GENERATING PLANT OPERATIONS

When you are in charge of a generating station, you will be responsible for scheduling around-the-clock watches to ensure a continuous and adequate amount of electrical power. Depending on the number of operating personnel available, the watches are evenly divided over the 24-hour period. It is common practice to schedule 6-hour watches, or they may be stretched to 8-hour watches without working undue hardship on the part of the crew members. Watches exceeding 8 hours, however, should be avoided unless emergency conditions dictate their use.

The duties assigned to the personnel on generator watches can be grouped into three main categories: (1) operating the equipment, (2) maintaining the equipment, and (3) keeping the daily operating log. Operating and maintaining the generating equipment will be covered in the succeeding sections of this chapter, so for the present you can concentrate on the importance of the third duty of the station operator-keeping a daily operating log.

Figure 5-5 is a diagram of the auxiliary equipment required by a diesel engine. It shows the fuel oil system; the lube oil system piping, cooling, and centrifuge; the cooling water system; and the air-starting system piping.

Figure 5-4.\Direct burial of cable.

The number of operating hours are recorded in the generating station log. The log serves as a basis for determining when a particular piece of electrical equipment is ready for inspection and maintenance. The station log can be used in conjunction with previous logs to spot gradual changes in equipment condition that ordinarily are difficult to detect in day-to-day operation. It is particularly important that you impress upon your watch standers the necessity for taking accurate readings at periods specified by local operating conditions.

Ensure that watch standers keep their spaces clean and orderly. Impress on them the importance of keeping tools and auxiliary equipment in their proper places when not in use. Store clean waste and oily waste in separate containers. OILY WASTE CONTAINERS ARE REQUIRED TO BE KEPT COVERED. Empty oily waste containers at least once a day to reduce fire hazards. Care given the station floor will be governed by its composition. Generally, it should be swept down each watch. Any oil or grease that is tracked around the floor should be removed at once.

Plant Equipment

Setting up a power generator is only one phase of your job. After the plant is set up and ready to go, you will be expected to supervise the activities of the operating personnel of the generating station. In this respect, your supervision should be directed toward one ultimate goal-to maintain a continuous and adequate flow of electrical power to meet the demand. This can be accomplished if you have a thorough knowledge of how to operate and maintain the equipment and a complete understanding of the station's electrical systems as a whole. Obviously, a thorough knowledge of how to operate and maintain the specific equipment found in the generating station to which you are assigned cannot be covered here. However, general information can be given. It will be up to you to supplement this information with the specific instructions given in the manufacturer's instruction manuals furnished with each piece of equipment.

Figure 5-5.\Piping diagram of diesel engine generator and equipment.

Similarly, familiarity with the station's electrical system as a whole can be gained only by a study of information relating specifically to that installation. This information can be found to some extent in the manufacturer's instruction manuals. You can obtain the greater part of it from the station's electrical plans and wiring diagrams. Remember, however, to supplement your study of the electrical plans and diagrams with an actual study of the generating station's system. In that way, the generators, switchgear, cables, and other electrical equipment are not merely symbols on a plan but physical objects whose location is definitely known and whose functions and relation to the rest of the system are thoroughly understood.