Short Circuit Study

A Short Circuit and Coordination Study is critical for the safe, efficient, and economical operation of any electrical distribution system. A Short Circuit Study will help to ensure that personnel and equipment are protected by establishing proper interrupting ratings. When an electrical fault exceeds the interrupting rating of the protective device, the consequences can be devastating, including injury, damaged electrical equipment, and costly downtime. A Coordination Study maximizes power system selectivity by isolating faults to the nearest protective device.

Arc Flash Study

An arc flash study, also called an arc flash hazard analysis or arc flash risk assessment, is a study that identifies arc flash hazards, estimates the likelihood of severe injury, and helps determine the additional protections (controls and personal protective equipment (PPE)) needed for a given electrical system/installation as defined in NFPA 70E.

An arc flash study is required to understand the maximum amount of energy that could be release by equipment requiring maintenance. Additionally, an arc flash study can inform a designer on how to eliminate or reduce hazard risk. Without an arc flash study, the proper elimination, reduction, mitigation, and protection techniques cannot be known to create a safe work environment around electrical equipment and installations.

Coordination Study

Electrical coordination studies are performed to ensure the safety of the system, personnel, and property. These studies evaluate the protective devices and are essential to increase system reliability and continuity of service. Coordination studies are also important in determining proper protective device settings to ensure the system is protected and reduce arc flash hazards.

At Reliable Power Solutions, we make coordination studies easy for our customers. Upon receiving a one-line diagram of the system, our engineers put together a data request form outlining all the information needed to complete the study. This data is used to build a comprehensive and accurate model of the system in SKM PowerTools. We analyze the protective device trip curves and fault currents to evaluate system coordination and recommend optimal breaker settings. With the results, we put together a formal report detailing our methods, results, analysis, and recommendations.