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:
10/21/2025 7:30am Central Time

Event Dates/Times:

• 10/21/2025  8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
• 10/22/2025  8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
• 10/23/2025  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 before registering if you have any questions. 

Registration confirmation will guide students through accessing the Canvas course site.

Students will create and log in to the Canvas course site with a NetID. Course assets such as participation certificates and course evaluations will be available to all students through the Canvas course site.

Online attendees will access course sessions via the Zoom web conferencing platform. Physical materials will be shipped to online students and available to in-person students on the first day of class.

THE COURSE ROSTER IS LIMITED. If interested in attending, please register as soon as possible. If the course is waitlisted, then the roster is full. Please contact us for options. 

• Instructors

  Mitch Bradt

  VP of Engineering

  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 currently serves a number of major electric utilities and project developers with a staff of 100 engineers and designers, providing for all aspects of substation design on approximately 150 projects each year. Mitch graduated from Marquette University with a BSEE in 1993.

  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.

• Program Director

  Shalini Bhat

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

ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSES OCTOBER 15, 2025

The materials for this course will be shipped out to online students. In order to ensure materials are received on time, online students should register before Oct 15th. Please review the Course Notes below for additional information.

Face-to-face attendance fee includes morning and afternoon breaks, scheduled lunches, 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 interpro@union.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 interpro@union.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.