Power System Analysis for Industrial Application

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

• Perform structured short circuit and fault current calculations for industrial power systems
• Evaluate and coordinate protective devices to ensure system reliability and compliance
• Assess arc flash hazards and determine appropriate mitigation and PPE requirements
• Interpret system data (transformers, conductors, motors, utility sources) to support accurate system modeling
• Apply power system analysis methods to support safe, compliant, and effective electrical system operation

Description

Electrical systems in industrial environments must operate safely and reliably under a wide range of operating conditions, including faults, equipment changes, and evolving system demands. Determining fault levels, coordinating protective devices, and managing arc flash risk are critical responsibilities, but require structured analysis and a clear understanding of system behaviour.

This course provides a practical, applied approach to power system analysis, focusing on short circuit studies, protective device coordination, and arc flash hazard assessment. You will work through real-world calculation methods, system modelling practices, and code-driven requirements to understand how system components interact under fault conditions and how to make informed, defensible decisions.

By integrating analysis techniques with safety standards such as CEC, CSA Z462, and IEEE 1584, this course equips you with the tools to evaluate system performance, improve protection strategies, and reduce operational risk. The methods and frameworks introduced can be applied directly to industrial electrical systems to support compliance, safety, and system reliability.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for:

• Electrical engineers and engineering technologists working in industrial or facility environments
• Professionals responsible for power system studies, design, or system upgrades
• Practitioners involved in electrical safety, arc flash studies, or compliance initiatives
• Early- to senior-career professionals seeking to strengthen applied power system analysis and protection skills

Day I

Symmetrical Components

Electrical Safety and Short Circuit Calculations

• Short Circuit Study Basics
• X/R Ratio
• Data Collection
• Code Requirements

Source Impedance

• Utility Company Data
• Equivalent Impedance
• System Configuration
• Future Conditions

Conductor Short Circuit Calculation

• Conductor Calculations
• Effect of Conductor Length
• Size, Conduit and Insulation on Impedance
• Conductor Calculation Worksheet
• Calculation Examples

Transformer Short Circuit Calculations

• Transformer Impedance
• Transformer Calculations
• Adding Source Impedance
• Transformer Calculation Examples

Motor Contribution

• Sub transient Reactance, Xd”
• Effect on Short Circuit Current

Device Interrupting Ratings

• Circuit Breaker and Fuse Interrupting Ratings
• Testing Methods
• Effect of X/R Ratio on Interrupting Ratings

Example of Detailed Short Circuit Calculation

Day II

Relay Fundamentals

• Zones of protection, selectivity and reliability

Coordination Studies

• Selective Coordination Basics
• Time Current Curves
• Data Requirements
• Device Settings
• Log Graph
• Scale

Coordination of Devices

• Moulded Case Circuit Breaker Coordination
• Adjustable
• Instantaneous Settings
• Coordination of Multiple Devices
• Long Time
• Short Time
• Instantaneous Settings
• i2t Settings,
• Coordination of Devices
• No Instantaneous

Ground Fault Devices

• Residually Connected Schemes
• Zero Sequence Relaying
• Setting of Devices
• Nuisance Tripping
• Ground Fault
• Requirement for Services and Feeders

Overcurrent Relays

• Amp Tap
• Time Dial
• Instantaneous
• Current Transformers
• Time Margins
• Setting Selection
• Time Current Curves

Transformer Protection

• CEC Requirements
• Inrush
• ANSI C57 Thru Fault Curves
• Adjustments to Thru Fault Curves Based on Winding

Configurations

• Delta-Wye and Delta Delta

Examples of Protective Device Coordination

Day III

Introduction to the Arc Flash Hazard

• What is an Arc Flash
• Characteristics
• Electrical Safety Overview

Human Effects

• Physiological Effects
• Electrocution
• Tissue Damage
• Internal Organ Damage
• Burns Fibrillation
• “Curable” 2nd Degree Burn

Codes and Standards - Which One Do I Use?

• CSA Z462, CEC, IEEE 1584™

Arc Flash Hazards

• Electric Shock
• Arc Flash
• Arc Blast
• Ultraviolet Light
• Sound Pressure
• Burn Injury

Arc Flash Circuit Dynamics - Fault Current, Arc Duration, Plasma

• Arcing Faults vs. Bolted Faults
• Effect of Current on Overcurrent Device Clearing Time
• Time Current Curves, Short Circuit Current
• Current Limitation
• Effect of Transformer Size and Source Strength

CSA Z462 Requirements

• Shock and Arc Flash Hazard Analysis
• Creating Energized Work Permits
• Electrically Safe Working Conditions

Approach Boundaries

• Limited and Restricted Approach Boundaries
• Arc Flash Boundary

PPE Categories and Arc Flash Calculations and Risk Assessment

• Defining the PPE Category Tables 4 and 5; PPE Category 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Requirements
• Selection of arc-rated clothing and other PPE when the incident energy analysis method is used
• Limitations of Tables
• Using Calculations Instead
• Tables for DC arc flash

Personal Protective Equipment PPE

• Protective Clothing Characteristics
• Selection of PPE
• ATPV and Ebt Ratings
• ASTM Testing Methods

Arc Flash Labeling Requirements

• Label Contents
• Signal Words and Colors

The Ac Arc, Flash Calculation Study, Using IEEE Std. 1584™

• Study Requirements
• Methodology
• Data Requirements
• Modelling

Data Collection Process - How Much Is Enough?

• Transformer
• Conductor
• Utility Company
• Motor, Overcurrent Device
• Equipment Type
• Working Distance
• Generator Data, Assumptions - what can be assumed?

Single Line Diagram and System Modeling

• Importance of the Up-to-Date Diagram
• System Configurations
• High vs. Low Fault Current,
• 2000 Amps rule
• Motor Contribution

Arc Flash Duration - Time Current Curves

• Determining the Arcing Current Clearing time
• 85% vs. 100%
• 2 Second Cut Off Allowance
• Time Current Curves
• Arc Extinction

Incident Energy Calculations, Worksheets and Class Problems

• AC Incident Energy Calculations
• Calculation Parameters
• Working Distance
• Equipment Type and Distance Exponents
• Vertical and horizontal boxes with or without barriers
• Gap Distance

Arc Flash Boundary Calculations, Worksheets and Class Problems

• Arc Flash Boundary Calculations Based on Normalized Incident Energy
• IEEE Arc Flash Boundary Calculations
• Unusually Large Boundaries
• Calculation Worksheets
• Problem-Solving

DC Arc Flash Calculations, Worksheets, Examples and Problems

• V-I Characteristics
• DC Arc Resistance Calculations
• DC Incident Energy Calculations
• Box vs. Open Arc Calculations
• Calculation Worksheets
• Problem-Solving

Determining PPE Requirements from Incident Energy Calculations

• Using calculated incident energy to determine PPE requirements. Comparing calculations to CSA Z462 Tables
• Simplifying the PPE Selection

Arc Flash Warning Labels

• Requirements
• Label Locations
• ANSI Z535 Requirements
• Signal Words and Colors

Managing and Mitigating the Arc Flash Hazard

• Increase Working Distance
• Remote Operation, Maintenance Settings
• Arc Resistant Equipment, Current Limiting Devices
• Mitigation Equipment by Major Electrical Manufacturers
• The Electrically Safe Working Condition Paradox
• Future Research and Development

Case Study Using Computerized Software

• Load flow, short circuit, protective device coordination and arc flash for an industrial plant electrical system

Questions and Answers and Feedback to Participants on Achievement of Learning Outcomes