Postgraduate Diploma in Specific Protection for Direct Current
Online 800-hour postgraduate diploma in specific protection for direct current. 8 modules covering IEC 60947-2 (low-voltage circuit breakers), IEC 61660-1 (short-circuit currents in DC installations) and ETAP (DC Short Circuit). Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Specific Protection for Direct Current — studying from Singapore
Singapore's energy system is largely based on natural gas, supplemented by growing investment in solar, energy storage and grid modernisation. The Energy Market Authority regulates the electricity and gas markets and oversees network reliability, while SP Group operates the national grid. Engineers work on power systems, distribution networks, energy efficiency and resilience planning. The sector also supports regional energy trading and the petrochemical cluster on Jurong Island.
Fees for Singapore: S$1,280 (Singapore dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Singapore
Typical roles
Questions from Singapore
Which Singapore bodies regulate energy and utility networks, and is SEIUM recognised?
Singapore's energy sector is regulated by the Energy Market Authority (EMA), and power and water networks involve SP Group and PUB, the national water agency. Engineers may register with the Professional Engineers Board (PEB). SEIUM's qualifications are private, not state degrees, and not accredited by any national body, so recognition is for employers or the relevant body to decide.
Which employers in Singapore hire energy and network engineers?
Main employers include SP Group, PUB, EMA-regulated energy companies, engineering consultancies, and industrial firms managing power systems. Singapore's grid modernisation and renewable projects also create roles. Employers typically look for professional registration and practical network experience. Your final project may help, but it does not guarantee a position.
Is this workable alongside a job, and what support is provided?
The course is fully online and taught in English, with an assigned technical tutor for guidance. Workload is significant: 1,900 hours for a master's, 800 for a postgraduate diploma and 300 for a specialist course. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible, depending on your employer's training policy.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Identify the particularities of direct current systems.
Calculate DC short-circuit currents according to IEC 61660-1.
Select fuses, circuit breakers and DC protection devices.
Design insulation monitoring and earth fault protection.
Analyse the DC arc flash risk and its mitigation measures.
Describe protection technologies in HVDC and MVDC networks.
Plan testing and maintenance of DC protection systems.
Who it's for
- Direct current protection engineer who wants to specialise in Specific Protection for Direct Current.
- Photovoltaic systems engineer who wants to specialise in Specific Protection for Direct Current.
- Battery energy storage specialist who wants to specialise in Specific Protection for Direct Current.
- Railway traction engineer who wants to specialise in Specific Protection for Direct Current.
- Data centre engineer who wants to specialise in Specific Protection for Direct Current.
- HVDC and MVDC network engineer who wants to specialise in Specific Protection for Direct Current.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter photovoltaic generation.
What you'll work with
- IEC 60947-2 (low-voltage circuit breakers)
- IEC 61660-1 (short-circuit currents in DC installations)
- IEC 63027 (arc detection and interruption in PV DC)
- IEC 60269-6 (fuses for photovoltaic systems)
- IEC 60364-7-712 (photovoltaic installations)
- UL 1699B (arc protection in photovoltaic systems)
- EN 50123 (DC switchgear for railway applications)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Applications of DC: PV, batteries, HVDC and traction1.2Low- and medium-voltage DC networks1.3Unipolar and bipolar configurations1.4DC earthing schemes1.5Fault current behaviour in DC1.6Contribution of capacitors and converters1.7Absence of zero crossing and arc extinction1.8L/R time constants1.9Standards IEC 60364-7-712 and IEC 616601.10Case study: fault currents in a PV plant
2.1IEC 61660-1 method2.2Sources: batteries, rectifiers and capacitors2.3Contribution of DC motors2.4Current curves and peak values2.5Pole-to-pole and pole-to-earth faults2.6Influence of fault resistance2.7Time-domain simulation2.8Commercial calculation tools2.9Validation with real measurements2.10Workshop: fault calculation in a battery system
3.1gPV and aR fuses for DC3.2DC circuit breakers3.3Hybrid switches3.4Solid-state switches3.5On-load DC disconnectors3.6Standard IEC 60947-2 for DC3.7Breaking capacity and time constant3.8Selectivity between fuses and circuit breakers3.9Current limiters3.10Practice: selection of protection for a PV string
4.1IMD insulation monitoring4.2IT systems in DC4.3Detection of first and second faults4.4DC differential protection4.5Locating insulation faults4.6Capacitive leakage currents4.7IEC 61557-8 requirements4.8Electric shock risks in DC4.9Personnel protection in DC4.10Laboratory: locating an insulation fault
5.1Physics of the arc in direct current5.2Series and parallel arcs5.3AFCI detectors according to UL 1699B5.4Incident arc energy in DC5.5DC arc calculation methods5.6Personal protective equipment5.7Prevention through connection design5.8Connectors and degradation5.9Fires in PV installations5.10Case study: analysis of an arc fire
6.1Faults in LCC and VSC HVDC links6.2Converter blocking6.3Mechanical and hybrid HVDC circuit breakers6.4Protection of multi-terminal networks6.5Fast detection by current derivative6.6Protection in railway traction6.7DC distribution on ships6.8DC data centres6.9Standardisation and the state of the regulations6.10Workshop: multi-terminal protection strategy
7.1DC protection coordination7.2Documentation and diagrams7.3Commissioning tests7.4Thermography of DC connections7.5IMD and trip verification7.6Maintenance of fuses and terminals7.7Risk management according to NFPA 70E7.8Staff training and authorisation7.9Incident analysis7.10Practice: test plan for a DC installation
8.1Description of the installation under study8.2Calculation of fault currents8.3Selection of protection devices8.4Selectivity study8.5Insulation monitoring scheme8.6Arc risk assessment8.7Testing and maintenance plan8.8Budget and documentation8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Fully 100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ETAP (DC Short Circuit), PSCAD/EMTDC, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, MATLAB/Simulink, in free, academic or evaluation versions. The case studies cover real short-circuit calculation procedures for batteries and DC busbars, selectivity between DC fuses and circuit breakers, and series arc detection in photovoltaic strings. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Identify the particularities of direct current systems.
Calculate DC short-circuit currents according to IEC 61660-1.
Select fuses, circuit breakers and DC protection devices.
Design insulation monitoring and earth fault protection.
Analyse the DC arc flash risk and its mitigation measures.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with ETAP (DC Short Circuit), PSCAD/EMTDC, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, MATLAB/Simulink. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma on passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. This is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Please check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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