Communications

Communications in connection with switching and clearances shall be given by the System Operator directly to the employee in charge of operating the switch or receiving the clearance. Personnel shall identify themselves to each other and assure that they know with whom they are communicating when giving or taking Hot Line Hold, non-recloses, switching orders, and clearances.

Three-part communication, sometimes known as the “repeat back” method of communications, is used to communicate changes to physical Facility equipment during work activities via face-to-face, telephone, or radio communications. This communication protocol requires three oral exchanges between a sender and a receiver to promote a reliable transfer of information and understanding.

The person originating in the communication is the sender and is responsible for verifying that the receiver understands the message, as intended. To ensure the receiver understands what the sender is saying the message is repeated back to the sender. The sender then confirms the receiver repeated the message correctly.

The District requires the use of three-part communication for “Operating Communications,” which is defined as, “Communication of instruction(s) to change or maintain the state, status, output, or input of an Element or Facility of the District’s electrical system.” This is a general description of how three-part communication functions:

  1. The sender orally transmits information (face-to-face, telephone or radio communications) clearly and concisely to the receiver, directing them to alter an element that could impact the District’s electrical system or the BES system.
  2. The receiver orally acknowledges the communication by repeating the message back to the sender. The receiver does not need to repeat every part of the communication verbatim, but he or she must restate the location, equipment-related information, and action exactly as spoken by the sender. The receiver must ask for clarification if the message is not understood.
  3. The sender acknowledges the reply and confirms to the receiver that the message is correct and properly understood by stating the communication was correct. If the sender does not understand the receiver’s reply or it is incorrect, the message must be repeated or corrected. If corrected, the receiver must acknowledge the corrected message and repeat back the message to the sender.

Refer to WAC 296-45-335: Deenergizing lines and equipment, for current language.

The radio is the primary communication source for the Energy Control Center: The radio shall serve as the principal communication media for all clearances and switching. The telephone shall be used only as a backup system when the radio is not working at the job site.

Both the radio and telephone used for this purpose shall be recorded.

Operating Instructions

“A command by operating personnel responsible for the real-time operation of the interconnected Bulk Electric System to change or preserve the state, status, output, or input of an Element of the Bulk Electric System or Facility of the Bulk Electric System. (A discussion of general information and of potential options or alternatives to resolve Bulk Electric System operating concerns is not a command and is not considered an Operating Instruction.)” (Ref. NERC Glossary)

  • Use 3-part communications for Operating Instructions (normal and emergency conditions)
  • Use English
  • Use 24 hour time
  • Use standard nomenclature
  • Use Phonetic Alphabet when needed for clarity
  • Speakers shall identify themselves by name.
  • If we use an oral or written single-party to multiple-party burst Operating Instructions we will confirm or verify that the Operating Instruction was received by at least one receiver of the Operating Instruction.

 

A-Alpha N-November One (wun) 0100-1am 1300-1pm
B-Bravo O-Oscar Two (too) 0200-2am 1400-2pm
C-Charlie P-Papa Three (tree) 0300-3am 1500-3pm
D-Delta Q-Quebec Four (fow-er) 0400-4am 1600-4pm
E-Echo R-Romeo Five (fife) 0500-5am 1700-5pm
F-Foxtrot S-Sierra Six (six) 0600-6am 1800-6pm
G-Golf T-Tango Seven (sev-en) 0700-7am 1900-7pm
H-Hotel U-Uniform Eight (ait) 0800-8am 2000-8pm
I-India V-Victor Nine (nin-er) 0900-9am 2100-9pm
J-Juliet W-Whiskey Zero (zee-row) 1000-10am 2200-10pm
K-Kilo X-Xray   1100-11am 2300-11pm
L-Lima Y-Yankee   1200-12pm 2400-midnight
M-Mike Z-Zulu