Electrical Studies

Electrical studies at Idergy encompass a range of analyses crucial for ensuring the optimal performance and safety of electrical systems. Our electrical studies include Load Flow Analysis for voltage drop and equipment assessment, Short Circuit Analysis for equipment evaluation, Selective Coordination Studies for enhanced protection, Photometric Lighting Studies for optimal illumination, and Motor Starting Studies for analyzing motor impact and response during start-up.

Load Flow Analysis

A load flow study verifies the ability of an electrical distribution system to maintain an acceptable voltage profile (95% to 105% of nominal voltage) and to evaluate the adequacy of the continuous ratings of electrical equipment (transformers, distribution panels, cables). A load flow study is also used to analyze the power flow through the various consumers, to locate any undesirable voltage drop (%VD) on buses, transformers, cables, or loads, and to prevent equipment overloads or underloads.

Short Circuit Analysis

An electrical distribution system is designed to provide safe operation and continuous power supply for the electrical loads through selective protective devices with adequate interrupting ratings. A short circuit study is used for proper selection of protective devices with required interrupting ratings and to determine the short circuit capabilities required for cables, bus bars and other circuit components until the fault is cleared by the tripping of the associated protective device. In an existing system, a short-circuit study confirms that the electrical equipment short-circuit ratings are adequate for the maximum available short-circuit levels in accordance with ANSI/IEEE standards.

Selective Coordination Study

A protective device selective coordination study evaluates the coordination of protective devices. Time-current characteristic curves (TCCs) are created in order to determine the required settings of the protective devices to maximize protection and selectivity. Selective coordination is used to select the protective devices that must trip first upon a fault and avoid a cascading effect. Also, selective coordination can be useful to reduce arc flash incident energies by modifying the protective device settings.

Photometric Lighting Study

A photometric lighting study establishes the lighting levels of area. An existing background of the facility or building is used to develop a layout to analyze the different lights and determine their best placement based on the amount of lumens or foot-candles produced in accordance with industry standards. These standards include IES, OSHA, API, or ANSI.

Motor Starting Study

A motor starting study analyzes the impact of high inrush currents and torque profile of induction and synchronous motors generated during starting. These starting conditions can cause voltage dips throughout the electrical system which can cause contactors to drop out and other loads to malfunction. Also, the torque profile of the motor is evaluated during start-up to ensure that the motor can accelerate its load and achieve nominal speed. Motor starting studies can analyze the response of generators to motor starting and to determine the best low voltage method to start a large motor.