Electrical Distribution Principles and Applications Course

Course Overview:

This course seeks to delve deeper into the fundamentals of AC power along with its usages in a three-phase electrical distribution system.

The principles of electrical characteristics, circuit calculations, voltage regulation, grounding, overcurrent protection, insulation coordination and overvoltage protection are all paramount to ensuring safety and reliability in the electrical systems. 

This course particularly stands out as it incorporates planning exercises such as transform selection and designing, which centers on creating an efficient distribution system while being cost-effective too.

Moreover, this course is immensely helpful for utility engineers, supervisors, and technicians due to its focus on electrical distribution planning systems and their functioning.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

·       Apply the fundamental concepts of AC electricity

·       Describe the fundamental principles involved in the operation of three-phase electrical distribution systems

·       Identify and work with the electrical load characteristics associated with an electrical distribution system

·       Perform and understand electric circuit calculations

·       Understand and apply distribution planning principles and engineering economics

·       Select proper conductors, cables, and transformers for use in a distribution system

·       Recognize and understand the importance of distribution system overcurrent protection, insulation coordination, grounding, and overvoltage protection

Who Should Attend?

This course will benefit, regardless of experience level:

• Utility engineers
• Technicians
• Designers
• Planners
• Line-Workers
• Electricians
• Supervisors
• Contractors
• Consultants
• Key account managers

Course Outlines:

Fundamental Concepts of AC Electricity

• Alternating voltage and current
• Resistance, reactance, and impedance
• Active, reactive, and apparent power
• Power factor 

Three-Phase Electrical Distribution

• Three-phase circuits
• Wye and delta connections
• Power in three-phase circuits
• Grounding in three-phase circuits 

Electrical Load Characteristics

• Demand and energy
• Demand factor
• Coincidence/diversity factor
• Load factor
• Load estimation exercise 

Electric Circuit Calculations

• Voltage and current
• Voltage drop
• Power losses
• Power factor and compensation
• Calculation exercises 

Voltage Regulation

• Voltage drop in typical circuits
• Acceptable voltage ranges
• Voltage dips
• Control of voltage

Conductors and Cables

• Resistance and reactance
• Thermal capacity
• Voltage drop limitations
• The economical conductor selection exercise
• Economics of power factor compensation exercise

Transformers

• Transformer theory
• Resistance and reactance
• Thermal capacity
• Economical transformer selection and loading exercise
• The per-unit system 

Grounding

• Purposes and methods
• "Effectively" grounded
• Ground resistivity
• Equipment ground connections 

Overcurrent Protection

• Overloads
• Short circuits
• Short circuit analysis and exercise
• Equipment damage
• Circuit breakers
• Switches
• Fuses
• Time/overcurrent characteristics
• Protective coordination exercise 

Insulation Coordination and Overvoltage Protection

• Nature of overvoltage’s
• Basic impulse level (BIL)
• Properties of insulation
• Line and equipment insulation coordination
• Lightning arresters and application exercise 

Distribution Planning

• Planning criteria
• Design criteria
• Operating performance
• Economic performance
• Planning exercise 

Distribution Economics

• Economical conductor selection
• Economical transformer selection
• Economics of power factor compensation
• Economics of voltage upgrades