PLANT ENGINEERING Webcast addresses selective coordination issues

How many times have you heard of a simple electrical fault taking out half of a plant? This scenario should not happen if protective devices are properly coordinated. The device closest to the fault should be the one to clear – not one way upstream that supplies power to many feeders and branches.

By Staff May 15, 2007

How many times have you heard of a simple electrical fault taking out half of a plant? This scenario should not happen if protective devices are properly coordinated. The device closest to the fault should be the one to clear — not one way upstream that supplies power to many feeders and branches. These questions and issues are part of onging selective coordination coverage in PLANT ENGINEERING .

Selective coordination issues will be discussed in a PLANT ENGINEERING Webcast on May 25 at 1 p.m. CDT. Discussion topics include selective coordination for minimum downtime, techniques for optimal selective coordination and how selective coordination affects fault current and SCCR.

Within a plant’s electrical infrastructure, everything is connected. “Fundamental to every electrical issue is the one-line diagram,” said Jack Smith, managing editor of PLANT ENGINEERING and moderator for this Webcast. “It’s difficult, if not impossible to ensure proper device coordination if your one line is not accurate. Devices that were changed or substituted and not documented could likely affect device coordination, SCCR and even arc flash risk.”

St. Louis-based Cooper Bussmann is a sponsor for the Webcast, which will feature industry experts discussing these critical topics. After the discussion, viewers will have an opportunity to participate in a live question and answer session.