Fundamentals of Electrical Distribution Systems

This course helps you develop a clear understanding of the electrical distribution system by first explaining the basic concepts for direct current circuits and then extending them to single-phase and three-phase alternating current circuits.

Course Outline

After participating in this course, you will be able to:
• Explain the basic electrical system quantities
• Identify the sources of generation, cogeneration issues and distribution system configuration
• Describe the load characteristics and effects on cost of power
• Describe the major electrical machinery and the components used in power distribution
• Describe the fundamentals of system protection, grounding and power quality problems
• Explain how electrical power is metered and how to avoid billing penalties

Description Those whose jobs interface with electrical projects and engineers who are not currently engaged in electrical design feel the need to understand the basic principles of the electrical systems. This course helps you develop a clear understanding of the electrical distribution system by first explaining the basic concepts for direct current circuits and then extending them to single-phase and three-phase alternating current circuits. The seminar objective is to explain, without using rigorous mathematical derivations, the meaning of such electrical quantities as kVA, kW and power factor. You also receive clear explanation of load characteristics and its effects on the cost of power. The seminar will discuss various options of generation, transmission and distribution. It will cover the distribution system configuration and its components, the electro-magnetic fields, major electrical machinery, the fundamentals of system protection, power system metering, grounding and the ever-increasing importance of power quality.

Objective To provide participants with the basic principles of the electrical distribution systems.

Who Should Attend Electrical engineers who need to brush-up on their knowledge of today's electrical systems, non-electrical engineers/technicians, plant engineers, architects, facility managers, and others who interface with electrical tasks in hydro utilities, industrial, commercial and institutional buildings.

Special Feature
You will receive the text book - Electrical Distribution Engineering, by Anthony J. Pansini, CRC Press.

Faculty: Ajit Bapat, P.Eng., M.Eng., MBA

Program Outline
Day I
Welcome, Introduction, Workshop Preview, Learning Outcomes and the Assessment Method

Basic Concepts
• Voltage and current in DC & AC circuits
• Resistance, Inductance, Capacitance and Impedance
• Meaning of RMS and average values
• Ohm's Law
• Power in DC & AC circuits
• Power factor
• Three-phase systems

Generation, Transmission and Distribution
• Sources for power generation
• Transmission, distribution and utilization systems
• Co-generation

Feeders, Networks and Services
• Radial and loop circuits, networks
• Residential, industrial/commercial services
• Utility and Code requirements

Distribution System Components
• Overhead distribution: (poles, conductors & insulators)
• Underground distribution: (ducts, cables & accessories)

Electric Fields
• What is an electromagnetic field?
• What is an electrostatic field?
• Is EMF harmful to humans and equipment?
• Sources, levels and mitigation

Adjournment

Day II
Major Electrical Machinery
• Transformers
• Motors

System Protection
• Power system faults
• Requirements of protection systems
• Fuses
• Circuit breakers
• Coordination

Load Characteristics
• Types of loads
• Demand and diversity
• Effect on equipment sizing

Power Metering   
• Cost of power
• Metered quantities
• Residential customers
• Industrial & commercial customers
• Factors affecting cost of power

System Grounding
• What is grounding?
• What is bonding?
• Grounding for electrical safety
• Grounding and bonding for equipment operation

Power Quality
• Types and sources of power disturbances
• Effects of power quality on equipment
• Equipment to improve power quality
• Computer voltage limits
• Utility role in providing power quality

Adjournment

Day III
Electrical Distribution System Overview
• Three and Four wire distribution circuits
• Substation types and schemes
• Location selection and design factors
• Switching components and their ratings

Electrical Safety
• Hazards to individuals working with electrical systems
• Substation Grounding
• Tolerable limits of touch and step potentials

Planning and design of electrical distribution systems
• Load Estimates, Voltage considerations and flicker
• Review of typical distribution systems for Industrial and
• Commercial installations
• Examples and case studies

Non Utility Generation Overview
• Renewable energy technologies
• Interconnection methodologies

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

There will be a one hour lunch break in addition to a refreshments and networking break during each morning and afternoon session.

Daily Schedule:
8:00    Registration and Coffee (1st Day only)
8:30    Registration begins
4:30    Adjournment

Additional Details

Pre-Requisites

Certificates offered

1.8 CEU / 18PDH

Cancellation Policy

To withdraw from a course, you must send a request, in writing, with the official receipt to our office. Fifteen or more business days in advance: full refund less $50.00 administration charge. Five to fifteen business days in advance: non-refundable credit of equal value for any future EPIC seminar within one year. Credits are transferable within your organization. In case of an unexpected event occurring after this time, you may send someone else to take your place without any additional cost.

Map & Reviews

EPIC Educational Program Innovations Center
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Would have liked more interactive problem solving.

Reviewed by Allen A. 2011