DEFINITION OF RESISTOR AND ITS COLOR CODING

How is resistor identified according to its color coding?

A resistor is a passive two-terminal electrical component that implements electrical resistance as a circuit element. The current through a resistor is in direct proportion to the voltage across the resistor's terminals. Thus, the ratio of the voltage applied across a resistor's terminals to the intensity of current through the circuit is called resistance. This relation is represented by Ohm's law:

 V = IR

where I is the current through the conductor in units of amperes, V is the potential difference measured across the conductor in units of volts, and R is the resistance of the conductor in units of ohms. More specifically, Ohm's law states that the R in this relation is constant, independent of the current. Resistors are common elements of electrical networks and electronic circuits and are ubiquitous in electronic equipment. Practical resistors can be made of various compounds and films, as well as resistance wire (wire made of a high-resistivity alloy, such as nickel-chrome). Resistors are also implemented within integrated circuits, particularly analog devices, and can also be integrated into hybrid and printed circuits.

The basic history on the development of a resistor dates back to the year 1789 by the man called Georg Simon Ohm. Brief History of Resitor.

The size of the resistance of a resistor is usually identified through the color band that is present in the resistor itself. Number coding represents the color coding that can be found. It can be easily be remembered by memorizing this letter code; B, B, R, O,Y, G, B, V, G, W, which can also associated with this statement; Bad Boys Rape Our Young Girl But Violeta Give Way, all of these however represents the color; BLACK, BROWN, RED, ORANGE, YELLOW, GREEN, BLUE, VIOLET, GRAY, and WHITE.

Black stands for 0, Brown for 1, Red is 2, Orange is 3, Yellow is 4, Green is 5, Blue is 6, Violet is 7, Gray is 8 and White is 9. On how to use this colors and numbers, a detailed guide can be found by following this portal. Resistor: Definition and Color Code.

TYPICAL ELECTRIC PILFERAGE DETECTION METHODS

How to detect possible electricity pilferage?

We all know that system’s loss is composed primarily of technical loss and non-technical loss. Technical loss is the inherent property of all electrical devices during operation while non-technical losses are caused by electricity theft and/or metering inaccuracies. Technical loss can be determined through computations and the use of measuring devices. On the other hand, non-technical loss cannot be measured nor be computed; instead one has to have various methods just to detect such loss.

Various methods of detecting are used in identifying users who engaged in these criminal activities varying to the type of pilferage committed. Typically, there are three types of customers found in any distribution utility namely; residential, commercial, and industrial. These three types of customers’ uses different types of meters thus, different types of pilferage can also be done.

Of course, before your detect any pilferage one must first understand how stealing of electricity are done but unfortunately, due to some security reasons, this topic will not be discussed here instead, we are only going to give you the general idea.

The detection methods can be categorized into two; Physical detection and Detection through Customer Consumption. Although the latter can be subjective, this however will give you head’s up on what you are dealing with.

Physical Detection – is done by looking for traces of tampering in the utility’s meter seal, tampering in the service connection, tampering in the meter accuracy seal, foreign wires (used for direct tapping) not specified in construction standard, etc. Detection of pilferage merely by looking at the customer connection can be quite hard if it was concealed carefully and no traces can be found using the naked eye.

Customer Consumption – When a customer steals electricity, there is a high possibility that their regular consumption (as metered) will significantly drop. Also, one way of detecting a pilferage is when their recorded energy consumption is not proportional to the devices connected in their premises. This method is in no way 100% accurate but this can trigger investigation for the reason why their consumption dropped.

DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM’S LOSS RISK MANAGEMENT

Factors/Risks associated with increase in distribution’s systems loss

Increase in utility’s system’s kWh loss can be attributed to many factors. We all know that the components of a utility’s systems loss can be from technical loss or from non-technical loss. As a review, technical loss is the inherent properties of electrical equipment and devices during operation while non-technical loss is the result of electricity pilferage, error in meter reading, etc.

An electric distribution utility’s goal in dealing with losses includes the reduction of over-all system’s loss to the least possible level. However, there are some events or situations that greatly affect the over-all value of the kWh lost. Identifying these risks is of great importance since the effect of this can be felt for a long period of time especially for utilities which rely on cumulative computation of losses.

Enumerated below are the typical risks faced by an electric utility which if not taken cared of can greatly impact the kWh loss and the revenue of the company.

Increase in Electricity Pilferage - Electricity Pilferage is a component of system's loss particularly in non-technical loss. An increase in the volume of electric pilferage due to increase of number of cases or decrease in apprehension activities affects greatly the over-all system's loss. Some causes of these increases can be linked to the lack of apprehending personnel to catch these violators, the presence of syndicated pilferers which operates in large number and from undetected power customers who engages in pilferage.

Increases in Unbilled/Erroneously Billed Customers - Unbilled customers are a connected customer who utilizes electricity but are not read/billed due to records and maintenance issues. Unbilled electricity can also affect the company’s systems loss reporting. One known cause of this risk is from poor meter inventory and recording. There are some cases especially during emergencies where the meters are installed in the site and no proper recording and tagging was done thus the customer is enjoying the use of electricity and not being billed for its consumption.

High Loss Distribution Network Configuration – An Electric Distribution System is a network of line and substation interconnections which if not configured strategically can produce high technical losses. This happens when overloading of distribution lines are present caused by sudden increase in loads or undersized wires. As we all know, wires with smaller size produces more loss compared to wires with larger size.

These are just some of the typical risk faced in managing system’s loss in a distribution utility. Any of these three factors can influence whether to improve or worsen the present situation.

Electrical Loss Analysis

Importance of Loss Analysis in Electrical System

Purchased energy from generation companies entails monetary amount from purchasing distribution utility. Likewise, electrical energy lost during transmission and distribution especially during delivery to end-users means an equivalent lost in revenue. It is then only logical to say that Power Loss Study and Mitigation can help distribution companies minimize large financial sacrifices due to losses and help them improved their economic status. By understanding how losses occurs in a system will help equip distribution utilities in making necessary decisions in formulating a program to control power losses in their franchise.

Distribution utilities that can measure the extent of losses in their system will also be able to compare the monetary equivalent of this value to the possible cost of investment they are going to implement in order for them to correct such situation. They can be able to evaluate the cost of these losses versus the cost of the means to reduce it whether they will be able to justify all the capital cost needed. To simplify these statements, a loss reduction scheme will help decide what most favorable game plan to use.

Unfortunately, loss reduction programs are most of the time being neglected by some electric cooperatives simply because it does not impose a direct danger to their operation compared to other concerns like connecting new customers. Also, budget issues always get in the way of this activity that is why some considers it as a low-priority problem. Nevertheless, regardless of these problems, it seems that all utilities are in complete agreement that reducing and mitigating electric power losses is very essential.

Electrical Losses can be likened to an expense in a business, having this in your company only takes out money from your pocket and does not conform to your goal of having a good financial performance. Likewise, minimizing the system’s power loss means adding money to your savings making a business more productive and effective.