Training, Service, and Maintenance

of Gas-Insulated Substations 24
Peter Glaubitz, Carolin Siebert, and Klaus Zuber

Contents
24.1 Training of Operation Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 462
24.2 Operational Aspects and After Sales Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 462
24.3 Types of Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 462
24.4 Maintenance Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 463
24.5 Operation and Maintenance Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464
24.5.1 Operational and Maintenance Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464
24.5.2 Operational and Maintenance Opening Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 466
24.5.3 Substation Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 469
24.6 Special Aspects of Repair Maintenance after Major Dielectric Failure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 470
24.7 Basic Input Data and Additional Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 471
24.7.1 Information to Be Given by the User and the Manufacturer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 472
24.7.2 Additional Recommendations for the User and the Manufacturer . . . . . . . . . . . 472
24.8 General Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 474
24.9 Training for Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 475
24.10 Training for Operating and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 475
24.11 Specialized Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 476
24.12 Information to Be Given by the User and the Manufacturer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 476
24.12.1 Basic Users Input Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 476
24.12.2 Basic Manufacturers Input Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 477

P. Glaubitz (*)
GIS Technology, Energy Management Division, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany
e-mail: peter.glaubitz@siemens.com
C. Siebert
Energy Management, Siemens AG, Berlin, Germany
e-mail: carolin.siebert@siemens.com
K. Zuber
Energy Division, Gas Insulated Switchgear, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany
e-mail: zuber.scott@t-online.de

# Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2019 461

T. Krieg, J. Finn (eds.), Substations, CIGRE Green Books,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49574-3_24
462 P. Glaubitz et al.

24.1 Training of Operation Personnel

Prior to commissioning and formal acceptance, the user’s appropriate personnel

should be trained by the manufacturers in the operation and maintenance of the
GIS equipment.
If possible, key personnel may benefit from taking part in factory assembly and
testing, and in on-site erection and testing, ref.: Sect. 24.8.

24.2 Operational Aspects and After Sales Support

Subsequent to formal acceptance, operation of the GIS installation is the user’s

responsibility. Operational together with maintenance aspects are covered under
Sect. 24.5.
An important item to be agreed during the contract negotiations is “After-Sales
Support.” This item covers such aspects as technical support, service at short notice,
supply of spare parts, lifetime, etc.

24.3 Types of Maintenance

The technical specification and/or manuals prepared by the manufacturer must

include at least the following maintenance requirements:

(a) For operational conditions (see ▶ Sect. 16.5)

(b) For condition monitoring and diagnostic facilities (see ▶ Sects. 19.2 and ▶ 19.3)
(c) The work extent, duration, downtime, and deenergization required for different
types of maintenance (see below)
(d) The maintenance conditions (climatic conditions, availability of lifting and
operating mechanism facilities, spare parts, special tools and accessories, etc.)

Manufacturers normally recommend two major types of maintenance

(a) Inspection carried out at frequent (specified) intervals and including checks (for
any abnormal indications) without any need for an outage
(b) Scheduled maintenance, which usually consists of:
• Routine Scheduled Maintenance – carried out regularly at intervals of
5–10 years if the limit number of mechanical CO switching operations
and/or the cumulative energy switched is not exceeded. This includes work
which does not cause enclosures to be opened (dismantling) and
• Overhaul Maintenance – carried out at intervals of 25 years or more or upon
accumulation of the permissible number of switching operations and includ-
ing opening some gas compartments (dismantling)

The recent trend has been towards Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) and/or
Reliability Centered Maintenance, which is similar to Scheduled Maintenance but
24 Training, Service, and Maintenance of Gas-Insulated Substations 463

comprises maintenance based on information from monitoring equipment which

predicts when maintenance is necessary (rather than maintenance based on time in
service or number of operations). Manufacturers should recommend in their speci-
fication those parameters which are decisive for such Condition Based Maintenance
and determine their permissible limits (ref.: Sect. 24.7.2).
Special types of maintenance are represented by Repair Maintenance and Cor-
rective Maintenance. Repair Maintenance covers all work after a breakdown or a
failure of the equipment; Corrective Maintenance serves to correct type faults found
during service or during other maintenance and must be performed on similar
equipment in the system.
For service availability planning purposes, the manufacturer should be prepared
to provide the user with the average repair time. These values should be related either
to individual GIS components or at least to the specific single-line diagram circuit
breaker bay.

24.4 Maintenance Policy

Users should cost their maintenance activities over the expected GIS lifetime.
Generalization is not possible, but it is likely that, in the event the user is less
experienced and/or the utility has not yet established a maintenance support organi-
zation, one option for maintenance (namely, major repair and corrective types,
necessary spares included) would be to contract this to the manufacturer or a third
party. Some issues to be considered in deciding whether to subcontract maintenance
are as follows:

• Capital cost of maintenance facilities required at each substation including:

• Handling of contaminated gas and compartments
• Potential cost savings if workshops are included
• Specialist equipment
• Test equipment
• Special capabilities for mechanism components
• Number of substations
• The larger the number of substation the more viable user maintenance
becomes.
• Availability and costs of skilled personnel
• What training, resources, and facilities are required?
• Is training likely to be forgotten if activities are not regular?
• Age profile of maintenance personnel expected productive life of equipment
• Availability of components from manufacturer’s normal production line or
other sources
• Any specialist processes required for components
• Security of supply from manufacturer/third party
• Commitment of manufacturer to supply components for equipment not in
regular production.
464 P. Glaubitz et al.

• Likelihood of manufacturer/third party not continuing in business.

• Availability guarantees contracts. The manufacturer guarantees certain avail-
ability and takes care of all activities necessary to achieve this level.
• Equipment leasing from manufacturer and guarantees
• Agreement for a manufacturer to construct, install, maintain, and own the
equipment while it is leased to an operating utility is possible. (Note: Normally
some form of long-term financing or insurance would be required by the
manufacturer.) Alternatively, special guarantees covering extended warranty
or liabilities may be available.

24.5 Operation and Maintenance Provisions

The following steps are to be considered when designing operation and maintenance
provisions.

24.5.1 Operational and Maintenance Safety

Operational and maintenance safety is achieved by introducing a proper design in the

following main fields:

• Primary electrical circuits

• Enclosure designs
• Secondary electrical circuits. (See ▶ Chap. 19 for control and protection systems
which include all functions for operation, interlocking, monitoring, signaling, and
protection)
• Safety rules and training
• Documentation

Though basic considerations are similar to AIS rules, there are some items typical
for GIS. They concern, namely, the following:

24.5.1.1 Primary Circuit Earthing Principles

Several options are available for the user to achieve primary earthing during main-
tenance or fault repair outages.

• A main option which does not require degassing is the provision of a sufficient
number of permanently installed, electrically (as well as mechanically)
interlocked, earthing switches at all possible locations where they may be
required within the GIS to allow appropriate maintenance earthing. For this
function both types of earthing switch are suitable, i.e., those with capability to
close onto a short circuit (high speed earthing switches) and those without this
capability (slow-operation types).
24 Training, Service, and Maintenance of Gas-Insulated Substations 465

Note:
In the use of non-short circuit making earthing switches, there is a remote
possibility that if the appropriate operational permit system and interlocking chain
are incorrectly performed then a non-short circuit making earthing switch could be
closed onto a live busbar, thus inducing an internal fault with consequential loss of
availability of plant and potential operator danger. If the possibilities of such an
incorrect earthing switch operation, although small, are unacceptable, then a further
option is the application of short circuit making earthing switches at least at line
entries or throughout the GIS.

• In some local regulations, it is requested that the absence of voltage be verified

prior to connecting a conductor to earth. This requirement can be met by an
additional voltage probe. If this is not possible with the GIS equipment, it may be
permitted to replace this operation by closing an earthing switch with rated short
circuit making current.
• GIS with directly connected overhead lines or those connected by air-insulated
conductors offer a possibility of bay earthing by means of conventional
air-insulated earthing switches (earthing knifes at support insulators) or portable
earthing rods. However, the use of portable earthing rods at higher voltage levels
as the only earthing device is not always permitted by local rules.
• Another option for earthing for repair and/or major maintenance purposes within
GIS is by portable earthing devices which can be connected at specially adapted
places on primary conductors. This method necessitates degassing, removal of
access covers, and usually a special installation procedure has to be adopted.
Nevertheless, after detailed analysis of all different service requirements needed
for major disassembly, repair work or further extension of a specific substation
and the need for portable earthing device installation can be minimized. Such
analysis needs a close collaboration with manufacturer.
• In some cases, the portable earthing devices should be designed to allow refilling
the compartment in order to reenergize a part of the GIS, so as to limit the outages
during repair work. This is the case when the earthing device is in the same
compartment as the disconnector.

24.5.1.2 Enclosure Design

For enclosure (encapsulation) design, as well as pressurized equipment rules, see
▶ Sect. 18.2.
All gas zones should be provided with a pressure relief device (like a rupture disk)
for safely releasing the overpressure, which might be generated in the event of an
internal fault. Burn-through of an enclosure must be avoided within the first stage of
protection. Pressure relief device operation (when these are present) must occur prior
to reaching to a high overpressure.
If they are used, the pressure relief devices should be located at points which
operational personnel do not normally have to access, and the pressure relief device
venting should be in a safe direction by means of diverters to avoid injury to
personnel.
466 P. Glaubitz et al.

24.5.1.3 Safety Aspects

Checking of isolating gap and/or earthing connection: The absence of a visible
isolating gap on disconnectors has already led to changes in maintenance safety
rules required by many users in comparison with rules prescribed for AIS. If GIS
enclosures are not equipped with viewports, it is not possible, before starting of any
maintenance work, to insist on visual checking (“own eyes”) of a disconnector’s
isolating gap and an earthing switch closed position. Windows can help in this
respect but on the other hand they can affect the overall integrity of GIS and
introduce additional leakage. The user should be aware that an isolating gap in
GIS provides its functional integrity if the SF6 gas pressure is within allowed limits.
Many users nowadays accept the principle of external position indication pro-
viding that it always truly represents the state of the internal contacts (IEC 60694,
IEC 62271–100/ 102/ 200) fulfilling the requirements for the ‘kinematic chain’
for position indication as stated in the standards.

24.5.2 Operational and Maintenance Opening Procedures

The overall design of the GIS and each of the primary components should be such as
to allow the removal of any defective component with the minimum of disturbance
to the adjacent components and preferably without requiring an outage of more than
one section of busbar and of one circuit, depending on the specific busbar configu-
ration. The GIS manufacturer should provide user guidance on the methods of
achieving this requirement at various locations in the GIS.
The extent of zones which may require an outage coupled with their outage
duration represents a very complex issue which depends, in general, on the design
and configuration of the substation. It is particularly necessary to pay special
attention to the following:
(a) Single-line diagram design – Busbar scheme and number of all switching
devices
(b) Configuration and layout design
• Design and installation of earthing switches
• Optimization of transversely removable enclosure sections
(c) Gas segregation of gas compartments, internal design of main conductors and
joints, and shape and fixing of barriers
(d) Operational and maintenance access
(e) Substation equipment

Provided that the enclosure is designed and tested according to IEC 62271–203,
CENELEC, or pressure vessel regulations and cast-resin partitions are designed and
tested with the minimum requirements of CENELEC standard EN 50089, the
following procedures, in addition to normal safety procedures and outage require-
ments, are recommended:
(a) Dismantling procedures for routine and major maintenance in compartments
without internal arc
24 Training, Service, and Maintenance of Gas-Insulated Substations 467

• All internal conducting parts concerned during disassembly must be earthed

throughout the whole procedure (Temporary earthing connections are
permitted).
• Evacuate all respective gas compartments (storing of SF6).
• Ascertain that there is no gas leakage from the adjacent compartments under
pressure.
• Fill the compartments with fresh air at atmospheric pressure.
• Open the compartments and ensure air circulation inside the compartments.
• Avoid any mechanical impact on a pressurized cast-resin partition and limit
the work on them to the extraction or insertion of conductors with sliding
contacts or protection devices.
(b) Dismantling procedure in case of an internal arc
• All safety rules described in or referred to in ▶ Sect. 23.5 must be
complied with.
• In addition to item (a), the cast-resin partitions which could have been in
contact with the arc must be depressurized before the compartment is opened.

24.5.2.1 Gas Compartment Segregation Aspects

Equipment should be segregated into sufficient independent gas zones to allow the
required degree of operational flexibility to be achieved.
Besides the operation and maintenance aspects, the basic gas compartment
segregation rules are the following:

• The segregation of gas zones should comply with the protection philosophy and
match the parts of GIS which will be disconnected in the event of a failure.
• Easy location and isolation of major and/or minor failures normally requires a
higher number of gas compartments than for operational considerations alone.
• Lower probability of premature pressure relief device operation in the event of
internal failure calls for a reduced number of gas compartments with larger gas
volumes.
• Circuit-breakers should be accommodated in a gas zone independent of other
equipment.

It is obvious that these requirements are in conflict. The final solution will result
from the optimization process.
Furthermore, traditional maintenance philosophies applied to AIS for the isola-
tion of a circuit or component based solely on the electrical single-line drawing
requirements are no longer adequate for GIS, since gas compartment segregation
does not necessarily match the primary component physical positioning.

• SF6 must never be removed from a gas compartment which is still energized.
• In the event that SF6 gas must be removed from a gas compartment accommo-
dating two or more devices, conventional electrical isolation points may overlap,
requiring an enlargement of the section to be isolated.
468 P. Glaubitz et al.

• Maintenance or repair activities involving removal of the whole or portions of a

component require close scrutiny of the gas compartment segregation of the
affected area, so as to ensure that safety standards concerning work done adjacent
to pressurized barriers are not violated. Generally, it can be stated that it is
desirable to reduce the gas pressure on adjacent gas compartments to a slightly
positive level in the event it is necessary to dismantle or remove a primary
component. However, exceptions do exist and each case should be looked at
separately, both from a safety and a practical point of view.

As it has already been mentioned above, the basic segregation based on gas-tight
isolation zones with different disconnection logic during an internal fault might not
be sufficient. In addition, in view of GIS design and/or because of local safety
regulations, the SF6 gas pressure must be reduced to a certain safety margin in one or
more of the compartments adjacent to that one which must be opened or
disassembled for work (and/or the adjacent compartment must be opened, too).
The consequences are obvious: Gas compartments at atmospheric SF6 or air
pressure are not able to perform their dielectric functions. If this rule affects a
disconnector, then another disconnector in series will have to take over its function
and a deenergized zone will be extended.
Similar situations can be observed if too many earthing switches are included in a
disconnector chamber (one compartment) or if there are no transversely removable
enclosures installed in the GIS configuration. The effects of these conditions differ
very much in accordance with various manufacturers’ designs, single-line diagrams,
and layouts. The user must be aware of such GIS service restrictions and must weigh
his service requirements and their cost penalty. The manufacturer’s assistance and an
optimization process are necessary.
Routine maintenance should avoid outages. The optimum conditions for major or
repair maintenance (i.e., only one circuit and/or one busbar out of service) may be
achieved but at significant additional cost. The user and the manufacturer should agree
on the number of simultaneously switched-off circuits. Those which are critical for
network operation should not be located in adjacent GIS bays. In a double busbar
scheme, a fault in a busbar selector disconnector should not require the outage of the two
busbars at the same time. The GIS scope of supply must include covers and shields
permitting operation of a busbar or a circuit with some power components removed.
Methods of achieving specific conditions at different GIS compartments (as well as
special tools if needed) should be described (delivered) in manufacturer’s manuals.
Note: Provided the CENELEC standard for insulators (EN 50089) is fulfilled, no
pressure reduction is necessary in adjacent chambers. Mechanical impacts on a
pressurized castresin insulator must be avoided at all times.

24.5.2.2 Operational and Maintenance Access

There is the question of whether it is appropriate for operators to require high-level access
for normal operational functions. Accepting the modern principle of secure external
position indicators, it is possible for all normal operational functions to be performed at
ground level. Nevertheless, the requirements that all operations be performed from
24 Training, Service, and Maintenance of Gas-Insulated Substations 469

the ground level represent additional costs for various types of external interconnections
(gas pipes, cabling, etc.). As there is an extremely low frequency of “manual” GIS
operations, these additional costs do not appear justified. The same concerns additional
costs for such provisions as permanently installed ladders or walkways.
Operational and maintenance access to SF6 filling points is strongly influenced by
the design of segregation and interconnection of gas zones described already in
▶ Sect. 18.2.2.
In general, easy access to gauges and gas filling points should be provided. On the
other hand, from the sealing point of view, piping should be minimized. Problems
could arise in the bringing of gas filling points to ground level due to the need to
incorporate additional piping and couplings, which may in themselves, induce
leakage. If it is accepted that with modern equipment gas leakage rates are very low
and the need for access to filling points during the normal life of the equipment is very
rare, such access can be gained from a transportable platform or similar temporary
means. The final solution has to be agreed between user and manufacturer.
Accessibility can be improved at a relatively low incremental cost if maintainabil-
ity considerations are taken into account in the initial design. Use of indoor GIS,
provision of strategically located dismantling components, provision of cranes or
specially built lifting and handling equipment, and properly designed supporting steel
structures will enhance total accessibility. A higher number of complex dismantling
enclosures is the best solution in the case of high GIS outage costs; standard chambers
with a component that can be cut for removal and the use of flexible insertion parts for
reassembly usually offers an alternative, less costly, solution.

24.5.3 Substation Equipment

24.5.3.1 Mechanisms and Accessories

Cranes or lifting tools, special tools, and accessories needed for operation and
maintenance work are usually the same as the equipment necessary for erection.
The amount of certain additional accessories depends on the user’s maintenance
policy (see Sect. 24.4) and shall be agreed between manufacturer and user. Never-
theless, there are some items which should be made available at each GIS substation,
e.g., gas leakage detector, SF6 gas refilling unit, spare gas, accurate pressure gauge,
and special tools for operation (e.g., handles). SF6 service trucks, humidity and
by-product detectors, and special tools for repair or major maintenance can be, on the
other hand, either shared by several GIS substations or be made available on request
from the manufacturer. Care must be taken to ensure the availability of adapters to fit
different types or makes of GIS. The maintenance of such GIS accessories and tools
which might be urgently needed in the event of a problem should not be neglected.

24.5.3.2 Spare Part Stocks

A scientific approach to determine the level of spare parts to be held for maintenance
and repair purposes can be based on the acceptable level of risk to which the system
is exposed, which means the probability of suffering failures in excess of spares
470 P. Glaubitz et al.

available. This probability depends on the failure rate, on the repair and/or replace-
ment time, and on the number of GIS substations in service.
A more subjective approach is one based on users experience and manufacturers’
recommendations. Some factors to be considered in such an approach are the:

• Reliability figures for the equipment

• Type of service duty (i.e., harsh, outdoor, frequent operation, etc.)
• Relative location of original manufacturer to the user
• Delivery time for replacement spares
• Capital cost of holding spares
• Strategic importance of the installation
• Age of the equipment

The manufacturer should provide, if required, spare parts that can be used without
complex assembly and that are only available in the factory.

24.5.3.3 Management of Spare Parts

Creative approaches to the traditional method of individual users purchasing, stock-
ing, and maintaining a comprehensive assortment of spare parts may be of particular
interest for users of GIS, since most of the strategically important and costly parts
may never be required in the lifetime of the equipment. An alternative to be
considered is the pooling of spares by:

• Similar users located within a serviceable geographical area

• A manufacturer bound by a service contract to multiple users

If the user does not intend to “pool” or stack spare parts, the long-term availability
of spare parts beyond the expected productive life of the equipment should be
discussed with the manufacturer.
For geographically remote locations, or where travel and importation is restricted,
local storing of key components (in particular the main parts of such switching
devices as circuit-breakers, disconnectors, earthing switches, or operating mecha-
nisms) is recommended. Specifically designed kits for emergency repairs by less
well-trained personnel can provide a means of temporarily restoring limited opera-
tion until a complete repair can be effected.

24.6 Special Aspects of Repair Maintenance after Major

Dielectric Failure

Although the probability of a major failure of GIS is very low generally, the
disruptive impact on service quality of a failure in a GIS substation will justify
some special effort towards its prevention and/or speedy repair in the initial design of
GIS. Failures can be prevented by the use of condition monitoring or diagnostic
techniques, and these are being developed to detect incipient faults and to simplify
the process of replacement of a potentially faulty component under controlled
24 Training, Service, and Maintenance of Gas-Insulated Substations 471

conditions. The time and effort involved in fault location, access thereto, parts
replacement, and restoration of service will vary widely in terms of tens of hours
(depending on the complexity, size, and design of the GIS). The location of the GIS
also influences repair time, e.g., the distance from the manufacturer, customs clear-
ance times, etc. The manufacturer’s assistance is usually required in this case, and
the manufacturer’s response time should be agreed in advance.
Special attention should be paid to fault location aspects. As with all other aspects
related to GIS, fault location must be discussed with the manufacturer in the early
design stages. If there is no external sign of dielectric failure (such as response of a
pressure relief device operation and following gas drop), commonly used electrical
relays (protection systems) are able to provide only an approximate idea of the actual
place of failure, limited to an area which is covered by their function. Identification
of the specific failed gas compartment usually calls for special measures, the extent
of which depends on technical-economical optimization, and normally necessitates
the manufacturer’s guidance.
The following measures can be taken to locate the fault and thus to minimize total
outage time: Advanced protective relaying with supervising (registration) functions,
internal on-line monitoring systems, gas sampling, high-voltage testing, optical
sensors, temperature-sensitive paints, electromagnetic fault location systems, acous-
tic detectors, etc.
Special attention should be paid to SF6 handling and recycling. After an internal arc, the
gas contains SF6 decomposition by-products; other by-products will occur after pressure
relief device operation. For SF6 handling, see ▶ Chap. 23 for recycling procedures.
In order to confirm the integrity of the insulation medium after major work on
GIS, it is advisable to retest the dielectric strength of the affected portion of the
substation. Instances which could result in the advisability of a retest are:

• Repair after a dielectric failure in the GIS

• Replacement of a major primary component
• On-line monitoring reveals the presence of partial discharges within the GIS

The repeating of an AC dielectric test can be an expensive and complex task on GIS
which has already been put into service. The necessity of a retest must therefore be
carefully evaluated, along with the advice of the manufacturer, against the risk associ-
ated with not performing a retest. The regular maintenance or overhaul procedures
associated with GIS do not normally require a follow-up dielectric withstand retest.

24.7 Basic Input Data and Additional Recommendations

Special attention should be paid by the user to the following additional data:

• Average number of operations per year

• Operational conditions such as busbar transfer
• Inductive/capacitive switching
472 P. Glaubitz et al.

24.7.1 Information to Be Given by the User and the Manufacturer

Basic input data given by a user in his enquiry and basic input data given by a
manufacturer in his tendering specification serve for system planning and technical-
economical optimization of a specific GIS design. They should include the following
(The minimum of data is marked *):
User’s data necessary for manufacturer’s design:

• * Ambient service conditions

• * Expected number of CB average annual operations and operation conditions
(e.g., busbar transfer, special device switching)
• * Specification of condition monitoring desired
• Specification of conditioning equipment and methods which a user already has
available
• * Specification of accessories a user already has available and would like to use
• * Maximum permissible restrictions on operation during maintenance and repair

Manufacturer’s data necessary for user’s design:

• * Description of recommended monitoring methods and their impact on GIS

design
• * Interpretation of monitoring measurements, i.e., how does data enable evalua-
tion of condition assessment and what action is to be taken
• * Ambient conditions required for different types of maintenance or repair work
• * Basic description of different types of maintenance work, periods required for
such work, content of such work and specifications for operation during such
work, and time to complete work
• * Requirements for special equipment, i.e., lifting and operating mechanisms,
access space and for disassembly, special tools, accessories, and availability of
spares,
• Description of maintenance and major repair (dismantling) service restrictions
and failure location methods
• GIS reliability data, e.g., minor and major failure rate and minor and major repair
mean time
• Offer of long-term service and maintenance contracts
• Conditions applying to long-term spare parts supply
• Offer of training for user’s staff

24.7.2 Additional Recommendations for the User

and the Manufacturer

As the effectiveness of maintenance depends mainly on the way instructions are

prepared by the manufacturer and implemented by the user, the following recom-
mendations (IEC 62271–1) are well worth following:
24 Training, Service, and Maintenance of Gas-Insulated Substations 473

24.7.2.1 Recommendation for the Manufacturer

Availability of manuals is a key to the effective maintenance of the plant. Besides
the obviously necessary content, these manuals should include isometric or cross-
section drawings showing essential components together with precise instructions
for assembly/disassembly and recommended procedures. Operating manuals
should be detailed and precise; however, the extent of submitted maintenance
manuals can vary according to the user’s maintenance policy. In a case where
the manufacturer or a third party is contracted to maintain the equipment (emer-
gency repairs included), the maintenance manual might be limited to standard
information on inspection and/or routine preventive maintenance. The other
extreme is a user who performs all the work with their own staff and therefore
requires very detailed manuals. The user may have requirements that conflict with
the manufacturer’s standard procedures in terms of spares ordering, coding, and
uniform manual systems.
The manufacturer should issue a maintenance manual including at least the
following information:

• Maintenance extent and frequency considering current and number of switching

operations, time in service, environmental conditions, diagnostics, and monitor-
ing tests (if any)
• Detailed description of the maintenance work, i.e., procedures for different main-
tenance types, reference to drawings and part numbers, lubrication procedures, use
of special equipment and tools, on-site conditions, precautions to be observed
• Comprehensive drawings of the detailed GIS design with clear identification of
assemblies, subassemblies and significant part maintenance limit values, and
showing tolerances which, when exceeded, make corrective action necessary
• Specifications for auxiliary maintenance materials, including warnings of known
incompatibility of materials (grease, oil, fluids, cleaning and degreasing agents)
and associated health warnings to personnel
• List of recommended spare parts and their storage conditions
• List of active scheduled maintenance time
• Information how to proceed with the equipment at the end of its operating life,
considering environmental requirements.
The manufacturer should inform the user of a particular type of GIS about
corrective actions required as a result of possible systematic defects and
failures.
The manufacturer should be responsible for ensuring the continued availability
of spare parts required for maintenance for a period of not less than 10 years from
the date of final manufacture of the specific GIS type.

24.7.2.2 Recommendations for the User:

If the user wishes to perform their own maintenance, they should ensure that their
staff possesses sufficient qualifications as well as detailed knowledge concerning the
respective GIS type(s).
474 P. Glaubitz et al.

• The user should record at least the following information:

• GIS serial number and type
• Commissioning date
• The results of all measurements and tests, diagnostics, and monitoring
included, performed throughout the lifetime of the GIS
• Dates and extent of the maintenance work done
• History of operation, periodical records of the operation counters and indications
• References to any failure reports
• Gas inventory and consumption

In the event of failure and defects, the user should make a failure report and
should inform the manufacturer by stating the special circumstances and measures
taken. Depending on the nature of the failure, an analysis should be performed in
cooperation with the manufacturer.

24.8 General Training

The general training is intended for user’s staff who are directly involved on a
regular basis with the operation of a GIS. Depending on the prior knowledge of
the staff, parts of the following agenda may be deleted.

• Single-line diagram
• Electrical functions
Gas compartmentalization versus electrical functions
• Physical construction
• Cross-section and details of each major component type
• Substation layout drawings
Interfaces with non-GIS apparatus and civil works
• SF6 gas
• New gas physical characteristics
• Purity and moisture limits and measurements
• Gas filling procedures
• Substation gas pressure/density curves
• Pressure checking and density monitor operation
Physical characteristics, safety, and handling precautions for used or
arc-exposed gas
• Earthing system
• Review of earthing system design requirements for GIS
GIS-specific subjects related to very fast transients, enclosure touch potential
and circulating currents.
• Operating mechanisms
• Operating principles
Local, remote, and emergency operation
24 Training, Service, and Maintenance of Gas-Insulated Substations 475

• Control system
• Operation: interlocking and alarm philosophy
• Review of sample schematic drawings and panel layout

24.9 Training for Installation

This part of the training applies only if the user’s staff is undertaking erection of a
new or an extension of an existing GIS, assuming supervision by manufacturer’s
specialists.

• General overview of installation procedures and practices

• Safety precautions
• Main quality assurance subjects and procedures
• Site commissioning test procedures and evaluation of results

24.10 Training for Operating and Maintenance

Operational training is based on the general training and covers normal operational
precautions. Inspection and maintenance (excluding intervention in switching com-
ponents) as well as basic activities in the case of malfunction.
Operation

• remote/local operation guidelines

• built-in interlocking restrictions to operation
Operational limitations of individual components (e.g., earthing switches,
disconnectors)

Inspection/maintenance

• Review of inspection and maintenance schedules

• Discussion and recommendations regarding allocation of maintenance tasks and
specific training required
• Use of maintenance accessories and tools
Topping up the gas compartments under energized conditions

Troubleshooting

• Practical troubleshooting demonstration for control system

• Minor failure location techniques on primary GIS equipment
• Recommended procedures for minor failure rectification
Recommended action for major failure location, isolation, and possible
rectification
476 P. Glaubitz et al.

Safety practices

• Conformity of the GIS with the user’s existing safety practices

• Safety practices during operation and inspections of the GIS

24.11 Specialized Training

Specialized training depends on the maintenance strategy of the user. It is necessary

before users perform major inspections and maintenance or respond to a major
failure without site support by the manufacturer to assure quality and reliability of
the GIS after such activities.
Subjects to be covered include:

• Use of SF6 gas handling and recovery equipment

• Operation of high voltage testing equipment
• Overhauling of circuit breaker and disconnector mechanisms
• Maintenance of switching components inside the gas compartment
Procedures and safety practices required for intervention after a major failure
• “End of life” operations
• Dismantling procedures
• Evaluation of modules for reuse in other installation or as spare parts
• Recycling and disposal measures

Users attempting these tasks need to be aware of the relative rareness of such
events that would require detailed and up-to-date knowledge and skills.
Alternatively, utilizing the resources of the original manufacturer for these spe-
cialized functions offers the benefits of having available experienced experts whose
performance of a task will preserve the original operational reliability of GIS.

24.12 Information to Be Given by the User and the Manufacturer

24.12.1 Basic Users Input Data

• Maintenance concept, i.e., type of maintenance intended to be accomplished by the user

• Number and experience/background of training participants
• General practical training procedures for user’s field staff
• Particular training requirements
• Language of training
• Visa and labor regulations for training at site
24 Training, Service, and Maintenance of Gas-Insulated Substations 477

24.12.2 Basic Manufacturers Input Data

• Standard training procedures and contents

• Training facilities at the manufacturer
• Proposed training schedule (for installation as well as for the in-service period
(retraining))
• Available training languages
• Training documentation
• Visa requirements for training at the manufacturer’s factory