David Popach Email & Phone Number

Responsible for short-circuit analysis and modeling of the distribution system in a geographic area of the District. Duties include analyzing protection system performance under normal and contingency switching scenarios, verifying recommended switching sequences for offloading substations and circuits, and applying protective devices to optimize protection. Provide settings for distribution substation relays, line protective devices, voltage regulators, substation load tap changers, and various other equipment. Collaborate with planning partner for the area to optimize operation and performance of assigned geographic area. Perform system impact studies for Generation interconnections. Design special SEL relay logic for a customer recloser. Develop operating notes and procedures for PUD operators and line crews for equipment and/or unique customers.

Distribution Protection Engineer

Use the NEC, NFPA, and other code requirements to develop electrical and lighting designs. Developed schematics, wiring diagrams, details, and one line diagrams of electrical systems. Verify and review PUD facility electrical one lines for various projects to ensure safety. Review consultant designs, specifications, and submittals. Perform cost estimates, long term analysis, and interruption of power for various Facility projects. Communicate and coordinate with various internal departments to take power outages.

• Design electrical power distribution systems in overhead and underground facilities.• Design cable routes and develop physical layouts including height, spacing and location parameters.• Use load information to size cable & transformer.• Work with system planning & protection to balance circuit loading.• Discuss and recommend improvements to system planning and protection.• Acquire permits from multiple municipalities and abide by their requirements.• Use computer aided design programs to model and test overhead distribution systems.• Inspect electrical ditches, temporary power poles, permanent power poles.• Design sketches to replace bad order poles.• Field thousands of street light poles, correctly size lights per T&D standards.

Assemble, install, test, and maintain electrical wiring. Install fixtures, plugs, switches, and septic systems for residential homes.