The Power System Engineer ETAP (PDC & Arc Flash) is responsible for the following standing commitments:
A.Protective Device Coordination (PDC) Studies
- Build ETAP power system model for industrial facility: input all protection devices (fuses, MCBs, MCCBs, ACBs, relays with CT ratios) with accurate time-current characteristics (TCC curves); verify operating sequence from load to source.
- Run ETAP Star View (PDC module) to verify coordination: check pickup settings, time delay settings, and discrimination between upstream and downstream devices for all fault levels; identify mis-coordination and recommend corrections.
- Generate time-current characteristic (TCC) curves for all protection zones: verify that downstream devices operate before upstream devices for all fault magnitudes with adequate coordination time interval (CTI 0.20.3 seconds for relay-relay).
- Verify protection settings against motor starting currents: confirm upstream protection does not mal-operate during direct online (DOL) or star-delta motor starts; adjust settings or recommend soft starter/VFD where starting current causes coordination issues.
- Prepare PDC study report: system description, protection philosophy, TCC curves for all zones, coordination findings, setting recommendations, and summary table of recommended relay/device settings.
B.Arc Flash Hazard Analysis (IEEE 1584)
- Conduct arc flash analysis per IEEE 1584-2018 methodology in ETAP: calculate bolted fault current and arcing fault current at each bus in the model; compute incident energy (cal/cm) at 18-inch working distance.
- Determine arc flash boundary, limited approach boundary, and restricted approach boundary per NFPA 70E for each switchboard; assign PPE category (1 through 4) based on incident energy.
- Evaluate effect of bus configuration (open air, VCB, MCC) and gap distance on arcing current and incident energy per IEEE 1584-2018 tables; apply correct equipment type factor.
- Identify switchboards with incident energy > 40 cal/cm and classify as Danger — Do Not Perform Energised Work; recommend de-energisation policy or system modifications to reduce incident energy.
- Prepare arc flash labels for all switchgear and MCCs: include incident energy, arc flash boundary, PPE category, working distance, and date of study.
- Prepare arc flash hazard analysis report: study methodology, assumptions, results table for all buses, PPE requirements, arc flash label specifications, and system modification recommendations to reduce high-risk buses.
C.Safety Integration & Client Advisory
- Present PDC and arc flash study findings to client electrical and safety teams; explain PPE requirements, safe work practices for energised work, and priority corrective actions.
- Advise on lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures and minimum approach distances based on arc flash study results; coordinate with client safety officer to update facility electrical safety program.
Identify equipment changes (adding upstream protection, installing current-limiting fuses, adding bus section circuit breakers) that reduce incident energy at high-risk switchboards; quantify the reduction in arc flash study.
Role: Engineering - Other
Industry Type: Engineering & Construction
Department: Production, Manufacturing & Engineering
Employment Type: Full Time, Permanent
Role Category: Engineering
Education
UG: B.Tech / B.E. in Electrical
PG: M.Tech in Energy, Electrical
