Graphic Control System Course

HS&E
General GCS Safety

• Certified Spreader Bar is to be used for the offloading

and placement of equipment
• Follow API Recommended Practices for the proper
placement of control panel (15 m or 50 feet from
wellhead; API RP11S3, 4.3.6)
• A local qualified electrician should be used to hook
up the circuit interrupter to the controller and/or the
controller to the transformer
• Ensure circuit interrupter is functional & identified
before beginning setup
• Perform pre-setup procedures with the power
isolated and locked out
Proper Spreader Bar Operation
Spreader Bar
General GCS Safety (Cont.)

• Follow manufacturers recommended practices

for well specific setup.
• Before performing any work, always check to
ensure the cabinet is not hot/energized. Use
meter to check the potential from cabinet to
ground
• Always check with meter to ensure that all
power sources and loads are accounted for,
isolated and/or discharged
• Obtain appropriate Client work/safety permits
 Work on Energized Controllers
• Never work alone.
• Be well rested
• Wear Proper PPE ( as listed in NFPA 70E Part II) i.e.,
hot gloves, safety glasses/faceshield, safety shoes
and hard hats appropriate for electrical work
• Never wear: metal hard hats, jewelry (rings, watches,
necklaces, etc.), wire rim glasses (unless insulated),
clothing containing conductive material, Nylon, Silk,
Polyester, etc. or blends of these materials
• Use barrier tape and warning signs
• Use of Voltage-rated tools as required in NFPA 70E
Part II
Work on Energized Controllers (Cont.)
Use proper Lock-Out/Tag-Out Procedures
–a separate lock and tag for each person
working on equipment
–equipment locked out at a minimum of 2
points: one at transformer (step up or step
down) and one at or in front of controller,
and at any other incoming power sources
(i.e. relays for remote control)
Ensure easy access to controller and work
room around controller for safe trouble
shooting & repair operations
 Installation of Variable Speed Controller

 Installation performed by qualified personnel only

 Ensure the Installation of proper/adequate grounding
electrode in accordance with local requirements
 Ensure/recommend adequate controller placement
from wellhead per API Recommended Practices
 Ensure easy access to controller for trouble shooting
& repair
Installation of Variable Speed Controller

 Very Important! Form the capacitors prior to

performing functional testing to prevent the
capacitors from exploding. (See the next slide)
 Ensure warning signs and barriers are in place
and area is clear prior to performing functional
tests of controller
 perform no load functional test
 Shut down equipment and isolate/discharge
power (LOTO Procedures)
Forming the DC Bus Capacitors

1 - Set the V clamp volts at 50 hertz to 230.

2. Start the Drive
3. Increase the volts by 50 every 5minutes
to the full voltage 400v.
Installation of Variable Speed Controller

 Ensure proper ground wire is connected from

the wellhead to the vent box, from the vent
box to the controller, and from the controller
to the system ground (See API 11S3 Fig. 1)
 Ensure that doors of the controller are closed
before system start up
 If checking downhole current, set up barriers
and warning signs and use hot gloves and
safety equipment
 Trouble Shooting & Repair of VSD

Take off Jewelry and put on

hot gloves and safety
glasses and any other
required safety equipment
Trouble Shooting & Repair of VSD

Volt meter check from

cabinet to ground

Grounding rod
Trouble Shooting & Repair of VSD

Before beginning, determine if customer

has made any modifications or additions
to the system/controller which would add
power sources and/or bypass
Trouble Shooting & Repair of VSD

Check with volt

meter to
determine if
capacitor bank is
charged or
discharged
Trouble Shooting & Repair of
Variable Speed Controller

Inspect for
external
power
sources
Trouble Shooting & Repair of VSD

Check circuit
interrupter in
controller to
ensure
incoming
power has
been isolated
Trouble Shooting & Repair of VSD

Perform visual
inspection for
frayed wires &
other damage
Power Input and Output to Load
END