Welcome to the Public Assistance Electrical Systems Considerations course.
This course will provide an overview of electrical systems in the context of Public Assistance grant funded projects. By the end of the course, State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Applicants and Recipients will be able to understand a general overview of electrical systems considerations and project eligibility.
Upon successfully completing the course, the participants will be able to:
Describe Public Assistance policy and guidance related to electrical systems
Identify common reasons why electrical systems projects are deemed ineligible for Public Assistance grant funding
Identify documentation considerations associated with electrical systems, including documenting damage prior to repair
Identify special considerations for eligible electrical systems projects
This lesson provides an overview of electrical systems, including the different components and examples of each. The module will also identify examples of the different types of electrical systems facilities and distribution networks.
At the end of this lesson, participants will be able to:
Review administrative requirements of the course
Describe the different components of electrical systems
Identify types of electrical systems facilities and distribution networks
An electric power system is a network of electrical components deployed to supply, transfer, store, and use electric power.
Electrical Power Systems:
Provide looped, network, or radial distribution service or other redundancies in the electrical service to critical facilities, such as hospitals and fire stations
Install surge suppressors and lightning arrestors
Examples of Electrical Systems Components
The following are examples of electrical systems components:
Poles
Guy wires
Cross-arms
Conductors
Transformers
Utility Poles
An utility pole is a structure secured into the ground and used to provide overhead support for public utility equipment like power lines, telephone wires and other types of communication cable, streetlights and traffic related equipment.
These poles range in height and material, and they are anchored into the ground by different methods.
In some cases, a single pole may be designed to support numerous types of public utility equipment.
Possible Hazard Mitigation of Utility Poles
Replace damaged poles with higher-rated poles (preferably two classes stronger) of the same or different material. When replacing poles with higher-rated poles, install guys and anchors to provide lateral support for poles supporting pole-mounted transformers, regulators, capacitor banks, reclosers, air-break switches, or other electrical distribution equipment
Remove large diameter lines
Add cross-bracing to H-frame poles to provide additional strength
Guy Wires
A guy-wire or guy-rope, also known as simply a guy, is a tensioned cable designed to add stability to a free-standing structure.
They are used commonly on wind turbines, utility, and poles.
Utility Pole Cross-arms
A utility pole cross-arm is an arm fastened at right angles to an upright (as the horizontal member of a cross or a traverse on a telephone pole).
Conductors
A conductor is an object or type of material which permits the flow of electric charges in one or more directions.
For example, a wire is an electrical conductor that can carry electricity along its length.
Transformers
A transformer is designed to convert the generated high voltage to lower voltages for distribution.
Possible Mitigation
Elevate pad transformers above the Base Flood Elevation
Support pole-mounted transformers with multiple poles
Transmission and Distribution Lines
Possible Mitigation
Add guy-wires or additional support
Examples of Electrical Systems Facilities and Networks
Below are a few examples of electrical systems facilities and networks
Substations
Powerlines
Drainage channel or irrigation system
Water or sewer line system
Generation Plant
SCADA
Module Summary
This module is complete.
Participants can now:
Identify Administrative requirements of the course
State the goals and objectives of the course
Describe the different components of electrical systems
Identify types of electrical systems facilities and distribution networks
The next module will introduce electrical systems eligibility requirements.
