Arc Flash (AF) Studies

• Calculate incident energy levels (cal/cm²) and arc flash boundary distances at equipment locations.
• Determine limited approach boundary (LAB) and restricted approach boundary (RAB).
• Analyze bolted and arcing fault currents using short-circuit study data. These values are used to perform AF analysis and generate arc flash incident energy (AFIE) and arc flash boundary (AFB) information.
• Provide arc flash labels with shock and arc flash hazard information identifying minimum shock and arc flash PPE requirements.
• Ensure compliance with NFPA 70E and OSHA 1910 Subpart S compliance.

Acceptance Testing

• Verify equipment per ANSI/NETA ATS specifications.
• Acceptance testing encompasses a wide range of tests performed on various types of equipment. These tests may include insulation resistance, contact/connection resistance, winding resistance, insulation power factor, excitation, turns ratio, transformer saturation, primary and secondary injection, leakage reactance, SFRA, fluid or gas sampling and analysis, ground resistance, VLF, tan delta, thermographic surveys, and partial discharge surveys.
• Validate CT ratios, polarity, and burden calculations (device specific).

Grounding Studies

• Calculate ground potential rise (GPR) and step/touch potentials per IEEE 80.
• Analyze soil resistivity using Wenner four-point method.
• Evaluate maximum grid current and fault clearing times.
• Verify ground resistance meets specification requirements.

GFCI Testing

• Verify trip threshold at 4-6 mA ±1 mA per UL 943.
• Test response time <25-30 milliseconds under fault conditions.
• Validate line-to-ground leakage detection capability.
• Test both Class A (personnel protection) and Class B (equipment) devices.

Switchgear Maintenance & Testing

• Measure contact/connection resistance.
• Perform insulation resistance testing.
• Conduct dielectric withstand (hi-pot) testing per IEEE 4 or NETA MTS.
• Visual inspection and cleaning.

Cable Testing

• Conduct tan delta/dissipation factor analysis for insulation condition assessment.
• Execute partial discharge (PD) testing to detect corona, tracking, and deteriorated insulation.
• Measure insulation resistance and polarization index.
• Perform time-domain reflectometry (TDR) for fault location.

Infrared Thermography (IR Scans)

• Detect temperature differentials (ΔT) indicating abnormal heating.
• Identify hot spots exceeding NETA baseline temperature rise limits.
• Capture thermal images at minimum 40% load for accurate assessment.
• Measure emissivity-corrected temperatures of connections and terminations.
• Prioritize findings by severity.

Ultrasonic Testing

• Detect corona discharge in the 20-100 kHz frequency range.
• Identify tracking and arcing at incipient failure stages.
• Measure sound pressure levels in decibels (dB) for trending.
• Locate partial discharge activity in switchgear, transformers, circuit breakers, cables, etc.

Power Quality Studies and Harmonic Analysis

• Use SKM HI_WAVE to build a one-line diagram and enter component data to model the power distribution operation.
• Define sources of harmonics and apply those signatures to loads.
• Perform analysis to determine harmonic propagation throughout system.
• Results include Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) and Individual Harmonic Distortion (IHD).  Graphs are provided for voltage/current distortion.

Load Studies

• Use SKM DAPPER to build a one-line diagram and enter component data to model the power distribution system operation.
• Perform analysis using the Newton-Raphson or accelerated Gauss-Seidel method.  The analysis is performed using multiple operating scenarios and demand load.
• Results include voltage drop calculations, transformer tap settings, component loading and motor impact on system.

Circuit Breaker Life Extension Services

• Verify interrupting capacity (AIC/kAIC) meets available fault current.
• Verify proper coordination with upstream and downstream devices.
• Confirm voltage ratings, continuous current ratings, and withstand ratings.
• Validate mechanical and electrical endurance classifications.
• Upgrade antiquated components with new, state-of-the art components/technology to verify breaker speed meets system study requirements.

Relay Upgrades & Replacements

• System analysis, schematics, and diagrams designed to achieve operational goals, verify functionality, and comply with regulatory requirements.
• Installation of a new relay protection system includes:
  • Removal of existing electromechanical relays, controls, and associated control wiring.
  • Installation of new protection panel assemblies.
  • Termination of new wiring harness to the existing terminal blocks.
  • Installation of additional control wiring as needed.
  • Verification of all factory drawings to confirm documentation accurately reflects the as-installed design.

NERC Compliance

• Key services provided include:
  • Evaluation of existing plant's sequence of event recorder (SER), fault recorder (FR), and dynamic disturbance recorder (DDR) performances.
  • PRC-005 scoping based on the Client’s PSMP to identify protection system components that are due for maintenance.
  • Evaluation of existing plant capabilities and relay settings, including voltage, frequency, distance, overcurrent, and directional overcurrent functions.
  • Develop Method of Procedure and execute compliance testing for generator reactive power verification, excitation control system and turbine governor model verification.

Frequency of Maintenance Guide

Electrical Maintenance Testing

Directory of Locations

Acceptance Testing (Third Party)

NERC Compliance

NFPA 70B Data Sheet

Site Audits

Governing Policy

Water Treatment Plant Electrical System Training