Working in a 400KV substation !

[Revved Up Sparky]

I spent a good chunk of last week getting trained up (NG & BESC) to work in 400KV substations. For the BESC assessment I went up to Penwortham in Preston. I've hardly ever worked in this environment before and I must say it's a humbling experience working when there is a 400KV busbar buzzing, fizzing and crackling nearby. If you get closer than 3.1 metres to a live conductor you are dead- (so they tell me- I have'nt tested it yet)....

Has anybody worked in this environment before ? obviously health and safety is paramount and there is a huge amount of paperwork associated with every job. What strikes me is that you have to have a heightened level of concentration due to the added hazard of breaching the 3.1M safety distance- either with your body or with a conductive item you might be carrying or using. There are also a wide variety of other safety hazards to be aware of. I will be doing LV work (up to 1000V). Obviously I have received professional training and passed all the relevant examinations but if anybody has done loads of work in a 400KV substation and can offer any further pearls of wisdom I'd be very pleased to hear them !. Thanks.

 

[Andy™]

been in a 11KV-400v substation & switch room for a large building, but thats it. what work will you be doing in there?

 

[Revved Up Sparky]

I don't know the full spec yet but I understand that it will include installing new security lighting, some fibre optic work too.

 

[Badger]

400kv f k that :run

View attachment 1957

 

[Evans Electric]

I've worked on 11000v (with a jointer) that was scary enough . All the joints had to be immaculately clean , picked me up on leaving a tiny thread of lint from cloth , causes tracking across .

400KV I'm a couple of metres in front of the Badger!!!!!

And the DC sub at Round Oak Steel Works was a bit scary , all bare copper busbars and ancient switchgear.

 

[Ali]

No one in their right mind would let me anywhere near that voltage - I'd either kill myself or blow something up in the first 5 mins.

 

[johninlondon1]

I used to do guard duty at a weapons storage facility when i was in the army, i always kept my hands in my pockets in case i accidently made something go bang. The rockets were big and would have been fun to play with though.

 

[Sidewinder]

I'm still toying with the idea of the NG job on 400kV lines & subs!

 

[batty]

Frighning that leccie can jump 3.1 metres.

 

[Revved Up Sparky]

Frighning that leccie can jump 3.1 metres.

Yes that's what bothers me, 3.1M is about 10 feet !... I must admit I'm not 100% comfortable about it but if I follow all the safety procedures I should be OK, if not I know where I am going ! ha ha !

 

[Andy™]

at least there will be a 'system' in place to warn if you get too close

 

[Badger]

yeah its called ash on the floor :slap

 

[Revved Up Sparky]

yeah its called ash on the floor :slap

If that happens my wife says she is going to put those ashes into an egg timer. That way she will be able to see me working for the first time ever !

 

[Andy™]

and just like now, you will only work when others force you to!

 

[Robin Spark]

How do you do any work if you cant get closer than 3.1 metres? Have you got arms like Mr Tickle

 

[Revved Up Sparky]

How do you do any work if you cant get closer than 3.1 metres? Have you got arms like Mr Tickle

I'm not working on the HV just working near it....... bad day explode

 

[revjames]

I was on the very same site last year for a gfood few months and provided all the procedures are followed safely and you listen to your SAP and always ask if you are unsure of anything then you will be fine. Lots of fizzing and crackling when it rains and interesting to watch when they open and close the isolators. Even thought hey are 'off load' they still cause a big arc. Its an interesting project and you will get to see some of my outsatnding 25mm conduit work too!

 

[Revved Up Sparky]

..... you will get to see some of my outsatnding 25mm conduit work too!

I must remember to hold those lengths of galv conduit horizontally and not vertically !