Case Studies

Case Study February 4, 2025

Executive interview: Brian Rener, Smith Group

In this far-reaching conversation, Brian Rener talks about electrical engineering careers, and how to improve your own career, no ...

Figure 6: Image of an existing emergency switchboard damaged by a leaking water pipe above. Courtesy: IMEG
Case Study January 14, 2025

Case study: When an EPSS fails, what happens next?

Providing a hospital with temporary power was paramount.

By Richard Vedvik PE, CHEPP, Principal, IMEG, Rock Island, Illinois
Figure 3: Array of 250 volt-ampere mini-inverters used to provide six circuits of emergency lighting. Courtesy: Kohler Ronan Consulting Engineers LLC
Case Study December 18, 2024

Case study: Specifying a functional and practical emergency lighting system

A central lighting inverter provided power to the emergency lighting system

By Henry Baker, PE
Figure 3: Medium-voltage switchgear at a water treatment plant in Georgia. Courtesy: CDM Smith
Case Study December 12, 2024

Case study: How to size medium-voltage power conductors

Electrical engineers sized medium-voltage power conductors at a water treatment plant

By Lilly Vang, PE, and Joshua Hunter, PE
Figure 1: The view of the North Carolina Department of Administration's new chiller plant from its east side includes double-height windows that offer a look inside from the street and its 2.76-million-gallon thermal energy storage tank. Courtesy: Flad Architects
Case Study December 11, 2024

Case study: Successful equipment relocation and reuse with new compliant electrical

In this example, a district energy system’s chillers were updated, and engineers ensured the electrical system remained fully compliant

By Ulises Cubas, PE, and Chase Davis, PE, CEM
Figure 2: Class 2 imaging room featuring computed tomography (CT) scan in a medical center. Courtesy: Fitzemeyer & Tocci Associates Inc.
Case Study November 13, 2024

Case study: Figuring out the upgrade to hospital essential power systems

A Boston-based hospital upgraded its electrical system, including generators

By Timothy Piehl, PE
Figure 3: Like the lighting inverter, the emergency uninterruptible power supply must be UL 924 listed and serve only emergency loads. Courtesy: CDM Smith
Case Study November 12, 2024

Case study: Know the power system codes for emergency tunnel lighting

Understand the codes and standards that are necessary for emergency lighting in a tunnel

By Orlando Cruz, PE, and Supasit Jong, PE
Figure 1: Operational technology (OT) network riser diagram example. Courtesy: Smith Seckman Reid Inc.
Case Study October 9, 2024

Case study: How two buildings handled controls

Office buildings and hospitals differ dramatically in how converged networks are set up

By Will Maxwell, SmartScore AP