High Voltage Training Device and System and Method Thereof

A method of training high-voltage linesmen, the method of comprising:

• allowing a linesman undergoing training to access energized wires and corresponding associated electric poles, of a training yard circuit the wires and poles simulating high-voltage field applications;
• energizing the training yard circuit to an excitation current greater than 1 milliamp and less than 50 milliamps;
• determining a threshold current corresponding to a current above the excitation current;
• monitoring actual current in the circuit and comparing the actual current against the threshold current;
• de-energizing the circuit in response to detecting the actual current exceeds the threshold current, the de-energizing occurring within 60 milliseconds of said detection.

A device for modulating current in a training yard circuit, the device comprising:

• at least one safety relay, current transducer, and current-limiting transformer configured to generate a voltage of 7200 volts in the yard circuit, and wherein the transformer is characterized by an excitation current less than 50 milliamperes, the foregoing safety relay, current transducer and current-limiting transformer being electrically connected in series;
• a controller programmed to receive input from at least one of the current transducer and the safety relay, and to provide output to the safety relay;
• wherein the current transducer is adapted to generate, in real time, an actual current signal corresponding to the actual current in the training yard circuit;
• wherein the controller is programmable with executable instructions to be capable of performing any of the following operations:
• (a) generating a threshold current value in response to receiving a signal corresponding to an excitation current to energize the yard circuit;
• (b) receiving the actual current signal from the current transducer;
• (c) comparing the actual current signal and the threshold current value;
• (d) determining if the actual current exceeds the threshold current;
• (e) determining if at least one of the current transducer and the safety relay remains operatively connected to the controller;
• (f) causing the safety relay to de-actuate in response to a determination of at least one of the operations (d) and (e) above being affirmative, whereby the safety relay de-energizes the yard circuit;
• wherein the safety relay is rated SIL-3 and adapted to de-energize the training yard circuit within 120 milliseconds of the controller de-actuating the safety relay.