Substation Technician 1

Pedernales Electric Cooperative•Johnson City, TN

1d•$35•Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for 24/7 system operations including calibration, commissioning, inspection, maintenance, and repair of transmission and distribution equipment and protective relays, switches, apparatus and Power Line Carrier (PLC) communication systems associated with the transmission grid, distribution infrastructure and capital improvement projects.

Requirements

Knowledge of using computer systems, which may include setting up and using hardware and software programs, entering data, or processing information
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer service
Knowledge of substation protection schemes including Bus & Transformer Differential, Breaker Failure, Cable Fault, and Zone Protection schemes
Knowledge of basic electricity, safety rules and procedures as well as the hazards involved in working around energized lines and equipment involving high and low voltage
Knowledge of substation communication SCADA, relaying, monitoring and control systems
Knowledge of reviewing and interpreting wiring diagrams and electrical control schematics for relay applications
Knowledge of learned principles of electrical theory as applied to power transformers and autotransformers, relays, SCADA and TWACS systems, etc.
Knowledge of reading manuals and interpreting diagrams
Skilled in the use of substation equipment test sets including DOBLE 6150, DOBLE M4000, MEGGER, Hi-Pot, CT test set, phasing sticks, oil dielectric, contact resistance, and sweep frequency response analysis (SFRA)
Skilled in time management
Skilled in prioritizing and managing changing priorities
Ability to use computer systems and applications
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
Ability to listen and understand information verbally and in writing
Ability to anticipate, identify, analyze and resolve conflict and problems
Associate’s Degree in Electrical Power and Controls, Electronics Technology, or related field
Directly related experience may substitute for education
Valid Texas Driver’s License and Motor Vehicle Report that comply with PEC policy

Responsibilities

Perform maintenance and inspection on substation equipment by following a time based maintenance program according to the Cooperative’s Substation Equipment Maintenance Standards Plan, manufacturer recommendations, and NERC compliance
Perform monthly inspection of substation facilities and equipment, maintain records in PEC’s maintenance tracking software
Perform substation switching under direct supervision of Substation Technician 3 or Substation Supervisor
Execute formal switching orders inside substations as issued by the PEC Transmission Control Center (TCC) to manipulate power flow on the high voltage transmission grid or to isolate transmission equipment
Write and execute formal switching orders inside substations to manipulate power flow on the medium voltage distribution grid or to isolate distribution equipment
Install mobile substations for substation construction projects, routine maintenance of substation power transformers, or emergency power restoration
Perform technical testing of substation equipment using specific test sets including TTR, contact resistance, oil dielectric tests, transformer power factor (Doble) testing, winding resistance, sweep frequency response analysis (SFRA), digital protective relay verification, electromechanical relay calibration, hi-pot, and phasing
Test and inspect substation battery banks and chargers by testing strap impedance, cell voltage, cell impedance, specific gravity, temperature, charging current, and bank voltage
Locate and repair DC grounds within substation control systems
Perform speed tests, mechanical, and electrical inspection on substation 138KV SF6 gas circuit switchers
Perform operating mechanism inspection, motion analysis, contact resistance, gas purity tests, and repair of 138KV SF6 gas breakers
Perform operating mechanism inspection, internal inspection, motion analysis, power factor, contact resistance, and repair of 69/138KV oil breakers
Extract oil samples from energized substation equipment for dissolved gas analysis (DGA) and fluid quality testing, review and interpret lab results
Perform internal inspection and repair according to manufacture specification on a verity of substation power transformer load tap changers (LTC’s), models include RMV II, UVT, UVW, UZD, UZDRT, UZERT, UTT-B, TLS, TC525, LRT200, & 550H
Perform Infrared thermography inspections of substations
Repair hot spots on substation switches and connections identified thru infrared thermography inspections
Perform Partial Discharge surveys on various energized substation equipment
Provide expert technical support for substation capital improvement projects (CIP) by installing temporary equipment, performing load transfers, complex high voltage switching, and isolation of high voltage equipment
Commission new substations or newly upgraded substations. Energize new substation equipment and perform all tests and electrical checks to ensure reliable operation
Verify wiring diagrams and electrical control schematics during substation commissioning projects making corrections and design changes to ensure proper operation of all equipment and control circuits
Program Schweitzer electronic protective relays and function test protection schemes by trip checking all new substation equipment
Write logic scripts used as test plans for SEL digital protective relay tests
Program, test, and commission programmable logic controllers (PLC’s) for protection circuits in substations (SEL relays)
Perform end-to-end testing of PEC’s transmission carrier and fiber communication systems for reliable operation of the high voltage transmission grid
Perform emergency Call-Out duty for all substation issues and respond to substation power outages
Analyze test results on equipment and recommend practical cost-effective solutions for equipment performance and repair
Record data on appropriate test reports to maintain NERC, FERC and TRE compliance
Follow work procedures and company policies
Carry out operating procedures
Coordinate activities with other departments
Operate PEC vehicle(s) for business purposes in accordance with applicable Federal, State, and local law and PEC policies and procedures
Maintain driver eligibility through appropriate valid Texas Driver's License and driving record in accordance with PEC policy
Maintain the security of confidential information
Stay abreast of advances in technology
Demonstrate regular and prompt attendance
Performs other related duties as necessary or assigned