ZIMBABWE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY AUTHORITY

WESTERN AREA
132kV SWITCHING AUTHORISATION TRAINING PROGRAM
DOC No.
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Appendix 1

132kV Switching Authorisation Guidelines

1.0 Minimum Requirements for Switching Authorisation for voltages Up to and including
132kV:

1.1. This document is listing down the minimum requirements for one to be ready for
an authorisation test. The requirements are grouped as follows:
- Practical Application of Safety rules.
- Knowledge and identification of Equipment.
- Knowledge and interpretation of protection schematics and control
diagrams.
- Knowledge of System Operation Memorandum.
- Practical switching.

2. Safety Rules
2.1. Purpose of the electrical safety rules
2.1.1. The need for electrical safety rules.
2.1.2. Understand how people contracted to work in ZESA installations are
covered by the Safety rules.

2.2. Competent and senior Authorised Persons.

2.2.1. Age limit for a competent person.
2.2.2. Understand why a competent person should have sufficient Technical.
knowledge and experiences. Competence of a first year Appy!.
2.2.3. Difference between Snr Authoriesd and Competent Person.
2.2.4. The competence of contractors.

2.3. Controller
2.3.1. The need for controller.
2.3.2. Handing over temporary control of a piece of equipment to senior
Authorised person on the field.

2.4. Switching
2.4.1. Personnel qualified do switching.
2.4.2. Emergency switching
2.4.3. Recording of switching
2.4.4. Writing switching instructions
2.4.5. Application of CME

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Appendix 1

2.4.6. Writing switching instructions

2.5. Safety Documents

2.5.1. The need for safety documents
2.5.2. Differences between PTW, LLPTW, SFT, and LOA.
2.5.3. Reasons for issuing a SFT to a Senior Authorised Person and not to
Competent person
2.5.4. Indirect Issue of PMT.
2.5.5. Number of PMT, SFT and LOA, which can be issued on one piece of
Equipment.
2.5.6. Conditions that have to be satisfied when one decides to use a permit to
work as a test document.
2.5.7. Under Stand the concept of suspension and resumption of work on
LLPTW

2.6. Methods of discharging high voltage equipment.

2.6.1. The need for discharging equipment.
2.6.2. Circuit Main Earth.
2.6.3. Reasons for not removing CME until after the safety documents
have been cancelled.
2.6.4. Additional Earths.
2.6.5. Use of earthing switches.
2.6.6. Interlocks and their importance.
2.6.7. Use of Portable Earthing leads.
2.6.8. Use of an Earthing truck
2.6.9. Use of Circuit Breakers.
2.6.10. Precautions taken when using the above for Earthing purposes.
2.6.11. A procedure for applying Earthing leads.

2.7. Safety Clearances to live conductors

2.7.1 minimum clearances
2.7.2 point of reference

2.8. Conditions for working on High Voltage Plant and Equipment

2.8.1. Step to be met before one can work on high voltage equipment.
2.8.2. Explain why when equipment is DEAD - is not necessarily at Zero
potential.
2.8.3. Differences between a danger and caution notice.
2.8.4. Screening, where and how danger and caution notices are applied.

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Appendix 1

2.9. Work on wooden poles carrying an overhead line.

2.9.1. Importance of safety belts and safety clothing.
2.9.2. Reasons for sounding the pole before it is climbed.
2.9.3. Reason for a person on a pole to be in visual range of second person
on the ground.
2.9.4. Work on poles carrying double circuits.
2.9.5. Work on poles supporting HV and LV for the purpose of working on the
LV circuit.

2.10. Work on Towers

2.10.1. Towers with all conductors dead.
2.10.2. Towers carrying live conductors.
2.10.3. Double circuit towers with one circuit live.

2.10 Work on High Voltage Cables

2.10.1 Methods of identifying the cable to be worked on.

2.11 Work on underground chambers and Cable gallaries.

2.11.1 Detection of gases and extraction of gases.
2.11.2 Reasons for prohibiting smoking and exposed flames.
2.11.3 Reasons for keeping one person outside the chamber when others are
working inside the chamber where dangerous gases are likely to be
present.

2.12 Work on High Voltage Equipment Containing Compressed air.

2.12.1 Closing and locking on off on closed position valves controlling the
supply of air to the plant.

2.13 Work on High Voltage Equipment Containing SF6 Gas

2.13.1 Isolating equipment from source of SF6
2.13.2 Locking on closed position of inlet and application of caution notices to
valves.
2.13.3 Reasons for use of approved clothing, respirators etc.

2.14 Work on oil Tanks

2.14.1 Need for ventilation
2.14.2 Prohibition of smoking and exposed flames inside the tank.

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Appendix 1

2.15 Treatment of Electric Shock.

2.15.1 Making sure its safe to approach the casualty.
2.15.2 Emergency switching
2.15.3 First aid

3 Equipment and Equipment identification

3.1 POWER SYSTEM FAULTS

3.1.1 Types of faults
3.1.1.1 Phase-to- ground ( or single phase )
3.1.1.2 Phase-to-phase ( or Two phase )
3.1.1.3 Phase-to-phase-to- ground ( or Two phase-to-ground )
3.1.1.4 Three phase, with or without ground
3.1.1.5 Open-Circuit

3.1.2 Faults on Transformers, switchgear and cables

3.1.2.1 Short-circuits between turns of windings of transformers.
3.1.2.2 Failure of solid Insulation.
3.1.2.3 Contamination of insulating.
3.1.2.4 Effect of oil leakage on transformers and cables.
3.1.2.5 Common causes of faults on transformers, metal clad switchgear and
Cables
3.1.2.5.1 Failure of insulation because of moisture.
3.1.2.5.2 Mechanical damage.
3.1.2.5.3 Flashover caused by overvoltage or abnormal loading.
3.1.2.5.4 Snake, lizards and Rats on bushings of transformers and on
busbars on metalglad switchgears.

3.1.3 Faults on overhead transmission lines.

3.1.3.1 Flashovers as a result of break down of air insulation between phase to
phase or phase to earth.
3.1.3.2 Common causes of the faults on overhead lines
3.1.3.2.1 Lightning
3.1.3.2.2 Contaminated Insulators
3.1.3.2.3 Punctured or broken insulators
3.1.3.2.4 Birds and animals

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3.1.3.2.5 Aircraft and cars hitting lines and structures

3.1.3.2.6 Wind
3.1.3.2.7 Vandalism

3.1.3.3 Auto- reclosing on overhead transmission lines or feeders.

3.1.3.3.1 Effect of interrupting a flashover and reasons for introducing
an intentional time delay before auto- reclosing.

3.2 DETECTION OF FAULTS

3.2.1 Identification of Protection Schemes
3.2.1.1 Transformer Protection
3.2.1.1.1 Overcurrent
3.2.1.1.1.1 Instantaneous O/C.
3.2.1.1.1.2 Time delayed O/C.
3.2.1.1.1.3 Types of faults covered by O/C relays.
3.2.1.1.1.4 Time and plug settings.

3.2.1.1.2 Earth Fault

3.2.1.1.2.1 Restricted E/f (REF).
3.2.1.1.2.2 Types of faults covered by REF.
3.2.1.1.2.3 Neutral Earthfault.
3.2.1.1.2.4 Time and Plug settings.

3.2.1.1.3 Differential Protection (Duo bias)

3.2.1.1.3.1 Basic principle of operation.
3.2.1.1.3.2 Types of faults covered by Duo bias.
3.2.1.1.3.3 Zone covered by Duo bias.

3.2.1.1.4 Bulchholz relay

3.2.1.1.4.1 Basic principle of operation.
3.2.1.1.4.2 Buchholz Alarm.
3.2.1.1.4.3 Buchholz Surge.
3.2.1.1.4.4 Types of faults coverd by Buchholz relay.

3.2.1.1.5 Overload protection

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Appendix 1

3.2.1.1.5.1 Oil temperature alarm and trip.

3.2.1.1.5.2 Winding temperature alarm and trip.
3.2.1.1.5.3 Alarm and trip setting.

3.2.1.2 Over head Line and Cable protection

3.2.1.2.1 Overcurrent.
3.2.1.2.1.1 Instantaneous O/C.
3.2.1.2.1.2 Time delayed O/C.
3.2.1.2.1.3 Types of faults covered by O/C relays.
3.2.1.2.1.4 Time and plug settings.

3.2.1.2.1.5 Earthfault
3.2.1.2.1.5.1 Residual Earthfault connection.
3.2.1.2.1.5.2 Time and plug settings.

3.2.1.2.1.6 Feeder Unit protection (Solkor).

3.2.1.2.1.6.1 Basic principle of operation.
3.2.1.2.1.6.2 Protected Zone.
3.2.1.2.1.6.3 Effect of short circuiting pilots.
3.2.1.2.1.6.4 Effect of opening pilots.
3.2.1.2.1.6.5 Pilot supervision relays.

3.2.1.2.1.7 Distance Protection.

3.2.1.2.1.7.1 Basic principle of operation.
3.2.1.2.1.7.2 Under standing of Zones.
3.2.1.2.1.7.2.1 Zone 1 reach and instantaneous trip.
3.2.1.2.1.7.2.2 Zone 2 reach and time delay.
3.2.1.2.1.7.3 Acceleration or permissive channel.

3.2.1.2.1.8 Busbar protection

3.2.1.2.1.8.1 Basic principle of operation.
3.2.1.2.1.8.2 Protected Zones.

3.2.1.2.1.9 Overvoltage protection.

3.2.1.2.1.9.1 Surge divertors.
3.2.1.2.1.9.2 Lightning arrestors.
3.2.1.2.1.9.3 Arcing horns.

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Appendix 1

3.2.1.3 Analysis of Relay operation

3.2.1.3.1 Main protection and backup protection.
3.2.1.3.1.1 Transformers
3.2.1.3.1.1.1 Identifying main protection.
3.2.1.3.1.1.2 Steps to be taken when a transformer comes out on
main protection.
3.2.1.3.1.1.3 Identifying backup protection.
3.2.1.3.1.1.4 Steps to be taken when a transformer comes out on
backup protection.

3.2.1.3.1.2 Overhead Lines and Cable

3.2.1.3.1.2.1 Identifying main protection.
3.2.1.3.1.2.2 Steps to be taken when an overhead line comes out
on main protection.
3.2.1.3.1.2.3 Backup protection.
3.2.1.3.1.2.4 Steps to be taken when a line comes out on backup
protection.

3.3 Identification of General Substation Equipment

3.3.1 Substation general layout

3.3.1.1 Identify Hazards to personnel working in High voltage
substations.
3.3.1.1.1 Explain what is :
3.3.1.1.1.1 Step Voltage
3.3.1.1.1.2 Touch Voltage
3.3.1.1.1.3 Transferred voltage

3.3.1.1.2 The reasons for putting crashed stones in a substation.

3.3.1.1.3 Precautions to be taken when carrying out switching in a high
voltage substation.

3.3.1.2 Identify the general layout of the substation

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Appendix 1

3.3.1.2.1 Main reserve busbars

3.3.1.2.1.1 Explain the Reasons for having the main and reserve
busbars.

3.3.1.2.2 Isolators
3.3.1.2.2.1 Explain the purpose of an isolator and when it can be
closed or opened.
3.3.1.2.2.2 Identify auxiliary contacts and explain what they are used
for.
3.3.1.2.2.3 Explain how interlocking is achieved.

3.3.1.2.3 Circuit breakers

3.3.1.2.3.1 Identify types of CBs in a substation
3.3.1.2.3.2 Identify quenching medium.
3.3.1.2.3.3 Explain the CB operating mechanism
3.3.1.2.3.4 Identify the Rating of a CB
3.3.1.2.3.5 Identify interlocks with other equipment
3.3.1.2.3.6 Identify CB control features and explain the local and
Remote control of a CB.
3.3.1.2.3.7 Identify tripping and closing coil. Explain why the tripping
coil is a critical element on the breaker.
3.3.1.2.3.8 Explain how you can operate a breaker that has lost its
quenching media in the interrupter.

3.3.1.2.4 Lines and Cables

3.3.1.2.4.1 Identify size and rating of the conductor or cable.

3.3.1.2.4.2 Identify Line construction types
3.3.1.2.4.3 Identify ring circuits and explain the advantages and
disadvantages of ring circuits.
3.3.1.2.4.4 Identify alternative feeds and routes to various substations.

3.3.1.2.5 Transformers
3.3.1.2.5.1 Identify a tapchanger and explain the difference between a
on-load tapchanging and off-load tapchanging.
3.3.1.2.5.2 Identify the buchhoz relay and explain why it is mounted
on the top pipes to the conservator.
3.3.1.2.5.3 Explain the purpose of a conservator.

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3.3.1.2.5.4 Explain why the tapchanger and main transformer windings

should have different chambers.
3.3.1.2.5.5 Identify rating and winding configuration of transformer.

3.3.1.2.5.6 Identify temperature gauge and settings.

3.3.1.2.5.7 Identify the flow of oil in the radiator and cooling method.
3.3.1.2.5.8 Explain the purpose of a breather and of an oil bath.
3.3.1.2.5.9 Identify the vector group of a transformer and explain the
condition necessary for paralleling two transformers.

3.3.1.2.6 Transformer Neutral Grounding

3.3.1.2.6.1 Identify and describe methods of grounding used on HV or
LV of distribution high voltage transformers.
3.3.1.2.6.2 Explain the necessity of grounding the neutral.

3.3.1.2.7 Current Transformers

3.3.1.2.7.1 Identify and describe the purpose of CTs.
3.3.1.2.7.2 Identify the ratio and rating of a CT
3.3.1.2.7.3 Explain why a metering CT cannot be used for protection
protection purposes.
3.3.1.2.7.4 Describe various commissioning Tests that must be
performed on a CT.
3.3.1.2.7.5 Explain why a CT in service should not be open-circuited.

3.3.1.2.8 Voltage Transformers

3.3.1.2.8.1 Identify and describe the purpose of VTs.
3.3.1.2.8.2 Identify the ratio and rating of a VT
3.3.1.2.8.3 Difference between an ordinary VT and CVT.
3.3.1.2.8.4 Explain why a VT cannot be used as an auxiliary supply
source for the substation.
3.3.1.2.8.5 Explain why a VT in service should not be Short-circuited.

3.3.1.2.9 Line Traps

3.3.1.2.9.1 Identify the components and describe the purposes of a line
trap.
3.3.1.2.9.2 Explain how the power line carrier system works.

3.3.1.2.10 Substation Remote Terminal Units and Radio

3.3.1.2.10.1 Identify and explain the purpose of an RTU and a

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Appendix 1

Radio in a substation.
3.3.1.2.10.2 Explain how an RTU or Radio is reset.

3.3.1.3 Identify the control room layout and components

3.3.1.3.1 Control panel
3.3.1.3.1.1 Identify and explain how switchgear is operated from the
control room.
3.3.1.3.1.2 Explain how you can check for healthy trip indication and
the necessity to check.
3.3.1.3.1.3 Interpretation and action to be taken on receipt of alarms on
the control panel.

3.3.1.3.2 Relay Panel

3.3.1.3.2.1 Identify the protection and auxiliary relays in a panel.
3.3.1.3.2.2 Explain how you can check for healthy trip indication and
the necessity to check.
3.3.1.3.2.3 Identify the sequence in which relays should be reset.

3.3.1.3.3 Tapchanger control Panel

3.3.1.3.3.1 Identify the AVE relay and explain how the settings can be
changed and the reasons.
3.3.1.3.3.2 Identify and explain various Tapchanger controls and
selector switches.

3.3.1.3.4 Batteries and Battery chargers.

3.3.1.3.4.1 Differentiate between protection and communication
batteries.
3.3.1.3.4.2 Explain the purpose of batteries and chargers.
3.3.1.3.4.3 Identify the type of battery and no of cells.
3.3.1.3.4.4 Identify the rating and capacity of the battery.
3.3.1.3.4.5 Identify the components of a battery charger.
3.3.1.3.4.6 Alarms affecting batteries.

3.3.1.4 Interpreting control and wiring schematics

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Appendix 1

3.3.1.4.1 Distinguish and be able to interpret an AC and DC schematics

3.3.1.4.2 Identify symbols used on control and wiring schematics.
3.3.1.4.3 Understand the sequence of events.

3.4 Understand and Interpret System Operation Memorandum

3.4.1 Demarcations of area of control.

4.0 Practical Switching.

4.1 System Paralleling
4.1.1 Paralleling of Transformers in the same substation
4.1.1.1 Understand procedures to be followed on NTC or OLTC
transformers.
4.1.2 Feeder paralleling between 2 substations.
4.1.2.1 Understand procedures to be followed.

4.2 Complete Isolation of a transformer

4.2.1 Understand procedures to be followed.

4.3 Feeder By-pass

4.3.1 Understand procedures to be followed.

4.4 Complete Isolation of a feeder

4.4.1 Understand procedures to be followed.

4.5 Fault detection and Isolation of faults on ring circuits.

4.5.1 Understand procedures to be followed.

4.6 Switching for Live line maintenance

4.6.1 Understand procedures to be followed.

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