Technical training is offered in webinar and in-person formats. See Training Registration for dates and enrollment information.
Objective
The Advanced Technical Seminar provides attendees a unique opportunity to acquire practical and up-to-date engineering knowledge, from the world's leading specialists and researchers, on how to study and design efficient and economical grounding and lightning mitigation systems.
Whether you wish to protect a power system, plant or a nearby utility subjected to electromagnetic interference from power system faults, lightning or switching surges, this course will present pertinent principles for utility, industrial and various public installations, during steady state, fault and transient conditions, using realistic models of the environment.
Emphasis is placed on the demonstration of scientific concepts, using practical examples drawn from the extensive number of research projects and engineering studies conducted by SES researchers since 1978. Pertinent analytical derivations are included in an extensive Reference Manual made available to all course participants. One of the main goals of this course is to explain and eliminate many misconceptions, ambiguities and incorrect measurements, analysis and design techniques which still abound in the industry and are taught at some courses.
Outline and Schedule
The webinar format of the course typically takes place over a two-week period comprised of eight half-day sessions. The in-person format is completed in a one-week period.
The same material is covered in the webinar and in-person formats.
In Week 1, we cover the three modes of electromagnetic energization. Earth resistivity measurement and interpretation techniques will also be discussed, for uniform and multilayered earth (soils with two and more horizontal and vertical layers). The concept of soil model equivalence and soil layer resolution will be explained based on computer simulations. The analysis and design of simple and complex grounding systems made of arbitrarily oriented three dimensional conductors buried in multilayered soils will be discussed and illustrated with practical examples. The case of a grounding system partially buried in a finite volume (e.g., backfill) of heterogeneous soil will be explored. The scientific concept of earth impedance measurements using the Fall-of-Potential method will be clearly explained based on various realistic soil models. Transmission line, buried cable and buried pipeline parameters (self and mutual impedances) in layered earth will be analyzed and fault current distribution computation techniques will be described. Electrical safety concepts will be introduced, and issues related to body currents, body impedances and foot resistances will be discussed for power frequency and high frequency electric exposure.
During Week 2, the focus is on demonstrating how to use SES’s powerful input and output processors such as SESCAD, ROWCAD and SESShield-3D. Week 2 also includes conductive and inductive interference effects caused by energized conductors on overhead and buried bare or coated metallic structures and conductors, such as pipelines, fences and communication wires are introduced and investigated in detail. Mitigation methods and equipment are presented and their relative merits are discussed. Interaction between the sources of the interference and the victim lines or circuits will be examined in detail. Finally, electric and magnetic fields generated by energized overhead and buried conductors at low and high frequencies as well as during transient conditions, such as lightning strikes, will be described and typical analysis methods and computation results explained.
Participants will be issued a certificate of completion and awarded the equivalent of 3.0 CEU (Continuing Education Unit) or 30 PDH (Professional Development Hour). The CEU and PDH are recognized units for recording participation in non-credit educational programs.
Week 1
Fundamental Concepts, Power Frequency Analysis, Safety Concepts
Day 1
Fundamental Concepts
Soil Resistivity
SES Software
Packages Structure
Electric energization modes
Soil structure models and characteristics
Impedance concepts
Return electrodes and buried structures
Soil resistivity measurement and interpretation
Preview of SES software packages
Day 2
Grounding System Analysis & Design
(Part 1 of 2)
Theory of grounding system analysis
Horizontal, vertical, hemispherical, cylindrical soil layering and finite volume soils
Soil structure models and characteristics
Design optimization to reduce GPR, touch and step voltages
Electric energization modes
Day 3
Grounding System Analysis & Design
(Part 2 of 2)
Earth Impedance Concepts,
Measurement and Interpretation
Introduction to electrically large grounding systems
Fall-of-Potential measurement technique
Earth impedance measurement and interpretation
“How far is far enough?”
Noise analysis & suppression
Day 4
Fault Current Distribution in Power System Networks and Line Parameters
Electrical Safety Concepts and Criteria
Multiple terminal systems; modeling of shield wires, neutrals and counterpoises
Steady-state conditions, harmonics and unbalances
Fault current computation
Computation of self and mutual impedances and capacitances of overhead and buried conductors; uniform and layered soils
Modeling of transformers
Electrical shock mechanisms
Body current thresholds, IEEE Std. 80; IEC 60479; effects of frequency; heart current factors
Body impedance, foot resistance and Thevenin concepts
Week 2
HIFREQ Workshop
Graphical Input Environment (SESCAD)
EMI, High Frequency & Transient Analysis
Lightning Shielding & Lightning Workshop
Day 1
HIFREQ Workshop
SES's Integrated Graphical Input Environment and Other Graphical Software Packages & Tools
Electromagnetic Interference,
Environmental and Mitigation Techniques
Modeling of pipelines and buried metallic structures
Design of valve and test stations
Combined influence of inductive and conductive coupling and mitigation
Effects of coating characteristics
Mitigation techniques and cathodic protection issues
Environmental impact assessment
ROWCAD, GRSplits-3D
Day 3
Effects of Frequency & Conductor Characteristics on Grounding System Performance,
and Comparison of Field & Circuit Models
Electrical and Magnetic Fields and Transients
Description of the field approach
Frequency dependence of conductors
Performance at high frequency
Comparison of circuit and field approaches
Extensive grounding systems
Effect of conductor characteristics on performance of grounding systems
Effects of circulating current from local generators in grounding study of a large power plant. Examples of realistic modeling including cables, GIS, and aboveground infrastructure.
Induction to communication and protection circuits
Stress voltage reduction
Computation of electric and magnetic fields
Capacitor switching in substations
Lightning transient studies
SESTransient lightning workshop
Day 4
Lightning Shielding
Other Topics
Lightning shielding analysis
SESShield-3D
SESShield-3D workshop
Additional topics selected by attendees
Q&A for Level 1 exam
The in-person training is a five-day course completed within a one-week period, comprised of four 8-hour days from Monday to Thursday, and ending with a half-day on Friday.
The week is divided into 3 parts.
During Part I of the course, the three modes of electromagnetic energization will be explained. Earth resistivity measurement and interpretation techniques will also be discussed, for uniform and multilayered earth (soils with two and more horizontal and vertical layers). The concept of soil model equivalence and soil layer resolution will be explained based on computer simulations. The analysis and design of simple and complex grounding systems made of arbitrarily oriented three dimensional conductors buried in multilayered soils will be discussed and illustrated with practical examples. The case of a grounding system partially buried in a finite volume (e.g., backfill) of heterogeneous soil will be explored. The scientific concept of earth impedance measurements using the Fall-of-Potential method will be clearly explained based on various realistic soil models. Transmission line, buried cable and buried pipeline parameters (self and mutual impedances) in layered earth will be analyzed and fault current distribution computation techniques will be described. Electrical safety concepts will be introduced and issues involving body currents, body impedances and foot resistances will be discussed for power frequency and high frequency electric exposure.
Part II is entirely devoted to a workshop aimed at learning how to use SES’s powerful input and output processors such as SESCAD, RowCAD and SESShield-3D.
In Part III of the course, conductive and inductive interference effects caused by energized conductors on overhead and buried bare or coated metallic structures and conductors, such as pipelines, fences and communication wires are introduced and investigated in detail. Mitigation methods and equipment are presented and their relative merits are discussed. Interaction between the sources of the interference and the exposed lines or circuits will be examined in detail. Finally, electric and magnetic fields generated by energized overhead and buried conductors at low and high frequencies as well as during transient conditions, such as lightning strikes, will be described and typical analysis methods and computation results explained.
Participants will be issued a certificate of completion and awarded the equivalent of 3.5 CEU (Continuing Education Unit) or 35 PDH (Professional Development Hour). The CEU and PDH are recognized units for recording participation in non-credit educational programs.
PART I - Fundamental Concepts and Power Frequency Analysis
Monday
Registration and Introduction
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Session 1
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Session 2
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Fundamental Concepts, Soil Resistivity and SES Software Packages Structure
Grounding System Analysis & Design
Electric energization modes
Soil structure models and characteristics
Impedance Concepts
Soil resistivity measurement and interpretation
“How far is far enough”
Noise analysis & suppression
Preview of SES software packages
Computer Workshop
Theory of grounding system analysis
Return electrodes and buried structures
Horizontal, vertical, hemispherical, cylindrical soil layering and finite volume soils
Design optimization to reduce GPR, touch and step voltages
Introduction to electrically large grounding systems
Computer Workshop
Tuesday
Session 3
8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Session 4
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Earth Impedance Concepts and Measurement & Interpretation
Electrical Safety Concepts and Criteria
Fault Current Distribution in Power System Networks and Line Parameters
Fall-of-Potential measurement technique
Earth impedance measurement and interpretation
Noise analysis & suppression
Electrical shock mechanisms
Body current thresholds, IEEE Std. 80; IEC 479; effects of frequency; heart current factors
Body impedance, Foot resistance and Thevenin concepts
Computer Workshop
Fault current computation - simplified methods
Multiple terminal systems; modeling of shield wires, neutrals and counterpoises
Steady-state conditions, harmonics and unbalances
Fault current computation – detailed methods
Computation of self and mutual impedances and capacitances of overhead and buried conductors; uniform and layered soils
Modeling of transformers
Computer Workshop
PART II - SES Graphical Input and Output Processors Workshop
PART III - EMI, High Frequency and Transient Analysis
Thursday
Session 7
8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Session 8
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Electromagnetic Interference, Environmental and Mitigation Techniques
Effects of Frequency on Grounding Systems, Large Grounding Systems
Modeling of pipelines and buried metallic structures
Design of valve and test stations
Combined influence of inductive and conductive coupling and mitigation
Effects of coating characteristics
Environmental impact assessment
Mitigation techniques and cathodic protection issues
Computer Workshop
Description of the field approach
Frequency dependence of conductors
Performance at high frequency
Extensive grounding systems
Effect of conductor characteristics on performance of grounding systems
Effects of circulating current from local generators in grounding study of a large power plant
Modeling Cables, GIS and GIL Systems
Induction to communication and protection circuits
Stress voltage reduction
Computer Workshop
Friday
Session 9
8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Session 10
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Electrical and Magnetic Fields, Transients and Lightning Shielding - I
Electrical and Magnetic Fields, Transients and Lightning Shielding - II
Lightning shielding analysis
Capacitor switching in substations
Computation of electric and magnetic fields
Lightning transient studies
Computer Workshop
Additional topics selected by attendees
Submission of CDEGS Level 1 exam documents
Distribution of Certificates
Instructors
Dr. Farid P. Dawalibi, Director of R&D and Engineering, co-founded SES in 1978. An internationally recognized expert in grounding and electromagnetic interference, he has authored more than 450 technical papers and research & engineering reports, and has presented over 150 short courses and technical seminars.
In 2012, Dr. Dawalibi established the SES Software Certification program, and currently serves as the Managing Instructor for all SES training activities, contributing to and providing oversight for the ongoing development of the curriculum as well as the cadre of instructors who lead the course sessions and workshops.
In addition to his ongoing training activities and pioneering research work, Dr. Dawalibi was the project leader of the team that developed the GATL and ECCAPP software packages (EPRI EL2699 and EL5472) and the AUTOGRID software package (CEA 249 D 541). He has served as an expert witness at several challenging court hearings, and is a technical advisor and industry consultant to several leading power, pipeline and railway utilities. He has also made significant contributions to, and authored portions of, ANSI/IEEE Standard 80.
Dr. Dawalibi obtained a doctorate in Electrical Engineering from Montreal Polytechnic, an engineering institution affiliated with the University of Montreal.
Christian Voyer, PhD, is a Senior R&D Manager who, since joining SES in 2010, has been involved in multiple aspects of the company’s activities including: analytical research projects, third-party technical report reviews, client technical support, software development, and studies related to grounding, safety, and electromagnetic compatibility problems. With his extensive experience, theoretical proficiency, and unwavering commitment to quality instruction, Christian is a valued member of SES’s instructor team, which he joined in 2013, as well as the Manager of SES’s Level 1 Certification program.
Christian obtained a doctorate in Experimental Physics in 2011 from McGill University.
Luis Valcárcel, PhD, is a Senior R&D Manager who joined SES in 2009, and has since been continuously engaged in software development, analytical research reports, major client projects, and technical support. His considerable practical experience in all aspects of grounding and EMI studies includes field experience with soil resistivity and touch/step voltage measurements. A member of SES’s instructor team since 2013, he leads courses at all certification levels, and is also involved in internal training to ensure that the required high bar of performance is met by all SES technical personnel.
Luis obtained a doctorate in Experimental Physics in 2008 from McGill University.
Maxime Daigle, PhD, is a Senior R&D Manager who has been with SES since 2014. In addition to his training responsibilities, Maxime is regularly engaged in client support and research activities which have contributed to significant improvements to multiple SES applications. He has also been involved in several client projects involving grounding and electromagnetic interference studies. With a solid combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, he has been a key member of SES’s instructor team since 2015.
Maxime obtained a doctorate in Electrical Engineering in 2011 from Montreal Polytechnic.
Parisa Dehkhoda, PhD, is a senior R&D researcher who has been with SES since 2021, where she is involved with research, software development, and providing technical support to SES’s clients. Parisa joined SES’s instructor team in 2023, bringing with her an extensive teaching experience of more than 10 years at the university level. Her main research interests are in numerical methods in electromagnetics, especially electromagnetic compatibility. She is the author or coauthor of more than 50 scientific articles and conference papers.
Parisa obtained a doctorate in Electrical Engineering in 2009 from Amirkabir University of Technology in Tehran.
Stéphane Franiatte obtained a B. Ing. degree (2013) in electrical engineering and an M. Sc. A. degree (2017) in software engineering from the École de Technologie Supérieure, Montreal, Canada. His area of specialization was in mathematical optimization and algorithmics. From 2003 to 2008, he served as an officer on a nuclear submarine, where he was responsible for the electrical propulsion systems as well as the acoustic discretion of the vessel through vibrational frequency analyses.
He joined SES in 2014. His research interests lie in applied mathematics, specifically in digital signal processing, transient analysis, numerical electromagnetism, and computer science.
Mohammad Shafieipour holds M.Eng.Sc. and PhD degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Multimedia University in Malaysia (2010) and the University of Manitoba (2016). After completing his doctorate, he worked for several years as a Simulation Development & Research Engineer at Manitoba Hydro International.
Dr. Shafieipour joined SES in 2020, and currently provides technical support for the CDEGS software package, while also contributing to the development of the software.
He joined SES’s team of instructors in 2022, bringing not only his vast knowledge in Computational Electromagnetics and Electromagnetic Transient Analysis (subjects of over 40 scientific papers authored by Dr. Shafieipour) but also ample experience in multiple power systems simulation tools.
Certification
Those who elect to complete the optional Level 1 Certification exam and who receive a passing score will, upon completing a Level 2 Certification course, be eligible to take the Level 2 Certification exam, which if passed successfully can lead to pursuit of the highest certification level, Level 3 (Expert) Certification.
Also, their names will be posted on the Certified Users List of the SES website (unless the participant or their organization requests otherwise).
