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National Switchgear offers a variety of power system studies designed to maximize power quality, improve system performance and reliability, and increase personnel safety. Our extensive industry experience in combination with latest engineering software produces engineering documentation in which you can have complete confidence. The engineering studies we perform apply to a broad range of industries including: primary metals, pulp and paper, petrochemical, cement, electronics, water treatment, and data processing centers. We offer numerous system studies designed to maximize power quality, improve system performance and reliability, and increase personnel safety. Our team of expert engineers utilize the industries most popular electrical engineering software, SKM Power Tools. This, along with our years of experience in testing and maintenance of power systems enables us to provide you with and engineering document you will have complete confidence in.

Power System Studies provide the basis for:

• Reduced Operating Cost
• Improved Efficiency
• Increased Availability
• Increased Personal Safety
• Improved Reliability

Short Circuit Study:

A short circuit study can help minimize the consequences of a potential fault in your power system. For example, short circuit interrupting equipment such as circuit breakers and fuses should have short circuit ratings greater than the short circuit duties calculated by the study. When ratings are too low, equipment may fail to interrupt a short circuit or ground fault causing more widespread effects. Short circuit study calculation procedures are in accordance with ANSI and IEC 60909. Short circuit calculations are also useful when meeting NEC requirements that short circuit interrupting devices have capabilities in excess of the duties imposed on the devices by the system.

Protective Device Coordination Study:

A coordination study recommends settings for adjustable protective devices that minimize disturbances due to system faults. These devices include switchgear, protective relays, and circuit breaker trip devices, which provide automatic tripping during disturbances. Recommendations may also be made for revising the type of protective device that is applied. The prime consideration of a coordination study is minimizing the part of the system that is disconnected to remove a fault of abnormal condition. This permits continued operation for the greatest possible remainder of the system. Study results are also used to specify protective relays and circuit breaker trip settings, and for establishing impedances of current limiting reactors.

Arc Flash Study:

An arc flash study helps reduce the risk of serious personnel injury and possibly even death in case of an arc flash. It requires making sure that proper safety precautions are taken and adequate personal safety equipment (PPE) is worn according to NFPA 70E, IEEE 1584, NEC 110.6, and OSHA standards. The study calculates the incident energy and arc flash boundary for any point in a power system. Custom flash labels are generated that comply with NEC 110.16 requirements helping to further ensure a safe and productive workplace.

An arc flash study performed by National Switchgear will identify approach boundaries and appropriate levels of PPE for employees. Each study is presented in a clear, tabular format in accordance with all major standards.

Benefits of an Arc Flash Study Include:

• A written report of findings and recommendations including methods to reduce Arc Flash incident energy levels and enhance worker safety.
• PPE category recommendations for all electrical equipment within the scope of the study.
• Arc Flash incident energy equipment labels listing PPE category recommendations for attachment to existing enclosures.
• NFPA 70E onsite electrical safety training for company personnel.

One-Line Updates:

In addition to the power system studies mentioned above, another valuable way to maximize your electrical investment is through documentation updates. By making sure your plant electrical one-line drawings are up-to-date, downtime can be significantly reduced through decreased troubleshooting time and potential problems can be readily identified before they cause downtime. Additionally, you provide increased personnel safety by providing improved system knowledge. Updated documentation, together with the power system study, provides a safer and more efficient working power system.

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Power Systems Studies

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Arc Flash Studies