Carry out operations on electrical systems in the power industry

Overview 

This standard is about carrying out operations on electrical systems in the power 
industry.  This could apply to any operation including, but not restricted to, switching, 
earthing and operation of fuses and links. This could apply to engineering work on both 
electrical transmission or electrical distribution networks and could typically apply to 
voltages from low voltage up to and including transmission voltages such as 400,000 
volts. Operations could be aligned with systems using traditional or emerging energy 
technologies.  

This standard includes confirming instructions, carrying out risk assessments, carrying 
out operations, testing, communicating with others and dealing with issues and 
complications associated with network related projects. 

This standard is for operational delivery engineers working for network operators or their 
sub-contractors who are responsible for carrying out operation on electrical systems.  
This could be carried out by people with different levels of network authorisation, but in 
each case, they may be required to have a degree of supervision which is required for 
their individual level of authority. 

Performance Criteria 

You must be able to:  

1. identify the plant and apparatus to be operated on using system information in line 
   with organisational procedures  
2. receive and confirm instructions about operations to be carried out in line with 
   organisational procedures 
3. carry out site specific risk assessments of work areas and condition of apparatus to 
   be worked on, identifying hazards and required control measures in line with 
   organisational procedures 
4. communicate the status of operations on plant and apparatus to affected parties 
   and designated people when required and in line with organisational procedures
5. use approved tools and equipment for the operation being performed in line with 
   organisational procedures  
6. work in line with health and safety, environmental and other relevant regulations, 
   directives and guidance at all times
7. carry out operations on plant and apparatus taking into account the location, 
   resources, number of operations, isolation points, sequence of tasks and network 
   stability in line with safety instructions and organisational procedures
8. carry out testing procedures before, during and after operations in line with 
   organisational procedures  
9. complete documentation for the work activity in line with organisational procedures
10. confirm completed operations meet safety requirements before reenergisation and 
    that work areas are left in a safe condition in line with organisational procedures 
11. deal with network issues and complications in line with safety and organisational 
    procedures, escalating issues that you cannot resolve to the designated person in 
    line with organisational procedures
12. carry out all work within the remits of own authority and under the supervision of 
    suitably authorised personnel when required  

Knowledge and Understanding 

You need to know and understand: 

1. Electrical power principles including three phase alternating current and direct 
   current theories; voltage; dynamic and static engineering systems; application of 
   electrical and electronic circuit theory and interfaces between the system voltage
2. Electricity network design, construction, capabilities, complexities, operations, 
   boundaries, topologies and control boundaries 
3. Apparatus which makes up the transmission or distribution network and the design, 
   operation, function and limitations of transmission or distribution plant and 
   equipment, substations, transformers, overhead lines, switchgear and auxiliary 
   equipment  
4. Standard terminology, abbreviations and nomenclature in relation to network 
   operations and assets 
5. The regulatory requirements associated with safety while carrying out work 
   associated with power networks 
6. The general and inherent dangers of working with electrical systems of different 
   voltages, the measures that need to be taken to address them  
7. Organisational procedures and safety instructions for receiving and confirming 
   operational, network related instructions in normal and fault conditions, including 
   remote and emerging technological advances 
8. The principles of pre task and point of work dynamic risk assessment, when they are 
   required and how to carry them out and record findings  
9. Operational restrictions, their purpose and actions to be taken and how to recognise 
   physical signage and network diagram indicators  
10. Who to notify about network related operations, when to notify them and 
    organisational procedures for doing so  
11. Electricity network principles of operation in normal and fault conditions and 
    overhead and underground networks and associated protective devices and their 
    indicators in the event of system fault scenarios 
12. Sources of system information and how to interpret them including system 
    diagrams, work instructions, fault logs, protection data, plant and switchgear data 
    sheets   
13. The sequence of processes, procedures, stages and operational safety rules to carry 
    out different operations and assess successful completion including switching, 
    isolation, earthing, screening, identification, proving dead, testing and local control  
14. Organisational procedures for the isolation of plant and apparatus and control of 
    isolation keys, use of key boxes and management of documentation 
15. How different operations relate to wider network stability, their potential impact on 
    the network being worked on and adjacent networks and how to minimise potential 
    risk and disruption  
16. How to assess operational impacts and minimise service interruptions for 
    customers and vulnerable groups including notifications and contingency switching  
17. The tools and equipment required for different operational processes and how to 
    inspect, prepare, carry out pre-use checks, use and store them  
18. The purpose of checks and tests for electrical systems equipment, when they are 
    required and how to carry them out including visual checks, functional checks, 
    electrical tests 
19. Organisational procedures and systems for recording and storing project and 
    operational information and to meet cybersecurity and data governance 
    requirements, including role-based access, secure storage, audit logging, data 
    retention 
20. The training, experience, certification and network operational authorisation 
    required for your role and the requirements for supervision for your level of authority