Weekly Informational and Training Webinars

• Presented by Jim Chastain, Support Engineer at EasyPower
• Completed - Watch Video Now

Description - The scope of arc flash studies now often include 240 and 120 volt panels and loads. Facility managers ask for the information to be included on the panel schedule so it can be displayed on the panel. This refresher webinar by Jim Chastain describes how panel schedule templates can be modified to include this requested information.

• Presented by Jim Chastain, Support Engineer at EasyPower
• Completed - Watch Video Now

Description - The push to reduce power consumption has resulted in many companies going to Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) and Adjustable Frequency Drive (AFD) motor controllers as methods to reduce operation costs. This refresher webinar, given by Jim Chastain at EasyPower, details how to set up these variable frequency motor controls for short circuit and arc flash studies . Additional discussion will investigate the impact on power flow (does power consumption really go down?) and what is the system level trade-off (any harmonic repercussions?). This is a replay of a popular webinar presented in 2017.

• Presented by Jim Chastain, Support Engineer at EasyPower
• Completed - Video coming soon

Description - We kick of the first part of a 4-week series on how to meet NFPA compliance and control costs with a discussion of safety related to arc flash hazards and the evolution of regulator standards in the 15 years since their introduction. This will be similar to the prior instances of this presentation, but updated with current examples and discussions.

• Presented by Jim Chastain, Support Engineer at EasyPower
• Completed - Video coming soon

Description - Of the overall time involved in an Arc Flash study, data collection can be the most costly if not properly planned. Eliminating the need for repeated trips to the site and avoiding excessive delays and cost is the focus for this presentation. Second in the Arc Flash Risk Assessment series, this presentation emphasizes the benefits that can be recognized both in cost reduction and employee education when facilities maintenance teams are part of the process. This will be similar to the prior instances of this presentation, but updated to include changes to data collection, which are many, as dictated by new calculation parameters in the IEEE 1584-2018 standard.

• Presented by Jim Chastain, Support Engineer at EasyPower
• GoToMeeting info - Register Now
• Webinar starts at 8:00am PST

Description - The third installment of this series focuses on the use of the EasyPower Arc Flash Suite #2 to construct the one-line model from the collected data and then proceeds to the initial steps required to calculated arc flash incident energies. Industry standards describing the use of the IEEE-1584 model are detailed and examples provided. This will be similar to the prior instances of this presentation, but updated to include techniques in EasyPower for comparing your electrical system using the IEEE 1584-2002 vs. 1584-2018 standard.

• Presented by Jim Chastain, Support Engineer at EasyPower
• GoToMeeting info - Register Now
• Webinar starts at 8:00am PST

Description - This last installment in the Arc Flash Risk Assessment series will highlight the EasyPower tools utilities which facilitate compliance with the requirements of NFPA-70E. Included in the presentation is the ability to print and export reports, customize the report layout, customize label content, and printing. In addition, the EasyPower label editor permits the use of QR codes to extend the information available to anyone able to scan the equipment label.

• Presented by Jim Chastain, Support Engineer at EasyPower
• GoToMeeting info - Register Now
• Webinar starts at 8:00am PST

Description - VFD controller simulation in power flow can be complicated if the VFD output frequency is something other than 60 Hz.  In this Refresher webinar, Jim Chastain focuses on the modifications that should be made to VFD setup for more accurate PowerFlow analysis. This addresses some of the unanswered questions when we only focus on VFD Setup for ShortCircuit analysis.

• Presented by Jerod Day, Head of Engineering at Vacuum Interrupters, Inc.
• Completed - Watch Video Now

Description - Vacuum interrupters have been installed in industrial circuit breakers since the early 1970s and were designed for a 20-to-30-year minimum usable life. Fortunately, many have lasted well beyond their anticipated shelf life. However, we are now seeing many requests for vacuum bottle testing and replacements. Vacuum interrupter test sets can determine the pressure inside a vacuum interrupter and along with wear and number of operations, predict the usable life of the vacuum interrupters used in your circuit breakers and contactors. Until now, this type of testing could only be performed at the assembly plant. In this webinar, Jerod Day at Vacuum Interrupters, Inc, explains the causes of vacuum bottle failures and the new field-based testing method that minimizes the chances of costly damage or unintentional downtime through predictability.

• Presented by Terry Becker, P.E, Electrical Safety Specialist
• Completed - Watch Video Now

Description - Both NFPA 70E, Article 110.5 Electrical Safety Program and CSA Z462, Clause 4.1.6 Electrical Safety Program require that the Electrical Safety Program shall be audited every three years. Following a company's Management of Change process, a detailed audit and appropriate updates are required.  In this webinar, given by Terry Becker at TW Becker Electrical Safety Consulting Inc. the changes to the content of an Electrical Safety Program based on the 2021 Editions of NFPA 70E or CSA Z462 are reviewed.

• Presented by Antony Parsons, Ph.D., P.E. and Jeff M. Miller, P.E. at Schneider Electric
• GoToMeeting info - Register Now
• Webinar starts at 10:00am PST

Description - There are many solutions available to mitigate arc flash hazards, but how do they compare against each other? This presentation, given by Antony Parsons, Ph.D., P.E. and Jeff M. Miller, P.E. at Schneider Electric, provides a contrasting look at the hazard avoidance, prevention, containment, and reduction solutions available. Solutions are then discussed in terms of their mitigation effectiveness as well as their impact on event recovery, footprint, installation, commissioning, and CapEx & OpEx costs. Not all solutions can be applied in every application, so best practices and limitations are examined. In addition, many codes and standards work in absolutes and do not consider the likelihood of electrical incidents which should also be considered when choosing solutions for hazard mitigation.

• Presented by David Lewis, PE, Grounding and Power Systems at EasyPower
• GoToMeeting info - Register Now
• Webinar starts at 10:00am PST

Description - Increasingly, the electric power industry finds the need for rights-of-way that are either co-located or that cross other conductive facilities such as pipelines or railroads. High voltage AC transmission lines may affect adjacent facilities, which can possibly damage equipment, reduce the facilities longevity, and create hazards for the personnel and public. This webinar, given by David Lewis, an electrical engineer at EasyPower, explains how nearby facilities are affected by AC interference and provides guidance in the steps that engineers can take to accurately evaluate the complex challenges of AC interference using XGSA_FD. 

• Presented by Jim White at Shermco
• GoToMeeting info - Register Now
• Webinar starts at 10:00am PST

Description - Temporary protective grounding serves a critical safety function when working on electrical power systems. Although many field service personnel are well acquainted with the requirements of using temporary protective grounds, many others have only a partial understanding of important aspects of it. This webinar, given by Jim White at Shermco, reviews the more important aspects of the application of temporary protective grounds, including sizing, order of placement and removal, results of misapplication and common rules for working with temporary protective grounds. 

• Presented by Andrew Legro P.E. at ABB
• GoToMeeting info - Register Now
• Webinar starts at 10:00am PST

Description - A fundamental element of all low voltage circuit breakers is the trip unit or ‘brain’ of the circuit breaker. Several different trip unit technologies are available, but which one is the best choice for my application? This presentation, given by Andrew Legro P.E. at ABB, provides an overview of each trip unit technology from thermal magnetic to multi-function digital. Cost versus function will be reviewed and as well as a walk-through of some example applications.  

• Presented by Ivan Grobbelaar, PE, Senior Engineer at DEHN Africa
• GoToMeeting info - Register Now
• Webinar starts at 10:00am PST

Description - Lightning current transients injected onto PV modules may cause damage to equipment farther downstream, resulting in equipment loss and production down time. Surge Protective devices for the DC side of PV plants will not be able to withstand peak value lightning strikes without sufficient energy dissipation through the PV field. With the correct implementation of external lightning protection and grounding, it is shown that the surge protection is not overstressed due to sufficient energy dissipation before reaching equipment. The resultant current propagation, transient waveform, and specific energy are calculated at critical locations in the PV Field through XGS Lab simulations. This webinar, given by Ivan Grobbelaar, PE, Senior Engineer at DEHN Africa, shows the importance of external lightning protection and grounding design during the planning phase of a new PV plant.

• Presented by Jeff M. Miller, P.E., and Bassem “Joey” Ammouri at Schneider Electric
• GoToMeeting info - Register Now
• Webinar starts at 10:00am PST

Description - The construction industry can be inefficient as it continues to use outdated processes and methods which that drive up costs and enable risk. This ultimately prevents many new technologies from unlocking value due to poor ROI. BIM was created to solve these issues as a form of integrated project execution throughout the phases of a project. At first, BIM adoption was mainly for conflict avoidance and constructability. Now modern BIM tools have unlocked the 7 dimensions of BIM, providing easy access to design automation and project management efficiencies. This presentation, given by Jeff M. Miller, P.E., and Bassem “Joey” Ammouri at Schneider Electric, looks at modern electrical BIM workflow and how these tools can increase productivity in modeling, drawing production, specification, calculation, analysis, costing, project management, and more.