Professional Development Seminar Series

These courses were developed for practicing Design, Sales and Consulting Engineers involved in supplying standby power to commercial, industrial, municipal and health care facilities.

These seminars are designed to be conducted over a 90-minute period. Ideally, they can be conducted as an early morning breakfast meeting or over an extended lunch hour. This minimizes the impact on individual productivity within your firm.

• Introductions

• Course outline

• Course material with exercise(s)

• Online course assessment

(For CEU and PDH qualification)

The Professional Development Seminar Series was designed by engineers who are experts in the power generation field. Their goal is to provide you with a thorough understanding of the applications and advances associated with standby power.

Presents methods and calculations for proper sizing of engine-generators. Explores the alternator and engine responses to different types of loads. Presents different techniques to optimize engine-generator performance.

• Limitations of traditional generator sizing programs

• Dealing with load uncertainty in new construction

• Recognizing leading power factor pitfalls

• And so much more!!

Discusses performance criteria used to select transfer switches to connect engine-generator power into loads. Explores different grounding considerations and techniques for different applications, plus the selection of overcurrent protection and transfer switch controls.

Switch types covered:

• Open transition

• Soft loading

• Closed transition

• Paralleling switchgear

• Bypass Isolation

Introduces generator paralleling and basic concepts of paralleling engine-generators to form larger power systems. Emphasizes paralleling controls for load sharing (real and reactive power), synchronization and protection of paralleled systems.

Discusses control integration, elimination of serial reliability paths and the advantages of parallel power systems over traditional single engine-generator solutions.

Explores strategies for value engineering projects through utilization of best available technologies and innovations without sacrificing overall power system reliability. Provides guidelines for selection of the system best suited to meet the project’s cost, reliability and performance criteria. Establishes measures for determination of reliability and provides tools to establish reliability criteria for overall engine-generator power system.

Presents reasons for standby power generation from the Electrical Code perspective. Explains the various articles and requirements covering standby power generation.

Articles covered:

225 – Outside Branch Circuits and Feeders

240 – Overcurrent Protection

250 – Grounding and Bonding

445 – Generators

517 – Health care Facilities

695 – Fire Pumps

700 – Emergency Systems

701 – Legally Required Standby Systems

702 – Optional Standby Systems

705 – Interconnected Electrical Power Production Systems

Introduces Underwriters Laboratories’ (UL) standards and the impact of those standards for standby power generation; including the engine generator set and transfer switch.

Discusses specific NFPA standards and application/installation details for health care, life safety, and fire pumps.

Examines engine-generator configurations and the selection of optional items such as block heaters, base tanks, enclosures, etc. Explores standard configurations versus custom options that may be required based on site-specific criteria.

Introduces good design practice guidelines for the installation of engine-generator sets based on site and application specific details. Emphasizes cooling system selection, unit placement, piping requirements, etc.

Introduces engines and engine technologies used in design and implementation of standby power generation. Discusses fuel types, selection, design criteria for standby generator engine selection and testing required to prototype and validate a product.

Outlines terminology and performance expectations of the engine-generator alternator. Identifies construction methods, temperature rise criteria and the fault capacities of alternators.

Discusses the impact of engine-generator controls and the evolution of those controls from simple analog designs to fully integrated digital platforms. Reviews integrated paralleling control technology and fully explore all paralleling functions.

Presents techniques for effective performance based specifications for engine-generator sets, generator accessories and transfer switches without manufacturer specific language. Provides tools for writing specifications and general guidelines applicable to typical standby power generation applications.

As a leader in the standby power generation industry, Generac is committed to innovation and outstanding service to meet the needs of a wide variety of customers. This commitment guided the creation of an educational program for the architectural and engineering communities.

Series consists of 10 individual, 2-hour sessions. It offers Architects and Engineers valuable information regarding the theory and practice of standby power generation while incorporating proven learning methodologies. These sessions include 90 minutes of direct contact with participants in a “Lunch and Learn” format plus an additional 30 minutes to be used post class for independent completion of an online assessment. Credit for the class will be given in the form of an online certificate upon successful completion of the post-test and course survey.

Highlights of the program:

• A Generac dealer representative will come to your organization to conduct this lunch and learn

• Continuing Education Units (CEU) and Professional Development Hours (PDH) are available

• Learners are provided guides, binder and other useful tools

• An expert on-site during the training will answer questions

Generac puts you, the customer, first to ensure your peace of mind by delivering a superior product and ownership experience.

Working together, Generac Industrial Power and The Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) identified the skills and knowledge required to successfully specify, apply, and install standby power generation systems. As a result, the two organizations designed and developed the “Professional Development Seminar Series.” MSOE was founded in 1903 on the basis of an educational philosophy that integrates two basic elements of learning; theory and practice. MSOE offers 18 bachelor’s degrees and 11 master degrees in areas relating to engineering, business, nursing, and construction management. MSOE is well known for its close association with business and industry. In 2006, U.S. World News & World Report ranked MSOE among the top colleges in Engineering Programs and Engineering Specialties.

The purpose of Continuing Education Units (CEU) and Professional Development Hours (PDH) is to provide a permanent record of the educational accomplishment of an individual who has attained certain competencies as a result of a significant non-credit educational experience. CEUs and PDHs provide evidence of completion of continuing education requirements established by various certification bodies and professional societies. One CEU is defined as 10 contact hours of student participation in an organized educational experience under responsible leadership, capable direction and qualified instruction, whereas one PDH is equal to one hour. Individual state licensing boards and other professional organizations have jurisdiction over whether to approve or disapprove the training so PDH and CEU qualification cannot be guaranteed by Generac. That said, the vast majority of states have supported PDSS training.

Requirements to be awarded Professional Development Seminar Series CEUs and PDHs:

• Participation in the full 90-minute classroom session

• A passing score (80%) on the associated assessment

Founded in 1959, Generac Power Systems is a leading manufacturer of diesel and gaseous-fueled, engine-driven power generation equipment, transfer switches, paralleling switchgear, and small engines for industrial, commercial, residential, communication, and recreational applications. Generac is headquartered in Waukesha, Wisconsin and has additional manufacturing facilities in Eagle and Whitewater, Wisconsin.

Founded in 1903, MSOE is a private, coeducational university located in downtown Milwaukee. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in areas related to engineering, business, nursing, and construction management. Theory is brought to life for students through extensive integration of laboratory experimentation.