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Siwes IT TCN - WORK DONE AND EXPERIENCE GAINED

Economics (Ambrose Alli University)

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TECHNICAL REPORT

ON

STUDENT’S INDUSTRIAL WORK EXPERICENCE SCHEME

(S.I.W.E.S)

UNDERTAKEN AT

TRANSMISSION COMPANY OF NIGERIA(TCN),

330KV/132KV/33KV, BENINSOUTH SUB-REGION,
PMB 1338, SAPELE ROAD BENIN-CITY, EDO STATE.

BY:
Rufus Jeff osasere
(FET/ELE/17/38542)

SUBMITTED TO

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS

ENGINEERING
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY,
AMBROSE ALLI UNIVERSITY, EKPOMA,
EDO STATE, NIGERIA

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IN PARTIAL FUFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE

AWARD OF BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING (B. Eng) DEGREE
IN ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING.

JANUARY, 2022.

DEDICATION

This report is dedicated to God Almighty the maker and the

giver of life. I also dedicate this report to my beloved parents
Mr.And Mrs rufus, my brothers clive, noel, and for their parental
care, advise, moral and financial assistance throughout the
training.

II

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DECLARATION

I hereby declare that I, Rufus Jeff osasere from Electrical and

Electronics Department, Faculty Of Engineering And
Technology, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State,
Nigeria, underwent a six(6) months Students Industrial Work
Experience scheme (SIWES) at TRANSMISSION COMPANY OF
NIGERIA (TCN), Benin South Sub-Region, PMB 1338, Sapele
Road Benin-City, Edo State, from 5th of January to 2022.

I also declare that to the best of my knowledge, all sources

of knowledge used have been duly acknowledged.

RUFUS JEFF OSASERE

FET/ELE/17/38542

III

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CERIFICATION

This is to certify that this report was clearly written by RUFUS

JEFF OSASERE, Matriculation number FET/ELE/17/38542 and submitted
to the department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of
Engineering and Technology, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo state; in
partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of Bachelor of Engineering
(B.Eng) Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. This Report has
come about from actual Experience and from personal researches after the
program.

Engr. Etsekhume Anoghena Rufus Jeff osasere

Supervisor Student

IV

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I wish to express my profound gratitude to God Almighty for His

protection, strength, unlimited Grace and provision and for helping me in the
acquisition of the necessary rudiments and practical skills as regards the
Electrical/Electronics profession, during the period of my industrial training
and also in writing this report.

My optimum and heartfelt thanks goes to my SIWES coordinator

Engr.Omatahunde Benedict Ehimare and my Dean of faculty Engr. Prof. Anyasi
Francis Ifeanyi and also my Head of Department Engr. Prof. Obiazi Adagbonyi
Moses who ensured that the industrial training process was a successful one.

My special thanks goes to my lecturers Engr. Esekhaigbe Emmanuel,

Engr. Prof. Okonigene Robert Ehimen, Engr. Dr. Osahenvemwen Austin, Engr.
Yeboah Joseph Kobena, Engr. Ogunbor Samuel E., Engr. J.B Erua, Engr.
Vincent O. Akpaida, for their selfless and painstaking effort in my academics
thus far.

My sincere gratitude goes to the team of TCN staffs Benin, Mrs. Blessing,
Mr. Otaru(Safety Department) Engr. Egbon, Engr. Jude, Engr. Enoch(Lines and
Maintenance Department) Engr. Henry, Mrs. Tina, Engr. Walter, Engr. Bassey
(Protection Control and Metering Department) Engr. Richard, Engr. Bien, Engr.
John, Engr. Osaro, Engr. lucky (Electrical M aintenance Department) whose
guidance and advice helped me to gain numerous skills and knowledge for
ensuring that I was greatly impacted from their pool of knowledge.

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ABSTRACT/EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report is based on Student’s Industrial Work Experience Scheme

(SIWES), a programme designed to complement the theoretical knowledge
acquired by the students in the academic environment for the past four (4)
years, for a period of six (6) months, in the respective establishment of their
discipline. This SIWES Training was undertaken at 330/132/33KV substation
of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Located at Sapele Road, Benin-City,
Edo State. This report gives brief explanation about the SIWES program vis-à-
vis its history, objectives and aims, while it also provides a brief description,
roles and functions of TCN Benin work centre. This report also encompasses
the totality of technical exposure and workplace experience garnered from the
core departments which includes; Electrical Maintenance Department,
Protection Control and Metering Department, Lines and Maintenance
Department. This report also gives the basic maintenance and safety procedures
from the HSE(Health Safety and Environment) Department, especially in the
switch yard, activities at the Transmission stage of electricity generation and
distribution which forms the intermediary position of the entire cycle are the
main focus of this report.

It finally gives an account of the equipments used; types and their

function respectively as well as some of the problems and challenges
encountered during the program and also suggested ways for improving the
scheme.

VI

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ABBREVIATIONS AND KEYWORDS

SIWES ……………. STUDENTS INDUSTRIAL WORK EXPERIENCE

SCHEME

TCN……………….. TRANSMISSION COMPANY OF NIGERIA

ITF………………… INDUSTRIAL TRAINING FUND

HSE……………….. HEALTH SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT

LMD……………… LINES MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT

PC&M…………… PROTECTION CONTROL AND METERING

SF6………………. SULFUR HEXAFLUORIDE GAS

CB………………… CIRCUIT BREAKER

CT………………… CURRENT TRANSFROMER

CVT………………. CAPACITOR VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER

DC………………… DIRECT CURRENT

AC………………… ALTERNATING CURRENT

LOTO…………….. LOCKOUT TAGOUT

ROW……………… RIGHT OF WAY

VII

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OPGW…………… OPTICAL FIBRE GROUND WIRE WRAPPED

EMD………….. ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT

TABLE OF CONTENT

TITLE PAGE……………………………………………………………….
………….i
DEDICATION.....................................................................................................ii
DECLARATION……………………………………………….………....…iii
CERTIFICATION..............................................................................................iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT………....……………….…………….………......v
ABSTRACT/EXECUTIVE SUMMARY……………………………………..vi
ABBREVIATIONS…………………………………………………………vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS…...…………………………………………viii - xi

CHAPTER ONE:
1.0 CONCEPT OF SIWES……………………..……………………………1
1.1 BACKGROUND OF SIWES…………………………………………….1
1.2 OBJECTIVES OF SIWES……….………………………………………2
1.3 IMPORTANCE OF SIWES……………………………………………2
1.4 POWER SYSTEM IN NIGERIA……………………………………….5
1.5 TRANSMISSION COMPANY OF NIGERIA…………………………5
1.6 OVERVIEW OF BENIN TRANSMISSION REGION ………………6
1.7VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AT TCN BENIN SUB-REGION…………6
1.7.1 THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF TCN, BENIN
SUBSTATION……………………………………………………………….11

CHAPTER TWO:

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2.0 SAFETY PRECAUTION (HSE DEPARTMENT)………….…………12

2.1 DEFINITION OF TERMS………………………………………….…12
2.2 HAZARD………………………………………………………….…..13
2.3 ACCIDENTS………………………………………………...………..13
2.4 FIRE SAFETY…………………………………………………….…..15
2.5 THE CONCEPT OF LOTO (LOCKOUT/TAGOUT)…..……………16
2.6 EXPERIENCE GAINED……………………………………………...16

CHAPTER THREE:
3.0 THE ACTUAL WORK DONE AND EXPERIENCE GAINED…..…17

3.1 ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT (EMD)…………17

3.1.1 ANNUAL PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE………………………17
3.1.2 BATTERY BANK MAINTENAANACE……………………………17
3.1.3 AIR COMPRESSOR MAINTENANCE……………………………18
3.1.3 CIRCUIT BREAKER INSULATION TEST…………………………..18
3.1.4 TRANSFORMER OIL BREAKDOWN VOLTAGE TEST (BDV)……18
3.1.5 ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE ……………………………………19
3.1.6 MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT USED…………………………19

3.2 PROTECTION CONTROL AND METERING (PC&M)…………20

3.2.1 PROTECTION………………………….…………………….. …….20
3.2.2 CONTROL……………………………………………………………..20
3.2.3 METERING………………………………………………………….20
3.2.4 MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT USED…………………………21-22
3.2.5 WORK DONE AND EXPERIENCE GAINED…………………..23-26

3.3 LINES (LMD)………………………………………………………..26

3.3.1 WHY WE NEED TRANSMISSION LINES……………………26
3.3.2 TRANSMISSION TOWER TYPES AND DESIGN…………… 27
3.3.3 CLASSIFICATION/TYPES OF TRANSMISSION TOWER……28
3.3.4 CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO USE……………………..28
3.3.5 COMPONENTS OF A TRANSMISSION TOWER………………30
3.3.6 CONDUCTOR SELECTION ……………………………………..31
3.3.7 EARTHING SYSTEM………………………………………………33
3.3.8 COUNTERPOISE GROUNDING…………………………………..33
3.3.9 MATERIALS AND TOOLS USED…………………………………34

CHAPTER FOUR:
4.0 THE SWITCHYARD AND THE EQUIPMENTS………………..…...35

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4.1 THE 330KV SWITCHYARD……………………………………… .….37

4.2 THE TRANSFORMERS…………….…………………………….……39
4.3 POWER TRANSFORMER……………………………………….……39
4.4 CAPACITOR VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER (CVT)…………………….40
4.5 ISOLATOR…………………………………………………………...41
4.6 THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS…………………………………………42
4.7 SWITCH YARD CONTROL ROOM EQUIPMENT…………………44
4.8 RELAY PANEL………………………………………………………46
4.9 BATTERY CHARGER CIRCUIT……………………………………47

5.1 CONCLUSION………………………………………………....………48
5.2 LIMITATION……………………………………………….… ……...49
5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS………………………………………………….50
5.5 PICTURE GALLERY…………………………………………………51

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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 CONCEPT OF SIWES

The Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is a skill

training program, designed to expose and prepare students of
Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Technology, Colleges of
Agriculture and Colleges of Education for the industrial work situation
they are likely to meet after graduation. The Scheme also affords the
students the opportunity of familiarizing and exposing themselves to the
needed experience in handling equipment and machinery that are usually
not available in their institutions.

Before the establishment of the scheme, there was a growing

concern among our Industrialists that graduates of our Institutions of
higher learning lacked adequate practical background studies preparatory
for employment in Industries.

The employers were of the opinion that the theoretical education

going on in higher Institutions was not responsive to the needs of
employers of labour. It is against this background, that the rationale for
initiating and designing the Scheme by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF)
during its formative years – 1973/1974 was introduced to acquaint
students with the skills of handling employers’ equipment and machinery.

The employers were of the opinion that the theoretical education

going on in higher Institutions was not responsive to the needs of
employers of labour. It is against this background, that the rationale fo
initiating and designing the Scheme by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF)
during its formative years – 1973/1974 was introduced to acquaint
students with the skills of handling employers’ equipment and machinery.

1.1 BACKGROUND OF SIWES

The Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) was
initiated in 1973 by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF). It is a tripartite
program involving the Students, the Tertiary Institutions, and Industries.
It is funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria and jointly coordinated
by the ITF and the National Universities Commission (NUC).

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SIWES is a generic program cutting across over 60 programs in

the universities, over 40 programs in the polytechnics and about 10
programs in the colleges of Education. Thus, SIWES is not specific to
any course of study.

1.2 OBJECTIVES OF SIWES

 Prepare Students for the work situation they are likely to meet after
graduation.
 Provide Students with an opportunity to apply their theoretical
knowledge in real work situation.
 Enhance Students’ contacts for later job opportunities/placements.
 Expose work methods and techniques in handling equipment and
machinery that may not be available in their institutions.
 Help in bridging the gap between university work and actual
practice.

1.3 IMPORTANCE/EFFECT OF SIWES ON GENERIC,

TECHNICAL AND RESOURCE SKILLS OF PARTICIPANTS
Growing public demand and legislative expectations for accountability in
the past two decades have made it imperative that higher Education
administrators and researchers pay attention to the potential impact of
Student Work Programs on skill development, which in turn impacts
directly on national development objectives. The skill aspects acquired
from active participation in the scheme are highlighted below;

Communication Skills: Communicates oral messages appropriate to

listeners and situations, demonstrates good vocabulary and listening
actively.

Creative/Innovative Thinking: Generates new ideas, combines

information in new ways, and makes connection between seemingly
unrelated ideas.

Problem Solving: Recognizes a problem, identifies possible reasons

for the discrepancy, and implements a plan of action to resolve it.

Time Management: Selects relevant, goal related activities, ranks

them in order of importance, allocates times, prepares and follows
schedules.

Leadership Skills: Ability to influence others towards the

achievement of a goal.

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Uses Computers To Process Information: Employs computer to

acquire, organize, analyze and communicate information.

Numeracy: Performs basic computations and approaches practical

problems by choosing appropriately from a variety of mathematical
techniques.

 1.4 POWER SYSTEM IN NIGERIA

This has to do with the processes involved in Generation,
Transmission and Distribution of power in Nigeria.

 GENERATION: Here, power is generated using various sources like

water (hydro), steam, thermal and gas. These sources are used in motion
to rotate a turbine which has around it a magnetic field. Interaction
between these two results in induced electromotive force (voltage)
usually between 10.5-16kV. The power is then stepped up to 330kV using
a step-up transformer. This is done so as to take care of power losses
(P=I²R losses) along the line of transmission, since the electricity
generated is to be transmitted over long distances. Power generated at
various generating stations in the Nation is connected to the National
Grid and then transmitted.

 TRANSMISSION: Here, the 330kV is stepped down to 132kV and

then to 33kV via transmission stations.

 DISTRIBUTION: This is where the power transmitted is taken to the

end users via injection substations (33kV to 11kV) and distribution
substations (33kV to 415V or 11kV to 415V).

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FIG 1.2

1.5 TRANSMISSION COMPANY OF NIGERIA (TCN).

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) was incorporated in

November, 2005. TCN emerged from the defunct National Electric Power
Authority (NEPA) as a product of the merger of Transmission and
Operations Sectors in April 1, 2004.
Being one of the 18 unbundled Business Units under Power Holding
Company of Nigeria (PHCN), the company was issued a Transmission
license on 1st of July, 2006. TCN licensed activities include: electricity
transmission, system operation and electricity trading, which is ring
fenced.

TCN is the Umbrella Corporation within which, three Business Units

exist:

 Transmission System Provider (TSP)

 Independent System Operator (ISO)
 Market Operator (MO)

TCN VISION AND MISSION STATEMENTS

VISION
To be a world class Electricity Transmission Company.

MISSION
To plan, build, operate, and maintain a reliable and efficient grid.

OPERATIONAL STRATEGIES
 Build transmission grid that can efficiently evacuate all generated
power.

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 Create adequate network redundancies to ensure at least 99.5%

reliability.
 Reduce transmission loss to 5%.
 Pursue interconnection with neighboring countries for power exchange
with associated cost savings from the sharing of reserve capacity and
energy resources.
 Improve TCN’s revenue base, to ensure a self-sufficient and self-
sustaining company.
 Standardization of procurement procedure to reflect international
standard.
 Provide an effective project management system.
 Ensure that safety and environmental issues are managed to meet
international standards

FIG 1.3

1.6 OVERVIEW OF BENIN TRANSMISSION REGION

The Benin Transmission station is one of the numerous transmission

stations we have in the country. The transmission station plays a vital role
in the National grid, due to its strategic position in the grid. It can import

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and export electrical power from various generating stations and

transmission stations, across the country.

Benin Region was commissioned to service in 1968. It is one of the

eight (8) regions that make up the Transmission Company of Nigeria. It
was formally a Sub Region under Enugu Region, before it was upgraded
to a Region in 2002. It is also known as the HUB (Heart of the Grid). The
Station receives electricity supply at 330KV (Primary) receiving end of
the switch yard from generating stations, steps it down with the aid of the
step down transformers and feeds the transmission Sub-Station at
132/33KV at the (secondary) sending end of the switch yard.

SUB-REGIONS AND WORK CENTRES

Sub-Regions
 Ajaokuta Sub-Region.
 Benin South Sub-Region.
 Delta Sub-Region

Work Centres
 Ihovbor work centre.
 Sapele work centre.

COVERAGE AREA
The region provides bulk supply to the two distribution companies
namely:
 Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC)
 Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC)

The region is also responsible for the maintenance and operation of

transmission equipment, including supply of bulk power to the following
states;
 Edo State
 Delta State
 Lagos State
 Anambra State
 Kogi State
 FCT Abuja
 Parts of Ondo and Ekiti State.

The specific sub-region and work centres servicing each of the

above listed states in particular are stated below:

 Benin Sub-Region: Edo, Delta, Lagos, Ondo, Kogi, Anambra State.

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 Ajaokuta Sub-Region: Kogi, Edo, FCT Abuja.

 Delta Sub-Region: Edo, Delta.
 Sapele Work Centre: Edo, Delta.
 Ihovbor Work Centre: Edo, Osun.

1.7 VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AT TRANSMISSION COMPANY

OF NIGERIA BENIN SUB-REGION
The Transmission Company of Nigeria, Benin Sub-Region is divided into
units of various departments, namely;
1. Administration Department
2. Accounting Department
3. Protection Control and Metering (PC & M) Department
4. Electrical and Maintenance Department (EMD)
5. System Lines Department (Lines)
6. System Operations Department (S/O)
7. Communication Department (COMM)
8. Human Resource (HR)
9. Civil Department
10. Security Department
11. Health Safety and Environment (HSE) Department

Administrative Department:
The administrative department helps the executives and department
managers with complex administrative duties using their skills in
computing and communication. They also handle tasks such as file
maintenance, data processing and other paper handling duties.

Accounting Department:
The accounting department is responsible for the financial record keeping
of TCN. They keep records of all monetary transactions and information
such as salaries, donations, capital expenditures, investments etc. These
informations are always recorded on a monthly basis. This helps to show
the financial standing of TCN at any given point in time.

Protection, Control and Metering Department:

This department is in charge of the maintenance, repair and installation of
protective equipment in the transmission station such as current
transformers, voltage transformers, relays and a host of other things. They
also conduct maintenance and tests on power equipment in the
Substation.

Electrical Maintenance Department:

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This department is in charge of installation, commissioning,

decommissioning, troubleshooting and maintenance of electrical
equipment in the substation this is to ensure proper operation and long
service life of the equipment. They also engage in wiring and repair work
in the administrative and cooperative buildings.

System Lines Department:

This department helps to maintain transmission Lines Wires and Towers
that makes up the grid along a specified area for each substation across
the country. They do this by inspection and cutting trees which pose as
danger to the transmission lines and cause short circuit. They also
maintain the line conductors in the switchyard.

System Operation Department:

This department aids in the proper functioning and monitoring of the
systems in the company, they also protect the equipment in the substation
by monitoring and controlling the whole system which includes
generating companies and distribution companies. Hence, before any job
is done in the switch yard, the System Operators are in charge of giving
out work permit, which generally concerns the safety of personnel,
equipment to be maintained and how long the job will approximately
take.

Communication Department:
They are responsible for the receiving and sending of information in the
substation. They also install and maintain transmission line equipment
like wave traps and a host of other communication devices which helps to
make tasks easier for the engineers working at TCN.

Human Resource Department:

This department helps to oversee the employment of staffs, compliance
with labour laws and employment standards, administration of employee
benefits and some aspects of recruitment and dismissal.

Civil Department:
This department is responsible for constructing several structures such as
foundations for equipment in the substation like transformers, circuit
breakers etc. They are also responsible for the mounting of station ground
in the substation.

Security Department:
This department is charged with the security of personnel and equipments
in the substation.

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Health, Safety and Environment Department:

This department helps to educate new employees and interns on safety,
health and the rules and regulations of TCN. They also make sure that
workers wear their safety gears when working in the switchyard at all
times.

FIG 1.4

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CHAPTER TWO

2.0 SAFETY PRECAUTION (HEALTH, SAFETY AND

ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT)

There is no dearth of electrical hazards in electrical substations.

The potential risks are endless and tend to vary based on actual operating
conditions and voltage flowing through the facility at any given point in
time. Even trained and authorized technicians must be fully geared up to
face emergencies and take adequate measures to protect themselves from
the highest possible risk involved, when working on a specific task or
equipment.

The importance of industrial safety and health cannot be over

emphasized in companies such as TCN since it deals on High voltage
and Extra High Voltage rated 330/132/33KV. Industrial safety is
important for all employees as well as interns on a daily basis. Actually,
working in an environment without safety awareness and sensitization
may result in serious bodily harm or possibly even death. To ensure these
procedures are put in place before interns starts working at the
switchyard, the HSE department was charged with that responsibility.

The HSE department was established in order to educate new

recruits, interns and corp members about safety in general and
particularly in TCN. Hence, it was the first department I was posted to,
where I got to learn the totality of safety guiding TCN as a whole.

2.1 DEFINITION OF TERMS:

 HEALTH: Health is a dynamic condition resulting from a body’s

constant adjustment and adaptation in response to stresses and changes in
the environment, for maintaining an inner equilibrium.

 SAFETY: Is defined as the practical certainty that injury, harm or

damage will NOT result from the use of a substance(s) or agent(s) under
a specified condition or quantity and manner of use. The word safety is
derived from the acronym SAFE where;

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 S - Spot the Hazard

 A - Analyze the Hazard
 F - Find a safer way
 E - Everyday

 ENVIRONMENT: It refers to the sum total of all surroundings of a

living organism, including natural forces, and other living things, which
provide condition for developmental factor.

2.2 HAZARD

Hazard is something that can be identified and measured as a potential

source of danger and which if not removed or eliminated will lead to an
accident e.g. naked electricity wires, electricity gadgets which are not
switched off, petrol explosion, testing of electrical faults without the
relevant equipment,etc.

WAYS OF CONTROLLING HAZARDS

 E - Elimination
 R - Reduction
 I - Isolation
 C - Engineering Control
 P - Personal Protective Equipment
 D – Discipline

2.3 ACCIDENTS
An accident is an unplanned or undesired occurrence arising from
unsafe acts or unsafe conditions which may or may not result to bodily
injuries or damage to property.

CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS
Accidents are caused by:
 Unsafe Acts (temperament, disobedience, indifference, inadequate
skill, etc.)…………..…78%
 Unsafe Conditions (naked electric wires, chemical hazards, improper
planning, etc.)………..20%
 Natural occurrences
(earthquakes, thunderstorms
etc.)………………..……...02%

DEGREE OF ACCIDENTS
 MAJOR: Very grave accidents resulting in the loss of lives, or
permanent incapacity or damage of property.

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 MINOR: Accidents that are occasionally simple injuries like cuts,

sprains, bruises, etc.

 NEAR-MISS: An unwanted occurrence which could have resulted in

injuries or damages to property but did not.
COMMON CAUSES OF ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS
 Unauthorized operations
 Use of defective or inappropriate equipment
 Poor Supervision
 Inadequate skills
 Improper planning

WHY ACCIDENTS MUST BE PREVENTED

If accidents are not prevented they could result in:
 Damage to materials
 Loss of production time
 Loss of time and money spent on the investigation of such accidents.
 Loss of skilled man power through death or incapacitation
 Poor public image of the organization with high accident rate

WAYS TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS

 Supervisors should make daily hazard hunting inspections
 Warn all subordinates of the dangers of their work and show them the
correct way
 Ensure good house keeping
 Ensure all fire extinguishers are routinely serviced and displayed
unobstructed
 Ensure maintenance culture for machinery and equipment
 Ensure that guards, safety devices and safety signs are always
mounted at strategic positions.
 Encourage workers to report all identified hazards immediately.

2.4 FIRE SAFETY:

Fire is a chemical reaction accompanied by the evolution of heat and

in most cases by an appreciable amount of light. Before fire could occur,
three major elements must be present. They are;
Combustible substance(Fuel):– Which could be solids, liquids, gases
E. g (Carbon, Paper, Gasoline, Oils, Hydrogen, Acetylene)
F.
Air(Oxygen):– Which is needed to sustain combustion

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Source of ignition (Heat):– Which raises the material to its ignition

temperature.

CAUSES OF INDUSTRIAL FIRES

 Electrical faults
 Smoking
 Friction
 Poor Housekeeping
 Overloading of transformer and sockets
 Live electrical wires in contact with water.

FIG 2.1
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENTS

2.5 THE CONCEPT OF LOTO (LOCK OUT, TAG OUT)

Lock out Tag out, is a safety procedure used in industries and

research settings to ensure that dangerous machines are properly shut off
and not able to be started up again until the completion of maintenance or
repair work. It requires that hazardous energy sources be “isolated and
rendered inoperative” before work is started on the equipment in
question. The isolated power sources are then locked and a tag is placed
on the lock identifying the worker who placed it. The worker, then holds
the key for the lock, ensuring that only he or she can remove the lock and
start the machine. This prevents accidental startup of a machine while it is
in a hazardous state or while a worker is in direct contact with it.

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Lock out Tag out is used across industries as a safe method of

working on hazardous equipment and is mandated by law in some
countries. Disconnecting or making safe the equipment, involves the
removal of all energy sources and is known as “ISOLATION”.

The isolation procedure generally includes;

o Announce shut off.
o Identify the energy sources
o Isolate the energy sources
o Lock and tag energy sources
o Prove that the equipment isolation is effective.

The Locking and tagging of the isolation point lets others know not to de-
isolate the equipment.

At TCN, similar procedures are carried out, where by the supervisor of

any given job at the switchyard, goes to the control room to be granted
the leverage as well as a work permit, duly signed and documented in the
supervisor’s name and the equipment is isolated and a tag placed on the
lock to ensure a safe working environment before the job is eventually
carried out.

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2.6 EXPERIENCE GAINED:

The experience gained while in this department are as follows;

i) how to properly plan a given job before commencement in order to

avoid costly mistakes.
ii) how to imbibe the habit of following safety instructions before during
and after a given job.
iii) how to stay calm during emergencies and alert other staff members
during a fire scenario so as to maintain orderliness.
iv) the importance of personal protective equipments(hard-hat, overall,
safety boots, goggles, gloves) was emphasized upon as the last resort
against accidents and hazards.

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CHAPTER THREE

3.0 THE ACTUAL WORK DONE AND EXPERIENCE GAINED

DURING MY TRAINING (DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS)

According to the Transmission Company of Nigeria Benin sub

region policy, SIWES students(interns) are usually posted to all the
aforementioned departments in order to gain the maximum experience
possible and to understand the duties of the various departments and the
Station as a whole, so by implication I was posted to some of the
departments listed below. The scope of work done and experience gained
shall be analysed below in accordance to each of the department visited.

3.1 ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT

This department is in charge of installation, commissioning,

decommissioning, troubleshooting and maintenance of electrical
equipment in the substation this is to ensure proper operation and long
service life of the equipment. They also engage in wiring and repair work
in the administrative and cooperative building

MAINTENANCE

Electrical maintenance involves routine check-ups and repairs of the

electrical systems in the sub station, in TCN we experienced annual
preventive maintenance, battery bank maintenance air compressor
maintenance, circuit breaker-insulation maintenance, dielectric
breakdown voltage test(BDV), electrical maintenance

3.1.1 ANNUAL PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

Preventive maintenance is an undeniably critical competent to any

maintenance strategy. Its key to lowering maintenance cost, reducing
equipment downtime, improving asset lifespan and efficiency, and
increasing workplace safety.

This maintenance is done once in a year, whereby all tests are done on the
equipments mainly on TRANSFORMERS,CIRCUIT BREAKERS,
BYPASS ISOLATORS, ISOLATORS…..etc

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3.1.2 BATTERY BANK MAINTENANCE

Ensuring the battery top is clean, dry, free of dirt and grime. A dirty
battery can discharge across the grime on top of the battery casing.
Inspect the terminals, screws, clamps and cables for breakage, damages
or loose connections. These should be clean, tight and free of corrosion.

In TCN the battery bank is one if the most needed sources to power the
circuit breakers, control panel and some relays in cease of total loss of
potential in the station. We have 110v.dc(330kv), 50v.dc(330kv),
24v.dv(standby generator), 110v.dc(132kv) battery banks respectively

This maintenance is carried out bi-weekly to ascertain the decay rate of

the batteries, the battery bank Powers the trip coils in the Circuit breaker
and also the relays in the control room. The duration of the maintenance
is one hour and the predefined procedures for it are as stated below;
i. Firstly, measure the overall charger voltage as met using an
Avometer.
ii. Turn off the battery charger and measure the overall voltage.
iii. Wait for a period of 15minutes and measure the overall voltage
again.
iv. Repeat step 3 again after 30 minutes, 45 minutes and 60 minutes.
v. Take the voltage per cell i.e. voltage of each individual cells
connected in series.
vi. Finally, restore the battery charger and take the restored charger
voltage.
The values obtained per cell, compared with the original rating
gives the decay rate of the batteries. A faulty cell can pull the voltage
of other cells down, hence the need to maintain the batteries on a bi-
weekly.

3.1.3 AIR COMPRESSOR MAINTENANCE

Air compressor maintenance involves a set of practices that needs to be

performed to varying degrees on compressors of all makes and model.
Whether we operate one compressor or several, we should routinely
inspect key components of the machine and service them, if necessary.

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Firstly, we check and record the pressure gauge as met, w,e check the oil
level if its okay and if the oil condition is okay then bleed or open the air
tank to allow moisture come out NB: immediately we start bleed the tank
we start a timer. Then the air compressor machine will automatically cut
in and start compressing NB: we will record the cut in pressure, after the
some time the air compressor will cut off NB: immediately the air
compressor stops we will stop the timer and record the cut off pressure
and also the time taken from when the tank started bleeding till the
compressor cut off.

3.1.4 CIRCUIT BREAKER INSULATION MAINTENACE

The insulation resistance test is useful for detecting major defects in the
insulation system, but it can also be used as a final safety check before
returning the breaker to service.

In order to test for insulation resistance, an instrument known as a megger

is used. A MEGGER instrument applied a known DC voltage to a given
wire for a given period of time in order to test the resistance within the
insulation on that particular wire or winding.

3.1.5 TRANSFORMER BREAKDOWN VOLTAGE TEST (BDV)

Breakdown voltage is measured by observing at what voltage, sparking

strands between two electrodes immersed in the oil, separated by a
specific gap (2.5mm). A low value of BDV indicates presence of moisture
content and conducting substances in the oil.

To assess the insulating property of dielectric transformer oil, a sample of

the transformer oil is taken and its breakdown voltage is measured. The
lower the resulting breakdown voltage, the poorer the quality of the
transformer oil.

3.1.6 ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE

This involves routine check-ups and repairs of the electrical systems in

offices, workshops, administrative offices, conference halls, and switch
yards.

3.1.7 MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT USED

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The major materials and equipment that are employed during

maintenance in this department are as follows:

 Grounding stick and Grounding lead: this is used to provide a

temporal ground for conductors that may be partially charged due

to induction, around the working site to avoid electrocution.

 High Voltage Insulation Resistance Tester (Megger): The

Megger is the instrument uses for measuring the resistance of the

insulation. It works on the principle of comparison, i.e., the

resistance of the insulation is compared with the known value of

resistance. If the resistance of the insulation is high, the pointer of

the moving coil deflects towards the infinity, and if it is low, then

the pointer indicates zero resistance. The accuracy of the Megger is

high as compared to other instruments.

 Dielectric Breakdown Voltage Oil Tester: This equipment is used

to measure the electrical stress that an insulating oil can withstand

without breakdown.

 Cable Lug and Cable Lug Machine: The cable lug allows supply

and distribution of electric current without any hindrance between

electrical cables.

 Hand Pump: This is used for pumping oil from drum to

equipment (e.g. oil circuit breaker, current transformer, voltage

transformer, conservator tank

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 Gas Kit: this contains the gas pipes, nozzles and pressure gauge

for the purpose of filling or refilling Sulphur-hexa-fluoride (SF6)

into power circuit breaker.

Others include Tool box, Hand drill, Electric hacksaw etc.

3.2 PROTECTION CONTROL AND METERING (PC&M)

Protection control and metering(PC&M) is in-charge of the protection,

control and metering of the equipments. In PC&M we do specific
maintenance unlike in EMD were general maintenance is done.

3.2.1 PROTECTION: Protection is simply protecting electrical

equipment like the transformers, reactors, bus bars, transmission lines and
switch yard in general. Ensuring longevity and work efficiency of these
equipments.

3.2.2 CONTROL: control is ensuring convince in operation is provided.

3.2.3 METERING: metering is the process of measuring electrical

quantities for control, billing and planning purpose.

This department is in charge of certain maintenance around the

company. These maintenance are divided into two main headings,
Planned and Unplanned maintenance where other types of maintenance
fall under as shown below

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3.2.4 MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Some materials and equipment used during maintenance in this

department includes:

 Clamp on Ammeter: Clamp-on ammeter or simply 'clamp meter'

is an electrical test tool that combines a basic digital multimeter
with a current sensor. It is a clothespin shaped instrument that can
be clamped around a live wire in order to measure the current it’s
carrying. As a measurement principle, clamp meter detects the
magnetic field emitted by the current flowing in a wire in order to
measure the current value.

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Fig3.2 Clamp on meter

 Secondary Current Injection Test Set (SCITs): This equipment

is used to verify the correct operation of the protection system with
regards to everything connected to the secondary of the
transformer. The secondary protection system includes protective
relays, auxiliary relays, protection circuits, communication control
systems, metering devices, low voltage devices, alarms etc. In
using the SCITs, a ratio of the fault rated current of the breaker is
injected directly into the trip unit to measure how long it takes for
the breaker to trip.

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Fig3.3 SCITs

 Multimeter: This is an instrument used to measure multiple

electrical properties like voltage, current and resistance during
work.
 Tools Box: This contains a lot of tools used for work which
include: spanners of various size sand types (flat, ring, ball and
socket), pliers, screw drivers, hack saw, Allen key, file, punch,
chisels of various sizes et cetera
 As-built drawings: These are the drawings that were used during
the installation of equipment in the station and serve as reference
during work on such equipment
3.2.5 WORK DONE AND EXPERIENCE GAINED

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The scopes of major works done as well as the experience gained in

PC&M department are as follow:
 CHANGING A FAULTY DC MOTOR IN A SPRING CHARGE
TYPE OF CIRCUIT BREAKER
In a spring charge circuit breaker, the closing spring is mechanically
charged by a DC motor and is held in it’s compressed position by a
closing latch. When a close signal releases this latch, this spring pushes
against a mechanical linkage to force the breaker contacts closed and at
once charges the trip spring. Changing the became necessary when the
motor went bad and couldn’t charge the spring of the circuit breaker.

EXPERIENCED GAINED: I learnt about the difference between a DC

motor and an AC motor and why the company chooses to use a DC
motor. During this work, I manually spring charged the the spring to keep
the circuit breaker live.

 SHUNT REACTOR MAINTENANCE:

A shunt reactor is an absorber of reactive power thus increasing the

energy efficiency of the system. It is the most compact device used in
reactive power compensation in long high voltage transmission lines. The
shunt reactor can be directly connected to the transmission line or to the
tertiary windings of a three-winding transformer. Unlike the series reactor
which is connected in series between a load and a source, the shunt
reactor is connected in parallel to the Tx line or load.

EXPERIENCE GAINED: We had a preventive maintenance on a

reactor, I learnt about the function and I witness the process of checking
the temperature gauge accuracy, the cooling system, the pressure relay
valve, the alarm and trip coil by sending manually adjusting the
temperature gauge to a high temperature to ensure the alarm comes up

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and the reactor eventually trips when the temperature is high. I also learnt
about the different cooling systems of a transformer and reactor.

 PROTECTION TRIP AND RELAY CALIBRATION USING

SCITs
Protection trip and Relay calibration is an annual preventive maintenance
done to ensure all relays are functional. Some of these relays include:
 Over current relay: for over current protection
 Earth fault relay: for earth fault protection
 Instantaneous voltage relay: protection relay against abnormal
voltage conditions like over voltage, under voltage, no voltage.
 Auxiliary relay for alarm and indications
 Trip circuit supervision relay: for emergency opening of the circuit

breaker

This maintenance is done by disconnecting the three phases and neutral

that comes from the secondary of the CTs into the protective relay.
Secondary Current Injection Test Set kit is used to inject fault current
(which will be more than the CT’s secondary current i.e. 1A) to the relay
to see the response of protective relay which includes the speed of
operation, the sensitivity and the reliability of the relay when there is a
fault be it over current or earth fault and see if the time scheduled for the
alarm (tripping) to come up is still intact. The process is as follows

i. The test set equipment i.e. Secondary Current Injection Test Set
was connected to 220V AC supply.
ii. Lead was connected to the station ground and equipment was
grounded as well.

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iii. Current transformer secondary cable was removed from the

terminals of the protective relay on the terminal block. One lead
was connected to common; the other to 0-24V, 0-100A terminal on
the equipment and the other end of the leads was connected to
terminals of the protective relay i.e. phase to phase for over current
and phase to neutral for earth fault.
iv. Plug Setting (P.S), Pick Up (P.U) time and Time Multiplier Setting
(TMS) was checked from the relay settings and recorded
respectively both for over current and earth fault. Two leads were
connected to the breaker protection terminal on the equipment; the
other end was connected to the trip coil of the breaker on the
terminals block respectively and the circuit breaker was kept in
open position. This equipment is used for simulation of faults by
injecting a current double the plug setting value both for over
current and earth fault and record the TMS value for both.
v. Protection trip test was carried out by closing the circuit breaker;
ensure that the circuit breaker control knob is on remote and
injecting current above the plug setting on the protective relay to
check if the circuit breaker trips on over current and earth fault
respectively.
The CT’s secondary terminal was connected back to the relay, and the
feeder was restored back to service.

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Fig3.5 SCITs

3.3 LINES DEPARTMENT (LMD)

The Transmission line is defined as a medium through which bulk

electricity is transported from one place to another.This department is
concerned with monitoring/inspecting and maintaining the transmission
lines (i.e Checks for bolts/nuts, Anticlimbing devices, step bolts, tower
members, number plates, phase plates, danger boards and creeping
plants/tall trees that could trip the lines) from the generating stations to
the designated substations. The transformers and conductors at Benin
station were inspected in order to detect hotspots that needs to be
attended to in order to avoid any pending danger that might occur as a
result of the abnormal temperature. The “infrared Thermovision camera”
is used to detect the presence of hotspots at a reasonable distance on
different equipments especially the current transformer contact plates
where the visible eye fails, it forms a heat zone image using infrared
radiation, just like ordinary camera which forms image using visible
light.This is done, such that preventive maintenance could be performed
instead of retroactive replacement which is far more expensive.

The lines department had a lot to impact as discussed below;

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3.3.1 WHY WE NEED TRANSMISSION LINES

Transmission lines are needed for:
 Evacuation of generated power from generating stations
 Transmission of bulk power to load centres and major cities
 Transmission of power to sub-transmission stations
 Improved reliability by introduction of redundancy

3.3.2 TRANSMISSION TOWER TYPES AND DESIGN

A transmission tower (also known as a power transmission tower,

power tower, or electricity pylon/gantry) is a tall structure (usually a steel
lattice tower) used to support an overhead power line. They are used to
carry high voltage transmission lines that transport bulk electric power
from generating stations to electrical substations. Transmission towers
have to carry the heavy transmission conductors at a sufficient safe height
from the ground. In addition to that, all towers have to sustain all kinds of
natural calamities. So transmission tower design is an important
engineering job where civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering
concepts are equally applicable. Hence, a power transmission tower is a
key part of a power transmission system.

A power transmission tower consists of the following parts:

 The peak of the transmission tower
 The cross arm of the transmission tower
 The boom of transmission tower
 Cage of transmission tower
 Transmission Tower Body
 Leg of transmission tower
 Stub/Anchor Bolt and Base plate assembly of the transmission tower.
The following figures show the various tower parts:

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3.3.3 CLASSIFICATION/TYPES OF TRANSMISSION TOWER.

Transmission towers are classified as follows:-
Classification According To Number Of Circuits Carried By Tower:

Single-circuit/Horizontal towers: Towers that carry one circuit only.

Double circuit/Vertical towers: Towers that carry two circuits.

Multi-circuit towers: Towers that carry more than two circuits.

3.3.4 CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO USE

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Tangent or Suspension Towers: These are used primarily on tangents

but are often designed to withstand angles (deviation angles) in the line
up to 2o in addition to the wind, ice and broken conductor loads

Angle or Tension towers: Sometimes called semi-conductor towers, they

are used where the line makes a horizontal angle greater than 2o . As
they must resist a traverse load from components of the line tension
induced by this angle, in addition to the usual wind, ice and broken
conductor loads, they are necessarily heavier than suspension towers.
The tension tower always comes with a jumper wire.

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3.3.5 COMPONENTS OF A TRANSMISSION TOWER

The towers possesses various components as listed below;

 Earth wire/Skywire: The skywire also known as the shield wire serves
as lightning arrestor for the towers. The skywire wire also comes with
communication cable inside them i.e the optical fibre cables which can
also be referred to as OPGW (optical fibre ground wire wrapped) cable.
 Vibration Dampers: The dampers are used to reduce noise and
Vibration on the lines.
 Spacers: The spacers are used to keep the voltage on a line at the same
potential.
 Insulators: The insulators are used to separate the conductors from the
tower bodies.The various types used at the Benin transmission are silicon,
glass and porcelain insulators and the type of tower determines the
number of insulation discs used.

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3.3.6 CONDUCTOR SELECTION

The selection of optimum conductor type and size for a given line
considers its physical, mechanical and electrical parameters:
 Conductor diameter
 Weight per unit length
 Electrical Conductivity
 Linear Expansivity
 Tensile Strength
 Cost

The ACSR (Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced) was adopted for

use at
the switchyard and for transmission purposes in Nigeria. This conductor
has a
steel forming the central layer of the stranded conductor around which are
layers of Aluminium strands. The reasons for adoption are;
 High tensile strength; used for long spans
 Light weight
 Small sag
 Excellent Conductivity at low cost.
 Steel reinforced.

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According to the L.M.D Nomenclature, the ACSR cable are named with
respect
to their cross-sectional area in (mm2 ) and Voltage carried as follows;
 Bison Cable (350mm2 ): This size of ACSR cable is suitable for
330KV
transmission
 Bear Cable (250mm2 ): This size of ACSR cable is suitable for 132KV
transmission.
 Wolf Cable (150mm2 ): This size of ACSR cable is suitable for 33KV
Transmission

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3.3.7 EARTHING SYSTEM:

The earthing system at the Benin Substation is unique in the sense that
they are
all connected together. The general term for that type of earthing system
is
known as “Counterpoise Grounding”.

3.3.8 COUNTERPOISE GROUNDING:

Counterpoise is an effective means of reducing the impedance to ground
presented to a lightning strike in areas where high soil resistivity and
rocky
ground prevent conventional grounding. Fundamentally, counterpoise,
which
should be considered an alternative to other methods of grounding, is a
leaky
transmission line that is intentionally connected to the earth with large
amounts
of conductance. At the instant of a lightning strike, the counterpoise acts
as
surge impedance mutually coupled with both the ground wires and phase
conductors of the transmission line. The energy from the lightning strike
travels
down the counterpoise and is reflected at the terminal end. The
counterpoise will act as a series resistance with a distributed leakage to
ground. The function of the counterpoise is to lower the transmission in
areas where the impedance
needs to be lowered.

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3.3.9 MATERIALS AND TOOLS USED :

The Rolling Block: The rolling block is an important tool used to send
materials up and down a tower.
Cutlass and file: This is used to cut down creeping plants and trees that
are
along the ROW(Right of Way) of the transmission line.
Midspan Joint: A coupler for joining two conductors using the
compressor
machine.
Hydraulic Compressor machine: This is a device used to join two
conductors
using the midspan joint.
The Lines tool Box: A box that contain all the tools used by the lines
men.
Dead end Clamp: A device connected to the insulators for firmness

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CHAPTER FOUR

THE SWITCHYARD AND THE EQUIPMENT

 THE 330KV SWITCHYARD
The Benin 330KV switchyard has about 19 circuits with 12 transmission
lines representing 12 circuits i.e;
• 12 transmission lines (330kv)
• 2 shunt Reactor circuits
• 2 Bus coupler circuits
• 2 Bus section circuits
• 2 transformer circuits ( one transformer circuit is ongoing but feeds
from of the reactors therefore making it 19 circuits as against the
proposed 20 circuits)

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4.1 TRANSFORMERS
The Transformer is a passive electrical device without
continuously moving parts in its basic design, which transforms electric
energy from one or more circuits to one or more other circuits at the same
frequency usually with a change in Voltage and Current through the
process of electromagnetic induction. Electromagnetic induction is the
process where a conductor is placed in a stationary position and a
magnetic field rotates around it or the magnetic field is kept at a stationed
position and the conductor rotates around it. This process produces a
voltage or EMF across the electrical conductor. There are different types
of transformers, based on their functions. They include;
• Power transformers (used in transmission network)
• Distribution transformers (used in distribution network and
are of lesser rating)
• Grounding (Earthing) Transformer
• Instrument Transformers (used for protection, control and
metering). They are;
i. Current Transformer (CT)
ii. Voltage Transformer (VT)

4.1.1 POWER TRANSFORMER

Power transformers are needed to fulfill the main duty of substations:

step-up and step-down voltage transformation. They are usually rated
above 10MVA. Most of these transformers usually contains an additional
winding to the primary and secondary windings; the tertiary windings, to
which the grounding transformer is connected.
The grounding transformer is used to ground the main transformer and at
the same time, supplies the station for auxiliary use.
In TCN, Benin sub-region, as of the time of writing this report, there are
six power transformers (two for the 330kV circuit and the other four for
the 132kV network). They are the main transformers used to step down
the incoming 330kV down to 132kV (in the 330kV switch yard), and also
from 132kV down to 33kV (in the 132kV switch yard).
For the 330kV transformers, we have;
1. 6T1: which is a 150MVA, 330kV/132kV/34.5kV (i.e. it has three
windings).
2. 6T2: a 150MVA 330/132/33kV transformer.
For the 132kV transformers, we have; T21, T22, T23 and T24 (all
60MVA 132/33kV).

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Fig 4.1 A 150MVA AUTO TRANSFORMER

4.1.2 EARTHING TRANSFORMER

The general purpose of earthing system is to protect life and property in
the event of 50/60 Hz faults (short-circuit) and transient phenomena
(lightning, switching operations). The earthing transformer serves as the
neutral for the secondary of the transformer and as step down of the
33KV at the tertiary to 415V, which is used for station auxiliary supply.

4.1.3 INSTRUMENT TRANSFORMERS

Centre Instrument transformers are divided in to two categories
i. Voltage Transformers (VT): VT has a successor called
Capacitor Voltage Transformers (CVT). The primary winding
of VT is connected in parallel with monitoring circuit.
ii. Current Transformers (CT): the primary winding of the CT is
connected in series with monitoring circuit
Functions of Instrument Transformers
i. To transform currents or voltages from a usually high value to a
value (usually 5A/1A or 110V AC) suitable for relays and
instruments to handle.

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ii. To insulate the metering circuit from the primary high voltage
system.
iii. To provide possibilities of standardizing the instruments and relays
to a few rated currents and voltages.

Fig 4.2 Current transformer Fig 4.3 Voltage transformer

connected to bus bar

4.2 ISOLATOR
Also, known as “disconnecting switch”, is used to separate or disconnect
a device or a section of a circuit. It is an electromechanical device used in
physical separation of an electrical device or a section of a circuit. It is
used to guarantee or to make sure that an electrical circuit has been
completely disconnected for service or maintenance. It must be operated
on no-load condition because of the very large arcing or inrush current
that is associated when on load.

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Fig 4.4 DOUBLE BREAK ISOLATORS AT 132KV

SWITCHYARD

4.3 CIRCUIT BREAKER

A circuit breaker is an electromechanical equipment which can open or
close a circuit under normal as well as faulty conditions. The circuit
breaker breaks for a fault which can damage other equipment in the
station. It is designed that it can operate manually (or by remote control)
under normal conditions and automatically under fault condition.
Whenever a fault occurs, the trip coil gets energized, the moving contacts
are pulled by some mechanism and therefore, the circuit is opened or
circuit breaks.
There are several types of Circuit breakers:
i. Oil Circuit breaker
ii. Vacuum circuit breaker
iii. Air blast circuit breaker
iv. Sulphur hexafluoride (Sf6) circuit breaker

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Fig 4.5 Capacitor stacked Sf6 circuit breaker

4.4 SWITCH YARD CONTROL ROOM EQUIPMENT

The control room is the place where the conditions of the system
are monitored, controls initiated and operations are integrated. Control
room consists of the following equipment:
 CONTROL PANELS
This is the main part of the substation. It is always located outside
the switchyard. All the equipment which is installed in the switchyard is
connected to the control panel by an underground cable. These cables are
connected to the measuring devices like a voltmeter and ammeter of high
rating.
The relative position of each equipment is shown in the single line
diagram that is painted on the front side of the control panels. The
indicating instruments (MW, MVAR, voltage, current etc.) are provided

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on the top of front panel for monitoring of the equipment

 RELAY PANEL
A relay is an automatic device which senses an abnormal
condition of electrical circuit and closes its contacts. These contacts in
turn closes and complete the circuit breaker’s trip coil circuit, hence
makes the circuit breaker trip for disconnecting the faulty portion of the
electrical crcuit from rest of the healthy circuit.

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 BATTERY CHARGER CIRCUIT

This is used to charge up the DC batteries in the battery room,
which in turn is used to power relays in the control room and trip
coils in the circuit breaker

 Buchholz Relay
Buchholz relay is a safety device mounted on some oil filled power
transformers and reactors, equipped with an external overhead oil
reservoir called a conservator. It is used as a protective device sensitive to
the effects of dielectric failure inside the transformer. It is practically and
universally used on all oil immersed transformers having ratings more
than 500KVA. This relay can only be fitted to the transformers equipped
with conservator tanks as it is installed in between the conservator tank
and the main tank (see diagram 1) i.e. in the pipe connecting the two. It
provided protection only against transformer internal faults.
Working Principle
Whenever a fault occurs inside the transformer, the oil of the tank gets
over heated and gases are generated. The generation of the gases may be

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slow or violent depending upon whether the fault is a minor or just

beginning one or heavy short circuit. The heat generated by the high local
current causes the transformer oil to decompose and produces gas which
can be used to detect the winding faults.
Buchholz relays indicate incipient (just beginning) faults.

Limitations
a. Only faults below oil levels are detected. Faults above the oil
level, the relay is not aware.
b. They don’t protect the connecting cables.
c. Setting of the mercury switch cannot be very sensitive;
otherwise, there can be a false operation by vibrations,
earthquakes, mechanical shocks to the pipe, sitting of birds etc.
d. The relay is slow; minimum operating time is about 0.1seconds,
and average time 0.2sceonds.

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CHAPTER 6
CONCLUSION
The student’s industrial work experience scheme (SIWES) is a
practical programme organized by the Federal Government to provide
intensive skills to undergo grandaunt of the Nigeria Universities. It has
given me an opportunity to improve on my practical skills and
additionally help in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge
and electrical power transmission and their systems.
I want to use this medium to grave the indulgence of the Federal
Government SIWES officials, the National Universities Commission
and all those who are in support of SIWES programme, to blissfully
declare that I am grateful to you all. It is a great work so far.
The Transmission Company Of Nigeria (TCN) which is the main
focus of electrical power transmission in Nigeria contributed
immensely to all I have achieved during my period of attachment.
The remarkable practical training I undergone in TCN are stated
below:
a) House wiring
b) Transformer maintenance
c) Circuit breaker installation and maintenance
d) Bushing installation
e) High contact resistance (glow spot)
I know very strongly that I will be able to fit in any of the above
mentioned sections if given a chance in nearest future.
This report has been written with great simplicity and with high
technical practice so as to aid all those that will be interested in
electrical power transmission and the system with valuable diagrams
that will aid the understanding of electrical system.

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I sincerely believe that this report will aid students, engineers,

technicians and lecturers in the field of electricity transmission.

5.2 LIMITATIONS
Despite the fact that the objectives of the SIWES program were
actualized, it was met with several challenges. Some of these challenges
include;
 Lack of remuneration or incentives for the IT students. This made
transportation to TCN a great burden, as a lot of money was spent every
day.
 Lack of some modern technology for some maintenance operations
also led to waste of time and energy.
 SIWES students were not allowed to take part in very technical work,
especially when it requires climbing gantry or tower in the switchyard,
due to the fact that we are not insured against any form of hazard that
could possibly happen in the switchyard.

Based on the experience and knowledge acquired during the course of my

training, I hereby give the following recommendations based on my
observation;

Ways of Improving Program

 Proper and guided orientation should be given to the students by the
university before the commencement of the SIWES program.

 Placement letters should also be made available to students on time, to

avoid being attached to unrelated organizations.

 Monetary benefits should also be made available to SIWES students to

ease the burden of transportation.

Advice for Future Participants

The need to acquire relevant knowledge pertaining to their field of

study should be the drive and not monetary benefits.
All effort should be made to understand fully the basic theory of their
discipline, upon which the practical’s are built on.The search for relevant
place of attachment should begin on time, to avoid the disappointment of
organizations being full.

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5.3 RECOMMENDATION
Due to my every day experience during the period of my industrial
attachment at the Transmission Company Of Nigeria(TCN), I hereby
state the following recommendations:
1) The Federal Government should Endeavour to make the
monetary benefits of students available to them on monthly
basis so as to ease the financial stress of students during the
period of attachment.
2) The Nigeria University Commission (NUC) and other bodies
involved should extend the SIWES programmed second year
student but at most a period of three months.
3) The university and other bodies should give a serious
supervision to students during the industrial training so as to
check the commitment of the students towards the programme.

Advice for SIWES Managers

 The managers should ensure strict supervision during the course of the
training, as some students are nonchalant towards work.

 The University should form a link with industries via the various
departments, to ease the burden of placement of students.

 The curricular in all disciplines must be reviewed from time to time

and
drawn in consonance with what the employers of labour require to meet
with current realities.

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5.4 REFERENCES
Akerejola.O. (2008). Information And Guidelines For Student Industrial
Work
Experience Scheme (Siwes).
National Power Training Institute Of Nigeria
M. Chima, “Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (Siwes)
Nigeria”Http://Martinslibrary.Blogspot.Com/Search/Label/Industrialtrai
ning
Relaying Theory And Applications. Marcel Dekker
Inc. Isbn 0- 3247-9152-
Kwara State, 2015.
Wikipedia “Relays Available: Https://En.Wikipedia.Org/Wiki/Relay
E. Technology, “Electrical Technology,” 14 September 2015. *Online+,
Available:
Http://Www.Electricaltechnology.Org/2015/09/Scada-Systems-For-
Electrical
Distribution.Html
R. B. Roy, “Controlling Of Electrical Power System Network By Using
Scada,”
International Journal Of Scientific Engineering Research, Vol. 3, No.
October
10.
Http://Www.Electrical4u.Com/Transformers/
Transmission Company Of Nigeria Safety Handbook

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PICTURE GALLERY

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