Solutions Engineering Investigations
Core Services
Grounding Studies
grounding grids serve a dual purpose of providing currents with a safe path to earth under normal and fault conditions without exceeding the operating tolerances of station equipment, while keeping personnel safe by preventing exposure to electric shock resulting from excessive step and touch potentials. By using state-of-the-art grounding analysis software, our team can model and evaluate the grounding system for both greenfield and brownfield customer sites. We can also conduct soil resistivity and grounding measurements required for safety grounding studies.
Electromagnetic Induction Studies
Powertech utilizes state of the art 3-dimensional mathematical modeling software to study safety hazards associated to Electromagnetic fields. We can calculate the electric field density and magnetic field density in the volume of the understudied system with comprehensive details. In the case of substations, the impact of electromagnetic interference from overhead transmission lines on all existing electrical equipment such as circuit breakers, disconnect switches, transformers, insulators can be modelled.
Insulation Coordination
Insulation coordination is the process of selecting the most cost-effective equipment dielectric strength and its application to avoid equipment insulation damage or affect continuity of service. Our team can perform detailed power system simulations to determine the maximum overvoltage stresses for existing and new substations, for both normal and contingency conditions at the moment of commissioning of the equipment and considering future system configurations. We can produce equipment specification sheets, including the definition of the equipment Basic Insulation Levels (BIL) and Switching Impulse Levels (SIL).
Point On Wave Switching
Random switching of power system equipment may lead to high-frequency overvoltage transient and inrush current. This, in turn, may stress the equipment, leading to rapid aging or dielectric failure. Point On Wave (POW) controllers, also known as Synchronous Switching Controllers (SSC), are high-speed microprocessor-based relays used to open and close the contacts of independent pole operation (IPO) circuit breakers (CB) at the pre-determined point on wave for minimizing the switching transients. Our team can produce POW equipment performance specifications based on interconnection requirements and our own system impact studies. We can also review POW and CB tender bids to recommend best equipment considering switching applications and the power system configuration.
Arc Flash Hazard Analysis
An arc flash is the sudden release of energy in the form of light and heat caused by an unintended current flowing through air from one exposed live conductor to another conductor or to ground. Such incidents can occur spontaneously when insulation is compromised, when a foreign object is accidentally dropped, bridging a pair of conductors, or when minimum electrical clearances are violated. They can result in fatal injuries to workers, destruction of equipment, and severe fire. We use sophisticated arc flash analysis software including FEM to calculate the arcing current and the incident energy resulting from an arc flash at each piece of identified electrical equipment in a power circuit according to IEEE 1584 and NFPA 70E.
Why Choose Powertech?
Multidisciplinary Expertise
Powertech brings advance knowledge and adaptive teams to quickly setup task working teams to answer the most complex investigations.
Long Term Relationships
We are proud of developing long term relationships with our customers enabling efficient and customer tailor solutions.
Trusted by Critical Infrastructure Providers
From major utilities to energy-intensive industries, we help clients manage risk, extend equipment life, and prepare for what’s next.
Single Point Solution
Don’t spend time and money securing multiple consultants to investigate the most complex failures or performance issues, we can provide the full solution involving testing labs and modelling/simulation capabilities with a single point solution.
How This Applies to Your Industry
Utilities
Extend the life of substation assets, evaluate transformer health, and align with NERC and asset performance reporting requirements.
Electrical OEMs
Support warranty investigations, identify field issues, and validate real-world conditions for product improvements.
Industrial Manufacturing
Prevent unplanned downtime by diagnosing degradation, failure risks, or load anomalies in mission-critical systems.
Energy (Oil, Gas & Renewables)
Simulate power system behavior for renewable grid integration and offshore/onshore fault event readiness.
Government and Public Sector
Assess aging electrical infrastructure and ensure compliance with safety, reliability, and audit requirements.
"Our best software solutions are those developed in close collaboration with our clients—tested in the real world, and tuned to the systems they serve.”
Jorge Hollman
Division Manager & Principal Engineer, Engineering Investigations
Let’s collaborate on a smarter, more resilient grid.
From initial concept through real-world implementation, we deliver tools that meet your technical needs and operational realities.
Contact Us About Software Services. Reach out today.
Jorge Hollman
Division Manager & Principal Engineer, Engineering Investigations
email us | 604.590.7500
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