1 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Communications Specialist Course Communications Specialist Course Skill 2 Unit 3: AC Power, Distribution,

National Urban Search & Rescue Response System

Communications Specialist Course

Skill 2 Unit 3:

AC Power, Distribution, and Generators

Now you see him…

Now you don’t!

Unit Objective

Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to give a general description of AC power systems and how to safely utilize them in the US&R mission.

Enabling Objectives

Describe both utility supplied and local generator supplied AC power sources

Describe the need for, and use of, electrical safety and equipment protection devices

Utility Supplied Power Considerations Availability?

Reliability?

Capacity?

Practicality?

Availability

Do you have permission to use the power?

Are outlets available in the correct area?

Reliability

Is the utility power affected (or might it be), by the incident or other outside factors?

Is the local infrastructure intact?

Are there hazardous conditions which may require the power to be shut off?

Are receptacles wired correctly?

Reliability: Are they wired correctly?

Conventional GFCI

Reliability: What’s hot and what’s not?

Neutral Hot

Capacity

Check the breakers. Are there sufficient circuits available, at the correct voltage, to provide the necessary power?

Can additional circuits be wired in temporarily?

Is someone available who is qualified to perform the addition of circuits?

Practicality

How many extension cords will it take and are there enough of the correct sizes, to handle the required power?

How long are we here for?

What are the alternatives?

Load analysis

Most equipment, currently available, has a label with its voltage and current requirements. By adding up the current requirements of each device, the total load can be calculated.

Load analysis… Calculate the load.

1. 4 computer power supplies: 100-240 volts at 1.5 amps each

2. 6 radio chargers: 115 volts at 1 amp each

3. 10 cell phone chargers: 100-240 volts at 120 ma each

4. 1 fax machine: 120 volts at 2.5 amps

Load Calculation

Computers 4 x 1.5 A = 6.0 A

Radio chargers 6 x 1.0 A = 6.0 A

Cell phones 10 x .120 A = 1.2 A

Fax machine 2.5 A

________

Total 15.7 A

Spikes, Surges, Sags, and Brownouts Can be from the utility lines

Can be generated locally

Do not mix sensitive equipment with motorized, rock breaking equipment.

The on and off cycle of the heavy motorized equipment will cause voltage drops and spikes, during start-up and shut down.

Spikes, Surges, Sags, and Brownouts (continued)

Spikes and surges are brief over-voltage conditions which can damage sensitive equipment.

Sags and brownouts are a low voltage conditions which can damage sensitive equipment.

AC Power Disturbances

Spikes, Surges, Sags, and Brownouts (continued)

Surge Suppressors, or Line Conditioners, can protect equipment from damaging high voltages.

Surge suppressors, by design, can be destroyed by a significant surge or spike.

A correctly wired grounded outlet is required for a surge suppressor, to work correctly.

Spikes, Surges, Sags and Brownouts (continued)

A UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply), or a Line Conditioner, will correct for voltage drops or losses.

A correctly wired receptacle is required for proper operation, prior to a UPS sustaining the load.

Surge Suppressors – How they work

Extension Cords

Extension Cords (continued)

Allow operation of equipment in remote/isolated locations.

Isolate the operational area from generator noise.

Needed to distribute power to multiple locations.

Rated for their current carrying capacity

Manufacturer’s recommendations

- 100 foot 16 gauge 10 Amps

Extension Cords – Other Considerations What is the condition of the cord?

Is cord getting hot?

Is it a trip hazard?

Protect the cord from damage.

Secure the cord from pulling out of the outlet.

Secure all connections.

Label the end of the cord at the power source, with what it’s supplying, as well as the total load.

Label the appliance end of the cord and identify the what the power source is.

On multiple outlet boxes, cover unused receptacles with tape, as a warning to consider the total capacity, before adding more load.

Make sure to have all the adapters, surge suppressors, and other supplies you need to support your operation, before leaving the cache.

GFCIs (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters) can prevent shocks and may be required by OSHA.

GFCIs CANNOT prevent all shocks.

Ground Fault Interrupter Circuit

Generators

Large central generator sets may be in place at an incident.

Generators (continued)

Use caution when using lighting-generator units.

These may be shut down during daylight hours, along with your load.

Task Force Generators

Calculate the load. Do not overload them.

Know the specifications of your generators and have the manuals available. Multiple receptacles may share the same maximum load.

Know your generator’s runtime and schedule equipment checks and refueling accordingly.

Make sure you have a reliable fuel supply available.

Honda EM7000is 6500 watt max

5500 watt rated

4.5 gal fuel tank 4.7 hrs @ rated load

14.0 hrs @ 1/4 load

200 lbs dry

Clean power from inverter technology

Honda EM7000is (continued) i-Monitor

Hour meter

Wattage

Diagnostics

OHSA approved GFCI & Neutral bonded to ground

Voltage selector switch

Power Distribution Kit is included

Honda EU1000i 1000 watt max

900 watt rated

0.6 gal fuel tank

3.8 hrs@ rated load

8.3 hrs @ ¼ load

29 lbs dry

Clean Power form Inverter Technology

Honda EU2000i 2000 watt max

1600 watt rated

1.1 gal fuel tank 4 hrs @ rated load

15 hrs @ ¼ load

46.3 lbs dry

Clean Power form Inverter Technology

Generators

Other Considerations

Exhaust fumes

Refueling

Maintenance

Security

Review

Utility Power… Is it available, reliable, capable, and practical.

Calculate the load, by checking the equipment labels, then do the math.

Protect equipment from damage from the power supply.

Protect people with a GFCI device.

Do not overload extension cords. Know their rating(s), secure them, and label them

Review (continued)

GeneratorsDo not overload

Calculate runtime

Schedule periodic checks

Order fuel

Consider hazards and safety

Honda Generator Models & Capacities

EU1000i

EU2000i

EB5000X

EM7000is

900 w 1000 w 120

1600 w 2000 w 120

4500 w 5000 w 120 / 240

5500 w 6500 w 120 / 240

Rated Max VoltsModel

Honda Generator Models & Capacities

EU1000i

EU2000i

EB5000X

EM7000is

7.5 A 120

13.4 A 120

37.5 / 18.8 120 / 240

45.8 / 22.9 120 / 240

Rated VoltsModel

EU1000i

EU2000i

EB5000X

EM7000is

Unit Evaluation

Please fill out the evaluation form for this unit.

Now you see him…

Now you don’t!

1 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Communications Specialist Course Communications Specialist Course Skill 2 Unit 3: AC Power, Distribution,

utility power

required power

neutral hot slide

conventional gfci slide

necessary power

ac power sources

sensitive equipment

computer power supplies

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