Overview
Power system protection is often an ‘invisible’ part of generating, transmitting and distributing electrical power, but understanding protection philosophy, relay characteristics and setting principles, system design and current transformer specification – is essential.
Protection principles often dictate what is possible in terms of network expansion (planning), what constraints there are in daily operation of the system (control), and under what circumstances plant can be maintained (maintenance).
Whilst prospection is a specialised field, it incorporates complex mathematics, logical intricacy and the practicalities of project management. It requires from its practitioners a knowledge of communications practice, circuit breaker performance, power transformer construction, and current and voltage transformer theory.

Evolve with QUTeX
This unit uses a discursive and case study approach via intensive face-to-face delivery of core content with associated slides, unit notes and further readings.
You will actively be involved in the discussions that result from readings and from the unit materials. This approach sets the foundation for collaborative discussion and ongoing interaction with peers and university/industry experts and real-world assessments. In this way, the unit has a balance of theory and practical work examples in a shared learning environment.
Who should participate?
Engineers working in the Power sector who wish to advance their understanding of current practices used in the electrical aspects of basic power system protection.
To undertake this unit, you should have a good grasp of electrical transmission technology and the level of design computation needed, and a working knowledge of power system engineering. There is no specific pre‐requisite module that needs to be completed before undertaking this unit, but completion or EEP205 “Power System Fault Calculations” would aid in providing a greater understanding of basic power system protection.
There are two assignments associated with this unit. All of the analysis steps are introduced progressively through course notes and readings with real examples, to help you complete your assessment.

Your expert facilitator Shane Kerr
Shane Kerr has 30 years’ experience in the electricity supply industry, starting his career in 1987 with the South East Queensland Electricity Board (SEQEB) as an apprentice electrical fitter and mechanic. Since qualifying, he has held a number of different positions within SEQEB and Energex. Graduating in 2002 with a degree in Electrical Engineering from the Queensland University of Technology, Shane has extensive experience in substation maintenance, construction and testing, substation design, protection system design, protection relay settings and network operations including fault investigations and protection system performance. Shane is currently the Electrical Engineering Manager for PSC Australia leading the electrical engineering team based in Brisbane. Prior to Shane taking up this role in February 2018 he held positions with Energy Queensland including Manager of Network Control at Energex, Network Operations Planning manager, Protection Engineering Manager and Principal Engineer Concept Design at Energex. Shane is currently a member of the GIGRE B5 panel for protection and control, and is also a part time lecturer at the Queensland University of Technology.
Learn more about Shane KerrCore concepts
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
- Explain why protection is needed on a power system and appreciate the fundamental principles of power system protection.
- Apply the techniques commonly employed by protection designers to achieve an acceptable level of protection reliability and security.
- Specify current transformers for specific applications.
- Select and set basic systems of overcurrent relays, differential relays and distance relays.
- Explain the pros and cons of fuses, reclosers and sectionalizers.
Set a distance relay to protect a feeder and to provide remote backup protection.
Details
Where and when
Face-to-face Delivery
This offering will be delivered face-to-face at the QUT Executive Education Centre,
B Block, QUT Gardens Point, 2 George St, Brisbane QLD 4000
Register your interest to be kept up-to-date on unit developments.
Certification
A Certificate of Completion will be awarded upon successful completion of the unit assignment. You will also receive a copy of your marked assignment with results. Assignments are generally due 8 weeks after completion of the face to face component. Exact dates will be advised.
Cost
Registration type | Cost |
---|---|
Early Bird registration (closes 4 weeks prior to course commencement) | $1,620 (GST exclusive) |
Standard registration | $1,800 (GST exclusive) |
QUT Alumni registration | $1,350 (GST exclusive) |
Group registration (4 or more from the same organisation) | $1,620 (GST exclusive) per person |
Registrations close 1 week prior to course commencement
More details
Get future fit. Fast.
Each PESTC unit is a stand-alone professional development short course, with practical knowledge that you can learn today and use tomorrow. Explore each topic below:
- EEP203: Condition Monitoring of High Voltage Plant
- EEP204: Power System Load Flow
- EEP205: Power System Fault Calculations
- EEP211: Basic Power System Protection
- EEP212: Advanced Power System Protection
- EEP216: Overhead Line Design – Electrical
- EEP217: Overhead Line Design – Mechanical
- EEP219: Power and Distribution Transformers
- EEP241: Distance Protection
- EEP244: Circuit Breakers – Switchgear
- EEP245: Introduction to Substation Design
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