James Edmond Mack - Electrical Power and Automation and Controls Engineer

Louisiana State University  LSU - BSEE

University of Colorado  CU - various masters level control courses

Colorado State University  CSU - various CMOS, VLSI, and Computer programming masters level courses

J.E. Mack Engineering and Patents  -  Developing ideas for Power systems and Automotive applications

Schweitzer Engineering  Laboratories - Application Engineer  17 years    Developed new protection schemes, invented new relay elements, trained engineers and technicians, wrote technical papers and application guides, developed new relay tests, attended relay conferences.  Performed stability relay testing-for New York State Gas & Electric using digital capture files from the 2003 N.E. blackout.  Gained insiders knowledge of zero settings power swing algorithm.  Became expert on comtrade testing.  Became expert on power swing application in SEL-421 and SEL-411L relays.  Developed special transmission schemes-for many different customers across the United States.   Wrote the paper “Dependability vs Security: Finding a Reasonable Balance”  Downed conductor analysis-for Northeast Utilities.  Intimate knowledge of SEL-451 relay HI algorithm.  Distribution relay communication scheme development-worked wih various utilities to develop comm rings for SEL-351 series relays in overhead and underground applications.  Event report and SER analysis-Very extensive experience analyzing hundreds of events from Utility and Industrial customers from all over the country.  Relay algorithm development-Developed new relay algorithms for transmission, distribution and traction applications, including new LOP, new impedance elements, and adaptive rate of change.  Provided ideas for new relay elements-seed ideas for new Mirrored Bits, CCVT transient, end to end fault calculations, adaptive elements.   Substation Automation-extensive experience in writing code to gather data, manipulate data and provide control features in substations and power plants, using SEL devices and PLCs.  3 terminal satellite synchronized testing-performed complete end to end testing at several utilities. 

Braintree Light Department- Principle Engineer   1 year    Developed protection plan for system, programmed L&G and  PC based SCADA systems, industrial automation of large customers, automated meter reading, distribution automation, design and construct town internet backbone, maintain SF6 enclosed substation.  Combined cycle power plant protection-installed DFR to analyze plant problems, redesigned protection.  Automated meter reading-performed custom programming to read meters and populate databases.  GIS substation maintenance-experience with ABB SF6 gas insulated substation.

City of Longmont Light Department- Power Delivery Manager  5 years      Responsible for 20 million dollar power purchase and delivery, SCADA automation with load control, hydro plant automation, supervision of substation foreman and crew, building new substations, in house designing and building various automation and control systems.  Hydro plant automation-programmed Opto22 controller to start, stop and load follow for 2 hydro units.  Substation rebuilds with advanced relaying schemes-used SEL-251 with unique protection scheme.  SCADA master and RTU programming-extensive L&G programming.  Custom PC based RTU design and paper presented to WPRC.   Provided the basis for the SEL-20xx platforms.  Manage power delivery staff-managed substation construction and maintenance personnel.  Certified as diversity instructor and trained City of Longmont personnel.

Contractor to Western Area Power Administration Power Training Center- HV Design Engineer/Trainer   3 years     Trained engineers, dispatchers, power plant operators using state of the art computerized SCADA simulator and scaled down substation system.   First SEL relay installation at training center-installed and programmed SEL-121B relay.  Study of different transmission relays-side by side studys of SEL-121G and GE-LPS relays.

Contractor to Public Service of Colorado Fort St. Vrain Nuclear- Consulting Engineer  2 years     Developed maintenance procedures for HTGR high temperature gas cooled reactor based nuclear power plant.  Had free run badged access to plant.   Gained experience with control systems, diesel generators, Limitorque valves and actuators, PLC control, motor control centers and switchgear.

Various job shopping contract assignments  2 years     Worked at Various nuclear power plants, River Bend Unit 1 in St. Francisville La., in Metarie La., Clinton unit 1 in Clinton IL.   Walked down systems in construction to turn over to startup.  Wrote maintenance procedures.  Gained experience in power plant systems.   Passed psychological exam and security background check for security clearance.