Medium-Voltage Electrical Distribution for Mission Critical, Industrial, and Campus Facilities

This course explores the essential components and configurations of medium voltage systems used in complex facilities. Participants will learn how to design and specify transformers, cables, switchgear, and protection systems while balancing reliability, cost, and code compliance. With a focus on real-world applications, the course also covers NEC “Over 1000 Volt” requirements, system layout strategies, and operational best practices.

• Facility and mission-critical electrical engineers and designers.
• MV technicians, operators, and electrical contractors working on non-utility systems.
• Utility customer-support engineers and plant engineers involved in MV infrastructure.

This course has been approved by the State of WI Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) for 18 hours for: Registered Electrician, Commercial Electrical Inspector, Industrial Journeyman Electrician, Journeyman Electrician, and Master Electrician license holders.

Intro to MV Equipment and Components 

• Transformer options
• Switching options
• Protective devices
• Shielded cable & conductors

National Electrical Code (NEC) - Over 1000 Volts

• Introduction to the NEC
• NEC vs NESC applicability
• Overview of medium voltage (over 1000 volts) requirements

Medium Voltage Cable / Bus Systems 

• Outdoor conduit systems and installation options
• Indoor MV cable / conductor options
• NEC installation requirements
• Coordination with other site utilities
• Soil and site condition impacts
• Ampacity sizing and specification
• Electrical stress and cable failures
• Splicing (cable joints) and terminations
• Intro to overhead conductor/pole systems
• Cable testing

Transformers and Generators

• Sizing and redundancy
• Winding configurations
• Short circuit current and Impedance
• Grounding methods
• NEC installation requirements
• Location and building requirements
• Indoor vs outdoor
• EPA consideration 

Overview of Switchgear and Switching Options

(NOTE: This course will only give a brief introduction to switchgear for the purpose of system design and installation considerations. For more in-depth instruction on switchgear, see the companion course “Understanding Medium Voltage Switchgear”)

• NEC installation requirements
• Types of construction
• Indoor and outdoor considerations
• Fault interrupting devices
• Equipment ratings
• System locations for metering, CTs, PTs
• Brief intro to system protective relaying & schematics

Lightning / Transient Protection

• System BIL
• Arrester sizing and applications
• TRV and RC-snubbers
• Capacitors

One-Line Development

• MV drawing symbols and legends
• Overview of MV construction drawing packages
• System layout options
• Utility Inter-connections
• Reliability vs cost
• Planning criteria
• System sizing, layout, and routing exercises

Operations

• Switching procedures
• SCADA/automation
• Maintenance programs

Kevin Rogers

Kevin Rogers is an electrical engineer with a background in electrical power systems. He is a registered professional engineer, and his 18 years of industry experience spans across electric utility, government, commercial, and industrial applications. His technical responsibilities have included design and commissioning of mission-critical facilities, underground medium voltage distribution planning, design, and operations, high-voltage substation design, and relaying protection and control for complex interconnections.

Joseph Witzel

Joseph Witzel is a Major Account Manager at Eaton Corporation. During his 29 years in the electrical industry, Joe has held a wide range of power systems engineering responsibilities, including NEMA/ANSI application engineer, power systems engineering manager, field testing engineer, and district operations manager. Joe brings with him extensive medium-voltage experience, covering medium-voltage system studies, equipment specification, product application, operations, and testing and commissioning. He received his BSEE Degree from Marquette University and his MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management at Devry University.