Primary Electric Distribution for Industrial Plants

Adolph A. Biss, P.E.

Course Outline

This “Four Hour” online course covers the fundamentals of electric power distribution at primary voltage levels 2.4 Kv to 15 Kv.  An understanding of the design elements of the system and of system operation is important for obtaining efficient plant operation, for trouble shooting problems which may arise, and planning future changes.

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the Course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this Course, the student will:

• Be familiar with circuit requirements from 2.4Kv to 15Kv;
• Be familiar with shifting from 240 to 480 volt distribution;
• Learn about the effects of voltage variation;
• Learn how to size the electrical Service Entrance and voltage level;
• Become  familiar with Factors in selecting a distribution system;
• Become familiar with the five basic circuit arrangements;
• Be familiar with providing circuits for various loads;
• Be able to calculate voltage line loses;
• Be able to determine load diversity;
• Learn how to estimate various loads;
• Be able to determine total power demand;
• Be familiar with protective equipment and circuits;
• Be able to correct plant power factor;
• Be familiar with power factor corrective equipment;
• Become familiar with substation Grounding;
• Be familiar with transformer characteristics; and
• Be familiar with metal-clad switchgear.

Intended Audience

This course was initially sponsored by West Penn Power Company and intended for those who design and specify plant distribution systems.  It has now been modified to meet current industry needs and is intended for engineers, inspectors and others concerned with plant electrical power distribution.

Benefit to Attendees

Attendee of this course will be able to plan a primary electrical distribution system with respect to design, reliability, safety and voltage selection.

Course Introduction

An industrial plant is only as good as its electric power distribution system.  When the power supply is unreliable or fails, production suffers or stops.  In practically all plants, processes change with time so that loads are connected here and there or transferred from one circuit to another.  Sooner or later, an overload condition occurs.  Then, fuses blow or breakers trip and the factory shuts-down.  The tangled electrical distribution system had gotten out-of control and put a strangle hold on the operation.  On the other hand, good adequate wiring makes it possible for a plant to enjoy flexibility and reliability not possible otherwise.

Course Content

The course content is in a PDF file:

Primary Electric Distribution for Industrial Plants

Please click on the above underlined hypertext to view, download or print the document for your study. Because of the large file size, we recommend that you first save the file to your computer by right clicking the mouse and choosing "Save Target As ...", and then open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you still experience any difficulty in downloading or opening this file, you may need to close some applications or reboot your computer to free up some memory.

Course Summary

The Course covers wiring fundamentals and electric power distribution system for medium voltages from 2.4Kv to 15Kv.  Specifically, the Course will enable one to determine the appropriate plant distribution voltage level, estimate electrical loads, analyze and select an appropriate primary electrical distribution circuit, the unit substation, switchgear, transformer characteristics, and distribution system.

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

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DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

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