NG NSI9 Testing High Voltage Equipment

Course details

Our NSI 9 course equips contractors, engineers, and Competent Persons with the knowledge and authorisation needed to test high voltage (HV) equipment in accordance with National Grid’s Electricity Transmission Safety Rules and National Safety Instruction 9 – Issue 4 (2024).

This course is mandatory for operatives working with test sets rated over 1kV, including 5kV/10kV insulation resistance testers, HV withstand testing, footprint testing, and capacitance/tan delta (loss angle) equipment.

Who Should Attend This Course?

This course is essential for:

• Contractors and personnel conducting HV testing on National Grid assets
• Technicians using high-energy test sets (>1kV)
• Those operating under NSI 30 (Appointment of Persons)
• Engineers responsible for issuing or working under Sanction for Work or Permits for Work

Course Content

• Scope and application of NSI 9 and supporting safety documentation
• Identification of risks: electric shock, burns, arc flash, and induced voltage
• Test procedures across control boundaries and under Sanction for Work
• Safe use of test leads and earthing devices
• Coordination roles of the Senior Authorised Person and Control Person (Safety)
• Authorisation Matrix requirements for contractors (Appendix A)
• Situational case studies including remote-end testing and physical separation

Note: Micro-ohmmeters, 500V/1000V IR testers, and ROMP are excluded from NSI 9 scope.

Course Format & Location

• Duration: Half day
• Format: Computer-based learning and assessment
• Location: This National Grid training and assessment is only available at the following locations:-
  • Eakring, Nottinghamshire (Tues to Friday most weeks) 
  • Blackley, Manchester (Mon to Friday) 
  • Graveley, Hertfordshire (Mon to Thursday most weeks) 
  • Melksham, Wiltshire (1 week a month) 
  • Littlebrook, Kent (1 week a month) 
  • Langley Park, Durham (2 to 3 days a month) 

Assessment & Certification

Candidates are evaluated on their understanding of HV safety, documentation control, and NSI 9 testing protocols.

Upon successful completion, candidates receive NSI 9 authorisation, recorded under National Grid safety protocols and valid for designated HV testing activities.

Prerequisites

• Evidence of two occasions in the application and removal of Primary Earth(s) under a Sanction for Work and under the Personal Supervision of an NSI 9 authorised Competent Person within last 12 months
• NG Competent Person Substation

If you have previously held NSI9 within the last 2 years, then additional evidence is not normally required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What type of test sets fall under NSI 9?
A: Any HV test set above 1kV output (e.g., 5kV/10kV insulation resistance testers, footprint, withstand, and tan delta tests) requires NSI 9 authorisation.

Q: Do contractors need to be authorised under NSI 9?
A: Only if the testing interferes with safety precautions. Otherwise, contractors may hold a Permit for Work under other authorisations.

Q: Can I issue a Sanction for Work if I hold NSI 9?
A: Yes, but only if authorised under NSI 30 and NSI 9, and you follow the correct switching and logging procedure.

Q: Is NSI 9 valid outside of National Grid sites?
A: It is specific to National Grid infrastructure but demonstrates HV testing competence recognised by many other network operators.

You might also be interested in the following courses

• NG Person Substations
• NG Person OHL
• NG Person Subs Online Renewal
• NG Person OHL Online Renewal
• NG Competent Person Subs
• NG Restoration of Motive Power (ROMP)
• NG Competent Person OHL CPA
• NG Competent Person OHL CPB
• NG Competent Person OHL CPD

If you have any questions about this or any other course, please get in touch on 01926 674340