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Power Systems and Power Station Operators (7352)

Job titles

  • apprentice power dispatcher
  • apprentice power dispatcher - electrical power systems
  • area load centre dispatcher
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Nature of work

Power systems operators monitor and operate switchboards and related equipment in electrical control centres to control the distribution of electrical power in transmission networks. Power station operators operate reactors, turbines, boilers, generators and other related equipment in electrical generating stations and substations. They are employed by electric power utilities and by some large manufacturing facilities.

Fields of interest

  • Working with your hands

Main duties

  • Power systems operators perform some or all of the following duties:
  • - Monitor and operate computerized switchboards and auxiliary equipment in electrical control centres to control the distribution and to regulate the flow of electrical power in the transmission network
  • - Co-ordinate, schedule and direct generating station and substation power loads and line voltages to meet distribution demands during daily operations, system outages, repairs and importing or exporting of power
  • - Monitor and visually inspect station instruments, meters and alarms to ensure transmission voltages and line loadings are within prescribed limits and to detect equipment failure, line disturbances and outages
  • - Issue work and test permits to electrical and mechanical maintenance personnel, and assist maintenance and technical personnel to locate and isolate system problems and assist during routine system testing
  • - Complete and maintain station records, logs and reports.
  • Power station operators perform some or all of the following duties:
  • - Operate reactors, turbines, boilers, generators, condensers and auxiliary equipment in hydro, thermal and nuclear power plants to generate electrical power
  • - Start up and shut down power plant equipment, control switching operations, regulate water levels and communicate with systems operators to regulate and co-ordinate transmission loads, frequency and line voltages
  • - Monitor and visually inspect power plant equipment and equipment indicators to detect operating problems and make adjustments or minor repairs as required
  • - Complete and maintain station records, logs and reports.

Main characteristics of the occupation

These headings are provided for the following occupation(s) :

Employment requirements

  • * Completion of secondary school is required for power systems and power station operators.
  • * Power systems operators require completion of a three- to five-year power system operator apprenticeship program orOver three years of work experience in the trade and some college or industry courses in electrical and electronic technology.
  • * Trade certification is available, but voluntary for power system operators in Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick.
  • * Power station operators require an apprenticeship program in stationary or power engineering orSeveral years of work experience in the trade and some high school, correspondence or college courses in stationary or power engineering.
  • * Power station operators require a provincial or territorial power engineering or stationary engineering certificate according to class.
  • * Control room operators at nuclear power plants require licensing from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

Skill type

  • Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

Skill level

  • Technical

More information

  • * Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

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