Guides: electrical

Electrical engineering guides cover fundamental concepts, calculations, and best practices for industrial electrical systems. These guides are essential for electrical engineers, facility managers, and technicians working with power distribution, motor control, and electrical safety.

About This Topic

Electrical engineering guides cover fundamental concepts, calculations, and best practices for industrial electrical systems. These guides are essential for electrical engineers, facility managers, and technicians working with power distribution, motor control, and electrical safety.

Recommended Learning Path

  1. Start with understanding basic electrical concepts (voltage, current, power)
  2. Learn how to calculate electrical loads and size protective devices
  3. Explore power system design and distribution principles
  4. Understand code requirements and compliance standards
  5. Apply troubleshooting techniques for common electrical problems

Related Calculators

Use these professional calculators to apply the concepts covered in the electrical guides:

3-Phase Power Calculator

Calculate three-phase current, kW, and kVA for industrial electrical systems.

Use Tool

Factory Load Calculator

Determine total electrical load, current, and breaker ratings for industrial facilities.

Use Tool

Transformer Size Calculator

Calculate recommended transformer kVA rating based on load and power factor.

Use Tool

PF & kW/kVA Converter

Convert between real power (kW) and apparent power (kVA) using power factor.

Use Tool

All Articles

Browse all 42 guides covering electrical topics:

How to Calculate Factory Load: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Calculate your factory's electrical load accurately. Follow our step-by-step method with formulas and examples to size equipment correctly.

Read Full Article

Transformer Sizing Guide: Complete Walkthrough

Size transformers correctly for your industrial load. Our guide includes formulas, safety margins, and examples to choose the right kVA rating.

Read Full Article

Power Factor Guide: Complete Reference

Master power factor calculations and measurements. Learn why utilities charge penalties and how to improve power factor in your facility.

Read Full Article

3-Phase Power Explained: Complete Guide

Understand how 3-phase power works and when to use it. Learn to calculate current, voltage, and power for your industrial applications.

Read Full Article

Motor Starting Current and Protection: Complete Guide for Industrial Applications

Learn how motor starting current affects circuit breaker sizing and motor protection. Comprehensive guide with formulas and NEC requirements.

Read Full Article

How to Size Motor Starters: Complete Guide for Industrial Applications

Learn how to properly size motor starters for industrial motors. Comprehensive guide with NEC requirements, starter types, sizing calculations, and real-world case studies for reliable motor control.

Read Full Article

Electrical Panel Design: Complete Guide for Industrial Applications

Design electrical panels for industrial facilities. Learn NEC requirements, component selection, and layout principles with real-world case studies.

Read Full Article

Electrical Troubleshooting Guide: Systematic Approach for Industrial Systems

Learn systematic electrical troubleshooting methods for industrial equipment. Step-by-step guide with diagnostic techniques and solutions for motors and panels.

Read Full Article

Electrical Distribution System Design: Complete Guide for Industrial Facilities

Learn how to design electrical distribution systems for industrial facilities. Comprehensive guide with system configurations, component selection, protection coordination, and real-world design examples.

Read Full Article

Voltage Drop Calculation: Complete Guide for Industrial Applications

Calculate voltage drop in electrical circuits accurately. Learn formulas, NEC requirements, and practical examples for proper conductor sizing.

Read Full Article

Preventive Maintenance for Electrical Systems: Complete Guide for Industrial Facilities

Implement effective preventive maintenance for industrial electrical systems. Learn maintenance schedules, procedures, and best practices for reliable operation.

Read Full Article

NEC Code Requirements for Industrial Facilities: Complete Compliance Guide

Learn essential NEC code requirements for industrial electrical installations. Comprehensive guide with code references and compliance requirements.

Read Full Article

Motor Single Phasing: Diagnosis and Fast Mitigation

Learn how to detect single phasing in industrial motors, identify root causes, and apply protective measures to prevent winding damage and downtime.

Read Full Article

Power Factor Correction: Best Practices

Improve power factor in your industrial plant. Learn practical strategies to reduce utility penalties and size correction capacitors safely.

Read Full Article

3-Phase Power Calculation Examples

Calculate 3-phase power using real-world examples. Includes clear formulas, step-by-step calculations, and industrial applications.

Read Full Article

Factory Load Calculation Examples: Real-World Scenarios and Solutions

Learn factory load calculation through practical examples. Step-by-step solutions for manufacturing plants and warehouses with real-world scenarios.

Read Full Article

kW vs kVA: Understanding the Difference and When to Use Each

Understand the difference between kW and kVA. Learn conversion formulas, power factor explained, and when to use each measurement in industrial applications.

Read Full Article

Power Factor Optimization for Factories: Complete Implementation Guide

Optimize power factor in industrial facilities to reduce utility costs. Step-by-step guide with measurement, correction strategies, and ROI calculations.

Read Full Article

Transformer Sizing: Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Avoid costly transformer sizing errors. Learn common mistakes in transformer selection, including load calculation errors and safety margin problems.

Read Full Article

3-Phase Power Calculation: Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Avoid costly errors in 3-phase power calculations. Learn common mistakes including formula errors, voltage confusion, and power factor issues.

Read Full Article

Factory Load Calculation for Industrial Facilities: Practical Implementation Guide

Complete guide to factory load calculation for industrial facilities. Learn how to assess electrical loads, apply diversity factors, and size equipment for manufacturing plants, warehouses, and processing facilities.

Read Full Article

Power Factor Calculation Examples: Real-World Scenarios and Solutions

Master power factor calculations with practical examples. Step-by-step solutions for measuring power factor and calculating correction requirements.

Read Full Article

Transformer Sizing for Industrial Facilities: Complete Selection Guide

Size transformers correctly for industrial facilities. Complete guide covering load assessment, kVA calculation, and safety margins for manufacturing plants.

Read Full Article

Common Factory Load Calculation Mistakes Engineers Make

Avoid costly errors in factory load calculations. Learn the most common mistakes engineers make, why they happen, and how to fix them with real-world examples.

Read Full Article

Factory Load vs Transformer Size: How They Relate

Understand the relationship between factory load and transformer sizing. Learn how to size transformers correctly based on load calculations and power factor.

Read Full Article

How Factory Load Affects Energy Cost: Understanding the Impact

Understand how factory electrical load impacts energy costs. Learn about demand charges, power factor penalties, and load management strategies.

Read Full Article

Factory Load Planning for Future Expansion: A Practical Guide

Plan factory electrical systems for future growth. Learn how to calculate expansion capacity and size equipment with growth in mind.

Read Full Article

How to Reduce Factory Load Without Changing Equipment

Reduce factory electrical load and energy costs without buying new equipment. Learn load management strategies, scheduling optimization, and operational changes that cut demand and costs.

Read Full Article

Connected Load vs Demand Load: What's the Difference?

Understand the critical difference between connected load and demand load in factory electrical systems. Learn how to calculate each, why it matters for equipment sizing, and avoid costly design mistakes.

Read Full Article

Diversity Factor in Factory Load: How to Apply It Correctly

Learn how diversity factors work in factory load calculations. Understand typical values and how to determine them for accurate electrical system sizing.

Read Full Article

Safety Margin in Factory Load: How Much Is Enough?

Learn how to determine the right safety margin for factory load calculations. Understand when to use 15%, 20%, or 25% margin and avoid costly mistakes in equipment sizing.

Read Full Article

Typical Power Factor Values for Industrial Equipment

Comprehensive guide to power factor values for industrial equipment. Learn typical PF ranges for motors, lighting, HVAC, and more to improve your factory load calculations.

Read Full Article

Why Your Breaker Trips Even When Load Calculation Looks Correct

Troubleshoot breaker trips in factory electrical systems. Learn the hidden causes beyond load calculation errors, including harmonics, voltage drops, and coordination issues.

Read Full Article

How to Calculate Power Factor: Step-by-Step

Calculate power factor using three methods: kW/kVA ratio, voltage/current measurements, and power meters. Step-by-step instructions with practical examples.

Read Full Article

How to Measure Power Factor in 3-Phase Systems: Complete Guide

Measure power factor accurately in 3-phase systems. Step-by-step instructions using power analyzers, clamp meters, and voltmeters with troubleshooting tips.

Read Full Article

Power Factor Penalty Explained: Utility Cost Formulas, Examples & Savings (2026)

Learn how power factor penalties are calculated, see real utility cost examples, and estimate how much your facility can save by improving power factor.

Read Full Article

Capacitor Bank Sizing for Power Factor Correction

Learn how to calculate capacitor bank size for power factor correction in single-phase and three-phase systems. Step-by-step formulas, selection criteria, installation strategies, and real-world examples for industrial facilities.

Read Full Article

Harmonics in Power Factor Correction

Understand how harmonics cause capacitor resonance in PFC systems, when to use detuned vs standard banks, and how to avoid equipment damage. THD thresholds, formulas, and selection criteria for engineers.

Read Full Article

Unbalanced Load in 3-Phase Systems

Learn how to calculate unbalance percentage, neutral current, and correct phase imbalances in 3-phase systems. Formulas, examples, and troubleshooting for electrical engineers.

Read Full Article

On-Load vs Off-Load Tap Changer

Learn when to choose on-load (OLTC) vs off-load (OCTC) tap changers for 3-phase systems. Decision criteria, cost-benefit analysis, and selection guide for electrical engineers.

Read Full Article

Transformer Voltage Regulation Explained

Understand transformer voltage regulation: definition, formula, impedance (Z%), and how it affects 3-phase secondary voltage. Distinguish regulation from conductor voltage drop.

Read Full Article

Common Transformer Tap Changer Faults

Learn to identify, diagnose, and prevent common tap changer faults in 3-phase transformers. Symptoms, causes, and maintenance for OLTC and OCTC.

Read Full Article

← Back to All Guides