High Voltage Switching Operations
Master high voltage safety, understand arc flash risks, and gain practical skills in modern HV switching and protection technologies.
This course has a simple philosophy for a very complex subject, "Keep it Safe : Keep it Simple". It provides a comprehensive introduction and understanding of the Safe Operation of High Voltage Power Systems (HV Authorisation).
11th – 13th August 2026 Johannesburg - South Africa
Course Overview
This course has a simple philosophy for a very complex subject, 'Keep it Safe : Keep it Simple'. It provides a comprehensive introduction and understanding of the Safe Operation of High Voltage Power Systems (HV Authorisation).
This course is aimed at electrical/non-electrical personnel with a basic level of electrical knowledge who are required to carry out restricted HV switching operations with limited safety document issuing responsibilities up to and including 33kV.
Participants will learn how to prepare for and undertake the safe switching of HV electrical equipment, mitigating risks of arc flash and electric shock through rigorous methodology and practical exercises.
Key Learning Outcomes
Understand and compose safely: Master processes for Safe Systems of Work to ensure a secure working environment.
Acquire the ability to switch: Safely operate switching schedules and procedures correctly and without incident.
Plan and Recover: Understand how to plan a recovery action in the event of equipment failure.
Hazard Prevention: Actively participate in the prevention of fatal electric shock and arc flash explosions.
Documentation & Compliance: Effectively apply permits, understand HV earthing lockoffs, and approve switching programs.
Why You Should Attend
Attending an HV Switching Operation Course is essential for anyone involved in designing, approving, supervising, or performing high voltage work.
Prevent Fatal Incidents
Gain critical knowledge and practical skills needed to safely operate HV equipment and prevent arc flash incidents.
Ensure Compliance
Ensure compliant isolations and avoid costly or dangerous switching errors that can disrupt operations.
Respond to Faults
Enhance your understanding of HV networks and strengthen your ability to respond to faults and emergencies.
Boost Credibility
Protect people, equipment, and operations while significantly boosting your professional competence.
Training Agenda
3-Day Onsite Face-to-Face Programme
- Overview of HV distribution (RMUs, transformers, breakers).
- Roles: Competent, Authorised, Senior Authorised Person.
- Regulatory framework: UK EAWR, HSG85, NFPA 70E.
- Nature of HV electrical hazards (shock, burn, blast).
- What causes arc flash: insulation failure, contamination, wear.
- HV-specific arc behaviour (fault level, clearing time).
- Incident energy concepts and approach boundaries.
- Arc flash labels and information requirements.
- Limitations of calculations & common errors.
- Modern ACB protection units (ARC function, interlocking).
- Optical arc detection systems and fast-acting earthing switches.
- Engineering vs administrative controls.
- Categories of arc flash PPE (cal/cm² levels).
- HV-rated gloves, poles, insulated tools, storage, and inspection.
- Electricity at Work Regulations & HSG85 practices.
- The concept of prevention: proving dead, isolation, earthing.
- The 6 key controls: Planning, Docs, Isolation, Security, PPE, Competence.
- Who is responsible: SAP/AP/CP delineation.
- Permit-to-work structure and LOTO for HV equipment.
- Switchgear types: RMUs, vacuum/SF6, air-insulated boards.
- Circuit breakers vs load break switches vs disconnectors.
- Earth switches and auxiliary systems.
- Why "dead" must be proved (induced voltages, backfeed).
- Correct use of HV test equipment and portable earths.
- Arc flash incident response and isolating faulty equipment.
- Reporting procedures and what NOT to do during failures.
- Purpose of switching: isolations, load transfers, fault clearance.
- Live vs dead switching and switching hierarchy.
- Maintaining system stability (parallel feeds, synch checks).
- Writing switching programmes and schedules.
- Required sections of a method statement.
- Examples of good and bad switching programmes & failure points.
- Creating a live → dead → earthed switching sequence.
- Re-energisation and parallel switching scenarios.
- Load transfer and fault scenario analysis: "What would you do if...?"
- Written assessment on arc flash, rules, and sequences.
- Group analysis of a real switching programme.
- Discussion on developing experience and authorisation progression.
Who Should Attend?
This intensive onsite program is designed for electrical and non-electrical personnel required to carry out restricted HV switching operations.
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HV Operators handling switchgear and isolating high voltage equipment.
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Authorised & Senior Authorised Persons managing safety document issuing and permits to work.
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Electrical Engineers designing isolation procedures and overseeing contractors.
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Maintenance Staff performing routine checks, fault finding, and response on HV systems.
Course Deliverables
Everything you need to implement safe switching practices immediately
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🎓Certificate of Attendance
Recognized documentation of your technical HV switching training.
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📋Method Statement Frameworks
Ready-to-use templates for writing switching programmes and safe system documentation.
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📚Comprehensive Materials
Hard copies of all presentations, interactive exercise files, and arc flash calculation charts.
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🔍Risk Assessment Templates
Frameworks to evaluate arc flash boundaries, HOC, and PPE requirements.
Investment & Registration
Event Code: IL-HVSO-015 | 11th – 13th August 2026 | Johannesburg - South Africa
Delegate 1
USD 1,595Book 1 delegate
Per delegate
Group
USD 1,295Book 2 to 4 delegates
Per delegate · Best Value
Corporate
USD 995Book 5 or more
Per delegate · All pricing excl. taxes
Enrollment Application
Payment is required within 5 working days of receiving the invoice. For 6+ delegates, contact us directly at training@indulead.com