PR Net Osm 014 Response To System Faults Operational Safety Manual Section 2.4 Rev1.00
PR Net Osm 014 Response To System Faults Operational Safety Manual Section 2.4 Rev1.00
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks is a trading name of: Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution Limited Registered in Scotland No.
SC213459; Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc Registered in Scotland No. SC213461; Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution plc Registered in
Scotland No. SC213460; (all having their Registered Offices at Inveralmond House 200 Dunkeld Road Perth PH1 3AQ); and Southern Electric Power
Distribution plc Registered in England & Wales No. 04094290 having their Registered Office at No. 1 Forbury Place 43 Forbury Road Reading RG1 3JH
which are members of the SSE Group www.ssen.co.uk
Applies to
Response To System Faults - Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-OSM-014
Operational Safety Manual - Section 2.4
✓
Revision: 1.00 Classification: Public Issue Date: March 2023 Review Date: March 2028
Name Title
Author N/A Distribution SHE Team
Checked by Peter Vujanic Head of SHE Distribution
Approved by Richard Gough Designated Engineer
CONTENTS
1 Introduction.................................................................................................................................. 3
2 Scope .......................................................................................................................................... 3
3 References .................................................................................................................................. 3
4 Definitions.................................................................................................................................... 4
5 General Responsibilities ............................................................................................................. 4
6 Personal Protective Equipment ................................................................................................... 4
7 Red Alert Conditions ................................................................................................................... 5
8 Pre-Switching Actions ................................................................................................................. 5
9 Fault Level Reduction ................................................................................................................. 6
10 Re-energising from Source, Secondary or Pole-Mounted Circuit-Breaker ................................. 6
11 Manual Closing of Circuits Post Trip ........................................................................................... 7
12 Fault Switching ............................................................................................................................ 8
13 Network Automation .................................................................................................................... 9
14 Transient / Unknown Faults ........................................................................................................ 9
15 Busbar Faults ............................................................................................................................ 10
16 High Voltage Overhead Network Fuse Replacement ............................................................... 11
17 Disconnecting Known Live Faults ............................................................................................. 12
18 Removing Debris from Overhead Lines .................................................................................... 12
19 Manual Closing of Circuits Post Trip ......................................................................................... 13
20 Revision History ........................................................................................................................ 13
Page 2 of 13
Uncontrolled if Printed
Applies to
Response To System Faults - Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-OSM-014
Operational Safety Manual - Section 2.4
✓
Revision: 1.00 Classification: Public Issue Date: March 2023 Review Date: March 2028
1 Introduction
1.1 This Approved procedure covers fault Switching on all High Voltage (HV) Distribution
networks up to and including 132kV, controlled by SSEN-D’s Distribution Control Centres,
including out of area networks and third-party networks with a control contract.
1.2 It is designed to ensure a consistent approach and swift supply restoration, whilst
considering the safety of staff and the public alongside the integrity of the System.
1.3 There may be unusual situations that necessitate a different approach. When these arise,
the Control Engineer Shall decide what action to take, but Shall follow the principles of this
procedure.
2 Scope
2.1 The scope of this document applies to:
• Response to faults on the High Voltage Distribution System operated by SSEN-D
• Control and co-ordination of initial response to High Voltage faults to ensure the
safety of persons and the restoration of electricity supplies
2.2 The scope does not apply to:
• Response to faults on the Low Voltage System (see PR-NET-OSM-071
Management of Faults on the Low Voltage System - Operational Safety Manual
Section 10.6).
• Response to System emergencies (see PR-NET-OSM-019 Emergency Procedures -
Operational Safety Manual Section 2.9).
• The scope applies to SSEN-D employees, contractors and other third parties involved
who are engaged with responding to High Voltage System faults.
3 References
The documents detailed in Table 3.1 - Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Documents, and
Table 3.2 - External Documents, should be used in conjunction with this document.
Reference Title
PR-NET-OSM-006 SSEN Distribution Operational Safety Rules - Operational Safety Manual – Section 1.1
PR-NET-OSM-028 Switching Terminology and Approved Abbreviations - Operational Safety Manual -
Section 4.4
PR-NET-OSM-008 System Control Procedures - Operational Safety Manual – Section 2.1
PR-NET-OSM-019 Emergency Procedures - Operational Safety Manual - Section 2.9
Manual Reclosing of Circuits Post Trip, Sequence Operation and Lockout - Operational
PR-NET-OSM-020
Safety Manual – Section 2.10
Management of Neutral Faults on the Low Voltage System - Operational Safety Manual
PR-NET-OSM-071
- Section 10.6
PR-NET-EPR-011 Response to Network System Emergencies
WI-NET-PAC-019 Operation of 33kV Busbar Auto-Reclose Schemes
WI-NET-OSM-002 Personal Protective Equipment and Workwear for Live Environments
N/A SSEN SHE Handbook (Held in Safety, Health and Wellbeing SharePoint Site)
Page 3 of 13
Uncontrolled if Printed
Applies to
Response To System Faults - Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-OSM-014
Operational Safety Manual - Section 2.4
✓
Revision: 1.00 Classification: Public Issue Date: March 2023 Review Date: March 2028
Reference Title
ENA SHEC06 Post Trip Reclosing of HV Electrical Distribution Circuits
4 Definitions
4.1 The words printed in bold text within this document are either headings or definitions.
Definitions used within this Approved Procedure are defined within the list presented
immediately below, or within section 2 of the Operational Safety Rules.
4.2 North, East, West, South Aid Consortium (NEWSAC)
Electricity industry agreement which governs the ‘loan’ of employees from Networks
Operators (NOs) to other NOs during a System Emergency.
4.3 Operational Safety Rules (OSR)
The SSEN-D Distribution set of rules, as read with related documents and procedures, that
provide generic safe systems of work on the System therefore ensuring the health and
safety of all who are liable to be affected by any Danger that might arise from the System.
4.4 Operator
The Authorised Person permitted to carry out Switching on the System
5 General Responsibilities
5.1 All work must be done be in compliance with SSEN-D Safety, Health and Environmental
Policy and procedures, including OSR.
5.2 Persons who are required to operate and undertake work on the System, Shall have a
thorough understanding of the work and ensure that on-site risks are suitably assessed and
that appropriate control measures are put in place before, during and immediately after all
activities.
5.3 The procedures and instructions in this Approved procedure Shall only be carried out by
suitably trained and authorised persons.
5.4 Persons Shall ensure that at all times during the work (or associated testing) General
Safety arrangements are maintained and that other work areas are not adversely affected
by the activities for which they are responsible.
Page 4 of 13
Uncontrolled if Printed
Applies to
Response To System Faults - Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-OSM-014
Operational Safety Manual - Section 2.4
✓
Revision: 1.00 Classification: Public Issue Date: March 2023 Review Date: March 2028
8 Pre-Switching Actions
8.1 Control Engineers Shall access the Outage Management System (OMS) for information
and updating of incidents / calls and for NaFIRS (National Fault and Interruption Reporting
Scheme) reporting in accordance with PR-NET-OSM-008 System Control Procedures -
Operational Safety Manual Section 2.1.
8.2 Before carrying out any restoration Switching on a faulted circuit, the Control Engineer
Shall:
• Take all practicable steps to contact anyone known to be working on or adjoining the
faulty circuit
• Check that those persons are not involved and warn them to stay clear of the circuit
until the fault has been identified and Isolated
• Check if any damage calls have been received that relate to the faulty circuit
• Check for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) protection alarms or
operations which provide an indication of the nature or location of the fault
• Where applicable, identify the remaining fault breaking capacity of the source circuit-
breaker
• Check to see if the circuit is fitted with remote controlled switchgear and / or Fault
Passage Indicators (FPIs)
Page 5 of 13
Uncontrolled if Printed
Applies to
Response To System Faults - Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-OSM-014
Operational Safety Manual - Section 2.4
✓
Revision: 1.00 Classification: Public Issue Date: March 2023 Review Date: March 2028
Page 6 of 13
Uncontrolled if Printed
Applies to
Response To System Faults - Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-OSM-014
Operational Safety Manual - Section 2.4
✓
Revision: 1.00 Classification: Public Issue Date: March 2023 Review Date: March 2028
Customer supplies
6.6 affected and / or After After
11 System at risk from 5 minutes 20 minutes
22 loadings or next fault
33 System firm against
Following inspection
next fault
Immediate
(with permission from Duty
As soon as practicable following Manager)
Customer supplies
investigation of probable cause and
affected
66 the agreement NMC Manager.
132
All other scenarios
Following inspection unless system
including System firm
stability issues arise
against next fault
NOTE: These time delays also apply to the first re-energisation attempt when fault sectioning on underground circuits.
10.2 Where immediate Switching is permitted, the Control Engineer Shall still risk assess and
make an informed decision based on the alarms, indications, weather conditions and any
other relevant information available before re-energising.
10.3 For all other situations shown in table 9.1, prior to reclosing, the Control Engineer Shall
confirm that no reports of accidental contact or damage have been received prior to re-
energising. For out-of-area networks, the Control Engineer Shall also check for damage
reports with the host Distribution Network Operator.
10.4 The relevant Transmission Company Shall be contacted prior to attempting any reclosure
which may affect a Transmission network, except in an emergency.
10.5 Any restoration sequence Shall also have regard for System voltage and frequency before
recovery of any significant lost load or generation.
Page 7 of 13
Uncontrolled if Printed
Applies to
Response To System Faults - Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-OSM-014
Operational Safety Manual - Section 2.4
✓
Revision: 1.00 Classification: Public Issue Date: March 2023 Review Date: March 2028
11.5 This Approved procedure is intended to assist Control Engineers with assessing the risk
of manual reclosing and what steps need to be taken before attempting manual reclosing of
High Voltage circuits following trip, sequence operation and lockout of automatic reclosing
devices. These steps are based on the common framework for manual reclosing of High
Voltage circuits in ENA SHE Standard 06.
12 Fault Switching
12.1 No Specific Report of Network Damage
12.1.1 Where network automation is part of the System, this may automatically sectionalise faulted
circuits based on pre-determined conditions. This will operate prior to the intervention of a
Control Engineer. Where a sequence Switching scheme or remotely controlled switchgear
is fitted, then Operators Shall be directed to appropriate locations based on the outcome of
the initial Switching by these devices.
12.1.2 For Distribution circuits, if there is no specific report of network damage, and no automation
has operated, then the Fault Action Plan (see NOTE) Shall be followed. This identifies the
first Switching point that halves the circuit by customer numbers, consistent with the most
effective site access.
NOTE: Fault Action Plans are circuit specific Switching plans held in the Outage Management
System database and / or the network control system.
12.1.3 If the first Switching operation proves the faulted network is towards the source, then the
next Switching operation Shall aim to restore the healthy network from an alternative
source, where available. This should restore half the customers in the shortest possible
time.
12.1.4 Following the first restoration stage, the faulted network Shall be sub-divided again
consistent with the most effective access and operation. This process Shall continue until
the faulty section is identified. Where a multi-panel switchboard is installed on the network,
this can sometimes be used effectively to provide more rapid fault sectionalising and supply
restoration.
12.1.5 Where Switching has restored all but the last section of an all underground 11kV or 6.6kV
circuit, then the condition of this circuit section Shall be proven by either:
• Re-energisation, or
• Overvoltage (pressure) test, which Shall be carried out as soon as practicable and
certainly within 12 hours of the initial trip
12.1.6 If this test is successful, then all substations on the circuit Shall be patrolled in accordance
with section 12 of this Approved procedure.
12.1.7 For Distribution circuits operating at a higher System voltage than 11kV, with little or no
sectioning options, the Control Engineer Shall determine the next restoration action from
the protection and alarm information available. This may include further complete circuit
reclose attempts if the situation or weather conditions deem this to be appropriate.
Reference should be made to PR-NET-OSM-020 Manual Reclosing of Circuits Post Trip,
Sequence Operation and Lockout - Operational Safety Manual – Section 2.10 for guidance
on manual reclosing of circuits post trip, sequence operation and lockout.
Page 8 of 13
Uncontrolled if Printed
Applies to
Response To System Faults - Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-OSM-014
Operational Safety Manual - Section 2.4
✓
Revision: 1.00 Classification: Public Issue Date: March 2023 Review Date: March 2028
12.1.8 As Switching progresses, the Control Engineer Shall monitor the number of circuit-
breaker trips / fault level to ensure the 'remaining fault breaking capacity' limits of the circuit-
breaker are not exceeded. It may be necessary to energise the last few suspect sections
one at a time if the circuit-breaker 'remaining capacity' will only allow one more fault
clearance.
13 Network Automation
13.1 The sequence of switchgear operations for circuits fitted with automation or remotely
controllable switchgear may be determined by a Fault Passage Indicator (FPI), normally
situated at the mid-point on each section of the circuit.
13.2 There are several types of FPI in use and all may be used for positive indication. However,
only three-phase FPIs or circuit-breaker based protection relays (including pole-mounted
circuit-breakers), which register the passage of both Earth and phase fault current, should
be used for negative indication.
13.3 When a fault occurs on a network fitted with FPIs the following procedures Shall apply.
13.4 Positive mid-point FPI indication:
• The first operation Shall be to open the mid-point switch remotely, as the FPI
indicates positively that the fault is beyond the mid-point, then the source circuit-
breaker Shall be reclosed immediately, without the need to reduce the fault level.
• Thereafter section 11 of this Approved procedure Shall be followed.
13.5 Negative mid-point FPI indication (3 phase FPI only):
• The first operation Shall be to open the mid-point switch
• After checking that the alternative supply is able to supply the section of network
beyond the mid-point and that the protective devices can be controlled from SCADA,
the normally open point Shall be closed
• Thereafter section 11 of this Approved procedure Shall be followed
Page 9 of 13
Uncontrolled if Printed
Applies to
Response To System Faults - Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-OSM-014
Operational Safety Manual - Section 2.4
✓
Revision: 1.00 Classification: Public Issue Date: March 2023 Review Date: March 2028
14.4 If the patrol fails to locate the cause, then portable FPIs Shall be fitted at strategic points on
the circuit and moved to localise the fault on any subsequent reclosures or lockouts. The
Control Engineer Shall be informed of the position of these portable FPIs.
14.5 On every occasion that an all underground circuit trips and is re-energised without any
cause being found, the connected substations, Switching stations and cable compounds
Shall be visited as soon as practicable in daylight to check that the busbars, cable boxes
and exposed cables show no sign of distress.
15 Busbar Faults
There are differences in busbar protection arrangements between the South and the North Licence
areas relevant to this section.
Page 10 of 13
Uncontrolled if Printed
Applies to
Response To System Faults - Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-OSM-014
Operational Safety Manual - Section 2.4
✓
Revision: 1.00 Classification: Public Issue Date: March 2023 Review Date: March 2028
Page 11 of 13
Uncontrolled if Printed
Applies to
Response To System Faults - Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-OSM-014
Operational Safety Manual - Section 2.4
✓
Revision: 1.00 Classification: Public Issue Date: March 2023 Review Date: March 2028
16.4 Individual fuse replacement Shall only be attempted after the network protected by the fuse
has been inspected and no obvious damage identified. Where inspection is not reasonably
practicable, e.g., a long inaccessible spur, then a check Shall be made to ensure that there
have been no ‘damage calls’ and that there has been a suitable delay, as required by
section 10 of this Approved procedure.
16.5 All fuse replacements Shall be recorded on a standard Switching log with 'instructed' and
'carried out' times.
16.6 The completed field Switching log details Shall be relayed back to the Distribution Control
Centre as soon as practicable after the delegated instruction is confirmed back to the
Control Engineer as complete.
Page 12 of 13
Uncontrolled if Printed
Applies to
Response To System Faults - Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-OSM-014
Operational Safety Manual - Section 2.4
✓
Revision: 1.00 Classification: Public Issue Date: March 2023 Review Date: March 2028
20 Revision History
No Overview of Amendments Previous Document Revision Authorisation
01 New document created TBC 1.00 Richard Gough
02
Page 13 of 13
Uncontrolled if Printed