High Voltage Electrician with Class A

About the role

Performs specialized journey-level electrical and skilled mechanical work on low to high voltage systems in and around electric substations, underground systems, and power generating plants. Works with voltages up to 230kv AC and must be familiar with safe working practices for phasing and hot glove requirements for grounding.

Responsibilities

• Follow all safety policies, procedures, and practices.
• New Construction/Installation of Equipment:
  • Install steel structures, insulators, bus, high voltage switches, disconnects, and fuses.
  • Install, splice, and terminate high-voltage cables.
  • Install high voltage transformers, circuit breakers, reactors, capacitor banks, CCVTs, potential transformers, and current transformers.
  • Install conduit, wireways, raceway, fittings, wiring, cabling, conductors, and circuits.
  • Install underground service conduit, cables, and ground grids (using press and/or cad weld).
  • Install equipment, switchgear/GIS, motor control centers, motor-operated valves, and pressurized systems.
  • Install and maintain batteries/chargers and related equipment.
  • Install microprocessor relay panels and protection schemes for line, bus, generator, and transformer protection.
  • Install RTU and SCADA equipment and PLCs.
  • Bend, thread, and install conduit systems (rigid, PVC, and EMT) and hard and string bus.
• Maintenance and Testing:
  • Maintain, test, troubleshoot, and repair power transformers and auxiliary equipment such as bushings, surge arrestors, cooling equipment, and tap changers.
  • Maintain and repair power circuit breakers and operating mechanisms including hydraulic, pneumatic, solenoid-operated, and other stored energy systems.
  • Maintain and repair motors, motor control equipment, and control circuits.
  • Maintain and repair DC battery systems for protection and control of high voltage equipment.
  • Maintain and repair capacitor banks and reactors.
  • Maintain hydro large generators and associated systems.
  • Maintain overhead gantry and bridge cranes.
  • Maintain internal and external electrical systems/equipment such as lighting, lighting control, UPS (Uninterruptible Power Systems), battery monitoring, power distribution, switchboards, and breakers.
  • Maintain redundant power distribution systems and equipment such as standby and emergency generators, transfer switches, and power distribution units.
  • Handle, sample, and test various power interrupting/insulating mediums including vacuum, mineral oil, FR3, and SF6.
  • Perform predictive maintenance (IR scans) on electrical panels, transformers, switchgear, and related equipment.
• Use of Equipment, Tools, and Resources:
  • Use hand tools and small power tools such as drills, grinders, sanders, saws, and cutters.
  • Operate equipment such as boom and bucket trucks, forklifts, aerial equipment, cranes, and use rigging and lifting techniques to install large equipment.
  • Climb ladders and steel structures; use fall protection equipment for working at heights.
  • Use electrical test equipment such as voltmeters, ammeters, ohmmeters, DC insulation resistance testers, transformer turns ratio testers, AC and DC high potential test sets, power factor, and circuit breaker testers.
  • Use live line tools.
  • Read and interpret mechanical and electrical drawings, diagrams, and instructions.
  • Follow processes and procedures for oil handling/testing during installation and maintenance of large oil-filled electrical equipment.
  • Follow all safety procedures including clearance, LOTO (Lockout Tagout), switching, verification, grounding, and working on or around high voltage systems.

Requirements

• Completion of a recognized apprenticeship or equivalent training in the electrical trade.
• Demonstrated experience at a journey level in the installation, connection, and maintenance of electrical equipment in high voltage transmission and distribution substations, switchyards, or large power generating plants.
• Must possess and maintain a valid California Driver’s License (CDL) and a satisfactory driving record (not more than two moving violations in the last two years).
• Must be able to obtain a Class A driver’s license with tanker endorsement after completion of required driver training.

Knowledge

• Basic algebra and trigonometry to compute calculations and understand electrical theory.
• Methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in the installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical equipment.
• National Electric Code and Electrical Safety Orders of the Division of Industrial Safety applicable to electrical work.
• Electrical terminology and theory; electrical safety rules and regulations.
• Preventative maintenance on electrical equipment; electrical installations; switchgear; electrical rotating machinery, such as motors and generators.
• Boom and rigging processes and procedures; common and special tools used in electrical work; proper grounding techniques.
• Ferrous and nonferrous materials; hazardous materials; safe lifting techniques and lift charts; proper use of slings.
• Procedures to lay out and fabricate a variety of materials; sheet metal work.
• Safe handling policies and procedures of pressurized cylinders, FR3 oil, SF6, oil transport, and spill prevention.
• Hot glove use; safety protocol for discharging water from substations.
• NERC and FERC regulations as they pertain to critical infrastructure protection (CIP) of substations and power plants.
• Switching and taking clearances with distribution and power system operators.

Skills

• Read, comprehend, and apply technical information in shop manuals, electrical/mechanical schematics, wiring diagrams, and training materials.
• Follow written and verbal instructions for installation, maintenance, and repair of equipment.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all groups of individuals.
• Complete switch training or be able to take clearances after needed training; process training.
• Complete forms, requisitions, reports, and document work performed.
• Perform work at heights, in confined spaces, and use ladders in a safe manner.
• Perform required calculations, including algebra and trigonometry.
• Distinguish colors.
• Safely lift and carry up to 80 pounds of material and move heavy cylinders.
• Troubleshoot and perform repairs on high voltage power transformers, circuit breakers, motor control centers, switchgear, capacitor banks, reactors, disconnect switches, batteries, battery chargers, large generators, motors, cranes, motor-operated valves, and communication equipment.
• Effectively use test equipment such as ammeter, SFRA, power factor (Doble), ultrasonic vibration tests, computer-based test equipment, TTR, breaker speed analyzer, transformer resistance tester, micro-ohm tester, high potential (Hi-Pot), meggers, and voltmeters.
• Use tools and equipment such as vertical and horizontal band saws, cutting machines, threading machines, small power tools, and grinders (air, electric, and surface).
• Provide quality craftsmanship at all times.
• Understand and follow safety procedures.
• Work around energized equipment and in energized substations.
• Use a basic computer and keyboard.

Desirable Qualifications

• Computer and keyboarding skills.
• Willingness to work in radiation areas and under adverse conditions, such as extreme heat.
• Willingness to work overtime as workload and deadlines require, and work on-call as needed.