Electric Utility Distribution Equipment
About this course
Be more effective in working on projects with small utility-scale solar, battery storage or community solar that connect directly to utility distribution.
What's a pad-mount distribution transformer?
Why does my project need a fuse or a recloser where it connects to the utility system?
What's the difference between a three-phase line and a single-phase line?
This course is heavy on visuals and makes the material easy to understand, through:
- Photos
- Diagrams
- Videos
- Transformers
- Conductors
- Reclosers
- Voltage regulators
- Fuses
- And more.
- Generation
- Transmission
- Substations
- Three-phase and single-phase lines
- Voltage regulation
- Short-circuits and protection
- Feeder switching
Learning Objectives
- Describe the function of basic utility distribution equipment to colleagues
- Converse with utility personnel meaningfully in discussions involving solar PV and battery storage connections
- Specify basic equipment requirements for connecting to distribution systems
Course outline
Module 1 • 7 assignments
Electric Utility Distribution Equipment
- Two-Minute Overview of Course (02:16 minutes) Preview
- Set up email notifications and your student profile
- Introduce yourself on the discussion board
- Introduction - Learning Objectives and Assignments (04:42 minutes)
- Course Presentation Materials (.pdf)
- Distribution Feeder Diagram (.pdf)
- Safety Tips - Downed Power Lines
Module 2 • 3 assignments
Generation Transmission Overview
- Generation Transmission (23:44 minutes)
- Transmission Switching
- Generation Transmission
Module 3 • 2 assignments
Basic Distribution System Concepts
- Basic Distribution System Concepts (25:35 minutes)
- Short-Circuit Faults on Distribution
Module 4 • 2 assignments
Substation and Basic Equipment
- Substation and Basic Equipment (34:48 minutes)
- Distribution Concepts and Substations
Module 5 • 2 assignments
Feeder Main / Backbone
- Feeder Main / Backbone (35:34 minutes)
- Three Phase Equipment
Module 6 • 3 assignments
Underground Equipment
- Underground Equipment (15:33 minutes) Preview
- Replacing a Pad Mounted Residential Transformer
- Underground Equipment
Module 7 • 4 assignments
Single-Phase Overhead and Secondary Service Equipment
- Single-Phase Overhead and Secondary Service Equipment (17:33 minutes)
- Changing a Line Fuse
- Distribution Systems Review - A Different Perspective
- Single Phase Overhead and Service Entrance
Module 8 • 2 assignments
Overview of Distributed Energy Resources on Distribution Systems
- Watch: Distributed Energy Resources on Distribution Systems (30:15 minutes)
- Distributed Energy Resources on Distribution Feeders (.pdf)
Continuing Education Units
Approved for the following CEUs
- 0.5 IEEE CEUs
Instructor
Tim Taylor
Tim is Owner and Managing Director of Electric Distribution Academy and has over 30 years of experience in distribution system engineering. He’s led and participated in many projects with many North American utilities and has also worked in Europe and Latin American. In addition to papers, articles, and conference presentations, he has served as an instructor for...