INTRODUCTION TO PROTECTION GRUARANTEE

Objectives
(1)
To explain some terms used in
connection with
protection guarantees.
(2)
To identify the different forms of
protection which may
be provided.
(3) To point out the space of the operators
responsibility
with respect to protection.
INFORMATION
The electrical operator is responsible for all
operating equipment owned by PHCN. He is
the one person responsible for placing PHCN
operating equipment in service, taking it out
of service, isolating it for work by other
departments and restoring it to service for full
or partial use during testing periods.

Whether it is a lighting circuit, a compressor, a

governor pump, an 11-kv breaker, a generator, a
330-kv breaker, or auxiliary equipments, the
operator has the responsibility for releasing it from
service making it safe to work on and restoring it
to service. Only in few Instance may he delegate
any or all of these responsibilities.
In releasing apparatus for works, the operator
must be aware of what effect its loss will have on
the security of the station, system, supply to the
customer or auxiliary equipments.
Terms used in protection
Apparatus
Alive
Operating Control
Supervisory Control
Isolated

For explanation see the list of special definitions

which appears in the beginning of the standard
protection code.
Forms of Protection Provided
1. Hold-off (OF 12) See Fig.1
This is to used when work is being carried
out near line apparatus or when live-line crews
are working on the transmission line.
The purpose of 12 protection is to prevent any
apparatus, which might trip out of service as a
result of any worker or apparatus Making contact
with it, from being re-energized until the workers
can report to the operator the details of what has
happened.

Hold off protection is not to be used when: The circuit or equipment can be taken out
of service and protection guarantee issued
it does not provide safe working condition
for the work to be performed
when suitable constant communication is
not available between the operator and
the man in charge.
Hold-off protection is largely used by the line
maintenance department for replacement of
insulators, clamps or cross-arms on transmission
circuits and by other maintenance departments
when they are moving equipment closed by live
apparatus.

It must be emphasized that a constant

dependable means of communication has to be in
effect during the period that the hold-off is in effect.
For procedure to be followed in issuing and
surrendering hold-off Protection refer to the
standard protection cod rule 2003.
SELF-PROTECTION (of 11) See Fig. 2
This form of protection is to be used by
maintenance departments for work on shop
equipment, minor auxiliary plant equipment and
lighting circuits. It may, in cases where no
communication is available between the operator
and the workman be used as a substitute for a
protection guarantee.

Procedure for the use of self protection is

outlined in the standard protection code rules
2004, -5, -6, -7. In most cases, the workman
receives the tags from the operator, performs
the necessary switching to remove the apparatus
from service places and removes the tags and
restores the apparatus to service. The operator,
where it is mutually agreed, may perform a part
of or all the switching and may place and remove
the tags on behalf of the workman.
The main function of the operator is to
ensure that the removal of any such apparatus
will not affect the operating security of his
station.

To do this he must know the function of the

apparatus and what alternate supplies or
equipment may be used to substitute for the
apparatus removed.
TAKE-OVER TAGS (OF 10) SEE FIG. 3
The use of these tags is not strictly as
protection for work in the accepted sense. Rather
they are used to identity apparatus whose control
has been transferred from a contractor to the
operating department.
Generally an entire generating unit is not
transferred at the same time. As portions are
turned over of 10 tags are placed on all valves,
switches and other control sources associated with
that equipment by the operators.

The tags are placed to prevent the

operation of these devices by person other
then operators. They are removed when
these devices is placed in service or may
be replaced by suitable protection tags if
work is to continue on the apparatus.
CAUTION TAGS (OF 13) see fig 4
These tags are used solely to protect
equipment which is to be left out of service
or restricted in its use. It is never used to
provide protection for work.
It is placed usually by an operator but may
be placed by any qualified employee.

The tags are removed when the restriction on or

danger to the equipment is rectified. It is replaced
by a suitable protection tag while work is being
carried out .
PROTECTION GUARANTEE
These guarantee are used to protect workman
during all work on apparatus under control of the
operating authority which is not permissible under
OF 11 or OF 12 protection. It is written certificate
which guarantee that safe working condition have
been established on the apparatus covered (in the
case of a work permit or work and test permit) or
that isolation and de-energizing of the apparatus
has been effected from all sources of energy under
the control of the issuing operator (in case of a
station guarantee).

Briefly the requirement of each form of

protection guarantee are:(i) WORK PERMIT (OF 2) see Fig 5
it is printed on blue paper. It guarantee
complete isolation and de-energizing. It lists all
equipment covered on which the workman are
permitted to work. It lists all of the isolation
and de-energizing devices used to effect the
protection by name and specifies whether they
have been locked and tagged. On the form are
spaces in which special instructions may be
given to the man in charge (Permit Holder)
regarding safe working clearances; neighboring
live apparatus and other helpful data.

It must be signed both by the permit holder and the

issuing operator before work can commence and
signed again by the permit holder and the operator
when work is completed form to the work permit
except that it authorizes specified testing of the
apparatus during the outage. These test may or may
not make the equipment alive and may only be
carried out with the knowledge and approval of both
the permit holder and the operator. Rule 2028 further
explain the use of OF 14 as part of the procedure the
tests.
(ii) Station Guarantee (OF 4) see Fig 7
This is printed on white paper. It is issued when the
apparatus on which work is to be carried out cannot
be completely isolated and de-energized by means of
devices under the control of the issuing operator i.e

when some other neighbor station/s has to co-operate in

effecting complete isolation and or de-energizing of such
apparatus.
It is generally used to support a work permit or work and
test permit to be issued at a master station. With regard
to jobs such as those on transmission lines or line
terminal equipment, it is issued by the operator of the
assisting station to the operator of the master station
who will issue the proper work permit or work and test
permit.
Another application is when work is being carried out on
equipment part of which is under PHCN control and part
of which is still controlled by a contractor. This might be
on a generating unit or a station bus. In such instance the
operator issues the contractor a station guarantee
covering the isolation and de-energizing devices over
which he does exercise control. (Rule 2045)