Lesson 1Earthing/grounding systems: design, testing (soil resistivity, fall-of-potential), touch/step potentials, and equipotential bondingThis lesson explores earthing system design including grids, rods, and bonding. It covers soil resistivity tests, fall-of-potential methods, touch and step potentials, and overseeing regular testing and fixes for safety.
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 deratingThis lesson examines dry-type transformer build, insulation, and cooling. It addresses losses, heat rise, derating for altitude and harmonics, plus checks for dust, hot spots, 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 distributionThis lesson describes DC systems for substations, covering battery banks, chargers, and distribution. It includes battery types, checks, capacity tests, charger settings, backups, and record supervision.
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 roomsThis lesson explains cooling and ventilation for transformer and control rooms, including heat loads, airflow, and filters. It covers backups, monitoring, alarms, and supervising cleaning and 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 logicThis lesson introduces relay types for transformer substations like overcurrent, differential, and Buchholz. It covers logic diagrams, settings checks, trip coordination, and supervising tests and changes.
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 layoutsThis lesson teaches reading single-line diagrams, bus setups, and layouts. It focuses on power flow, isolation points, and equipment locations for safe switching and maintenance in Kenyan sites.
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 contactsThis lesson reviews breakers for medium and low voltage like vacuum, SF6, air. It explains mechanisms, trip coils, contacts, and supervising inspections, timing, lubrication, and interlocks.
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 operationThis lesson details transformer ratings, impedance, vector groups, focusing on ONAN/ONAF cooling. It covers OLTC parts, tap selector, control, and supervising oil checks and 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 checksThis lesson covers CT/VT roles, accuracy, burdens, polarity, wiring, and isolation. It includes metering checks, ratio verification, and supervising tests and records.
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 transformersThis lesson describes oil handling for transformers, including storage, filtration, filling. It addresses contamination, safety, spills, and supervising contractors 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 alarmsThis lesson introduces HMI and SCADA for monitoring, control, alarms. It covers setups, links, screens, alarm handling, logs, and supervising access 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)This lesson summarises IEC, IEEE, and Kenyan standards for substations. It stresses supervisor roles in compliance, documentation, audits, and handling code updates.
IEC and IEEE standards for transformersBreaker, relay, and DC system standardsGrounding, insulation, and safety standardsLocal electrical codes and permitting needsCompliance audits, records, and updates
