Insulation Tech-Trainee

Company Summary Statement

PPL Electric Utilities delivers safe, reliable and affordable electricity to more than 1.4 million homes and businesses throughout its 29-county service territory in eastern and central Pennsylvania. Through smart investments and innovation, it has built one of the most advanced electric grids in the United States. And, with over a century of expertise, PPL Electric remains focused on continuing to build the utility of the future, today. Regularly ranking among the country’s best utility companies for reliability and customer satisfaction, PPL Electric has won numerous awards, including 30 J.D. Power Awards for providing top-quality service to residential and business customers. PPL Electric is a major employer and an active supporter of the communities it serves. Empowering employees, community members and initiatives across its service territory through volunteerism and investments in organizations that support education, sustainability, and wellbeing.

Overview

Determines reliability, electrical condition, and suitability for service of high voltage electrical facilities and batteries at all system Nuclear, Power Production, and customer locations, as required.

Directs the activities of supervisory and bargaining unit employees, such as electrician leaders and journeymen electricians, customer employees, and contractor employees involved in assisting with performance of tests and removing equipment from service for testing or restoring the equipment to service after testing.

Responsibilities

This position is responsible for determining the electrical condition of high voltage equipment such as power transformers, bushings, insulators, lightning arresters, cables, generators, motors, voltage regulators, capacitor coupled potential devices, potential transformers, current transformers, gas circuit breakers, oil circuit breakers, vacuum circuit breakers, air circuit breakers, and resistive potential devices by performing and technically analyzing the following complex tests. This position requires a high degree of ability to organize, plan, schedule, lead, and direct work activities of personnel assigned to assist in tests.

Diagnostic Tests (analysis of condition)

- C. power factor (Doble) tests

- Dissipation factor tests

- High voltage turns ratio tests

- Excitation current tests

- Leakage reactance tests

- Dielectric absorption tests

- Resistance tests

- Impedance tests

- Substation and power plant battery capacity tests

- Infrared imaging tests

- High voltage cable insulation partial discharge tests

- Cable concentric neutral time domain reflectometry tests

Equipment Proof Tests

- Switch stick and hot line tool tests per OSHA, IEEE, ASTM, and ANSI standards to determine their safety and suitability for service.

- High voltage A.C. or D.C. tests up to 600,000 volts.

Other duties:

- Performs acceptance tests on new or reconditioned equipment.

- Devises unique, complex electrical tests, as required, for the purpose of troubleshooting damaged, questionable, or new designs of electrical apparatus and safety related equipment.

- Operates sophisticated computer operated equipment using artificial intelligence diagnostic techniques.

- Provides technical support of the computer client server test information database for all PPL electrical equipment.

- Responsible for the technical direction and safety of PPL and outside contractors’ and customers’ personnel assisting with testing.

- Maintains, calibrates and affects field repairs on related electrical testing equipment.

- Performs switching, secures permits, and provides blocking all in accordance with the company’s Energy Control Process.

- Maintains thorough knowledge of and follows applicable rules associated with the Company’s Energy Control Process, safety rule book, environmental regulations, and OSHA regulations; also, as applicable, radiological quality control, health physics, and NRC regulations pertinent to the work being performed. Practices safe work methods and uses required personal protective equipment.

- Participates in the development of Insulation Test procedures and work instructions.

- Participates in all aspects of prescribed training and developmental programs, ongoing training conducted for upgrading and refreshing of skills and safety, and health and environmental training.

- Prepares and submits test reports with recommendations regarding suitability of equipment for service, necessary corrective actions, and additional test to be conducted as necessary.

- Prepares and maintains a computer based active file of test data reports with an emphasis on trending and evaluation.

- Works with other departments, customers, and contractors to coordinate test schedules.

- Performs such other duties as assigned or as necessary.

Qualifications

- Graduate of two-year Electronic Engineering Technology or Electrical Engineering Technology degree program from a school/program, which has been accredited by a nationally recognized accreditation agency. PPL’s Engineering Aide Qualifying Exam will be used to screen internal candidates who do not meet the minimum entry degree requirement for the position.

- Ability to obtain and maintain a thorough knowledge of the company’s Energy Control Process.

- Ability to obtain and maintain permit and switching authority.

- Must have a valid Pennsylvania motor vehicle operator’s license.

- Ability to obtain unescorted access clearance for Susquehanna SES.