Engineering Insights

Deep dives into standards, design philosophies, and practical troubleshooting for the modern engineer. No fluff, just physics and code.

Electrical Safety

Arc Flash Risk Assessment: Beyond the IEEE 1584 Formula

Calculating incident energy is mandatory. Learn why 1.2 cal/cm² is the magic number and how "Working Distance" changes everything.

18 min read
Power Distribution

Voltage Drop vs. Ampacity: Why Cables Fail in Long Runs

A 200m cable run sized only for ampacity is a ticking time bomb. We analyze motor starting torque and the economics of Aluminum feeders.

16 min read
Motors & Drives

Motor Starting: DOL vs. Soft Starter vs. VFD

Starting a large motor can crash your site voltage. Compare the physics of inrush current and torque across different starting methods.

14 min read
Grounding (Earthing)

Grounding Grid Design: Step & Touch Potential Explained

Low resistance (<1Ω) isn't enough. If the Step Potential is too high, a person walking nearby can be electrocuted during a fault.

17 min read
Power Quality

Harmonic Distortion: The Silent Killer of Capacitors

Why do transformers overheat? We explain THD, Resonance, and how to size a detuned reactor to save your capacitor bank.

15 min read
Standards

Beyond Compliance: Practical Guide to IEC 60364

Understanding Automatic Disconnection of Supply (ADS) and the real difference between TN and TT earthing systems.

20 min read
Pump Systems

Pump Sizing: NPSH Available vs. Required

The #1 reason pumps fail is lack of suction pressure. Learn how to calculate NPSHa and prevent cavitation damage.

15 min read
HVAC Design

HVAC Duct Design: Equal Friction vs. Static Regain

Undersized ducts whistle; oversized ducts waste money. A guide to balancing air velocity (FPM) and friction loss.

17 min read
Thermal Design

Heat Exchanger Fouling: Designing for Real World

It works on Day 1, but what about Day 365? Understanding Fouling Factors and LMTD to ensure long-term performance.

16 min read
Vessel Design

ASME Vessel Design: MAWP & Joint Efficiency

Navigating Section VIII Div 1. Why Radiography (X-Ray) allows you to build thinner, cheaper, yet safer vessels.

18 min read
Fluid Dynamics

Piping Head Loss: The Hidden Energy Thief

Your pump is big enough, but flow is low? The Darcy-Weisbach equation explains how elbows and valves steal energy.

15 min read
Equipment Selection

The Art of Centrifugal Pump Selection

Pump selection is more than hitting a flow rate. Explore the intersection of System Curves, Pump Curves, and BEP.

18 min read
Valves

Control Valve Cavitation: Predicting Damage

That "gravel in the pipe" sound means your valve is dying. Learn about the Sigma index and Anti-Cavitation trims.

14 min read
Flow Measurement

Orifice Plates: The Beta Ratio Trade-off

Balancing accuracy with energy waste. Why a Beta Ratio between 0.3 and 0.7 is the sweet spot for DP flow meters.

13 min read
Process Control

PID Tuning 101: Visualizing P, I, and D

Stop guessing. We explain why adding "Derivative" ruins flow loops but saves temperature loops using simple visuals.

16 min read
Safety

Thermowell Wake Frequency: Avoiding Failure

A broken thermowell is a disaster. It happens due to resonance (Strouhal Number), not just pressure. Learn ASME PTC 19.3.

18 min read
Functional Safety

SIL Verification: PFDavg and Redundancy

Buying a SIL 2 transmitter doesn't make your loop SIL 2. We explain 1oo1 vs 1oo2 voting and Probability of Failure.

16 min read
Valves

Sizing Control Valves: A Practical Approach

Calculating Cv is just the start. Learn about Valve Authority, Linear vs. Equal % trims, and the dangers of oversizing.

16 min read