In developing and improving training material, David Costello takes inspiration from a saying used a great deal at SEL Inc.: “Ask why five times.” Costello, senior application engineer and trainer at SEL, said that asking why forces one to understand, reinvent, and improve when possible. He remembers that perspective when serving a customer or teaching a class.

Costello provides technical support and teaches several SEL University courses. He has taught fundamentals, application and testing courses. “I am challenged each and every day in my present position to keep up, learn, and share what I know with others. In providing technical support, I am exposed to new products, new applications, and customer problems, all of which make me and engineers I work with continue to evolve and learn,” he said. “In teaching classes, or mentoring to young engineers, I am challenged to revisit fundamentals and consider how best to explain complicated material in practical terms. “

Costello will be presenting PROT 401 Protecting Power Systems for Engineers on May 16 in San Antonio, Texas. The course addresses the basic elements of designing power system protection for distribution lines, transmission lines, transformers, and buses.

The idea behind Protecting Power Systems is to bridge the gap between general fundamentals learned at the university and the knowledge needed to use modeling and simulation software to make jobs easier.

“Many universities don't teach fundamental power engineering and protection concepts,” Costello said. “So new engineers go to work without knowledge needed for their job. The situation is made worse by the lack of training budgets, training programs, and mentorship at many companies due to economic pressures and short-sightedness. Retirements compound the loss of experience and knowledge transfer within companies.”

Today, power system engineers are faced with greater challenges than ever. “To borrow from the Oldsmobile slogan, ‘this isn’t my father’s power system,’” Costello said. “We have greater technological solutions today; it’s a really exciting time to be a power system engineer.”

Costello learned appreciation for the role safe, reliable and economic power plays in every facet of modern society from his father, Robert. He had a distinguished career as a power system engineer and executive at a local utility company. Costello was also good at and interested in math and science. “Being a part of continuing and improving that industry was more than a safe career decision. It seemed to be fun, challenging and rewarding due to its critical role and importance.”

Costello has developed a habit of devoting time to learning and tells students to be consistent in moving forward in their experience. He is an avid San Antonio Spurs fan and mentioned a quote from writer Jacob Riis the franchise has hanging in its locker room. “When nothing seems to help, I go look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before.”

Costello said the Riis quote speaks to consistency. “Learn a little bit, solve a new problem, and share what you know. Each and every day, make a bit of forward progress in each of these areas. You'll be amazed how far you develop, and how many people you help, over time.”

Costello emphasizes sharing what you know. “Learn to communicate, verbally and in writing,” he said. “I believe you'll find it personally rewarding, and it's in the best interests of our industry, customers, and the next generation of engineers who will follow and improve.”

It is also rewarding to have balance and outside interests in your life, according to Costello. He is active physically, whether that is participating in sports, traveling, or hiking. He also loves to read and prefers novels, history and nonfiction when he is not at work. He enjoys spending time and doing anything with his family.

As an engineer, he likes building things and completing projects, large and small. He designed and built his own home and loves landscaping.