BAYERO UNIVERSITY KANO

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINNEERING

TECHNICAL REPORT ON

STUDENT INDUSTRIAL WORK EXPERIENCE

SCHEME
(SIWES I)
AT
TRANSMISSION COMPANY OF NIGERIA (TCN) KANO
SUB-SATION, KUMBOTSO

BY

ABDULRAZAK AMINU MUHAMMAD

ENG/18/ELE/00014

August 2023.
 ABSTRACT

This report is based on Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) held at Transmission

Company of Nigeria (TCN), Kano sub-region Kumbotso station 330kv/132kv/33kv Transmission

station. It gives brief explanation about the SIWES program vis-à-vis its history, objectives and

aims, while also provides a brief description, roles and functions of TCN Kumbotso sub-region. It

further focuses more on the technical exposure and experience gained from various departments

such as Electrical Maintenance Department (EMD), System Operation Department (S/O) and

Protection, Control and Metering Department (PC&M) at TCN Kumbotso sub-region. It finally

gives an account of the equipments used; types and their function respectively as well as some of

the problems and challenges faced and provide recommendations that can further improve the

program.

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 CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that, ABDULRAZAK AMINU MUHAMMAD with registration number

ENG/18/ELE/00014 of Electrical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Bayero

University, Kano underwent the three months Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme

(SIWES I) at Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Kano sub-region Kumbotso station

330kv/132kv/33kv Transmission station, starting from MAY 2023 to AUGUST 2023.

AbdulRazak Aminu Muhammad Sign:………….........

Date:………………..

Dr. Abdulrahman Umar Lawan Sign:…………........

SIWES Coordinator (Academic) Date:…………........

Engr. Yakubu Aminu Sign:……………….

SIWES Coordinator (Technical) Date:……………….

Engr. Usman Musa Sign:……………….

SIWES Supervisor Date:……………….

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 DEDICATION

All praises and adorations are to Almighty ALLAH, the One who helped me throughout this

program. Also I thank Allah for His protection and guidance and having carried me this far, I

want to say a big thank to my two parents Malam AMINU MUHAMMAD NANA and Malama

FATIMA ABDULRAZAK for their prayers and supports. Special dedication also to my

Industrial Supervisor Oga BALA GARBA for taking care of me during my stay at TCN. Thank

you all for everything.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

My acknowledgement goes to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Kano Sub-Region

Kumbotso, Electrical Maintenance Department (EMD) and Protection, Control and Monitoring

department (PC&M). My special thanks goes to Engr. Salisu Umar Ibrahim, Engr. Aminu I

Garba, Engr. Musa Abdulkadir and Engr. Musa Musawa whose enormous support will never be

forgot in my stay at TCN Kano.

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Contents
CERTIFICATION .........................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
DEDICATION............................................................................................................................... iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................................. iv
CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................................. 1
THE SIWES ................................................................................................................................... 1
1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 1
1.1 OBJECTIVES & SCOPE OF SIWES IN NIGERIA ............................................................ 2
CHAPTER TWO ............................................................................................................................ 3
TRANSMISSION COMPANY OF NIGERIA (TCN) .................................................................. 3
2.0 INTODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 3
2.0.1 COVERAGE AREA .......................................................................................................... 3
2.1.0 POWER SYSTEM OF NIGERIA ..................................................................................... 4
2.1.1 POWER GENERATION IN NIGERIA ............................................................................ 4
2.1.2 POWER TRANSMISSION ............................................................................................... 5
2.1.3 POWER DISTRIBUTION ................................................................................................. 6
2.1.4 TCN's MAJOR ACTIVITIES ............................................................................................ 6
2.2. THE ORGANIZATIONAL CHART OF TCN, KUMBOTSO ........................................... 7
2.2.0 THE DEPARTMENTS AT TCN, KUMBOTSO AND THEIR FUNCTIONS ................ 8
CHAPTER THREE ...................................................................................................................... 10
THE EQUIPMENT ...................................................................................................................... 10
3.0 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 10
3.0.1 AUTO TRANSFORMER ................................................................................................ 10
3.0.2 INSTRUMENT TRANSFORMER ................................................................................. 11
3.0.3 ISOLATOR ...................................................................................................................... 13
3.0.4 CIRCUIT BREAKER ...................................................................................................... 13
3.0.5 WAVE TRAP WORKING FUNCTION & PURPOSE OF LINE TRAP ....................... 14
3.0.6 BUS .................................................................................................................................. 14
3.0.7 FEEDERS ........................................................................................................................ 15
CHAPTER FOUR ........................................................................................................................ 15

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THE WORK DONE AND WORKs EXPERIENCE ................................................................... 15
4.0 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 15
4.0.1 WORK EXPERIENCE .................................................................................................... 16
4.0.2 MATERIALS AND TOOLS USED .......................................................................... 16
CHAPTER FIVE .......................................................................................................................... 19
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................... 19
5.0 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................... 19
5.0.1 PROBLEMS FACED DURING THE SIWESS .............................................................. 19
5.0.2 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................ 20

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 CHAPTER ONE

THE SIWES

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), also known as Industrial Training is a

compulsory Skills Training Program designed to expose and prepare students of Nigerian

Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education, Colleges of Technology and Colleges of

Agriculture, for the industrial work situation they’re likely to meet after graduation. The scheme

also affords students the opportunity of familiarizing and exposing themselves to the needed

experience in handling equipment and machinery that are usually not available in their institution.

Before the establishment of the scheme, there was a growing concern among industrialists,

that graduates of institutions of higher learning lacked adequate practical background studies

preparatory for employment in industries. Thus, employers were of the opinion that the theoretical

education in higher institutions wasn’t responsive to the needs of the employers of labour. SIWES

introduction, initiation and design was done by the Industrial Training Fund (I.T.F) in 1993 to

acquaint students with the skills of handling employer’s equipment and machinery. The Industrial

Training Fund (I.T.F) solely funded the scheme during its formative years. However, due to

financial constraints, the fund withdrew from the Scheme in 1978.The Federal Government, noting

the significance of the skills training handed the management of the scheme to both the National

Universities Commission (N.U.C) and the National Board for Technical Education (N.B.T.E) in

1979.The management and implementation of the scheme was however reverted to the I.T.F by

the Federal Government in November, 1984 and the administration was effectively taken over by

the Industrial Training Fund in July 1985, with the funding solely borne by the Federal

Government.

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1.1 OBJECTIVES & SCOPE OF SIWES IN NIGERIA

1. SIWES provides the avenue for students in institutions of higher learning to acquire industrial

skills and experiences in their course of study.

2. Prepare the students for the industrial work situation they’re likely to meet after graduation.

3. Expose students to work method and techniques in handling equipment and machinery that may

not be available in their institutions.

5. SIWES provides students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge in real work situations

thereby bridging the gap between theory and practice.

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 CHAPTER TWO

TRANSMISSION COMPANY OF NIGERIA (TCN)

2.0 INTODUCTION

In response to the increase in Nigeria’s demographic figures over the decades which is put at about

160 Million and the lack of commensurate increase in energy supply to meet the country’s growing

economic and infrastructural development objective, the Federal Government of Nigeria realized

that there was the need to break up defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) into small,

effective units, as adequate and efficient electric power is a major factor in modern industrial

development. The unbundling of NEPA started when President Olusegun Obasanjo signed into

law the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSR Act) which led to the formation of the Power

Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) with a transitory framework in March, 2005. By this act,

NEPA was unbundled into 18 companies: Six Generation Companies, One Transmission Company

and Eleven Distribution Companies. All were issued Operations Licenses.

On its part, TCN was on July 1st, 2006 issued a Transmission License with the responsibilities of

wheeling power at high Voltage, operate the National Grid and Market Operation Service

2.0.1 COVERAGE AREA

TCN is spread across the country with eight transmission regions in Lagos, Oshogbo, Kaduna,

Bauchi, Shiroro, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Benin and a National Control Centre (NCC) at Oshogbo.

There is also a Supplementary National Control Centre at Shiroro and three regional Control

Centres at Benin, Lagos and Kaduna. The company has a staff strength of 4, 098 as at September

2013.

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2.1.0 POWER SYSTEM OF NIGERIA

This has to do with the processes involved in Generation, Transmission and Distribution of

power in Nigeria

2.1.1 POWER GENERATION IN NIGERIA

Typically, electricity is generated from hydro stations, wind farms or thermal stations. The

electricity in Nigeria is generated from hydro stations and thermal stations. As stated earlier,

generation of electricity in Nigeria currently lies in the hands of 6 Generation which are listed

below:

 Afam Power Plc. 776MW

 Sapele Power Plc. 414MW

 Egbin Power Plc. 1,020MW

 Ughelli Power Plc. 900MW

 Kainji Power Plant 760MW

 Jebba Power Plant 578MW

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These power plants are usually located far from residential areas because of highly combustible

fuels and pollutants like gaseous emissions and noise.

The generation sub-sector comprises 23 grid-connected generating plants in operation with a total

installed capacity of 10,396 MW (available capacity of 6,056 MW) as well as the thermal based

generation with an installed capacity of 8,457.6MW (available capacity of 4,996 MW) and

hydropower having 1,938.4 MW of total installed capacity with an available capacity of 1,060

MW.
2.1.2 POWER TRANSMISSION

Transmission is involved in evacuating the power generated from the generating stations. The

Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is responsible for the transmission network in Nigeria.

It is fully owned by the Federal Government.

There are transmission towers at different parts of the country used for distant power transmission.

Also, TCN provide the wires used to carry electricity and prevent the sagging of these wires.

Nigeria’s transmission network consists of high voltage substations with a total (theoretical)

transmission wheeling capacity of 7,500MW and over 20,000km of transmission lines. Currently,

transmission wheeling capacity (5,300MW) is higher than average operational generation capacity

of 3,879MW but it is far below the total installed generation capacity of 12,522MW. The entire

infrastructure is essentially radial, without redundancies thus creating inherent reliability issues.

At an average of approximately 7.4%, the transmission losses across the network are high

compared to emerging countries’ benchmarks of 2-6%.

However, the number of system collapses has reduced over the last few years.

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When evacuating power from the generating station, transformers are used to step up the voltage.

The transmission voltages used in Nigeria are 330kV, 132kV and 33kV.These standard values are

embedded into the grid system which is a system of interconnecting network of transmission lines.

In summary, the process starts with power generation, then stepping up of these voltages after

which they are connected to the grid. When the electricity reaches the transmission station, it is

stepped down to a voltage of 11 or 33kV. However, this voltage is too high for most of our home

appliances which explains why every residential or commercial area has transformers that step

down this voltage to a lower voltage that can be used by the consumer.

2.1.3 POWER DISTRIBUTION

This is where the power transmitted is taken to the end users via injection substations (33kV to

11kV) and distribution substations (33kV to 415V or11kV to 415V).

2.1.4 TCN's MAJOR ACTIVITIES

Operate; expand/upgrade transmission facilities for efficient and effective wheeling of generated

electricity.

Build Transmission Grid that can efficiently evacuate all generated power.

Create adequate network redundancies to ensure at least 99.9% reliability.

Reduce transmission losses to less than 5% Pursue Inter-connection with neighboring Countries

for power exchange with. Associated cost savings from the sharing of reserve capacity and energy

resources. Improve TCN's revenue base to ensure a self-sufficient and self-sustaining company.

Ensure that safety and environmental issues are managed to meet international standards.

Standardization of procurement procedure to reflect International standard.

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Provide an effective Project Management System. Provide standard human capacity development

of TCN staff for high level performances.

2.2. THE ORGANIZATIONAL CHART OF TCN, KUMBOTSO

The organizational structure of TCN kumbotso is as below;

Figure 1: organization structure of TCN, kumbotso Sub-region

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2.2.0 THE DEPARTMENTS AT TCN, KUMBOTSO AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

The TCN department includes: Electrical and Maintenance Department (EMD), Protection,

Control and Metering (PC&M), Communication Department, Safety Department, Control Room,

Human Resources Department.

2.2.1 Electrical and maintenance department (EMD)

Maintenance Electricians are responsible for diagnosing and repairing issues with electrical

equipment. They use diagnostic tools to find the root cause of an issue, and then they use power

hand tools to fix the issue. Maintenance Electricians have an expert knowledge of electricity, as

well as an aptitude for working with their hands.

2.2.2 Responsibilities of EMD department

Maintenance Electricians are responsible for completing any task related to the electrical

components of their employer’s machinery and equipment. We researched dozens of Maintenance

Electrician job descriptions to put together the following list of core duties and responsibilities.

• Inspect and Test Machinery and Equipment

• Analyze and Document Test Results

• Diagnose Root Cause of Electrical Malfunctions

• Develop and Implement Preventative Maintenance Plan

• Install and Repair Cables and Wiring

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2.2.3 Protection Control and Metering Department (PC&M)

To install, operate, and repair all substation metering equipment, current and potential

transformers, relays, recloses and other protection devices, as well as recording and data

monitoring device

2.2.4 Responsibilities

Reviews Metering and Relaying Diagrams and determines the required protection and protective

relays Installs, maintains, troubleshoots and repairs relay and control equipment in electrical sub-

stations e.g. protective relays, instrument transformers, meters, recording instruments, controls

(breakers, regulators, capacitors, etc.)

Develops substation drawings (plot plans, relay wiring diagrams, single line diagrams, raceway

and structure drawings, etc.), construction specifications, bills of materials and other supporting

documentation

Models network systems and develops relay and logic settings with proper coordination using

relevant software - prepares relay sheets for field implementation and testing performs system

analyses including relay coordination, ground grid design, relay coordination, transformer sizing,

and short circuit studies Performs periodic tests on substation equipment to determine performance

e.g. power factor testing, insulation testing, transformer turns ratio, etc.

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 CHAPTER THREE

THE EQUIPMENT

3.0 INTRODUCTION

This chapter entails the equipment used, the functions of the equipment used and the

descriptions of their usage during the cause of this attachment at Transmission Company of

Nigeria, Kano sub-region Kumbotso and also the switch yard. Switchyard main function is to

transmit and distribute the power supply from generating station at incoming voltage and switch

the power supply through switchgears such as circuit breaker, current transformers (CT), voltage

transformer (VT), isolator’s etc.

The equipment used are as follows

• Auto Transformers

• Instrument transformer

• Reactor

• Capacitor Bank

• Circuit breaker

• Isolator

• Bus

• Wave trap

3.0.1 AUTO TRANSFORMER

A transformer is a static machine used for transforming power from one circuit to another

without change in frequency. Auto-transformer is a single-winding transformer with taps. With

primary voltage applied to the primary terminals, the required secondary voltage from zero volts

to the rated primary volts can be availed from the secondary by varying the taps. It functions as

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step down transformer and it keeps the output voltage i.e. secondary voltage constant by the use

of tap-changer feature of the auto-transformer. It is a power transformer used in electrical power

stations

150MVA 330/132/0.415kV Auto-transformer

3.0.2 INSTRUMENT TRANSFORMER

An instrument transformer is a special transformer that is used in electrical power system for stepping

down currents and voltages of the system for measuring and protection purpose.

i) CURRENT TRANSFORMER

Current transformers (CT) are a series connected type of instrument transformer. They are

designed to present negligible load to the supply being measured and have an accurate current

ratio and phase relationship to enable accurate secondary connected metering.

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 3phase 132kV Current Transformer

ii) VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER

Voltage transformers (VT), also called potential transformers (PT), are a parallel connected type

of instrument transformer. They are designed to present negligible load to the supply being

measured and have an accurate voltage ratio and phase relationship to enable accurate secondary

connected metering.

3phase 132kV Voltage Transformer

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3.0.3 ISOLATOR

The isolator is one type of switching device, and the main function of this is to make sure that a

circuit is totally not triggered in order to perform the preservation. These are also recognizable

like isolation switches to isolate the circuits. These switches are applicable in industrial,

distribution of electrical power, etc. High voltage type isolation switches are utilized in

substations for permitting isolation of equipment like transformers, circuit breakers. Usually, the

disconnect or switch is not proposed for circuit control but it is for isolation. Isolators are

activated either automatically or manually. This article discusses an overview of electrical

isolator, types and its applications.

The electrical isolators are classified based on the requirement of the system which includes the

following.

• Double Break Type Isolator

• Single Break Type Isolator

• Pantograph Type Isolator

3.0.4 CIRCUIT BREAKER

Circuit breaker is an automatic circuit protection system. Breakers are installed in an electrical

panel (breaker box) and each circuit is attached to a singular breaker. The breaker will monitor

the circuit and in the event of a complication such as an overload, the breaker will immediately

shut off that circuit. This is often colloquially called a “breaker trip” or “tripping a breaker” and

it commonly happens when appliances or equipment acts up or too many high-power draw tools

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are placed (plugged into) a single circuit. Think about a home outlet with a space heater, a

television, and a vacuum all plugged into it. This would almost certainly cause a breaker trip,

which will shut off access and operation of that circuit until the problem is fixed and the breaker

is reset and placed back into position.

3.0.5 WAVE TRAP WORKING FUNCTION & PURPOSE OF LINE TRAP

Wave trap is used to create high impedance to the carrier wave high Frequency communication

entering in to unwanted destinations typically substation. Carrier wave communication uses up to

150kHz to 800kHz frequency to send the all the communication. These high frequency damages

the power system components which are designed to operate 50 or 60 Hz. Wave traps are also

called as line traps. It consists of an inductor coil which is connected in Series with the high

voltage power system.

Wave Trap

3.0.6 BUS

An electrical bus bar is defined as a conductor or a group of conductor used for collecting electric

power from the incoming feeders and distributes them to the outgoing feeders. In other words, it

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is a type of electrical junction in which all the incoming and outgoing electrical current meets.

Thus, the electrical bus bar collects the electric power at one location.

3.0.7 FEEDERS

Feeder pillars are the breaker panels which is the very first set of switching/protection device at

the output/secondary side of the transformer and panel board is a set of switching/protection

devices used for distribution of power supply. Feeder pillar is an effective electrical enclosure to

provide electrical services for low voltage electrical distribution applications. It is designed as

compact and robust for vandalism protection. The metal enclosure is made of sheet steel of

minimum 2mm thickness, mounted on a steel base frame of minimum 3mm thickness. Enclosure

is suitable for outdoor application.

CHAPTER FOUR

THE WORK DONE AND WORKs EXPERIENCE

4.0 INTRODUCTION

This chapter covers the discussion of the work done and the experience gained during my stay at

TCN Kano.

The first important experience gained is the important and of safety because any single mistake

makes at switchyard will leads to death by electrocution, there is no second chance of mistake at

TCN because of the present of Very High Voltage at the station. Precautions were always taken

before entering the switch yard to perform any kind of work done even for inspection purposes.

One must be issue permit letter by the operator in charge before stepping into switch yard. The

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scope of work done and experience gained will be analyses below on each of the department visited

in order of visitation.

4.0.1 WORK EXPERIENCE

The experiences gathered during the attachment in this department are as follows:

i)Routine Inspection and Daily Checks: This involves a walk around the switchyard by the

operator, inspecting and checking the working conditions of the equipment, ensuring the pressure

in the gas circuit breakers are normal, taking readings of the temperature of the windings of the

transformers in the station, test-running the standby generator to ascertain its working capability

so that it can serve as a backup for the station in a case when the station is out of supply, and

checking the electrolyte level in the batteries (for batteries that use electrolyte) so it does not get

below the minimum, also inspecting the terminals for corrosion. ii) Taking readings from the

system form all the outgoing terminal Dan Agundi and Yan Kaba. iii) Receiving and passing

reports: reports including tripping and transformer and feeder load flow are received from

substations within the area control; reports of the station activities are also passed to the Regional

Control Centre iv) How to apply for, and issue station guarantee for several purposes. I also learnt

how to isolate and de-energize a line, also to lift isolation and energize.

4.0.2 MATERIALS AND TOOLS USED

The major tools and/or equipment used are:

i) Hourly Reading Sheet:

This is used for taking hourly readings, which include transformer voltage and current levels,

transformer winding temperature, system frequency at that hour, load on every available feeder in

the station

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ii) Log Book:

This is a book in which activities taking place in the system are recorded, for proper system

control and stability, and also for reference purposes. Activities such as when a feeder is out for

any reason, application and issuance of station guarantee, when reports are received from

substations under the area control, when reports are passed to the regional control center, raising

of a trouble report etcetera are recorded in the log book.

iii) Operating Forms:

These are booklets that are used during the course of operation. Examples are the log book,

trouble and repair report, application for station guarantee, order to operate, hourly reading sheet,

transformers and feeders daily load flow, work permit, work and test permit.

MEASURING INSTRUMENT USED IN TCN KANO

• Magger ohm meter: test for transformer windings insulations

• Voltmeter: used for measuring voltage

• Ammeter: Is used for measuring Current

• Ohm meter: Also used for measuring Resistance

PICTURE GALLERY

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 Multimeter Secondary Current Injection Test Kit

Electric Hand Pump Machine Frequency Monitor Sky Wire

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 CHAPTER FIVE

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.0 CONCLUSION

The whole experience gained during my attachment at TCN was very important. The basic real

practical skills were exposed and the opportunity to relate with typical situations relating to the

Electrical power Transmission. These experiences have my understanding and interest in Electrical

Engineering as a profession especially in the field of Electrical Power. The training was worthwhile

as it accorded me the privilege of gaining insight in to job preparation as well as what it meant to

carry out proper inspection and also working condition under stress which in a way prepares

undergraduates for the outside world after school. Other benefits include:

●Good working ethics: As a result of the close working relationship I had with the Senior Managers

SM, I have been able to imbibe good working ethics. These ethics includes been able to handle

situation with little or no help, being able to provide solutions to lingering problems, etc.

●Career Path: I have been able to use this training to explore various avenues available at my

disposal career-wise. It has given me the opportunity to have a look into the future and access my

readiness for employment or entrepreneurship.

5.0.1 PROBLEMS FACED DURING THE SIWESS

Limited orientation before starting the program. Sometimes we go there but no lectures and also

no works to do which was the painful part .

Some of the staffs there treated us like badly.

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5.0.2 REFERENCES

Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), 2019. (Website and twitter handle)

Engineering360, “IHS ENGINEERING 360,” IHS, [Online]. Available:

http://www.globalspec.com/learnmore/electrical_electronic_components/relays_timers/protectiv

e_monitoring_relays. [Accessed 07 07 2019].

R. B. Roy, “Controlling of Electrical Power System Network by using SCADA,” International

Journal of Environmental Science and Technology (IJEST)

Scientific & Engineering Research, vol. 3, no. October 10, p. 6, 2012.

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