Harold Kirkham

Everything we know about the power system, whether for control, or planning, or billing, is the result of a measurement, so the measurements ought to be good. The authors of Measuring the Grid: Mysteries Explained pull no punches in showing how bad today's measurements are, and how to make them better. Misunderstandings about important power system quantities, especially reactive power, apparent power, and phasors, are pervasive. The first four chapters provide foundational information about measurement generally not taught to power engineers. Although power engineers expect their measurements to be "scientific", these chapters explain why some of the most critical power system measurements are distinctly non-scientific and not fit for purpose. In the next four chapters, the most important and most misunderstood measurements are scrutinized more closely. Particular attention is paid to reactive power and to the phasor measurement unit. Although the book discusses serious issues, a little light humor makes for easy reading. Additional topics discussed include: Two fundamentally different kinds of measurement exist; most of the measurements in the power system are of the non-scientific variety Power theories, such as those of Budeanu and Fryze, are shown to be inevitably wrong; measurement theory resolves the mysteries The number of degrees of freedom of a system is an incisive tool for resolving key questions about the nature of measurements Opportunities for further research An introduction to the important topic of measurement uncertainty Measuring the Grid: Mysteries Explained fills a significant knowledge gap for all students in programs of study related to power systems. It is also valuable for practicing engineers working in the manufacturing and utility industries.

Graphics made easy for technical and scientific authors Gone are the days of relying on graphic artists to make your work clear and persuasive! This book arms you with all you need to know to conceptualize, create, and incorporate the type of quality graphs and graphics that will help get your scientific and technical papers published. The authors, both senior staff members at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, provide straightforward guidance on all the steps to using graphs and graphics to make your case. Some of the useful things you'll learn include: What kind of graph to use to make what kind of case Whether or not it is appropriate to connect the dots in a graph Efficient ways to use a variety of PC software How to embed artwork in a layout-and what to do if the graphic won't fit Why file format conversions are sometimes problematic How to edit diagrams for different end-uses Tips on how to get the best results without spending excessive time Real-world examples illustrate good (and bad) uses of graphs, and problem sets are included at the end of each chapter. If you're technically adept but not trained in document design, this book is an indispensable treasure trove of knowledge for making your papers publishable, your viewgraphs enjoyable, and your patents understandable.