Course Description

This course comprises a unique combination of electrical power and controls topics. The course begins with coverage of electrical power concepts in the DC, Single Phase AC, and Three Phase AC realms in an easy-to-follow approach, illustrated and reinforced by practical applications, examples, and numerical case studies or problems.
Utilization of electrical power in hydraulic machines, i.e. pumps and turbines is discussed, supported by a basic introduction to hydrodynamics and culminating in the sizing of pump motors. The application and sizing of fan and blower motors are explained. Electrical power distribution is highlighted. VFD, Variable Frequency Drives are discussed. VFD architecture and VFD operational analysis are covered. The seminar then segues into the controls topics starting with controls theory, differences between Open and Closed Loop Control Systems, and their advantages and disadvantages. Example of proprietary or custom control systems is covered, and illustrated by pictures.
Participants are introduced to PLCs, Programmable Logic Controllers. PLC’s are then compared to DCS Systems, and their pros and cons are highlighted. HMI, Human Machine Interface, and SCADA systems are covered, supported by an in-depth exploration of two specific examples. This course is designed for engineers, professional engineers, energy professionals, engineering managers, technical professionals, technicians, facilities managers, and other professionals who are not intimately familiar with electrical power and control disciplines.
Participants are kept engaged through questions and answers, discussions, and classwork.

What will you learn in this live class?

• After attending this course, you will be refreshed on, or introduced to, the principles and concepts of AC and DC power, and associated important concepts like power factor, service factor, etc.
• You will appreciate the complexity of AC Power versus DC Power and know the formulas for performing power and current analysis in AC and DC Systems.
• You will understand how the addition of power factor correcting capacitors results in the improvement of power factor in AC systems and the clear and present financial benefits associated with the improvement of power factor. All are illustrated through formulas and numerical examples.
• You will be able to understand the architecture of MCC systems, aided by illustrative pictures.
• You will know the difference between three-phase AC, “Y” and “∆ - Delta” configurations of electrical power systems and know the significance of these configurations from practical power distribution and application perspective, i.e. “Star-Delta” starting.
• After attending this course, you will be refreshed on, or introduced to, the principles of control, PID Controls, and the differences between Open and Closed Loop Control Systems.
• You will understand how PLC-based control systems work, from hardware and software perspectives. 
• You will learn how to interpret electrical power distribution one-line schematics and comprehensive wiring diagrams.
• You will learn how to interpret control drawings and PLC relay ladder logic diagrams.
• You will understand the vital role VFD’s, Variable Frequency Drives, play in the implementation of analog control of motors in pumps, fans, and other motion control applications.

Topics/Outline:

• DC Power
• AC Power and pertinent, important, single-phase, and three-phase AC Concepts
• Power Transformers
• Electrical Motors
• Power Factor Correction
• Electrical Equipment and Instrumentation in Industrial Applications
• VFD’s and Motor Control
• SCADA Systems
• Electrical Power System Protection, Safety Pertinent Codes
• Electrical Power Distribution Control Drawings
• Control Systems
• Control System Architecture,
• Control Systems’ Application and Programming

Who should take this live class?

• Licensed Professional Engineers, who need to meet the annual or biennial license renewal PDH (Professional Development Hour) or CEU (Continuing Education Units) requirements.
• Engineers and Architects, in all disciplines, who do not possess current working knowledge of electrical power and controls concepts, and respective technologies.
• Engineering Managers/Directors
• Project Managers
• Facility Managers, Engineering Managers, Program/Project Managers, and other executives or leaders who feel a lack of adequate electrical power and control knowledge to hold meaningful discussions and make informed decisions by interacting with their power and control subordinates or colleagues
• Non-engineers, including technical writers responsible for developing operations and maintenance manuals for electrical or controls equipment
• Procurement/purchasing professionals who are responsible for the acquisition of power and controls equipment
• Construction Site Superintendents
• Constructions Company Managers/Executives
• Maintenance Engineers and Maintenance Managers
• Other professionals whose annual PLP, Performance and Learning Program, includes engineering/technical courses/seminars/workshops.

Syllabus

• DC Power
• AC Power and pertinent, important, single-phase, and three-phase AC Concepts
• Power Transformers
• Electrical Motors
• Power Factor Correction
• Electrical Equipment and Instrumentation in Industrial Applications
• VFD’s and Motor Control
• Electrical Power System Protection, Safety Pertinent Codes
• Electrical Power Distribution Control Drawings
• Control Systems Introduction
• Control System Architecture,
• Control Systems’ Application and Programming

Instructor Bio:

• Professor S. Bobby Rauf, P.E, C.E.M, CMT, MBA; member, ASEE, American Society of Engineering Education.
• Bobby Rauf is the President, Chief Consultant, and a Senior Instructor at Sem-Train, LLC. Bobby has over 25 years of experience in teaching undergraduate and post-graduate Engineering, Math, Business Administration, and MBA courses, seminars, and workshops. Professor Rauf is a registered (PE) Professional Engineer, in the States of Virginia, North Carolina, and Wyoming and is a Certified Energy Manager.
• Mr. Rauf was inducted as a “Legend in Energy” by AEE, in 2014. He is a published author of multiple engineering and energy books and professional development courses. He holds a patent in process controls technology.
• Professor Rauf is certified to instruct various engineering, ergonomics, and industrial safety courses. He has conducted certification training and trained engineers for Professional Engineering licensure exams in the United States, The United Kingdom, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, The Netherlands, and Ukraine, over the past ten years.
• Mr. Rauf develops and instructs PDH (Professional Development Hour) and, continuing education, and engineering skill-building courses. He conducts these courses in form of webinars, live on-site presentations, workshops, pre-recorded audio, and self-study texts. He has also served as an Adjunct Professor at Gardner-Webb University.
• Professor Rauf has also developed and published several self-study books that cater to the continuous professional development needs of Engineers, Technicians, and Technical Managers.
• Mr. Rauf’s last full-time engineering employment, in the corporate world, was at PPG Industries, Inc. where he served as a Senior Staff Engineer. During his long career at PPG, his responsibilities included the development and management of energy and ergonomics programs for multiple manufacturing plants, in the US and overseas. He also provided consultation and training services in, energy, electrical engineering, industrial safety, ergonomics, and arc flash arena. His extensive engineering experience includes power design, control system design, project management, process management, energy and utility management, energy audits/assessments, plant maintenance, robotics, manufacturing automation, HVAC audits, and design of ergonomic equipment.

Professor Rauf’s publications include (Available through AEE, Amazon.com, and Barnes and Noble): 

• A textbook titled “Electrical Engineering Fundamentals.” Published in 2020, through Taylor Francis, for worldwide distribution.
• A textbook titled “Thermodynamics Made Simple for Energy Engineers,” 2nd Edition by River Publishers, 2023 – Worldwide distribution.
• A textbook titled “Finance and Accounting for Energy Engineers,” 2nd Edition by River Publishers, 2023 – Worldwide distribution.
• A textbook titled “Electrical Engineering for Non-Electrical Engineering,” The 3rd Edition by River Publishers, 2021 – Worldwide distribution.

Current and Past Clients:

Mr. Rauf of Sem-Train has provided training and/or consulting services to the following organizations over the last fifteen years:

• Amazon, AWS
• Duke Energy
• NYSSPE
• Tatweer Petroleum, Bahrain
• Patrick Engineering
• New York Power Authority
• NYC MTA
• Disney
• TOHO Water Authority
• BHP Billiton
• Saudi Aramco (Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
• US Bureau of Reclamation (Hoover Dam)
• CED
• Balfour Beatty
• Shaw Group
• McNeese University
• University of North Carolina, Charlotte
• Texas AM; University,
• PPG Industries, Inc.,
• PDHengineer,
• PPI, Professional Publications
• University of Maryland Baltimore County,
• EPIC (Canada)
• Y-F Asia - Singapore

Why you shouldn’t miss this course - How this course can benefit you, your organizations, and what is unique about this course:

• Have you ever felt somewhat inadequate and ill-equipped in your technical interface with electrical power engineers, controls engineers, controls technicians, instrument technicians, and electricians? If so, then this course or seminar is a must. This course does not require extensive electrical engineering background.
• Do you, as an engineer, manager, or technician, feel that your knowledge and understanding of the difference between AC and DC power is inadequate or insufficient, then you must not miss this seminar
• Do you, as an engineer, manager, or technician, feel that your knowledge and understanding of controls theory, electrical/electronic control systems, PLC’s and DCS systems are inadequate or insufficient, then you must not miss this seminar
• How often do you get a chance to attend a workshop, course, or seminar that is presented by the author of the book on the relevant subject matter - online, live, or face-to-face? In this seminar, you will have the opportunity to interact and learn from Bobby Rauf, the author of the text, titled, “Electrical Engineering for Non-Electrical Engineers.”
• As an engineer, technician, or manager have you ever found the concept of power factor, horsepower, apparent power, reactive power, real power, three-phase versus single phase elusive and hard to comprehend? Then, this seminar will present an excellent opportunity to remedy that.
• How often do you get an opportunity to understand abstract and complex electrical concepts through relatively simple analogies and explanations? This seminar will provide you with that invaluable opportunity.
• Some workshops and courses end up being monotonous monologues from the presenter to the audience. Not this one. In this seminar, you will get an opportunity to exercise the skills and concepts through classwork and engage the instructor in discussions.