NYSSPE has partnered with Sem-Train, LLC -  New York State Approved Sponsor

Part 1: March 14, 2024 - 11:00am to 3:00pm; ET
Part 2: March 15, 2024 - 11:00am to 3:00pm; ET
Cost: $335 Members / $385 Non-Members

This course presents a basic overview of modern electrical substations, emphasizing their important role in reliable and effective operation of power systems, describing all major, auxiliary, and control equipment, listing typical engineering issues associated with substation design and engineering and providing recommendations for addressing those issues. The Course is intended for electrical and civil engineers and designers, construction professionals as well as utility company management and field personnel looking to expand their knowledge and experience in modern electrical substations. This course is designed such that engineers of almost any specialty can take away a commensurate amount of knowledge with little or no background in the field of electrical engineering. All explanations are supported by numerous drawings, diagrams, and pictures illustrating equipment operating principles and arrangement. Several problems with solutions are provided as well to improve the retention of material. 

This course begins with a brief review of electrical power concepts in the DC, Single Phase AC, Three Phase AC, Per-Unit System in an easy-to-follow manner. The course then segues into the discussion about main goals that every utility company has, followed by description of a typical power system structure, justification for voltage transformation and mission of substations. Next, all main components of substations including their mission, components, types and arrangement are covered. This course provides an overview of reliability analysis theory, main equations to calculate probability of failure for both a single element and different kinds of their connection into the system. The example of reliability analysis for a specific 230-13 kV power system is presented for a better understanding of the subject. A basic overview of relay protection philosophy and main components of relay systems is provided, followed by description of most popular types of protection schemes, including their principles of operation, advantages and disadvantages.  

Different types of communication channels for relay protection systems are considered as well, including their arrangement and comparison of pros and cons. Next, an overview of reliability analysis theory is provided including main equations to calculate probability of failure for both a single element and different kinds of their connection into the system. The example of reliability analysis for a specific 230-13 kV power system is presented for a better understanding of the subject. The course covers typical substation switching systems, from the least reliable single bus to the most redundant double bus – double breaker systems, comparing their advantages and disadvantages. This course covers, briefly, the insulation coordination topic, as well as substation safety and fire protection issues. Explanation of BIL (Basic Insulation Level) and its effect on substation design are provided. A brief introduction to safety and fire protection standards is provided. An example is presented to show how to choose 138 kV circuit breaker for a specific power system. Substation insulators are introduced. This course is designed for engineers, professional engineers, energy professionals, engineering managers, technical professionals, technicians, facilities managers and other professionals who are not intimately familiar with electrical power substations. Participants are kept engaged through questions and answers, discussions and classwork.

Course Agenda

1. Electrical DC and AC Power, 1-Phase & 3-Phase, Per-Unit System of calculations.
2. Electrical Power Related Instruments  & Instrument Transformers
3. Power system voltages
4. Voltage transformation reasons
5. Sectionalization of power systems.
7. Power transformers
8. Switching equipment
9. Substation bus system
10. Open air rigid bus, strain bus, gas insulated bus, and cable bus
11. Overvoltage protection of substation 
12. Substation equipment installation options
13. Substation auxiliary and control systems 
14. Relay Protection  and Metering Systems and types of relay protection schemes
15. Auxiliary AC/DC Power Systems
16. Station Alarm and Remote Control Systems
17. Substation auxiliary and control systems
18. Objective of breaker failure protection and reclosure
19. Power line carrier communication system
20. Signal transmission using fiber optic cable.
21. Analogue and digital types of metering equipment
22. Conditions triggering station alarm.
23. Insulation coordination
24. Substation fire protection
25. Substation insulator’s performance

Objectives & Take-Aways
At the conclusion of this course, you’ll be able to, at a basic or intermediate level:

1. List typical power system voltages

2. Describe the reasons for voltage transformation.

3. Explain the meaning of sectionalization of power systems.

4. Describe all major substation components including:
a. Power transformers
b. Switching equipment
c. Substation bus system
d. Instrument transformers

5. Explain when to use each type of switching equipment.

6. List all advantages and disadvantages of each type of substation bus system, including:
a. Open air rigid bus
b. Strain bus
c. Gas insulated bus
d. Cable bus

7. Explain what current and potential transformers are used for and what their standard secondary values are.

8. Explain why overvoltage protection of substation elements is needed and what major means of this protection are.

9. List substation equipment installation options

10. Understand the role that substation auxiliary and control systems play in allowing all station equipment to function properly and by that fulfilling the main substation mission to support reliable and effective operation of power systems

11. Understand the  mission and operation principles of the following systems: 
a. Relay Protection 
b. Metering Systems
c. Auxiliary AC/DC Power Systems
d. Station Alarm and Remote Control Systems

12. Appreciate the arrangement  of all substation auxiliary and control systems, their advantages and disadvantages.

13. Describe the mission of relay protection systems and criteria they need to meet.

14. List types of relay protection schemes

15. Identify what breaker failure protection and reclosing are for

16. Identify the main components of power line carrier communication system.

17. Understand the principle of signal transmission using fiber optic cable.

18. Know the difference between analogue and digital types of metering equipment.

19. Calculate a real value of electrical system parameters using readings of meters and instruments.

20. Know the mission and main components of auxiliary A.C. and D.C. systems.

21. List types of conditions triggering station alarm

22. Know the most popular types of protection schemes, including their principles of operation, advantages and disadvantages. 

23. Know the different types of communication channels for protection systems are considered as well, including their arrangement and comparison of pros and cons.

24. Know the various types of metering their connections to power system instrument transformers and explanations of real electrical quantities calculations based on metering equipment readings. 

25. Know the function of substation auxiliary AC and DC power systems as well as alarm and remote control systems, concentrating on their functions and arrangement.   

26. Understand the complexity of engineering aspects related to design, operation, and maintenance of modern electrical substations.

27. Understand typical substation switching systems, their advantages and disadvantages.

28. Understand basics of insulation coordination

29. Understand importance of safety in substation design and engineering

30. List means of substation fire protection.

Speaker: Bobby Rauf, PE, MBA, NSPE Member

Professor Bobby Rauf is the President, Chief Consultant and a Senior Instructor at Sem-Train, LLC. Bobby has over 25 years of experience in teaching undergraduate and post graduate Engineering, Science, Math, Business Administration and MBA courses, seminars and workshops. Prof. Rauf is registered (PE) Professional Engineer, in the States of Virginia, North Carolina, and Wyoming, a Certified Energy Manager and a Certified Ergonomist. 

Prof. Rauf was inducted as "Legend in Energy" by AEE, in 2014.  He is a published author of multiple engineering and energy books, and professional Development courses.  He holds patents in process controls technology.