POWER SYSTEMS / PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTLEARNING UPDATE · OCT 2026
01 / DEVELOP THE CAPABILITY

Your protection module reference

Suggested start: October 2026

Use these modules as the technical reference for the new service roadmap. Follow its combined eight-hour schedule; do not add the two study workloads together. Expand a module for calculations, deliverables and readiness checks.

01Foundations & measurementP&C

CT/VT ratios, phasors, zones and the complete source-to-trip path.

  1. Week 1 Draw a fictional one-line and mark protection-zone overlap.
  2. Week 2 Calculate primary and secondary quantities; distinguish phase current, residual and a separate neutral CT.
  3. Week 3 Trace source → element → blocking → output → trip circuit.
  4. Week 4 Prepare phase and residual overcurrent test specifications.
Make it tangible

Labelled one-line, ten conversion examples and a source-to-trip diagram.

Readiness check

Given a new CT ratio, predict metering and explain what a pickup test does not prove.

02Transformer protection · GE T60P&C

Understand differential stability before designing operating tests.

  1. Week 1 Calculate winding full-load currents, vector groups, grounding and bases.
  2. Week 2 Map winding CTs to relay sources; study ratio matching and compensation.
  3. Week 3 Use the matching T60 manual to calculate operating/restraint points, slopes and harmonic supervision.
  4. Week 4 Design internal-fault, external-fault, inrush/blocking and backup-overcurrent cases.
Make it tangible

Transformer application note, source map and test matrix.

Readiness check

Explain how a CT-ratio change can affect differential behaviour even if the 87 settings fields are unchanged.

03Fault analysis & sequence networksPower systems

Connect fault physics to the quantities a relay actually measures.

  1. Week 1 Derive per-unit bases, base changes and a Thevenin equivalent.
  2. Week 2 Convert phase quantities to symmetrical components and back.
  3. Week 3 Build sequence networks for ground and phase faults; vary grounding.
  4. Week 4 Compare hand results with a fictional three-bus model.
Make it tangible

Fault-study memo with balanced and unbalanced cases.

Readiness check

Distinguish total bus fault current from the current through a particular relay.

04Overcurrent & coordinationP&C

Explain why a setting is appropriate, then verify it.

  1. Week 1 Compare load limits, minimum fault sensitivity and pickup multiples.
  2. Week 2 Apply the exact inverse-time curve equation and breaker clearing time.
  3. Week 3 Test directional polarization, forward/reverse response and supervision.
  4. Week 4 Coordinate three devices under strong and weak source conditions.
Make it tangible

Coordination plot with settings rationale and limitations.

Readiness check

Diagnose miscoordination caused by pickup, timing, curve shape or system changes.

05Distance protectionP&C

Translate system impedance into reach and meaningful test phasors.

  1. Week 1 Convert primary impedance to relay ohms and plot R-X zones.
  2. Week 2 Study phase/ground loops and the device’s residual compensation convention.
  3. Week 3 Explore fault resistance, load encroachment and infeed/outfeed.
  4. Week 4 Design at least six inside/outside and forward/reverse cases.
Make it tangible

R-X plot, reach calculations and boundary-test matrix.

Readiness check

Explain why a point inside the apparent zone may still be blocked or not operate.

06Pilot schemes & breaker failureP&C

Follow protection across terminals and through the breaker.

  1. Week 1 Compare POTT, PUTT, blocking, direct transfer trip and line differential.
  2. Week 2 Build truth tables for permissive receipt, channel loss and weak infeed.
  3. Week 3 Trace breaker-failure initiation, supervision, retrip and backup trip.
  4. Week 4 Design end-to-end cases with explicit time-reference and uncertainty assumptions.
Make it tangible

Logic diagrams, trip matrix and deliberate nonoperation cases.

Readiness check

Explain which terminals trip for internal/external faults with healthy and failed channels.

07Power-system studies · PSS/EPower systems

Build a small defensible study and check the model.

  1. Week 1 Build a fictional three-to-five-bus case; identify slack, PV and PQ buses.
  2. Week 2 Vary load, power factor, taps and reactive support.
  3. Week 3 Study one outage and one weak-source condition.
  4. Week 4 Export results with Python where licensing permits and independently check units.
Make it tangible

Study memo with base case, variations, checks and a recommendation.

Readiness check

Find an incorrect impedance or unit and distinguish power flow, fault and dynamic studies.

08Protection design & documentationP&C

Translate protection philosophy into a coherent bay design.

  1. Week 1 Define zones, CT cores, redundancy and breaker arrangements.
  2. Week 2 Develop AC/DC schematics, terminals, trip supplies and alarm logic.
  3. Week 3 Calculate training examples for burden, voltage drop and DC duty.
  4. Week 4 Prepare a design review, settings-change assessment and FAT/SAT outline.
Make it tangible

Fictional transformer-bay design package and acceptance-test outline.

Readiness check

Find wrong CT allocation, missing trip-supply supervision and inconsistent source names.

09Event analysis & troubleshootingP&C

Build conclusions from measurements and a defensible timeline.

  1. Week 1 Study COMTRADE scaling, channel definitions, sample rates and time quality.
  2. Week 2 Separate fault inception, pickup, output, breaker contact and current interruption.
  3. Week 3 Compare hypotheses for saturation, polarity, inrush and blocking.
  4. Week 4 Write intended-operation and apparent-misoperation reports using synthetic/public data.
Make it tangible

Annotated plots, timing tables and two concise incident reports.

Readiness check

State the evidence for your conclusion and what the available data cannot establish.

10Digital substations & communicationsDigital substations

Understand the network, protocol and timing paths.

  1. Week 1 Learn Ethernet, IP, subnets, VLANs, routing, multicast and redundancy.
  2. Week 2 Trace DNP3 points, scaling, quality, classes, events and controls.
  3. Week 3 Map IEC 61850 logical nodes, datasets, GOOSE, MMS and Sampled Values.
  4. Week 4 Compare IRIG-B, PTP, GNSS, holdover and time-quality failure.
Make it tangible

Lab network drawing, point list, packet explanation and failure matrix.

Readiness check

Distinguish connectivity, mapping, timestamp and application-logic failures.

11Practical OT cybersecurityCybersecurity

Build security around availability, engineering access and recovery.

  1. Week 1 Inventory assets, trust boundaries, data flows and physical consequences.
  2. Week 2 Design segmentation, least privilege, jump access and logging in an isolated lab.
  3. Week 3 Create a baseline and backup, then demonstrate restoration and rollback.
  4. Week 4 Investigate a fictional unauthorized configuration change or loss of trustworthy time.
Make it tangible

OT architecture, risk register and demonstrated restore record.

Readiness check

Explain how each control affects protection availability and how recovery is verified.

12Integration & technical leadershipIntegration

Defend an integrated design and its trade-offs.

  1. Week 1 Compare utility, generator, UPS and limited-source operating conditions.
  2. Week 2 Identify common-mode failures, maintenance isolation and BESS protection limitations.
  3. Week 3 Integrate a fictional 115/13.8 kV supply, transformer, feeder and digital network.
  4. Week 4 Present for 15 minutes and defend five engineering decisions.
Make it tangible

Capstone package and two-page decision memo.

Readiness check

Explain an acceptable alternative, why you chose your approach and what evidence would change it.

THE FIRST-YEAR OUTCOME

More reliable judgement.
Stronger technical evidence.

Build readiness for supervised protection design and studies. SME standing develops through repeated delivery, review and experience with unusual conditions.

YOUR THREE PORTFOLIO PIECES
  1. Transformer application
  2. Coordination & fault study
  3. Integrated capstone

Use fictional systems and permitted public data. Label every piece as training work.

Start PSS/E early

Check your school access in week one. Begin a small model alongside the foundations; don’t wait until Module 7 if access may expire.

Keep credentials focused

Continue your P.Eng work separately. Choose one additional exam when it supports a specific role and fits the workload.