Amendment no.

Substation Design Instruction

Clearances

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

As the information contained in this publication is subject to change from time to

time, Endeavour Energy gives no warranty that the information is correct or
complete or is a definitive statement of procedures. Endeavour Energy reserves
the right to vary the content of this publication as and when required. You
should make independent inquiries to satisfy yourself as to correctness and
currency of the content. Endeavour Energy expressly disclaims all and any
liability to any persons whatsoever in respect of anything done or not done by
any such person in reliance, whether in whole or in part, on this document.

Document no. SDI 527

Amendment no. 4
51 Huntingwood Drive, Huntingwood NSW 2148
Postal address: PO Box 811 Seven Hills NSW 1730
Phone: 131 318 Fax: (02) 9853 6000

Copyright © Endeavour Energy 2013

 SUBSTATION DESIGN INSTRUCTION
Document no. SDI 527
Amendment no. 4
PRIMARY SYSTEMS
Approved by MPSB
Approval date 11 October 2013

SDI 527 - Clearances

Contents

1.0 PURPOSE ........................................................................................................... 3

2.0 SCOPE ................................................................................................................ 3
3.0 REFERENCES .................................................................................................... 3
4.0 DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................... 3
5.0 ACTIONS ............................................................................................................ 5
5.1 General ............................................................................................................... 5
5.2 Protective barriers and obstacle clearances ................................................... 5
5.3 Safe approach distances to buildings/large equipment ................................. 5
5.4 Minimum clearances for maintenance and works ........................................... 5
5.5 Minimum clearances for high voltage testing ................................................. 5
5.6 Access routes for vehicles ............................................................................... 5
6.0 AUTHORITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES .......................................................... 9
7.0 DOCUMENT CONTROL ..................................................................................... 9
Annexure 1: Safety clearance illustrations.................................................................. 10
Annexure 2: Switchgear bay centres ........................................................................... 15

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Clearances Amendment no. 4

1.0 PURPOSE
To set out in detail the broad design requirement for air clearances in transmission/zone
substations and switching stations.
2.0 SCOPE
This instruction defines the broad design requirements for minimum air clearances
applicable in transmission/zone substations and switching stations.
The air clearances specified apply to open-type switchgear assemblies installed in either
outdoor or indoor substations.
3.0 REFERENCES
• Company Policy 9.2.5 - Network Asset Design
• Company Policy 9.2.10 - Network Asset Ratings
• ENA National Electricity Network Safety Code (Doc 01-2008)
• Company Network Management Plan 2011-2013
• Electricity Supply Act 1995 (as amended)
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011(NSW)
• Endeavour Energy Electrical Safety Rules
• Substation Design Instruction SDI 501 - Network Configuration
• SDI 505 - Minimum design and construction requirements for transmission and
zone substations and switching stations
• AS 2067:2008 - Substations and High Voltage Installations Exceeding 1 kV a.c.

4.0 DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS

Enclosed -type Switchgear in which all components are within a casing that may be of
switchgear 1 metal or insulating material.
Open-type Switchgear in which live parts are not provided with protective covers.
switchgear1

Phase to earth Clearance in air between live parts and earth, or between live parts and
clearance 2 parts at earth potentials. The clearance to earth between live parts and
earthed materials applies to any structure substantially at earth potential,
including any fixed or portable screen that may be provided. Minimum
earth clearance values to be used for both outdoor and indoor
installations.

Non-flashover The minimum distance in air required between live parts and earthed
distance (N) objects to ensure that there is no probability of flashover at a prescribed
maximum impulse voltage.

1
AS 1852:1998 - International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Chapter: 605
2
AS 2067:2008 – Substations and High Voltage Installations Exceeding 1 kV a.c.

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Clearances Amendment no. 4

Ground safety The minimum distance required between the earthed end of any exposed
distance (G) 3 insulator, carrying or containing live parts, and ground or the floor of
permanent walkways used for normal inspection and operational
functions. This is usually taken to be 2440mm.

Horizontal work The minimum distance measured horizontally between live parts and the
safety work object. Where work is to be carried out from a ladder, or from the
clearance (H) 3 equipment, the horizontal work safety clearance shall be applied from
extremities of the work object horizontally to the nearest live parts. This
clearance value is achieved by adding a safety margin of 1900mm to the
non-flashover distance.

Protective Part providing protection against direct contact from any usual direction
barrier 3 of access

Protective Smallest permissible clearance between a protective barrier and live

barrier parts, or those parts that may become live subject to hazardous voltage
clearance 3
Protective Part preventing unintentional access to an area where safety clearances
obstacle 3 will be infringed, but not preventing access by deliberate action.

Protective Smallest permissible clearance between a protective obstacle and live

obstacle parts, or those parts that may become live subject to hazardous voltage
clearance 3
Safety A general term applying to open-type switchgear, and covering the
clearance 3 distance in air required for safety of personnel.
Section safety Safety clearance required for access for operational purposes. The non-
clearance (S) flashover distance (N) plus the ground safety clearance (G) measured
(section along a taut string between the ground or operating platform and the live
clearance) 3 part.
The taut string shall be measured from the nearest live part/s to:
• the foot position in a vertical direction;
• the foot position over guardrails or screens; or,
• the extremities of the work object in any direction.
Taut string The distance between two parts measured along a taut string stretched
distance 3 the shortest way between those parts.
Vertical work The minimum distance measured vertically between live parts and the
safety highest part of the work object. Where work is to be carried out from a
clearance (V) 3 ladder, the vertical work safety clearance shall be applied from highest
parts of the work object vertically to the nearest live parts. This clearance
value is achieved by adding a safety margin of 1340mm to the non-
flashover distance.

Refer to Annexures 1 and 2 for illustrations and an understanding of the above

clearances.

3
AS 2067:2008 – Substations and High Voltage Installations Exceeding 1 kV a.c.

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Clearances Amendment no. 4

5.0 ACTIONS
5.1 General
The minimum air clearances, as shown in Table 1, shall be maintained when designing
transmission/zone substations and switching stations, and when carrying out safe
operations and maintenance works in these stations.
The clearances shall be maintained at all times unless written approval is obtained from
the Substations Manager to use other values.
All clearances shall be measured between energised parts and earthed materials from
surface to surface. Live metallic hardware electrically connected/bonded to a line
conductor shall be considered as a part of the line conductor.
The design shall provide safe access at ground, floor or roof levels, and to all operating
positions at all times for operation and inspection of equipment.
Values specified in Table 1 are based on a standard lightning impulse shape of 1.2/50µs.
5.2 Protective barriers and obstacle clearances
In open-type switchgear where clearances and safety distances, (such as S or G, as set
out in Table 1), cannot be maintained, permanent protective barriers or obstacles shall
be installed. This is to provide protection against direct contact with personnel (refer to
Table 2 and Annexure1, Figures 5 and 6, for minimum protective obstacle clearance).
The height of safety or protective barriers/screens shall not be less than 1800mm.
5.3 Safe approach distances to buildings/large equipment
Minimum safe approach distances shall be maintained from walls and the roof of a
substation building, or from the sides and top of large equipment to nearby live parts
(refer to Table 2 and Annexure 2, Figure 7). The minimum safe approach distances
stated within this document must be maintained at all times with zero tolerance in
reduction in set values.
5.4 Minimum clearances for maintenance and works
Mandatory maintenance and work safety clearances shall be taken into consideration
when designing arrangement/layout of equipment, fence or building and other high rise
structures inside substations. Where use of mobile elevated work platform would be
required for purpose of maintenance, mandatory minimum work safety clearance Z shall
be incorporated into the design (refer to Figure 4).
5.5 Minimum clearances for high voltage testing
The minimum air clearances, as shown in Table 3, must be maintained when carrying out
high voltage testing. Table 3 outlines the non-flashover clearances that must be
maintained when testing near earthed de-energised structures, as well as when testing
adjacent to live mains.
In locations, where the above minimum clearances for high voltage testing are not
achievable, such as in existing old substation switchyards where equipment is installed
on common structures or is arranged in close proximity, further isolation shall be
required.
5.6 Access routes for vehicles
Minimum clearances shall be maintained when designing access routes for passage of
large vehicles or mobile equipment, beneath or in proximity of live parts, inside
substation switchyards. The design shall cater for the minimum values of section safety
clearance S, vertical safety V and horizontal safety clearance H, as applicable to each of
the corresponding voltage levels, or 3000mm whichever is greater (refer to Figure 8).

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Clearances Amendment no. 4

The section safety clearance S shall be maintained from any part of the vehicle or mobile
plant where a person could sit or stand. While designing, the height and size of the
station equipment supplies along with their loading/unloading techniques shall be taken
into consideration if these extend beyond the extremities of vehicles parts. The surplus
size for equipment greater than the extremities of vehicles shall be added to the
minimum section safety S or vertical safety V or horizontal safety H clearances or
3000mm, whichever is greater.
Table 1 – Electrical clearances in air for open-type switchgear 4 (see notes 1 and 2)

System nominal voltage (kV rms) 11 22 33 66 132

Phase to earth clearance (earth clearance)

160 280 320 630 1300
minimum 4 (mm)
4
Phase to phase clearance (mm) 185 325 370 725 1495

Non-flashover distance N (mm) 175 310 350 695 1430

Ground safety distance G (mm) 2440 2440 2440 2440 2440

Section safety clearance 4 S (mm) 2615 2750 2790 3135 3870

Horizontal work safety clearance 4 H (mm) 2075 2210 2250 2595 3330

Vertical work safety clearance 4 V (mm) 1515 1650 1690 2035 2770

Busbar centres (mm) 510 1000 1000 1500 2800

Busbar height - feeder/transmission bay
2800 2900 3000 3300 4100
(mm)
Busbar height - transverse bus (mm) 3200 3400 3470 4200 6050
Minimum distance between switchgear
bay centres, not including bus sections 5 3100 4250 10000 12500 15860
(mm)
Minimum distance between switchgear
3660 6000 10000 16000 20000
bay centres, including bus sections 5 (mm)
6
Safe approach distance for mobile plant 3000 3000 3000 3000 3000

Note 1: These are minimum air clearances/distances based on safety regulations.

Electrical designers shall identify the mobile plant requirements to maintain/replace
switchyard assets and design the switchyard to ensure that work can be carried out
without compromising the safety clearances as given above. The electrical designers
may choose to increase the above clearances/distances based on site specific conditions
and other design constraints. No further reduction in these minimum clearances is
permissible.

4
Derived from AS 2067:2008 – Substations and High Voltage Installations Exceeding 1 kV a.c.
5
Refer Annexure 2.
6
Minimum distance that shall be maintained between mobile plant (including its load controlling ropes and
any other accessories) and live electrical apparatus. An appropriate risk assessment shall be completed
for work at these approach distances.

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Clearances Amendment no. 4

Note 2: The minimum clearances are applicable only for open type switchgear and not
for enclosed switchgear as the ability to withstand the test voltage for enclosed
switchgear is established by a dielectric type test.

Table 2 – Electrical clearances in air for protective obstacles, boundary fences,

and buildings/large equipment for open switchgear 7

System nominal voltage (kV rms) 11 22 33 66 132

Minimum protective obstacle clearance X

between live parts and the internal surface
of obstacle for locations that infringe 500 510 550 895 1630
section safety clearances7 (indoor) (mm).
Refer Figure 6 for use of obstacles.
Minimum protective obstacle clearance X
between live parts and the internal surface
of obstacle for locations that infringe 600 610 650 995 1730
section safety clearances (outdoor) (mm)
7
. Refer Figure 6 for use of obstacles
Minimum clearance from any part of a
meshed boundary fence to live parts of 2615 2750 2790 3135 3870
electrical equipment 8 (mm)
Minimum clearance from any part of a
solid boundary fence or a brick wall to live 1175 1310 1350 1695 2430
parts of electrical equipment (mm) 7
Minimum safe approach access to building
roof or top of large equipment permitted,
where bare conductors cross above. 2615 2750 2790 3135 3870
Minimum clearance is section safety
clearance S (mm) 8
Minimum safe approach access to building
walls, with or without windows/screens, or
sides of large equipment located near live
parts of other electrical equipment. 2075 2210 2250 2595 3330
Minimum clearance is horizontal work
section safety clearance H and access
using ladders only (mm) 8

7
Derived from AS 2067:2008 – Substations and High Voltage Installations Exceeding 1 kV a.c.
8
Minimum values are the same as section safety clearance values. Where these clearances cannot be
achieved, alternative solutions require the approval of the Substations Manager.

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Clearances Amendment no. 4

9
Table 3 – Electrical Non-Flashover clearances for HV test sources

HV test adjacent to live mains in air (kV

Test power Non-flashover rms) safety clearance (mm)
frequency voltage distance to earthed
(kV rms) structures (mm)

11 22 33 66 132

21 240 1115 1550 1590 1935 3170

28 350 1225 1660 1700 2045 3280

37.5 455 1330 1765 1805 2150 3385

52.5 630 1505 1940 1980 2325 3560

63 695 1570 2005 2045 2390 3625

105 990 1865 2300 2340 2685 3920

140 1575 2450 2885 2925 3270 4505

206 1800 2675 3110 3150 3495 4730

275 2015 2890 3325 3365 3710 4945

Note 1: For HV tests near earthed structures, the non-flashover distance in Table 3 must
apply. For scenarios where HV tests are conducted adjacent to live mains using non-
insulated cables or equipment, refer to the relevant HV test and mains voltage in Table 3.

Note 2: HV tests adjacent to live mains in air clearances incorporate the non-flashover
distances of the test source voltage and the live mains voltage with an additional safety
margin of 700mm (for 11kV), 1000 mm (for 22 to 66 kV) and 1500 mm (132 kV). These
additional margins are the minimum safety clearances for electrically qualified persons,
as stated in the Endeavour Energy Electrical Safety Rules Handbook.

9
Derived from AS 2067:2008 – Substations and High Voltage Installations Exceeding 1 kV a.c.

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Clearances Amendment no. 4

6.0 AUTHORITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Chief Engineer has the authority and responsibility for approving this instruction.
The Manager Primary Systems has the authority and responsibility for making
recommendations to the Chief Engineer in respect to this instruction.
The Substations Manager, Primary Systems is responsible for ensuring that the
content of this instruction is kept up to date.
All Endeavour Energy employees and/or contractors shall be responsible for:
• Ensuring that requirements of this instruction are met.
• Working in accordance with local and statutory requirements.
• Ensuring that public safety is not compromised.
• Working in accordance to Endeavour Energy’s Electrical Safety Rules.
• Ensuring that maintenance and test data is recorded in Endeavour Energy’s
electronic databases.
• Ensuring that staff engaged to perform work shall have appropriate qualifications.
The Regional Transmission Manager, project managers and design engineers shall
be responsible for:
• Ensuring that Endeavour Energy staff and/or contractors engaged to perform the
work have appropriate qualifications.
• Ensuring that the requirements of this instruction are met.
• Working in accordance with local and statutory requirements.
• Ensuring that the public safety is not compromised
• Ensuring that staff are conversant with, and work in accordance with, Endeavour
Energy's Electrical Safety Rules.
• Analysing test results to identify potential problems, and taking appropriate action.
• Maintaining clearances shown in this Standard when designing new
substations/switchyards/switchbays.
7.0 DOCUMENT CONTROL
Documentation content coordinator: Substations Manager, Primary Systems
Documentation process coordinator: Branch Process Coordinator

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 Clearances Amendment no. 4

Annexure 1: Safety clearance illustrations

Landing structures

Live overhead conductors

Switchgear bay energised Switchgear bay energised

N
Height of
person = 1900 mm 1900 mm

G = 2440 mm

Ground level Note: Extreme dimensions include an allowance for small hand tools of minimum 300 mm

FIGURE 1: SECTION AND GROUND WORK SAFETY CLEARANCES

Landing structures

Live overhead conductors

V H N
S
Line
Live busbars
CB disconnector CB disconnector disconnector
(open) (open) (closed)

N N
N
Circuit
Breaker

S G

Ground level
FIGURE 2: SWITCHGEAR BAY PRESENTING SECTION, VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL WORK SAFETY
CLEARANCES AND FLASHOVER DISTANCE
V = Vertical safety clearance
H = Horizontal safety clearance
G = Ground safety distance
N = Non-flashover
S = Section safety clearance

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 Clearances Amendment no. 4

Live bus bar or parts Live bus bars or parts

N N
L N N N
I L
N I
V N
V H E V
Minimum S E
N P
S A N P
R A
S R
T
N S T
S using S
taut N
string
method

Circuit Circuit
Breaker Breaker

LEGUAN

Ground level Ground level

WORKING FROM A PLATFORM LADDER WORKING FROM A ELEVATED WORK PLATFORM

FIGURE 3: WORKING FROM LADDER OR FROM FIXED OR MOBILE PLATFORMS

Z (Mandatory work safety clearance)*

Circuit Breaker
de-energised or Disconnector Live
Mobile unit margins de-energised or conductor
in open position
(1500mm min.) in open position and
components

S
N
S
measured
using taut
Circuit string
Breaker method
Mobile
elevated work
LEGUAN platform in
use
Ground level

FIGURE 4: MANDATORY CLEARANCE WHEN USING MOBILE ELEVATED PLATFORM FOR MAINTENANCE OR WORKS

V = Vertical safety clearance

H = Horizontal safety clearance
G = Ground safety distance
N = Non-flashover
*Z = Mobile unit margin of 1500mm min. (includes width of mobile elevated work platform and
mobile unit side to side movements) + Section safety clearance S or safe approach
distance of 3000mm whichever is greater - work platform handrail height.
NOTE: Electrical designers shall confirm dimensions and movements for mobile elevated
work platform unit anticipated for maintaining equipment prior to preparation of
switchyard drawings.

S = Section safety clearance

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 Clearances Amendment no. 4

Live busbar Live busbar

N N

S (using taut string method) S (using taut string method)

300 mm
Live
N Live N
conductor conductor

N N+300 mm
VOTAGE VOTAGE
TRANSFORMER TRANSFORMER

Non accessible plant area Non accessible plant area

Solid wall barrier Meshed screen
(see note a) (see note b)

Notes: FIGURE 5: USE OF PROTECTIVE/SAFETY SOLID BARRIERS AND MESHED SCREENS

(a) For solid walls or solid barriers, without openings, and with a minimum height of 1800mm, the minimum
protective barrier clearance shall be greater of non-flashover N and the taut string section safety
clearance S.

(b) For meshed barriers with standard nominal 50mm pitch mesh openings and with a minimum height of
1800mm, the barrier clearance shall be greater of non-flashover N+300mm and the taut string section
safety clearance S.
Live busbar or bare conductors (cross sectional view)

Protective obstacle S (using taut string method)

S N
clearance as X
(see note c)
DANGER

When this
LOW BUSBAR
CLEARANCE

clearance is less
than S

Construction that infringes Obstacles installed to prevent access to the

section safety clearance S area where section clearance S infringed
FIGURE 6: USE OF PROTECTIVE OBSTACLES
Notes:

(c) Protective obstacle clearances (X) shall be maintained. For indoor applications the value of X shall be
N + 200 (500 minimum) and for outdoor applications N + 300 (600 minimum) Refer to Table 2.

N = Non-flashover distance
S = Section safety clearance X = Protective obstacle clearance (refer table 2)

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 Clearances Amendment no. 4

Landing structures

Live overhead conductors

S
Highest point on the roof

(See note d)
N
H
Live busbars Line
isolator
N
N
Substation
N N
Building
Circuit
Breaker

Ground level

H
Overhead conductor swing
and sag

(See note e)
N
Substation
Building

Ground level

FIGURE 7: MANDATORY MINIMUM SAFE APPROACH DISTANCES S AND H FOR SUBSTATION BUILDINGS AND/OR LARGE
EQUIPMENT WITHIN SUBSTATION PREMISES WHEN BUILDING WALL AND ROOF ACCESSED FOR MAINTENANCE

Note:
(d) Where bare conductors cross building roof, minimum S clearance shall be maintained allowing for the
maximum sag and maximum swing for the conductors. The access shall be restricted using ladders only
while the conductors are live. Buildings with values below the safe approach distance shall not be
accessed.

(e) Where stranded bare conductors approach buildings installed nearby, minimum H clearance shall be
maintained allowing for the maximum sag and maximum swing for the conductors. The access shall be
restricted using ladders only while the conductors are live. Buildings with values below the safe
approach distance shall not be accessed.

N = Non-flashover distance
H = Horizontal safety clearance
S = Section safety clearance

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 Clearances Amendment no. 4
Landing structure

Live busbars
Line
N isolator

N V or 3000mm S or 3000mm
N whichever is whichever
greater is greater N

H
or 3000mm
whichever
is greater
PLJ 248

Edge of kerb
Vehicle which can be stood or sat upon
FIGURE 8: MINIMUM APPROACH DISTANCE APPLIED USING S, V AND H SAFETY CLEARANCES (or 3000mm
WHICHEVER IS GREATER) FOR TRANSPORT VEHICLE – TYPICAL OUTDOOR SWITCHYARD INSTALLATION
WHERE THE VEHICLES CAN BE STOOD OR SAT UPON OR LOAD/UNLOAD EQUIPMENT

Overhead conductors with maximum sag

N
A
Jib of crane A = 3000 mm that is the safe
hoist approach distance for mobile
plant for all voltages. This means
B a minimum distance of 3000 mm
shall be maintained between
mobile plant (including its jib,
C load controlling ropes and any
other accessories) and live
electrical apparatus. An
appropriate risk assessment shall
be completed for work at these
B = The height includes sling, hook
and jib dimensions from
highest point of the object

C = Clearance to remove bushings

Circuit
breaker

FIGURE 9: SAFE CLEARANCES TO BE MAINTAINED BY OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE STAFF

WHEN INSTALLING OR REMOVING EQUIPMENT

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Clearances Amendment no. 4

Annexure 2: Switchgear bay centres

Electrical designers shall identify the mobile plant requirements to maintain/replace switchyard
assets and design the switchyard to ensure that work can be carried out without compromising the
safety clearances as given in Table-1. The electrical designers may choose to increase these bay
centre separation distances based on site specific conditions and other design constraints.

15860mm 20000mm 15860mm

Switchgear bay Switchgear bay centres including Switchgear bay
centres bus section centres
without without
bus section bus section

132kV Bus bar

Bus section

Figure 1: 132 kV substation with switchgear bay centres as shown in the Table 1

12500mm 15600mm 12500mm

Switchgear bay Switchgear bay centres Switchgear bay
centres including bus section centres
without without
bus section bus section

66kV bus bar

Bus section

Figure 2: 66 kV substation with switchgear bay centres as shown in the Table 1

10000mm 10000mm 10000mm

Switchgear bay Switchgear bay centres Switchgear bay
centres including bus section centres
without without
bus section bus section

33kV Bus bar

Bus section

Figure 3: 33 kV substation with switchgear bay centres as shown in the Table 1

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