Watch the video below to hear High Voltage Specialist Craig Hagan go through the course. 

Coex Training’s High Voltage Switching Courses cover everything from basic electrical theory all the way through to physically conducting an HV switching program in our training substation. While some of the basic electrical theories discussed in the course may already be familiar to some, it is a great way for those that have spent some years out of their apprenticeship to refresh their memory. Coex also goes through applicable electrical standards and legislation for HV activities, addressing areas such as competency requirements for HV Operators and explaining why you can’t start switching with a certificate alone.

Coex Training teaches students the importance of gaining permission from the network entity that owns the installation, as well as the individual responsibilities a High Voltage Switching Operator and Electrician has. We fully explain the duty of care of your employer and your duty of care as an employee.

The courses will assist students in their understanding of a variety of electrical equipment fault ratings and the equipment’s capabilities. These learnings are crucial in helping you truly understand the limitations on what your equipment can and can’t do. Some questions that will be answered in the course are as follows:

• Where does the fault current come from?

• What do the numbers on the name plates of the equipment actually mean? (With regards to fault rating, heat rating and mechanical stress rating of the equipment)

• What is the most effective way of using my PPE equipment?

• What are the limitations of PPE?

PPE is your last line of defence when equipment protection systems fail. The highest rating PPE we typically use in Australia for the distribution HV Switching is an incident energy level of approx. 40 calories per square centimeter. Anything above that level can be manufactured to protect you from the heat but not the percussion wave. It is limitations like these that are extremely important to fully comprehend and understand, so as not to put yourself or others in danger. This is another reason why the Coex High Voltage course is so necessary.

More skills learned in the courses are to do with administration procedures, in particular, the writing and understanding of permits. Frequently asked questions include:

• How is a permit put together?

• What permits are out there?

• When should you use an access permit?

• When should you use a vicinity permit?

• What does a ‘powerline corridor permit’ actually entail?

• How do we accurately test permits?

It is important to understand how permits work so that you are not breaking any laws or isolation practices when switching, and more importantly, keeping everyone working under the HV isolation safe. A good way of keeping yourself in check when dealing with permits and correct procedures is also having good knowledge and understanding of Switching Programs. You will be instructed on how to create and write accurate switching programs, giving you the skills to put one together in a way that ensures you and the people you’re isolating for are kept safe.

Once you have practiced writing up different programs for different switching scenarios and network configurations in the course, you will then be given the opportunity to practically apply that knowledge by carrying it out in our safe and controlled substation in front of the training specialist.

Watch High Voltage Specialist Craig Hagan go through the course here. 

By Craig Hagan,
Electrical and High Voltage Training Specialist