SOP, Standard Operating Procedures

 

1.1.  Definition

SOP is termed commonly as Standard Operating Procedures-

SOP 

Characteristics of SOP-

1)    Carry out the operations and maintenance correctly

2)    Same manner

3)    Maintain a quality system.

4)    production cost is less

5)    safety at work place

6)    Lesser knowledgeable person can perform  equivalent to qualified

7)    The original should rest at a secure place

8)    Working copies should be authenticated with stamps and/or signatures of authorized persons.

2. Preparation of SOPs

SOP shall have a heading and/or footing mentioning:

1)    Date of approval and/or version number

2)    Unique title (abbreviated if desired)

3)    The number of the SOP (preferably

4)    Page number and total number of pages of the SOP

3. Administrations, Distribution, Implementation

The SOP shall be prepared by

1)    Section officer OR by senior section officers

2)    Reviewed by next higher office

3)    Approved by  next to next higher office

3. SOP contents

1)    SOP number

2)    Version number

3)     date of issue

4)     date of expiry

5)     Title

6)     historical data (dates of previous issues)

 

4. SOP Periodicity

      SOP periodicity shall be one year

 

5. Binding

    The IE rules 1956, NEC rule, safety rules, statutory norms imposed by state/central Government shall be binding whether it is mentioned or not.

6. Filed of application

    The SOP may be utilised an any filed of activity or work like administration government or private, sports, education, manufacturing, industry,  processing plant, transport, medical, army etc.

Typical example

Name: To ensure electrical safety at working places

Number: sop/2024/xx

Procedure

1. Unauthorized persons shall not make or attempt to make repairs to electrical equipment.

2. All unsafe cords, tools, and other equipment shall be reported immediately.

3. Avoid stepping on live lines of lighting units or trouble lights when lines are lying on floors.

4. Defective electrical cords or lines shall be replaced or repaired if possible.

5. When working with energized lines, personnel wearing rings or other jewelry shall either remove Jewelry or wear insulated gloves.

6. Electric outlets shall not be overloaded. All outlets shall be grounded where required.

7. Outlets providing power to portable electric tools shall be equipped with ground fault interruption.

8. Doors or covers of electric panel boxes, marshalling boxes and JB etc shall be kept closed.

9. Panel boxes with removed circuit breakers shall be equipped with protective closure caps.

10. When pulling fuses from fuse panel, fuse pullers shall be used.

11. Never substitute fuses with other materials to make a connection such as tin foil, coins etc.

12. Never replace a fuse with a larger fuse than what was in unit prior to changing.

13. When opening or closing a switch in a panel box always stand to one side.

14. Never paint over or conceal panel boxes.

15. Electric panels shall be kept accessible. The area around boxes shall be kept clean and free of any Flammable or combustible materials.

16. Do not store metal or conductive materials near panel boxes or lines.

17. All electric panels shall be labelled or tagged as to switch usage and as to what equipment or area that

Switch controls.

18. All electric panels used in areas where moisture or damp conditions exist shall be waterproof by providing canopy or double doors.

19. All electric switch panels shall be grounded.

20. When repairs or work is performed on panels, lockout or tag out procedures shall be used.

SOP TITLE 

credit : nimanpower

Transformer Commissioning at site

 Transformer Commissioning Procedure

transformer commissioning at site 

After the satisfactory completion of installation, the following pre-commissioning checks, and tests on instruments must be performed before putting the transformer into service.

 COMMISSIONING TESTS

1) Insulation Resistance (IR)

1a) Before starting this test all the power terminal bushings should be thoroughly cleaned with a dry clean piece of cloth.

1b) At all the tap positions, IR values of windings to earth & between windings shall be measured with designated insulation tester of suitable ratings and readings noted.

Between HV Winding and Earth (Megger) use 5000V or 2500V Insulation Tester,

Between HV and LV Winding (Megger) use 5000V or 2500V Insulation Tester,

Between LV Winding and Earth (Megger) use 1000V or 500V Insulation Tester,

 

1c) IR values obtained should be similar to those indicated in the manufacturers’ test report, furnished with the handing –over documents. In humid weather, IR values obtained may be lower due to condensation on the terminal bushings

1d) If IR values are very low and unacceptable, and then it may be necessary to filter the oil / dry-out the winding till the insulation reaches satisfactory values.

2) Break-Down Voltage (BDV) Test:

2a) Oil samples from tank bottom, tank top, radiator, etc. shall be carefully taken and tested for BDV value, as per clause of manual.

2b) BDV value of oil should be more than 50kV (rms) for 1 minute in the standard test cell

2c) If BDV value is very low and unacceptable (30kV(rms) or less for 1 minute, then it may be necessary to dry-out & clean the oil till the insulation reaches satisfactory values.

It is recommended to contact suppliers or manufacturer for suitable recovery procedure based on available facilities at site

3) Voltage Ratio Test

3a) Apply 3-Phase, 433V AC supply on the HV side and the Voltage Ratio at all tap positions can be derived using suitable precision voltmeter connected to the LV side. A ratio meter, if available can be used for a more accurate measurement

3b) The Ratio value obtained should be similar to those indicated in the manufacturers’ test report, furnished with the handing-over documents.

4) Winding Resistance Measurement Test

4a) Winding Resistance of every phase of each winding should be measured using a suitable DC Resistive Bridge or similar.

4b) Winding Resistance values obtained should be similar to those indicated in the manufacturers’ test report, furnished with handing-over documents

5) Marshalling Box Scheme Check

5a) All the auxiliary wiring from various accessories to marshalling box shall be checked with marshalling box scheme drawing furnished with the handing-over documents.

5b) During testing of accessories like Buchholz relay, etc., an operation of all the alarm/trip contacts shall be checked at marshalling box terminal blocks ensuring both operation and wiring are checked correctly.

6) Buchholz Relay Test

6a) Relay operation for alarm and trip contact shall be checked by injecting air inside the relay through test petcock. Injected air collected inside the relay allows the alarm float/flap & trip float/flap to fall thereby operating their respective switch

7) Temperature Indicator Test

7a) Indicators operation for alarm and trip contact shall be checked by manual stimulation

8)  Off-Circuit Tap Selector (OCTS)

8a) During shipment, generally, the OCTS has not been separated from the transformer so it is not necessary to recheck the internal connections of tapping an internal mechanism

8b) Means of protecting the OCTS from unauthorized operation is provided by using a padlocking arrangement at the designated tap position

 

9)  Before switching, it is to ensure that

9a) All the Oil Shut-off Valves are OPEN and Draw-Off Valves are CLOSED.

9b) All Thermometer Pockets are near filled (85%) with oil.

9c) Oil is at the correct level in the Bushings, Conservator, etc

 9d) In general, colour in breather is blue for silica-gel or yellow/orange for envirogel.

9e) Earthing Connection of Main Tank, Neutral Bushing, Marshalling Box, Control Gear Box, Cable Box, Arcing-Horn, etc., are correctly made.

9f) Bushing arcing horn gap is set correctly

9g) All CT Secondary Circuits are closed

9h) All Air-Release Plugs of Main Tank, Radiator, Conservator, Buchholz Relay, Bushings, etc., are free of air pocket/bubbles.

9i) It is recommended that after Oil-Filling/filtration or before Commissioning, at least 10-12 9j) hrs. Should be allowed for the oil to settle-down and the air is released from all points at 2 hourly intervals.

9k) It is recommended that the transformer is initially energized at NO-LOAD only and checked for any abnormalities for the next 6 - 8 hours

9l) AFTER SWITCHING on no-load, if the Primary side Circuit Breaker is tripped investigate the cause thoroughly and re-energize the transformer ONLY AFTER ensuring that the fault is properly cleared.

9m) If satisfactory (transformer on No-Load) then apply load gradually and observe for any abnormalities for the next 6- 8 hours

9n) If the transformer is satisfactory on-load up to 50% for the first 4-8 hours, shut-down the transformer and ensure that all air-release plugs of the tank, radiator, conservator, Buchholz relay, bushing, etc., are free of air pockets which might have developed during initial loading.

Credit: rajasthanpower.in

Various electrical laboratory test and purpose

Equipment name- LT & MV Power Cables, Go Switches, AB Switches, porcelain Insulator, Current Transformer, Voltage transformer. Test Name 

  Partial discharge test – Partial discharge measurement of cables is very important as it gives an indication of expected life of the cable. When a cable is subjected to high voltage and if there is a void in the cable, the void breaks down and a discharge takes place. 

Impulse withstands voltage test- The test samples are subjected to positive and negative impulse voltage of magnitude as specified in specification; the sample should withstand without any damage. 

Power frequency withstand voltage test (HVT)- electrical products are tested for power frequency A.C. and D.C. voltages. The test voltage is applied on the sample for specified time. the sample is said to have withstood the test if no insulation failure/ flashover /puncture takes place during specified time duration. Dielectric power factor test (Tan Delta Test) -the healthiness of electrical samples can be determined by the ratio of the resistive component to the capacitive component. For good samples, this ratio would be quite low. This ratio is commonly known as tan δ or tan delta 

Hot Set Test - A Measure to Determine the Amount of Cross-Linking Achieved, for Cured Materials such as XLPE and Elastomers Hot Air Aging Test- The hot air aging test is one of the main test methods for evaluating polymer materials and studying the aging resistance of polymer materials. It is usually carried out in a constant temperature blast drying test chamber.

 Electrical Resistance- Electrical Resistance is an electrical quantity that measures how the device or material reduces the electric current flow through it. The resistance is measured in units of ohms (Ω). Tensile Strength: Tensile strength is usually measured as the amount of force in newtons per square mm or megapascals (MPa) required to pull a specimen to the point of material failure. This test is accomplished by placing a dumbbell shaped specimen into the grips, or jaws. 

Elongation – Elongation is measured by applying tensile force, or stretching the material in the same manner as described previously, and determining the change in length from original. Elongation is expressed as a percentage of the original length. Ultimate elongation is the percentage change in length from original to rupture.

 Thermal stability – tests are conducted on PVC materials in order to determine the rate of thermal degradation at elevated temperatures. 

Power Frequency Wet Voltage Withstand Test -The test voltage applied to the samples is the specified value of the wet power frequency withstand voltage adjusted for atmospheric condition at the time of test.

 Water Absorption – 

 a) This test is done to ascertain the quantity of water absorbed when the insulation or sheath of cable laid underground comes into contact with water. 

 b) Loss of mass is the evaluation of loss of plasticisers and lubricants due to volatilisation during heating. 

Shrinkage Test – Cable testing for shrinkage is designed to check if the insulation material will shrink back whilst in service Heat Shock Test – Replicates the stress of bending and heating on the cable to check for any failure as evidenced by cracks appearing in the materials Hot deformation test – Thermoplastics tend to deform under high temperatures and small damage during movement or under installation to cable, can cause a puncture or cut of insulation Cold bend and cold impact testing - This method determines the resistance to impact or shock of the thermoplastic and elastomeric insulation or sheath at low temp 

Insulation Resistance (IR) test- insulation resistance test measures the total resistance between any two points separated by electrical insulation 

Bending test - bending tensile test) is a method of testing materials for their bending strength. Flammability test - Flammability testing determines how easily a material or finished product will ignite or burn when exposed to or used near fire or heat.

electrical laboratory test

Heat cycle test - The test to confirm the effect on power supply caused by the repetition of temperature change. 

ASTM G154 _ (UV Test) ASTM G154 - testing uses fluorescent light sources that can simulate UVA or UVB. This technique is used to evaluate the impact of UV exposure on a product’s mechanical properties 

ASTM G53 (UV Test)- This practice covers the basic principles and operating procedures for using fluorescent ultraviolet (UV) and condensation apparatus to simulate the deterioration caused by sunlight and water as rain or dew. This test covers the technique to confirm the thickness, diameter of sample, height, width & length conform to relative specification requirements. 

Test Method for Density of Smoke or ASTM D2843-22- This test method serves to determine the extent to which plastic materials are likely to smoke under conditions of active burning and decomposition in the presence of flame. 

Halogen Acid Gas Evolution- The test is to determine the amount of halogen acid gases that are created when cable insulation and sheathing compounds are burned 

Oxygen Index with Temperature Index - To determine the minimum percentage of Oxygen required to support flame combustion of a material at Room Temperature or at a Higher Temperature. (Up to 400 deg. C) 

 Torsion test -The purpose of a torsion test is to determine the behaviour a material or test sample exhibits when twisted or under torsional forces as a result of applied. Melt Flow Index, (MFI) is a measure of the ease of flow of the melt of a thermoplastic polymer. 

Carbon Black Content -To determine the average of carbon black content especially in polyethylene materials by pyrolysis method, like plastic pipes, films, sheets, cables Wrapping Test– The wrapping test is a ductility test which is employed to evaluate the ability of metallic wire to undergo plastic deformation during wrapping. 

Carbon Black Dispersion- This test method is used to determine the average carbon black dispersion in materials like Films, Plastic Pipes, Cables, Sheets. 

Stress strain Test Stress-Strain Diagram expresses a relationship between a load applied to a material and the deformation of the material. 

Source: Ghaziabad Testing Laboratories Pvt. Ltd

Substation audit questionnaire

Substation internal audit should be done yearly basis. It is advisable to have a checklist and to be audited on regular interval. Good ambience will have better operational facility and long life of substation equipment.

1. Is authorized person list are updated? 

2. Is (SLD) single line diagram is updated? 

3. Is insulation mats are laid in front of and back to all panels? 

4. Is SOP standard operating procedure is updated? 

5. FLP light, EX fan, Detector and shower are installed in battery bank? 

6. Civil job of battery banks including eye shower, mirror, drain pipe, water availability, wash basis,             door lock, floor cleaning. 

 7. Is Substation door/ window/ventilator glasses broken &closing issue are rectified?

 8. Is there any false ceiling/flooring abnormalities? 

9. Is Substation lighting sufficient

10. Is Sprinkler system status updated? 

11. Any issue pertaining to Sprinkler/Deluge system bilingual SOP preparation and flex board printing         and installation- 

12. Is battery bank Do’s and Don’ts board provided ? 

13. Is DC lighting report available? 

14. Is Emergency handling scenario handbook available? 

15. Is TR yard free from vegetation, get locked. 

16. Is Scraps/spare materials dumped in substation and cable cellar removed? 

17. Is Substation roof leakage/water proofing job completed? 

18. Is Operator/shift in-charge log book signing checked regularly? 

19. is locking of Substation door /TR yard gate wherever missing? 

20. Is hazardous area classification displayed in manned location? 

21. Is ARC suit availability in manned locations checked? 

22. Is Splash suit in manned locations for battery bank job available? 

23. Is PPEs (HT/LT Hand gloves, Discharged rod, HT tester) available in manned location? 

 24. Is measuring tools calibrated? 

25. Is fire Extinguisher placement done at marked area ? 

26. Is status of Earth pit value and condition report available? 

27. Is flex boards of SLD, Shock treatment chart, Do’s & Don’ts, physical layout, Important Telephone         number displayed? 

28. Is any deviation in LOTO audit available?

29. Is Breaker lifting trolley testing report available? 

30. Is missing Sand/fire bucket, Sand filling done regularly? 

31. Is substation floor/TR yard cleaning done regularly? 

32. Is pressurization blower available, manometer provided? 

33. Is danger plates provided as voltage grade? 

34. Is danger Sticker on HT/LT panels in all substations provided?

Possible cause of electrical failure

Due to the gap or deviation during the electrical operation and maintenance electrical failure takes places and sometimes it becomes so fatal.

 a) Safety

1) Not using PPE

possible cause of electrical failure 

2) Poor lighting 

 3) In/exit path missing

 4) Using non-standard tools 

5) Not using LOTO

 6) Wrong tag marking 

7) In sufficient fire detector, fire extinguisher 8) Improper SOP for energization/de-energization 

  b) Monitoring issue 

 9) Irregularity in in taking reading 

 10) Relay failure

 11) Irregularity in PM

 12) Time coordination with up stream

 13) Setting coordination with up stream 

14) Numerous alarm 

15) Irregularity in in taking reading of UPS, Battery charger 

16) High temperature in VFD/UPS room 

  c) Marking on panel

17) Feeder cubical name 

 18) Rating 19) Fuse rating 

20) Cable size 

 21) Special marking 

  d) Functional 

22) non availability of emergency light for power restoration 

 23) Auto failure of bus coupler 

 24) Spare short fall 

 25) Non availability of testing equipment 

 26) ill weather 

27) poor maintenance

  e) Fire Hazard 

 28) flammable material in cable cellar 

 29) Non FLP equipment in battery room

 30) Improper spacing of fire extinguisher 

 31) Hydrocarbon ingress in substation 

 32) Failure of insulation

  f) Furious tripping 

 33) Wrong relay setting 

 34) Wrong operation 

 35) Wrong sequence of operation 

 36) Wrong control circuit 

 37) Breaker failure 

 38) Poor scheme 

 39) Poor design 

  g) Flashover 

 40) Failure of end termination 4

1) Lizard entry

 42) Unwanted light on at night 

 43) Aging of equipment 

 44) CT/PT failure 

 45) Water ingress in JB/DB 

 46) Rodent entry

 47) Moisture ingress

 48) Poor ventilation 

 49) Fire in capacitor of AC 

  h) Knowledge gap 

 50) Lack of training 

 51) Lack of knowledge 

 52) Improper monitoring

Moisture, humidity, reliability and electrical safety

Moisture, humidity is a great enemy for electrical power continuity and reliability. Excess moisture can cause: • Short Circuits: Moisture prepares a platform as conductive pathways, increasing the risk of short circuits and potential fire and a challenge for electrical safety. • Corrosion: maximum electrical components are susceptible to rust and oxidation, leading to malfunctions and equipment failure. This happens frequently in coastal area or where rainy season go longer. • Insulation Breakdown: lots of cause is for insulation breakdown. Humid conditions degrade the insulating properties of wires and cables, compromising electrical safety and performance. Automatic Dehumidifier & Temperature Controller are available to combat the negative effects of humidity on your electrical installations. Typical others like panel space heater, motor space heater, silica gel , canopy protection, sealing of switchgear rooms etc. are also available. • Material Compatibility and Degradation: availability of moisture in the air may like to cause problems for the efficient operation of electrical components because it prevents the materials from effectively connecting with one another. When moisture-sensitive adhesives or coatings are subjected to high levels of humidity.

Note: there is one scope i.e. earthing electrode where moisture content is helpful in decreasing specific gravity and finally reduce the earth resistance value.

Expandable barricade for electrical safety

Expandable barrier or barricade is used for temporary barricading. They are lightweight and easy to fold carry anywhere. It is frequently used by security department, police , Mall and many more. It is use for safety purpose in electrical construction or maintenance job. It is valuable in metal, plastic and fibre. Typical specification

1) Material: MS or Mild Steel 2) Side Structure of Pipe: Square 3) Wheels: to be provided 4) No of wheels : 4 nos. 5) Handle provided for lifting : to be provided 6) Reflective safety strip : Reflective Tape 7) Overall Height ( in cm) :85-100 8) Extendable Length ( in mtr ) :4.1 to 5 9) Collapsible Length ( in mtr ) :0.5 to 1 10) Thickness of Movable strip (in mm): 3 to 4 11) Coating: Synthetic Enamel Paint , more than 70 micron 12) Warranty : 12 months 13) Availability of Test Report from : not required 14) Test Report to be submitted to : not applicable 15) Colour : yellow and black 16) LOGO sticker : yes

Cable, wire, machinery and relevant equipment

Cable , wire and Testing Equipment

 2. Annealer & Heat Treating plan 

 3. Braiding Machines 

4. Cables 

5. Capstans, Dancers, Accumulators, Preheaters 

6. Conductors & Wires 

7. Dies & Die Making Equipment 

8. Drives, Controls & Process Tools 

9. Extrusion Lines, Equipment & Tooling 

10. Fiber Optic Cable & Optical Fiber Manufacturing Equipment 

11. Fillers, Insulation, Jacketing / Sheathing Compounds & Colorants 

12. Guides, Pulleys, Sheaves, Rollers etc 

13. Marking and Printing Machines & Materials 

14. Optical Fibre Cables 

15. Payoffs and Takeups 

16. Plating, Galvanizing etc

 17. Reels, Spools, Baskets, Cores, Carriers & Packaging 

18. Respoolers

 19. Rolling Mills, Flattening & Shaping 

20. Rotating Machinery: Bunchers, Cablers, Stranders, Twinners etc 

21. Surface Treatment Systems: Cleaning, Pickling, Coating, Chalking, Descaling etc 

22. Tape Applicators, Binders, Armouring, Serving Heads 

23. Tapes, Yarns & Binders 

24. Tension Controls, Brakes, Clutches, Traverses 

25. Wire & Cable Handling Equipment 

26. Wire & Rod Drawing Machinery 

27. Wire Bending, Forming & Fabricating 

28. Wire Rod 

29. Wires & Conductors

One Nation, One electrical License

Electrical contractors are facing license problem when they bid for another state. Generally they are entitled to do work in particular state from where they have got license. CEA advocated that there was the need of “One Nation, One Licence” for electrical contractors so that they can take up works in various states on the basis of a valid licence in any state or Union territory. This will avoid the long-drawn process of obtaining a separate licence in the respective state/UT, where the electrical contractor intends to work, the communication said. This proposal comes in the wake of a meeting with all state electrical inspectorates convened by Chief Engineer, CEA, on September 29, 2023. Most states welcomed the step of “One Nation, One Licence” for electrical contractors. It is interesting to note that supervisor licence holders and wireman licence holders of different states are allowed to work in other states through various arrangements like reciprocal MoUs, verification, endorsements, etc. However, no such procedure is allowed for electrical contractors, as yet. In light of this, CEA has advised that all state electrical inspectorates in which there is currently no such procedure of allowing electrical contractors of other states, to take up measures to facilitate inter-state validity of licences. This could be achieved by endorsement/verification of contractor licences issued by other states, by the state where the electrical contractor intends to work. CEA has also suggested that such endorsement should take no more than 15 days, subject to fulfilment of conditions precedent. CEA has also advised state electrical inspectorates against putting territorial restrictions while granting (new) licences to electrical contractors.