Energy Storage Group Meeting | Thursday 15th June | Centre for Sustainable Technologies Ulster University | Jordanstown

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Trailblazers (Power) – Unit 78
Install Substation Switchgear
This training specification has been developed from the Power Network
Trailblazer Standard. The specification details the required skills, knowledge and behaviours to
establish competence to carry out the installation of electricity switchgear.
The specification details the requirements for THREE separate categories. Candidates may be
assessed and receive registration for any ONE or a COMBINATION of the following -
1. Transmission Switchgear
2. Primary Switchgear
3. Distribution Switchgear (up to 20 kV)
This specification details the minimum skills, knowledge and behaviours that would be required
by a candidate to be assessed as competent. This does not preclude employers adding to the
skills and knowledge detailed by the specification in their own training programmes.
What does competence look like?
SGM1 Being able to confidently use tools and equipment to carry out a range of maintenance
procedures on switchgear in a substation environment in accordance with Company
procedures.
SGM2 Demonstrating a safety conscious approach to the control of hazards associated with
the activity whilst working and communicating effectively with other team members to
achieve tasks.
Candidates to be assessed as competent in this skill area shall have completed the modules
shown below or have evidence demonstrating an equivalent level of competence.
1. SHEA Power (Revised Version) – providing basic HS&E awareness and an introduction to
specific HS&E factors relating to the power sector
2. BESC/AME Substations – establishing the competence to enter, move around and exit a
substation work area in a safe manner

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Performance Criteria
General Requirements. To be assessed as competent you must be able to –
1. Identify the substation and the plant / apparatus to be maintained using available
information in accordance with Company procedures
2. Select, inspect and wear the PPE required to carry out the work activity
3. Carry out a site specific risk assessment of the work area, identifying the hazards and the
control measures required (requirements included in SHEA Power and BESC/AME Substations)
4. Apply and adhere to the control measures necessary to meet safety requirements for the
work activity e.g. safety documentation, work instructions and method statements
5. Identify and comply with demarcation arrangements for the work area in accordance with
Company procedures (where applicable)
6. Carry out a pre use inspection of the tools and equipment to be used, checking condition
and service information
7. Carry out the maintenance procedures on switchgear in accordance with manufacturers
specifications and Company procedures
8. Record / report results of the maintenance operation/s in accordance with Company
procedures
9. Ensure hazardous and non-hazardous waste materials are dealt with in accordance with
Company procedures and statutory regulations
10. Report and record incidents / defects in accordance with Company procedures
11. Store tools and equipment safely and securely and leave the substation work area in a safe
and secure condition in accordance with Company procedures
Task Specific – In addition, for EACH category to be taken you must be able to -
Category 1 Transmission Switchgear
1. Carry out installation procedures on BOTH of the following switchgear types –
a) Air b) SF6
2. Carry out installation procedures on ALL of the following switchgear components –
a) Contacts b) Springs c) Braids
3. Carry out ALL of the following testing procedures –
a) Insulation medium test b) Insulation resistance test
c) SF6 pressure check & leak detection d) Ductor testing

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4. Carry out switchgear safety / functioning checks on BOTH of the following –
a) SF6 pressure checks b) Interlock checks
Category 2 Primary Switchgear
1. Carry out installation procedures on ALL of the following switchgear types –
a) Isolator b) Earth Switch c) Fault Thrower
d) Motor Driven Isolator
2. Carry out installation procedures on BOTH of the following switchgear components –
a) Electro-mechanical components e.g. contacts, springs, braids
b) Operating mechanisms
3. Carry out BOTH of the following testing procedures on switchgear –
a) Ductor testing b) Functional check e.g. contact alignment
Category 3 Distribution Switchgear
1. Carry out installation activities on a minimum of TWO of the following switchgear. ONE of
which MUST include oil filled switchgear –
a) Oil b) SF6 c) Vacuum
2. Carry out installation procedures on ALL of the following –
a) Electro-mechanical components e.g. contacts, springs, braids
b) Operating mechanisms
c) Gasket replacement
d) Oil sight glass replacement
e) Air insulated cable box inspection
f) Fuse inspection / cleaning / replacement
3. Carry out ALL of the following switchgear testing procedures –
a) Fuse switch trip test b) Functional testing
c) Contact alignment d) Partial discharge test

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Knowledge and Understanding
To achieve any of the categories, you will need to know and understand:
General Requirements
K1. The principles of health, safety and environmental legislation in relation to work on
substation plant and apparatus e.g. Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
K2. The organisations safety rules, policies and procedures relating to work on or near
substation plant / apparatus e.g. safety documentation, demarcation
K3. How to identify the substation and the plant / apparatus to be worked on
K4. The hazards associated with work on or near substation apparatus and how to deal with
them e.g. exposed busbars, overhead conductors / structures
K5. The dangers of electricity and how an electric shock can be received including -
direct contact, infringing safety distances, induced voltage, arcing
K6. The electrical safety distances which must be maintained at differing voltages
K7. The appropriate PPE for work in substations and how to inspect, use and maintain it
K8. How to carry out a site specific risk assessment and identify workplace hazards
K9. How to enter, exit and move around a substation work area in a safe manner and (where
applicable) use and comply with demarcation arrangements
K10. The purpose and method of earthing substations and how to identify inadequate earthing
K11. The effect of adverse weather conditions on sub-station work activities
K12. How to update, report and record information in accordance with Company procedures
e.g. maintenance reports, test results, acts of vandalism / terrorism
K13. How to use, handle and dispose of hazardous and non-hazardous waste materials
K14. How to respond in the event of emergency situations in the work environment
K15. How to leave the work area and substation in a safe and secure condition. e.g. access
equipment secured, demarcation / screening removed, gates locked.
Task Specific – In addition, for EACH category to be taken you need to know and understand:
Category 1 Transmission Switchgear
K16. How to carry out installation activities in accordance with Company procedures on
transmission switchgear
K17. How to carry out testing procedures on transmission switchgear
K18. How to interpret the results of testing procedures carried out on transmission switchgear

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K19. How to interpret and comply with Company standards, specifications and manufacturer’s
instructions
K20. The hazards associated with work on transmission switchgear and its associated plant
and equipment
K21. The function and operating principles of transmission switchgear
K22. The function and operating principles of transmission switchgear ancillary equipment
K23. The function and operating principles of transmission switchgear protection equipment
Category 2 Primary Switchgear
K24. How to carry out installation activities in accordance with Company procedures on
primary switchgear
K25. How to carry out testing procedures on primary switchgear
K26. How to interpret the results of testing procedures carried out on primary switchgear
K27. How to interpret and comply with Company standards, specifications and manufacturer’s
instructions
K28. The hazards associated with work on primary switchgear and its associated plant and
equipment
K29. The function and operating principles of primary switchgear
K30. The function and operating principles of primary switchgear ancillary equipment
K31. The function and operating principles of primary switchgear protection equipment
Category 3 Distribution Switchgear (up to 20kV)
K32. How to carry out installation activities in accordance with Company procedures on
distribution switchgear and any associated ancillary equipment
K33. The hazards associated with work on distribution switchgear and its associated plant and
equipment
K34. The function and operating principles of distribution switchgear
K35. The principles for the differing category ratings of distribution switchgear
K36. The methods and purpose of carrying out functional checks and testing procedures on
switchgear
K37. The purpose of weather shields and how to maintain and replace them