Education & Training

Transcription

1 Distribution System Operator Certificate This program provides you with a proficient working knowledge in modern electric power distribution systems. These four classes are designed to walk students through the information they need to perform their job and ensure system reliability. Instructor Led Classes: Electric Power System Operations PART I ELECTRIC POWER INDUSTRY 1. History of Electric Industry (50 pages) a. Discuss the evolution of the electric industry b. Describe how the various regulatory industries came about and their current roles c. Describe how NERC assures the power grids are reliable and secure 2. Introduction to Electric Power (8 pages) a. Discuss how the electric power system works in generally accepted terminology b. Describe the use of all the major equipment used in substations, transmission, and distribution lines. c. Explain how and why electrical load is broken down into three types 3. Generation and Power Plants (23 pages) a. Explain how 3-phase ac voltage is produced using Faraday s Law b. Explain what is meant by real-time generation c. Describe how the different types of power plants produce electricity PART II EQUIPMENT 4. Substation Equipment (28 pages) a. Describe the purpose and use of the major equipment component found in substations b. Explain how voltage is regulated for the customer c. Describe how and why disconnect switches, lightning arrestors, and other components are used in substations 5. Transmission, Distribution, and Consumption (43 pages) a. Describe the various materials used for conductors and insulators on transmission and distribution lines b. Explain how and why distribution lines are radially fed c. Explain how residential services are metered and wired in a residence 6. System Protection (16 pages) a. Describe one-line diagrams and how they are used b. Explain the function and application of the various relays used in transmission, distribution, substations and generator plants c. Describe how generators are synchronized onto the grid system

2 PART III OPERATIONS 7. Interconnected Power Systems (24 pages) a. Explain why interconnected power systems are better than isolated Balancing Areas b. Explain the functions and duties of the various NERC system operator positions (Balancing Authorities, Reliability Coordinators, etc.) c. Explain what system operators do to prevent a major disturbance d. Describe the purpose of planning studies, load forecasting and demand side planning 8. System Control Centers and Telecommunications (12 pages) a. Explain what is meant by SCADA and how it is used by system operators b. Explain what is an Energy Management System and how it utilizes information c. Describe the various means of providing telecommunications for SCADA, Protective Relays, remote metering, etc. 9. Personal Protection (Safety) (6 pages) a. Describe personal protection and human vulnerability to electricity b. Describe what is meant by Ground Potential Rise and Zone of Influence c. Discuss the various techniques used to perform maintenance on energized and deenergized power lines Distribution Systems 1. Electric Power System Overview a. Explain how the electric power system works in general b. Describe the major components in the electric power system c. Explain the purpose and division of the distribution part of the overall power system d. Describe the standard voltage classes 2. Substation Equipment for Distribution a. Describe substation distribution power transformers and explain their ratings b. Describe the various types of substation circuit opening devices used for distribution feeders c. Explain how voltage regulators work d. Explain the purpose for disconnect switches, describe the different types and describe how their arcing rating can be increased 3. Overhead Equipment Design Considerations a. Describe the various types of equipment use for overhead distribution systems b. Explain the different conductor types, materials, sizes, and applications c. Describe the differences between delta and wye primary distribution feeders d. Describe the purpose of fuses and cut outs e. Explain the scope and purpose of the National Electric Safety Code

3 4. Underground Equipment and Design Considerations a. Discuss how the transition from overhead to underground facilities are made b. Describe how underground cable is constructed c. Explain how splices are made d. Describe how underground lightning arresters are used 5. Metering and Service Entrances a. Discuss how residential single-phase metering service is provided b. Explain the difference between energy and demand metering c. Describe primary metering d. Describe how residential breaker panels are configured 6. Three-Phase Systems and Transformers a. Explain the differences between wye and delta three-phase power connections b. Explain what is meant by source grounded wye system c. Describe the advantages and disadvantages in wye and delta transformer connections d. Explain the difference between line-to-line and line-to-neutral voltages 7. Consumer Services Design a. Explain and list what information is needed during a new consumer s initial site visit b. Assess what codes, permits, easements, etc. might be needed with the new load addition c. Discuss the minimum requirements for service entrance equipment, such as voltage, current, wire sizing, metering, clearances, and special needs d. Apply the calculation methods used to determine service conductor size including voltage drop and flicker reduction 8. Overcurrent Protection a. Describe the various faults and which types are prominent b. Explain what is meant by equipment fault current rating c. Discuss how distribution series reactors reduce available fault current d. Describe how relays are used in substation distribution feeder protection 9. Overvoltage Protection a. Describe the causes of overvoltage on power systems b. Explain how overvoltage conditions compare to standard insulation levels c. Discuss lightning and system switching surges and how to provide proper insulation d. Discuss lightning arresters and how they are used to limit overvoltage on equipment e. Explain what is meant by lightning Isokeraunic level f. Explain how to select the proper lightning arrester on a distribution system 10. Distribution System Planning a. Discuss the common software tools used to determine cost of losses, voltage drop, system requirements and alternative analysis b. Discuss the methods used to reduce distribution losses c. Explain the difference between transformer no-load losses and transformer losses

4 11. Reliability a. Explain the difference between Service Reliability and Quality of Service b. Explain the various service reliability indices c. Discuss customer-based vs. load-based indices d. Describe how reliability indices are calculated 12. Power Quality a. Discuss the terminology used to describe power quality issues b. Describe the differences between the types of disturbances c. Explain how power quality problems are caused d. Explain how to resolve common power quality problems 13. Operating Distribution Systems a. Describe the various common root causes of problems found when operating distribution systems b. Discuss the common problems found in distribution systems c. Explain some of the common troubleshooting techniques used to find problems on distribution systems 14. Safety for Distribution Systems a. Explain electrical safety and protection priorities b. Describe the different types of accidental energization and how to be aware of them c. Explain human vulnerability to electricity d. Describe what is meant by Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) e. Explain how one can be safe in a Zone of Equipotential Advanced Distribution Concepts 1. Distribution Planning a. The distribution system b. Annual studies c. Differences in planning today d. Introduction to distribution planning e. Distribution planning f. Planning process g. Utility distribution planning responsibilities h. Criteria for initiating a system study i. Load transfer j. System balance 2. Integrated Resource Planning a. Introduction b. Load forecast c. Integrated resource plan

5 3. Circuit Coordination a. Distribution circuit protection and equipment review b. Substation distribution protection c. Protective relaying with substation breakers d. Reclosers e. Fuse coordination applications f. Fuse fuse coordination g. Transformer fusing h. Recloser fuse coordination i. Sectionalizer coordination j. Recloser recloser coordination k. Advanced distribution system protection 4. Transformers a. Introduction b. Transformer configurations c. Transformer phasing d. Transformer polarity e. Troubleshooting transformer connections 5. Overvoltage Protection and Lightning Arresters a. Introduction to overvoltage b. Basic Insulation Levels c. Overvoltage terminology d. Overvoltage protection e. Lightning characteristics f. Distribution lightening arresters g. Application of lightning arresters h. Insulation types and sizes i. 6. Standby Generators a. Standby generators and transfer switches b. Interconnection requirements c. Metering overview 7. Motor Starting a. Motors in general b. Motor starting techniques c. Voltage flicker 8. Stray voltage a. Interconnection of neutrals b. Problem analysis c. Troubleshooting stray voltage situations d. Sources of stray current e. Animal contact voltage

6 f. Broken service neutral 9. Arc flash analysis and safety a. Background b. Applicable standards c. NFPA 70E approach boundaries d. About the arc e. Arc flash hazard reduction methods f. Required skills to work within the limited approach boundary g. Why is 50 volts and above considered live? h. The arc flash hazard analysis i. Protective clothing and equipment j. Required labeling 10. Communications with smart devices a. Utility communication systems b. Physical transport mediums c. Industry standards for utility communications d. Networks and protocols e. Applications of utility communication systems f. System reliability through telecommunications technologies g. Cyber security Industrial Electrical Safety, Grounding and Switching PART I Electrical Safety Basics 1. Introduction to Standards a. Identify the appropriate code for reference to a given situation b. Discuss the origin of the various Safety Codes c. Explain the reasons behind Grounding AC systems d. Know where to locate information on grounding in each of the codes 2. Electrical Safety Management a. Be familiar with the Six Core Beliefs of a Safety Management Program b. Define a Minimum Approach Distance c. Understand that safety is a personal responsibility d. Understand the five steps for setting up a Safety Program 3. Electrical Hazard Awareness a. Describe how to spot hidden and/or obvious electrical hazards b. Distinguish what a hazard is and how it is related to a danger c. Explain how energy levels affect safety

7 PART II ADVANCED ELECTRICAL SAFETY CONCEPTS 4. Ground Potential Rise and Zone of Influence a. Discuss the concepts of Ground Potential Rise (GPR) and Zone of Influence (ZOI) b. Explain the causes of GPR c. Identify the problems related to GPR and the risks for workers health d. Calculate GPR 5. Touch and Step Potentials and Safety Concepts a. Explain why it is so important to know about Touch and Step potentials b. Explain where dangerous Touch and Step potentials could exist when a fault occurs in a substation or on a power line c. Explain how one can be safe in a Zone of Equipotential d. Explain how one can be safe by Isolation e. Describe what is meant by Transfer Potential 6. Equipment Safety Grounding Practices a. Explain the theory behind proper equipment grounding b. Describe the different types of grounding techniques (Equipotential, Singe-Point, and Bracket) c. Explain what is meant by Equipotential Grounding d. Discuss safety concerns and remedies for workers located at the earth ground level should an accidental energization occur unexpectedly e. Discuss how equipotential grounding is applied to underground facilities PART III Electrical Safety Methods and Applications for Electrical Power Systems 7. Arc Flash Analysis and Safety a. Explain why arc flash awareness is essential and why safety measures are required b. Discuss the regulatory requirements for awareness, analysis, documentation, and training c. Describe what is meant by approach boundaries d. Describe what causes arc flash and how the hazard can be minimized e. Discuss how the various levels of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (clothing) is selected based on arc flash hazard categories 8. Personal Protective Equipment and Testing a. Discuss types of PPE used for grounding systems b. Describe testing parameters for all PPE c. Explain why PPE is essential to safely install and remove grounding equipment d. Describe clothing requirements for High Voltage Environments 9. High Voltage Switching and Tagging Rules and Procedures a. Discuss basic procedures for switching and tagging b. Identify how a tailgate meeting is conducted and requirements of all tailgate briefings c. Explain how to obtain a clearance or hot line work permit