Sometimes during startup projects, the project manager is operating under the mistaken notion that it’s all about making sure the customer “sees it run.”
Suppose a system won’t run because it doesn’t have power. The project manager looks at the feeder breaker and notices that it has adjustable settings and the settings are near the low end. Hmm. Might that be the problem? The obvious solution is to crank that baby up (all the way?). This is done, and success! The customer sees it run.
One of the several problems with this approach is that determining the settings on breakers and protective relays is an engineering function. You don’t just change them to make things run and assume you did a great job because nothing blew up (yet). There implications for legal liability and safety implications.
If you suspect the settings are wrong, don’t try coming up with new settings via the “wing it” method. Correct a “missing specs” or “wrong specs” problem by requesting an engineering review.
