Short Circuit, Coordination, and Arc Flash Studies

Data Centers from Edge to Cloud

Our Focus

We design, build, and operate data centers that are great for companies and their people... but better for the planet

Arc Flash Hazard Analysis

An arc flash is an undesired electrical discharge that travels through the air from one conductor to another or from a conductor to a ground. Often there is sufficient electricity to cause substantial damage to equipment, fires, serious injury, and even death. The temperature may exceed 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit, rendering it capable of vaporizing metal and sending a molten metal blast in all directions with extreme force, causing tremendous damage in its wake. Generally, the higher the voltage is, the higher the risk.

PTS’ Arc Flash Hazard Analysis Objectives:

Determine short circuit calculations and the clearing times of the phase overcurrent devices
Calculate flash protection boundaries and incident energy at all locations where work could be performed
Assess personal protective equipment PPE requirements for specific activities and locations
Adherence to IEEE flash standards to minimize risk in the first place
Evaluate equipment for arc flash and shock protection

The Need for Breaker Coordination

Electrical distribution systems often protect equipment (conductors, transformers, motors, etc) with fuses and/or circuit breakers. When an overcurrent situation exists, it causes the protective device to trip. Ideally, this protective action would only impact the part of the system where the failure occurred.

In a properly coordinated system, the protective devices are selected and adjusted to minimize the impact of equipment failures within a system. A coordination study analyzes the characteristic curves of the fuses and breakers and compares them against one another.

Objective of a Breaker Coordination/Short Circuit Study

The goal of a PTS Protective Device Coordination Study is to achieve an optimum balance between equipment protection and selective isolation that is consistent with the operating requirements of the overall power system.

The short-circuit study checks the interrupting ratings of all protective equipment, conductors, and switches for adequacy. Inadequate equipment ratings can result in extensive damage to the equipment during faults and system operation, and may introduce safety hazards to operating personnel, resulting in costly remedial measures.

Facility Electrical Testing is part of the PTS project process in the Operations and Maintenance phase:

Our primary markets include:

Manufacturing and Industrial Facilities
Energy Environmental Programs
Infrastructure
Technology
Office / Corporate Headquarters
Government / Public Facilities
Financial Services
Mission-Critical / Data Center
Sustainable Design
Laboratory
Healthcare
Hospitality / Hotel
Educational
Interiors
Historic Retrofit / Renovation
Resort / Gaming
Residential Developments
Retail / Restaurant
Religious
Exhibitions / Recreation
Architectural Lighting Design
Special Projects

PTS has an impressive track record for unique architectural and engineering designs. We specialize in all aspects of architectural as well as mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) and building services engineering for virtually every type of building or structure.

In addition, we specialize in vendor-neutral design of all systems and sub-systems for all building types.

Further, our architects and engineers thrive on challenge. We aspire to achieve the optimal solution for every project. We do this by using a combination of proven design and engineering principles, processes, experience, and innovative thinking.

Design & Engineering Services

Industries Served

PTS Design & Engineering, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of PTS Data Center Solutions, Inc. and is a leading provider of diverse professional technical services. We offer full-spectrum support to commercial and industrial clients across multiple markets.

Value to Market Strategy

PTS aims to exceed your expectations by simply being your best consultant, whether you are an end user, a property developer, a contractor, or a peer architect/engineer. Our goal is to effortlessly deliver accurate, quick, and timely work, with minimal hand-holding.

We specialize in the design and ongoing support of data centers, computer rooms, web-hosting facilities, network operations centers, telecommunications centers, as well as other highly technical facilities with always available requirements.

PTS has been involved with the design of millions of square feet of data centers throughout the United States.

PTS is extensively involved in the renovation and upgrade of existing data centers as well as the design of new facilities. In each case, PTS was instrumental in integrating innovative support infrastructure solutions including:

Integrated Infrastructure Systems ▪ UPS & Power Distribution ▪ Generator & ATS ▪ Battery Systems ▪ Computer Room Air Conditioning ▪ Cooling Distribution ▪ Heat Rejection Equipment ▪ Raised Flooring ▪ Fire Detection Systems ▪ Pre-Action Sprinkler Systems ▪ FM200 & Other Dry-Type Suppression Systems ▪ Environmental Monitoring Systems ▪ Leak Detection Equipment ▪ CCTV & IP-Camera Systems ▪ Access Control Systems ▪ Racks, Cabinets & Accessories ▪ Structured Cabling ▪ Cable Management ▪ Cable Pathway ▪ NOC, Console & Technical Furniture ▪ Network & Security Infrastructure ▪ Server & Storage Systems ▪ KVM & Remote Access Systems

The Data Center Design Process

Effective data center design starts with a thorough survey of the existing systems & facility. We then work with the IT & facility staff to identify & quantify project needs and develop an understanding of the trends and migrations strategies required to adapt to future changes. Finally, we develop a conceptual data center design from which construction budgets can be developed.

PTS can plan, design, engineer, deploy, optimize, monitor, and manage your complex, multi-vendor, data center infrastructure. The need for reliable, scalable, available, and security-rich data center infrastructure has never been more critical to the success of your organization. Our comprehensive set of services can help you optimize your investments, improve performance, achieve availability objectives, and avoid costly problems.

Our Data Center Design Goals

PTS has a highly skilled workforce that specializes in aligning the requirements of your IT personnel with the capabilities of the facility and the expectations of facility personnel.

Our goal is to create satisfied customers by emphasizing pre-design & planning, and to provide the optimal solutions that meet your requirements. The result is in an early & accurate alignment between scope, schedule and budget.

PTS understands the only acceptable level of downtime is zero. Your job performance and our reputation depend on it. Please contact us tell us about your project. Give us the opportunity and we’ll provide you with the justification you need to convince your management to take the next step.

Contact PTS for your Next Engineering Project

You shouldn’t have to compromise when it comes to your facility. Our expert team assesses your unique needs, and then employs a proven plan that reduces the amount of support infrastructure you will need.

The result is higher efficiency, reduced complexity and better resiliency at lower cost… all at the same time.