Protective Relay Testing Technician

Tri-City Group is seeking an experienced Power Relay Testing Technician for Davenport, IA. This position protective relaying and associated protection and control systems in industrial, utility, and commercial electrical facilities. The Protective Relay Testing Technician is responsible for accurately performing relay testing, evaluating test results, documenting deficiencies, and ensuring all temporary test connections, jumpers, wiring, test switches, and equipment are properly restored to their intended operating condition after testing.

Essential Duties:

• Perform testing, calibration, commissioning, maintenance, and troubleshooting of protective relays and associated protection and control systems.


• Perform secondary injection testing of microprocessor-based, solid-state, and electromechanical protective relays.


• Test and verify protective functions including overcurrent, differential, voltage, frequency, directional, distance, and other protection schemes as applicable.


• Read and interpret one-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, AC/DC schematics, elementary diagrams, wiring diagrams, relay settings, and manufacturer's technical documentation.


• Understand and troubleshoot protection and control circuits including CT/PT circuits, breaker trip and close circuits, lockout relays, test switches, interlocks, alarms, and control power.


• Perform functional testing and verification of protective relay trip schemes and associated breaker/control circuits.


• Operate relay test equipment such as OMICRON, Doble, Megger or equivalent test systems.


• Accurately document test results, deficiencies, corrective actions, relay settings, and equipment condition.


• Maintain positive control of temporary jumpers, lifted leads, test connections, test switches, and other temporary modifications made during testing.


• Verify restoration of all wiring, jumpers, test switches, covers, doors, and associated equipment to the proper operating condition following completion of testing.


• Immediately identify and communicate abnormal conditions, discrepancies, damaged equipment, incorrect settings, or other conditions that may affect safe or reliable operation.


• Perform testing of other electrical infrastructure equipment such as circuit breakers, transformers, cables, and related equipment.


• Follow company testing procedures, safety requirements, customer requirements, and applicable industry standards.


• Communicate professionally with customers, engineers, supervisors, electricians, and other field personnel.

Required Experience

• Minimum of five years of electrical testing, commissioning, protection and control, or related field experience, with demonstrated experience performing protective relay testing.


• Demonstrated ability to independently test and troubleshoot protective relays and associated control circuits.


• Experience with common relay test equipment and test software.


• Working knowledge of applicable electrical safety practices and procedures.


• Valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record required.

Preferred Qualifications

• NICET Electrical Power Testing certification (or willingness to take and pass the exam).


• Current or previous NETA certification, or equivalent electrical testing experience.


• Experience with PowerDB Acceptance & Maintenance Test Data Management Software.


• Associate degree in electrical/electronic technology, completion of an electrical apprenticeship, military electrical/power systems training, or equivalent technical education and experience.

All job offers are contingent upon completing a drug screen and reference check. Tri-City Group is an equal-opportunity employer.