Description
Perform high-voltage testing, diagnostics, and commissioning of transmission and distribution lines and related equipment to ensure integrity, safety, and reliability. Locate faults, verify phasing and insulation performance, and support maintenance and restoration in overhead, underground, and substation environments.
- • Install insulating covers, blankets, and protective grounds as required during testing.
- • Follow high-voltage safety procedures, including lockout/tagout, clearances, barrier placement, and pre-use inspection of test equipment.
- • Open and close switches and apply protective grounds and tags to de-energize circuits for testing.
- • Access poles, towers, and equipment using climbing gear or truck-mounted buckets to reach test points.
- • Perform acceptance, maintenance, and diagnostic tests on lines, cables, transformers, breakers, switches, and related apparatus.
- • Use wiring diagrams and test instruments to locate defective devices, conductors, connections, or insulation.
- • Operate and drive test vans and vehicles equipped with instruments, tools, and safety materials to job sites.
- • Coordinate testing windows, switching orders, and clearances with system operators and field crews.
- • Inspect and test power lines and auxiliary equipment to identify problems using meters and specialized testers.
- • Perform phasing, voltage, current, and load checks; verify correct phase identification and rotation.
- • Conduct insulation resistance, HiPot/VLF, and power factor/tan delta tests on high-voltage cables and equipment.
- • Perform partial discharge, ultrasonic, and infrared thermographic surveys to detect insulation defects and hot spots.
- • Time and analyze circuit breaker operations and test protection relays, current transformers, and potential transformers.
- • Verify transformer turns ratio, winding resistance, and insulation diagnostics; sample and assess oil when needed.
- • Locate cable faults using TDR/arc reflection, thumping, and sheath testing; pinpoint and mark excavation locations.
- • Document test procedures, results, and deficiencies; issue repair recommendations and retest requirements.
- • Calibrate, maintain, and verify the accuracy of testing instruments, leads, sensors, and probes.
- • Patrol overhead and underground routes by truck, foot, or helicopter to assess clearances and insulation condition.
- • Verify hardware integrity on poles and towers, including insulators, connectors, and hardware; report damage.
- • Coordinate restoration and re-energization after testing; remove grounds and return equipment to service.
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
