Why Power System Studies Are Essential for Industrial and Commercial Operations
Power System Studies Are Critical
For industrial and commercial businesses, electrical reliability, scalability, and safety are non-negotiable. A brief power disruption or system failure can cost hundreds of thousands, or more, of dollars in downtime, lost production, and equipment damage. Power system studies are a critical part of ensuring that a facility’s electrical infrastructure is properly designed, maintained, and capable of meeting both current and future operational demands.
Morrow Engineering, Inc. has decades of experience performing power system studies for customers in commercial and industrial industries such as refineries, chemical processing facilities, and manufacturing plants. Through comprehensive analyses, our skilled engineers can identify system vulnerabilities, reduce risk, and help your business operate more efficiently and safely.
The Core Concerns: Reliability, Scalability, & Safety
Reliability is the top concern for most industrial and commercial operations. Power interruptions can halt production, damage sensitive equipment, and impact an entire supply chain. Through studies like short-circuit analysis, coordination studies, and power quality testing, engineers assess how the electrical system will behave under normal and fault conditions. This helps identify weak points, optimize protection device settings, and ensure that backup systems will respond correctly when needed.
Scalability is another major factor. As facilities grow and introduce new machinery or expand their space, electrical systems must be capable of handling higher loads. A future-proof power system study allows businesses to plan for future expansions, ensuring that new equipment can be added safely and cost-effectively. Building in this flexibility prevents costly redesigns or unsafe workarounds down the line.
Lastly, safety is paramount. Arc flash and coordination studies are designed to protect workers and prevent electrical accidents. These analyses ensure that employees are equipped with the right personal protective equipment (PPE) and that the electrical system operates within safe parameters. Investing in electrical safety not only protects personnel, but also reduces the potential for lawsuits, regulatory violations, and equipment damage.
Industry-Specific Power System Studies
While some power system studies, like short-circuit, arc flash, coordination, and infrared studies, are common across all industries and facilities, others are tailored to an industry’s specific performance requirements or site needs.
For example, facilities that often handle flammable or explosion-capable chemicals or dust require a Hazardous Area Classification Study to determine safe electrical installation practices in potentially explosive atmospheres.
Depending on the size of the facility and what types of loads they have, some utilities require power quality studies, including IEEE standard adherence, needing harmonics and power factor system studies. Facilities with large motors or heavy machinery may require a Motor Starting Study. This analysis ensures that when a large motor starts up, it won’t cause lights to flicker, voltage to drop, or neighboring facilities to experience disturbances.
The Benefits of Power System Studies
Power system studies provide both immediate and long-term value for commercial and industrial businesses. Key power system studies benefits include:
- Increased Reliability
- Enhanced Safety
- Improved System Scalability
- Regulatory and Insurance Compliance
- Cost Efficiency
- Expanded Operational Insight
Power system study compliance plays a significant role in business success. The NFPA requires periodic power system studies, typically on a five-year basis, to ensure electrical systems remain up to date with current operating conditions. Facilities that ignore these requirements risk safety incidents, regulatory penalties, and potential insurance issues.
For industrial and commercial facilities, the cost of electrical downtime or safety incidents far outweighs the investment in power system studies. From ensuring reliable operations and safety for your personnel to maintaining compliance and enabling future growth, these studies create an efficient electrical infrastructure. The Morrow Engineering team will partner with you to ensure your power system is designed for optimal functionality and safety.
Common Power System Study FAQs We Get From Customers
Q: How long do these studies take to complete?
Project duration depends on facility size and the type of studies required. The Morrow Engineering team understands you have deadlines to meet and our team can partner with you to work towards meeting those.
Q: Does my facility need to shut down in order to complete a power systems study?
Many power system studies can be completed while your facility continues its full operation, so there is no disruption in your production process. Any temporary facility or minimal section shut downs will be discussed and reviewed beforehand by the Morrow Engineering team.
Q: How much do power system studies cost?
Power system studies cost depends on the type of study, the complexity and size of your facility, and the number of power system studies needed. Proper power system studies are essential services that optimize and streamline your facility’s operations, reducing costs in the long run by mitigating production downtime or personnel safety accidents.