March 2004 

Below are listed featured articles from the March 2004 issue, Vol. 57, no. 3 © 2004 Barks Publications, Inc. ... see also March 2004 departments and columns and Previous issues.

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• Spicing up productivity    Canadian seasoning manufacturer Encore Gourmet forms its own repair division.  Our in-plant service feature provides a first-hand report on how the leading Canadian spice manufacturer in Montreal, Quebec, has built its own electrical repair shop to meet the plant’s special demands.   By Megan Satrom, EA Special Correspondent

• Crusher duty: What's it all about?   It may describe machinery, motors, or activities in many industries. Motors and controls manufacturers are now offering equipment specifically identified as “crusher-,” “aggregate-” or “quarry-duty” for use in mines, quarries or concrete recycling plants. This article provides a valuable guide to understanding and servicing the special characteristics of these motors and controls, which must work with machinery that is subject to extreme operating conditions, including: continuous, severe-impact loads (both lateral and torsional); internal friction demanding high accelerating torque (some crushers cannot be started at all, if fully loaded); extremely dusty conditions; occasional jamming of material, which tends to stall the driving motor; and weak electrical supply (long rural lines, or temporary circuits).   Read an online summary (trilingual summary appears in the magazine) By Richard L. Nailen, RE., EA Engineering Editor

• What are 'power limited' circuits? What we should know about electrical faults. This feature provides an important review on how good design practice and adherence to the provisions of the National Electrical Code can prevent disasters caused by arcing and other severe electrical faults. Specific focus is given to adequate conductor sizing, insulation, spacing and support that can resist the mechanical and thermal stresses imposed by a high-energy fault, and to how suitable overcurrent protective devices can limit the dangers from excess and uncontrolled energy.  By Richard L. Nailen, RE., EA Engineering Editor
• Lubrication: important for circuit breakers, too.  Reducing friction is equally necessary for non-rotating apparatus.  By Richard L. Nailen, RE., EA Engineering Editor

• Facing up to eye protection.    There's more to protecting your vision than meets the eye.  By Richard B. Elsberry, EA Contributing Editor

• Choosing the right human/machine interface.  The ease with which we work with machines has a huge bearing on productivity.  By David P. Tryling, EA Electronics Editor

• Business insurance is good business.  Prepare for the unexpected.  By William H. Wiersema, CPA, EA Contributing Editor

See also March 2004's Departments, columns