Contempus Engineering

Short circuit studies are critical to electrical system reliability and safety. Electrical codes require protective devices (fuses, circuit breakers) to be rated to interrupt the calculated short circuit current. Electrical codes also require the maximum short circuit current to be listed at each service.

Electrical codes are becoming more stringent with each Code revision. Are YOU compliant? Avoid costly downtime and potential fines by having a compliant, adequately rated system.

A Short Circuit study will:

We use proprietary AI technology to visualize data and present an easy-to-read report that cuts through all the data and helps Facility Management quickly identify issues with their electrical system. However, ALL data is manually reviewed by a Professional Engineer prior to issuance to the Client. We do not simply “push buttons” in the study program and blindly have AI create “magical solutions” without human review!

Coordination studies evaluate the settings and ratings of protective devices (fuses, circuit breakers, relays, reclosers) and ensures that the device closest to a short circuit operates. A coordination study provides the following benefits:

We will calculate the arc flash incident (heat) energy for major equipment such as switchgear, switchboards, panelboards, industrial control panels, and motor control centers in your facility. We will then use the latest IEEE 1584 and NFPA 70E Standards to perform the incident energy and hazard analysis. We will calculate the following:

An Arc Flash Study will:

Devices with power electronics, such as Variable Frequency Drives (VFD), Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), and AC-DC converters and inverters can introduce harmonic currents at a higher frequency than the fundamental 50Hz or 60Hz frequency. High levels of harmonics can cause overheating in motors and wires, and cause equipment malfunctions. We routinely perform the following for a harmonic study:

We will perform reliability studies of your electrical system. The electrical system is only reliable as its “weakest link”. Facilities have lost significant money due to the failure of a seemingly insignificant component. Our study will include:

Whenever a motor starts, a voltage drop is experienced on the system. The voltage drop can result in problems with other equipment, nuisance flickering of lights, overheating of feeder cables, and in extreme cases, motors not starting correctly when required. Contempus Engineering can do the following during a motor starting study:

Ductbank heating calculations are crucial to ensure underground feeders do not become overheated under the facility’s operating load. Variations in soil, burial depth, conductor types, and concrete characteristics can significantly impact conductor temperatures. Do NOT simply rely on NEC ampacity tables! Ductbank heating calculations will ensure conductor temperatures will not exceed NEC recommendations, and prevent catastrophic failure of feeders! Contempus Engineering can do the following during a ductbank heating study:

Ductbank heating calculations can actually save you money during installation by optimizing the number of conductors and reducing the amount of thermal backfill needed. We have saved our clients hundreds of thousands of dollars by optimizing the amount of thermal backfill and trenching needed! Let us review your design today!

Contempus Engineering has extensive experience in performing load flow and voltage drop studies. These studies are useful for not only new facilities, but existing facilities. Load flow and voltage drop studies help identify:

We have extensive experience in load flow and voltage drop studies, and can assist with convergence errors and similar issues that prevent accurate results.

Our team is well versed in use of ETAP, SKM, and EasyPower software packages. All too often the end client is given a PDF (or hardcopy) of a power system study report. However, updating the project as required by National Electric Code and NFPA 70E is virtually impossible. Or, your facility may prefer one software package over another. Let our team convert your project from one software package to another cost-effectively. We have teams that have rolling availability to complete project conversion quickly, accurately, and very cost-effectively.