Standards briefs

Agreement reached on circuit breakers

After many years of work, the Council for Harmonization of Electrotechnical Standards of the Nations of the Americas has released the trinational standard Molded-Case Circuit Breakers, Molded-Case Switches and Circuit-Breaker Enclosures.

The standard includes requirements for all three NAFTA countries. The document's U.S. designation is UL 489, 10th Edition. In Canada, it is CSA C22.2 No. 5. In Spanish for use in Mexico, the designation will be NMX-J-266-ANCE-2002.

Transformer efficiency test system developed

In collaboration with NEMA and the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Institute of Standards and Technology has developed a power loss measurement system to evaluate transformer efficiency accurately enough to demonstrate compliance with proposed Department of Energy requirements.

Using portable, readily available equipment, the system specifications will be made available to manufacturers for in-plant use. As with motors under the 1992 Energy Policy Act, previously existing test methods are not accurate enough to deal with small differences in efficiency.

Hydraulic Institute guidelines pumped up

The Hydraulic Institute has released the 2002 edition of its ANSI/HI Pump Standards. Several new standards have been added, including ANSI/HI 11.6-2002, The American National Standards for Submersible Pump Tests.

The standard applies to testing of centrifugal fully-submersible pumps driven by induction motors, in either wet- or dry-pit environments. Motor integrity and vibration testing are included. Copies are available in CD-ROM or hard-copy format from the Hydraulic Institute at 9 Sylvan Way, Parsippany, N.J. 07054; (973) 267-9700.

ISO adopts rolling bearing standard

The International Organization of Standardization has published ISO 492:2002, Rolling Bearings-Radial Bearings-- Tolerances.

Copies are available for $60 from Global Engineering Documents, 15 Inverness Way East, Englewood, Colo. 80112-- 5704; (800) 854-7179.

NEMA reissues, revises motor standards

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association has published "Condensed MG1-2002," Information Guide for General Purpose Industrial AC Small and Medium Squirrel-Cage Induction Motors.

A condensation of the larger MG1-1998 with revisions including the premium efficiency standards, the guide is available for $68 from Global Engineering Documents, 15 Inverness Way East, Englewod, Colo. 80112-5704; (800) 854-7179, or can be viewed online at www.nema.org.

For holders of NEMA MGl, Motors & Generators, available from the same source at $74 are the changes involved in Revision 3 of that document.

NFPA looking for revision proposals

The National Fire Protection Association is seeking proposals for revisions to Standard NFPA 110, Emergency and Standby Power Systems, and 111, Stored Electrical Energy Emergency and Standby Power Systems, by June 27, 2003. Proposals must be submitted to the NFPA Codes and Standards Administration on proposal forms available in the back of all NFPA documents or from NFPA headquarters, where copies of new document drafts can also be obtained, at 1 Batterymarch Park, P. 0. Box 9101, Quincy, Mass. 02269-9101; (800) 344-- 3555.

Industrial control standard is released

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association has issued ICS 19-2002, Industrial Controls and Systems: Diagrams, Device Designations, and Symbols. Its content was formerly Clause 9 of the overall ICS 1 standard.

The standard provides a common approach for creating control diagrams and other written documents. Copies are available for $57 from Global Engineering Documents, 15 Inverness Way East, Englewood, Colo. 80112-5704; (800) 854-7179.

Final action is taken on American National standard

The American National Standards Institute has announced adoption of ANSI/ IEEE C37.48.1-2003, Guide for the Operation, Classification, Application, and Coordination of Current-Limiting Fuses with Rated Voltages 1-38 kV

ANSI solicits comment on revision proposals

The American National Standards Institute seeks public comment by Nov. 18, 2002, on the following proposed new or revised standards:

* BSR/UL 60974-1-200x: Arc Welding Equipment, Part 1: Welding Power Sources. Created by the International Electrotechnical Commission, this standard covers arc welding power supplies for industrial and professional use. For pricing and delivery options contact comm2000, 1414 Brook Dr., Downers Grove, Ill. 60515; (888) 853-3503. Send comments to Mitchell Gold at UL, 333 Pfingsten Rd., Northbrook, Ill. 60062-2096.

* BSR/IEEE 45-2002: Recommended Practice for Electrical Installations on Shipboard. Order from IEEE Customer Service at (800) 678-4333. Send comments to David Ringle at IEEE, 445 Hoes Lane, PO. Box 1331, Piscataway, N.J. 08855-1331.

* BSR/IEEE 1584-2002: Guide for Performing Arc Flash Hazard Calculations. Order from IEEE Customer Service at (800) 678-4333. IEEE member price $476, nonmember $595. Send comments to David Ringle at IEEE at the above address.