Simulated workplaceCAQA Gridworks Networks is a fictional business created by CAQA for training and assessment. It is not a real company and no person, client or record here is real.About this simulation
UETCAQA GridworksSimulated workplace
Simulated workplace
Scenario · Substations and Protection

Perform substation switching, inspection and a thermovision survey

You are a Substation Technician authorised as a substation switching operator.

Intermediate3 to 4 hours8 tasks
Start the tasksAll scenarios
Home/Scenarios/Perform substation switching, inspection and a thermovision survey
The situation

What has happened

Transformer 2 at Ballarat North zone substation comes out of service on Thursday 11 September under substation switching schedule SS-26-0333 for its annual inspection, protection relay testing and a thermovision survey of the switchyard, work order WO-26-4395. Transformer 1 will carry the full load, and the schedule requires its load to be confirmed below rating before switching starts. Last year's inspection noted weeping bushing gaskets on transformer 2. The Substations and Protection Manager will direct the switching from the control room and wants a test permit requested for the secondary injection tests on the protection current transformer circuits.

Your brief. Perform the substation switching to the validated schedule under direction, complete the inspection of transformer 2 and its bay, survey the loaded switchyard with the thermovision camera, prepare the test permit request for the protection testing, and record findings with priorities in the asset inspection register.
Read the work request in your inbox
Tasks

Deliverables

  • Job risk assessment for live switchyard work
  • Switching program register execution record
  • Thermovision survey record with classified findings
  • Asset inspection register entries for transformer 2 and switchyard items
  • Test permit request in the access and permit register

Documents to use

Systems to use

Switching Program Register

Records every distribution, substation and rail traction switching program from writing through validation, direction and completion, with the writer, checker, controller and each step's confirmation.

Pole and Asset Inspection Register

The record of every pole, structure, substation item and vegetation span inspected, with findings, residual strength, defect classification, priority and treatment.

Access Authority and Permit Register

The operations centre record of every access authority, vicinity authority, test permit and rail traction access requested, issued and cancelled, with the isolation and earthing state confirmed.

Work Orders and Crew Allocation

Records every planned and reactive job on the networks with the client, apparatus, allocated crew, access requirements, hours worked and completion status.

For trainers and assessors

Units of competency

Current on training.gov.au for the Transmission, Distribution and Rail Sector as at 10 September 2026.

UETDRSB006Inspect substations
UETDRSB004Conduct surveys using thermovision techniques
UETDRSB001Perform substation switching operations to a given schedule
UETDRTS037Maintain and calibrate protection relays and meters
UETDRMP002ESI safety rules for work on, near or in the vicinity of electrical apparatus

Qualifications

UET40522Certificate IV in ESI - Substations
Assessor notes

What to look for

Evidence guide

Switching must be performed one step at a time as directed, with read back and times recorded and the transformer 1 load confirmed first. The inspection record should be systematic and the thermovision findings classified with temperature rises, not just described. Look for the test permit request describing the earths to be removed and for register entries that are consistent with the work order.

The student's evidence summary lists every record they created or changed in the systems named above, their notes and the tasks they ticked. Verify it against the deliverables and your own assessment tool.