The focus of the DP-NXA Consultants electrical design team is to provide a comprehensive design including power distribution, lighting, grounding, communication, security, controls and fire alarm systems for industrial facilities. Though designs for industrial facilities make up the majority of our engineering work, we provide engineering services for federal, municipal, institutional and private individual clients as well. We endeavor to deliver complete, functional and cost-effective engineering solutions to our clients. From design analysis to seek the best solution, to equipment sizing and specifications, through conceptual and detailed design and testing, we cover all aspects of a design project. Throughout the engineering process we keep our clients’ stakeholders as informed and involved as they desire. Our electrical and instrumentation & controls engineering staff maintain their technical edge through continuing education and attending seminars on latest equipment and designs.
Design
Design new or retrofit lighting plans to support project design
- For designs to retrofit lighting in existing structures or areas, ensure lighting controls and lighting components maximize energy efficiency
- For new installations, ensure the current International Energy Conservation Code requirements are met for lighting efficiency
- Emergency lighting systems that meet NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code) requirements.
- For new or retrofit designs, ensure sufficient light levels are met in accordance with current Illumination Engineering Society (IES) standards
Design grounding system for new or retrofit projects to protect personnel and plant equipment in accordance with the National Electrical Code (NEC), IEEE 80 and IEEE 142.
Design lightning protection system for new or existing structures in accordance with NFPA-780.
Designs will include the selection of proper NEMA rated enclosures based on the environment where the enclosure will be installed.
High voltage (greater than 69,000 volts) distribution design
- High voltage monitoring, relaying and control of distribution components
- High voltage to medium voltage transformer installations
Medium voltage (greater than 1000 volts) distribution design
- Two power source (Main-Tie-Main) distribution
- Medium voltage Emergency or Backup Generators
- Medium voltage monitoring, relaying and control of distribution components
- Medium voltage to low voltage (Less than 100 volts, primarily 480V and 208/120V) transformers
Low voltage distribution design at 480/277V, 240V and 208/120V
- Two power source (Main-Tie-Main) distribution
- Three power source distribution using generators as alternate or emergency power source in a Main-Tie-Main or Main-Tie-Tie-Main configuration
- Distribution systems or subsystems using an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) to minimize equipment down time.
- Distribution systems or subsystems using an Interruptible Power Supply (UPS) to eliminate equipment down time.
DC battery supply systems to maintain critical systems during an extended power outage. - Low voltage Emergency or Backup Generators
- Low voltage monitoring, relaying and control of distribution components
- Low voltage to low voltage transformers (typically 480V to 208/120V)
DC distribution design for control circuits and UPS circuits.
Electrical power distribution designs to protect equipment essential for plant operation.
Motor control design for medium voltage and low voltage motors
Motor protection design for medium voltage and low voltage motors
Cyber security design to minimize the risk of cyber-attack to critical components and plant processes.
Design of new buildings including electrical designs to support the building’s function
Design needed to retrofit existing buildings or process areas to support new functions
Analyst
Analyze a facility’s power distribution equipment
- Use modeling software (e.g. ETAP) to analyze the existing power distribution equipment including the following:
- Incoming utility power
- Primary distribution circuit breakers and/or fuses
- Conductors (wiring) between circuit breakers
Arc Flash analysis of a facility’s power distribution equipment to meet OSHA requirements and the installation of Arc Flash labels as required by OSHA.
Inspection and analysis of power distribution cables that may be reaching end of life and develop a cable testing and/or replacement plan.
Inspection and analysis of electrical distribution equipment installed at a facility to ensure code compliance is met using the NEC.
Inspection and analysis of electrical grounding system at a facility to ensure code compliance is met using the NEC.
Analysis of plant lighting for energy efficiency and to ensure adequate light levels are present.
Analysis of a facility’s cyber security and susceptibility to cyber-attack.
A professional cyber security and susceptibility to cyber-attack analysis should occur on a regular basis.
Construction
Assistance during the bid process to answer contractor’s request for information (RFIs)
Attend pre-bid meeting
Assist the Owner in construction contractor selection
Attend pre-construction meeting
Assist the owner in development of a project schedule
Assistance during construction to answer contractor’s RFIs
Perform on-site inspections of construction activities to ensure design requirements are being met
Perform on-site inspections to ensure Code (e.g., NEC) requirements are being followed
Attend Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) at the supplier’s facility for major electrical equipment to ensure all design requirements are being met
Attend Site Acceptance Test (SAT) at the Owner’s facility to ensure major electrical equipment being installed functions as designed
Assist the Owner in closeout of project documents
- Update original design documents to reflect “As Built” configurations to ensure final design documents match the installed configuration