I am getting involved in a situation at work which may require colleagues to access 11kv switchgear controls (1960 era). Obviously they cannot access live bus bars - but they will be in control of switching big 11kv loads.
Are there any legal issues - or mandatory training for such a role? The guy who used to do it is retiring.
Part II Clause 4(3)
(3) Every work activity, including operation, use and maintenance of a system and work near a system, shall be carried out in such a manner as not to give rise, so far as is reasonably practicable, to danger.
Part II Clause 16
Persons to be competent to prevent danger and injury 16. No person shall be engaged in any work activity where technical knowledge or experience is necessary to prevent danger or, where appropriate, injury, unless he possesses such knowledge or experience, or is under such degree of supervision as may be appropriate having regard to the nature of the work.
HTH
The "usual" requirement to carry out 11kV switching and other work is to complete the "Consumers Authorised Person" course. I went on the course at the then YEB training department at Crossgates near Leeds in the 1970s. It was about four days if memory serves correctly and provided an invaluable insight into the safety essentials as well as an understanding of the switchgear layout. I am not up to date on the current situation but I do now that many of the oil-filled switchgear units in use in the sub-stations in Hull are no longer switched live but only after the supply is isolated elsewhere. During the seventies there was a problem with the YSE so-hi range of switchgear exploding when operated and loss of life as a result. I understand the cause was found and the units modified but the dead switching requirement may be a legacy of this era?
In my situation we have air blast circuit breakers switching synchronous motors from Start (in induction mode) to Run. I think they start on 11kv then switch to 8kv when running. 25,000HP beasties.
colleagues to
I was amazed when an employee of 'Bedgebury Forestry' came knocking on the door asking to come on my land to operate an EDF 11kV isolator in one of our fields. They were trimming trees away from the overhead line and apparently now they have to do the isolation themselves.
AWEM
Would that be one of those setups where there is a padlocked lever and an operating rod running up the pole to the isolators? Many years ago when I was in digs one of the other incumbents was training with one of the electric boards as was. The subject came up that anybody with a good hacksaw could wreak havoc by going around switching villages off. Our electric student said it would not be a good idea as those isolators were just that and not designed to break a load. Switching would be done further up the lines and then the isolator opened . Mind you since the boards were privatised there seems to be a lot of different style kit up the poles. I haveseen a transformer that seems to have a switch on the side operated by grappling at a couple of rings,almost like some old gas lamps. Is it me but some of those pole mounted Transformers appear to be mounted a lot lower than they used to be. I know the wires are set higher now but one transformer I pass is barely higher than the adjoining hedge.
G.Harman
In message , Andrew Mawson writes
We have two on our stretch of overhead. One is remote operated by radio and the other manual (well padlocked).
regards
In message , John writes
Umm... It is a very long time since I knew anything about this.....
Dave has pointed to the legal requirements. Assuming this is factory owned equipment rather than incoming stuff somebody needs to be trained. In my day the local supply authority offered suitable *switching* courses. Is this factory ring main switching for shut down maintenance of electrical control gear? Oil immersed sounds likely for 1960. You also need to know about issuing *permits to work* and ensuring that anyone working on potentially live equipment has control of a reliable security system. Padlock with only one set of keys, perhaps.
regards
33kv is in a locked compound - we have permits and locks elsewhere. Just concerned about routine running on large Reyrolle Parsons panel.
this one is radio controlled but never works - they have to come and kick it !
AWEM
In message , John writes
Presumably the current operator could train others? Parsons still exist in some form. Who does the maintenance? Could they advise?
regards
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