GIS System Commissioning and Troubleshooting

This document details the commissioning and troubleshooting of a Gas-Insulated Switchgear (GIS) system. The author describes their role in configuring IED displays, verifying connections, modifying interlocking logic, and conducting various tests on UPS modules and the GIS control panels. The assignment emphasizes teamwork, communication, safety measures, and adherence to IEC standards for electrical protection settings.

Competency Demonstration Report
Career Episode 2

CE 2.1 Project Information
Name of the project: Inspection, Testing, Commissioning and Charging of 33KV GIS
Panels
Location of the project: Barmer, Rajasthan, India
Project Duration: JUN 2013 TO AUG 2013
Organization: Cairn Energy India Ltd Barmer
Role and Designation during the time: Electrical Engineer
CE 2.2 Project Background
CE 2.2.1 Characteristics of the project
I joined ASMACS PVT Ltd in 2013 as an electrical engineer and conferred with
the 33 KV Gas Insulated Switchgear development project for the main client Cairn Energy India
Ltd (CEIL). ASMACS offered me the project depending upon my expertise on the relevant field.
Cairn India have three onshore terminals in Bhagyam, Aishwarya and Mangla and among them
the Barmer unit is the largest one. The Mangla site is in construction state but the Bhagyam and
the Aishwarya terminals are ready.
CE 2.2.2 Objectives developed for the project
The objectives of the project are listed below:
 To carry out regular site visits to get information.
 To predict design related issues and their rectification.

 To carry out system modifications.
 To conduct walk down for particular system and raising punch points.
 To evaluate Punch Points Liquidation.
 To implement functional checking of installed equipment
 To design new operational logics in relays to enhance system reliability.
 To analyze fault based on setting parameters calculation.
 To conduct testing of electrical distribution and measuring equipment
 To construct system related checklists prior to start work activities.
 To effectively troubleshoot the distribution system to ensure minimum breakdowns.
 To compile all stage wise inspection reports.
CE 2.2.3 My Area of work
I was deployed for the commissioning of GIS system and for inspection of all pre-
commissioning and post commissioning activities to ensure zero deviation from quality
standards. My first priority was to pre guess faults or operation related issues that might arise in
the nearby future and rectify them without any delay. So that client had to target minimum
breakdowns after system handover. I conducted kick off meeting with the client to grasp the
project work scope, requirements, and company guidelines along with work safety procedures.
Then I carried out site visits before commencing commissioning activities to become more
familiar with the actual site conditions, project completion status, issues and for face to face
interaction with vendors and sub-contractors. I performed quality inspection during site visits
and observed that most of the equipment installations were in accordance with ISO 9001
prerequisites. Moreover I rectified quality related issues by ensuring the replacement of low
quality equipment by adhering to electrical safety and quality compliances. I made a visit to each

Maintenance head
Electrical head
Senior Manager
substation to get some basic information regarding design, make and rating of the equipment
installed. It helped me to plan all work activities easily, because switchgears and relays were of
ABB make. I also prepared construction related punch points list on basis of my inspection and
forward to construction departments for issue solving.
CE 2.2.4 Project Group
Figure 1: People involved in the project
CE 2.2.5 My responsibilities throughout the project
It was quite necessary to formulate some work strategies prior to the commissioning
work of complex and expensive GIS system. In order to alleviate the work complexities, I broke
the tasks into three phases: testing phase, modification phase and functional checking. Then I
prepared the work process flow charts using excel for the representation of all tasks and their sub
tasks sequentially. For systematically planning of commissioning activities, I accumulated all
design related documents, wiring and logic schematics, factory test reports, O&M user’s manual

for monitoring, control and protection devices installed inside GIS system. I reviewed the
installation and commissioning manual for GIS distribution board and prepared a list of installed
equipment, that I had to commission shortly. The equipment list is used by me for the
preparation of the commissioning plan based on SAP.
CE 2.3 Distinctive Activity
CE 2.3.1 Comprehending the Theory of the project
I started from the commissioning of 220V UPS system. I followed approved format for
the testing of UPS and then calibrate the system analog devices i.e. bus voltage and current
meters. I simulated the UPS modules for checking the redundancy to ensure no interruption in
case of abnormalities. After that I made some electrical protection setting parameter calculations
as per the IEC standards and updated the UPS system accordingly. Then I carried out full load,
no load testing of UPS and also perform battery charging-discharging tests, recorded the actual
test values to construct the test reports. I charged the GIS control panels from 220V UPS supply.
Prior to the 33KV cable jointing and termination, I performed VLF testing on the cables
and recorded all parameters as per CEA regulations. Obtained results were normal in comparison
with FAT reports. Both switchgear and cable jointing teams started their work in parallel and I
ensured the inspection and effective supervision of these commissioning activities. I prepared
task based risk assessments, job safety analysis documents to identify the potential electrical
hazards and handover to the technicians for safety awareness. First of all, I attended the LOTO
(lock out tag out) training for permit to work system and then trained the team members with
tool box talks (TBT) for safe work execution by using permit system and non-contact type
voltage detectors. I also made them aware of evacuation plans in case of plant emergency.

CE 2.3.2 Engineering Knowledge and Skills applied in the project
I started configuring both feeder (REF541) and transformer relays (RET541), but it was
so hectic to read each parameter from the IED by browsing all settings one by one and updating
them manually from display. I used excel tool to formulate new procedures and logic gate
schemes that I had to configure in the IED’s which was not mentioned in the design related
documents but still was important for smooth and reliable operation. For relay configuring I
modified the pre-functional checklist provided by the client to make them project specific. So, I
preferred to use Protection and Control IED manager (PCM600) with product version: 2.5.This
tool was so helpful in saving time while importing and exporting settings parameters from the
IED’s.
CE 2.3.3 Accomplishment and task performed
I conducted daily status update meetings with the team members to get acquainted with
work progress, site conditions and issues and prepared daily progress reports and circulated to all
concerned departments for better communication. In these meetings, I gave effective solutions to
site related issues and adopt supporting behavior towards vendors regarding rectification of
design issues. Moreover, I verified the degree of compliance with established electrical safety
procedures and practices and implemented appropriate corrective actions to ensure manpower
safety. I always took initiative in troubleshooting of electrical devices and fulfilling tools/tackles
requirement of commissioning manpower to speed up the project execution.
CE 2.3.4 Identified issues and their solutions
CE 2.3.4.1 Issues

Configuration of the display of the IED was a complex task and it needs calculation
techniques for analysis of the fault in the system. The communication gap between the team
members can cause the system to become a failure. The voltage also acts as an issue for the
progress of the work and quality of power should be constant for safety measures should be
applied prevention of accidents.
CE 2.3.4.2 Solutions
I use Graphical Display Editor (GDE) to configure display of IED of incomer feeders by
using isolator cum earth switch and main breaker, bus tie, bus riser symbols. I checked and
verified the CT, PT connections of all Bus A and Bus B feeders and their protection and
measurement classes as per the schematics. Connection tightness was checked and all
unnecessary short links were removed. But still some IED’s display was not configured properly,
because CT and VT symbols were not shown as per the line diagrams. So I used signal matrix
tool of PCM 600 for configuring symbol types as per IEC palettes.
CE 2.3.5 Plan to produce creative and innovative work
To carry out system modifications as per operational requirements, I downloaded all the
factory based parameters from the IED’s in XREO format and compared them with parameters
list handed over to me by the client. Lot of deviations were observed which might lead to some
serious operation faults. I used my technical knowledge and expertise to enable only selected
electrical parameters, which were required for reliable and smooth operation of GIS system. In
conjunction with this, I carried out simulation checking of all feeders as per the logic schematics.
While going through scheme checking online, I observed interlocking failure issues between
isolator and main breaker of some feeders. For rectification of such issues, I modified the

interlocking logics by incorporating “Graphical Configuration Tool” to assign DI’s and DO’s to
existing logic.
CE 2.3.6 Collaborative work
I conducted daily status update meetings with the team members to get acquainted with
work progress, site conditions, and issues and prepared daily progress reports and circulated to
all concerned departments for better communication. In these meetings, I gave effective solutions
to site related issues and adopt supporting behavior towards vendors regarding rectification of
design issues. Moreover, I verified the degree of compliance with established electrical safety
procedures and practices and implemented appropriate corrective actions to ensure manpower
safety. I always took initiative in troubleshooting of electrical devices and fulfilling tools/tackles
requirement of commissioning manpower to speed up the project execution.
CE 2.4 Project Review
CE 2.4.1 Project overview
The GIS system was developed and for inspection of all pre- commissioning and post
commissioning activities to ensure zero deviation from quality standards. I simulated the UPS
modules for checking the redundancy to ensure no interruption in case of abnormalities. After
that I made some electrical protection setting parameter calculations as per the IEC standards and
updated the UPS system accordingly. Then I carried out full load, no load testing of UPS and
also perform battery charging-discharging tests, recorded the actual test values to construct the
test reports. I charged the GIS control panels from 220V UPS supply.

CE 2.4.2 My contribution to work
Task allotted to me was somewhat difficult because I had to work on the most critical and
complex electrical equipment and to debug the major issues which would lead to serious
consequences in future. So it was most challenging situation in my engineering background, but
due to my hard work, dedication and knowledge gained in the related field, I accomplished all
the tasks effectively and safely. Both of my time and workforce management skills helped me a
lot during all commissioning related activities and it resulted in completion of project in the
given timeline. Usually, major tasks I had performed were redesign soft logic, configuration of
all IED’s, testing of measuring equipment, replacement of faulty spares and accurate
parameterization of all relays ,which contributed to the smooth operation and reliability of GIS
switchgear assembly after handover.