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Learn how Mangan determines the optimal arc flash mitigation method for each project using ETAP

ETAP is very powerful. Many arc flash mitigations can be smartly integrated into the ETAP model, giving us more realistic arc flash study results when we run the study.
Jiaji Hu, PE, Engineering Specialist at Mangan Inc.

In order to better serve the diverse needs of their clients, Mangan sought out to identify how to achieve realistic study results that ensure the safe startup of electric motors. Using a refinery for the study, they evaluated which approach was most effective, practical and feasible among the many arc flash incident energy analysis methods currently available. One of the scenarios involved the introduction of a Fault Current Limiter (FCL), as additional high impedance to limit high fault currents to an acceptable level. Adding the FCL device to the system protects the equipment from short circuits and reduces the risk of arc flash incidents.

Mangan Inc. is an engineering and automation services organization with locations in multiple states across the USA. Its staff of highly qualified Electrical, Mechanical, and Controls Engineers, along with industry experts, designs and integrates solutions that meet the complex needs of its clients worldwide. Its functional Safety Experts and Engineers, with decades of experience, deliver the true power of a lifecycle approach to functional safety.

Location: Long Beach, California, USA

Year: 2024

Objective and methods

  • Determine the best method to study the safety of electric motor starting (600 kW, 2.4kV) connected to an existing grid network
  • Prepare a feasibility study focusing on the specific conditions of the customer on normal, parallel, and single-ended motor starting configurations, particularly in regards to arc flash
  • Study power load analysis, short circuit analysis, and arc flash analysis in the most efficient and cost-effective manner
  • Identify the optimal hardware to connect the motor to the existing grid and ensure a safe start
  • Include the probability and prediction of events related to the high incident arc flash energy

Products used

  • ETAP Power Simulator to build a simulation of the network and perform Load Flow, Short Circuit, and Motor Acceleration Analysis
  • ETAP Arc Flash Analysis to perform Arc Flash analysis and automatically evaluate Incident Energy

What we delivered

  • Ease of use and reliability for calculating and comparing different scenarios
  • Compliance to all needed electrical standards for motor protection included in the design and calculations
  • Customization flexibility to incorporate the customer's unique requirements in the study

    Outcomes

    Precision Arc Flash Analysis

    • A digital model of the existing electrical network was rapidly created with transformers, motors, busbars, and filters, including a 2.4 kV substation with reactors and Fault Current Limiter configuration
    • Different protection scenarios were evaluated by swapping out the electrical equipment in the digital model, including a fault current limiter to protect equipment from short circuits and reduces the risk of arc flash incidents
    • Analysis of short circuits, arc flash, voltage drop and power load flow were evaluated directly within the model
    • The optimal arc flash mitigation method was identified for this study case

    The key takeaway here is that safe motor operation along with arc flash protection requires thoughtful system design.
    Aditya Kale, Electrical Engineer at Mangan Inc.



    Videos

    Learn How to Choose the Best Arc Flash Mitigation Method with ETAP for Real-World Applications

    Multiple arc flash incident energy mitigation methods are available, but how does an engineer know which is best for their client? This presentation identifies an approach to follow to pick the method, considering effectiveness, practicality, feasibility, and overall best option for realistic study results. With extensive experience with arc flash studies for many clients of all sizes, Mangan provides a real world demonstration of a project for a refinery client. The interplay between motor starting and arc flash analysis was evaluated, and mitigation recommendations were customized for the system. The challenges encountered during mitigation are identified, and the proposed solution is analyzed using ETAP Load Flow, Short Circuit, Arc Flash and Motor Acceleration Analysis. Safe motor operation, safe motor starting and arc flash protection are provided through customized mitigation methods and thoughtful system design.


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