Competency Needs for High Voltage Switching

What is HV Switching?

Is it as simple as turning on the switch gang in house?

No. there is an arc when switch on/off for high voltage. There is need for equipment such as switchgear and circuit breaker.

Switchgear - GIS

In West Malaysia under Energy Commission, competent person are able to conduct switching whereas in Sarawak under Electrical Inspectorate Unit, authorised person can perform switching with the condition that he/she attends the switching course.

 In Sarawak, there are two types of HV switching:

1. Restricted - To the premise / installation only

2. Open - All installation within Sarawak

There is a course conducted by West Malaysia company, Chargeman H1 simulator. This course teaches on switching procedure for switchgear. There is case study for troubleshooting.

Switching procedure

For information, there is an arrangement make by EIU, a person can have switching without pre-requisite of having any electrical competency. It will be placed as switching category in Chargeman, ES or CEE certificate.

 

Chargeman certificate switching only

However, in order to be open switching. A person needs to attend 5 switching at own installation and 2 at utility installation.

Once the person resign or retired from the company. His/Her competency on switching category will be revoked. If he/she wants to keep the switching, he/she needs to have competency in HV category and perform at least 1 switching at utility installation.

For ST requirement

For EIU requirement

SEB switching course 11kV

Chargeman L1 Course

Sharing

I attended CH L1 course at IKM Kuching recently, it is very interesting.

Goal

This course gives knowledge of building electrical operation and the correct procedures of handling main switchboard (fault troubleshooting & supply restoration), and other building related services such as aircon system, fire fighting system, motor starter and so on.

Duration

15 weekdays (Mon to Fri) or 6 weekends (Sat & Sun), or, 3 months.

Theory syllabus as per Electrical Inspector Unit (EIU) requirements:

• Electricity Ordinance
• Electricity Rules 1999
• IEE Wiring Regulations
• Fire Fighting
• Protection Equipment In Low Voltage Installation
• Electrical Basic
• Transformer
• Cables
• Underground Cables
• Motor & Controlling Equipment
• Battery
• Measurement and Testing Equipment
• Air-conditioner
• Main Switchboard Equipment Checking
• Consumer Installations
• Street Lighting
• Grid Connected Photovoltaic (PV) System
• Real hands-on practical

 Group photo: 

Photo slide show:

MSB Procedure

CHARGEMAN L2 & H2 UNDERGROUND CABLE LAYING COURSE

Introduction

On the Year 2013, I attended the Chargeman Underground cable course. The Chargeman course required strength in practical. It is the same and apply to all Chargeman related courses. The basic requirement for the Sarawak Regulator, Electrical Inspectorate Unit (EIU) is that the person needs to have at least 3 years experience in electrical field.

For those who has Degree in Electrical Engineering, taking this course can be helpful when you go for BEM PE interview or even Electrical Supervisor/ Competent Electrical Engineer in the future.

The Course Content (Theory)

Section 1
1. Electrical Safety & Electricity Rules
2. Underground Cable Basic Testing

Section 2
1. Conductors
2. Conductor Screen
3. Cable Insulation
4. Insulation Screen
5. Bedding
6. Armour

Section 3 Cable Laying Methods
1. Cable Laying Methods

2. Direct Laid System
3. Duct Laid System
4. Site Inspection and Trial Holes
5. Minimum Installation Bending Radii
6. General Wiring Cables
7. Laying Cable in Pipe and Duct
8. Protection Cover

Section 4
1. Conductor Lossess
2. Skin Effect
3. Proximity Effect
4. Sheath Losses

Section 5
1. Cable Sealing
2. Installation of Cable Sealing End Caps
3. Cable Seal XLPE and Lead Sheaths
4. Civil Works

Section 1 - 4 come out in the exam.

The Practical
1. Cable Sealing End Caps

2. Flaking and Unflaking of Cables

3. Cable laying

Please click for the short clip on CH U/G practical.

For sample questions, please click this link

If you need further explanation, please contact me by email: yhckelvin@gmail.com