A power system study is crucial for the electrical power system design process. The study comprises many engineering analyses, investigations and data collections. However, the purpose of this study nonetheless is to ensure that you have an efficient, reliable, and safe power system for your facility under all types of normal and abnormal conditions.
Importance of a Power System Study
A power system includes subsystems such as generation, distribution, and transmission. The importance of a power system analysis is to:
- Execute or model per phase analysis of the components of the power system
- Monitor voltage at reactive and real power flow at different buses
- Plan the current system expansion for the future
- Analyze the power system under normal and abnormal conditions
- Design and develop protective devices coordination and its settings
Let’s take a deeper dive to understand the role and importance of power system studies:It won’t be wrong to say that power system studies are crucial for protecting power systems. A power study may come in handy to ensure a dependable operation of protective devices when there is a fault current or short circuit.
However, as recommended by OSHA and NFPA 70E, you are required to carry out a complete arc flash study every five years to ensure worker electrical safety. An Arc flash study includes all power system studies needed for the power system facility. In other words, if you carry out an arc flash study with the recommendations, you are likely to cover the majority of the parts of the power system study for LV and MV.
To sum it up, the ultimate purpose of a power system study is to gather the information that can help you make the right decisions about the electrical distribution system. Power system study include everything:
- Harmonic analysis
- Transient and dynamic analysis
- Earthing studies
- Load flow analysis
- Short circuit and fault analysis
- Settings and coordination of protective devices
- Insulation coordination and voltage switch over
Software Programs Used to Conduct Power System Studies
To conduct reliable power system studies, you need expertise, experience, and the right software. Though there are many software programs available in the market, the industry-leading programs include:
- Etap
- Easy Power
- SKM
- PSSE
- Digsilent
At Keentel Engineering, we are the leaders and top choice for power system studies and its analysis. Contact us today for assistance.
