Forty years of keeping electrical systems safe and coordinated
PNW Electrical Safety and Protection provides electrical engineering consulting and electrical safety training to industrial, commercial, institutional, governmental and utility clients across the Pacific Northwest, Canada and the United States.
Arc flash & shock hazard. Know your incident energy.
Engineer
Robert E. Fuhr, P.E., P.Eng.
Experience
40 years in power system studies
Studies
1,300+ power system · 500+ arc flash
Standards
IEEE 1584 Committee Member · NFPA 70E · CSA Z462
Licensed
P.Eng. British Columbia · P.E. in 13 US states
Prepared by PNWESPPenticton, BC
1986Founded PowerStudies, Inc.
1,300+Power system studies
500+Arc flash studies
14Active engineering licences (BC + 13 states)
Services
Engineering consulting and safety training from one engineer of record
You work directly with Bob Fuhr on every project, from field data collection to the final stamped report and the safety training that puts its results to use.
Electrical Engineering Consulting
Power system studies that show where your system stands today and what it needs next. They lower operating costs, improve efficiency, increase reliability and reduce maintenance.
Arc flash hazard analysis per IEEE 1584 and NFPA 70E / CSA Z462, with equipment labels
Short circuit and equipment duty evaluations
Protective device coordination, with breaker and protective relay settings
Load flow and motor starting studies
Harmonic analysis and power factor correction
Duct bank ampacity calculations
Power quality investigations and monitoring
One-line diagram verification, troubleshooting and control circuit design for breakers, relays, transformers and generators
Studies are performed in SKM PowerTools and ETAP.
Electrical Safety Training
Classes taught by a state-certified low and high voltage electrical instructor and e-Hazard certified instructor who has spent decades in the field doing the work the training covers.
NFPA 70E Low Voltage Qualified
NFPA 70E High Voltage Qualified
NFPA 70E Task Qualified
NFPA 70E Arc Flash Safety for Utilities
NFPA 70E Electrical Safety Awareness
NFPA 70E Electrical Safety for Managers
CSA Z462 Arc Flash & Shock Training
Classes are held at your facility in the United States or Canada.
Electrical Safety Training
Courses for every person who works on or near energized equipment
Every course can be tailored to your equipment, your procedures and your crew's experience level.
NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace (US)
Low Voltage Qualified
For qualified workers on systems below 1,000 V: shock and arc flash hazards, approach boundaries, energized work permits, lockout/tagout and PPE selection.
High Voltage Qualified
For qualified workers on medium and high voltage systems: switching, grounding, hazard analysis and the work practices required above 1,000 V.
Task Qualified
Focused training for workers who perform specific, limited electrical tasks, such as operating equipment, racking breakers or verifying absence of voltage.
Arc Flash Safety for Utilities
Arc flash and shock hazards in generation, transmission and distribution settings, with utility-specific work practices.
Electrical Safety Awareness
For unqualified personnel who work near electrical equipment: recognizing hazards, reading arc flash labels and knowing where the boundaries are.
Electrical Safety for Managers
Employer responsibilities, building and auditing an electrical safety program, and how to use arc flash study results.
CSA Z462 Workplace Electrical Safety (Canada)
Arc Flash & Shock Training
Canadian workplace electrical safety requirements for workers, supervisors and managers: risk assessment, approach boundaries, PPE and safe work procedures.
On-site deliveryTaught at your facility, using your equipment and labels as examples.
US and CanadaNFPA 70E for US sites, CSA Z462 for Canadian sites.
About
Robert E. Fuhr, P.E., P.Eng.
Bob Fuhr graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin in 1980. Early in his career he worked for the Tennessee Valley Authority, Madison Gas & Electric, General Electric Company and the University of Washington.
In 1986 he founded PowerStudies, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in power system studies, power quality services, electrical safety programs, and low and high voltage electrical safety training. He led the company as President until 2022, when he sold it to its employees, and stayed on as Senior Electrical Engineer until October 2026.
In 2026 he established PNW Electrical Safety and Protection, a sole proprietorship based in Penticton, British Columbia, to offer the same power system study and electrical safety training expertise directly to clients.
Bob has been active in IEEE and the Industry Applications Society since 1986 and is an IEEE Senior Member. He is a member of the IEEE 1584 Working Group that revises the IEEE Guide for Performing Arc Flash Hazard Calculations, and a member of the Electric League of the Pacific Northwest.
Founder & Senior Electrical Engineer, PNW Electrical Safety and Protection
Senior Electrical Engineer, PowerStudies, Inc., Maple Valley, WA
Founder & President, PowerStudies, Inc., Maple Valley, WA
Senior Facilities Engineer, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Field Engineer, General Electric Co., Seattle, WA
Engineer's Assistant, Madison Gas & Electric Co., Madison, WI
Co-op Student, Tennessee Valley Authority, Knoxville, TN
Project Experience
Projects Bob managed at PowerStudies, Inc.
From data centers and cruise ship shore power to refineries and military bases, these are projects Bob Fuhr led as Project Manager during his time at PowerStudies, Inc.
Projects completed while Bob was with PowerStudies, Inc. Figures show the size of each study model.
Selected study data
Scope of selected arc flash, coordination and short circuit studies Bob managed. References are available on request.
Project
Location
Year
Arc flash labels
Devices coordinated
Short circuit nodes
Other studies
Testimonials
What training clients say
Hi Bob, As you can tell by the evals, you did an awesome job and the training was extremely well received by the crew. Thanks for helping improve YCWA's understanding and importance of electrical safety and correct PPE & procedures.
Avinash SandherCompliance Manager, Yuba County Water Agency, CA
It was our pleasure to have you here as the instructor for the NFPA 70E Electrical Workplace Safety Training. I would like to add you are an excellent instructor. Having been a US Navy Instructor group leader in the Submarine Training Facility Charleston. Your ability as an instructor is highlighted by your excellent command of the English language and all of the traits that hold student focus to material that is not always interesting. Your analogies by using personal experience and setting the ground work early supporting your knowledge and confidence in the subject matter led to a great class room experience that went beyond the materials ability to impart a vivid understanding of Electrical Safety and Safety in general.
Frederick WoodleyFacility Manager, Department of Veterans Affairs, Charleston CMOP
Bob Fuhr is that rare individual who actually knows what he's talking about and can deliver the information to a group in a professional / interesting way. In fact, we enjoyed the class so much, we'd like to have him come back after the 1st of the year and give the high (medium) voltage 70E presentation.
Rick MillerElectrical Planner, PPL Montana, Colstrip Generating Station
Contact
Request a quote or schedule training
Tell us about your facility, the study or class you need, and your schedule. You'll get a reply directly from Bob.