Fundamentals of Substation Equipment and Control Systems

Substation Types and Purposes

• Fundamentals of power system operation
• Primary substation equipment

Power Transformers and Controls

• Major components
• Construction and operation
• Connections and ratings
• Fixed taps and LTCs

Introduction to Schematics and Wiring Diagrams

• Control logic
• Converting control schematics to wiring diagrams
• Example transformer control and wiring diagrams

Voltage Regulators

• Construction and operation
• Ratings

Disconnect Switches

• Types and applications
• Manual and motor-operated switches; control schematics

Power Circuit Breakers

• Purpose and types
• Construction and operation
• Schematics and wiring diagram examples

Circuit Switchers and Other Special Application Switches

• Purpose and major components
• Construction and operation
• Schematics and wiring

Reclosers

• Purpose and applications
• Major components
• Types and ratings
• Construction and operation

Power Fuses

• Types and applications
• Operation

Instrument Transformers

• Voltage and current transformers
• Principles of operation
• Burden, saturation, and accuracy
• Ratings and connections

Protective Relay Systems

• Purpose and types
• DC trip and close schematics
• AC voltage and current schematics
• Wiring diagrams

Battery Systems

• Purpose and ratings
• Chargers and charging control systems

AC Station Power Systems

• Station power requirements
• Back-up supplies/sources

SCADA

• Purpose and functions
• SCADA overview
• RTUs and IEDs

Integrated/Automated Substation Control Reference Material

• Integration/automation defined
• Communication systems and interfaces

Capacitor Banks

• Purpose
• Construction and operation
• Switching and protection control schemes

Metalclad Switchgear

• Advantages and applications
• Construction and operation
• Protection and control

Wave Traps

• Purpose and applications
• Major components
• Tuning and operation

Substation Commissioning

• Acceptance testing equipment
• Start up procedures
• Energizing equipment
• Substation and transmission line examples

Registration Date/Time:
10/6/2026 7:30am Central Time

Event Dates/Times:

• 10/6/2026  8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
• 10/7/2026  8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
• 10/8/2026  8:00am - 4:00pm Central Time

This is a HyFlex (in-person and online) taught course. Your registration is for one teaching platform only: in-person or online. Please be prepared to attend all days either in-person or online. Contact us if you have any questions or if you need to make a change. 

This course uses the Canvas course management and Zoom platforms. A UW NetID is required to access the online course site. Both in-person and online students should obtain a NetID and access the Canvas course website. Your registration confirmation email will walk you through the NetID process and how to access Canvas.

Digital materials for this course will be available on the Canvas course website. Access to the course materials and the webinar platform will be provided a few days before the course. Please watch the email address you provided for release dates and pre-course information. Check your spam file if you do not see emails from the "wisc.edu" addresses.

• Instructors

  David Herbst

  Director Field Services

  David Herbst has over 38 years of experience in designing, installing, and testing electric utility relay protection and control systems. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and currently works as Director of Field Services for Dashiell in Madison, Wisconsin. Dave spent 21 years working for an investor-owned electric utility. His responsibilities included design, installation, and maintenance of relay protection systems, as well as supervision of engineers and technicians involved in system protection design and commissioning. Dave has extensive experience in protection system design and commissioning of substations and electrical systems from 480 volts through 345kV. Dave graduated from UW-Madison with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1983.

  Mitch Bradt

  Director of Quality, Standards, and Training at Quanta Infrastructure Solutions Group (QISG)

  Mitch Bradt, PE, is an engineer and educator who loves to see students “get it.” He has over 25 years of experience in the fields of aerospace and electric power. His responsibilities have varied from aircraft electrical systems, to utility system protective relaying, to utility-applied power electronics, to wind farm collectors, and teaching and curriculum development in these related areas.  He is currently the Director of Quality, Standards, and Training at Quanta Infrastructure Solutions Group (QISG) serving utilities and developers across North America. Mitch graduated from Marquette University with a BSEE in 1993.

• Program Director

  Shalini Bhat

This course has two attendance options, face-to-face or online.

Face-to-face attendance fee includes morning and afternoon breaks, scheduled lunches, in-person instruction, and course materials.

Online attendance fee includes online instruction and course materials. Online attendees will access course sessions via the Zoom web conferencing platform.

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

• Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
• Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
• You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

• Call CERC Registrations at 608-262-2451.
• Provide the registrations representative with:
  • the course name, dates, and/or course number.
  • the necessary course attendee information and payment information.
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

• Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
• Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
• Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

• Request Purchase Order information from registration@cerc.wisc.edu
  • If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
• You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email registration@cerc.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.

If you cannot attend, please notify us no later than one week before your course begins, and we will refund your fee. Cancellations received after this date and no-shows are subject to a $150 administrative fee. You may enroll a substitute at any time before the course starts.