SECTION 5

GUIDELINES FOR OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF SUB

TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION EQUIPMENT

5.1 During operation and maintenance of Sub Transmission and Distribution

Project following activities are involved :

Continuity of Service

Operation and Maintenance

Training and retaining of Operational Staff

Renewal of Maintenance Contract

Upkeep of spare parts Inventory

Record Keeping of Faults in the network/Equipment
Problems,solutions,modifications and enhancements

Close monitoring of budgeted expenditure

Preparation ,Continuous updation and proper maintenance of
operational and network data

Record of protective & isolating devices installed and their
relay settings

Record of schedule of maintenance and preventive and
routine maintenance of network elements

Development/indegenisation of spare parts

Development of maintenance practices ,tools & procedures
for trouble free operation

Record of transformer/switchgear oil testing and its
parameters

5.2 Operation and Maintenance is an essential part of the project after its
completion. Failure to accomplish the same deprive the user of its benefit
and lead to chaotic conditions. The manuals for O&M are pre-requisite for
efficient and trouble free operation of the system/equipment. Manuals for
Operation and Maintenance should contain the following :

Factory and Site test certificates for each item of the system with
reference to relevant design calculation and quality assurance
standards.

Maintenance instructions for all plants and cover preventive and
corrective maintenance procedures.

Maintenance and inspection schedules for all items/equipment
giving type of works required on a weekly ,monthly, annual basis

Proforma of the required maintenance record sheets for all the
component/equipment.

5.3 The guidelines given here are the broad guidelines just to give the feel
of the type of O&M required to be carried on each and every sub-station
equipment. Individual equipment standards such as relevant ISS/BIS/IEC
and manufacturer recommendations must not be ignored in any case.
5.4 During plant shut-downs for overall maintenance and before re-
energisation , the sub-transmission and distribution plants will be subjected
to certain inspection and testing procedures. This also applies to cable route,
that has been de-energised for a long period of time. Planned maintenance
schedules should be carefully drawn up by electricity supply utility before
the installation contractor has completed his work.
5.5 On line inspection and testing is normally limited to visual, external,
physical examination in order to ensure that plant is in a safe condition. Infra
red detector must be used periodically for inspection of overhead lines and
open terminal, sub-station bus bars for hot spots caused by faulty terminals.
5.6 In addition live line washing techniques are also available for cleaning
overhead lines or open terminal sub-station insulators. Purified water with a
high resistance value is used in a fine spray fitted from well-earthed nozzle.
Functional testing and trip schemes require special switching arrangements
initially to reconfigure the power system network. Such planned shut down
of the plant to be tested and network reconfiguration ensure continuity of
supply to consumers while the testing takes place. The electricity supply
utility must formulate such planned outage schemes at different time of the
year (depending upon the load demands) for different maintenance period in
such a fashion that consumer supply is least affected.
5.7 Switchgear site tests during operational maintenance stage which may
depend upon utility to utility depending upon the quality of upkeep of the
equipment and environmental conditions of the site. These generally include
the following :
General checks :
These tests include
Tightness of terminal connection piping junctions and bolted
joints.
Painting and corrosion protection
Cleanliness
Cracking and chipping of bushings.
Checking of foundation bolts
Inspection of contacts lubrication of moving parts of
mechanism of circuit breakers
Electrical Circuit Checks :
Insulation check
Die-electric strength of the insulating oil.
Level of the oil.
Quality of SF6 gas/ insulating medium such as humidity
content, filling pressure or density except for sealed
apparatus
Leakage of oil etc.
Mechanical tests:
Operating circuits(hydraulic, pneumatic, spring charged)
consumption during operation.
Verification of correct rated operating sequence(recharging
etc)

Time quantities:
Checking and adjustment of the track alignment and interlocking
mechanism.
Closing and opening times.
Operation and control of auxiliary circuits.
Recharging time of operating mechanism after specified sequence.
Checks on specific operations.



Electric tests:
Dielectric tests
Resistance of main circuit.

5.8 If the sub-station is constantly attended, the rounds of switchgear are
usually planned for each shift so that all the equipment will be looked at
least once a day . Equipment should also be inspected immediately after a
trip out.
5.9 Sub-stations switchgear requires regular cleaning in accordance with
its design, type of insulation, the degree of pollution of the atmosphere or
ambient air etc. The frequency of cleaning depends upon the type of layout
of the apparatus and insulators. However, cleaning must be done during
each preventive maintenance.
5.10 Even though the vacuum switchgear do not require elaborate
maintenance like that of oil insulated, it is still necessary to make periodic
routine inspection.
5.11 There are two aspects of problem of maintenance. Firstly, the parts
which wear during the normal operation must from time to time, be
replaced and secondly there is preventive maintenance for
detecting deterioration and mal-operation of mechanism. The absence of
ionized gas and carbon during interruption removes the major source of
insulation contamination.
5.12 In the daily operation of the sub-station it is the duty of the attendant
to inspect the equipment externally and remedy any abnormality that does
not require disconnection of the apparatus. During this inspection, a watch is
required to be kept for deposits of dust and dirt on the insulators heating of a
contact, joint or some part, low oil level and oil leakage etc.
5.13 A check should also be made that the locks and doors of the switch
house are in good condition, no leaks have developed in the roof, the
ventilating and heating systems are operating normally, the prescribed safety
aids are in place and in good order, the earthing connection remain
unbroken, the packing of the cables entering or leaving a cable trench or
tunnel within the premises are intact, the ventilating louvers are not
damaged , the access roads leading to the oil filled apparatus are
unobstructed and will allow the approach of the fire engines in the event of
an oil fire during an emergency.
5.14 Guidelines for O & M of Vacuum type Circuit Breaker
1. Vacuum circuit breakers require little maintenance. Only the parts
subject to normal wear and tear need to be serviced to ensure fully
reliable operation.The interval at which the maintenance depends are
,number of operations on faults, switching frequency and actual
service time.
2. Maintenance and inspection should be performed in accordance
with the maintenance schedule given by the manufacturer and should
be adjusted to suit particular operating condition. Visual inspection
should be made once a year and if necessary the older insulating parts
wiped with a clean rag. Under normal conditions vacuum interrupters
need not be serviced. The maximum permissible contact wear is 3
mm.
3. Before starting any maintenance work breakers should be
isolated
short circuited
earthed
auxiliary supply disconnected
springs through normal operation be discharged
safety regulations be followed
visually inspected for any loose or damaged parts
slow closing operation after ensuring the breaker truck is in
withdrawal position be performed
contact erosion on the interrupter be checked
vacuum of the interrupter be checked
mechanism be lubricated
electrical operation of the breaker be performed after putting
the truck in test position
4. The operating mechanism should be oiled and lubricated every 10
years or after 10,000, make break operations.


5. Breaker should be overhauled after 30,000 operations.
6. The interrupter must be replaced after 30,000 mechanical operation or
when the contacts have eroded by the maximum amount as recommended
by the supplier. Generally it is 3 mm.
7. The vacuum circuit breakers with very high switching frequency and
exposed to dust laden atmosphere shall be serviced at 6 months interval.

5.15 Because of relatively low energy arc , the contact erosion is negligible
in most applications and contact adjustments may not be necessary
throughout the life of the vacuum interrupter.



5.16 The periodicity of Maintenance is given below :

Sl No Item of Maintenance Periodicity Remarks

1 Measuring I.R Values of
the poles with Breaker
open(ie across
contacts)and Breaker
closed(pole to earth)
Monthly Compare with
recommended
Values/Earlier
Values
2 Measuring Insulation
Resistance of control
Circuit winding
Yearly Minimum 2
Mega Ohms with
a 500 Volt
Megger
3 Anti Condensation
Heaters
Daily Ensure that
heater is on and
is working


5.17 Guidelines for O&M of SF6 Circuit Breakers
SF6 switchgear require virtually no maintenance .Complete protection
against ambient conditions prevents deterioration of insulating strength
.There is no need to clean the insulators with conventional equipment.
Moisture content remains roughly constant at the value set at
commissioning.



The maintenance mainly involves following jobs :
Sl
No
Item of Maintenance

Periodicity Remarks


1 SF6 density Monitoring Daily in each
shift
If Change Carry
Leakage Test
2 Humidity Measurement Yearly Use Dew Meter.if
Change,Evacuation,Re-
Cycling and Refilling
required
3 Acid concentration Measureme Yearly -do-
4 Air Content Measurement Yearly
5 Gas Leakage Test Yearly Consult Manufacturer if
any Leakage

6 Control Circuit Insulation
Checking
Yearly Min 2 Mega Ohm with
500 V Megger
7 Measurement of Contacts
Insulation
Yearly To be done by 2.5 kV
megger or above

8 Evacuation,Recycling and
refilling
5 yearly or To be done if humidity
is in excess or
permissible value
9 Checking the Br level with
sprit level
Yearly

2. Following precaution is required to be taken in case unit is
suspected of leakage of SF6 gas :
All personnel should be evacuated from the area
Good Ventilation should be provided in that area
Contaminated SF6 gas should be removed through pipes vented to
outside atmosphere
The gas should be removed by pumping through absorbents and
stored in cylinders
5.18 O & M of Air Blast Circuit Breakers :
Following Maintenance Schedule is recommended for Air Blast
Circuit Breakers :
Sl No Item of Maintenance Periodicity Remark
1 Checking of Pressure Daily in Each
shift
Carry Leakage Test
if appreciable
Change
2 Draining out Condensed
water
From HP Cylinders
Twice Daily Increase Frequency
of Draining during
Rainy
Season
3 Draining out condensed
water from CB tanks
Monthly -do-
4 Visual checking of oil level
in the dash pot,checking of
manometer reading
Monthly
5 Capacitance ,Measurement Yearly
For Grading capacitors
6 Insulation Resistance
Measurement for control
circuit
Yearly Minimum 2 Mega
Ohms with a 500
V Megger
7 Measurement of IR
Values across Contacts(CB
off )
Yearly Minimum 2.5
kV Megger to be
used
8 Checking the Br level
with Sprit Level
Yearly

5.19 O & M of Minimum Oil Circuit Breakers
For 6.6 kv/11 kV service the circuit breaker bushing have a hollow
porcelain shell which houses the current carrying rods but contains no
filling, while for 33 kV service the current carrying rod or tube is covered
with insulation and hollow space within the porcelain shell is filled with
bitumen filling compound.
Bushing inspection includes a check of the cemented joints. It should not
show the sign of cracking and grumbling or any sign of filling compound
leakage at the cemented joint if disintegration of the cement extends deeply
into the joints, the bushing must be replaced otherwise surface can be
patched with cement of same composition and then, after it dries coated with
oil paint.
The porcelain shells be cleaned with dry clothes or cloth wetted in
transformer oil.
Insulation of the internal moving parts of a circuit breaker, the arc control
devices the inter-phase barriers the light rods and guide bars and the tank
insulators be checked.
The maintenance schedule for oil circuit breakers are given below :
Sl No Item of Maintenance Periodicity Remarks
1. Checking of oil leakage
from guage glass, drain
valve and other joints
Daily
2. Testing of oil sample for
dielectric strength
Quarterly If the value is low oil
should be replaced
with fresh tested oil.
Oil shall also be
replaced after 12
trippings on fault or as
per recommendations
of manufacturer. Oil
filling instructions
given by the
manufacturer shall be
followed.
3. Measuring IR values across
contract with breaker off
and pole to earth with
breaker on
Quarterly Note:Before closing
MOCB on a fault, the
operator should ensure
that adequate oil level
is available in the
breaker by observing
the gauge glass and if
adequate oil is not
available, the breaker
should not be test
charged.
4. Checking the Br. Level with
spirit level
Yearly

5.20 O & M of Distribution Transformers
Following maintenance schedule is recommended for distribution
transformers.

Sl
No
Item of Maintenance Periodicity
1. Cleaning of bushing and external surface of
tank cooling pipes
Monthly
2. Checking of oil levels in the conservator and
gauge glass
Monthly
3. Checking of the breather and replacement if
necessary
Monthly
4. Checking of oil level in the oil seal of breather
and top up if necessary
Monthly
5. Checking of HG fuse & L.T fuse and renew if
necessary(correct gauge shall be maintained)
Checking breaker operation in case of CSP
transformer.
Monthly
6. Checking of vent pipe diaphragm Monthly
7. Checking of terminal loose connections if any
and tightening the same
Monthly
8. Checking for any oil leaks & rectification
(including replacement of oil seals if required)
Monthly
9. Taking long tester reading during peak load
hours and remedial action whenever load
exceeds 80% rated capacity
Quarterly
10. Noting down neutral currents and load
balancing in the three phase
Quarterly
11. Measurement of IR values Half yearly
12. Testing of oil for BDV, acidity,water content Half yearly
13. Checking of lightening arrestors and
replacement if required (preferably once before
monsoon)
Half yearly
14. Measurement of earth resistance checking of
earth in system and rectification if required
Half yearly
15. Tap Changer equipment During
Transformer
Maintenance
16. Overhaul of transformer One in 5 years


1.21 Guidelines for O & M of Control Circuits and Power Sources
1. In sub-stations lead acid storage batteries are normally used to supply
D.C. power required for control and other auxiliary purposes. The
following are the activities to be performed during O&M of auxiliary
equipment.
Cleaning of battery room
Checking of proper functioning of exhaust system. Exhaust system
should be in operation while charging of battery is in progress.
Prohibit smoking, striking of match boxes or use of blow lamps or
welding torches and display in this regard is intact in the battery room
Avoid flange joints in the heating system in these rooms,
5% soda solution as spare be kept so as to neutralize splash of acid on
the skin or clothing
Use of canvas work gloves and apron is must.
Use of small glass plates of slightly smaller size than inside dimension
to cover open jars
Glazing of windows with frosted glass to protect batteries from direct
action of sunrays.
Use acid paint to paint walls, ceilings and metal parts and accessories.
Check specific gravity of the electrolyte at the bottom and top of the
battery cells once every quarter.
Boost charging of the battery once in three months/as per
manufacturer recommendation.
Monitor the voltage conditions and specific gravity (once a month).
Regular inspection of the battery room/battery daily/weekly for

Visual checking of battery room, ventilation and
lighting(daily)
Checking of electrical connections for tightness (weekly)
Application of petroleum jelly to joints and cell connections
(weekly)
Complete intactness of the jars (daily)
Level of electrolyte and topping of jars with DM water
(weekly)
Correct position of the plates (daily)
No leaks (daily)
Clean the jars, stands, walls and floors (daily)
Specific gravity measurement of pilot cell (daily)
Voltage reading of pilot cell (daily)
Indentification of lagging cells(low specific gravity cells)
(daily)
Look for white spots (sulphation) buckling or short
circuiting of plates (daily)
Traces of corrosion (daily)
Mud in the bottom of the jars (daily)
Checking electrolyte temperature(random cells) (daily)
Checking operation of rectifier (daily)


1.22 Time interval for preventive maintenance of sub-station
equipment.
1. Preventive maintenance tests are to be carried out on the sub-station in
accordance with the rules and standards covering each kind of
equipment. The intervals at which they should be carried out depend
on number of factors such as, number of trippings , quality of earlier
maintenance of equipment, severity of faults occurred etc .However
the following interval is generally recommended
Circuit breakers, insulators, earthing , no load disconnectors and their
operating mechanism as a rule are tested following each general
overhaul (but intervals no longer than 3 years)

Dry type reactors, carrier frequency coupling capacitors,power
factor correction capacitors and oil immersed instrument
transformer must be tested at least once every three years.
Busbars etc. must be tested/maintained once a year.
Transformer inspection must be carried out disconnecting the units
from the line and are timed for the following frequency:
(a) In permanently attended sub-stations the maintenance and
service transformer must be inspected once every day, all the
other transformer once every five days.
(b) In unattended sub-station all the units must be inspected once
a month
(c) In small transformer sub-station and kiosks all the units are
inspected at intervals not longer than 6 months.

2. During the above inspection, check must be made for oil
leaks at the joints, oil cocks and radiator etc. for bad or defective joints
in the bushing and for signs of chipping cracks or flashover on the
bushings porcelain. Other abnormality that can be detected by external
inspection are :
loud and irregular noise
crackling sounds from within the transformer
Oil discharge through the diaphragm of the relief vent
High and rising oil at normal load



5.23 O & M of Relays
It is essential to test protection equipment on site in order to ensure the
following :
That the relays are correctly installed.
That the relay equipment has not been damaged during transit and
that any packaging restraint has been correctly removed.
That the relay equipment is correctly connected and wired up in
accordance with the approved drawing.
That the relays and associated trip coils operate within the required
margins and are set to required settings.

5.23.1 The following checks are required to be made on relays & associated
circuitry:
Physical check on all wiring and connections
Check on all fuses, MCBs, links, test switches and earthing
terminals etc.
Proper earthing of relay cases
Polarity of DC supply
Cleaning of relay cases or racks for dirt etc.
Insulation resistance measurement on all DC and AC
circuits
Secondary current and voltage injection tests
Checks for correct setting of relays
Directional tests in case of directional relay
Any other tests based on manufacturer recommendation for
various types of relays
5.23.2 Periodicity of tests may be decided based on manufacturers
recommendation, site conditions, number of operations, trouble in operation
etc. However, these tests should be carried out at least once in six months.

5.24 Typical transformer, on load tap changer and sub-station maintenance
inspection report are given in Annexure-PEVOM1 to Annexure-PEVOM4.
These appendix are general guidelines.However it is recommended that
manufacturer recommendation and relevant ISS/BS/IEC must also be
referred to.
5.25 Premonsoon inspection
This is done before the onset of monsoon which is the severest operating
season for the overhead lines. Inspection must be done by climbing each
support after making the lines dead and effectively earthing them. Defects
are rectified preferably then and there to ensure a satisfactory performance
during monsoon.
All the points enumerated under ground patrolling are to be effectively
tested, the check being visual at close quarters as well as by handling of the
equipment.
Items involving special methods of inspection are enumerated below.
Insulators, conductors and fittings :
i) Check insulators for cracks by ringing methods (with a wooden
hammer), use meggar methods wherever possible. A check for
defects concealed by the binding. Check condition of stiffner
and armour tape covering in the case of Aluminium conductor
pin bindings.
ii) Check condition of the conductor within the suspension clamps
by removing the conductor from the clamp by means of a chain
or rope blocks in case of heavy conductors and any broken
strands in the outer layer resulting from vibration will then be
apparent.
Check the condition of inner layers of conductors at the suspension
clamp for break in strands due to conductor vibrations.
To do this the conductor is gripped by the suspension clamps at a
point 8 or 9 inches from normal position and a twist is applied by means of a
special wooden level fixed to the conductor at the corresponding position on
the opposite side of the normal position of the clamp. Two or three fractured
Aluminium strands in the case of heavy conductors after a number of years
of service would not call for immediate action, although the fact must be
carefully recorded to ensure that a further check is made at the next
inspection. In the case of small size conductors it is desirable to replace that
section of the conductor and a new length inserted with a joint on each side
of the clamp. When fractured strands are found a special examination of the
vibration dampers is made on the tower affected and on those immediately
adjacent, and if all are found in good order, it may be assumed that the
vibration in those spans is such that additional dampers are necessary.
Inspect parallel groove clamps for signs of bad contact. Slight burning
can be dealt with by wire brushing the conductors and the grooves of the
clamps, the whole being reassembled after applying grease having a high
melting point to the conductors and the clamps, new clamps must be fitted
and, if the jumpers are long enough, the conductors may be shortened by
cutting off the burned ends. Where this is not possible owing to clearances
being too far reduced, one of the spares must be lowered and a new piece of
conductor joined to provide a new jumper of sufficient length. If this is not
possible in the time available, a short length of conductor may, as a
temporary expedient, be inserted in the number itself by using two parallel
groove clamps, but the work necessary to eliminate the second clamps
should be undertaken.
Check condition of eye botls, hooks, shackles, pins, links, etc., of the
insulator and conductor fittings as a result of conductor swing especially on
lines in exposed location running at right angles to the direction of
prevailing winds, and for rust and corrosion.
Vibration dampers, Replace dampers if sagging of weights is noticed in
the case of stock bridge type dampers and looseness of weights at the stacks
in the case of other type of dampers. Tighten loose clamping bolts.
Conduct/Examine conductor in mid-spans for broken stands. Temporary
repair can be carried out by binding with copper wind in case of copper
conductor or aluminium tapes in case of ACSR conductor.When a large
number of strands are broken ,or when the steel core, in case of ACSR
conductor , is damaged, a new length must be inserted.
Check ACSR conductor for corrosion which has spread to inner strands
in the case of coastal areas due to salt spray penetrating the aluminium
strands and setting up an electrolytic action between the steel core and the
aluminum in contract with it. The conductor should be replaced as early as
possible in this case.
When corrosion is limited to outer strands only, as is usual in industrial
areas, it is rarely so serious as to warrant the replacement of the conductors
before the years of anticipated life have lapsed..
II. Pole mounted; secondary Distribution sub-station :
The annual maintenance of the sub-stations may be carried out during the
pre-monsoon inspection as per the approved schedule of maintenance.

5.26 Maintenance of lines
Pre-monsoon inspection of all 33 kV lines have to be completed between
January and March every year under the supervision of the S.D.O /Deputy
Manager duly obtaining approval for pre-arranged shut downs for the entire
programme.
The staff carrying out the pre-monsoon inspection should carry all the
T&P like, ropes, Petroleum Jelly, cotton waste and sufficient O&M
materials like insulator, discs, nuts for the pins, binding wire etc.
The tree clearance shall be done, and all the minor defects like
(1)damaged insulators(2) improper pin binding (3) Loose jumpering (4)
loose stays shall be rectified during the inspection itself. All the insulators
shall be cleaned with the dungry cloth. All the A.B switches shall be
lubricated and defective blades replaced.
The defects which may take considerable time for rectification shall be
noted down(Such as insertion of poles, replacement of damaged conductor,
replacement of damaged supports etc) and attended within the next one
week, properly programming.
Periodical patrolling of 33 kV lines are to be done monthly by the area
L.I The patrolling shall also be done and suspected defects rectified by the
area L.I, whenever the line trips on fault.
The 33 kV break downs are to be attended under the personal
supervision of the S.D.O/deputy Manager.
1. The pre-monsoon inspection of 11 kV lines are to be carried out under
the personal supervision of the Section Officer.
2. All the steps mentioned in that of 33 kV lines are to be taken while
carrying out the inspection.
3. The periodical patrolling every month and the patrolling whenever trips
on fault, shall be carried out by the area maintenance staff under the
supervision of the L.I.
4. The 11kV breakdowns are to be attended under the personal supervision
of the Section Officer.
L.T. Lines.
1. The pre-monsoon inspection of the L.T lines are to be carried out by the
area lineman, duly monitored by the L.I.
2. All the steps mentioned in that of 33 kV lines are to be taken during the
inspection.
3. The L.T lines are to be patrolled and defects rectified by the area
LM/ALM/JLM, whenever the section fuse/HG fuses blow off frequently.
4. The area LM/ALM/JLM is responsible for providing spacers, wherever,
loose spans are observed.
5. The rectification of loose stays, insertion of poles in the lengthy spans
etc. have to be programmed by the L.I/Section Officer and completed in a
limited frame of time.
5.27 Procedure for Permit to Work(Line Clear)
A Line Clear is a permit to work on any electrical equipment or line.
It will be issued by an authorised person to another authorised person. If
there are more than one gang working under the same supervisor, each gang
should take sub-line clears from the supervisor who has taken the line
clear.In case, if the line clear has to be issued for himself, he shall take self
line clear. In this case also, all the precautions that are to be followed in
issue and return of line clear shall be followed.
Line clear books are very important records. Pages in these books
should be serially numbered, no paper from this book should be used for any
other purpose. If any, page is to be destroyed, the custodian should
specifically mention the reasons for doing so. It should be attested by his
dated signature. The line clear books shall be reviewed periodically by the
Asstt. Divisional Engineer.
Line clear can be issued/received over telephone. It is desirable that the
issuer/receiver recognises each others voice. The requisition for line clear
and the line clear issue messages shall be repeated by both the parties to
ensure that line clears are issued/received on the equipment on which it is
intended. A secret code number shall be followed in such cases.
Procedure before issue of Line Clear
i) Approval of the competent authority for shut-down of line/equipment
should be verified.
ii) Line/equipment shall be switched off.
iii) No back feed certificates, wherever necessary shall be obtained.
iv) The issuer should personally see and ensure that all the blades of the
AB Switch are physically in open condition and locked.
v) The line/equipment shall be earthed by discharge rods.
vi) A Danger Do not operate Board shall be exhibited on the
Concerned control panel a Men on line board shall be exhibited on the
outdoor AB/Switch/equipment.
vii) All operations for issue of line clear shall be done personally by
the issuer or it shall be done under his personal supervision.
viii) After following all the precautions the Line clear book shall be filled
up carefully without leaving any column left unfilled. It shall be signed
with date and time by the issuer and issued to the receiver. Signature
with date and time of the receiver shall be obtained on the duplicate,
and this shall be kept in safe custody
Responsibilities of the receiver:
i) The receiver should very clearly indicate the specific
equipment/line which he wants to work when requisitioning
for L.C.
ii) If the receiver is at the same place as that of the issuer he shall
follow all the operations being conducted so as to ensure that
line clears are being issued on the correct line/equipment.
iii) At the work spot, after receiving line clear, he shall earth the
line/equipment on either side of the workspot.
iv) In case if any other power lines are crossing near to work
spot of the line on which LC is received he shall also obtain
LCs on all such lines to avoid induction.
v) He shall write down on the duplicate form the number of
persons engaged on the work.
Rules to be followed when returning of LC:
i) The persons who has received the LC only should return it.
ii) He shall personally ensure that there are no men, material or earth
on the line.
iii) He shall inform all the workmen that it is no longer safer to work
on the line as the line clear is being returned.
iv) The Line/equipment shall not be charged until the LC is cancelled.
Before cancellation of LC the following precautions shall be taken:
a) The returned LC shall be carefully examined.It shall be
ensured that all the certificates required are furnished.
b) Men on Line Danger do not operate boards shall be
removed.
c) It shall be ensured that no other LC is pending. All men
material removed; Earthing is removed.
d) All no back fed certificates shall be returned.
e) After charging the line/equipment check should be made
for unusual sound/noise.
f) All the workmen/supervisor shall be permitted to leave
the work spot only after the normalcy is restored.

5.28 Line Maintenance Through Hotline Techniques.
1. Hot lines maintenance of lines mainly deals with the maintenance
of energised line without any interruption to the power from Low
Voltage line to Ultra High Voltage line. Equipment or machinery
suffers from minor ailments, which leads to major breakdowns.These
breakdowns can be attended by adopting Hot Line Maintenance
Techniques without taking the shut down.
2. Maintenance Methods
Following are the methods adopted by some of the Electrical
Utilities for maintenance in Transmission and Distribution System.
i) Pre-arranged shutdown methods after identifying the faults
ii) Sudden faults developed as breakdowns and rectification is a
breakdown maintenance.
iii) Preventive Hotline maintenance.

3. Broadly there are two types of techniques at present in use.
i) Hot Stick Technique
ii) Bare Hand Technique.

Hot Stick Technique :
Hot Stick Technique can be used from 11 kV to 220 kV lines where as
bare Hand Methods is a must for Ultra High Tension lines i.e. from 400 kV
and above. APTRANSCO of Andhra Pradesh is using Bare Hand
Techniques for the preventive maintenance of 132 kV and 220 kV EHT
Lines and Sub-stations .BBMB is using Hot Line Technique for 220 kV and
below.
Epoxy Glass made stick of high Mechanical and Dielectric strength,
wrapped inside a foam material is used for tying or untying the insulator
bindings.
Wire Tong holds the conductor or jumper and move them for a safe
clearance of the maintenance crew.
Flexible wrench-By fixing the suitable sockets of the required size, the
bolt and nuts, of pad clamps, T clamps etc. can be tightened or loosened.
For these Hot Sticks different suitable metal heads are fitted for
carrying out number of operations like changing of broken insulators,
flashed over insulators and all the connected parts of tension and suspension
points of the live lines without interruption to the power or without availing
any shutdown. And also tightening or loosening of cut point jumper bolt and
nuts, replacing vibration dampers, replacing suspension shoe clamps etc., of
the EHT Lines and Lifting up of the conductors, changing of cross arms up
to 11 kV and 33 kV can be carried out by this Hot Stick Method.
Bare Hand Technique :
Bare Hand Technique means to charge a person to the required
voltage level on an insulated platform either by traversing the person by
insulated ladder or by raising through an insulated boom, and carrying out
the work on charged line with Hands. The chargeable person will wear a
conductive suit comprising of cotton, asbestos and stainless steel threads,
along with conductive shoes of copper threaded carbon sole with conductive
socks and conductive hand gloves. Total continuity will be maintained from
Head of Toe covering the head with hood except the face.
The Bare Hand Technique is not a single man operation, it requires
both Hot Stick Method as explained previously and a bare hand person.
By this Bare Hand Technique damaged Bus jumpers, T Clamps,
isolator pad clamps, female contacts are being replaced without the
interruption to the bus bars, and conductor damages also being attended
when sufficient clearances are there for operation.
By adopting this Bare Hand Technique lot of problems like taking
Bus shut downs, line clear etc. can be avoided and there by saving lot of
time and revenue as also interruptions.
While making the project proposals these maintenance tools are
required to be procured.
5.29 Guidelines for operation of Capacitors.
1. The status of the capacitor would be determined by the voltage
at the highest voltage bus available at the substation subject to
the maximum permissible voltage at the bus on which the
capacitor bank is connected and the loading factor i.e. ratio of
the total MVA load on the bus at which the capacitor is
installed to the MVAR rating of the capacitor.
2. Accordingly, the switching on/off of the capacitor bank would
be done as per the following table:
Voltage of highest level at the substation(kV).
Above Between Below
230 230-220 220-215 215-205 205(For 220 kV level)
140 140-132 132-128 128-122 122(For 132 kV level)
70 70-68 68-65 65-60 60(For 66 kV level)
30 35-34 34-32 32-30 30(For 33 kV level)
Loading factor

Loading factor
Above 2 Off Status-Quo On On On
1 to 2 Off Off Status-Quo On On
Below 1 Off Off Off status-quo On

LV bus voltage should be controlled by changing transformer taps.

3. Notwithstanding the above, if the voltage at the bus on which
capacitor is connected is 1.1 per unit or higher, the capacitor will be
switched off.
5.30 A routine check of the capacitor performance is to be made by
measuring current with the help of Ammeter /Tong tester once in two
months and maintain the record. If any reduction in current /failure of
capacitor is noticed, supplier/manufacturers must be contacted immediately
and replacement of capacitor be initiated.