LADWP Electric Station Operator – Study Guide
and Practice Material
Description: This document provides a comprehensive overview of the Electric Station
Operator role at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). It covers
essential knowledge areas such as power distribution, safety procedures, system operations,
and troubleshooting practices. The material is designed to support preparation for
entrance exams, interviews, or on-the-job training assessments.
Keywords:
electric station operator
LADWP exam prep
power distribution systems
electrical safety procedures
system operations
troubleshooting electricity
utility job preparation
energy operations study guide
,Q: What is the primary responsibility of an LADWP Electric Station Operator?
A: Their primary responsibility is to safely and efficiently monitor, control, and maintain the
electrical power system, including generation plants, substations, and transmission lines, to
ensure a reliable supply of electricity to Los Angeles.
Q: What key systems does an operator monitor from the control center?
A: They monitor the Energy Management System (EMS), the Supervisory Control and Data
Acquisition (SCADA) system, and other real-time tools that display grid status, voltage levels,
power flows, and equipment status.
Q: Name one critical daily task for an operator beyond monitoring screens.
A: Executing switching orders to safely isolate equipment for maintenance or to reconfigure the
grid for reliability, all while following strict safety protocols.
Knowledge and Skills
Q: What fundamental electrical concepts must an operator understand?
A: They must have a deep understanding of AC/DC power systems, voltage regulation, power
factor, load-frequency control, and the relationships between volts, amps, watts, and vars.
Q: Why is knowledge of NERC reliability standards crucial for this role?
A: Because NERC standards are mandatory regulations to ensure the reliability and security of
the bulk power system. Compliance is legally required to prevent blackouts and maintain grid
security.
, Q: What is a "one-line diagram" and why is it important?
A: A one-line diagram is a simplified schematic drawing that represents the electrical system
using single lines and standardized symbols. It is vital for understanding system configuration,
planning switching procedures, and responding to emergencies.
Procedures and Safety
Q: What is the purpose of a switching order?
A: A switching order is a detailed, step-by-step written procedure used to safely de-energize,
isolate, ground, and tag equipment for maintenance or construction work, ensuring the safety of
personnel.
Q: What does "Lock Out/Tag Out" (LOTO) mean?
A: LOTO is a safety procedure that uses locks and tags to physically isolate energy sources from
equipment, ensuring it cannot be accidentally re-energized while personnel are working on it.
Q: Before working on a de-energized line, what is the final critical safety step an operator
must ensure is completed?
A: They must confirm that the line is properly grounded to protect workers from hazardous
induced voltages or accidental re-energization.
Emergency Response
Q: What is the first priority for an operator when a major fault (like a short circuit) occurs
on the system?
A: The first priority is to maintain overall system stability by isolating the faulted section using
breakers and relays to protect the rest of the grid from a cascading failure.
and Practice Material
Description: This document provides a comprehensive overview of the Electric Station
Operator role at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). It covers
essential knowledge areas such as power distribution, safety procedures, system operations,
and troubleshooting practices. The material is designed to support preparation for
entrance exams, interviews, or on-the-job training assessments.
Keywords:
electric station operator
LADWP exam prep
power distribution systems
electrical safety procedures
system operations
troubleshooting electricity
utility job preparation
energy operations study guide
,Q: What is the primary responsibility of an LADWP Electric Station Operator?
A: Their primary responsibility is to safely and efficiently monitor, control, and maintain the
electrical power system, including generation plants, substations, and transmission lines, to
ensure a reliable supply of electricity to Los Angeles.
Q: What key systems does an operator monitor from the control center?
A: They monitor the Energy Management System (EMS), the Supervisory Control and Data
Acquisition (SCADA) system, and other real-time tools that display grid status, voltage levels,
power flows, and equipment status.
Q: Name one critical daily task for an operator beyond monitoring screens.
A: Executing switching orders to safely isolate equipment for maintenance or to reconfigure the
grid for reliability, all while following strict safety protocols.
Knowledge and Skills
Q: What fundamental electrical concepts must an operator understand?
A: They must have a deep understanding of AC/DC power systems, voltage regulation, power
factor, load-frequency control, and the relationships between volts, amps, watts, and vars.
Q: Why is knowledge of NERC reliability standards crucial for this role?
A: Because NERC standards are mandatory regulations to ensure the reliability and security of
the bulk power system. Compliance is legally required to prevent blackouts and maintain grid
security.
, Q: What is a "one-line diagram" and why is it important?
A: A one-line diagram is a simplified schematic drawing that represents the electrical system
using single lines and standardized symbols. It is vital for understanding system configuration,
planning switching procedures, and responding to emergencies.
Procedures and Safety
Q: What is the purpose of a switching order?
A: A switching order is a detailed, step-by-step written procedure used to safely de-energize,
isolate, ground, and tag equipment for maintenance or construction work, ensuring the safety of
personnel.
Q: What does "Lock Out/Tag Out" (LOTO) mean?
A: LOTO is a safety procedure that uses locks and tags to physically isolate energy sources from
equipment, ensuring it cannot be accidentally re-energized while personnel are working on it.
Q: Before working on a de-energized line, what is the final critical safety step an operator
must ensure is completed?
A: They must confirm that the line is properly grounded to protect workers from hazardous
induced voltages or accidental re-energization.
Emergency Response
Q: What is the first priority for an operator when a major fault (like a short circuit) occurs
on the system?
A: The first priority is to maintain overall system stability by isolating the faulted section using
breakers and relays to protect the rest of the grid from a cascading failure.
