This 5-day course equips engineers with the knowledge and skills required for the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of high tension (HT) and low tension (LT) switchgear equipment. Participants will gain hands-on experience in inspection, testing, and maintenance procedures for various types of switchgear.

Target Audience

Engineers, technicians, and professionals involved in the operation and maintenance of HT/LT switchgears in power utilities, industries, commercial facilities etc.

Expected Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Classify different types of HT and LT switchgears and their applications
• Apply appropriate selection criteria for switchgears based on voltage, current, fault level etc.
• Interpret design and construction standards for switchgears
• Perform pre-commissioning checks and tests on switchgears
• Follow safe operating and maintenance practices for switchgears
• Diagnose and troubleshoot common switchgear faults
• Carry out preventive and breakdown maintenance procedures
• Perform insulation resistance, contact resistance and other tests on switchgears
• Analyze switchgear failures based on case studies

Course Impact

The course will enable increased safety, reliability and longevity of switchgear assets through proper operation, maintenance and testing procedures. It will reduce switchgear downtime and faults through preventive maintenance and early diagnosis of problems.

Knowledge Gained

At the end of the course, participants will have gained well-rounded knowledge on:

• Different types of HT/LT switchgears and their selection
• Switchgear design, construction and commissioning
• Safe operating and maintenance practices
• Inspection and testing methods
• Preventive and breakdown maintenance
• Failure analysis and troubleshooting

Day 1

Module 1: Types of Switchgears

• Introduction to switchgears
• Classification of switchgears (ACB, VCB, OCD, Load break switch etc)
• Constructional features, operating principles, ratings and applications

Module 2: Selection Criteria for Switchgears

• Service voltage, current and frequency rating
• Breaking current capability
• Making current withstand capability
• Short circuit withstand capability
• Duty cycle requirements etc.

Module 3: Design and Construction Standards

• Relevant IS/IEC standards
• Switching schemes, interlocking schemes
• Enclosure standards
• Insulation and clearances
• Bus bar sizing calculations

Day 2

Module 4: Commissioning of Switchgears

• Visual inspection
• Safety checks – earthing connections, interlocks etc.
• Insulation resistance measurement
• Primary/Secondary injection tests
• Testing of protection relays and schemes
• Testing of interlocks and alarms

Module 5: Operation and Maintenance Practices

• Switching procedures
• Isolation procedures
• Do’s and Don’ts of switchgear operation
• Scheduled/conditional maintenance
• Permit to work systems

Module 6: Common Faults and Troubleshooting

• Failure of breaker to open/close
• Breaker tripping on no-load
• Failures of interlocks, controls, relays etc.
• Causes and remedial measures

Day 3

Module 7: Inspection and Testing Methods

• Visual inspections
• Insulation testing of breaker, CBs
• Contact resistance testing
• Breaker timing measurement
• Testing of interlocks, relays and alarms
• Partial discharge testing
• Temperature rise test

Module 8: Preventive and Breakdown Maintenance 

• Scheduled maintenance procedures and checks
• Breakdown maintenance procedures
• Spare management
• Maintenance data record keeping

**Practical Exercises**

• Inspection and testing of various switchgears
• Condition monitoring tests
• Contact resistance measurement
• Primary/secondary injection testing
• Simulation of common switchgear faults

Day 4

Module 9: Case Studies and Failure Analysis

• Review of common switchgear failure modes
• Case studies on switchgear breakdowns
• Discussion of causes and remedial measures

**Practical Exercises**

• Testing and inspection of damaged switchgear samples
• Group exercise – failure diagnosis and troubleshooting

**Assessment Exam**

Day 5

**Course Summary and Q&A**

**Practical Exercises**
- Switchgear inspection and testing
- Condition monitoring and predictive maintenance
- Revision of key concepts

**Course Feedback and Valedictory**

– Distribution of course completion certificates