Power System Analysis

Industrial Tests, Inc. provides comprehensive Power System Analysis services as part of our Electrical Testing and Maintenance services. We perform Power System Analysis for industrial plants, large commercial facilities and municipal power stations. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are maintenance manager’s first choice for electrical testing, maintenance and repair.

Power Quality Audit

Power quality audits enables in depth system’s analysis of the transient and often undetected power conditions within a particular system that can be harmful.  They show whether or not power specifications are being met and uncover underlying problems that might cause particular systems to not be up to par. The expert’s at ITI will perform a power quality audit on each particular system by:

• Assessing power quality throughout facility
• Identify harmful power problems that can infect data and hardware.
• Provide ways and options to correct potential threats to the health of valuable equipment
• Determine if existing power infrastructure capacity is being approached or can accommodate planned growth

Protective Relay Coordination

Relay and coordination studies pinpoint traits of circuit breakers, fuses, and relays used for protection within a power system.  They help identify potential problems and hazards that might arise with faulty equipment and damaged electrical connections that can lead to broken lines, outages, and ultimately building shutdowns.  The purpose of relay and coordination is to limit potential hazards to personnel and equipment.

Short Circuit Studies

Short circuit studies are essential if you are looking to prevent unnecessary shutdowns, keep personnel safe and hazard free, and isolate potential circuit faults quickly.  ITI’s short circuit power system’s study will determine the amount of fault currents flowing through the system at specific time intervals after a circuit breaker trip occurs to ensure the that switch gears, breakers, and fuses are up to standard and are functioning as warranted by the manufacturers.

Harmonics

Fundamental harmonic frequency consists of 60 hertz.  Any distortion from the fundamental frequency will be equal to the product of the fundamental frequency multiplied by an integer.  For example, the second harmonic distortion is 120 hertz or (60hertz x 2). Harmonic power system studies look to determine the existence of harmonic distortions within the system as designed by IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers).  The study consists of harmonic distortion data collection and analysis of the data in order to design solutions and recommendations to fix the problem.   A typical solution would be installing a harmonic filter bank to help regulate frequency and prevent unnecessary distortions.

Power Factor Correction

A Power factor study looks at the ratio of the real power flowing to the load to the apparent power in the circuit.  Generally, apparent power is higher than real power since apparent power is the product of the current and the voltage within the circuit whereas real power is the amount of work being performed by the circuit at a specified time.  Loads with lower power factors draws more current than loads with a higher power factor since more energy is loss through transmission of the current through lower power factors.  In turn, it is more costly to run current at a lower power factor since it requires more current, larger wires to accommodate the current, and more energy dissipated through heat loss.  ITI’s team of expert technician and engineers will determine the ideal power factor for your distinct system and take preventative measures to ensure smooth flow, decrease system losses, and minimal differences between real power and apparent power in the circuit.

Motor Starting

Motor starting studies are used to verify the power of the motor at the start along with the input voltage and current. Furthermore, motor starting studies help determine the amount of time required before a motor is going at full capacity.

Ground Grid Analysis

A ground grid analysis study determines the safety of existing and new substation ground grids.  In order to be considered safe, the calculated step and touch voltages within the ground grid system must be less than the maximum allowable step and touch voltages.  Ground grid systems must suppress the transferred voltages to safe values during ground fault conditions in accordance with Nation Electrical Code (NEC), National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Power Flow Study (Load Flow)

Power flow studies are an important part of planning for future expansion of currently existing power systems as well as determining hazards within systems and initiating preventative measures.  Power flow studies looks at voltages, currents, active and reactive power along each line within the system.

Arc Flash Analysis

On average 5-10 people die as a result of arc flash or are seriously injured.  Arc flash studies will enable ITI to determine the specific limited approach boundary (the approachable limit at a distance from an exposed live part within which a shock hazard exists) for electrical equipment and assign appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) to handle these pieces of equipment.  Furthermore the analysis will determine an arc rating for the equipment at risk so that workers are aware of the potential exposure to arc flash energy measured in cal/cm­­². ITI’s assessment for arc flashes includes the following:

• Data Collection
• Power System Modeling
• Short Circuit & Coordination Study
• Arc Flash Hazard Evaluation Study
• Report Analysis & Recommendations
• Arch Flash Labels
• Install Protective Device Settings and Labels
• Arc Flash Training for Personnel

Providing Power System Analysis To Northern California

With offices outside Sacramento, California, Industrial Tests, Inc. provides Power System Analysis services to clients throughout Northern California, including Sacramento, San Francisco, and surrounding Northern California areas. We serve industrial, commercial and municipal clients in various industries including power stations, power plants, wind and solar, petro-chemicals, manufacturing, hotels, hospitals, municipalities, defense contractors, data centers and many other applications that rely on high power electric equipment. Whatever your Power System Analysis needs may be, contact us and we will make sure that your equipment is treated with the care and safety requirements that it deserves.

To learn more about Power System Analysis, please visit our Power System Analysis website.