Grant funding comes from Skillnet Ireland through the Irish National Training fund, and, as a result, is ONLY available to residents of the Republic of Ireland who work as a sole trader, or for a private or semi-state commercial company registered in ROI. Please read Eligibility Criteria.

This is a part-time blended learning programme that utilises a work-based model similar to apprenticeship programmes. The 60 credits are delivered via technical modules during the academic year with a HV Industrial learning portfolio that runs over the summer months and the semester. The programme is delivered onsite one day per week over two semesters with some online learning each week to support the modules. One semester is delivered by SETU and the other by TUS.

Technical Modules – Semester 1

AC Systems Analysis (5 Credits)

Review of Resistance / Reactance /Impedance, Single phase Series / Parallel. AC Power – power factor correction, three phase Star Delta, three phase balanced / unbalanced loads. Fault conditions – calculation of fault currents, short circuit, symmetrical / non symmetrical PU Systems – SLD – simulation of load flow.

HV Grid Connection & Planning (5 Credits)

Provides an overview of the specification and planning of projects that require connection to the national grid. The key elements of a substation will be reviewed and the common configurations and layout will be covered. Earthing of substations and calculations of step and touch distances will also be covered. Maintenance and safety procedures and the range of technical studies required for the safe design of a substation will also be reviewed.

High Voltage Power Grid & Infrastructure (5 Credits)

Transmission/Distribution HV /MV/LV systems SLD, Cable/Conductor – selection, testing. HV/MV/LV Infrastructure. DSO/TSO Single market, metering, tariffs. Installations and Connection of Distributed Generators and storage (Wind, PV, Storage)

Technical Modules – Semester 2

High Voltage Electrical Protection Systems (5 Credits)

Basic Relays – operation and design, timing, specification. Over Current Relays, Intro to Distance / Impedance Relays. Differential Relays. Protection of Transformers. Protection of Bus-bars pilot wire protection.

HV Transformer Theory and Applications (5 Credits)

Review of Transformer Construction, three phase Transformers, Calculations – Ideal / Non-Ideal. Rating – efficiency, regulation, testing. Vector Group Windings. Instrument Transformers – Voltage and Current Transformers. Oil testing.

High Voltage Switchgear Engineering (5 Credits)

Switchgear classification, Busbars / Feeders, Disconnectors. Reactors / Surge Arrestors, Fuses Current limiting / Expulsion, Circuit Breakers, Capacitors / Capacitor banks, Insulators.

HV Safety Modules

High Voltage Safety Compliance (5 Credits) – Semester 1

Review of Electrical Health and Safety Legislation, Regulations in HV Electrical Environments, including I.S. EN 50110 & I.S. EN 61936. Role of Authorised and senior authorised person. Relevant Standards, Directives, Practices and Statutory Bodies. Role of PSDP and PSCS Development of RAMS and safe system of work plans. Safety Clearances relating to HV/MV installations, overhead lines and underground cables –European and Irish legislation. Hazard Zones / Exclusion Zone. Working at heights. Learners to develop risk assessments, method statements for typical work-based tasks, Learners to review employer safety statements and procedures.

High Voltage Safe Working Systems (5 Credits) – Semester 2

General and Specialist PPE requirement, HV Earthing requirements, Arcing awareness and precautions and protection. Switching Plans, Lock Out / Tag Out, Interlocks. HV Electrical Switching and Safety procedures – Telemess/JSSP, Relevant code of practice. Batteries and Hazardous Environments.

HV Industrial Portfolio

Of the 60-credit programme, 20 credits are applied to work-based learning in the form of two HV Industrial Portfolio modules, to allow the learner to apply their newly learned technical skills and competence to their work environment. The aim is for the learner to recognise key applications and under the guidance of an industry mentor, apply their learning and solutions to key high voltage applications, which is assessed by a panel.

This programme is primarily for upskilling electricians and electrical engineers in the specialist domain of high voltage. It requires a good foundation and experience in the electrical discipline and learners are required to be in a work environment so they can successfully complete the Industrial Portfolio modules, which are 20 credits (1/3rd) of the programme. Hence, entry to the programme has been discussed at length between the academic and industry team and is as follows:

Candidates for this programme must be:

• An electrical employee of a company in the High Voltage sector

AND 

• At a minimum, a holder of the following academic and professional qualifications/experience; Advanced Craft Certificate in Electrical (or equivalent) and a minimum of 1 year verified relevant experience in an Industrial Electrical Environment OR Level 7 Ordinary Degree in Engineering in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent) and a minimum of 1 year verified relevant experience in a High Voltage Electrical Environment
• Recognition of prior learning will apply as detailed in the following section.
• Applicants should meet the English language entry requirements established by the Academic Council for this discipline and NFQ programme level.

Graduates from the 60 credit programme will have demonstrated the competence to complete a major programme at level 7. With this award, they can apply for entry onto multiple awards across TUS and SETU in line with specific entry criteria including, for example, the Level 7 – Electrical Engineering Degree with SETU, Year 3 of the B.Eng in Electrical Engineering (TUS)