IEEE Standards Association
February 2012 | In This Issue
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Hot Off The Presses
Using Motors Safely in Common Hazardous Locations
Helping Provide a Standardized Framework for Software Engineering
DC Traction Power Standards Help Ensure Rail Systems Function to Their Fullest
More Than a Box: Control Cabinets for Power Transformers
The First U.S. Guide to Proper Handling of SF6 as a Greenhouse Gas
Featured Standard
It’s pretty simple: Class I, Division 2 and Class I, Zone 2 locations are ones in which hazardous materials with a possibility of exploding are used but contained— unless there’s an accident, at which point their exposure to heat or sparking could be dangerous. Meanwhile, a motor is something which produces...heat or sparking. And sometimes motors have to be used in places where what they produce is exactly what you don’t want.
So what do you do? You follow the rules. With decades of experience in these kinds of situations, the safety procedures for reducing incidents are well-known and reliable. And IEEE 1349™-2011, Guide for Application of Electric Motors in Class I, Division 2 and Class I, Zone 2 Hazardous (Classified) Locations, aims to present the latest, updated information.
Three-phase and single-phase AC synchronous and induction electric motors in ratings 0.18 kW (1/4 hp) and larger are covered in this Guide. Existing codes and standards contain cautionary notes for open or nonexplosion-proof or nonflame-proof enclosed motors in Class I, Division 2 and Class I, Zone 2 locations as covered in NFPA 70-2011. This Guide documents industry experience and established practices and provides guidance for applying motors in these locations.
Purchase standard IEEE 1349-2011 
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Newly Published Standards
Helping Provide a Standardized Framework for Software Engineering
As someone said, “People can be divided into two kinds: those who divide people into two kinds, and...” Most things in life can be seen in terms of those who take a systematic approach and those who don’t. Software development is no exception, with software engineers representing the side that tries to work in a more structured, uniform way. That’s not to denigrate the role of more intuitive ways of working in technological advancement— just to say that in the workaday world, there are clear benefits from working systematically to common standards in a way that fosters sharing of knowledge and best practices across many fields.
That’s the aim of three related proposed standards for software and systems engineering:
- IEEE 15289™-2011, Standard Software and Systems Engineering -- Content of life-cycle information products (documentation), is an International Standard specifying the purpose and content of all identified systems and software life cycle and service management information items. This is to provide for a consistent form of documentation coming from organizations following other standards for life cycle processes (such as ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2008 or ISO/IEC/IEEE 12207:2008), or Service Management. Order IEEE 15289-2011 today
- IEEE 29148™-2011, Standard for Systems and Software -- Life Cycle Processes -- Requirements Engineering, is an International Standard specifying processes for systems and software products (including services) throughout the life cycle, including guidelines for applying the requirements and requirements-related processes described in ISO/IEC 12207:2008 (IEEE 12207-2008) and ISO/IEC 15288:2008 (IEEE 15288-2008). It also helps to ensure that the resulting documentation meets the standards in IEEE 15289 above. Get IEEE 29148-2011 now
- IEEE 42010™-2011, Standard for Systems and software engineering -- Architecture description, is an International Standard specifying the manner in which architecture descriptions of systems are organized and expressed. It also specifies architecture viewpoints, frameworks and description languages for use in architecture descriptions, and demonstrates the use of this standard with other standards. Buy IEEE 42010-2011
DC Traction Power Standards Help Ensure Rail Systems Function to Their Fullest
ODC traction power is used on electric rail systems in many parts of the world— from the northeastern U.S. to the U.K., India and South Africa. The new IEEE 1653.4™-2011, Standard for DC Traction Power System Field Testing and Acceptance Criteria for System Applications up to 1500 Volts DC Nominal, defines field testing and acceptance criteria for transportation system applications powered by a dc traction power system up to 1500 volts nominal. This is intended to help ensure that the installed equipment will function as intended by the plans and specifications, so that it will function reliably for its full life and deliver on the promises of its investment for the population it serves.
More Than a Box: Control Cabinets for Power Transformers
At first glance a control cabinet is just a box. But when the thing inside the box is something as powerful, important and potentially hazardous as a power transformer, no box is “just a box.” Yet until now no standard has existed for the metal enclosures which protect every transformer from the outside world, and vice versa. IEEE C57.148™-2011, Standard for Control Cabinets for Power Transformers, is the first standard to address minimum and optional function, layout and construction requirements for standard control cabinet designs. It will also include a coding system for specifying standard control cabinets with the required options.
By providing users and manufacturers with a set of standard designs that can be easily specified, the document should reduce the engineering time required by manufacturers to create and by users to review control cabinet designs.
The First U.S. Guide to Proper Handling of SF6 as a Greenhouse Gas
Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) is an essential component in the electrical industry, an inert gas used with great success as an electrical insulator in equipment such as transformers and circuit breakers. Yet it’s those insulating properties that also make it a potent and long-lasting greenhouse gas. For that reason the industry goes to considerable lengths to keep it contained where it’s supposed to be.
IEEE C37.122.3™-2011, Guide for Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6) Gas Handling for High Voltage (over 1000Vac) Equipment, describes significant aspects of handling SF6 gas used in electric power equipment, including topping up, refilling, checking the gas quality at site, sampling and shipment for off-site gas analysis, and recovering and reclaiming both during normal operation and at the end of the life of power equipment while dismantling. This Guide also presents the state-of-the art tools and measuring devices including the necessary personnel protective equipment.
The first major guide of its kind available in the U.S., this is an important publication for utility engineers, consultants and power equipment manufacturers.
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SXSW—IEEE Sponsors a Reception With Dean Kamen & Maywa Denki
A rare opportunity to meet two remarkable inventors with surprisingly common ground.
Dean Kamen, Founder of DEKA & FIRST, is perhaps best known for inventing the Segway. His devices, such as drug pumps, revolutionary wheelchairs & the robotic "Luke Arm" for amputees have touched & improved lives around the globe. Be inspired & learn about FIRST, a program that teaches kids of all ages the principles of math, science & physics via robotics competitions.
Novmichi Tosa, President of Maywa Denki, is a Japanese sensation that is one-part Toy Company, one-part musical performance art & one-part cultural icon. Maywa Denki's unforgettable performances, viral videos, music, toys & "nonsense" instruments have taken Asia by storm. They also run workshops teaching Japanese children how to make instruments out of dime-store items.
Join us 9-18 March 2012 in Austin, TX to discuss innovation, education & how you can engage to build a better world. Learn more
Best-Paper Competition Focuses on Electrotechnology
What would our world be like without MRI machines, cellphones, the Internet, or electrotechnology in general? The International Electrotechnical Commission, a publisher of global technical standards, and IEEE are challenging academics to submit papers that show how these technologies have had an impact on the world. Learn more
Engineering Educators from Three Continents to Meet
To advance engineering education in Region 8, some 300 educators and industry leaders plan to meet in Marrakesh, Morocco, from 17-20 April, for the Third IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference. Read more
Nominate a Worthy Colleague for an IEEE Standards Association Award
Many volunteers dedicate many hours developing IEEE standards for the betterment of humanity & the advancement of technology.
Please take the time to nominate a colleague who has made significant contributions to IEEE standards. The nomination period begins on 1 February & runs through 31 July 2012.
The IEEE Standards Association Awards Ceremony will be held during the December meeting series on 2 December 2012. Find out more about SA awards
Register Today for The IEEE International Electric Vehicle Conference 4 - 8 March 2012
The first IEEE International Electric Vehicle Conference (IEVC) will be held at the TD Convention Center and Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research in Greenville, SC. This event will facilitate the exchange of information on new global trends in technology, engineering, standards and deployment aspects among academic and industrial thought leaders of the fast-growing electric mobility ecosystem via a unique cross-organizational platform.
Keynote speakers and panel leaders include executives and leading experts from organizations such as BMW, Bosch, Chrysler, Delphi, Duke Energy, EDTA, GE, FedEx, KEMET, MBTech, SAE, Valeo, Volkswagen and many others. Get more information on this exciting event