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Design Knowhow: Low voltage substation layouts, earthing,

fire protection and tests
By Mohammed Ayman | Apr, 3rd 2023 | No comments | Translate | Save to PDF Subscribe | Share!    

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11kV/415V Substation Design

The design of a low-voltage substation is a pretty complex and quite exciting job to do. If the
designer would have complete freedom to make decisions regarding the substation layout,
equipment, or cable routes, the job will be even more challenging! Well, this article will try to
shed some light on the main design aspects of the 11kV/415V substation layout, structure,
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earthing and fire suppression systems.

Design
Design Knowhow:
Knowhow: Low
Low voltage
voltage substation
substation layouts,
layouts, earthing,
earthing, fire
fire protection
protection and
and tests
tests

Since this type of substation is implemented to feed and distribute power to an entire project,
learning about the major design considerations and the required clearances inside the room
becomes necessary.

The design of a substation inside a building may have different design layouts that need to
be studied to know more about how electrical equipment, such as transformers, LV panels,
RMUs etc., are installed inside the room.

Different layouts are elaborated on in this article. The equipment inside the substations
MUST be protected from potential fire incidents, which means that a substation must contain
different types of firefighting and fire alarm systems that are interfaced together to provide
full protection in case of fire.

This article will reveal the interfacing between these systems inside the substation.
Although understanding the interior of a substation and how it should be protected
from fire incidents is vital, learning more about the required testing procedures
that will be performed for the panels before energizing a new substation is just as
important.

This article explains the major tests that need to be carried out step by step to deliver a
safe, reliable and protected substation.

Table of Contents:

1. Structure of an LV Substation
2. How to Start With the Design?
1. Equipment Clearances You MUST NOT Be Wrong About
2. Dozen of Layouts Available: How to Choose
1. BONUS! Most Common LV substation layouts (PDF)
3. Fire protection Interfacing Inside an LV substation
4. Earthing System inside an LV Substation
5. Requirements Before Testing LV Panels
1. General Notes
2. Pre-Commissioning Procedures
6. Tests After Erection of LV Panels
1. Insulation Resistance Test (IR)
2. Cable Continuity and Polarity Check
3. Phase Rotation Check
4. Functional Test

1. Structure of an LV Substation
An LV substation or an LV room typically contains standing switchboards and other
equipment required for the room to function, such as bus ducts and cable containments,
panel boards, capacitor banks, air conditioning system, fire alarm system, firefighting system,
lighting, small power etc. The latter systems are required to build a typical indoor LV
substation.

However, before indulging into more details about the LV substation’s structure, it is crucial
to have a brief on how the medium voltage substations, including the MV switchgear and the
transformer, supply an LV substation.

To comprehensively understand how electric power is delivered to LV substations,

you will need to track the source of electricity going through the stages of its
delivery. Electricity passes through three stages: generation, transmission and
distribution.

Electricity is first generated in power plants or stations with a voltage of 11kV, then stepped
up using step-up transformers to increase the voltage to between 100 kV to 700kV
depending on the distance it will be transferred to; the longer the distance, the higher the
voltage.

After that, electricity is transmitted via overhead electrical lines, which you can see when you
drive between cities (see bottom for ‘Commercial load’).

Figure 1 – A 24-bus system, showing generation, transmission, subtransmission, industrial,

and commercial loads

Figure
Figure 11 –– A
A 24-bus
24-bus system,
system, showing
showing generation,
generation, transmission,
transmission, subtransmission,
subtransmission, industrial,
industrial, and
and commercial
commercial loads
loads

The transmission of these lines is aimed at reaching several receiving HV substations. When
electrical power reaches a receiving station, the voltage decreases to 33kV and 66kV. It is
then sent to transmission lines from this receiving station to electrical substations close to
cities, villages, and urban areas. When electrical power reaches a substation, it is stepped
down once more by a step-down transformer to voltages closer to what it was generated at,
usually around 11kV.

From here, the transmission phase graduates to the distribution phase, and electrical power
is used to meet demand from primary and secondary consumers. This is done by installing
an MV voltage switchgear/ RMU (Ring Main Unit) that can supply several low-voltage
transformers that decrease this voltage to 500V or less for distribution and utilization
purposes.

This article will focus on the LV substation connected to the LV transformer

substation. LV substation is implemented to distribute low voltage power to the
consumer with a voltage between 100V to 500V for single and three-phase
loads.

By looking at the figure below, we can understand more what makes up an LV substation.

Figure 2 – Low voltage substation

Figure
Figure 22 –– Low
Low voltage
voltage substation
substation

Go back to the Contents Table ↑

2. How to Start With the Design?

Designing the LV part of an LV substation can only be done by taking some considerations
in mind. The 11kV/0.45kV substation can either be located indoors or outdoors. The most
likely type of LV substation used for supplying customers with less than 500V is located
inside the building and distributes power to the entire project, and should be designed to
meet the safety requirements to avoid any dangerous situations.

The LV substation MUST be designed to provide a reliable service, facilitate maintenance

and allow for future expansions.

In other words, at least 20% spare capacity should be provided for every equipment inside
the room, including cable trays, trunks, LV switchboards, etc. Below are some major
requirements that must be complied with inside an LV substation.

1. Access for personnel (normal and emergency).

2. Access for equipment (installation, operation and maintenance).
3. Regulatory compliance and approvals.
4. Cable containment and entries.
5. Earthing and grounding.
6. Water sealing (if below ground).
7. Air conditioning, lighting & small power.
8. Fire detection, alarm and suppression.

Figure 3 – Inside an LV/MV Substation

Figure
Figure 33 –– MV/LV
MV/LV substation
substation installation
installation layout
layout (all
(all dimensions
dimensions are
are in
in millimeters)
millimeters)

Go back to the Contents Table ↑

2.1. Equipment Clearances You MUST NOT Be Wrong About

The internal clearances of an low voltage room must always follow international standards
like NEMA, BS and NFPA. Equipment such as trays, LV switchgear, capacitor banks etc., are
usually located and placed following these standards. In many countries, LV substation
design drawings are be approved by the main electrical authority before building
construction.

This is why dimension considerations must be made during the design stage.

Electrical authorities might only supply the building with power if the requirements are met.
In a typical LV substation, cable trays are installed to facilitate the outgoing and incomer
cables. These trays should be designed to be located with sufficient clearances around them
to permit adequate access for the installation and maintenance of cables.

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Mohammed Ayman
I earned my degree from Eastern Mediterranean University (Turkey,
North Cyprus) in B.S Electrical & Electronic Engineering; shortly after,
I began my career as an electrical site engineer in a mega-scale
project in Qatar which allowed me to monitor and supervise electrical
site installations. I indulged in the design field of the electrical low
voltage distribution systems and have accomplished more than 10 projects with the
compliance of the national codes & international standards.

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