Protection and Control Technician Level 1, 2 or 3

Key Roles

This position performs technical work in connection with the installation, operation, and maintenance of all types of protective relays, control schemes and associated equipment in transmission facilities, distribution substations, generating plants, and any other associated facility. In addition, this position is responsible for installing, testing, and maintaining SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) equipment, including RTUs (Remote Terminal Units), their networks, and various protocols to ensure accurate telemetry of EKPC’s transmission and generation assets.

Key Responsibilities

Protection & Control Technician

• Installs and maintains protection and control schemes and equipment including relays, RTUs, and SCADA communication systems equipment in generating plants, transmission facilities, distribution substations, and Energy Control Centers
• Maintains wiring on all existing and new stations to ensure it is correct
• Maintains the protection system asset databases
• Prepares reports and keeps records using company provided applications
• Bypasses, isolates, and restores all substation equipment to service
• Ensures all testing intervals and schedules are met in a timely fashion
• Ensures the field, office, vehicle, and warehouse equipment is adequate to address any reasonable equipment failure
• Develops cost estimates and requests purchase orders for needed equipment such as relays, RTUs, and other devices
• Coordinates work schedules with various EKPC departments, member cooperatives, neighboring utilities, and contractors
• Ensures that all drawings and documentation are up to date and properly maintained
• Sets up return authorizations with manufacturer to return defective equipment
• Performs other duties as assigned

Protection & Control Technician Level 1

• 1Becomes familiar with all EKPC substation
• Performs the following safety checks
• Inspects substations for proper grounding on fences, structures, and equipment
• Identifies minimum approach distances
• Inspects PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), such as rubber gloves
• Inspects, cleans, and tests hot sticks
• Inspects vehicles prior to use
• Locates and references SDS (Safety Data Sheets) manual
• Understands and uses established LOTO (Lock-Out-Tag-Out) procedures
• Identifies safety procedures and hazards associated with job assignments
• Identifies tools and equipment required for each job assignments
• Under direct supervision, performs switching and grounding of system equipment
• Reads and interprets substation one-line and three-line diagrams to verify switching operation
• Identifies bus switching configurations
• Identifies substation equipment including isolation switches, circuit breakers, transformers, and instrument transformers
• Operates the following in accordance with dispatch switching orders: Local/supervisory switches, Recloser Cut-Off switches, Circuit Breaker Control Switches, Disconnect and Bypass switches
• Identifies transmission and distribution substation problems and notifies dispatch
• Assists dispatch and other personnel during emergency outages
• Operations and Maintenance
• Identifies substation conditions by the color of panel indicating lights
• Checks panel indicating lights and replaces as necessary
• Identifies relay and device functions by their IEEE device numbers
• Reads and determines accuracy of panel, revenue, and relay meters
• Records relay targets
• Obtains relay event records as directed from microprocessor relays
• Reads and interprets annunciator alarms
• Identifies various relay types, electromechanical, solid state, microprocessor, lock-out, sudden pressure
• Inspects relays and relay panels to be in good operating condition
• Inspects low voltage wiring and control cable inside control buildings and substation equipment for deterioration, connections, etc.
• Check for proper DC Voltage Indication from battery chargers and relays
• Check for unintentional battery grounds
• Tests and troubleshoot substation power supplies and fuses, including AC circuits, DC Circuits, AC & DC service panels, and secondary panel fuses
• Records counter data on reclosers, circuit breakers, and circuit switchers
• Checks for proper communication indication (i.e. TX/RX lights) on RTUs and relays
• Checks power status and LED indicator lamps on RTU circuit peripherals, including CSU/DSU, HVIU, modem, fiber optic converter, and telephone line switch
• Monitors the operation of SCADA communications (i.e. TX/RX lights and/or NovaTech panel indication) to IEDs (Intelligent Electronic Devices), dispatch, and EMS (Energy Management System), etc. both locally and remotely
• Assists system operators and member systems with SCADA related issues as needed
• Checks, and if needed, power-cycle relays, RTUs, meters, modems, and other equipment
• Under direct supervision, assists with commissioning of protection schemes and equipment
• Installs and replaces low voltage wiring and control cable as required inside control buildings and substation equipment, including on relay, RTU, & meter panels, transformers, breakers, CTs (Current Transformers), PTs (Potential Transformers), AC and DC circuits and service panels
• Operates local/supervisory and recloser cut-off switches to prove contact arrangement and ensure they function according to design
• Performs cable insulation (Megger) and continuity tests on new equipme
• Performs ratio, polarity, and insulation tests on current transformers
• Performs ratio and insulation tests on new potential transformers
• Performs continuity and current wire checks to ensure AC and DC circuits are connected according to design
• Sets and programs relays and RTUs
• Tests relays using a Doble test set and close out test results using RTS
• Performs DC functionals of relay and SCADA circuits
• Performs CT/PT verifications and load checks on energized equipment
• Performs other duties as assigned

Protection & Control Technician Level 2 and 3

For duties and responsibilities for Level 2, please refer to the full job description at www.ekpc.coop/work-ekpc

Key Requirements

Education and Certifications / Licenses:

• Associates or technical degree in electrical or a related area. An equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute
• Must complete communications protocol courses within one (1) year.

Experience:

• A minimum of four (4) years in related area such as electrical utility related work with regard to construction, maintenance, metering, supervisory, and data acquisition systems preferred

Skills and Abilities:

• Completes EKPC’s Substation/Line Switching Training Program
• Working knowledge of RTUs, relays, and digital circuitry
• Working knowledge of Ethernet, TCP/IP, fiber, cellular, and radio communications
• Experience with test meters, such as volt-meters, ammeters, phase angle meters, and communications protocol test equipment.
• Familiar with EKPC policies and procedures.
• Skilled in proper utilization of all associated tools
• Keeps accurate records of expense, work reports, and travel as required
• Ability to read and construct wiring diagrams and schematics.
• Ability to communicate both orally and written
• Must be a self-starter and capable of working with minimal supervision while exercising good judgement regarding test procedure, equipment repair, and individual safety.

Competencies

• Safety Awareness
• Contributing to Team Success
• Decision Making
• Technical/Professional Knowledge and Skills
• Building Customer Loyalty

Working Conditions

• Regularly works outside normal work schedule and must travel throughout EKPC system with some overnight stay.
• Subject to 24-hour call-out and must carry a company provided cell phone after hours, weekends, and holidays.
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Often works alone and in all weather conditions
• Works in close proximity to high voltage conditions
• Occasional lifting over 100 pounds.
• Must wear personal protective equipment.