School Information

This track is intended for technicians who have basic familiarity with microprocessor-based relays and would like to learn more about their integration into substation automation and communications systems. This includes metering and alarming (SCADA), networking, and substation communications protocols. This track presents theoretical material then provides a hands-on environment to apply the theory learned. 16 student maximum. Students in this track will:

• Attend the Automation Integration Overview Lecture.
• Choose six (6) Concurrent Open Lectures to attend.
• Attend the Friday Feature Lecture Presentations.
• Participate in the following lab-based courses.

IP Network Fundamentals

• OSI Model introduction: IPv4 Addressing, Subnetting, and MAC Addressing
• IPV4 Troubleshooting

Communications Fundamentals

• Differences between communications mediums and protocols
• Insight into RS232 and serial communications

IEC 61850 Primer

• An introduction to IEC 61850

DNP Fundamentals and Distribution Automation

• An introduction to Distributed Network Protocol (DNP)
• An overview of Distribution Automation

DNP Lab/Troubleshooting

• ASE-2000 DNP protocol analyzer tool basics
• Wireshark network protocol analyzer tool basics
• NovaTech Orion Automation Processor and SEL RTAC RTUs
• Integration troubleshooting exercises with microprocessor relays and RTUs

The Basic Track focuses on the fundamentals of protection systems, safe work practices, relay settings, calibration, maintenance, testing, and application of microprocessor and electromechanical relays. 48 student maximum. Students in this track will:

• Attend the Basic Overview lecture.
• Attend the Open Lecture “Phasors” on Monday. Choose five (5) Concurrent Open

This track is intended for technicians who already understand relay operating principles, have experience in manual testing and are ready to learn computerized testing methods. Note: This track is NOT recommended for those relay technicians who are just starting out. The emphasis of this track is on the test equipment and software, not on the relays. The hands-on labs are taught by the test equipment and software manufacturers, not by the relay manufacturers. Prerequisite: Experience in manual relay testing and computer use. A laptop computer will be used to communicate with the relays and/or the test set. All students must have administrative rights to their laptop, with the appropriate software pre-loaded. Student maximum varies. Students in this track will:

• Attend two of the following Overview Lectures of your choice: Distribution, Generation, Transmission, or Transmission Line Commissioning.
• Choose six (6) Concurrent Open Lectures to attend.
• Attend the Friday Feature Lecture Presentations.
• Perform hands-on testing in the lab using one of the following testing software platforms:
  • Megger
  • Doble Protection Suite Beginning
  • Doble Protection Suite Advanced
  • Omicron
  • RTS Developers (Advanced)
  • RTS Essentials (Beginning)

Some test software vendors will focus on both a Beginning and an Advanced section, depending on enrollment and skill level of the students. All computerized testing still requires a prerequisite understanding of manual testing. Beginning Tracks will cover the following:

• Building test plans
• Macros used for testing basic relay functions

  Advanced Tracks will cover the following:

• Worksheets and advanced software features
• Quad Element Testing
• Breaker simulators
• Playback features
• End-to-end testing

This track is for those students who wish to focus on the testing and understanding of multifunction microprocessor relays and recloser controllers used for distribution protection. The selection of relays may include overcurrent, transformer differential, reclosing, synch-check, and frequency protection. 18 student maximum. Students in this track will:

• Attend the Distribution Overview Lecture, plus one of the following Overview Lectures of your choice: Generation, Transmission, or Transmission Line Commissioning.
• Choose six (6) Concurrent Open Lectures to attend.
• Attend the Friday Feature Lecture Presentations.
• Perform hands-on testing in the lab on the following relays (subject to change):
• Basler: BE1-FLEX
• Beckwith: M-7679
• Cooper: FORM 7, CBC 8000 (CAP)
• GE: Multilin 845
• SEL: 651RA, 2431, 787

This track focuses exclusively on electromechanical relays used for line, bus, transformer, or generator protection. More hands-on effort is spent on troubleshooting relay problems, calibrating relays, adjustment techniques, and verifying results. Prerequisite: Basic track or related experience. 15 student maximum. Students in this track will:

• Attend two of the following Overview Lectures of your choice: Distribution, Generation, Transmission, or Transmission Line Commissioning.
• Choose six (6) Concurrent Open Lectures to attend.
• Attend the Friday Feature Lecture Presentations.
• Perform hands-on testing in the lab on the following relays (subject to change):
• ABB: IRD9, HU, KD10
• GE: CEY, CEH, INC77N, JBCG

This track features electromechanical and multifunction microprocessor relays used for generator differential, distance, loss of field, reverse power, negative sequence, stator ground, frequency, voltage, and over-excitation protection of generators. 24 student maximum. Students in this track will:

• Attend the Generation Protection Overview lecture, plus one of the following Overview Lectures of your choice: Distribution, Transmission, or Transmission Line Commissioning.
• Choose six (6) Concurrent Open Lectures to attend.
• Attend the Friday Feature Lecture Presentations.
• Perform hands-on testing in the lab on the following relays (subject to change):
• Basler: BE1-FLEX
• Beckwith: 3425A
• GE: CEH, INC77N
• Hitachi Energy: RET670
• SEL: 400G, 2664 (field)

This track provides more in-depth training on the application and theory of operation of protection systems utilized in the power system. This track does not normally include any hands-on training with relays. Note: The theory track is for the journeyman relay technician and relay engineer. It is NOT recommended for those relay technicians who are just starting out. Instructors and lecturers for the theory track are considered to be experts in their field. 40 student maximum. Students in this track will:

• Attend two of the following Overview Lectures of your choice: Distribution, Generation, Transmission, or Transmission Line Commissioning.
• Choose six (6) Concurrent Open Lectures to attend.
• Attend the Monday and Tuesday PM and all day Wednesday and Thursday lectures.
• Attend the Friday Feature Lecture Presentations.
• Attend the advanced topic lectures throughout the week.

This track features both electromechanical and microprocessor- based multifunction relays used for the protection of transmission equipment, including distance and line current differential protection. 36 student maximum. Students in this track will:

• Attend the Transmission Overview Lecture, plus one of the following Overview Lectures of your choice: Distribution, Generation, or Transmission Line Commissioning.
• Choose six (6) Concurrent Open Lectures to attend.
• Attend the Friday Feature Lecture Presentations.
• Perform hands-on testing in the lab on the following relays (subject to change):
• ABB: KD10
• Beckwith: M-3311-A
• GE: L90
• Hitachi Energy: REG670
• SEL: 411L

The Transmission Line Commissioning Track focuses on the composite protection system, not just standalone protective relay testing. Commissioning practices that will be discussed and practiced include: factory acceptance relay testing, panel wiring, DC control function checks, fault based dynamic trip checks, metering checks, CT acceptance and secondary circuit testing, PT acceptance and secondary testing, end to end testing and finally in service checks. The week starts with a new panel and ends with a line in service. The goal is to give the student a framework of commissioning practices to take home and adapt to their own company’s work practices. Common errors leading to unsuccessful short and long term energization will be discussed as well as safe commissioning practices. 12 student maximum. Students in this track will:

• Attend the Commissioning Overview Lecture, plus one of the following Overview Lectures of your choice: Distribution, Generation, or Transmission.
• Choose six (6) Concurrent Open Lectures to attend.
• Attend the Monday and Tuesday PM and all day Wednesday and Thursday lab sessions.
• Attend the Friday Feature Lecture Presentations.