Understanding Medium-Voltage Switchgear

Proper switchgear design and operation are critical to the safety and reliability of medium-voltage (5kV to 38kV) electrical distribution systems. This course covers switchgear types, applications, layouts, and protection systems, with a focus on project implementation and code compliance. Through lectures and practical exercises, participants will build confidence in interpreting schematics, evaluating system components, and applying best practices in testing, commissioning, and maintenance.

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Who Should Attend?

Electrical design engineers and specifiers working with MV systems.
Technicians, operators, and project managers involved in switchgear installation and maintenance.
Utility, industrial, and commercial facility engineers responsible for electrical system reliability.

What You Will Learn

Identify and evaluate different types of MV (5kV to 38kV) switchgear, their applications and relevant standards, and unique construction features
Interpret AC and DC schematic diagrams and understand protection and control strategies.
Apply best practices for installation, testing, commissioning, and maintenance of MV switchgear systems.

Course Details: RA01628-E156

Introduction to Switchgear

Types and applications
Industry terminology and definitions
Overview of switchgear standards

Switching Devices:

Fault interrupting
Load interrupting
Isolating

Interrupting/Breaker Device Basics

Vacuum, SF₆, air, oil
Standard ratings
Short-circuit current and considerations
Transient impact: TRV, capacitor switching, etc.
Operating endurance (# of operations)

Insulation (Dielectric) Materials

Air, oil, SF₆, solid insulation

Physical Properties

Pad-mounted / submersible
Metal-enclosed / metal-clad
Arc resistant / gas-insulated (GIS)

Device Layouts

Bus configurations
Breaker / interrupter / switch
Voltage transformers
Fuse / relays

Environmental and Installation Considerations

Protection Basics

Fuse and time-overcurrent
Buss differential options
Line/feeder differential
parallel generator protection
Arc detection

AC Schematic Diagrams

Three-line diagram overview
Voltage transformer circuits
Current transformer circuits
Control power transformer
Auxiliary devices

DC Schematic Diagrams

Battery / DC control power
Breaker / interrupter diagrams
Trip / close circuits
Protective relay circuits
Auxiliary device circuits
Wiring organization and considerations

Automation / Control / Communications

Control philosophies
HMI / PLC systems
Intro to communication protocols
Commissioning process, plans, and staffing

Testing / Operations / Maintenance / Monitoring

Class exercises for solidifying understanding of fundamental concepts and calculations

Instructors
Kevin Rogers
Co-Director of Professional Development Programs
Kevin Rogers is Co-Director of Professional Development Programs. An electrical engineer with a background in electrical power systems, he is a registered professional engineer, and his 18 years of industry experience spans across electric utility, government, commercial, and industrial applications. His technical responsibilities have included design and commissioning of mission-critical facilities, underground medium voltage distribution planning, design, and operations, high-voltage substation design, and relaying protection and control for complex interconnections.
Joseph Witzel
Major Account Manager, Eaton Corporation
Joseph Witzel is a Major Account Manager at Eaton Corporation. During his 29 years in the electrical industry, Joe has held a wide range of power systems engineering responsibilities, including NEMA/ANSI application engineer, power systems engineering manager, field testing engineer, and district operations manager. Joe brings with him extensive medium-voltage experience, covering medium-voltage system studies, equipment specification, product application, operations, and testing and commissioning. He received his BSEE Degree from Marquette University and his MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management at Devry University.
Program Director
Kevin Rogers

Total Credits:

CEU 1.6,

PDH 16,

Course Administration

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

Request Purchase Order information from registration@cerc.wisc.edu
- If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email registration@cerc.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.

Create a custom learning experience

We can deliver this course as an on-site learning experience tailored to your organization’s specific training needs.

“I thought this was a really well thought out course; I've taken a medium voltage course from a different provider where I walked away thinking 'What did I learn' because all the topics covered by that provider were essentially glossed over. I did not feel like that in this course and I appreciate that the topics had depth to them.
- Jake Parz, Holt Renewables, LLC, Design Engineer

Understanding Medium-Voltage Switchgear

Who Should Attend?

What You Will Learn

Course Details: RA01628-E156

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Course Administration

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