Medium Voltage Live Line Working Training

Distribution networks are the link between local substations and consumers. Therefore, investing in reliability, quality, and operational safety at this level generates immediate value for society and for the business: fewer outages, greater safety, and higher productivity. For training purposes, we consider Medium Voltage Live Line works carried out in the range between 10kV and 36kV.

This is an open portfolio, meaning it sets a standard for what we deliver while also offering customization options aligned with technical briefings.

Medium Voltage Live Line Training at ELFEC by CTST
Medium Voltage Live Line Course at ELFEC in Cochabamba, Bolivia

Who are these courses for?

The Medium Voltage Live Line courses are intended for maintenance teams working in urban and/or rural distribution networks (conventional and compact networks) and medium voltage substations.

Target audience: electricians, foremen, safety technicians, supervisors, and maintenance engineers.

Minimum participant requirements:

  • High school diploma;
  • Technical qualification: Regulations applicable in the country;
  • Medically and psychologically fit;
  • Previous experience in distribution networks (construction and/or maintenance in de-energized systems).

Scope

In Medium Voltage Live Line Working, we generally employ the Rubber Gloves Method, characterized by the use of covers, blankets, gloves, and insulating sleeves, and/or the Hot Stick Method, with the use of insulating rods.

Among the means of access and positioning, they include:

  • Insulated aerial basket (1 or 2 buckets);
  • Insulating platform;
  • Insulated ladder;
  • Portable step or climbing spurs;
  • Scaffolds (used in substations).

The working methods and means of access must be defined primarily in the technical briefing, considering the task, assets, tools, team, and operational restrictions. In addition, all activities must comply with the risk analysis, the procedures established by the client, and the applicable regulations.

CTST - Medium Voltage Live Line Training in Compact Networks
Live Line in the Rubber Gloves Method with Aerial Basket

Course workload

The final workload is defined in a briefing and depends on multiple factors. In general, this parameter depends on variables such as: number of participants, modules, number and complexity of tasks, choice of method and means of access, among others. Therefore, the following figures serve only as an initial parameter.

ThemeTrainingRecertification
Aerial basket (rubber gloves method)160–240 hours40–80 hours
Hot Sticks and Platform160–200 hours40–80 hours
Substation / Gantries (MV)40–80 hours40 hours
Compact networks40–80 hours40 hours

If you do not yet need recertification but need to add specific knowledge, we offer complementary courses. These training courses are designed to expand the knowledge already acquired by your team without revalidating their training. In addition, they require a foundation compatible with the prerequisites presented, as well as proven experience in the main track and a workload defined in a briefing (typically 8–40 hours, but this may vary).

In addition, CTST offers the Medium Voltage Live Line Methodology Course, a strategic training program aimed at managers, supervisors, and teams who need to understand, decide, and standardize the method before applying it in the field.

CTST offers training in any combination of the methods and systems described here, tailoring the course program to the reality of your company. In any case, please note that reductions in workload increase operational risk and significantly remove performance guarantees. We discuss this further in one of the questions listed in: FAQ: Questions about Live Line Working

Deliveries and Responsibilities

In order to ensure security, compliance, and fluidity with our partners, we clearly divide what is the responsibility of the client and what is the responsibility of CTST. These items must be validated in the briefing and formalized in the proposal. As such, they may vary depending on the decisions made in the meeting.

CTST provides:

  • Quality and accumulated experience in training and field operations;
  • International recognition and operations in different countries, complying with local regulations;
  • Highly trained and experienced instructors;
  • Standardized methodology, focus on operational safety and productivity.
  • Multilingual support and consistent technical documentation.

CTST is committed to delivering:

  • Teaching materials (student kit with manual book, presentations, and other applicable resources);
  • Course program;
  • Individual assessment of students (with theoretical and practical tests where applicable);
  • Complete final training report;
  • CTST individual certification.

In order to deliver a complete solution, CTST also undertakes to provide technical procedures and documents, such as risk analysis, mooring tables, or safety distances, if necessary.

Our course program covers theoretical classes, simulations in training fields, and practical classes in energized circuits, while the client is responsible for:

  • Access to company areas and assets related to Live Line practices;
  • Access to equipment to be used in the tasks defined in the technical briefing (poles, positioning equipment, tools, PPE/CPE, etc.);
  • Classroom for theoretical classes;
  • Logistical support and internal security documents/clearances.

Take your next steps

  1. Schedule a technical meeting
  2. Receive a personalized commercial proposal with course program and responsibilities
  3. Technically align the scope
  4. Monitor the training progress
  5. Receive final reports with recommendations
  6. Take advantage of post-course support

In conclusion, in Medium Voltage Live Line Training, we structure the course program according to your team’s needs, combining relevant methods, access, and modules. In this way, we seek to improve your team’s safety, compliance, and efficiency, with experienced instructors, robust methodology, and theoretical and practical knowledge. Contact CTST and learn more about our teaching methodology.