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Electrical Utility Operator
Published
Time-Based Apprenticeship
Industries
O*Net Code
51-8013.00
Rapids Code
Req. Hours
3480
State
NY
Created
Jul 16, 2021
Updated
Jul 16, 2021
Time-Based Skills
7 skill sets | 36 total skills
Safety & Workplace Orientation - 80 req. hrs
Demonstrate understanding of workplace structure.
Practice working safely around machinery, equipment, and throughout shopfloor.
Demonstrate an understanding of electrical power.
understand safety needs particular to electricity, especially at high voltages.
Bulk Electrical System (BES) Substations and Distribution - 2000 req. hrs
Demonstrate satisfactory knowledge of monitored/interconnected systems and how to obtain equipment readings as required per site policies and procedures.
Safely perform electrical switching of plant/yard Power Circuit Breakers (PCBs), switchgear, auxiliary and support equipment, disconnects and switchers, load-break switches, and all associated equipment per policy and procedures.
Recognize and diagnose abnormal operating conditions of the BES and determine the proper corrective actions per appropriate policies and procedures.
Relaying and Metering - 200 req. hrs
Recognize and accurately record protection and control relay diagnostic information.
Demonstrate knowledge and ability to correctly reset tripped transmission And distribution system protection relays
Accurately identify and record the appropriate readings from revenue metering (if applicable).
Generating Units and Facility Auxiliaries - 300 req. hrs
Independently operate and monitor plant generation unit(s) in accordance with policies and procedures.
Independently operate and monitor high voltage (HV) cable system during normal and abnormal operating conditions at the power plant.
Independently operate generator auxiliary pumps/plant pumps during normal and abnormal operating conditions in accordance with policies and procedures.
Operate all air systems’ air compressors during all modes of plant operations.
Demonstrate knowledge and ability to operate all plant emergency generators during abnormal operating conditions.
Demonstrate knowledge of proper function and identify when filters require flushing or cleaning.
Perform unit inspections for running, shutdown, or standby of units and ensure auxiliary equipment functions as designed.
Safely perform switching of units/auxiliary equipment.
Properly diagnose alarms when they sound; describe consequences of failure to respond.
Inspect day-to-day lighting in facility, and inspect emergency lighting; Perform preventative maintenance (PM) and ensure reliability of lighting.
Identify and locate essential Motor Control Centers (MCCs) and switchgear equipment.
Control Room - 500 req. hrs
Perform all general administrative functions during normal and abnormal operations.
Demonstrate the knowledge and ability to monitor and perform all reactive power monitoring and control as directed by the Transmission Owner/Generator Operator.
Demonstrate knowledge and ability to independently monitor the plant generating units and essential auxiliary support systems using Supervisory Control and
Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, generator control system, and Automatic Generator Control (AGC) system.
Demonstrate an understanding of water/fuel management at respective site(s). Perform calculations and communicate results to appropriate personnel. Demonstrate an understanding of upper and lower water/fuel levels, and understand the consequences of operating outside limits at respective site(s).
Schedule outages to minimize downtime for power availability, and to maximize efficiency.
Demonstrate an understanding of transmission line contingencies and Transmission line limits per site policies and procedures.
Contingency Protocol/Safety Procedures - 300 req. hrs
Perform plant operator’s duties per Lock Out/Tag Out (LO/TO) procedure.
Demonstrate knowledge and proficiency to perform operator actions during blackout conditions; perform “Black Start” operations.
Demonstrate knowledge of emergency action plan. Independently perform emergency action plan (if necessary).
Demonstrate knowledge of proper response to environmental emergency. Respond using formal communication protocol (3-part communication), proper spill or emergency containment according to policies and procedures (if applicable).
Demonstrate knowledge of proper response to a fire condition. Respond to a fire condition (if necessary).
Demonstrate knowledge of terrorist threat identification, and procedure for contacting proper authorities.
Life Safety Systems - 100 req. hrs
Demonstrate ability to identify proper use of life safety system during emergency and normal/standby plant operations.
Demonstrate proper response to/identification of all applicable plant Evacuation alarms.
Technical Instruction
Safety & Health - 32 req. hrs
Basic Industrial Safety or OSHA 10-Hour General Industry course
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LO/TO)
National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) Arc Flash Training
Fall Prevention
Proper Lifting Techniques
Confined Space Safety
Right-to-Know/Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
First Aid
Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
Trade Theory and Science - 94 req. hrs
Elementary Blueprint Reading and Sketching
Blueprint Reading and Sketching for Electricians
Electrical Circuit Diagrams
Reading Specifications and Technical Manuals
Fundamentals of Electricity, Basic and Advanced
The Role of Hydroelectric in the Power System
Hydro Power Stations
Water Management
Hydro Turbines
Turbine Monitoring & Control
Hydro Generators
Generator Monitoring & Control
Plant Auxiliaries
Electrical Equipment Operation
Hydroelectric Plant Operation & Maintenance
Standard Switching Procedures and Practices
Power Plant Science
Rotating Plant Equipment (Pumps, Compressors, and Fans)
Non-Rotating Equipment (Valves, Heat Exchangers, and Filters & Strainers)
Troubleshooting Techniques
Motor Control Centers (MCCs) & Switchgear (15Kv and below)
Cooling & Lubrication
Generator Operations & Control
Line Grounding Methods
Mechanical Plant Systems
Monitoring & Control Communications
Instrumentation & Control
DC Motors & Generators
Transformer Theory
AC Generators
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Theory & Operation
Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) Power Plant Operations Course
Power Transmission (Transmission & Distribution Breakers and Switches, System Voltage Control, and System Frequency & Tie Line Control)
System Security
Unit Start and Stop
New York State Independent System Operator (NYISO) and Transmission System
Operator/Generator Operator Policies and Procedures
Abnormal Condition Operation
Power System Protection, Beginner and Advanced
