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As electric-only, hybrid, and fuel cell electric vehicles are increasing in sales, they are becoming more commonplace in repair facilities. Along with the unique powertrains that come with these vehicles, also comes unique safety concerns. Regardless of vehicle maker, high-voltage (HV) systems pose a threat of injury or death if not handled properly. Only personnel with the proper training, PPE, tools, equipment, and service information should perform work on the HV systems.
Many OEMs have specific training requirements for different levels of high-voltage technicians. Typically, these levels range from no interaction with any high-voltage part of the vehicle (even after the high-voltage battery is disconnected/isolated), to the ability to work on the vehicle under live conditions at the highest OEM HV education level you can earn. The number of levels in between these two ends varies by OEM. Always check the OEM requirements before attempting to disable a high-voltage system.
As the RTS team is researching these high-voltage technician levels, we are putting together a series of articles identifying which OEMs have these technician requirements. As OEMs produce more electric vehicles and as technology advances, technician requirements may change or be added. Let’s see what Nissan has to say.
Nissan currently has three levels of high-voltage technician. They specify what training and courses must be successfully completed to obtain each level. Nissan covers these requirements in their Introduction To Electric Vehicles Technologies course, which can be viewed if you have a valid online subscription to www.nissan-techinfo.com.
The Nissan high-voltage technician levels are as follows:
- Level 0
- Perform normal non-high-voltage service and repairs
- Level 1
- Perform level 0 tasks
- Remove and install high-voltage components after system has been disabled and inspected by a level 2 technician.
- Level 2
- Perform level 0 and level 1 tasks
- Disable high-voltage system and confirm no residual charge
- Trouble diagnostics on live system
- Battery repair
Understanding high-voltage safety, including OEM-specific high-voltage technician levels, will help ensure a complete, safe, and quality repair.
Additional I-CAR Collision Repair News you may find helpful:
- Hybrid And Electric Vehicle Article Hotspot
- OEM High-Voltage Technician Levels
- Step-By-Step: Accessing Nissan Repair Information
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Article validated in 2023