New thinking. same quality.
We turn your electrical engineering ideas into reality with expertise and a culture set on quality.
About Swanson Engineering
Our Mission
At Swanson Engineering, our mission is to deliver electrical engineering solutions of the highest quality while providing exceptional customer service. We strive to exceed our clients' expectations and build long-lasting relationships.
Our Expertise
With over 15 years of experience in the world of electrical engineering, our team has the skills and knowledge to tackle any project. We specialize in electrical engineering for a breadth of applications, including utilities, heavy industrial, manufacturing, commercial, and residential.
Our Process
We follow a systematic and comprehensive approach to ensure that all projects are completed with the highest focus on providing a quality product. From initial planning to final implementation, we keep our clients front and center every step of the way.
MEP ELECTRICAL DESIGN services
Pre-Design & Planning
Power Distribution (Low/Med Voltage)
Power Distribution (Low/Med Voltage)
- Needs assessment, programming, and basis-of-design (BOD)
- Site surveys, utility research, and service capacity checks
- Existing conditions verification and as-built capture
- Concept/feasibility studies and order-of-magnitude sizing
- Code pathfinding (NEC/NFPA/IECC/ASHRAE/Title 24, local amendments)
- Design criteria matrices and owner’s project requirements (OPR)
- Master planning and campus distribution strategy
- Value engineering and options analyses
Power Distribution (Low/Med Voltage)
Power Distribution (Low/Med Voltage)
Power Distribution (Low/Med Voltage)
- Service entrance design and utility coordination
- Main switchgear, switchboards, and distribution panels
- Feeder routing, conduit/cable schedules, and tray layouts
- Panelboard schedules, circuiting, load balancing
- Equipment room layouts and clearances (working space, egress)
- Riser/one-line diagrams and grounding/bonding details
- Selective coordination and protective device settings
- Power quality (harmonics, flicker, motor starting) allowances
Lighting & Controls
Power Distribution (Low/Med Voltage)
Grounding, Bonding & Lightning Protection
- Interior/exterior/landscape lighting design
- Photometric calculations (normal and emergency)
- Daylighting and skylight integration
- Title 24/IECC/ASHRAE 90.1 lighting control compliance
- Networked lighting control systems and sequences of operation
- Emergency egress illumination and path-of-egress mapping
- Fixture schedules/specifications and cut sheet coordination
Grounding, Bonding & Lightning Protection
Low-Voltage & Special Systems (coordination or full design)
Grounding, Bonding & Lightning Protection
- Facility grounding/bonding plans and details
- Equipment grounding conductors and grounding electrode systems
- Lightning protection system design (air terminals, down conductors, bonding)
- Grounding for sensitive/IT/AV/medical equipment
- Grounding grid design and step/touch evaluations (as applicable)
Emergency, Standby & Resilience
Low-Voltage & Special Systems (coordination or full design)
Low-Voltage & Special Systems (coordination or full design)
- Life safety (NEC 700), legally required standby (701), optional standby (702)
- Generators, fuel systems, ventilation, and acoustics coordination
- Automatic transfer switches (ATS), bypass-isolation ATS, and load shedding
- UPS systems (double conversion, line-interactive, flywheel)
- Central battery/inverter egress systems
- Fault tolerance/N+1 strategies and resiliency studies
Low-Voltage & Special Systems (coordination or full design)
Low-Voltage & Special Systems (coordination or full design)
Low-Voltage & Special Systems (coordination or full design)
- Fire alarm/mass notification (device layout, NAC voltage drop, battery calcs)
- Telecommunications (IDF/MDF, pathways, racks, grounding)
- Access control, intrusion detection, and video surveillance (CCTV)
- Nurse call and clinical communications
- Audio/visual, sound masking, paging
- DAS/public safety radio and cellular enhancement
- BAS/BMS power and control interface points
- Metering and power monitoring (PMS/EPMS)
Renewable, DER & Electrification
Hazardous, Healthcare & Special Occupancies
Renewable, DER & Electrification
- Solar PV (roof/ground/canopy) array layout, stringing, and interconnection
- Battery energy storage systems (BESS) sizing, EMS interface
- Microgrid controls, black start, export/non-export schemes
- EV charging (Level 2/DCFC) load management and infrastructure planning
- Electrification roadmaps (gas-to-electric conversions, service upsizing)
Energy, Codes & Sustainability
Hazardous, Healthcare & Special Occupancies
Renewable, DER & Electrification
- Title 24, IECC, and ASHRAE compliance documentation
- Energy modeling inputs (lighting power density, controls, receptacle loads)
- Power density optimization and plug load management
- “All-electric” design strategies and load diversity analysis
Hazardous, Healthcare & Special Occupancies
Hazardous, Healthcare & Special Occupancies
Hazardous, Healthcare & Special Occupancies
- Healthcare essential electrical systems (NFPA 99/NEC Article 517)
- Category 1–4 spaces, receptacle types, and red/critical circuits
- Laboratories, hazardous locations (Class I/II/III), and explosion-proof design
- Industrial/process power, MCCs/VFDs and control integration
- Data centers/critical facilities (tiering, redundancy, PUE targets)
- Educational, civic, retail, multifamily, hospitality, and shell-core
Site & Civil Interface
Detailed Engineering Studies & Calculations
Hazardous, Healthcare & Special Occupancies
- Site power distribution, duct banks, manholes/handholes
- Exterior lighting (roadway/parking/landscape) and controls
- Coordination with site utilities (water, gas, telecom) for conflicts/clearances
- Temporary power plans and phasing
Detailed Engineering Studies & Calculations
Detailed Engineering Studies & Calculations
Detailed Engineering Studies & Calculations
- Load calculations (panel/feeder/service) and demand factors
- Short-circuit (fault current) studies
- Protective device coordination studies with TCC curves
- Arc-flash hazard analysis and labeling (NFPA 70E/IEEE 1584)
- Voltage drop and feeder sizing
- Motor starting/inrush and flicker analysis
- Harmonic analysis and filter/capacitor design
- Power factor correction and capacitor bank sizing
- Transformer sizing, Z% selection, and temperature rise checks
- Generator sizing and step-load analysis
- Battery/UPS runtime and DC voltage drop calcs
- Fire alarm battery/voltage-drop calcs
- Grounding grid/resistivity and step/touch (for applicable sites)
- Lightning risk assessment and LPS class selection
- Reliability (N, N+1) and selective coordination verification
- EMF/EMI mitigation recommendations
Documentation, BIM & Deliverables
Detailed Engineering Studies & Calculations
Detailed Engineering Studies & Calculations
- BIM/Revit modeling (LOD targets), clash detection and coordination
- CAD drawings: site plans, floor plans, one-lines, risers, details, schedules
- Panel schedules, feeder/conduit schedules, equipment schedules
- Sequences of operation and control narratives
- Specifications (Div 26/27/28), submittal requirements, QA/QC checklists
- Basis of Design (BOD) and Design/Code compliance reports
- Record/as-built drawings and O&M manuals
Permitting, Utility & AHJ Coordination
Permitting, Utility & AHJ Coordination
Permitting, Utility & AHJ Coordination
- Utility service applications, load letters, and interconnection packets
- Plan check responses and corrections
- Special inspections and field tests coordination
- Environmental/lighting ordinances (dark-sky, local cut-off rules)
- Fire marshal and life-safety coordination meetings.
Construction-Phase Services (CA)
Permitting, Utility & AHJ Coordination
Permitting, Utility & AHJ Coordination
- Submittal/shop drawing review and equipment substitution evaluation
- RFIs and design clarification bulletins
- Construction observation and punch lists
- Field verification, change-order review, and cost/time impact assessments
- Factory witness tests (switchgear/ATS/UPS, etc.)
- Site testing oversight (ground resistance, continuity, functional tests)
Commissioning & Acceptance
Permitting, Utility & AHJ Coordination
Operations, Training & Post-Occupancy
- Pre-functional checklists and functional performance tests
- Integrated systems testing (IST) and black-building tests where applicable
- Generator/UPS/EPMS/LMS commissioning and sequences validation
- NFPA 110/99/72 acceptance testing support
- Metering setup, trending, and verification
Operations, Training & Post-Occupancy
Peer Review, Forensics & Compliance Support
Operations, Training & Post-Occupancy
- O&M manuals and turnover packages
- Staff training and safety procedures (LOTO, PPE, arc-flash)
- Measurement & Verification (M&V) and energy tuning
- Warranty phase support and seasonal re-commissioning
Peer Review, Forensics & Compliance Support
Peer Review, Forensics & Compliance Support
Peer Review, Forensics & Compliance Support
- Third-party peer reviews and constructability reviews
- Code compliance audits and corrective action plans
- Incident/failure analysis (equipment damage, nuisance trips, PQ events)
- Insurance and legal support documentation (as an engineering expert)
Utility and industrial electrical design services
System Planning & Studies
Generation & Grid Interconnection (Conventional & Renewable)
Generation & Grid Interconnection (Conventional & Renewable)
- Long-range system planning (capacity, N-1/N-2 resilience, contingencies)
- Load forecasting and demand profiling (process & seasonal)
- Power flow, short-circuit, and stability studies (steady-state & dynamic)
- Motor starting, flicker, and voltage dip analysis
- Harmonics assessment & IEEE 519 compliance; filter design (passive/active)
- Reactive power / VAR optimization, capacitor & reactor sizing
- Reliability metrics & improvement plans (SAIDI/SAIFI/CAIDI for utilities)
- Insulation coordination, switching surge, and temporary overvoltage studies
- EMTP/EMT transient studies (inrush, ferroresonance, TRV, reclosing, SSR)
- Arc-flash hazard analysis & labeling (NFPA 70E, IEEE 1584)
- Ground potential rise (GPR), touch/step voltage evaluations
- Protection coordination with time-current curves and relay setting files
- Selective coordination, breaker duty, and device rating checks
- Cable ampacity & thermal analysis (Neher-McGrath, duct bank heating)
- Power quality investigations (sags/swells/THD, rides-through)
Generation & Grid Interconnection (Conventional & Renewable)
Generation & Grid Interconnection (Conventional & Renewable)
Generation & Grid Interconnection (Conventional & Renewable)
- Interconnection applications and studies (PSS®E/PowerWorld/PSLF/PSCAD)
- GSU transformer sizing, high-side protection, neutral/grounding schemes
- POI (point of interconnect) protection & control, metering, revenue CT/PT
- Utility-scale solar/wind/BESS collector systems (15–69 kV), ring main design
- Reactive power & voltage control (STATCOM/SVC/cap/reactor banks)
- Microgrids, black-start strategies, islanding & resynchronization
- Governor/excitation model spec, grid-code compliance (e.g., ride-through)
- CHP and industrial cogeneration tie-in design
Transmission & Distribution (Overhead & Underground)
Generation & Grid Interconnection (Conventional & Renewable)
Transmission & Distribution (Overhead & Underground)
- Overhead line design (plan & profile, structure selection, conductor/OPGW)
- Underground cable systems (HPFF/XPLE), joints/terminations, pulling calcs
- Duct bank routing, manholes/handholes, thermal & mutual heating analysis
- Line protection (distance, line differential, pilot schemes, reclosing)
- Distribution automation (reclosers, sectionalizers, VVO/CVR)
- NESC clearances, grounding, lightning shielding, insulation coordination
Substations & Switchyards (AIS/GIS, 5-500 kV+)
Substations & Switchyards (AIS/GIS, 5-500 kV+)
Transmission & Distribution (Overhead & Underground)
- One-line/three-line, bus configuration (ring, breaker-and-half, double bus)
- Equipment specification & sizing (breakers, disconnects, CT/PT, surge arresters)
- Power transformers (impedance, LTC, cooling class, accessories, DGA provisions)
- Layouts: general arrangement, elevations, foundations (with civil coordination)
- Grounding grid (IEEE 80/81): design, soil resistivity, step/touch mitigation
- Lightning protection (masts/shield wires, IEEE guidance)
- DC station service (125/48 Vdc), charger/battery sizing & distribution
- AC station service (MCCs, panelboards), HVAC/electrical interfaces
- Control building design: rooms, raceways, cable trays, penetrations
- Station lighting & convenience power
Industrial Facility Power Systems (MV/LV)
Substations & Switchyards (AIS/GIS, 5-500 kV+)
Industrial Facility Power Systems (MV/LV)
- Utility service & main distribution (5–38 kV switchgear, MV/LV transformers)
- MCCs, VFDs, soft starters, synchronous motor systems
- Process area power: cable tray systems, raceway fill, routing, segregation
- Specialty rooms: electrical, UPS, battery, hazardous/process areas
- Power factor correction, capacitor banks, tuned filters
- Heat tracing (EHT) and winterization power design
- Heavy drives & mills: starting methods, torque/speed coordination
- Redundant/segregated power architectures (A/B feeds, tie switchgear)
Protection & Control (P&C)
Substations & Switchyards (AIS/GIS, 5-500 kV+)
Industrial Facility Power Systems (MV/LV)
- Protection philosophies and relaying single-line/three-line diagrams
- Relay settings (SEL/GE/Siemens, ANSI/IEC curves) and setting files
- Logic diagrams, interlocking, trip & close circuits, breaker failure schemes
- DC schematics, wiring diagrams, terminal plans, cable schedules
- Testing & commissioning scripts, relay test sheets, sequence checks
- Event analysis templates (COMTRADE handling, oscillography reviews)
SCADA, Substation Automation & Communications
SCADA, Substation Automation & Communications
SCADA, Substation Automation & Communications
- SCADA architecture, HMI/RTU/PLC/IED integration
- IEC 61850 station bus/process bus (GOOSE, MMS, sampled values)
- Time synchronization (IRIG-B, PTP), SOE logging, alarming
- Telecom: OPGW/fiber, microwave, MPLS, routers/switches, cybersecurity zoning
- EMS/DMS interfaces, DERMS & BESS EMS integration
- Metering (revenue & PQ) and enterprise data historians
Grounding, Bonding & Lightning
SCADA, Substation Automation & Communications
SCADA, Substation Automation & Communications
- Facility earthing systems (plants, yards, tank farms, pipelines interfaces)
- Mesh/rod designs, step/touch mitigation (crushed rock/asphalt modeling)
- Transfer potential/ground loops, separated clean grounds for sensitive loads
- Lightning risk assessment and protection layouts
- Static & equipotential bonding (conveyors, tanks, rails)
Lighting & Auxiliary Power
SCADA, Substation Automation & Communications
Lighting & Auxiliary Power
- Industrial & yard lighting (high mast, roadway, task), photometrics
- Emergency/egress lighting on central inverter or EM fixtures
- UPS systems (online/line-interactive/flywheel), runtime sizing & distribution
- Small power (receptacles, heaters, tools) in industrial environments
Hazardous Areas & Codes
Equipment Specifications & Procurement Support
Lighting & Auxiliary Power
- Area classification (NEC 500/505), zone drawings, equipment selection
- Purge/pressurization systems (NFPA 496), IS barriers, wiring methods
- API/ISA/IEC coordination for process electrical & instrumentation
- Life-safety and emergency systems (NEC 700/701), egress illumination
Equipment Specifications & Procurement Support
Equipment Specifications & Procurement Support
Equipment Specifications & Procurement Support
- Technical specs and data sheets (switchgear, breakers, transformers, relays)
- Vendor bid tabs, FAT plans, inspection & test plans (ITPs)
- Submittal review, deviation logging, factory witness testing
- Spares strategy and reliability-critical component plans
BIM/CAD & Deliverables
Equipment Specifications & Procurement Support
Equipment Specifications & Procurement Support
- CAD/BIM execution plans, LOD targets, model coordination & clash reviews
- Drawing packages: GA plans, grounding, conduit/tray, wiring, details, schedules
- Panel/MCC schedules, cable & conduit lists, terminations
- Protection coordination reports, arc-flash reports & labels
- Operating single-lines, switching procedures, energization plans
- As-builts, O&M manuals, redlines capture
Construction & Commissioning
Operations, Maintenance & Lifecycle
Operations, Maintenance & Lifecycle
- Constructability and outage phasing plans; live-plant cutover strategies
- RFIs, field change notices, design bulletins
- Site acceptance testing (SAT): insulation, ratio, TTR, SFRA (with specialists)
- Functional & integrated system testing (IST), end-to-end protection testing
- Energization & commissioning leadership; black-building/microgrid tests
- Punch lists, deficiency tracking, turnover packages
Operations, Maintenance & Lifecycle
Operations, Maintenance & Lifecycle
Operations, Maintenance & Lifecycle
- Preventive & predictive maintenance programs (thermography, DGA trending)
- Relay maintenance & PRC-005 program support (intervals, evidence)
- Arc-flash study updates after changes; label management
- Troubleshooting PQ events, root-cause analysis, incident reports
- Spare parts management, criticality ranking, obsolescence planning
- Operator training (LOTO, switching, relay event review)
Compliance, Standards & Cybersecurity
Compliance, Standards & Cybersecurity
Compliance, Standards & Cybersecurity
- NEC/NESC/NFPA compliance reviews and correction plans
- NERC PRC (protection), MOD (modeling), FAC (facilities) support (as applicable)
- CIP high-level design guidance (zones/conduits, access control, logging)
- Utility/TSP interconnection compliance packages and witness testing
- Environmental/EMF and audible noise mitigation (with acoustics where needed)
Specialized/Adv
Compliance, Standards & Cybersecurity
Compliance, Standards & Cybersecurity
- HV cable sheath bonding, link boxes, induced voltage controls
- Series compensation, line reactors, neutral grounding resistors/reactors
- HVDC/FACTS conceptual design and owner’s engineer roles
- Cathodic protection power supplies and interference mitigation (with CP team)
- Energetic device coordination (fuses, expulsion, current-limiting, limiter links)
- Mobile substations and temporary generation interconnects
- Facility electrification roadmaps (steam→electric drives, MV infrastructure)
Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach us at contact us if you cannot find an answer to your question.
The cost of our services varies depending on the scope and complexity of the project. We provide customized quotes for each project based on the specific scope of the project and the needs of the client.
The timeline for completing a project varies depending on the size and complexity of the project. We work with our clients to establish realistic timelines and ensure that projects are completed on time.
Our team has experience working with a variety of clients including individuals, small businesses, large corporations, and government agencies.
Engineering Solutions for Every Challenge
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Swanson Engineering
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