Transformers & Switchgear Basics
What transformers and switchgear do, how their health is judged, the difference between isolators, contactors and circuit breakers, and how to behave safely around substations. For technicians, operators and anyone whose work takes them near HV/LV equipment.
55m
Total time
4
Competency levels
12
Lessons
What you'll learn
- Explain what a transformer does and distinguish oil-filled from dry-type designs.
- Describe the key transformer health factors: oil condition, temperature and loading.
- Explain the three jobs of switchgear — switching, protection and isolation.
- Distinguish an isolator, a contactor and a circuit breaker and state what each may and may not do.
- Describe conceptually how a protection relay detects a fault and trips a breaker.
- Follow substation access and awareness rules as non-electrical staff, including oil containment and SF₆ awareness.
Curriculum
Progress through each competency level in order.
1
Awareness
- 3mWhat transformers do — and the two main typesKnowledge
- 3mWhat switchgear is for — switching, protection, isolationKnowledge
- 7mAwareness check — transformers and switchgearAssessment
2
Knowledge
- 3mTransformer health: oil, temperature and loadingKnowledge
- 3mIsolator, contactor, circuit breaker — who does whatKnowledge
- 8mKnowledge check — transformer health and switching devicesAssessment
3
Skill
- 3mProtection relays, and keeping switchrooms healthyKnowledge
- 3mSubstation awareness walkdownAssignment
- 8mSkill check — protection and switchroom practiceAssessment
4
Mastery
- 3mOil containment, SF₆ awareness and substation access disciplineKnowledge
- 3mSubstation risk review and briefingAssignment
- 8mMastery assessment — transformers and switchgear in practiceAssessment
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