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A practical program in power distribution, focusing on medium voltage (1kV- 36kV) power considerations, switchgear, power cables, transformers, power factor correction, earthing, lightning protection and network studies. You will gain technical know-how in these areas not covered by university or college programs. Contact us now to speak to a Course Advisor and secure your place! Payment is not required until two to four weeks before the course begins.

At the end of this program participants will be able to:

• Understand practical power distribution fundamentals
• Determine short-circuit ratings quickly and effectively
• Assess the influence of fault levers on switchgear ratings
• Select the correct type of switchgear for the right application
• Evaluate the advantages of modern state-of-the-art switchgear protection for your applications, including preventative maintenance information
• Understand practical power distribution fundamentals
• Recognise the different applications for various cable insulation types
• Know when and how to use single core cables vs three core cables
• Specify correct power cable installation methods
• Correctly utilise and protect power transformers
• Understand practical power distribution fundamentals
• Assess and specify correct grounding throughout your electrical network
• Determine the need for Power Factor Correction (PFC) for your environment
• Assess the economic justification for installing PFC equipment
• Correctly specify PFC equipment and be aware of practical consequences
• Confidently use computer simulation software to solve and predict power network problems

COURSE OBJECTIVES

By the end of this course you will be able to:

• Correctly implement the right type of switchgear for the appropriate application
• Economically select and install the best-suited power cable for a specific application
• Evaluate the need for power factor correction and successfully implement correction strategies
• Implement successful maintenance strategies and procedures
• Effectively use software techniques to solve problem areas in your power network

Course Outline

MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION

• History and growth of power distribution
• Benefits of 3-phase AC power system
• Typical characteristics of an industrial distribution system
• Voltage classification
• Multiple voltage levels in power distribution
• Types of distribution arrangements and redundancy
• Expandability

MODULE 2: Distribution System Planning

• The need for system planning
• Approach to system planning
• Data collection
• Protection of future growth of electricity demand
• Location of key assets
• Selection of basic system parameters
• Planning of electrical system configuration
• Equipment ratings/sizing
• Selection of appropriate equipment
• System studies needed for planning
• Software packages used for system studies

MODULE 3: In-plant Generation and its Integration with Plant Power Systems

• Why in-plant generation?
• Cost of power interruptions in critical processes
• Types of in-plant generation
• Parallel operation of in-plant generator with external source
• In-plant power generation sources
• Integrating in-plant generation with plant distribution

MODULE 4: TRANSFORMERS

• Transformer theory
• Construction
• Cooling
• Voltage control
• Power transformers and distribution transformers
• Installation of transformers
• Fire protection measures for large transformer installations
• Troubleshooting

MODULE 5: Switchgear

• Indoor and outdoor construction
• Comparison
• Metal enclosed switchgear basics
• Major components
• Safety features
• Protection
• Switchgear ratings
• Typical switchgear example

MODULE 6: Circuit breakers

• Types of circuit breakers
• Comparison of various breakers
• Construction of typical circuit breaker
• Fault detection of cable installations
• Major components and auxiliary systems

MODULE 7: Low voltage distribution

• LV switchgear types
• LV circuit breakers
• Releases for LV circuit breakers

MODULE 8: Cables

• Types and construction of cables
• Basic design, selection and sizing
• Insulating materials for LV and HV cables
• Accessories for cable installation
• Fault detection of underground cable installations
• High voltage power transmission using cables

MODULE 9: Fundamentals of protection

• Need for protective apparatus
• Basic requirements
• Components of protection systems
• Protection in distribution systems
• Protective relays for circuit breaker application
• Role of fuses in LV and MV distribution
• Protection integrated in LV devices
• Importance of settings and co-ordination of protective relays
• Time and current grading

MODULE 10: Earthing and safety

• Electrical shock - why does it happen?
• Touch and step potential (voltage)
• Direct and indirect contact
• Role of electrical insulation in safety
• Avoiding electric shock-different approaches
• Earthing of power supply and its safety implications
• Role of earthing of equipment enclosures in human safety
• Earthing in outdoor installations
• Lightning safety
• Lightning protection of structures

MODULE 11: Power quality

• What is power quality?
• Need for improving power quality
• Variations in voltage amplitude and reasons
• Equipment sensitivity
• Handling voltage abnormalities
• Tackling voltage fluctuations and flicker
• Effect of power interruptions and needs of equipment
• Redundancy and automation
• Power factor and power factor improvement by capacitor banks

MODULE 12: Asset Management and power system automation

• Asset records
• Condition Based Maintenance (CBM)
• Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM)
• Insulation deterioration
• Diagnostic techniques
• Problems that may be found during switchgear maintenance
• Defect management
• Growth of automation in power industry
• What is SCADA ?
• Requirements for the SCADA master station
• Requirements for SCADA remote units
• Issues relating to SCADA deployment
• Power system automation and its functions
• Power system automation architecture
• Communications with Network Control Center

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