Energised Medium Voltage Network Work Procedures Training

Objectives:
• Understand the scope and importance of medium voltage network work procedures
• Identify key safety regulations and standards (OHS Act, SANS 10092-1)
• Recognise the hazards associated with energised medium voltage systems
• Explain the roles and responsibilities of personnel involved in MV work
• Describe the basic principles of electrical isolation and earthing

Topics:
• Overview of medium voltage networks (11kV to 33kV)
• Relevant legislation and industry standards
• Hazard awareness: arc flash, shock, and explosion
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements
• Roles: authorised person, responsible person, worker
• Basic isolation and earthing concepts
• Introduction to switching programmes

Objectives:
• Conduct a risk assessment for energised MV work
• Develop a safe work method statement (SWMS)
• Apply the hierarchy of controls to MV tasks
• Understand the permit-to-work system
• Document and communicate risks effectively

Topics:
• Hazard identification techniques (e.g., JSA, HAZID)
• Risk assessment matrices and scoring
• Hierarchy of controls: elimination, substitution, engineering, administration, PPE
• Writing method statements for MV operations
• Permit-to-work procedures and roles
• Emergency response planning

Objectives:
• Perform switching sequences for energised MV networks
• Understand interlocking and safety interlocks
• Operate switchgear (ring main units, circuit breakers, disconnectors)
• Apply live-line working principles where applicable
• Document switching operations correctly

Topics:
• Types of MV switchgear and their functions
• Switching schedules and sequence diagrams
• Interlocking systems and safety interlocks
• Operating ring main units (RMUs) and air-insulated switchgear
• Live-line working vs. dead working
• Recording switching operations and logs

Objectives:
• Apply earthing principles for energised MV work
• Install temporary earthing and bonding equipment
• Test earthing systems for effectiveness
• Understand step and touch potentials
• Ensure compliance with earthing standards

Topics:
• Earthing system types (TN, TT, IT)
• Temporary earthing: clamps, cables, rods
• Bonding to prevent induced voltages
• Measurement of earth resistance (fall-of-potential method)
• Step and touch potential hazards
• Earthing for cable termination and jointing

Objectives:
• Identify hazards when working at heights on MV structures
• Use fall protection equipment correctly
• Assess confined space risks in substations and vaults
• Implement rescue plans for heights and confined spaces
• Comply with relevant regulations (SANS 10085, OHS Act)

Topics:
• Ladder safety and elevated work platforms
• Fall arrest systems and anchor points
• Rescue from heights: equipment and procedures
• Confined space entry permits
• Atmospheric testing for confined spaces
• Emergency procedures for confined space incidents

Objectives:
• Locate faults in energised MV cables using specialised equipment
• Safely isolate and earth cables before repair
• Perform jointing and termination procedures
• Understand cable testing methods (VLF, DC hi-pot)
• Apply safety protocols during cable work

Topics:
• Cable construction and common fault types
• Fault location methods: time domain reflectometry (TDR), acoustic, radar
• Cable identification and phasing
• Safety procedures for cable excavation
• Cable jointing and termination (heat shrink, cold shrink)
• Post-repair testing and commissioning

Objectives:
• Understand live-line maintenance principles and techniques
• Use hot sticks and insulating gloves for MV work
• Maintain minimum approach distances (MAD)
• Perform live-line tasks such as insulator washing or bolt tightening
• Apply relevant standards (SANS 10198, NRS 019)

Topics:
• Live-line maintenance overview and justification
• Hot stick tools and their inspection
• Rubber glove work and care
• Minimum approach distance calculations
• Cleaning and replacing insulators live
• Emergency procedures for live-line incidents

Objectives:
• Safely access and inspect MV substations
• Perform routine maintenance on switchgear and transformers
• Identify defects and report findings
• Apply lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures
• Understand substation auxiliary systems (protection, SCADA)

Topics:
• Substation types and layouts
• Pre-entry safety checks and PPE
• Inspection of circuit breakers, disconnectors, transformers
• Maintenance tasks: cleaning, lubrication, tightness checks
• Lockout/tagout procedures for MV equipment
• Introduction to protection relays and alarms

Objectives:
• Understand the role of protection systems in MV networks
• Test protection relays and settings
• Coordinate protection devices (overcurrent, earth fault)
• Apply safety during testing of energised equipment
• Interpret test results and adjust settings

Topics:
• Protection principles: overcurrent, earth fault, differential
• Relay types: electromechanical, solid-state, numerical
• Testing procedures: primary injection, secondary injection
• Protection coordination curves
• Safety precautions during testing
• Documentation of test results

Objectives:
• Develop and execute switching programmes for planned outages
• Coordinate with system control (SCADA) operators
• Manage network restoration after faults
• Apply safety rules for parallel and loop operations
• Communicate effectively with control room

Topics:
• Switching programme preparation and approval
• Roles of control room and field personnel
• Restoration sequences: load transfer, reconfiguration
• Parallel operations and synchronisation checks
• Communication protocols and radio procedures
• Incident logging and reporting

Objectives:
• Respond to MV network emergencies (arc flash, fire, electrocution)
• Perform first aid and CPR for electrical injuries
• Manage an incident scene safely
• Conduct post-incident investigation
• Implement corrective actions

Topics:
• Emergency response plans for MV networks
• First aid for electrical shock and burns
• Fire extinguishing methods for electrical fires
• Scene isolation and preservation
• Incident investigation techniques (root cause analysis)
• Reporting and follow-up actions

Objectives:
• Demonstrate competence in risk assessment and method statement creation
• Perform switching operations in a simulated environment
• Apply earthing and bonding procedures correctly
• Execute live-line maintenance tasks under supervision
• Complete a permit-to-work process

Topics:
• Simulated risk assessment exercise
• Switching sequence simulation
• Temporary earthing installation practice
• Live-line hot stick exercise
• Permit-to-work role-play
• Feedback and performance review

Objectives:
• Complete a written and practical final assessment
• Review all course content and clarify doubts
• Receive feedback on assessment performance
• Understand post-training responsibilities and continuing development
• Obtain certificate of competence

Topics:
• Written examination covering theory and procedures
• Practical assessment on a simulated MV network
• One-on-one feedback session
• Course evaluation and improvement suggestions
• Issuing of certificates
• Guidance on logbook and ongoing competency