Services by Industry: Commercial Construction | Industrial Manufacturing | Utility Power

POWER SYSTEMS STUDIES

Arc Flash Analysis

Electrical arcs form when there is an insulation breakdown in an electrical system. Resultant temperature levels of these arcs can exceed four times that of the surface of the sun. Equipment failures happen indiscriminately whether someone is in close proximity of the equipment or not. The most dangerous situation is an incident involving equipment failure while an individual is working on the equipment. Arc flash hazard recognition, control, and protection are necessary to prevent serious injury or death to the individual being exposed to the arc flash.

Wells Engineering provides all documentation necessary to satisfy regulatory authorities like OSHA, NEC, and NFPA for compliance. Implementation of the plan begins with providing the appropriate power system audit. The audit consists of a short circuit analysis of the equipment, protective device coordination analysis, and arc flash (incident energy) calculations.

Short Circuit Study

Maintenance mishaps and equipment failures happen every day and in every industry causing larger than normal current levels to flow in a system. The short circuit study calculates the magnitude of the currents that flow during a fault. The study results are the basis of many other studies to compare them to equipment ratings, derive protection settings, calculate harmonic distortion, calculate flash hazards, etc.

Equipment Evaluation

The specification and purchase of new electrical power equipment is dependent on selecting the equipment with the proper ratings for the application. The equipment must be designed and built so that it can successfully withstand and interrupt the available fault current at that point. As power systems change, so does the fault availability throughout the facility. It is imperative that the ratings of the selected equipment exceed the magnitude of the calculated values of the short-circuit currents that can flow during a fault. The changes in fault levels can affect the evaluation of the existing equipment.

Coordination Study

Properly coordinated power system protective devices will result in a power system that is reliable and minimizes equipment damage during faults. It will also present operation with the least exposure to outages. A coordination study is the process of determining the optimum characteristics, ratings, and settings of the power system protective devices. The optimum settings are focused on providing systematic interruptions to the selected power system segments during fault conditions.

Load Flow Analysis

As power systems age, growth and upgrades become more commonplace. The load flow analysis assists on the planning and implementation stages. Upon calculating power flow and corresponding voltage regulation throughout the system network, our engineers report percent loading levels and assist in the determination of upgrades if necessary.

Power Factor Correction

Inductive loading and excessive power distribution distances account for poor voltage regulation. Wells Engineering can analyze the system and provide recommendations to correct the system power factor to effectively reduce system losses that contribute to poor regulation.

Harmonic Analysis

From computers to AC/DC motor drives and fluorescent lights to arc furnaces, Wells Engineering has highly experienced engineers for the analysis and abatement of harmonics. Our extensive database contains information regarding several manufacturers’ equipment. With this information, resultant harmonic voltages and currents are calculated throughout the system network. In many cases of an existing facility, harmonic measurements are taken to profile the exact distortion produced from the process operation. With this load profile data, computer simulations will help identify what conditions will cause problems. In order to produce the necessary calculations correctly, a short circuit study is performed to reveal the short circuit availability at each network bus. Maximum and minimum fault impedances are requested from the utility service provider to see the seasonal effects that will be experienced during times of low generation capacity. IEEE standard 519 is an industry guide and is the main reference for evaluating system performance for serving harmonic loads.

Cable Ampacity

Calculations involving thermal transmissions with surrounding conductors determine cable ampacity. Our engineers use state of the art computer solutions when for many cable configurations.

Motor Starting Analysis

The starting of any size motor can cause problems if the machine is not properly applied to the electrical network. This study identifies voltage drop problems when applying large rotating apparatus on-line. Once voltage problems are identified, corrective measures are recommended as to the abatement of excessive voltage drop. The study is a good tool for specifying transformers, making decisions for equipment placement, motor starting methods, etc. A load flow analysis is performed before the motor starting analysis to determine the system conditions prior to starting.

Power Quality Analysis

Wells Engineering has been very successful in determining and recommending corrective actions to a wide array of power quality disturbance cases.

The investigations have included:

• fences burning down
• CRT monitors burning up
• Computers locking up
• PLC I/O cards failing
• 35kV vacuum breaker bottle tracking
• Capacitor failures

This assessment is a type of forensic analysis where data is collected using special power quality analyzers. In addition, an engineer makes onsite visits to review the applied wiring and grounding.

Voltage Flicker Analysis

More attention is being placed on voltage flicker as more stringent power quality regulations are being enforced. The engineers at Wells Engineering have experience with a diverse group of voltage flicker inducing load applications from commercial HVAC, continuous mining, and industry metals.

Insulation Coordination Analysis

New installations and aging power systems require insulation coordination studies to ensure hazardous system switching transients will not propagate into vital system equipment.

Switching Transient Analysis

Switching operations, faults, lightning surges, and other high power disturbances can cause temporary overvoltages and overcurrents in power system networks. Each system must withstand these with a certain probability, or their effects must be reduced and limited with protective devices. Our engineers use computer simulation to illustrate transient phenomena with high accuracy and provide recommendations for proper insulation coordination, new equipment specifications, and increased reliability.

Reliability Analysis

Are you LEAN? Part of LEAN Manufacturing is being able to provide root cause analysis. This study provides the tools for root cause analysis and provides a statistical analysis to determine system reliability. All included electrical equipment will be assessed on the basis of the latest industry codes & standards, availability of spare parts, best engineering judgment, and statement of the probability for financial impact associated with downtime as a result of an interruption to service.

Transient Stability Analysis

Power generation and large synchronous machines contribute to the stability of a system during abrupt conditions. This study analyzes the transient behavior of the synchronous machines during and after system disturbances. Our engineering staff has provided consulting services to numerous companies involved with the construction and application of major generation.

UL 508A Short Circuit Ratings

Wells Engineering assists in maintaining compliance with UL 508A and NEC article 409.110 for the marking of industrial control panels.

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ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DESIGN

Load Calculations

Load calculations based on the National Electrical Code article 220 are provided.

PE Stamped Drawings

Wells Engineering has professional engineers on staff that can stamp and seal drawings for issuance to inspection bureaus.

Inspection Drawing Submittals

Wells Engineering has participated in numerous construction projects that require drawing submittals and to work with electrical inspectors. Our engineers will ensure that your project continues to move forward by ensuring code compliance.

Service Lateral Design

Our team of professional engineers will provide the proper calculations to size the service laterals. Our engineers have provided engineering support for numerous topics including variances for multiple service requirements.

Electrical Design

Our professional engineering staff can provide the electrical details for power distribution, power utilization, lighting, convenience outlets, welding receptacles, facility communication, and fire protection within a facility. Using the architectural drawings, Wells Engineering overlays all the electrical and corresponding annotations to ensure code compliance.

Transmission Line Design

Wells Engineering applies innovative design techniques for one of the most visible components within the utility industry. Designing around right of ways and public access crossings, our designs exceed the highest standards while maintaining cost savings approaches. We have been involved in transmission projects from 69kV to 345kV.

• Project Estimation
• Project Planning
• Station Dead-End Structure Design
• Tower Analysis and Design
• Line Shielding Details
• Sag and Tension Schedules
• Line Routing Plan and Profile Details
• Anchoring and Guying Details
• Foundation Details
• Equipment Specifications
• Conductor Dampening Placement

Distribution System Engineering

Wells Engineering has extensive expertise in the design of underground and overhead systems.

• Line Planning and Routing
• Equipment Selection Specifications
• Cost Estimates
• Voltage Conversion Design
• Sag and Tension Calculations and Stringing Charts
• Anchoring and Guying Details
• Pad-mounted Equipment Integration
• Duct Bank Design
• Cable Pulling Schedules
• Line Staking Sheets

Substation Engineering

Wells Engineering has completed a wide variety of substation designs. From concept to detail design, Wells Engineering provides the necessary drawings to construct a substation from ground up. We have experience with indoor and outdoor substation designs and include applications with low voltage, high voltage, and extra high voltage applications.

Design details include:

• Excavation Details
• Substation Plans
• Yard Shielding Details
• Relay Panel Physical Layouts
• Structural Steel Details
• Duct and Wireway Details
• Relay panel wiring schematics
• Ground Grid Design & Details
• One-Line Diagrams
• Battery and Charger Wiring Diagrams
• Footer/Foundation Details
• Three-Line Diagrams
• DC Panelboard Schedules
• Oil Containment Details
• AC/DC Control Schematics
• AC Panelboard Schedules
• Control Building Design
• Kirk-key interlock schedules
• Panel and Interpanel Wiring Diagrams
• Yard Lighting
• Conduit and Cable Schedules
• Complete Bill of Material

   

Energy Management

Whether it is integrating an existing KWHr pulse system or the latest microprocessor web-enabled system, Wells Engineering has the solution for you. With a Wells Engineering energy management system, you can have control capabilities, comprehensive power quality and reliability analysis, and extensive data trending to help you reduce energy-related costs.

Benefits:

• Control Energy Costs
• Target Areas for Energy Efficiencies
• Allocate Costs to Internal Departments
• Minimize Capital Expenses
• Maximize Uptime
• Centralize Management of Multiple Facilities
• Optimize Maintenance Scheduling

Capacitor & Filter Banks

Having placed numerous filter banks in service, Wells Engineering has devised a reliable system of checks and balances to ensure the filter banks will not be the source of destructive resonance points. Once designed to the proper tuning, our engineers provide a specification sheet that can be used for bid specs and equipment procurement.

• System Information & Filter Tuning
• Capacitor Specification
• Capacitor Mounting & Accessories
• Reactor Specification
• Reactor Mounting & Accessories
• Filter Protection and Control
• Filter Evaluation Summary
• Harmonic Current Distribution
• Harmonic Filter layout

   

T&D Planning

Our utility T&D engineers provide technical assistance in the planning stages of a new line.

Cost estimates

• Fuse/Relay Coordination
• Fault current analysis for distribution circuits
• Complete efficiency studies to optimize losses and system operation/configuration.
• Analysis for optimum capacitor and regulator placement,
• Reconductoring, load balancing, voltage conversions, and motor starting.
• System Impact Studies for interconnection of generation on the T&D system

» Request a Cost Estimate

Substation Automation

Equipment supervisory and data reporting is important for timely troubleshooting, operation, and maintenance. Wells Engineering uses the latest proven technology for all substation automation designs, including systems that are user friendly and packed with an infinite amount of information. Whether it’s a new installation or retrofitting an existing system, these packages can provide you with all the information about your system operations.

System Protection Schemes

Reclosing, distance relaying, distribution fusing, and pilot wire schemes are some of the systems that Wells Engineering’s utility engineers have designed.

Automatic Transfer Schemes

From low voltage to high voltage selective source automatic transfer schemes, we can provide the engineering and necessary equipment for any size project. Wells Engineering has designed and implemented transfer schemes for networks from 480V to 34.5kV. The designs utilize either PLC controls or hard-wired relay logic; whichever you prefer. Wells Engineering provides special power system analysis techniques when required for fast switching applications .

Relay Protection and Control Schemes

Proper system protection is important not only for protecting equipment but also personnel. Properly applied relaying will provide the sensitivity to recognize imminent thermal failures, while being fast enough to operate under fault conditions to reduce the amount of damage incurred. Instrument transformer specifications are provided for new installations and ratios are selected based on load conditions and saturation points. Wells Engineering can help you select and setup the relaying to replace your existing ones if a newer (solid-state) relay is desired.

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DESIGN-BUILD PROJECTS

Power Substation

Wells Engineering has completed a wide variety of substation designs and installations. From concept to energization, Wells Engineering provides the technical guidance and construction experience necessary to ensure your project will be within budget and on time. Our experience includes indoor and outdoor designs that involve low voltage, high voltage, and extra voltage applications.

Transmission Line Design

Wells Engineering has many years of experience serving power distribution clients. Our T&D engineers have designed and managed the construction of overhead transmission projects from both 69kV and 138kV.

Power Distribution

Our T&D engineers have designed and managed the construction of a variety of overhead power distribution and underground cable systems.

Low Voltage and Medium Voltage Switchgear

Whether you have space constraints, need a direct replacement, or need a new installation; Wells Engineering can lay out a switchgear design that will fit in your allotted space and provide a sound and safe design for maintenance activities.

Motor Protection and Control Cabinets

Motors are the workhorses in the manufacturing industry. Proper engineering practices for control and protection increase a motor’s service life tremendously. Wells Engineering can ensure that you have both the correct protection and also the right device to start and stop machines. Motor starting studies against the system network are provided when necessary to determine the best method of starting and accelerating each motor (i.e. across the line, reactor start, autotransformer start, or soft start). Complete equipment specifications and bill of materials are also provided.

Capacitor and Filter Banks

From concept specifications to testing and commissioning, our team of engineers will ensure that the capacitor bank is designed properly and has been properly checked for service longevity.

Relay Protection, RTU, and Control Panels

Wells Engineering is constantly looking for ways to better serve our customers. We continue to provide products that are customized to our customers' needs. We provide all the engineering, project management, and construction for each panel. When the panel is delivered onsite, it has already been tested and is ready for service.

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