Reliable Switching

PowerSimulator and Communication Protocols is an eight-hour online program that allows students to become proficient in switching operations by learning on a simulated, 29-station system. Students will experience simulated operating errors for a unit motoring with a stuck breaker and a line re-energization with breaker and half bay. 

Fundamentals that are covered include: The "make before break" rule for transferring equipment and the "open weak end first" for switching a line out of service; multiple system outages; critical thinking skills to analyze the operating condition, set priorites,
analyze control options and implement the selected option.

This is a 6 hour online program with five sets of Simulator Exercises. This 5 Module Course covers the following areas each in one- to two-hour sections.

RSO-301 - Transferring Equipment Between Sources: Apply the "Make before Break" rule to correctly transfer equipment between sources; review a detailed switching order and verify its accuracy or note inconsistencies; transfer various components between 230 kV Buses; anticipate and observe the consequences that may occur if the "Make before Break" rule is not correctly followed.

RSO-302 - Switching a Line Out of Service: Observe that significant over-voltages can occur if a line has one end opened; experience the implications of the rules “always open the weakly connected end of the line first” and "always close the strongly connected end of the line first."

RSO-303 - Unit Motoring with Stuck Breaker: Observe a scenario in which an operator is attempting to take a unit off line but is unable to because a breaker is stuck closed. Review what when wrong and what could have been done to avoid the accident.

RSO-304 - Line Re-Energization with Breaker and Half Bay: Observe an actual historical event involving a safety switching incident; understand the lessons learned from the incident; learn a six-step guide for switching;

RSO-305 - Fault Isolation and Crew Dispatch: Observe a number of line outages; process a combination of tele-metered SCADA data and manually reported relay targets and measurements; determine where a fault may be located, dispatch substation and line patrol crews and take the appropriate action.