Juan Carlos Toral
Welcome
Why Engineering?
Why not? I always thought that engineering would be an exciting career because it would challenge my understanding of things we take for granted in everyday use. Engineering opens our eyes to concepts that directly relate to our routine driven lives. This acquired knowledge is the art of applying new methods to solve problems within the boundaries of theories and laws of nature. I specifically fell in love with Electrical Engineering after completing my first electrical circuits course at Iowa State University in Ames Iowa. Ever since I have been intrigued on how diverse electrical engineering field is. Therefore, I decided to take lead and specialize in special fields such as Protection and Control of electrical equipment, and substation design.
The most exciting field of engineering thus far has been the use of protective relaying equipment programming. This field alone can require countless hours of reading and can absorb your attention for a few hours at a time. Typically, the projects I work on are medium to high voltage distribution systems. Other projects I directly have influence over are electrical distribution substation design. These electrical substations transform the incoming power from high voltage transmission lines to more manageable utilization voltage levels. Substations are multidisciplinary in nature and require the understanding of various fields in engineering. For example, performing a financial feasibility study to decide whether or not it makes sense to build a brand new front end. Also other types of studies such as geotechnical survey, must be performed to further assess if the subsoil has enough bearing capacity to handle the massive loads that will lay on the land. Other disciplines such as civil, structural, survey are vital to the design and require special coordination.
Finally, the electrical engineering discipline is the most important of all of them because it brings the equipment to life. However, it is the most dangerous for the untrained and unqualified individual. Therefore, various steps in the design are included to inhibit injuries and allow the safety and welfare of the public. Furthermore, it is imperative that soil resistivity analysis are performed in the define stages of the project. These readings are used to calculate the earths ability to conduct electrical fault currents back to the source without shocking workers in the process during the fault duration. Also, included in every design are calculations to set minimum equipment clearances, account for electromagnetic forces during abnormal event, protective equipment coordination, arc-flash analysis, lightning protection among others.
The most exciting field of engineering thus far has been the use of protective relaying equipment programming. This field alone can require countless hours of reading and can absorb your attention for a few hours at a time. Typically, the projects I work on are medium to high voltage distribution systems. Other projects I directly have influence over are electrical distribution substation design. These electrical substations transform the incoming power from high voltage transmission lines to more manageable utilization voltage levels. Substations are multidisciplinary in nature and require the understanding of various fields in engineering. For example, performing a financial feasibility study to decide whether or not it makes sense to build a brand new front end. Also other types of studies such as geotechnical survey, must be performed to further assess if the subsoil has enough bearing capacity to handle the massive loads that will lay on the land. Other disciplines such as civil, structural, survey are vital to the design and require special coordination.
Finally, the electrical engineering discipline is the most important of all of them because it brings the equipment to life. However, it is the most dangerous for the untrained and unqualified individual. Therefore, various steps in the design are included to inhibit injuries and allow the safety and welfare of the public. Furthermore, it is imperative that soil resistivity analysis are performed in the define stages of the project. These readings are used to calculate the earths ability to conduct electrical fault currents back to the source without shocking workers in the process during the fault duration. Also, included in every design are calculations to set minimum equipment clearances, account for electromagnetic forces during abnormal event, protective equipment coordination, arc-flash analysis, lightning protection among others.