets. This seat will fit up to a 38 inch waist line.
These are one of the few seats that fit comfortably in a fiberglass body CJ5. The low bolsters make it easy to get in and out of but are high enough that you feel secure. I like the fact that they bolt directly to factory seat brackets so it keeps the expenses down. I also like the fact that I can use harness seat belts in it as well. The are great quality. I have no complaints at all with them.
Over 50 years ago, Corbeau began manufacturing automotive seats and today they supply motorsports, the off-road industry and daily drivers with a host of options when it comes to aftermarket seats. As the sole seat company that complements its seats with made in house, custom brackets for the majority of 4x4s, Corbeau distinguishes itself as an industry pioneer. Corbeau's offerings include Jeep seat covers, seat adaptors, roll bar grab handles and a line of stylish harness belts. Durable seat covers prolong the life of your seats, protect from water and UV rays and owners enjoy easy fitment and can choose from a wide range of styles and colors. Shop Corbeau Now


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$5 individuals/ $15 family pass
General admission:
$10 individuals/ $30 family pass
What a Character!
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 5:00 pm
Chilmark Community Center
Russia / U.S.A. / Belgium / U.K. / Taiwan / Finland / Canada
Sweden / Croatia | 48 min. | Ages 3-10
Characters are the people, animals, and even objects-come-to-life that act out a story. A character can be a real-life person or can be something entirely imaginary, but through the words they speak or the movements they make, they convey emotions and action, and express who they are. This week you'll meet a friendly skeleton, a wayward rat
(and his elegant Baltic herring friend!), and a robot working through
an existential crisis.
Check out this excerpt from one of the films from this week's program!


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Chris Head was trying to conjure up an image that would best define Springfield Lanphier's Andre Iguodala and Richard McBride.
"Batman and Robin," said Head, who had some scary moments watching that Downstate duo launch an amazing comeback before falling to his Westinghouse team in last week's Class AA championship game. "They are two terrific basketball players.
"They complemented one another perfectly. If one was off, the other guy took over. It's hard to stop both of them at the same time. If you double-team either one, the other guy will kill you."
When it comes to action heroes, the 2002 Tribune All-State boys basketball team is a marvelous collection.
You might as well put Sean Dockery in a cape with a big "S" on his chest. The 6-foot-3-inch guard was practically a one-man show for Public League semifinalist Julian, averaging 28 points, seven rebounds, eight assists and six steals. Some of his explosive fourth quarters, when the Duke signee would seemingly score at will, are now a part of Public League basketball lore.
"People don't realize what Sean had to go through this year in carrying our team," said Julian coach Loren Jackson. "He had to run the team as a point guard, be our primary scorer and guard the other team's best player. Really, Sean is at his best when he can handle the ball and set up everyone else. He is so unselfish, and he always looks to make his teammates better.
"For everything that he has done for us this year, if Sean isn't Mr. Basketball, then I don't know who is. There's absolutely no doubt he is the best player in the state."
Farragut's 6-6, 225-pound Elliott Poole was an incredible hulk this season, never succumbing to the physical toll he took from double- and triple-team defenses inside.
Hobbled by lower back spasms and a hip injury in his last two games, Poole responded with a combined 62 points and 31 rebounds in the city semifinal against Julian and the title-game loss to Westinghouse.
"There's no question Elliott is one of the top players in the state and in the country," Dockery said. "He is unstoppable once he gets the ball down low. He deserved to be chosen for the McDonald's All-American Game, and when he didn't get picked, I know it motivated him.
"Elliott wanted to show everyone that McDonald's made a big mistake."
Farragut coach William Nelson was an outspoken critic of Poole's treatment under the hoop.
"I guess because he is so big and strong, the referees let people push and shove and grab him," Nelson said. "We were playing a game in Minneapolis when he was tackled by two guys--and no whistle. I jumped up and down screaming and told those refs this wasn't Big Ten football.
"[Poole] has really learned to control his temper this season. I'm quite sure there were times when he wanted to reach out and break a guy in half. But he never lost his cool. When he got angry, he just played harder."
Poole, who averaged 24 points and 14 rebounds, had his own way of retaliating against the hackers.
"I would focus all my anger at the free-throw line," said Poole, who hit 26-of-29 free throws in the Public League semifinal and championship game. "That was my way of getting back at them, hitting all my free throws. If I started pushing back, it would only get me in foul trouble."
Call Dee Brown the Flash, because the Proviso East point guard was often just a blur, igniting the Pirates' fast break and pressing defenses.
"He is the fastest player I've ever seen dribbling a basketball," said Proviso East coach Troy Jackson. "All that blinding speed, and yet he stays in control for the most part. How do you guard someone like that? If you sag off, he'll hit the three-pointer. Take one step toward him and he's on his way to a layup or an assist."
In a game against Leyden, Brown hit 12 three-pointers in scoring 42 points. The future Illinois point guard, who is expected to replace Frank Williams next season, averaged 28 points, six assists and five steals.
"I just became fast," said Brown, who led Proviso East to the supersectionals, where the Pirates were stunned by New Trier. "When I was in 7th grade, I was blowing past everybody. Back then, I thought everyone else was just slow.
"Now I've learned to use my speed on defense as well. I feel I can guard anyone in the state."
Nobody bothered to guard McBride in the state championship game, not when the Lanphier junior was launching three-pointers 25 feet from the basket. He hit six from beyond the arc and almost single-handedly erased a 19-point Westinghouse lead in the second half. For the season, McBride averaged 18.5 points, seven rebounds and made 72-of-167 three-point attempts.
"He's just a great all-around player," said Westinghouse forward Darius Glover, a second-team All-Stater. "McBride reminds me a lot of Frank Williams the way he doesn't show any emotion but simply takes over a game."
After developing his game over the summer with the Illinois Warriors' AAU program, Iguodala blossomed into a high-impact player, averaging 24 points and eight rebounds. Arkansas signed him to a letter of intent last November, but he sought a release after the Razorbacks bought out coach Nolan Richardson's contract. Iguodala has been granted that request, according to the Arkansas sports information director. He is reportedly leaning toward Arizona.
"He is a complete player who can play all five positions," said Springfield Lanphier coach Craig Patton. "He is so good at getting the ball off the offensive board and creating in transition the way Darius Miles used to at East St. Louis. With those long arms at the head of our press, Andre deflects passes and usually gets three or four breakaway dunks a game.
"Sure, there are a lot of great players in the state, but Andre is the best."
Sean Dockery
, Julian
6-3 senior guard
The numbers:
Game-breaker athlete averaged 28 points, eight assists and six steals and took over games in the fourth quarter.
The buzz:
McDonald's All-American was rated with Dee Brown as the top players in the state. He could replace point guard Jason Williams with the Blue Devils next season.
Elliott Poole
, Farragut
6-6 senior center
The numbers:
Widely acknowledged as the top post player in the state, he averaged 24 points and 14 rebounds despite constant double- and triple-team defenses.
The buzz:
Battling back and hip injuries, he had 62 points and 31 rebounds combined in the Public League semifinal and title game. In those final two games of his career, Poole made 26-of-29 free throws.
Richard McBride
, Springfield Lanphier
6-3 junior guard/forward
The numbers:
Posting up smaller players and dribbling past the taller ones, he was a matchup nightmare, averaging 18.5 points and seven rebounds.
The buzz:
Rates with Proviso East's Shannon Brown as top juniors in the state. Ignited furious second-half rally with six three-pointers in 76-72 Class AA title game loss to Westinghouse.
Dee Brown
, Proviso East
6-0 senior guard
The numbers:
Averaged 28 points, six assists and five steals and was equally dangerous penetrating or shooting the three-pointer.
The buzz:
One of three players selected from Illinois to compete in the prestigious McDonald's All-American Game on April 4. Expected to replace departing point guard Frank Williams with the Illini.
Andre Iguodala
, Springfield Lanphier
6-6 senior forward.
The numbers:
Perhaps the most dominant player in the state, he averaged 24 points and eight rebounds in leading Lanphier to second place in the Class AA tournament.
Arkansas has released him from his letter of intent. Reportedly considering Arizona.
The buzz:
Versatile performer can shoot the three-pointer, handles the ball like a guard and is a ferocious dunker. Could wind up at Kansas.
Player School Yr. Ht. Pos.
Darius Glover Westinghouse sr. 6-4 F
Alando Tucker Lockport sr. 6-5 G/F
Michael Thompson Providence sr. 6-10 C
Shannon Brown Proviso East jr. 6-3 G
Rick Harrigan Brother Rice sr. 6-3 G
Joe Chapman, Bloom; Kellen Easley, Joliet; Robert Faulkner, Peoria Richwoods; Dameon Mason, West Aurora; David Moss, Thornwood; Ben Rand, Rochelle; Brian Randle, Peoria Notre Dame; Matt Shaw, Centralia; Florentino Valencia, Crane.
Latest High School Sports
John Bowler, Notre Dame; Brandon Cole, Rich South; Stanley Gaines, Providence-St. Mel; Rome Sanders, Curie; Aaron Spears, Dunbar; Marcus White, Young.
Shane Garner, Sesser-Valier; Shelby Jordan, Hillcrest; Greg Klos, Glenbard North; Marcetteaus McGee, Farragut; Luke Rogers, Von Steuben.


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Imagine a place with green rugged hills, deep valleys, sparkling blue rivers, apple and cherry orchards, sleepy little towns and villages and friendly and humble people. Travel further up and let this place open up to the ever enchanting snow peaks of the high mountains and deep forests.
Now take this same image and add concrete and cemented building all along the highways, put in hundreds of vehicles on the streets, throw some plastics in the still green rivers, put electric poles randomly over all hills, blast a few hill sides and construct dams across the rivers. Now cover this picture with a haze of dust and fumes and add people who are rude and money minded.
High mountains of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. Photo: © Bipasha Majumder
There! You have the perfect picture of the current condition of the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand or better known as 'Devbhoomi'. I had returned to Uttrakhand after a five years hiatus to find it completely changed. In 2007, while crossing Srinagar from Chopta, I remember thinking that they have rightly termed this state 'Devbhoomi' - a land so beautiful that only Gods could reside here. In Oct 2012, I was dying to get out of Srinagar thinking for an insane moment that perhaps Mumbai is better.
I learnt later that under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna, the state government is planning to connect all villages and as our driver said, "The mountains are being blasted indiscriminately." And add to that almost 600 dams are either being constructed or okayed or proposed to be built across Ganga and its tributaries. While traveling in the state, I saw at least four dams being built within a stretch of 150kms and heard of more being planned or regions tested in the higher altitude.
So where does one draw the line between development and sustainability? Being an eco-fragile Himalayan state and also the place which is the source of India's most important river system, is the state not responsible and answerable to the rest of the country?
Fourteen kilometres away from Joshimath, in the Niti valley are the villages of Lata, Reni and Tolma. These villages are situated in the fringes of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve and have been struggling since the 70s (Chipko Movement) to preserve their beloved forests, right to their land and livelihood and a traditional way of life. Here people still live in traditional huts, do small scale farming and rear sheep. Life is tough due to the harsh climate of the high mountains but for the people here, they know no other life than being under the aegis of their beloved Nanda Devi. Some aspects of development have reached them also like a good tar road, vehicles owned by the community, cellphones, limited electricity, TV and computers. Yet they know that their lives are intricately entwined with their forests, rivers and the mountains.
Standing on top of the ridge between the rivers Dhauli Ganga and Rishi Ganga and looking at the final bastion of untouched and uninhabited wilderness, I wondered for how long can these people hold on before the cancerous growth of 'development' overtook them. Their fight against the construction of another dam on Dhauli Ganga, right in front of their village is already greatly threatened – due to the immense pressure from the government and the infrastructure company and more so by greed which somehow always follows this kind of 'development'.
Ridge overlooking Dhauli Ganga and Lata village. Photo: © Bipasha Majumder
Dhan Singh Rana, a 60 year old dynamic Sarpanch of Lata village (and the leader of the Jhapto Cheeno Movement ) said that he will continue the struggle as long as he can. "We got our homes and this land, the forests and all natural resources from our ancestors. We have to respect that and pass it on as it is, as we got it, to our children."
It's a simple yet very strong understanding of the connectivity of our lives to nature. I wonder whether the people of (ex) Uttaranchal, who fought for a state of their own, really have understood that this is not what they had bargained for.
People told me that the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand is still faring better. But I do not have it in my heart to go there and see the truth for myself. I will let the images of the deep dark forests, wide valleys and meadows and the panorama of the majestic Himalayas stay unchanged in my mind a little while longer.
Bipasha Majumder is a communications officer with a leading NGO. The steady destruction of nature and wildlife, especially in the Himalayas, which she calls her 'home' is an issue very close to her heart.
Follow @greenpeaceindia


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You must evaluate various factors when choosing a transformer so that it meets both the needs of the load and the application. The time you spend in selecting a transformer seems to be in direct proportion to the size of the unit. All too often, small transformers are selected with just a cursory look at the connected loads, and frequently a decision is made to choose one with the next larger kVA rating than the anticipated load. Conversely, large transformers, such as those used in electric utility applications, are closely evaluated because they represent large investments. Most transformers used in commercial and industrial facilities fall in the middle ground, and they usually have ratings between 250kVA and 1000kVA. On larger projects, they can go up to 10MVA. Because these transformers represent the majority, you should evaluate them carefully before choosing a unit for a specific project and/or application. Selection process There are three main parameters in choosing a transformer: * That it has enough capacity to handle the expected loads (as well as a certain amount of overload); * That consideration be given to possibly increasing the capacity to handle potential load growth; and * That the funds allocated for its purchase be based on a certain life expectancy (with consideration to an optimal decision on initial, operational, and installation costs.) Both capacity and cost relate to a number of factors that you should evaluate. These include: * Application of the unit; * Choice of insulation type (liquid-filled or dry type); * Choice of winding material (copper or aluminum); * Possible use of low-loss core material; * Regulation (voltage stability); * Life expectancy; * Any overloading requirements; * Basic insulation level (BIL);
* Temperature considerations; * Losses (both no-load and operating losses); * Any non-linear load demand; * Shielding; and * Accessories. Application of the unit The type of load and the transformer's placement are two key considerations that must be understood. For example, if the unit will be used for heavy welding service, such as in an automotive plant, very rigid construction will be called for because the coils will experience very frequent short-circuit-type loads; thus, good short-term overload capability may be required. You'll find that sizing a transformer for a particular application with regard to the unit's life expectancy requires a good understanding of its insulation characteristics and the winding temperature due to loading. This, in turn, requires a careful analysis of the load profile (covering amplitude, duration, and the extent of linear and non-linear loads). The standard parameters for transformers operating under normal conditions include: * Nominal values of input voltage and frequency; * Approximately sinusoidal input voltage; * Load current with a harmonic factor not exceeding 0.05 p.u.; * Installation at an altitude of less than 1000 m (3300 ft); * No damaging fumes, dust, vapors, etc. in installed environment; * An ambient temperature that does not exceed 30 0 C as a daily average or 40 0 C at any time, and which does not fall below - 20 0 C; and * Overloads within acceptable levels of ANSI/IEEE loading guidelines (dry or liquid). If some of the above conditions can't be met in a particular application, then you should work closely with the manufacturer so that the selected transformer's operating characteristics and/or size will compensate for the particular situation. For example, if the ambient temperature will exceed standard conditions or if the unit will be installed at a high elevation, then an appropriate solution might be to specify a transformer
that's rated higher than what the load requires, in effect under utilizing the unit to compensate for the local conditions. Choice of liquid-filled or dry type Information on the pros and cons of the available types of transformers frequently varies depending upon which manufacturer you're talking to and what literature you're reading. Nevertheless, there are certain performance and application characteristics that are almost universally accepted. Basically, there are two distinct types of transformers: Liquid insulated and cooled (liquid-filled type) and nonliquid insulated, air or air/gas cooled (dry type). Also, there are subcategories of each main type. Liquid-filled. For liquid-filled transformers, the cooling medium can be conventional mineral oil. There are also wet-type transformers using less flammable liquids, such as high fire point hydrocarbons and silicones. Liquid-filled transformers are normally more efficient than dry-types, and they usually have a longer life expectancy. Also, liquid is a more efficient cooling medium in reducing hot spot temperatures in the coils. In addition, liquid-filled units have a better overload capability. There are some drawbacks, however. For example, fire prevention is more important with liquid-type units because of the use of a liquid cooling medium that may catch fire. (Dry-type transformers can catch fire, too.) It's even possible for an improperly protected wet-type transformer to explode. And, depending on the application, liquid-filled transformers may require a containment trough for protection against possible leaks of the fluid. Because of the above reasons, and because of the ratings, indoorinstalled distribution transformers of 600V and below usually are drytypes. Arguably, when choosing transformers, the changeover point between dry-types and wet-types is between 500kVA to about 2.5MVA, with drytypes used for the lower ratings and wet-types for the higher ratings. Important factors when choosing what type to use include where the transformer will be installed, such as inside an office building or outside, servicing an industrial load. Dry-type transformers with ratings exceeding 5MVA are available, but the vast majority of the highercapacity transformers are liquid-filled. For outdoor applications, wet-type transformers are the predominate choice. Dry-type. Dry-type transformers come in enclosures that have louvers or are sealed. Here, subcategories include different methods of insulation
such as conventional varnish, vacuum pressure impregnated (VPI) varnish, epoxy resin, or cast resin insulation systems. Liquid-filled insulation systems The insulation system for liquid-filled distribution transformers is typically composed of enameled wire, cellulose paper impregnated with a dielectric liquid, and the liquid itself. The dielectric grade paper most often used is derived from sulfate (kraft) wood pulp from softwoods. With the introduction of dicydianamid to the paper making process, the standard temperature winding rise is now 65 0 C. The ambient temperature base in the United States is a 30 0 C average over a 24-hr period with a 40 0 C maximum. The present allowable hot spot temperature (the difference between the average winding temperature rise and the hottest spot in the windings) is 15 0 C. Thus, the permitted operating hot spot temperature, based on an average ambient temperature of 30 0 C, is 110 0 C. New synthetic insulating materials are leading to even higher permitted hot spots. These materials include polyester, fiber glass, and more commonly, aramid paper. "Aramid paper" is a term applied generically for wholly aromatic polymide paper. To keep costs reasonable while still achieving gains in acceptable hot spot temperature limits, both aramid and thermally upgraded kraft paper are used together in a hybrid insulation system. As of this writing, new type liquid-filled transformers, called High Temperature Transformers (HTTs) are being built using this technology. The temperature rise of HTTs is an average winding rise of 115 0 C over a 30 0 C average ambient. Factoring in the temperature difference (20 0 C) between the average winding temperature (145 0 C) and the hot spot temperature, the maximum temperature (165 0 C) will be at a level that is higher than the fire point of conventional transformer oil (mineral oil). For this reason, it's recommended that fireresistant fluids be used for HTTs. The process of proper impregnation of the paper with a liquid is a standard manufacturing operation. The core/coil assembly is mounted in the tank, lead assemblies attached, and the filling process begins. A partial vacuum is produced while the secondary leads circulate current to heat the coils and drive out any excess moisture. Later, while still under vacuum, heated degassified and filtered dielectric liquid is introduced. After filling and additional vacuum time, the tank cover is sealed in place. The head space between the liquid surface and the tank cover, which allows for the expansion and contraction due to thermal cycling, can be specified to be dry nitrogen gas in larger units. Environmental concerns
For liquid-filled transformers containing more than 660 gal, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires some type of containment be used to control possible leaks of the liquid. Environmentally unfriendly fluids, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), have been banned or are severely restricted, replaced for the most part by nontoxic, nonbioaccumulating, and nonozone depleting fluids, such as fireresistant silicones and fire-resistant hydrocarbons. These fluids are not covered by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); however, they are covered by the Clean Water Act (CWA). Some transformer liquids (known as nonflammable-type fluids) are covered under both the RCRA and the CWA, and certain requirements may be called for regarding special handling, spill reporting, disposal procedures, and record keeping. These fluids also require provisions for special transformer venting. As such, the above factors can have an effect on installation costs, long-term operating costs, and maintenance procedures. Liquid dielectric selection factors The selection of which liquid dielectric coolant to use is driven primarily by economics and codes. Conventional mineral oil is most often specified as it is very economical and, unless it's subject to unusual service, maintains acceptable performance for decades. As it's possible that a high-energy arc can occur in a transformer, fire safety becomes an important issue. When conventional mineral oil is restricted (usually due to fire code requirements), less-flammable fluids often are used. The most popular are fire-resistant hydrocarbons (also known as high-molecular weight hydrocarbons) and 50 cSt (a viscosity measurement unit) silicone fluids. Other fluids include high fire point polyol esters and polyalpha olefins. In addition to safety considerations, you should also evaluate performance factors for liquid-filled transformers in regard to dielectric strength and heat transfer capabilities of the fluid. The fire resistant hydrocarbon fluids have been widely used in power-class transformations though 60MVA and have over a 500kV BIL. At one time, askarel fluid, a generic term for a group of certain fireresistant electrical insulating liquids, including often used PCBs, represented the standard for fire safety in liquid dielectrics. But, PCBs were banned because of toxicity and environmental concerns. Cost coil insulation systems Dry-type transformers can have their windings insulated various ways. A basic method is to preheat the conductor coils and then, when heated, dip them in varnish at an elevated temperature. The coils are then
baked to cure the varnish. This process is an open-wound method and helps ensure penetration of the varnish. Cooling ducts in the windings provide an efficient and economical way to remove the heat produced by the electrical losses of the transformer by allowing air to flow through the duct openings. This dry-type insulation system operates satisfactorily in most ambient conditions found in commercial buildings and many industrial facilities. When greater mechanical strength of the windings and increased resistance to corona (electrical discharges caused by the field intensity exceeding the dielectric strength of the insulation) is called for, VPI of the varnish forces the insulation (varnish) into the coils by using both vacuum and pressure. Sometimes, for additional protection against the environment (when the ambient air can be somewhat harmful), the end coils are also sealed with an epoxy resin mixture. A cast coil insulation system, another version of the dry-type transformer, is used when additional coil strength and protection are advisable. This type of insulation is used for transformers located in harsh environments such as cement and chemical plants and outdoor installations where moisture, salt spray, corrosive fumes, dust, and metal particles can destroy other types of dry-type transformers. These cast coil units are better able to withstand heavy power surges, such as frequent but brief overloads experienced by transformers serving transit systems and various industrial machinery. Cast coil units also are being used where previously only liquid-filled units were available for harsh environments: They can have the same high levels of BIL while still providing ample protection of the coils and the leads going to the terminals. Unlike open-wound or VPI transformers, cast coil units have their windings completely cast in solid epoxy. The coils are placed into molds and cast, usually under vacuum. The epoxy is a special type that keeps the coils protected from corrosive atmospheres and moisture as well as keeping the coils secure from the high mechanical forces associated with power surges and short circuits. Mineral fillers and glass fibers are added to the pure epoxy to give it greater strength. Flexibilizers are also added to improve its ability to expand and contract with the coil conductors for proper operation of the transformer under various load conditions. Different manufacturers use different epoxy filling material and in different amounts. Important factors that manufacturers must consider when choosing filler material and the proportion to use include: * Temperature rating of the transformer; * Mechanical strength of the coils;
* Dielectric strength of the insulation; * Expansion rate of the conductors under various loadings; and * Resistance to thermal shock of the insulation system. Cast coil transformers consist of separately wound and cast high- and low-voltage coils. During manufacture, the high voltage coil winding wires are placed in a certain pattern using preinsulated wire. The completely wound coil is then placed in a mold designed to form a heavy coating of epoxy around the coil. After vacuum filling of the epoxy, the mold is placed in an oven for a number of hours to allow the epoxy to cure and achieve full hardness and strength. There are two types of low-voltage windings available, both of which provide protection from hostile environments. One type is vacuum cast like the high-voltage winding. The other type uses a "nonvacuum" technique of epoxy application to achieve strength. Sheet insulation, such as Nomex or fiberglass, is impregnated with uncured epoxy, then interleaved on the heavy low-voltage conductors to literally "wind-in" the epoxy. During oven curing of the low-voltage coil, the epoxy flows onto the conductor and cures into a solid cylinder of great strength. These "non-vacuum" coils are then fully sealed by pouring epoxy into the "margins" or ends of the windings. Both procedures provide good protection from hostile environments. Because of the additional materials and procedures associated with manufacturing cast coil transformers, they cost more. However, cast coil transformers are designed to operate with lower losses, require less maintenance than regular types, and effectively operate in environments that may cause early failure with conventional dry-types. Also, cast coil transformers, if operated properly, will normally have a longer life expectancy than other dry-type transformers. Choice of winding material A transformer's coils can be wound with either copper or aluminum conductors. For equivalent electrical and mechanical performance, aluminum-wound transformers usually cost less than copper-wound units. Because copper is a better conductor, a copper-wound transformer can be at times slightly smaller than its aluminum counterpart, for transformers with equivalent electrical ratings, because the copper conductor windings will be smaller. However, most manufacturers supply aluminum and copper transformers in the same enclosure size. Aluminum-wound transformers are by far the majority choice in the United States. With both materials, the winding process and the application of insulation are the same. Connections to the terminals are
welded or brazed. Coils made of copper wires have slightly higher mechanical strength. You should determine the transformer manufacturer's experience in building its products and that the firm has a proven record in using both types of conductors. This is especially true of manufacturers of dry-type units. Use of low-loss core material Choice of metal is critical for transformer cores, and it's important that good quality magnetic steel be used. There are many grades of steel that can be used for a transformer core. Each grade has an effect on efficiency on a per-pound basis. The choice depends on how you evaluate nonload losses and total owning costs. Almost all transformer manufacturers today use steel in their cores that provides low losses due to the effects of magnetic hysteresis and eddy currents. To achieve these objectives, high permeability, cold-rolled, grain-oriented, silicon steel is almost always used. Construction of the core utilizes step lap mitered joints and the laminations are carefully stacked. Amorphous cores A new type of liquid-filled transformer introduced commercially in 1986 uses ultra low-loss cores made from amorphous metal; the core losses are between 60% to 70% lower than those for transformers using silicon steel. To date, these transformers have been designed for distribution operation primarily by electric utilities and use wound-cut cores of amorphous metal. Their ratings range from 10kVA through 2500kVA. The reason utilities purchase them, even though they are more expensive than silicon steel core transformers, is because of their high efficiency. U.S. utilities placed more than 400,000 amorphous steel core transformers in operation through 1995. The use of amorphous core liquid-filled transformers is now being expanded for use in power applications for industrial and commercial installations. This is especially true in other countries such as Japan. Amorphous metal is a new class of material having no crystalline formation. Conventional metals possess crystalline structures in which the atoms form an orderly, repeated, three-dimensional array. Amorphous metals are characterized by a random arrangement of their atoms (because the atomic structure resembles that of glass, the material is sometimes referred to as glassy metal). This atomic structure, along with the difference in the composition and thickness of the metal, accounts for the very low hysteresis and eddy current losses in the new material.
Cost and manufacturing technique are the major obstacles for bringing to the market a broad assortment of amorphous core transformers. The price of these units typically ranges from 15% to 40% higher than that of silicon steel core transformers. To a degree, the price differential is dependent upon which grade of silicon steel the comparison is being made. (The more energy efficient the grade of steel used in the transformer core, the higher the price of the steel.) At present, amorphous cores are not being applied in dry-type transformers. However, there is continuous developmental work being done on amorphous core transformers, and the use of this special metal in dry-type transformers may become a practical reality sometime in the future. If you're considering the use of an amorphous core transformer, you should determine the economic tradeoff; in other words, the price of the unit versus the cost of losses. Losses are especially important when transformers are lightly loaded, such as during the hours from about 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. When lightly loaded, the core loss becomes the largest component of a transformer's total losses. Thus, the cost of electric power at the location where such a transformer is contemplated is a very important factor in carrying out the economic analyses. Different manufacturers have different capabilities for producing amorphous cores, and recently, some have made substantial advances in making these cores for transformers. The technical difficulties of constructing a core using amorphous steel have restricted the size of transformers using this material. The metal is not easily workable, being very hard and difficult to cut, thin and flimsy, and difficult to obtain in large sheets. However, development of these types of transformers continues; you can expect units larger than 2500kVA being made in the future. Protection from harsh conditions For harsh environments, whether indoor or outdoor, it's critical that a transformer's core/coil, leads, and accessories be adequately protected. In the United States, almost all liquid-filled transformers are of sealedtype construction, automatically providing protection for the internal components. External connections can be made with "dead front" connectors that shield the leads. For high corrosive conditions, stainless steel tanks can be employed. Dry-type transformers are available for either indoor or outdoor installation. Cooling ducts in the windings allow heat to be dissipated into the air. Dry-types can operate indoors under almost all ambient conditions found in commercial buildings and light manufacturing facilities.
For outdoor operations, a dry-type transformer's enclosure will usually have louvers for ventilation. But, these transformers can be affected by hostile environments (dirt, moisture, corrosive fumes, conductive dust, etc.) because the windings are exposed to the air. However, a dry-type can be built using a sealed tank to provide protection from harmful environments. These units operate in their own atmosphere of nonflammable dielectric gas. Other approaches to building dry-type transformers for harsh environments include cast coil units, cast resin units, and vacuum pressure encapsulated (VPE) units, sometimes using a silicone varnish. Unless the dry-type units are completely sealed, the core/coil and lead assemblies should be periodically cleaned, even in nonharsh environments, to prevent dust and other contaminant buildup over time. Insulators Dry-type transformers normally use insulators made from fiber glass reinforced polyester molding compounds. These insulators are available up to a rating of 15kV and are intended to be used indoors or within a moisture-proof enclosure. Liquid-filled transformers employ insulators made of porcelain. These are available in voltage ratings exceeding 500kV. Porcelain insulators are track resistant, suitable for outdoor use, and are easy to clean. High-voltage porcelain insulators contain oil impregnated paper insulation, which acts as capacitive voltage dividers to provide uniform voltage gradients. Power factor tests must be performed at specific intervals to verify the condition of these insulators. Regulation The difference between the secondary's no-load voltage and full-load voltage is a measure of the transformer's regulation. This can be determined by using the following equation: Regulation (%) = (100)([V.sub.nl] - [V.sub.fl]) / ([V.sub.fl]), where [V.sub.nl] is the no-load voltage and [V.sub.fl] is the full-load voltage. Poor regulation means that as the load increases, the voltage at the secondary terminals drops substantially. This voltage drop is due to resistance in the windings and leakage reactance between the windings. However, good regulation may offer some other problems. Voltage regulation and efficiency are improved with low impedance but the potential for serious damage also goes up. Sometimes manufacturers, in order to meet demands for good regulation, design transformers with leakage reactance as low as 2%. A transformer so designed is liable to be severely damaged if a short circuit occurs on the
transformer's secondary, especially if the total power on the system is large (a stiff source with low impedance). The mechanical stresses in a transformer vary approximately as the square of the current. Stresses in a transformer resulting from a short circuit could be approximately six times as great in a transformer having 2% impedance as they would be in one having 5% impedance (where reactance is the major component of the impedance voltage drop). Of course, a good circuit protection scheme can address this problem. Short circuit integrity is readily available if you wish to include in your transformer specifications that it follow the ANSI/IEEE Guide for Short Circuit Testing; C57.12.90-1993 for wet units and C57.12.91-1995 for dry units. Voltage taps Even with good regulation, the secondary voltage of a transformer can change if the incoming voltage changes. Transformers, when connected to a utility system, are dependent upon utility voltage; when utility operations change or new loads are connected to their lines, the incoming voltage to your facility may decrease, or even perhaps increase. To compensate for such voltage changes, transformers are often built with load tap changers (LTCs), or sometimes, no-load tap changers (NLTCs). (LTCs operate with the load connected, whereas NLTCs must have the load disconnected.) These devices consist of taps or leads connected to either the primary or secondary coils at different locations to supply a constant voltage from the secondary coils to the load under varying conditions. Tap changers connected to the primary coils change the connections from the incoming line to various leads going to the coils. When tap changers are connected to the secondary coils, the changing of connections is made from the coils to the output conductors. Tap changers can be operated by either manual switching or by automatic means. Transformers with tap changers usually have a tap position indicator to allow you to know what taps are being used. Life expectancy There's a common presumption that the useful life of a transformer is the useful life of the insulating system, and that the life of the insulation is related to the temperature being experienced. You should recognize that the temperature of the windings vary; there are so-called hot-spots usually at an accepted maximum 30 0 C above average coil winding temperature for dry-type transformers. The hot-spot temperature is the
sum of the maximum ambient temperature, the average winding temperature rise (where the winding refers to the conductor), and the winding gradient temperature (the gradient being the differential between the average winding temperature rise and the highest temperature of the winding). The nameplate kVA rating of a transformer represents the amount of kVA loading that will result in the rated temperature rise when the unit is operated under normal service conditions. When operating under these conditions (including the accepted hot-spot temperature with the correct class of insulation materials), you should achieve a "normal" life expectancy for the transformer. Information on dry-type transformer loading from ANSI/IEEE C57.961989 indicates that you can have a 20-yr life expectancy for the insulation system in a transformer. However, due to degradation of the insulation, a transformer might fail before an elapse of 20 yrs. For drytype transformers having a 220 0 C insulating system and a winding hotspot temperature of 220 0 C, and with no unusual operating conditions present, the 20-yr life expectancy is a reasonable time frame. (The 220 0 C represents a transformer used in a location with a 40 0 C [104 0 F] maximum ambient temperature, an average 150 0 C rise in the conductor windings, and a 30 0 C gradient temperature.) Most 150 0 C rise dry-type transformers are built with 220 0 C insulation systems. Operating such a transformer at rated kVA on a continuous basis with a 30 0 C average ambient should equate to a "normal" useful life. (Note: 40 0 C maximum ambient in any 24-hr period with 30 0 C as the 24-hr average is considered a standard ambient.) When based solely on thermal factors, the life of a transformer increases appreciably if the operating temperature is lower than the maximum temperature rating of the insulation. However, you should recognize that the life expectancy of transformers operating at varying temperatures is not accurately known. Fluctuating load conditions and changes in ambient temperature make it difficult, if not impossible, to arrive at such definitive information. Overloading For effective operation of an electrical system, transformers are sometimes overloaded to meet operating conditions. As such, it's important that you have an understanding with the transformer manufacturer as to what overloading the unit can withstand without causing problems. The main problem is heat dissipation. If a transformer is overloaded by a certain factor, say 20% beyond kVA rating for a certain period of time, depending upon that period of time, it's probable that any heat
developed in the coils will be transferred easily to the outside of the transformer tank. Therefore, there's a reasonable chance that the overloading will not cause a problem. However, when longer time periods are involved, heat will start to build up internally within the transformer, possibly causing serious problems. An effective way of removing this heat is to use built-in fans; this way, the load capability can be increased without increasing the kVA rating of the transformer. Dry-type transformers typically have a fan-cooled rating that is 1.33 times the self-cooled rating. Some transformer designs can provide ratings of 1.4 to 1.5 times self-cooled units. If you have such requirements, you should prepare a carefully written specification. Liquid-filled transformers, because of their double heat-transfer requirement (core/coil-to-liquid and liquid-to-air), have a lower forced air rating. Usually, the increased rating is 1.15 times the self-cooled rating for small units and 1.25 times self-cooled rating for larger "small power transformers." When above 10MVA, the ratio may be as high as 1.67 to 1. You should recognize two distinct factors when forced cooling is used. First, the concept is used to obtain a higher transformer capacity; but when doing so, losses are increased substantially. A dry-type transformer operating at 133% of its self-cooled rating will have conductor losses of nearly 1.8 times the losses at the self-cooled rating. And, there will be some losses in the form of power to operate the fan motors. The normal no-load losses remain constant regardless of the load. The other liability is that when additional equipment is used, such as fans, the chance of something malfunctioning increases. Table 1, on page 50, lists the loading capability for liquid-filled, 65 0 C rise transformers, based on normal loss of life. This information is from Table 5 in ANSI/IEEE C57.91-1981, Guide for Loading Mineral Oil Immersed Power Transformers Rated 500kVA and Less. Table 2, on page 50, lists the loading capability for 200 0 C dry-type insulation system transformers, based on normal loss of life. This information is from Table 6 in ANSI/IEEE C57.96-1989, Guide for Loading Dry-Type Transformers. Insulation level The insulation level of a transformer is based on its basic impulse level (BIL). The BIL can vary for a given system voltage, depending upon the amount of exposure to system overvoltages a transformer might be expected to encounter over its life cycle. ANSI/IEEE Standards C57.12.00-1993 and C57.12.01-1989 indicate the BILs that may be
specified for a given system voltage. You should base your selection on prior knowledge with similar systems, or on a system study such as performed by a qualified engineering firms or by selecting the highest BIL available for the system's voltage. If the electrical system in question includes solid-state controls, you should approach the selection of BIL very carefully. These controls, which when operating chop the current, may cause voltage transients. Liquid-filled temperature considerations Liquid-type transformers use insulation based on a cellulose/fluid system. The fluid serves as both an insulating and cooling medium. Forms are used (which are rectangular or cylindrical shaped) when constructing the windings and spacers are used between layers of the windings. The spacing is necessary to allow the fluid to flow and cool the windings and the core. For cooling, fluid flows in the transformer through ducts and around the coil ends within a sealed tank that encompasses the core and coils. Removal of the heat in the fluid takes place in external tubes, usually elliptical in design, welded to the outside tank walls. When transformer ratings begin to exceed 5MVA, additional heattransfer is required. Here, radiators are used; they consist of headers extending from the transformer tank on the bottom and top, with rows of tubes connected between the two headers. The transformer fluid, acting as a cooling medium, transfers the heat picked up from the core and coils and dissipates it to the air via the tubes. The paper insulation used today in liquid-filled transformers is thermally upgraded, allowing a 65 0 C average winding temperature rise as standard. Until the '60s, 55 0 C rise was the standard. Sometimes, transformer specifications are written for a 55 0/65 0 C rise. This provides an increase in the operating capacity by 12% since the kVA specified is based on the old 55 0 C rise basis but the paper supplied is thermally upgraded kraft type. For both wet- and dry-type units, a key factor in transformer design is the amount of temperature rise that the insulation can withstand. Lower temperature rise ratings of transformers can be achieved in two ways: By increasing the conductor size of the winding (which reduces the resistance and therefore the heating) or by derating a larger, higher temperature rise transformer. Be careful when using the latter method; since the percent impedance of a transformer is based on the higher rating, the let-through fault current and startup inrush current will be proportionately higher than the rating at which it is being applied. Consequently, downstream equipment may need to have a higher
withstand and interrupting rating, and the primary breaker may need to have a higher trip setting in order to hold in on startup. The lower temperature rise transformers are physically larger and, therefore, will require more floor space. On the plus side, a lower temperature rise transformer will have a longer life expectancy. The latest energy codes recommend selecting transformers to optimize the combination of no-load, part-load, and full-load losses without compromising the operational and reliability requirements of the electrical system.
Dry-type temperature considerations Dry-type transformers are available in three general classes of insulation. The main features of insulation are to provide dielectric strength and to be able to withstand certain thermal limits. Insulation classes are 2200 C (Class H), 1850 C (Class F), and 1500 C (Class B). Temperature rise ratings are based on full-load rise over ambient (usually 400 C above ambient) and are 1500 C (available only with Class H insulation), 1150 C (available with Class H and Class F insulation) and 800 C (available with Class H, F, and B insulation). A 300 C winding hot spot allowance is provided for each class. The lower temperature rise transformers are more efficient, particularly at loadings of 50% and higher. Full load losses for 1150 C transformers are about 30% less than those of 1500 C transformers. And 800 C transformers have losses that are about 15% less than 1150 C transformers and 40% less than 1500 C transformers. Full load losses for 1500 C transformers range from about 4% to 5% for 30 kVA and smaller to 2% for 500 kVA and larger. When operated continuously at 65% or more of full load, the 1150 C transformer will pay for itself over the 1500 C transformer in 2 yrs or less (1 year if operated at 90% of full load). The 800 C transformer requires operation at 75% or more of full load for a 2-yr payback, and at 100% load to payback in 1 yr over the 1500 C transformer. If operated continuously at 80% or more of full load, the 800 C transformer will have a payback over the 1150 C transformer in 2 yrs or less (1.25 years at 100% loading). You should note that at loadings below 50% of full load, there is essentially no payback for either the 1150 C or the 800 C transformer over the 1500 C transformer. Also, at loadings below 40%, the lower temperature rise transformers become less efficient than the 1500 C transformers. Thus, not only is there no payback, but also the annual operating cost is higher.
Losses Because the cost of owning a transformer involves both fixed and operating costs, and because the cost of electric power is constantly on the rise, the cost of energy lost over a period of time due to a transformer's losses can substantially exceed the purchase price of a unit. As such, it's important that you evaluate transformer no-load and load losses carefully. No-load losses consist of hysteresis and eddy currents in the core, copper loss due to no-load current in the primary winding, and dielectric loss. The core losses are the most important. Load losses include FR loss in the windings, FR losses due to current supplying the losses, eddy current loss in the conductors due to leakage in the field, and stray losses in the transformer's structural steel. Specifying higher efficiency requires larger conductors for the coils to reduce FR losses. This means added cost, but the payback may be significant. k-factor Some transformers (liquid- and dry-type) are now being offered with what is called a k-factor rating. This is a measure of the transformer's ability to withstand the heating effects of nonsinusoidal harmonic currents produced by much of today's electronic equipment and certain electrical equipment. Because of the problems created by harmonics, ANSI/IEEE, in the late 1980s, formulated the C57.110-1986 standard, Recommended Practice for Establishing Transformer Capability When Supplying Nonsinusoidal Load Currents. It applies to transformers up to 50MVA maximum nameplate rating when these units are subject to nonsinusoidal load currents having a harmonic factor exceeding 0.05 per-unit (pu), the percent value of the base unit. (Harmonic factor is defined as the ratio of the effective value of all the harmonics to the effective value of the fundamental 60-Hz frequency.) In December, 1990, UL announced listings for dry-type general purpose and power transformers affected by nonsinusoidal currents in accordance to the above ANSI/IEEE C57.110-1986. The "listing investigation" is directed to submitting transformers for testing to certain factors relating to rms current at certain harmonic orders in a specified way that correlates with heating losses. The factors involved in the tests are collectively called the k-factor. Transformers meeting k-factor requirements also address the need for providing for high neutral currents. Because the neutral current may be considerably greater than the phase current, the neutral terminal of the transformer is sometimes doubled in size for additional customer neutral
cables. It's important that you recognize the impact caused by harmonic currents. Oversized primary conductors are used to compensate for circulating harmonic currents. The secondary is also given special consideration. As the frequency increases to 180 Hz (as in the case with the 3rd harmonic), and greater, the skin effect (where current begins to travel more on the circumference of the conductor) becomes more pronounced. To compensate for this, the windings are composed of several smaller sizes of conductor, with the circumference of the total conductors being greater. The transformer design also incorporates a reduction in core flux to compensate for harmonic voltage distortion. For help in determining what k-factor to use when you specify a transformer while designing an electrical system for a facility, identify what harmonic producing equipment is going into the system. Then, obtain information on the harmonic spectrum and the associated amplitudes produce by the offending apparatus from the manufacturer of the equipment. Cautionary note: Be careful when using k-rated transformers having abnormally low impedance, particularly those units with ratings of k-20 and higher. Such low impedance transformers can actually increase harmonics neutral current problems and even cause some loads to malfunction or cause damage to equipment! Use of abnormally low impedance transformers will act to significantly increase the neutral current and, therefore, negate some of the benefits of doubling the neutral conductors. It's important that isolation transformers be used for high harmonic loads having normal (3% to 6%) impedance. Some highly knowledgeably engineers believe that it's wrong to specify transformers with ratings k-20 and higher for commercial office loads. If the harmonics are of such high magnitude and it's believed a transformer with a rating of k-20 or higher should be used, then careful attention should be given to make sure that the impedance of the unit be at least 3%. Shielding Depending upon the loads being served, the ability of a transformer to attenuate electrical noise and transients would be a helpful attribute. While what is commonly referred to as "dirty power" possibly can't be stopped at the source causing the noise, corrective measures can be taken, including the application of a shield between the primary and secondary of a transformer. This type of construction is usually considered when a distribution transformer is serving solid-state devices such as computers and peripheral equipment.
There are two types of noise and voltage transients: common mode noise and transients and normal or transverse mode noise and transients. Common mode power aberrations are disturbances between the primary lines and the ground (phase-to-ground); transverse mode power aberrations are line-to-line disturbances. It is important to recognize this difference because an electrostatic shield will not reduce transverse disturbances. However, transverse disturbances are slightly reduced by a transformer's impedance, and this is true whether or not a transformer has a shield. To substantially reduce transverse mode power aberrations, surge suppressors are used to handle the transients, and filters are used to handle the noise. Some literature show voltage sine curves with disturbances imposed on the curve as well as clean voltage sine curves, and information is included to the effect that an electrostatic shield is responsible for reducing or eliminating the disturbances. This is incorrect because the voltage sine curve portrays line-to-line characteristics, and shielding has no effect upon such disturbances. An electrostatic shield is a grounded metal barrier between the primary and secondary that filters common mode noise, thus delivering cleaner power and reducing the spikes caused by common mode voltage transients. The shield takes most of the energy from the voltage spike and delivers it to the ground. A number of authorities agree that transformers built to deliver a 60 decibel (dB) (a 1000-to-1 ratio) reduction in common mode disturbances (noise and voltage transients) will help solve or prevent such power aberrations from causing problems. Some transformers are built with the ability to provide a 100 dB (100,000-to-1 ratio) attenuation, and even larger ratios. If poor power quality may be a problem on a system where you plan to install a transformer, get information on the unit's attenuation ratio and verify that the power problem stems from common mode disturbances. An example of the effect of attenuation would be a lightning strike that induces a 1000V spike on a power line connected to the primary of a transformer. A shield would take most of this energy to ground, and if the attenuation is 60 dB (1000-to-1 ratio), an approximate a IV "bump" will be passed to the secondary and onto the feeder or branch circuit. A number of loads can take a "bump" of this magnitude without damage. If there's a branch circuit and another shielded transformer ahead of a load, the "bump" will be further reduced by the second transformer. This type of reduction is caused by an effect called transformer cascading. Placing transformers near the load Locating a transformer indoors, on the rooftop, or adjacent to a building in order to minimize the distance between the unit and the principal load
results in reducing energy loss and voltage reduction. It also reduces the cost of secondary cable. On the other hand, such placements of high-voltage equipment require closer consideration of electrical and fire safety issues. These conflicting goals can be satisfied by using transformers permitted by Code and insurance companies. When liquid-filled transformers are preferred, less-flammable liquids are widely recognized for indoor and close building proximity installations. Wet-type transformers using less-flammable, or high fire point liquids, have been recognized by the NEC since 1978 for indoor installation without the need for vault protection unless the voltage exceeds 35kV. Based on this type of transformer's excellent fire safety record, Code and insurance restrictions have become minimal. Conventional mineral oil units are allowed indoors, but only if they are installed in a special 3hr-rated vault (with a few exceptions) per the construction requirements of NEC Article 450, Part C. There's a requirement for liquid containment when wet-type transformers are used, regardless of the type fluid employed. When dry-type units are preferred, they have fewer code restrictions. Obviously, these types of transformers do not need liquid containment. Per the requirements listed in NEC Sec. 450-21, there are minimum clearances that you must observe, and units over 112.5kVA require installation in a transformer room of fire-resistant construction, unless they are covered by one of two listed exceptions. As with liquid units, dry transformers exceeding 35kV must also be located in a 3-hr-rated vault. A liquid-filled transformer may experience leakage around gaskets and fittings; however, if the installation was carried out correctly, this should not be a problem. Major maintenance procedures may require inspection of internal components, meaning that the coolant will have to be drained. Coils in liquid-type units are much easier to repair than coils in dry-type transformers. Cast coils are not repairable; they must be replaced. Accessories Accessories are usually an added cost, and sometimes they are installed while the transformer is being bulk. Therefore, you should have some knowledge of accessories and incorporate in the transformer specification those accessories that, when installed, would be beneficial to the transformer's performance. Some of the accessories available include the following: * Stainless steel tank and cabinet for extra corrosion protection (liquidfilled only);
* Special paint/finishes for corrosive atmospheres and ultraviolet light (liquid-filled only); * Weather shields for outdoor units, protective provisions for humid environments, and rodent guards (dry-type only); * Temperature monitors. There are a number of options available from simple thermometers to more extensive single- or 3-phase temperature monitoring as well as options for contacts to initiate alarms and/or trip circuits as well as starting cooling fans; * Space heaters to prevent condensation during prolonged shutdown (usually with thermostats); * Optional location of openings for primary and secondary leads; * Special bushings for connecting primary to right-angle feeders; * Loadbreak switches installed in transformer cabinet or a closely coupled cabinet; * Tap changing control apparatus (usually a nonload device that can change the output voltage by about 5%); * Internal circuit protection devices to open primary line when there-are short circuits and severe overloads; * Equipment such as liquid level gauges, drain valves, radiator guards, sampling devices, and pressure relief valves (for liquid-filled transformers only); * Internal lightning arresters; * Internal surge arresters for protection against line or switching surges; * Provisions for current and potential transformers and metering; * Future fan provision for such installation at a later date; * Key interlocks or padlocks to coordinate opening of enclosure panels with operation of HV switch; * Provisions for ground fault detection; * Installation of small control power transformers in cabinet to operate various 120/240V accessories for medium-voltage transformers; and * Seismic bracing for units installed at locations subject to earthquakes.


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Jamie Foxx: "If it had been my daughter... Polanski would be missing"
By Melissa Hunter
Jamie Foxx stars in the new dramatic film "Law Abiding Citizen" opposite Gerard Butler, so it was only natural that he's the go-to guy for advice on Hollywood's legal matters.
Parade sat down with Jamie for their latest issue and the mag asked his opinions on Roman Polanski. He strayed from many of the entertainment industry's Polanski sympathizers saying, "If it had been my daughter who was barely a teenager -- my daughter is 15 -- Roman Polanski would be missing. Period. It wouldn't even get to the court case."
And while his PR reps bang their heads repeatedly against a wall, lets moves on to a lighter note, like his R&B career.
He explains that he has trouble keeping up with what the kids listen to these days. Apparently there's this thing called auto-tune that's all the rage. He says, "If you want to be on the radio you got to stay young. My daughter always goes, 'Dad you sound old. You sound 50. Why don't you have a machine on your voice? They're not going to like that. You gotta sound young.' Then when she heard me sing 'Blame It,' she went, 'That's it. That's real music.'"
You know you've got a real hit when your teenage daughter thinks your music is cool. He explains his passion for the genre, saying, "When you sing R&B songs in front of an audience, you look out and there's 85 percent women. I think R&B music is sort of designed for a man singing to a woman. I don't sing it like the sexy thing, but sort of pseudo-sexy. We rally the women together because it's about being independent and things like that."
While I don't totally understand what point he's driving at with that quote, the fact that he used the phrase "sort of pseudo-sexy" make him all right in my book.
But with all great fame, comes great responsibility. Kinda sorta. He explains the great dangers of success. Those dangers lie in the dark shadows (and blogs) of the Interwebs. Foxx says, "If you're somewhat successful, you can keep on doing your thing. But don't get caught out there looking goofy. It's weird. When you do something that stinks, it's going to last forever on the Internet. There's always someone in the audience with a camera phone and if you're not 100 percent, you're going to be watching yourself on YouTube."
One should also be careful when emailing *ahem* intimate pictures of oneself on the Internet when one happens to be a major movie star. Though turns out Foxx isn't too embarrassed about the nude photo that leaked of him last month. In fact, one might say he's proud of his, um, physique. NSFW? NBD.
So there you have it -- all you ever wanted to know about Jamie Foxx's thoughts on sexual predators, nude photos and R&B.
More on Parade:
Photos: Memorable Performances From Actors Playing Musicians
See photos of the Hottest Couples in Music
Jamie Foxx: 'I Was Scared of Losing My Mind'
More on Wonderwall:
"In Living Color" and the other '90s reunions we want to see
See hot Jamie Foxx and more stars at the BET Awards
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- 18 hours ago See all the photos from the red carpet!


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The win evened the Bisons Atlantic Sun Conference record at 2-2-0 and 6-6-0 overall. North Florida dropped to 1-7-0, 0-3-0 in the conference.
"We tried to give it away, but we will take the win," Bisons' coach Charles Morrow said. "We missed a lot of opportunities in the second half. I have to credit North Florida for hanging in there and making a game of it."
The Bisons jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first half.
"To score first was huge and to get things going early was good," Morrow said. "As the game wore on our sense of urgency left us.
Garrett McLaughlin scored the first goal at 17:37 with a header off of a corner kick that went into the back right corner of the goal. Nick Bibb was credited with the assist.
Miguel DaSilva made it 2-0 with a one-on-one move at 32:13. Angel Chairez assisted on the play.
Tyler Burkhardt followed with a goal at 42:57. He received a pass from the left side by Juan Pacheco and scored from in front of the box.
"When we play like we are capable of and when we play our system you see balanced scoring like this with different people getting opportunities," Morrow said.
Enrique Haeussler broke the shutout 1:12 left to play in the first half on a free kick from just outside the box.
Calvin Lowe closed the Bisons' gap at 75:18 of the second half as he scored on a cross from the left side.
The Bisons next game is Thursday. Oct. 14, at Belmont.
"It is a short week and it is always an emotional game when we play Belmont," Morrow said. "To get a couple of conference wins under our belt is huge. I know Belmont feels the same way because they also won two games."
Despite the success of winning against Jacksonville and North Florida, Morrow stresses his team still has a lot of work to do.
"We certainly don't feel like we have arrived," Morrow said. "We are happy with getting six points out of the weekend but we are not satisfied with our performances.
"We know we can do better as a team. Neither game should have been close. I think the guys are hungry to continue to improve. "
Written by Mark McGee, Senior Publisher/Director of Media Relations.


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text: ASR has provided project planning and implementation, oversight, enumerator and surveyor training, data tabulation and analysis, as well as a comprehensive report of the findings. ASR uses methodology commended and recommended by the federal Department of Housing and Urban development. This methodology uses homeless workers and volunteers to canvass every area of the county and follow up with a face-to-face survey eliciting the details of the enumerated population. The results of the census and survey produce a point-in-time count and annual estimation of homelessness in Monterey County, and provide the county with information about its homeless population. This data has helped the county and local homeless service providers better understand the needs of their community, evaluate their current system of services, and apply for federal and local funding.


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How Microsoft Reached 92% Employee Satisfaction with WeWork
300 desks in New York City
Microsoft's New York City-based sales team worked out of the company's headquarters in the Times Square area. Microsoft wanted to find the most efficient solution for the hundreds of staffers fanning out over the entire region.
Giving 300 employees — about 70 percent of the sales team — access to all WeWork locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.
"When we looked at the opportunity of WeWork spaces, it was unusual since we already have a building near Times Square," says General Manager Matt Donovan. "We started to think of the benefit to our teams, which is what drives us as a company."
When Microsoft gave 300 members of its sales staff access to WeWork in 2016, the company wanted to accomplish three things:
- Cut down on commute times to and from work and time spent traveling between meetings.
- Enable employees to engage with a creative, collaborative community.
- Measure the impact on performance, productivity, and employee satisfaction.
Donovan says that "creating a positive environment" for the sales team was important to Microsoft. And to make sure that they were doing so, they surveyed the team.
The result? About 84 percent of those surveyed believe access to WeWork makes them more productive during their workday, and 74 percent say membership makes it more convenient for them to have access to their customers. Well over 90 percent were satisfied with locations they visited.
"There is a lot of early evidence, and it's only been a few months, to suggest this is a very positive experience"
Donovan says that "the retention of great people" is something that Microsoft has always prioritized.
"We want to grow our people, and give them a chance to work on problems that have impact and change the world," he says. "I think solutions like this are another way to keep our best people."


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Jodie Foster has been pretty honest about her sexual orientation, and most people have known for a while that she is a lesbian. However, only recently has she gone the extra mile and actually acknowledged her lover in public. I wonder why the sudden change? After twenty years of keeping themselves pretty private, what could […]
Entries Tagged 'Jodie Foster' ↓
Jodie Foster Finally Acknowledges Her Lesbian Lover
December 12th, 2007 — Cydney Bernard, Jodie Foster


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Mike999907 necesitaba un nuevo diseño de impreso o envases y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 22 diseños de 8 diseñadores freelance.
An Indie Software Co who provides detailed feedback for all entries.
We have a Weather application for the A m a z o n K i n d l e called "Weather" and we need a cover that will show prominently in the A m a z o n website store. Though nominally 800x800 and brightly colored, the same cover has to work as small as 120x120 in 16 greyscale. Its a challenge, but we know the fantastic designers here at 99designs can do it!
The winning design will instantly convey that this is a weather app with a bold catchy design and the word "Weather" in large text across it It must be playful and hip and modern and grab the eye amidst the many competing covers that will be displayed on the same screen. It must work similarly well in greyscale (the exact same image as only one can be submitted to the publisher) when viewed on the "E-Ink" screen of the device.
Anyone in USA with a K i n d l e. These people are typically heavy readers and thus quite literate. It needs to feel polished and not amateurish.
The Weather program is simple and practical. It offers current temperature, conditions (sunny, cloudy, rain/snow), wind speed and direction, as well as predictions for the next four days. It does not have options like maps, radar maps or pictures, so the artwork should not suggest this.
The project is to design a square 800x800 jpeg image that will be the electronic "cover" that appears in various places in the A m a z o n store, but most notably here:http://amzn.to/hthutY and on the device itself. You should look at those designs for some overall guidance.
The product is a utility called "Weather". It shows the current weather at any place in the USA of the user's choosing (by city name or zipcode) and a four day forecast. The art should capture the instant recognition that many people will have for this type of application. Elements such as common weather symbols, sun, clouds, or equipment such as wind socks or weather vane, might be used to indicate this.
The art often lacks accompanying text, so the word "Weather" should appear very prominently in the artwork.
The final art should be at 800x800 resolution jpeg in full color. BUT, this final piece is used in many sizes after mechanical conversion. These include: 140x140 color (most common size), 100x100 color, 300x300 color (the largest size actually displayed) and in 16 level greyscale at 160x160 and 85x85. We will be evaluating the design for readability and recognition at those sizes and without color.
As well as jpgs, we do need the original program files (e.g. photoshop), but we do not need them setup for printing to paper as detailed in the default Print Guidelines for this contest.


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The epic Marvel Movie rumor saga continues today, but instead of new speculation on Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, or even James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy, we're jumping ahead all the way to The Avengers 2, for new discussion about a Marvel superhero who has long been rumored to be a prime candidate for the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Ms. Marvel.
Who Is Ms. Marvel?
If you're not all that familiar with the character, in the comics Ms. Marvel (a.k.a. Major Carol Danvers) started as an Air Force officer unknowingly working with alien superhero Captain Marvel. Later, as the result of an explosion involving alien technology, Danvers was gifted with powers including super strength, flight and enhanced agility and stamina. During the character's evolution through the '80s and '90s, she was also endowed with the cosmic powers of energy absorption and energy projection in the form of "photonic blasts." After fading into obscurity for a time, Ms. Marvel returned as a mainstream character in her own comic book series, and became a major character in the new incarnation of The Avengers in the 2000s.
The Daily Mail reports that Looper star Emily Blunt and Ruth Wilson, star of BBC's hit series Luther, are both being eyed by Marvel for the role of Carol Danvers/Ms. Marvel in The Avengers 2. Of course, since it is a British tabloid site proclaiming this, we've taken a hearty dose of salt along with the rumor - but it's not necessarily one we can (or even want to) automatically shoot down, for several reasons.
Marvel Cosmic
If you haven't been reading up on "Phase 2" of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), you might not be aware of where things are headed next. Aside from the expanding the world of superheroes on Earth (in films like Iron Man 3 or Captain America 2), the MCU is going to blast off into the cosmic realms of space - in films like Thor 2 and Guardians of the Galaxy - ostensibly setting the stage for Avengers post-credits villain Thanos to become a major antagonist.
Ms. Marvel is one of the main "cosmic powered" heroes in the Marvel Universe, so it makes a lot of sense for the character to appear in the Phase 2 story arc - even if her origin comes as a sort of epilogue to Avengers 2, and helps kick off "Phase 3" of the MCU. Given the growing evidence that Thor 2 will see Odin's vault being breached - spewing iconic sources of cosmic power out into the MCU - an origin story for Ms. Marvel (revised from the Kree/Skrull alien origin in the comics) is certainly a possibility.
New Roster
On the business side of things, Avengers 2 will see at least Robert Downey Jr. coming to the end of his contractual obligations with Marvel (not to mention possible end to his patience with fanboy mania) - and after The Avengers 3, contracts for the rest of the principal cast start to run out as well. This would presumably open the door for new characters (and subsequently new actors) to take the reigns of the MCU thereafter.
We already speculate that Captain America: The Winter Soldier will kick-off a storyline in which Winter Soldier - a.k.a Bucky (Sebastian Stan) from The First Avenger - eventually takes over the mantle of Captain America from Steve Rogers (Chris Evans); in the mid-2000s comics, Ms. Marvel climbed into the limelight alongside Bucky's Captain America, so a similar transition in the MCU is not at all out of the question.
Star Power
While I personally think Ruth Wilson would be a smart pick for the role of Ms. Marvel (her work on Luther was pretty impressive), we know that Marvel has been trying to work with Emily Blunt for some time; in fact, she was originally up to play Black Widow before scheduling conflicts killed the deal and Scarlett Johansson walked away with the role. Blunt told us personally that she still wants to work with Marvel, so this Ms. Marvel rumor about her isn't so out-of-left-field. Given her increased fame, Blunt would also be the type of recognizable (but still affordable) name that Marvel wants to have on a marquee; though, a lot of fans have always held out hope that she will be handed the role of The Wasp. We'll see.
Previous rumors have stated actresses like Chuck star Yvonne Strahovski being up for the role of Ms. Marvel, but we're perfectly happy with the two young ladies (Wilson, Blunt) who are said to be in the running at this point. How about you? Do you have a favorite between the two, or were you hoping for somebody different?
Iron Man 3 releases May 3, 2013, Thor: The Dark World on November 8, 2013, Captain America: The Winter Soldier on April 4, 2014, Guardians of the Galaxy on August 1, 2014 and The Avengers 2 on May 1, 2015.
Source: The Daily Mail
Ms. Marvel Header Image Art courtesy of JPRart; All other Comic Book Artwork is property of Marvel Comics.


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Beacon Hill's long-running showdown over how to fund the state's transportation system reached a new level on Tuesday, as top lawmakers condemned Governor Deval Patrick's new plan before he had even finished presenting it.
In rejecting the transportation financing measure the Legislature sent him, Patrick countered with a proposal to further increase the gas tax in 2017 if Massachusetts Turnpike tolls expire as scheduled. The governor questioned the wisdom of the Legislature's decision to incorporate revenue from the Western Pike's tolls after they are due to be removed, and said any financing package for the state's ailing infrastructure would be incomplete without a guaranteed source of replacement revenue.
"I have said I would accept the Legislature's $800 million a year as a big step forward, so long as that number is real. This bill does not achieve that," Patrick said.
That proposal drew swift rebukes from Senate President Therese Murray and House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, who charged the governor with trying to change the terms of the transportation plan at the eleventh hour.
The version of the proposal approved last week by the Legislature sets a three-cents-a-gallon increase in the gas tax that goes into effect when the bill becomes law. Beginning in 2015, the gas tax then increases with inflation. Patrick's plan would increase the tax by at least an additional three cents to help close the $135 million deficit he said would be left if the tolls disappear.
The state budget approved by the Legislature on Monday relies in part on revenue contained in the transportation bill, without which the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority may impose service cuts and fare hikes.
Even as Patrick was briefing reporters on his amendment to the Legislature's transportation finance bill, Murray and DeLeo rejected his proposal.
The bill now returns to the Legislature for a vote, which lawmakers said could occur as early as next week. Patrick's amendment would receive an up-or-down vote and require a majority to pass.
If the House and Senate reject the amendment and return the bill to the governor, Patrick would be presented with the option of signing it, vetoing, or allowing the measure to become law without his signature. If Patrick vetoes the bill, both chambers would require two-thirds majorities to override his veto.
DeLeo sounded a note of confidence that he could summon the necessary votes to muscle lawmakers' wishes over a Patrick veto, which the governor has stopped short of threatening formally. The measure agreed to by the House and Senate received a veto-proof majority.
In a statement, the two legislative leaders called Patrick's amendment "too high a burden on the taxpayers of our state."
"This threatens working families and businesses still fighting to overcome the financial downturn. Therefore, we will ask our respective chambers to reject the administration's proposal," they said in a joint statement.
Legislators also contested the notion that the tolls would definitely be removed, saying such a dramatic change in the state's transportation funding structure is tied to two processes whose outcomes are currently unknowable. And, they pointed out, Patrick's original transportation financing legislation never addressed changing existing law to affect the tolls' fate.
Lawmakers on Tuesday said the acrimony between Patrick and legislative leaders, particularly DeLeo, over the transportation debate, had again crested.
"I strongly disagree with the governor's assessment," DeLeo told reporters. "I will not be supporting the amendment, nor will I ask any member to support that amendment."
Patrick's return volley, after the Legislature sent him a modified bill last week, needles lawmakers somewhat for taking a politically risky step of voting for $500 million in new taxes without ensuring that it would fully close the deficit.
There is little argument on Beacon Hill that the state is afflicted with a serious transportation financing gap. Patrick said the system needs another $1.2 billion annually, and he called the infrastructure needs outside Greater Boston particularly acute.
Patrick shrugged off the tough talk from legislative leaders, and hinted at a public campaign to rally support.
"People say a lot of things in this building and, you know, we get to where we need to get to. I'm not going to worry about that," Patrick said during a press conference in his office. "We're going to file the amendment. We have already begun to talk to members about it. And I'm going to trust that the speaker and Senate president will bring it to the floor and give it a fair chance."
"This is just about making sure the bill gets to the actual number that we all wanted to get to," a senior administration official said Tuesday.
House minority leader Bradley H. Jones Jr., a North Reading Republican, said in a statement, "While the speaker and senate president finally agree with Republicans that the governor's most recent plan to raise taxes even higher is a recipe for disaster, it was their respective Democratically-controlled legislative bodies that recently signed off on raising taxes on the Commonwealth's residents by well over $500 million."
House Transportation Committee chairman William Straus, a Mattapoisett Democrat, called Patrick's tolls amendment "bad policy and not even necessary."
By state law, Straus said, the tolls could come down only if two conditions were met: The revenue bonds attached to the Western Turnpike must be paid off, and the state's transportation chief must certify that the roads are in a state of good repair.
"I don't ever recall a time when the Turnpike was not in some need of repair," said Straus. "For the governor to say, in 2013, we know to a legal certainty what the condition of the roads will be in 2017, and that the then-secretary will say they don't need repair, is a little extended."
A Treasury spokesman said the bonds are scheduled to be paid off in 2017.
Jim O'Sullivan can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @josreports. Joshua Miller can be reached firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @jm_bos.