Blog
June 17th, 2021

Thorne & Derrick are working with Coex Training in Australia to promote their Hazardous Area & High Voltage Training Courses.
The following Article has been written by Craig Hagan from Coex Training and re-published with his kind permission. It outlines some of the most asked questions regarding the operation of high voltage equipment and using a switching program.
Craig Hagan
ELECTRICAL TRAINING SPECIALIST
Job Description: Delivery of High Voltage and Electrical Training courses, specialising in the onsite delivery and integration of High Voltage Training to suit site requirements.


High Voltage Training | Do I Need A Switching Program?
A question I get asked regularly on the high voltage courses is ‘do I need to use a switching program every time I operate high voltage equipment?’
The short answer is no.
The idea of the switching program is to ensure isolation is carried out correctly with minimal chances of accidents. If you’re not accessing high voltage equipment, i.e. no one is going in under your isolation, there is no legal requirement for a switching program.
However, if people are going to access high voltage equipment, for example, a high voltage motor, then if they’re going to change that motor out, they must have access to the motor terminals, then this is high voltage access. Therefore, the isolation must be carried out according to a switching program, then a high voltage access permit will be issued and must be married up to that switching program.
If you were switching to shut an electric motor down, for example, a mechanical fitter can disconnect the gate box, there is no access to the high voltage terminations, then we don’t need to have a high voltage switching program written and used. The isolation can take place by opening a circuit breaker or contactor, making it your isolation point. If high voltage access is required, then you must have the program, it must be racked out and have an earth applied and is to be locked and then an access permit is issued. That’s the difference between the two isolations.
To write a switching program, you must be authorised by your organisation.
In a mine site, this must come from the mine manager in writing, otherwise, if you’re not on a mine site, it must come from a person who oversees the high voltage installation. They will give you the authority to switch and give you access to write switching programs and issue access permits.
Coex Training offers a variety of courses including hazardous area and high voltage training. Check out our course list to see which High Voltage course is right for you.
About Coex Training

Coex Training is an Australian based Registered Training Organisation. They offer Nationally Recognised Qualifications and non-accredited courses specifically designed to give students the competencies required to excel in their careers.
With a long history of providing training services to industries such as Resource, Infrastructure, Defence, Manufacturing and Construction, they pride themselves on their dynamic and student-focused courses which have been developed to meet the high expectations of students, employers and industry. Coex training have an extensive portfolio and can provide training across all levels: from general awareness through to Certificate and Diploma level qualifications. Their national scope enables them to tailor their programs to meet the varied needs of organisations and students located across Australia and the globe.

Coex High Voltage Switching Courses
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THORNE & DERRICK
T&D are Specialist Distributors to UK Distribution Network Operators (DNO’s), NERS Registered Service Providers, ICP’s and HV Jointing Contractors of an extensive range of LV, MV & HV Jointing, Earthing, Substation & Electrical Eqpt – this includes 11kV/33kV/66kV cable joints, terminations and connectors for both DNO and private network applications.
Contact our UK Power Team for competitive quotations, fast delivery from stock and technical support or training on all LV-HV products.
Key Product Categories: Duct Seals | Cable Cleats | Cable Glands | Electrical Safety | Arc Flash Protection | Cable Jointing Tools | Cable Pulling | Earthing | Feeder Pillars | Cable Joints LV | Joints & Terminations MV HVÂ

June 17th, 2021
Image Courtesy of: Dean Page (Managing Director at DP Cable Jointing Ltd)
Pictured:Â 11kV Lovink Straight Joint – 185sqmm Triplex EPR Insulated Cable


Lovink manufactured cable joints are approved by UK DNO’s, including Western Power Distribution, for 11kV straight, stop-ends, branch and loop joints – this is according to ENA Engineering Recommendation G81 “Framework for Design and Planning, Materials Specification and Installation and Record for Greenfield Low Voltage Housing Development Installations and Associated, New, HV/LV Distribution Substations” – Part 2 Materials Specification (April 2015).
The copper stocking used to provide earth continuity across the 11kV Triplex cable joint is out of picture located further down the cable for installation following shearing-off the mechanical connectors.
Thorne & Derrick Specialist Electrical Distributor
Established since 1985, T&D distribute the most extensive range of LV, MV & HV Cable Jointing, Terminating, Pulling & Installation Equipment – contact us today for a competitive quotation.
Key Products : MV Joints & Terminations, Cable Cleats, Duct Seals, Cable Transits, Underground Cable Protection, Jointing Tools, Feeder Pillars, Cable Duct, Earthing & Lightning Protection, Electrical Safety, Cable Glands, Arc Flash Protection & Fusegear.
Distributors for : 3M, Pfisterer, Nexans Euromold, Elastimold, Catu, Roxtec, Emtelle, Centriforce, Lucy Zodion, Alroc, Hivotec, Cembre, Prysmian, Ellis Patents, ABB & Furse.

Jointers blog
Subscribe now to our POWER NEWSLETTER– a monthly email circulation packed with news, projects, videos, technical tips, training information, promotions, webinars, career opportunities and white papers.
Includes access to our popular JOINTERS BLOG with contributions from utility professionals, linesmen and cable jointers working on MV HV EHV cables and overhead lines typically at 11kV, 33kV, 66kV and up to 132kV.
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June 17th, 2021

Image Courtesy of: Dan Chessher at Energi Cable Services
Energi Cable Services provides specialist bespoke solutions for the high voltage power cable systems of transmission and distribution electricity network operators. Both on land and subsea, these include: oil filled cable systems, fluid filled cable systems and gas filled cable systems.
pfisterer
The range of Pfisterer cable plugs, joints, terminations fittings and accessories offers solutions for virtually all MV & HV Cable Connection applications – Pfisterer accessories use silicone as an insulating medium due to the excellent properties that it possesses.
There are many advantages of using the Pfisterer MV-Connex cable termination system.
These include:
- A touch proof, fully insulated enclosure
- No liquid insulating medium
- Soil proof and maintenance free cable termination
- Protection class IP68 and up to 11kV (E Exe Hazardous Areas)
- Thorough transformer and GIS (Gas Insulated Switchgear) testing by manufacturer
- Metal enclosed and no need to open the cable termination at the installation site

Jointers blog
Subscribe now to our POWER NEWSLETTER– a monthly email circulation packed with news, projects, videos, technical tips, training information, promotions, webinars, career opportunities and white papers.
Includes access to our popular JOINTERS BLOG with contributions from utility professionals, linesmen and cable jointers working on MV HV EHV cables and overhead lines typically at 11kV, 33kV, 66kV and up to 132kV.
15,000+ Subscribers. ➡ 
June 16th, 2021
Images Courtesy of: Andy O’Malley EHV Cable Jointer/Splicer



Jointers blog
Subscribe now to our POWER NEWSLETTER– a monthly email circulation packed with news, projects, videos, technical tips, training information, promotions, webinars, career opportunities and white papers.
Includes access to our popular JOINTERS BLOG with contributions from utility professionals, linesmen and cable jointers working on MV HV EHV cables and overhead lines typically at 11kV, 33kV, 66kV and up to 132kV.
15,000+ Subscribers. ➡ 
June 16th, 2021

Image Courtesy of: Terry Perona (Retired) Manager Underground Cable at FirstEnergy
Contractor W.A. Chester prepares 138KV HPFF cable to receive new G&W termination.

Jointers blog
Subscribe now to our POWER NEWSLETTER– a monthly email circulation packed with news, projects, videos, technical tips, training information, promotions, webinars, career opportunities and white papers.
Includes access to our popular JOINTERS BLOG with contributions from utility professionals, linesmen and cable jointers working on MV HV EHV cables and overhead lines typically at 11kV, 33kV, 66kV and up to 132kV.
15,000+ Subscribers. ➡ 