ÖUnderground

Distribution
System
Outline

Introduction
Network Architecture
Padmounted Transformer
Padmounted Switchgear
Cables
Terminations and Splices
Direct Burial vs Duct System
Cable Ampacity Rating Factors
Calculation of Pulling Tension
Code Requirements
UG Accessories
Introduction
WHY GO FOR UG DISTRIBUTION?
1. Congestion of Overhead Facilities
2. Aesthetics
Aesthetics
3. Safety
4. Reliability
OTHER REASONS FOR ADOPTING
UG DISTRIBUTION?

Ö ROW constraints
Ö Government regulations
Ö Customer requirement
 DISADVANTAGES OF UG SYSTEM

1. Costs more than the traditional OH

system
2. Requires longer time to maintain
 Overhead

vs.

Underground
Distribution System
Overhead Residential Customers
Network Architecture (OH)

Overhead Lines Loadbreak Switch

Substation1 Substation2
Distribution Distribution
Transformers Transformers

Overhead Distribution System

Underground Residential Customers
Underground Residential Customers
TERMINAL POLE

CONCRETE
SECONDARY
PEDESTAL
CONCRETE
PEDESTAL

SERVICE
BOX

FINISH
GRADE LINE PADMOUNTED
TRANSFORMER SECONDARY
CONDUIT
PRIMARY
CONDUIT

MANHOLE
Typical URD Lay-out
T Y P IC A L U R D L A Y O U T

STREET A

STREET B

U R D T R A N S F O R M E R

S E R V IC E B O X

M A N H O L E

P R IM A R Y C A B L E
S E C O N D A R Y C A B L E
 Network
Architecture
1. Primary Radial System
2. Alternate Feed System
3. Loop Feed System
4. Loop Feed with Radial Tap System
5. Loop-On-Loop System
Network Architecture (UG)

Open-Point
Overhead Line

Fuse
Substation

Padmount Padmount
Transformers Transformers

Underground Distribution System Tapped

from an Overhead w/o Switchgear
Network Architecture (UG)
Overhead Line

Fuse Open-Point
Substation

Switchgear1 Switchgear2

Padmount Padmount
Transformers Transformers

Underground Distribution System Tapped

from an Overhead w/ Switchgear
Padmounted Transformer
Single-Phase Padmounted Transformer

Flip-top Cover
Transformer tank & cabinet
Bushing with elbow
Parking stand bracket
Low voltage terminal

Source: Cooper Power Systems

Typical Primary Connections on
Deadfront Pad-Mounted Transformer
1-Phase Pad-Mounted Transformers
Cable Entrance Zone
Three-Phase Padmounted Transformer

Transformer tank & cabinet

Bayonet fuse
Deadfront primary bushing
Parking stand bracket
Secondary bushing & terminal
Drain valve

Source: Cooper Power Systems

Three-Phase Padmounted Transformer
Three-Phase Padmounted Transformer
PRIMARY
COMPARTMENT

Bayonet Fuse
Pressure Vacuum Gage

Off Load Tap

Changer

T-Blade Loop-feed
Switch
Parking Stand

High Voltage
Bushing

High Voltage
Neutral Bushing
Three-Phase Padmounted Transformer
SECONDARY
COMPARTMENT

Liquid Level Gage

w/ Alarm Contacts

Phenolic Board Support

Pressure Release Device

Nameplate

Low Voltage Bushing

Current Transformer
Mounting Plate
Padmounted Transformer Construction

Partial Range CLF

Bayonet Expulsion
Fuse

Tank

Transformer Winding
and Core

T-blade sectionalizing
switch
Typical Primary Connections on a Live
Front Pad-Mounted Transformer
Submersible Transformer
Padmounted Switchgear
Padmounted Switchgear

• Latest technology
• Low profile
• Low maintenance
• Fast service restoration
• For flooded areas and
high contaminant sites
Basic Switchgear Configuration
Single-Line Diagram
Padmounted Switchgear

Tap-Side
flip-top door

full range CLF

fuse oil drip tray

200A loadbreak bushings

copper grounding rod

lifting provision
Source: Cooper Power Systems
Cables
Types of Underground Cable
Conductor
Semiconductive Conductor Shield

XLPE Insulation
Semiconductive Insulation Shield

Copper Concentric Neutral Wires

Copper Tape Shield

PVC Jacket

Concentric Neutral Cable Tape Shielded Cable

Solid Dielectric Cable
Voltage Classes

• 5 kV

• 15 kV

• 25 kV

• 35 kV
Insulation Level Category

• 100% Insulation - fault will be cleared within one (1) minute

• 133% Insulation - fault will be cleared within one (1) hour

• 173% Insulation - fault clearing is indefinite

Insulation Wall Thicknesses for
Shielded URD Cables
INSULATION THICKNESS

VOLTAGE RATING
CONDUCTOR SIZE 100% 133%
PHASE-TO-PHASE
(AWG-Kcmil) LEVEL (Mil) LEVEL (Mil)
VOLTS

2001-5000 8-1000 90 90

5001-8000 6-1000 115 140

8001-15000 2-1000 175 220

15001-25000 1-1000 260 345

25001-28000 1-1000 280 ---

28001-35000 1/0-1000 345 ---

Since Dec 1987, REA now requires 220 mils for 15kV cable
and 345 mils for 25kV cable.
Electro-Chemical Treeing
URD Secondary Cables
Terminations
and
Splices
Cable Termination
Electric Field Flux-Lines on URD Cable
Terminators Used for URD Construction
Cable Splice
Types of Terminations and Splices

Ö Taped
Ö Pre-molded
Ö Cold-Shrink

Ö Heat-Shrink

Ö Slip-on
 Direct Burial
vs
Conduit System
 Direct Burial vs. Duct System

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

DIRECT BURIAL A. LOWER INITIAL COST A. RELATIVELY DIFFICULT

TROUBLESHOOTING AND
B. RELATIVELY EASY MAINTENANCE.
INSTALLATION
B. VERY COSTLY CABLE
REPLACEMENT.
C. SELECT BACKFILL IS
REQUIRED IN ROCKY
TERRAIN.

DUCT SYSTEM A. RELATIVELY EASY TO REPLACE A. HIGHER INITIAL COST

DAMAGED CABLES OR TO INCREASE B. FAULT LOCATION IS
CABLE SIZE. SOMETIMES MORE
B. MECHANICALLY AND DIFFICULT WITH SOME
ENVIRONMENTALLY SUPERIOR TO TYPES OF FAULT
DIRECT BURIED SYSTEM. LOCATING EQUIPMENT.
C. PROVIDES PROTECTION FOR CABLE C. CANNOT BE SPLICED,
BOTH DURING INSTALLATION AND ENTIRE SECTIONS MUST
FOR ACCIDENTAL DIG-INS LATER. BE REPLACED.
D. HIGH RELIABILILTY.
Direct Burial Cable System

RESTORED PAVEMENT

0.3M (TYP.)
WARNING TAPE

0.9M (MIN.)
EARTH BACKFILL

CONCRETE SLAB

SAND BACKFILL
(0.075M – 0.15M COVER ALL-AROUND)

0.15M - 0.2M PRIMARY CABLE

Buried Duct System
RESTORED PAVEMENT

0.3M (TYP.)

WARNING TAPE

0.9M (MIN.)
EARTH BACKFILL

CONCRETE SLAB
SAND ENVELOPE
(0.075M – 0.15M COVER ALL AROUND)

DUCT

0.025M – 0.1M PRIMARY CABLE

Concrete-Encased Duct System

RESTORED PAVEMENT

0.3M (TYP.)

WARNING TAPE

0.76M (MIN.)
EARTH BACKFILL

CONCRETE ENVELOPE
(0.075M – 0.1M COVER ALL AROUND)

0.025M – 0.1M
PRIMARY CABLE
Manhole, Pulling Box,
and
Service Box
Manhole
PRIVATE
PROPERTY
LINE'

SIDEWALK
ROADWAY

0.3 M
2.72 M to 2.85 M
MANHOLE

DUCT RUN

W 0.6 M

WIDTH VARIES ACCORDING

TO TYPE/APPLICATION
• STRAIGHT MANHOLE - 2.30 M
• 3-WAY MANHOLE - 2.42 M
• 4-WAY MANHOLE - 3.40 M

Typical Installation Along Narrow Sidewalks

Types of Manhole

3300

3250

3400
950
2300 1270 1150 950

2420 3400

STRAIGHT 3-WAY 4-WAY

Above Grade Service Pedestal
Below Grade Service Pedestal
Service Box
Cable Ampacity
Rating Factors
Rating Factor for
10kV-90kV 35mm2 Screen
CONDUCTOR, mm2 COPPER SCREEN, mm2

Al. Cu. 16 35 50 95 150 300

300 185 1.01 1 0.99 0.98 0.97 0.95

500 300 1.01 1 0.99 0.97 0.95 0.92

800 500 1.02 1 0.99 0.95 0.92 0.88

1200 630 1.02 1 0.98 0.94 0.90 0.84

2000 800 1.03 1 0.98 0.92 0.87 0.80

- 1200 1.04 1 0.97 0.89 0.83 0.75

- 2000 1.06 1 0.96 0.86 0.78 0.69

Rating Factor for
100kV-400kV 95mm2 Screen
CONDUCTOR, mm2 COPPER SCREEN, mm2

Al. Cu. 16 35 50 95 150 300

300 185 1.03 1.02 1.01 1 0.99 0.97

500 300 1.04 1.03 1.02 1 0.98 0.95

800 500 1.06 1.04 1.03 1 0.97 0.92

1200 630 1.08 1.06 1.04 1 0.96 0.90

2000 800 1.11 1.08 1.06 1 0.94 0.87

- 1200 1.16 1.11 1.08 1 0.93 0.84

- 2000 1.23 1.16 1.11 1 0.91 0.80

1 mm2 COPPER SCREEN IS EQUIV. TO : 1.66 mm2 ALUMINUM SHEATH

12.40 mm2 LEAD SHEATH
Rating Factor for
Laying Depth

LAYING DEPTH, m
LOW VOLTAGE HIGH VOLTAGE
L

0.50 1.05 1.10

0.70 1.00 1.05

0.90 0.97 1.01

1.00 0.95 1.00

1.20 0.93 0.98

1.50 0.91 0.95

Rating Factor for
Ground Temperature

CONDUCTOR GROUND TEMPERATURE, OC

TEMPERATURE,
OC 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

90 1.07 1.04 1 0.96 0.93 0.89 0.84 0.80

65 1.11 1.05 1 0.94 0.88 0.82 0.74 0.66

Rating Factor for
Ground Thermal Resistivity

THERMAL
0.7 1.0 1.2 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0
RESISTIVITY, K*m/W

RATING FACTOR 1.14 1.00 0.93 0.84 0.74 0.67 0.61

Rating Factor for
Phase Spacing
ONE GROUP IN FLAT FORMATION WITH CROSS-BONDED
OR SINGLE-BONDED SCREENS

SPACING s, mm De De+70 200 250 300 350 400

RATING FACTOR 0.93 1.00 1.03 1.05 1.07 1.08 1.10

De

s s
Rating Factor for
Groups of Cables in the Ground

ONE THREE-CORE CABLE IS EQUIVALENT TO ONE

GROUP OF SINGLE-CORE CABLES
DISTANCE cc NUMBER OF GROUP
BETWEEN
GROUPS, mm 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
100 1 0.76 0.67 0.59 0.55 0.51 0.49 0.47 0.46

200 1 0.81 0.71 0.65 0.61 0.58 0.56 0.53 0.52

400 1 0.85 0.77 0.72 0.69 0.66 0.64 0.63 0.62

600 1 0.88 0.81 0.77 0.74 0.72 0.71 0.70 0.69
800 1 0.90 0.84 0.81 0.79 0.77 0.76 0.75 0.75
2000 1 0.96 0.93 0.92 0.91 0.91 0.91 0.90 0.90
Rating Factor for
Groups of Cables in the Ground

cc
Rating Factor for Cables in Pipes
In the Ground

SINGLE-CORE SINGLE-
SINGLE-CORE THREE-CORE
CABLES PARTIALLY CORE CABLE
CABLES IN CABLE IN A
INSTALLED IN IN A
SEPARATE PIPE
SEPARATE PIPES COMMON
PIPES
PIPE
0.94 0.90 0.90 0.90
 Calculation of
Pulling Tension
Equations for Max. Permissible
Cable Pulling Tension (in Pounds)

1. PULLING EYE ATTACHED TO CONDUCTOR

8 * kcmil (Cu) ; 6 * kcmil (Al)

2. CABLE GRIP OVER LEAD SHEATH CABLE

4712 * t * (D – t)

3. CABLE GRIP OVER NON-METALLIC SHEATH CABLE

8 * kcmil (Cu) ; 6 * kcmil (Al)
(BUT NOT TO EXCEED 1,000 lbs.)

4. FOR BENDS (SIDE WALL PRESSURE)

300R
Equations for Max. Permissible
Cable Pulling Tension (in Pounds)

Where :

D = dia. of cable in inches

t = lead sheath thickness in inches

R = radius of duct bend in ft.

Calculation of Pulling Tension for
Straight Section
PULLING
FEEDING
END
END
DIRECTION OF PULL

L
Where : T = L*w*f*v
T = total pulling tension in lbs.
L = duct length in ft.
w = cable wt. in lbs/ft
f = coefficient of friction
v = occupancy factor
= 1, for 1 cable per duct
Calculation of Pulling Tension
For Curved Section
L1

FEEDING DIRECTION OF PULL R Ø

END

L2
T = T1e0.0174*f*θ*v + T2
Where :
T = total pulling tension in Newton (N)
T2 = tension for straight section at pulling PULLING
end in Newton (N) END
T1 = tension for straight section at feeding
end in Newton (N)
Calculation of Pulling Tension
For Curved Section

e = Napierian logarithmic base

= 2.718
f = coefficient of friction
θ = angle of bend in radians
v = occupancy factor
= 1, for 1 cable per duct

The occupancy factor (v) for 3 cables per duct triplexed

v = [ 1 – ((D1/D)-1)-2 ] -0.5
Calculation of Pulling Tension
For Curved Section

The occupancy factor (v) for 3 cables per duct random lay

v = 1 + 4/3 * ((D1/D)-1)-2

Where :

D1 = inside diam. of duct in inches

D = dia. of cable in inches

 Sample Computation
FEEDING END
6
4 5 30.5M

3 .0 5
1 PULLING END

30°
M

M
30 61
.5M

5M
9 0°
3 .0
2
3

a. Let Ls = max. straight pulling length At curve 4-5, due to SWBP

22,240 = Ls (15.34)(0.5)(1) T15/R45 = 1274/3.05
Ls = 2,899M = 418 N/m < 8,896 N/m
b. T12 = Lwfv = 234N Since T16 , 22,240N, a pulling grip can be used.
T13 = T12 * Bend Factor = 512N
T14 = 512 + Lwfv = 980N
T15 = T14 * Bend Factor = 1274N
T16 = 1274 + Lwfv = 1,508N
Coefficient of Friction (f)

NON-LEADED
DUCT TYPE LEADED CABLE
CABLE
POLYETHYLENE
0.25 0.25
AND PVC

FIBER 0.28 0.25

CONCRETE 0.48 0.40

STEEL 0.50 0.48

Allowable Percent Fill of Duct by Cables

NUMBER OF CABLES

CABLE TYPE 1 2 3 4 OVER 4

RUBBER
COVERED
53 31 40 40 40
CABLE 600V &
OVER
LEAD COVERED
55 30 40 38 35
CABLES
ALL OTHER
35 25 25 25 25
CABLES
Percent Fill of Duct by Cables

• When triplex cables are used, they should be considered

as equivalent single conductor. The equivalent single conductor
outside diameter (OD) is obtained by calculating 1.05 times the
diameter of the circle enclosing the 3 conductors.

• For triplex cable the diameter of circumscribing circle,

D = 2.26 * d

d = diameter of individual cable

Code Requirements
General Requirements

• Effectively grounded shield or sheath for systems above 2 kV to

ground

• Supply, control, and communication cables not to be installed

in the same duct unless maintained or operated by the same
utility

• Supply and communication cables should be racked from

separate walls

• Where racked from the same wall, the supply cables should be
racked below the communication cables
Typical Siting Requirements for
Pad-Mounted Transformer
Min. Separation between Supply &
Communication Facilities in Joint-use
Manholes & Vaults

Ø-Ø SUPPLY VOLTAGE MM (SURFACE TO SURFACE)

0 TO 15,000 155

15,001 TO 50,000 230

50,001 TO 120,000 305

120,001 AND ABOVE 610

Clearances

† Conduit systems to be occupied by communication conductors shall

be separated from conduit systems to be used for supply systems by:

1. 77 mm of concrete
2. 100 mm of masonry
3. 305 mm of well tamped earth

Direct-Buried Cable
• Minimum horizontal clearance of 305 mm from other UG structures.
Conditions for Random Separation between
Supply & Communication Cables

• VOLTAGE
a. Grounded supply systems not in excess of
22 kV to ground
b. Ungrounded supply systems not in excess of
5.7 kV to ground
• CABLE
a. With bare or semi-conducting jacketed grounded
conductor with continuous contact with the earth
b. Conductor in contact with the earth of suitable corrosion
resistant material
c. Radial resistivity of semi-conducting jacket not more than
20 m-ohms.
d. Adequate bonding between the supply and communication
cables shield at intervals which should not exceed 305mm
Underground
Accessories
UG Components and Accessories

600 A Deadbreak
Elbow Connector

RTE 35 kV Class Type BOL-T

UG Components and Accessories
600 A Deadbreak Elbow Connector with 200 A Interface

RTE 35 kV Class Type T-OP II

UG Components and Accessories
200 A Loadbreak Elbow Connector

RTE 35 kV Class Elbow

Connector
UG Components and Accessories
Elbow Arrester

RTE M.O.V.E.
UG Components and Accessories
Grounding Elbow

RTE 200A 35 kV Class

Grounding Elbow
UG Components and Accessories
Portable Feedthru

RTE 200A 35 kV Class

Portable Feedthru
1-Phase Deadfront Pad-Mounted
Transformer w/ 1-Phase Tap
Separable Splices
UG Components and Accessories
Insulated Standoff Bushing

RTE 600A 35 kV Class

Standoff Bushing
UG Components and Accessories
Insulated Standoff Bushing

RTE 200A 35 kV Class

Standoff Bushing
UG Components and Accessories

Insulated Protective Cap

RTE 600A 35 kV Class

Insulated Protective Cap
UG Components and Accessories
Insulated Protective Cap

RTE 200A 35 kV Class

Insulated Protective Cap
UG Components and Accessories

Fault Indicator

Cooper Power Systems’ TPR Voltage Reset Fault Indicator

UG Components and Accessories

Fig: Typical Application of Fault Indicators

Location of Fault Indicators
On Primary UG Cables
Recommended Methods of Concentric
Neutral Primary Cable Preparation
UG Components and Accessories
UG Components and Accessories
Unshielded Cable

Conductor
Electrostatic Flux Lines

Equipotential Lines
Shielded Cable

Insulation Shield

Insulation

Conductor
Electrostatic Flux Lines
Conductor Shield

Equipotential Lines
Series II 3-Phase Secter
Cable Splice
Cable Splice

COLD SHRINK RUBBER BODY

SHIELD WIRE
UG Components and Accessories

SERVICE CONNECTORS
Typical Underground System
Typical Underground System
Single-Phase Padmounted Transformer

T-BLADE
SWITCH
A B

PARTIAL C
RANGE CLF

EXPULSION
FUSE

TRANSFORMER
WINDING
Three-Phase Padmounted Transformer
UG Components and Accessories
200 A Loadbreak Elbow Connector

RTE 35 kV Class Elbow

Connector
1-Phase Deadfront Pad-Mounted
Transformer w/ 1-Phase Tap
Insulation Wall Thicknesses for
Shielded URD Cables
INSULATION THICKNESS

VOLTAGE RATING
CONDUCTOR SIZE 100% 133%
PHASE-TO-PHASE
(AWG-Kcmil) LEVEL (Mil) LEVEL (Mil)
VOLTS

2001-5000 8-1000 90 90

5001-8000 6-1000 115 140

8001-15000 2-1000 175 220

15001-25000 1-1000 260 345

25001-28000 1-1000 280 ---

28001-35000 1/0-1000 345 ---

Since Dec 1987, REA now requires 220 mils for 15kV cable
and 345 mils for 25kV cable.
Suggested Minimum Burial Depths
For Direct Buried Cables

VOLTAGE BURIED DEPTH

600 AND BELOW 24”

601 TO 22,000 30”

22,001 TO 40,000 36”

40,001 AND ABOVE 42”

UG Components and Accessories
Portable Feedthru

RTE 200A 35 kV Class

Portable Feedthru
Margins Provided by Distribution-Class
Arresters at Pole Tops

URD
EQUIPMENT ARRESTER IR OVERHEAD
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
BIL RATING at SYSTEM
VOLTAGE MARGIN
(KV) (KV) 10KA MARGIN

7.2/12.5 95 9 36 164% 32%

14.4/24.9 125 18 66 89% -5%

19.9/34.5 150 27 96 56% -22%