This professional training course designed for relay technicians, electrical/power plant technicians, engineers and protective relay test specialists offers students the opportunity to exchange ideas, resolve problems in open forums, and learn preventative and corrective methods through hands-on labs. Eight tracks are available: Basic, Distribution, Transmission, Generation, Electromechanical, Computerized Relay Testing, Automation/Integration and Theory. Students also attend six hours of open classroom lectures covering system protection topics, where they can select from 12 topic choices. The school is co-sponsored by Western Energy Institute and Eastern Washington University. CEU credits available.
- General Details
- Agenda
- Track Details
- Supplier's Showcase
- Applications
- Onsite Safety + Health Info
- Hotel Info
General Details
Program Location
Eastern Washington University
526 5th St
Cheney, Washington 99004
Who Should Attend
• Relay technicians
• Electrical/power plant technicians
• Engineers
• Protective relay test specialists
Learn more about the upcoming Hands-On Relay School by reviewing the event brochure.
Registration Price
School fee of $700 USD includes electronic copies of lecture notes, Sunday night reception, Tuesday night Suppliers’ Showcase, Wednesday night banquet meal, break refreshments, and campus parking fees. Click the “Register Now” button above to begin the student application process.
General Cancellation Policy
Your full registration fee will be refunded if WEI receives your written cancellation notice by March 4, 2022. Cancellations made after March 4 are subject to a processing fee of $350. Students who do not attend and have not cancelled by March 18 are responsible for the full application fee. Substitutions may be made at any time. Cancellations and substitutions should be emailed to: zoren@westernenergy.org
Participation Policy
Western Energy Institute programs and events are open to energy companies (including gas production and electric generation, gas and electric transmission and gas and electric distribution utilities). Select programs and events are open to energy industry product and service suppliers. Programs and events are closed to all media representatives and to the general public. Recording is not permitted for any portion of the event.
For more information contact Diana Zoren, Director of Strategic Initiatives at (971) 255-4965.
Agenda
The Hands-On Relay School is held on the Eastern Washington University campus in Cheney, Washington. Evening events and Sunday check-in registration are held at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington, or as noted.
Sunday, March 27, 2022
3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Facilitator Lab Set-Up
Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Registration + Reception
Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Lab Facilitator Meeting
Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington
Monday, March 28, 2022
6:45 AM – 7:30 AM
Registration
7:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Opening Announcements
Safety Presentation
Overview Lectures
Concurrent Open Lectures
Introduction to System Protection
Lecture Series
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Hands-on Lab Instruction
5:00 PM
Optional Social Get-Together
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
7:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Concurrent Open Lectures
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Hands-on Lab Instruction
5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Suppliers’ Showcase
Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington
The Supplier’s Showcase is an opportunity for manufacturers to display and promote their products and services to the students of the Hands-on Relay School.
We are currently working on the map for selection of space at the showcase and will update the website with details soon. In the meantime, you can reach out to Kris Taylor at 971-255-4969 with any questions you have at this time.
Set-up time begins at 2:00 pm, and dismantling of displays must be completed after the Showcase ends at 7:30 pm. Each manufacturer will be allowed up to two 6′ tables of space, or approximately 12′ of space if desired. Please remember to bring your own power strips and extension cords.
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
7:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Hands-on Lab Instruction
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Hands-on Lab Instruction
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Reception
Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Banquet & Entertainment
Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington
Thursday, March 31, 2022
7:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Hands-on Lab Instruction
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Hands-on Lab Instruction
Friday, April 1, 2022
7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
Closing Remarks
8:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Friday Feature Presentations
Track Details
Objectives of the Hands-On Relay School
The Hands-On Relay School is a professional development short course that trains protective relay technicians, electrical/power plant technicians, engineers, and protective relay test specialists.
Students are enrolled in one of eight tracks for the duration of the school:
• Basic
• Distribution
• Transmission
• Generation
• Electromechanical
• Computerized Relay Testing
• Automation & Integration
• Theory
Students participating in these tracks will:
• Become familiar with manual or computerized test methods for a variety of protective relays and test equipment.
• Gain valuable knowledge relating to relay applications and operating characteristics.
• Exchange ideas and resolve problems in an open forum.
• Learn preventative and corrective maintenance methods.
BASIC:
This track is for those students who wish to focus on the calibration, maintenance, testing, and understanding of basic relays. The selection may include overcurrent, differential, distance, reclosing, voltage, or frequency relays. This track is an excellent choice for beginning technicians. 48 Students Maximum.
DISTRIBUTION:
This track is for those students who wish to focus on the testing and understanding of multifunction microprocessor relays and recloser controllers used for distribution protection. The selection of relays may include overcurrent, transformer differential, reclosing, synch-check, and frequency protection. 18 Students Maximum. Laptop Computer Required.
TRANSMISSION:
This track features both electromechanical and microprocessor-based multifunction relays used for protection of transmission equipment, including distance and line current differential protection. 24 Students Maximum. Laptop Computer Required.
GENERATION:
This track features electromechanical and multifunction microprocessor relays used for transformer and generator differential, over-excitation, stator ground, reverse power, synch-check, negative sequence, and loss of field protection of generators. 24 Students Maximum. Laptop Computer Required.
ELECTROMECHANICAL:
This track focuses exclusively on electromechanical relays used for line, bus, transformer, or generator protection. More hands-on effort is spent on troubleshooting relay problems, calibrating relays, adjustment techniques, and verifying results. 15 Students Maximum.
COMPUTERIZED RELAY TESTING:
This track is intended for technicians who already understand relay operating principles, have experience in manual testing, and are ready to learn computerized testing methods. Student Maximum Varies. Laptop Computer Required.
AUTOMATION & INTEGRATION:
This track is intended for technicians who have basic familiarity with microprocessor-based relays and would like to learn more about their integration into substation communications systems. This includes rudimentary metering and alarming (SCADA) up through complex process buss-style centralized protection. Student Maximum Varies. Laptop Computer Required.
THEORY:
This track provides more in-depth training on the application and theory of operation of protection systems utilized in the power system. This track does not normally include any hands-on training with relays. 30 students maximum.
Supplier's Showcase
Registration Options
Vendor Display Only: $375 (6’ table space)
Vendor Double Display Only: $475 (12’ table space)
Vendor Display Only prices include a skirted table in the display area, and food functions on Tuesday evening at Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA. You will need to bring your own power strips and extension cords. Space is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. You must complete your registration online to hold space. Kris Taylor will reach out to the registered vendors for final table selection.
Supplier Display Schedule
March 29, 2022, Tuesday
1:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Set-up
5:00 PM – 7:30 PM: Supplier’s Showcase
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM: Tear-down
For more information contact Kris Taylor at (971) 930-2033.
Shipping Information
If you are shipping anything (equipment, relays, or showcase display equipment), here are the instructions and details for the Hands-On Relay School this year.
1) Label and address to the Eastern Washington University Central Stores:
Eastern Washington University
Central Stores
Attn: Thomas Shaffer/Hands-On Relay School
1320 Woodward Ln, BLDG E
Cheney, WA 99004
2) Call or email Western Energy Institute (WEI) to let them know what you are shipping, how many boxes, date of actual shipment, date of estimated arrival and a contact number to reach out to if there are questions.
a. Diana Zoren, WEI at 503-318-1108
b. Beverly Woolf, WEI at 971-303-2294
3) Prepare to have return labels ready prior to attending the school.
Applications
Application Process and Fees
• School fee of $700 includes electronic copies of lecture notes, Sunday night reception, Tuesday night Suppliers’ Showcase, Wednesday night banquet meal, break refreshments, and campus parking fees.
• Payment is due by the start of the school. There will be a $50 late fee assessed to any registrant who has not paid by 30 days after the school.
• Priority is given to utilities providing Lab Facilitators, Lecturers, Steering Committee Support, and Western Energy Institute member utilities, if the Application is received by January 15, 2022. The remaining slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Applicants select which track they wish to attend in order of preference. Every effort will be made to place students into their preferred track, but track placement is by availability and subject to the priorities as described above. Many tracks will fill up and students may not be able to get their preferred track.
• Students will be notified in writing no later than February 4, 2022, of their acceptance into the school and track placement. You are not accepted to attend unless you receive the confirmation of acceptance from WEI.
Call for Lab Facilitators
If you are an experienced relay technician who is willing to share your knowledge with others, you can attend the Hands-On Relay School as a Lab Facilitator. Lab Facilitators work with groups of three students testing relays and may attend all classroom lectures and school activities. Lab Facilitators are not required to pay the application fee and their company receives priority points for students applying for the school. Learn more and apply here.
Onsite Safety + Health Info
It is WEI’s policy that anyone attending a WEI-hosted program be vaccinated for COVID-19. This policy does allow for a negative COVID-19 test to be submitted in lieu of vaccination if the attendee is unable to receive the vaccine and if permitted by local host cities or venues. This policy applies to all WEI staff, as well as attendees, guests, speakers, and exhibitors.
Fully vaccinated is defined by the United States or Canadian governments. WEI accepts the following as proof of vaccination: (1) a CDC or Provincial-issued vaccination card, (2) a photo of a CDC or Provincial-issued vaccination card (front and back); (3) a document of vaccination from a licensed healthcare provider; or (4) a digital vaccine record issued by the State or Province in which the attendee resides.
Proof of a negative COVID-19 test means a printed document or image on a phone from a test provider, laboratory, or government agency-approved at-home test method that shows a negative result of a PCR or antigen COVID-19 test within 72 hours before first entry.
Attendees must show a picture or document with vaccine status or a negative test result upon arrival at the program. Attendees without the required proof will be denied entry. No refunds will be given if any attendee is denied entry due to vaccine and/or testing requirements.
Please refer to WEI’s Safety + Health Code of Conduct for other important considerations.
Hotel Info
The room blocks for the Hands-On Relay School are currently full. Below are three area hotels that may have rooms available, though WEI cannot guarantee availablity.
Ramada by Wyndam Spokane International Airport
8909 West Airport Drive
Spokane, WA 99224
(509) 777-3053
Courtyard Spokane Downtown
401 North Riverpoint Boulevard
Spokane, Washington 99202
(509) 456-7600
Hotel Indigo
110 S. Madison St
Spokane Washington 99201
(509) 862-6400