Arc Flash Study for VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
Denver, Colorado
Arc Flash Study for VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System; Denver, Colorado
Client: VA Medical Center Denver
Location: Denver, Colorado
Key personnel included John J. Lopez, PE, Neil Sherer, EIT, Richard Simard, Donald Crawford, and Wesley Breckenridge who performed an Arc Flash Study at the VA Medical Center Denver for the VA Medical Center at 1055 Clermont Street, Denver CO 80220-3808. This study analyzed and evaluated the electrical system for the Veterans Affairs (VA) Eastern Colorado Health Care facilities in Denver, Colorado. Existing drawings for the electrical system were reviewed; electrical system components were visited and observed by DAV Energy personnel; VA maintenance personnel familiar with the electrical system were interviewed; and SKM software was used to perform short circuit and arc flash calculations. Much of the electrical system dates back to the 1960’s. The electrical system evaluated includes: 19 buildings, one 15 kV switchgear, 17 oil filled transformers, multiple engine generators, automatic transfer switches (ATS), switchgear, approximately 800 panelboards, motor control centers (MCC), and approximately 100 dry-type transformers.
Lopez, Simard, and Sherer surveyed active buildings for the study, 13 buildings and facilities in total. They gathered the existing electrical drawings, opened all panel boards, switchboards, and motor control centers and gathered nameplate data for all electrical equipment, including individual circuit breakers in switchboards and distribution panel boards. Lopez, Simard, and Sherer investigated feeder sizes and estimated feeder lengths, gathered circuit breaker dial settings and developed single line diagrams. Analysis of single line diagrams for hazards was performed, short circuit, voltage drop, overcurrent coordination, and arc flash calculations were prepared, a detailed report was prepared, and Arc Flash labels were printed and installed on all electrical equipment requiring them including panel boards and switches.
AREA: 630,000 SF