Understanding Medium-Voltage Switchgear

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

Event Dates/Times:

• 10/6/2025  9:00am - 2:30pm Central Time
• 10/7/2025  9:00am - 2:30pm Central Time
• 10/8/2025  9:00am - 2:30pm Central Time
• 10/9/2025  9:00am - 2:30pm Central Time

• Program Director

  Kevin Rogers

• Kevin Rogers

  Program Director

  Kevin Rogers is 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

  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.

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.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

• Call CERC Registrations at 608-262-2451.
• Provide the registrations representative with:
  • the course name, dates, and/or course number.
  • the necessary course attendee information and payment information.
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment 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 interpro@union.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 interpro@union.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.

If you cannot attend, please notify us no later than one week before your course begins, and we will refund your fee. Cancellations received after this date and no-shows are subject to a $150 administrative fee. You may enroll a substitute at any time before the course starts.