The Purpose of a Protective Device Coordination Study

A protective device coordination study is an essential part of practicing proper safety at many facilities. Protective device coordination studies give insight into further protections needed, potential damage, and much more. Learn more about the purpose of a protective device coordination study.

What is a protective device coordination study?

A protective device coordination study is a survey of a facility’s electrical systems. It analyzes the impacts of short circuits, equipment failure, and other core faults in a facility’s operation. It should always be conducted by qualified electrical engineers. A facility should have a protective device coordination analysis completed when an electrical system is first designed and again whenever there are any more major modifications or updates in the system.

What happens during one?

During the study, the electrical engineer will do and check many things. The goal of a protective device coordination analysis is to ensure you and your facility won’t experience the dangerous and intense aftereffects of instances such as short circuits, arc flashes, fires, or other types of electrical damage.

During the study, the engineer will do a short circuit study, collect data, cross-check the data with manufacturer’s data, do an analysis, find results, and finally create a final report to provide you with.

What is the purpose?

The purpose is ultimately to increase safety to you, your workers, and your facility. This is done by assessing the risks and faults in your current electrical systems. Any of your electrical systems that are lacking breaker coordination have the potential to lead to a fault. Our electrical engineers work to isolate any faulty components from the rest of your system, so your network remains as operational and stable as possible.

A reason to do a protective device study is that, when coordinated correctly, a singular failure won’t cause failure in more of your facility than absolutely necessary. This can prevent fire and save you in damages and losses.