Lesson 1Earthing/grounding systems: design, testing (soil resistivity, fall-of-potential), touch/step potentials, and equipotential bondingExplores earthing system design, including grids, rods, and bonding. Covers soil resistivity tests, fall-of-potential, touch and step potentials, and supervision of periodic testing and corrective actions.
Grounding grid components and layoutSoil resistivity surveys and data useFall-of-potential and clamp-on testingTouch and step potential risk controlEquipotential bonding and continuity checksLesson 2Dry-type distribution transformers: construction, ventilation, loss mechanisms, and deratingExplores dry-type transformer construction, insulation systems, and cooling paths. Addresses loss mechanisms, temperature rise, derating for altitude and harmonics, and inspection points for dust, hotspots, and loose connections.
Core, windings, and insulation arrangementsVentilation paths, ducts, and enclosure typesNo-load and load losses, hotspots, and agingThermal classes, temperature rise, and sensorsDerating for altitude, harmonics, and enclosureLesson 3Station auxiliary systems: DC charging systems, battery types and maintenance, battery chargers, AC/DC distributionDescribes DC systems for substations, including battery banks, chargers, and DC distribution. Covers battery types, inspection, capacity testing, charger settings, redundancy, and supervision of records and maintenance plans.
DC system roles in control and protectionBattery chemistries, sizing, and layoutBattery inspection, testing, and replacementCharger modes, settings, and alarmsDC panel distribution, fuses, and labelingLesson 4Cooling, ventilation, and HVAC for transformer rooms and control roomsExplains HVAC and ventilation needs for transformer and control rooms, including heat load, airflow, and filtration. Addresses redundancy, monitoring, alarms, and supervision of cleaning, filter changes, and performance checks.
Heat load estimation and equipment lossesVentilation paths and airflow managementHVAC system types and redundancy optionsTemperature, humidity, and alarm settingsFilter maintenance and condenser cleaningLesson 5Protection relays: overcurrent, differential, gas (Buchholz), transformer protection schemes, and relay logicIntroduces relay types used in transformer substations, including overcurrent, differential, and Buchholz protection. Covers logic diagrams, settings review, trip coordination, and supervision of testing, records, and change control.
Overcurrent and earth fault relay functionsDifferential protection principles and settingsGas (Buchholz) relay operation and alarmsTransformer protection scheme architecturesRelay logic, interlocks, and trip testingLesson 6Electrical single-line diagrams, bus configurations, and substation layoutsCovers interpretation of single-line diagrams, bus schemes, and substation layouts. Focuses on understanding power flow, isolation points, and equipment locations to support safe switching and maintenance planning.
Single-line symbols and notationsBus configurations and operating modesFeeder, transformer, and tie arrangementsPhysical layout of yards and roomsUsing drawings for switching and taggingLesson 7Circuit breaker types for 13.8 kV and 0.48 kV (vacuum, SF6, air), operating mechanisms, trip coils, and auxiliary contactsReviews medium- and low-voltage breaker types, including vacuum, SF6, and air. Explains operating mechanisms, trip coils, auxiliary contacts, and supervision of inspections, timing tests, lubrication, and interlock checks.
Vacuum, SF6, and air breaker applicationsInterrupting ratings, duty cycles, and limitsSpring, magnetic, and motor mechanismsTrip coils, close coils, and supervision relaysAuxiliary contacts, wiring, and interlocksLesson 8Power transformer design, ratings, cooling (ONAN/ONAF), OLTC construction and operationDetails power transformer ratings, impedance, and vector groups, with focus on ONAN and ONAF cooling. Explains OLTC components, tap selector and diverter, control logic, and supervision of inspection, oil checks, and tap tests.
Nameplate data, MVA, voltage, and impedanceCooling modes ONAN, ONAF, and monitoring needsTemperature indicators, alarms, and tripsOLTC mechanical parts and oil compartmentsTap change control, sequencing, and testingLesson 9Instrumentation and metering: CTs/VTs, accuracy classes, wiring, and metering checksCovers CT and VT functions, accuracy classes, and burden limits, with emphasis on correct polarity, wiring practices, and isolation. Includes metering checks, ratio and phase verification, and supervision of testing and documentation.
CT and VT roles in measurement and protectionAccuracy classes, burden, and saturation limitsPolarity, phase orientation, and marking checksWiring diagrams, terminal blocks, and shieldingMetering test plans, ratios, and error evaluationLesson 10Oil handling systems: filtration, storage, filling, and safety measures for oil-immersed transformersDescribes oil handling for power transformers, including storage, filtration, and filling. Addresses contamination risks, safety measures, spill control, and supervision of contractors, test reports, and procedures.
Oil properties, tests, and acceptance limitsStorage tanks, drums, and labeling rulesFiltration, dehydration, and degassing stepsFilling, topping up, and sampling methodsSpill response, fire safety, and PPE useLesson 11Human-machine interfaces and SCADA basics relevant to substation monitoring and alarmsIntroduces HMI and SCADA functions for substation monitoring, control, and alarms. Covers basic architectures, communication links, typical screens, alarm handling, event logs, and supervision of access and configuration changes.
SCADA architecture and data flow overviewHMI screen types, mimic diagrams, and trendsAlarm priorities, filtering, and responseEvent logs, SOE, and disturbance recordsUser roles, passwords, and change trackingLesson 12Standards, codes, and regulatory compliance relevant to substations (IEC, IEEE, local regulations)Summarises key IEC, IEEE, and local standards affecting substation design, equipment, and maintenance. Emphasises supervisor duties in compliance, documentation, audits, and managing updates to codes and regulations.
IEC and IEEE standards for transformersBreaker, relay, and DC system standardsGrounding, insulation, and safety standardsLocal electrical codes and permitting needsCompliance audits, records, and updates
