Department of EEE, UAP: Industrial Visit to Dockyard and Engineering Works Ltd., Bangladesh Navy, Narayanganj

The Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, UAP, in collaboration with the IEEE UAP Student Branch, organized an industrial visit to Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) Workshop and Substation in Savar, Dhaka, for the final-year students as part of their co-curricular program.
A total of 45 students participated in this visit under the supervision of two faculty members: Muhammad Ahad Rahman Miah, and Shaikh Rashedur Rahman. This visit offered a unique opportunity for the students to gain practical insights into the essential operations of power distribution and rural electrification in Bangladesh.

During the visit, the BREB technical team introduced students to Automatic Circuit Reclosers (ACR), a critical component of power distribution systems. ACRs are used for automatic protection against temporary faults, such as momentary tree contacts or lightning strikes. Students learned about the mechanisms behind ACRs, which allow the system to “reclose” and restore power automatically after a short interruption. This minimizes outages and helps stabilize the power network, providing a more reliable supply to rural areas.
The BREB team provided an in-depth overview of the metering system, which is essential for accurately tracking energy usage. Students observed the setup and calibration of metering devices and learned how accurate energy monitoring is crucial for managing consumption and billing in rural areas. They were also introduced to advanced metering infrastructure, which facilitates real-time data monitoring, allowing BREB to track energy distribution, analyze usage patterns, and address discrepancies efficiently.

Later, another team elucidated the process of the power station operations, where students observed the infrastructure and management processes that support BREB’s extensive distribution network. The BREB team explained the layout and functionality of the power station, detailing how power is generated, managed, and distributed across rural regions. Students were able to see the control rooms, monitoring systems, and backup setups that ensure stable and reliable power supply, which is critical for sustaining rural electrification. This provided them with a holistic view of power generation and distribution on a large scale

Transformer rewinding, a critical maintenance process for extending transformer lifespan, was another area of focus. The BREB team demonstrated the procedure of rewinding damaged transformer coils, explaining how this process restores the efficiency of the transformer without replacing it entirely. This process is particularly valuable in rural electrification, as it reduces costs and allows BREB to maintain an efficient power supply network.
Lastly, students gained insights into transformer oil testing, an essential maintenance activity to ensure transformer reliability. Transformer oil provides insulation and cooling for transformer components, so its condition is crucial for efficient transformer operation.

The BREB technical team demonstrated how oil samples are tested for moisture, acidity, and dielectric strength, helping identify any signs of contamination or breakdown that could affect transformer performance. Regular oil testing ensures optimal insulation and cooling, contributing to the safety and longevity of the transformer.
This industrial visit significantly enriched the students' understanding of the field, demonstrating UAP’s commitment to advancing technical knowledge and expertise in electrical engineering. The department is proud to share highlights from this insightful visit, as it reflects their dedication to fostering hands-on learning experiences the students.