A COURSE ON 'FAULT CALCULATIONS'

MODULE 3.0: FAULT CALCULATIONS & APPLICATIONS IN INDUSTRIES

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The application of Fault Calculations is the third phase in the design of the industrial power system. Without Fault Calculations, the design can never be considered complete. Module 3.0 covers in satisfactory details how electrical systems are designed from the point of view of abnormal conditions, such as faults. The course will likewise present how the interrupting ratings of circuit breakers & power fuses as well as the withstand ratings of switchgears & cables are selected.

Often not fully understood, applications of fault calculations in industrial plants or power generation complexes are frequently taken-for-granted, as sizing system equipment & components are usually selected on the basis of normal conditions, only. But during abnormal conditions, faults cause disintegration of system components & ignite full-blown fires - in many cases, explosions.

As the presence of the threat of major faults is 24/7 throughout the lifetime of the plant, understanding the nature and behavior of faults must therefore be given emphasis if preservation of lives, properties and continuity of plant operation are of prime importance. How to understand this behavior and how to control fault magnitudes are the mainstreams of this course.

The course covers the following specific subjects of applications:

1) Establishment of Three-Phase Short Circuit Duties at any point of the system (whether power plants, industrial plants or commercial buildings) as bases for circuit breaker interrupting ratings, power fuses as circuit protection and for switchgear short-time withstand ratings, among others.

2) For existing plants, the output of fault calculations will trigger power system audits to confirm if the operating equipment or devices in the system can withstand abnormal conditions within their operating limits without injury and damage to itself.

3) The course also covers Single-Line-to-Ground Fault Calculations necessary in sizing Neutral Grounding Impedances for generators and substations in the end view of limiting and/or controlling destructive fault current magnitudes. A substantial treatment culminating in Grounding Transformers is covered in the course for the engineer to appreciate the value of this specific application.

4) The output of Fault Calculations will also carry the fundamental reference in arming up protective relays or other protective devices wherever they are placed in the system.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

At the end of the module, the participants are expected be able to:

a) Understand the behavior of the system in events of faults,

b) Calculate the Three-Phase Fault Duties at any point of an industrial plant electrical system,

c) Calculate the Single-Line to Ground Fault Duties at any point of an industrial plant electrical system,

d) Select and apply the proper protective devices such as circuit breakers and power fuses,

e) Select and apply the proper sizes of Neutral Grounding Impedances for Power Transformers and Generators to control the magnitude of fault currents,

f) Select equipment and components that can withstand the maximum available fault current at any point of the system,

g) Establish benchmarks for Power System Audit that may be conducted after establishing the fault duties in an industrial system.

WHAT CAN CESEEPS ACCOMPLISH IN THE GLOBALIZATION
OF THE FILIPINO ELECTRICAL ENGINEER?

 Completing the five-course Training Program will catapult the electrical engineer to higher dimensions in the practice of electrical engineering,

 Completing the five-course Training Program will transform the electrical engineer into a world-class practitioner applying IEEE/ANSI and IEC standards of design & practice,

 The application of the skills derived from this program will not only hasten productivity of the engineer but also result to a safer, reliable and much better electrical environment.

SCHEDULE OF MODULE 3.0 SEMINARS

September 5, 6 & 7, 2007: Ormoc City (Exclusive to PNOC EDC Engineers)
September 12, 13 & 14, 2007: Mandaue City, (Open to All)