TECHNICAL ENGLISH WORKSHEET: READING SKILL

NAME: ____SILVA ASPIAZU JANETH KATHERINE____ DATE: ________

INSTRUCTIONS: Read the text

CIRCUIT PROTECTION

There are many forms of electrical protection available that are designed to protect the distribution
system when a fault occurs. Protection relays are used to monitor overcurrent, over/under voltage,
over/under frequency, earth leakage, unbalanced loading, over temperature, reverse power (for
generators), etc. The HV power system shown in Figure 2.25 lists typical protective relay functions.
Main idea: The forms of electrical protection available for the distribution system, such as the protection
relays.

As most protection relays monitor current and/or voltage, we will limit our examination to overcurrent
and under voltage protection, together with an appreciation of protective discrimination. (Reverse power
protection is included with generator protection in Chapter 3.)
Main idea: Most protection relays limit examination to overcurrent and under voltage protection.

No matter how well designed and operated, there is always the possibility of faults developing on
electrical equipment. Faults can develop due to natural wear and tear, incorrect operation, accidental
damage or neglect.
Main idea: Possibilities of faults development on electrical equipment due to several reasons.

The breakdown of essential equipment may endanger the ship, but probably the most serious hazard is
tire. Overcurrent (12R resistive heating effect) in cables and equipment will cause overheating and
possibly tire.
Main idea: Breakdown of essential equipment endanger the ship.

The size of conductor used in cables and equipment is such that, with rated full load current flowing, the
heat developed does not raise the temperature beyond about 80ºC (ie 35ºC rise above an ambient of
45ºC).
Main idea: The temperature of the conductors of the equipment must not raise beyond 80°C.

A copper conductor can withstand very high temperatures (melts at 1083ºC). but its insulation (generally
organic materials such as cotton or plastic compounds} cannot withstand temperatures much in excess
of 1OOºC. At higher temperatures, the insulation suffers irreversible chemical changes, loses its
insulation properties, and becomes burnt out. Short-circuit and overload currents must, therefore, be
detected and rapidly cleared before damage occurs. (See Section 1.5.)
Main idea: Cooper conductors can withstand very high temperatures but can’t exceed 100°C.

The protection scheme consists of circuit breakers, fuses, contactors, overcurrent and under voltage
relays. A circuit breaker, fuse or contact interrupts the fault current. An overcurrent relay detects the fault
current and initiates the trip action.
Main idea: The components of the protection scheme function in faults.

The circuit breaker or fuse must be capable of safely and rapidly interrupting a short-circuit current. They
must be mechanically strong enough to withstand the thermal and magnetic forces produced by the fault
current. The size (strength) of the circuit breaker or fuse is specified by its breaking capacity, which is the
maximum fault current it can safely interrupt.
Main idea: The circuit breaker capacity of interrupting in short-circuit current.

INSTRUCTIONS: Identify and write the main idea of each paragraph.

The main idea is the central, or most important, idea in a paragraph or passage. It states the purpose
and sets the direction of the paragraph or passage.
• The main idea may be stated or it may be implied.

• When the main idea of a paragraph is stated, it is most often found in the first sentence of the
paragraph. However, the main idea may be found in any sentence of the paragraph.

• The main idea may be stated in the first sentence of a paragraph and then be repeated or restated at
the end of the paragraph.

• The main idea may be split. The first sentence of a paragraph may present a point of view, while the
last sentence presents a contrasting or opposite view.

• To find the main idea of any paragraph or passage, ask these questions:

1. Who or what is the paragraph about?

2. What aspect or idea about the ‘who’ or ‘what’ is the author concerned with?