Short Circuit Coordination and Arc Flash Studies for Mission-Critical Power Systems

Analysis of Faults, Circuit Breakers, and Arc Flash

A Short Circuit Coordination Study is crucial to maintaining system reliability and identifying potential risks associated with short circuits and the overall performance of your power systems.

When designing a new electrical system or upgrading an existing one, a Short Circuit Coordination Study is vital to ensure that the protective devices (such as circuit breakers, fuses, and relays) are correctly selected and coordinated with your power system. This means that in the event of a fault, the device closest to the fault will operate first, minimizing the impact on the rest of the system.

For existing systems, a routine study may be performed as part of routine maintenance or system evaluation. It is especially important for our engineers to review and analyze data to determine whether there have been changes to the system that might impact overall performance or utility upgrades.

Request a Study

Identify and Manage:

Simulates various short circuit scenarios, allowing us to analyze how your system’s protective devices respond to these events.

Steps in this study:

ETAP Analysis
System Layout
Equipment Ratings
Device Settings
Modeling
Simulated Short Circuits
Response Coordination

Post-Fault Analysis

Global Power Supply conducts a Short Circuit Coordination Study using Electrical Transient Analyzer Program (ETAP) software, to create a replica model of your system, and simulate various short circuit scenarios, allowing us to observe how your system’s protective devices respond to unexpected events.

Based on the results from our ETAP program, our expert engineers will provide you with our recommendation for the most reliable device as well as the settings in order to optimize and improve coordination of your power system’s protective devices.

We offer comprehensive training sessions and support on short circuit safety, and we ensure your team has proper understanding of short circuit coordination studies, and the resources needed to maintain a safe and efficient working environment.

Standards-Based Analysis for Compliance and Safety

Every Short-Circuit, Arc Flash Hazard Assessment, and Protective Device Coordination study Global Power Supply performs complies with NFPA 70E and IEEE 1584, the two standards that govern arc flash assessment and personal protective equipment requirements in the United States. Our engineers use the fault current and device coordination data from your study to evaluate device short circuit and interrupt ratings, determine accurate PPE categories and safe working distances for your team, then document the findings in updated arc flash labels for your equipment.

These studies are not one-time deliverables. Facilities should request an updated study whenever they add equipment, modify their electrical distribution system, or experience a utility service change, and as a general guideline, every five years even without major changes. Global Power Supply’s engineering team can help you determine the right interval for your facility based on system complexity and usage.

“We learned first-hand about the importance of a short circuit study after an incident at a processing facility for our winery. We had a problem when a mis-sized circuit breaker failed to trip and allowed a spike of in rush current to reach our processing equipment, which destroyed a conveyor motor and caused us a two-day shut down to replace damaged equipment. This could have been avoided with properly sized circuit breakers. To make sure it never happened again, we had a professional analysis of our electrical systems and a short circuit study performed.”

Derek R. / Winery Processing Facility Manager

Short Circuit, Arc Flash Hazard Assessment, and Protective Device Coordination Study FAQs

These studies protect your equipment and your team by verifying that equipment is appropriately rated, making sure protective devices respond correctly when a fault occurs, and identifying the potential hazard to personnel working on live equipment. Here are answers to the questions we hear most from facility managers and engineers.

What is a short circuit study?

A short circuit study models your electrical distribution system to calculate the maximum fault current at each point in the network. Global Power Supplv’s engineers then verify that every bus, transformer, or other relevant equipment is rated to withstand the maximum expected fault currents. Protective devices (circuit breakers, relays, fuses, etc.) are also evaluated to ensure that the interrupt ratings are appropriate for the expected fault currents.

What is a Protective Device Coordination study?

A Protective Device Coordination study models your electrical distribution system to calculate the maximum fault current at each point in the network, then verifies that protective devices like breakers, fuses, and relays are set to isolate a fault as close to its source as possible. Global Power Supply’s engineers build this model in software of your choosing (ETAP, SKM, etc.) and simulate multiple fault scenarios and check that protective devices are properly coordinated before recommending device settings.

How often should I update my studies?

Update your studies whenever you add electrical equipment, reconfigure your distribution system, or your utility changes available fault current. Facilities with stable systems should still plan for a refresh roughly every five years to confirm protective devices are still coordinated correctly, and that arc flash incident energy has not changed significantly.

What does Global Power Supply deliver at the end of a Short Circuit, Arc Flash Hazard Assessment, and Protective Device Coordination study?

You receive a full report of the fault current calculations, equipment verification, protective device coordination curves, any recommended settings changes, arc flash incident energies and labels, along with training and support so your team understands how to apply the findings and maintain safety during future system changes.

How do Protective Device Coordination studies relate to Arc Flash Hazard Assessment studies?

The fault current data from a Protective Device Coordination study feeds directly into an arc flash hazard assessment, since both rely on the same system model. The worst-case scenario for arc flash incident energy is calculated using accurate cable impedance, expected fault currents, and actual protective device operating times. Global Power Supply performs the two studies together so protective device coordination and arc flash PPE requirements are based on consistent, current data.

Arc Flash Study

Arc flash studies should be updated whenever significant modifications are made to the electrical system, to ensure that there is no arc flash hazard.

BESS Application Study

We create a detailed model of your power system and use it to simulate scenarios involving the deployment of a Battery Energy Storage System.

Generator Application Study

Whether it's for backup power, peak shaving, or continuous power supply, the goal is to enhance the reliability and efficiency of your power system.

Microgrid Study

Based on the results of our simulations, our team of engineers will provide specific, actionable items for integrating a microgrid into your power system.

Short Circuit Study

This study involves a detailed analysis of your power system to identify and manage the potential risks associated with short circuits.

UPS Services Study

A comprehensive evaluation of your power system to determine the need, feasibility, and optimal strategy for integrating a UPS system.

MTU GENERATORS FOR NORTHERN CA

MTU Generators for Oakland California

After devastating wildfires caused by downed power lines across the state of California, energy provider PG&E rolled out a new program aimed at reducing wildfire instances.

Used Cummins Genset with Asco ATS for Lynnhaven Florida

For nearly 30 years, Gordon Andrews Construction (GAC) has been providing contracting services and roofing services to customers in the Northern Florida area.

Power Infrastructure Solutions

Global Power Supply offers a full range of power equipment services, from site surveys and engineering reviews, to complete power system installations, maintenance and remote monitoring.

Services