TECHNICAL REPORT ON STUDENT INDUSTRIAL WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME UNDERTAKEN AT TRANSMISSION COMPANY OF NIGERIA, (TCN). GOMBE WORK CENTRE GOMBE STATE NIGERIA. BY ABAGANA MUSA MUHAMMED FPK/SOE/EE/22/1110/0038 MARCH, 2024 TECHNICAL REPORT ON STUDENT INDUSTRIAL WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME UNDERTAKEN AT TRANSMISSION COMPANY OF NIGERIA, (TCN). GOMBE WORK CENTRE GOMBE STATE NIGERIA. BY ABAGANA MUSA MUHAMMED FPK/SOE/EE/22/1110/0038 A REPORT SUBMITTED TO SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC KALTUNGO, GOMBE IN PARTIAL FUFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING MARCH, 2024 DECLARATION I hereby declare that this SIWES report was written by me and it is a record of my own work. It has not been presented before in any previous application for a National Diploma. References made to published literature have been duly acknowledged. ------------------------------------ABAGANA MUSA MUHAMMED The above declaration is confirmed INDUSTRY BASED SUPERVISOR ----------------------------DATE CERTIFICATION This project report meets the regulations governing the award of the National Diploma of Federal Polytechnic Kaltungo, Gombe, and is approved for its contribution to knowledge and literary presentation. ............................................... MUHAMMAD SULAIMAN …..…………………….. DATE DEPARTMENT SIWES COORDINATOR .......................................... ENGR. KABIRU ABUBAKAR YAHYA …………………………….. DATE HEAD OF DEPRATMENT ELECT/ELECT ............................................. BUBAKARI JODA DEAN SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING ……..…………………….. DATE ACKNOWLEDGMENT I am grateful to God Almighty for His abundant Grace and guidance throughout the industrial training. It would have been impossible without many people. I remain grateful to my industrybased supervisor, Engr. I.A Mijinyawa for his patient, effort and taking his time to give me a clear explanation of the things that were difficult for me. His patience and accurate guidance gave me the impetus to complete this training. I also appreciate my institution lecturers in the department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. My appreciation also goes to my parents, uncles, friends and fellow students for their supports and love towards making this task a success DEDICATION I dedicate this work to the Almighty God who had made this training a success for me. I thank all my well-wishers for their support and words of encouragement they offered to me during my training, most especially the entire staff of Transmission Company of Nigeria, Gombe Work Centre for accepting me whole heartedly. May God bless you all, Amen. ABSTRACT This report is based on Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) held at Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Gombe Work Centre, Dukku road, Gombe state. It gives brief explanation about the SIWES program vis-à-vis its history, objectives and aims, while also provides a brief description, roles and functions of TCN Gombe Work Centre. It further focuses more on the technical exposure and experience gained from various departments such as System Operation Department (S/O) Electrical Maintenance Department (EMD), and Protection, Control and Metering Department (PC&M) at TCN Gombe Work centre. It finally gives an account of the equipment used; types and their function respectively as well as some of the problems and challenges faced and provide recommendations that can further improve the program. CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Overview of the SIWES Training The Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is the accepted skills training programme, which forms part of the approved minimum Academic Standards in the various Diploma, NCE and degree programmes for all the Nigerian polytechnic, Colleges and Universities. It is funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria and jointly co-ordinate by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and the National Universities Commission (NUC) it is also designed to expose and prepare students of Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Technology, Colleges of Agriculture and Colleges of Education for the industrial work situation they are likely to meet after graduation. The ITF solely funded the scheme during its formative years. But as the financial involvement became unbearable to the Fund, it withdrew from the Scheme in 1978. The Federal Government handed over the scheme in 1979 to both the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). Later the Federal Government in November 1984 revert the management and implementation of the SIWES Programmed to ITF and it was effectively taken over by the Industrial Training Fund in July 1985 with the funding being solely borne by the Federal Government. 1.2 Aim and Objectives of the SIWES Training Specifically, the objectives of the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) are to: Provide an avenue for students in institutions of higher learning to acquire industrial skills and experience in their course of study, which are restricted to Engineering and Technology including Environmental studies and other courses that may be approved. Courses of NCE (Technical), NCE Agriculture, NCE (Business), NCE (Fine and Applied Arts) and NCE (Home Economics) in Colleges of Education are also included. Prepare students for the industrial work situation they are to meet after graduation. Expose students to work methods and techniques in handling equipment and machinery that may not be available in their institutions. Make the transition from school to the world of work easier, and enhance students’ contacts for later job placement. Provide students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge in real work situation thereby bridging the gap between theory and practice. Enlist and strengthen employers, involvement in the entire educational process and prepare students for employment in Industry and Commerce. Provide students the opportunity to develop attitudes conducive to effective interpersonal relationships. Ernest placement and strengthen employees involvement in the educational process of preparing student for employment in industries. 1.3 Relevance of SIWES to Field of Study The scheme also affords students the opportunity of familiarizing and exposing themselves to the needed experience in handling equipment and machinery that are usually not available in their Institutions. Before the establishment of the scheme, there was a growing concern among our industrialists that graduates of our Institutions of higher learning lacked adequate practical background studies preparatory for employment in Industries. Thus, the employers were of the opinion that the theoretical education going on in higher institutions was not responsive to the needs of the employers of labour. It is against this background that the rationale for initiating and designing the scheme by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) during its formative years – 1973/74 was introduced to acquaint students with the skills of handling employers’ equipment and machinery. 1.4 Importance of SIWES It provides students with an opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in real life situations. It exposes students to more practical work methods and techniques. It strengthens links between the employers, universities and industrial training fund (ITF). It also prepares the students for the labour market after graduation. CHAPTER TWO ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE 2.1 Organization’s Profile Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) manages the electricity transmission network in the country and was incorporated in November, 2005. TCN emerged from the then National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) as a product of the merger of Transmission and Operations Sectors in April 1, 2004. Being one of the 18 unbundled Business Units under Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), the company was issued a Transmission license on 1st of July, 2006. TCN is presently fully owned and operated by the government and as part of the reform programme of the government, it is to be reorganized and restructured to improve its reliability and expand its capacity. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Gombe Works Centre was the station where this attachment was conducted. It is located along Dukku Road, Gombe, Gombe State. It is headed by the Works Centre Principal Manager PM (T), Engr. Dr. Sule Ahmed Abdul’aziz and the Centre is under the North east region. TCN’s licensed activities include: electricity transmission, system operation and electricity trading. It is responsible for evacuating electric power generated by the electricity generating companies (GenCos) and wheeling it to distribution companies (DisCos). It provides the vital transmission infrastructure between the GenCos and the DisCos’ Feeder Sub-stations. 2.2 Organization’s corporate Goals The Company’s vision is to be “a Transmission Company with a solid reputation for delivering reliable, cost-effective Electric power to end users in Nigeria and in West Africa Sub-region”. The mission statement is “to cost effectively provide, operate and maintain the required assets, equipment and transmission grid network for evacuating and dispatching high quality Electricity with minimal losses. 2.3 Organization’s Scope of Work Activities carried out by TCN include: Electricity transmission, System operation, and Electricity trading which is ring-fenced. Its major function is to collect generated Electric Power from Generating Companies and wheel it to Distribution Companies. TCN comprises of nine Transmission Regions and the National Control Centre (NCC), viz: Bauchi, Kaduna, Shiroro, Benin, Osogbo, Enugu, Lagos, Kwara and Port Harcourt. 2.4 Organization’s Structure The TCN Gombe is divided into units of various departments, namely; Administration Department Accounting Department Protection Control and Metering (PC&M) Department Electrical Maintenance Department (EMD) Mechanical Department System Lines Department System Operations Department (SO) Communication Department 2.5 organizational chart CHAPTER THREE SIWES TRAINING PROGRAM 3.1 Details of Activities Conducted at each Department 3.1.1. System Operation Department 3.1.2. Protection Control and Metering PC & M Department 3.1.3. Electrical Maintenance Department (EMD) This chapter covers the discussion of the work done and the experience gained during the course of the training in each of the department visited or attached. The first and foremost most important experience gained is the important and very significant of safety because any single mistake makes at switch yard will leads to instant death by electrocution, there is no second chance of mistake at TCN because of the Very High Voltage dealing with. So emphasis and precautions were always taken before entering the switch yard to perform any kind of work done even for inspection purposes. One must be issue permit letter by the operator in charge before stepping into switch yard. The scope of work done and experience gained will be analyzed below on each of the department visited in order of visitation. 3.2. Experience Acquired 3.2.1 System operation department This was the first department visited and the period spent was 4 weeks. The department was headed by the Principal Manager. The System Operations Department is responsible for carrying out any sort of operations on equipment in the switchyard and control room. Various types of operations carried out include: i. Electrical Operation: this involves operating equipment using the Electrical interfaces e.g. switches and knobs on the control panel. ii. Remote Operation: this involves operating equipment from a distant position from the equipment. iii. Mechanical Operation: e.g. spring charging the motor of a circuit breaker by manual rotation of the motor to charge the springs. 3.2.1.1 Materials and Tools Used The major tools and/or equipment used are: a). Hourly Reading Sheet: this is used for taking hourly readings, which include transformer voltage and current levels, transformer winding temperature, system frequency at that hour, load on every available feeder in the station et cetera Frequency Monitor: this helps to read the frequency of the system at a particular instance. It fluctuates with increase or decrease in system frequency due to variations in generation and consumption energy values at that time. b). Log Book: this is a book in which activities taking place in the system are recorded, for proper system control and stability, and also for reference purposes. Activities such as when a feeder is out for any reason, application and issuance of station guarantee, when reports are received from sub-stations under the area control, when reports are passed to the regional control centre, raising of a trouble report et cetera are recorded in the log book. c). Circuit Breaker Spring Charging Handle: this is used to manually spring charge the circuit breaker in case of failure of the springs to charge automatically. d). Desktop Computer System: this is a normal PC with normal windows operating system used for data collections and cataloguing of data acquired from the SCADA system for recording purposes and some other utilities of the use of PC computer e.g. Load Flow. 3.2.1.2. Work Done and Experience Gained The major work done and experience gathered during the attachment in this department are as follows: i. Breaker operation: learnt various means of operating circuit breaker vis-a-vis mechanical operation, local electrical operation, remote operation or through automation. ii. Inspection and daily checks: this involves a walk around the switchyard by the operator, inspecting and checking the working conditions of the equipment, ensuring the pressure in the SF6 gas circuit breakers are normal, taking readings of the temperature of the windings of the transformers in the station, test-running the standby generator to ascertain its working capability so that it can serve as a backup for the station in a case when the station is out of supply, and checking the electrolyte level in the batteries (for batteries that use electrolyte) so it does not get below the minimum, also inspecting the terminals for corrosion. iii. Taking hourly readings from the SCADA system form all the outgoing terminal feeders. iv. Receiving and passing reports: reports including tripping and transformer and feeder load flow are received from substations within the area control; reports of the station activities are also passed to the Regional Control Centre (RCC). v. How to apply for, and issue station guarantee for several purposes. Also learnt how to isolate and de-energize a line, also to lift isolation and energize. Plate i: men at work in the switch yard 3.2.2 Protection control and metering department (PC&M) The period spent in this department was 4 weeks. The department is headed by Engr. I.A. Mijinyawa as the Senior Manager (HOD). The Protection, Control and Metering department is responsible for the monitoring of equipment and system activities and providing safety to life and equipment. They make use of relays and instrument transformers majorly to perform its responsibilities. And they mostly do corrective maintenance of the Circuit Breaker, Instrument Transformers and their respective control panels. 3.2.2.1. Materials and Equipment Used The major materials and equipment that are employed during maintenance in this department includes: i. Clamp on Ammeter: Clamp-on ammeter or simply 'clamp meter' is an instrument that is used to measure the current flowing through a conductor. ii. Secondary/Primary Current Injection Test Set (SCITs/PCITs): This equipment is used for simulation of faults by injecting a known value of signal into the circuit under investigation. iii. Avo-meter: This is used to measure voltage, current, or resistance during work. iv. Tools Box: This contains a lot of tools used for work which include: spanners of various size sand types (flat, ring, ball and socket), pliers, screw drivers, hack saw, Allen key, file, punch, chisels of various sizes et cetera. Cable Belt, Ferro, Gland and Lugs: These are material used on cables during installation. 3.2.2.1.1. Transformer A transformer is a static machine used for transforming power from one circuit to another without changing frequency. Auto-transformer is a single-winding transformer with taps. With primary voltage applied to the primary terminals, the required secondary voltage from zero volts to the rated primary volts can be availed from the secondary by varying the taps. 3.2.2.1.2 Function of auto-transformer Auto-transformer is a power transformer that has incorporated into it a higher level of control techniques and is mostly used in transmission station. An auto transformer is used mainly for the adjustment of line voltages to either change its value or keep it constant. It functions as step down transformer and it keeps the output voltage i.e. secondary voltage constant by the use of tap-changer feature of the auto-transformer. It is a power transformer used in electrical power stations Plate ii: Auto transformer 3.2.2.1.3. Usages of auto-transformer in TCN Gombe works centre The following are various ways by which Auto-transformers are being used in TCN Gombe Works Centre: i. The usage of autotransformer in Transmission Company of Nigeria is to step down the HVAC to a certain values and maintain a constant output voltage i.e. secondary voltage by tap-changing the winding inside the transformer using the Tap-Changer built with the transformer for the ability to change the position of the secondary winding to maintain a constant output secondary voltages. There are two power auto transformers of the different capacity (Power) used in TCN Gombe namely (i) 150MVA Transformer for stepping down the 330kV incoming line voltage to 132kV which in turn are transmitted to the substations under TCN Gombe. 60MVA Transformer for stepping down 132kV to 33kV which can now be transmitted to District Stations (Distribution Stations) for domestic and industrial use. ii. Auto-transformers are frequently used in power applications to interconnect systems operating at different voltage classes, for example 330kV to 132kV for transmission. iii. On long rural power distribution lines, special autotransformers with automatic tap changing equipment are inserted as voltage regulators, so that customers at the far end of the line receive the same average voltage as those closer to the source. The variable ratio of the autotransformer compensates for the voltage drop along the line. 3.2.2.2.1 Circuit breakers Electrical circuit breaker is a switching device which can be operated manually as well as automatically for controlling and protection of electrical power system respectively. As the modern power system deals with huge currents, the special attention should be given during designing of circuit breaker to safe interruption of arc produced during the operation of circuit breaker. There are four type of circuit breaker namely; Air Circuit Breaker (ACB), Oil Circuit Breaker (OCB), SF6 Circuit Breaker and Vacuum Circuit Breaker. They types that is employed at TCN Gombe and its substations are Oil Circuit Breaker (OCB) and SF6 Circuit Breaker 3.2.2.2.2. Functions of circuit breaker The main functions of circuit breakers are; a) Sense the current flowing in the circuit b) Measure the current flowing in the circuit c) Compare the measured current level to its pre-set trip point d) Act within a predetermined time period by opening the circuit as quickly as possible to limit the amount of energy that is allowed to flow after the trip point has been reached. 3.2.2.2.3. Relays A relay is automatic device which senses an abnormal condition of electrical circuit and closes its contacts. These contacts in turns close and complete the circuit breaker trip coil circuit hence make the circuit breaker tripped for disconnecting the faulty portion of the electrical circuit from rest of the healthy circuit. There are two type of protective relays used in TCN which are Electromagnetic type of relay and digital type relay modern ones which is mostly used now a days. 3.2.2.2.4. Earthing transformer and earth reactor The general purpose of earthing system is to protect life and property in the event of 50/60 Hz faults (short-circuit) and transient phenomena (lightning, switching operations). 3.2.2.2.5. Functions and usages of earthing transformer This is used as earthing for the auto transformer and likewise as auxiliary supply for station. The earthing transformer serves as the neutral for the secondary of the transformer as step down of the 33KV at the tertiary to 415V, which is used for station auxiliary supply. For cases where there is no neutral point available for Neutral Earthing (e.g. for a delta winding), an earthing transformer may be used to provide a return path for single phase fault currents. In such cases the impedance of the earthing transformer may be sufficient to act as effective earthing impedance. Additional impedance can be added in series if required. A special ‘zigzag’ transformer is sometimes used for earthing delta windings to provide a low zero sequence impedance and high positive and negative sequence impedance to fault currents. In a three phase delta connected AC system, an artificial neutral grounding system may be used. Although no phase conductor is directly connected to ground, a specially constructed transformer (a "zigzag" transformer) blocks the power frequency current from flowing to earth, but allows any leakage or transient current to flow to ground. 3.2.3. Electrical maintenance department (EMD) The period spent in this department was 2 weeks. The department is headed by the Senior Manager (HOD). The Electrical maintenance department is responsible for all maintenance of equipment within the Area Control. There exist preventive maintenance and corrective maintenance. Preventive maintenance is procedures carried out on the equipment to ensure proper functioning and avoid breakdown. For example: changing of silica gel, filling of gas or changing of oil in a circuit breaker, transformer oil filtration, electrolyte topping in lead acid batteries et cetera. Corrective maintenance is a type of maintenance that is carried out to correct a problem on hand. For example: clearing of hotspot, changing of leaking gasket, changing of lightning bubs, changing of circuit breakers, bleeding of the transformer, et cetera. 3.2.3.1. Materials and Equipment Used The major materials and equipment that are employed during maintenance in this department are as follows: i. Battery hydrometer: A hydrometer is used to test the state of charge of a battery cell. This is performed by measuring the density of the electrolyte, which is accomplished by measuring the specific gravity of the electrolyte. The greater the concentration of sulfuric acid, the more dense the electrolyte becomes ii. Grounding stick/lead and wire: this is used to provide a temporal ground for conductors that may be partially charged due to induction, around the working site to avoid electrocution. iii. High Voltage Insulation Resistance Tester (Megger): The Megger is the instrument uses for measuring the resistance of the insulation. It works on the principle of comparison, i.e., the resistance of the insulation is compared with the known value of resistance. If the resistance of the insulation is high, the pointer of the moving coil deflects towards the infinity, and if it is low, then the pointer indicates zero resistance. The accuracy of the Megger is high as compared to other instruments. iv. Funnel and Bucket: this is used during jobs that involve oil or battery electrolyte. v. Hand Pump: this is used for pumping oil from drum to equipment (e.g. oil circuit breaker, current transformer, voltage transformer, conservator tank, et cetera vi. Hose: usually connected to the hand pump during oil jobs. vii. Gas kit: this contains the gas pipes and nozzles, for the purpose of filling or refilling Sulphurhexa-fluoride (SF6) into power circuit breaker. CHAPTER FOUR PROBLEM FACED DURING THE SIWES 4.1 Challenges Encountered Some of the Challenges/problems experienced during the course of the SIWES program. These are as stated below; Limited orientation before starting the program. The workload is too broad to the extent that engineers were unable to explain the importance of work done on particular equipment to me as well as how it relates to the theoretical knowledge garnered. There is also difficulty in getting a placement since placement letter was not issued on time. The main problem encountered during the program was problem of transportation. It is difficult to get to the TCN Gombe every working day. Since remuneration or allowance is not given to IT students 4.2 Solutions Offered to the Challenges encountered Learning Curve: i. Providing structured training programs or mentorship opportunities to accelerate the learning curve for new technicians. ii. Encouraging a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing within the organization to support skill development and growth. Technical Challenges: - Implementing a systematic approach to diagnosing electronic faults, such as utilizing troubleshooting flowcharts or seeking guidance from experienced technicians. - Bringing alternative ways for testing and diagnosis, including collaboration with other departments or external resources with access to specialized equipment. Communication Issues: - Improving client communication procedures, including creating clear expectations and timelines for Transmission services. - Enhancing internal communication channels to facilitate seamless coordination among team members and supervisors. CHAPTER FIVE CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 5.1 CONCLUSION The program gave me the privilege to relate with senior professionals and other students from different institutions and this experience makes me appreciate the nature, benefits and intricacies of my chosen field of study both in the classroom and in the society at large while also gives me the opportunity to put into practice the theoretical knowledge acquired throughout my stay in school. The program has given me the rare privilege of gaining practical knowledge and widened my knowledge about the application of Electrical and electronics engineering in the world… especially in the field of electrical power. I was fortunate to learn the significance of preventive maintenance and corrective maintenance of electrical power equipment used at TCN as well as various pre-commissioning tests for power transformer to mention but few which helped me in relating the knowledge obtained from class to real life scenarios which in turn has built a good degree of confidence especially in my ability to perform under stress. 5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS Base on the experience and knowledge acquired at the course of the SIWES training, I hereby give the following recommendation base on my observations; Proper orientation should be given to the students by the university before they go on SIWES at least before mid-semester break of first semester. The placement letter should be given to students early enough so as to avoid attachment in irrelevant organization. I recommend that substantial percent of the National budget should go into the development, improvement and sustenance of the power sector. Doing this would help to improve Electricity production and in turn improve development and industrialization and subsequently, the income the country generates. Transmission Company of Nigeria should put safety into great consideration; providing adequate safety wears for staff and ensuring their usage; putting in mind that the health of the staff influences its efficiency and delivery, and subsequently profit output. Transmission Company of Nigeria should also ensure that any newly recruited technical staff goes for a technical training course before they should be allowed to work on the field because electrical power maintenance require a careful and well-handled personnel. Student should avoid prioritizing money over work and experience and should develop a good attitude, good work ethics and be a good ambassador of the university they are representing. REFERENCE G. Okwaraoh, "A report of work done at Home Base Development Limited, Real Estate Developers", 2017, [Online]. 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