Clearance

TP.DS 62.
01 Issue 3 Feb 2009
Clearances and conductor spacings

and a safe access for a.c. switchyards
TRANSPOWER
Implementation date: March 2009
APPROVED
STANDARD
COPYRIGHT 2009 TRANSPOWER NEW ZEALAND LIMITED. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This document is protected by copyright vested in Transpower New Zealand Limited (Transpower). No part of the document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means including, without limitation, electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Transpower. No information embodied in the documents which is not already in the public domain shall be communicated in any manner whatsoever to any third party without the prior written consent of Transpower. Any breach of the above obligations may be restrained by legal proceedings seeking remedies including injunctions, damages and costs.
TP.DS 62.01 Issue 3 Feb 2009
PREFACE
Issue 3 of this standard is a major revision of the previous Issue 2. It has been re-developed to: 1. 2. 3. Include clearances and spacings for 400 kV a.c. switchyards. Improve safety by requiring minimum maintenance access clearances to enable the use of mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs) in order to reduce fall hazards. Improve safety by requiring work plane heights to be aligned with the New Zealand Department of Labour Code of Practice for Manual Handling (the design principles for manual handling are identical to those considered for determining work platform heights). Improve safety by up-dating minimum height to live metal clearances to improve access to circuit breaker mechanism boxes, and to prohibit designs based on the use of steps for this purpose as per Service Advisory TP.DS 62.01 SA1 (now superseded by this document). Improve safety by re-instating a minimum height requirement to the lowest insulating shed on insulating support columns. Improve safety by requiring existing installations that do not comply with minimum clearances as determined by national and international standards to be remedied by restricting access and use of warning signs. Improve circuit availability by requiring that routine maintenance and equipment change-outs can be carried without necessitating the shutdown of nearby energised circuits. Include design criteria for extending and modifying existing a.c. switchyard structures. Alignment with Australian practices except when this would involve conflict with IEC standards. The range of terms used has been significantly increased and these are defined in Appendix A Definitions.
4.
5. 6.
7. 8. 9.
Because of the extensive nature of the changes in this third issue of TP.DS 62.01 the Revision History log has been reset to restart again as at the date of issue.
Keywords clearances protective barriers and obstacles walking access clearance (W) maintenance groups, zones, and access provision for inadvertent movement (Di) mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) spacings
2009 - Transpower New Zealand Limited

Revision History Date Feb 2009 Issue 3 Amendments Refer to Preface on page 2.
CONTACT This document is the responsibility of Engineering Services Group, Transpower New Zealand Limited, Wellington. If you have any queries please contact the Engineering Services Manager. If you would like to make suggestions to improve this document, please use the Controlled Document Feedback Form located at the rear of this document or online via the Controlled Documentation homepage of the Transpower website at www.transpower.co.nz
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY Transpower New Zealand Limited makes no representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in the document. Unless it is not lawfully permitted to do so, Transpower specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose and shall in no event be liable for, any loss of profit or any other commercial damage, including, but not limited to, special, incidental, consequential or other damages.
CONFIDENTIALITY All information disclosed in this document that is not general public knowledge must be treated as strictly confidential and may not be used or disclosed except for the purpose of developing documentation for the benefit of Transpower. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS The requirements set out in Transpowers standards are minimum requirements that must be complied with by contractors, including designers and other consultants. The contractor is expected to implement any practices which may not be stated but which can reasonably be regarded as good practices relevant to the purpose of this standard. Transpower expects contractors to improve upon these minimum requirements where possible and to integrate these improvements into their procedures and quality assurance plans.

CONTENTS PREFACE ............................................................................................................................2 1 2 3 4 5 PURPOSE............................................................................................................................5 POLICY................................................................................................................................5 COMPLIANCE.....................................................................................................................5 REFERENCES AND BACKGROUND MATERIAL ............................................................6 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS .............................................................................................7 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 6 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 7 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 7.10 7.11 8 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 9 9.1 APPENDICES A B DEFINITIONS ................................................................................................................... 40 CONTROLLED DOCUMENT FEEDBACK FORM .......................................................... 42 Design Drawings .................................................................................................................7 Continuity in Service ..........................................................................................................7 Design Co-ordination .........................................................................................................7 Tables ....................................................................................................................................8 Requirements .....................................................................................................................11 Basic Electrical Clearances ...............................................................................................11 Increased Minimum Clearances Under Special Conditions .......................................11 Reduced Minimum Clearances Under Special Conditions.........................................11 Fundamental Design Requirement for Safety ...............................................................12 Walking Access Clearances..............................................................................................13 Minimum conductor heights ...........................................................................................14 Access for maintenance work ..........................................................................................15 Busbar Heights and Spacings ..........................................................................................23 Standard Clearances & Conductor Spacings.................................................................24 Alternative Clearances & Conductor Spacings .............................................................24 Low level equipment installations/ protective barriers (capacitors etc.)..................26 Access for Maintenance Vehicles and Plant ..................................................................27 Security Fence Clearances ................................................................................................33 Safe Access to Operational Equipment ..........................................................................33 Policy requirements ..........................................................................................................36 Requirements for ground clearances and busbar heights ...........................................36 Non-compliant existing structures .................................................................................36 Modifications or extensions .............................................................................................38 Transformers......................................................................................................................39
BASIC ELECTRICAL CLEARANCES............................................................................. 11
CLEARANCES FOR SAFE ACCESS AND CONDUCTOR SPACINGS ........................ 12
EXISTING A.C. SWITCHYARDS ..................................................................................... 36
IMPULSE TESTED EQUIPMENT .................................................................................... 39
PURPOSE
This standard defines minimum clearances to protect personnel, vehicles and equipment against inadvertent contact, or hazardous proximity, to exposed conductors, and defines the minimum basic clearances required in a.c. switchyards.
POLICY
All existing and new a.c. switchyards shall comply with New Zealand legal requirements and the requirements of international and national standards, and New Zealand industry documents as set out in Section 3, Compliance. New a.c. switchyards shall be designed so that the required continuity in service of energised equipment is maintained when nearby equipment is either maintained, or replaced. New a.c. switchyard layouts shall facilitate safe and efficient access by competent employees who are carrying out operations and maintenance work using mobile elevated work platforms where required. Where practical access for MEWPs shall also apply to modifications and extensions to existing a.c. switchyards.
COMPLIANCE
The design of Transpower a.c. switchyards shall meet the minimum clearance requirements of the following documents: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. IEC 61936-1 Power installations exceeding 1 kV a.c. Common rules NZECP 34 New Zealand Code of Practice for Electrical Safe Distances AS 2067 High voltage installations and ESAA NENS 04 National guidelines for safe approach distances to electrical apparatus IEC 60071-2 Insulation co-ordination Part 2: Application guide IEC 60076-3 Power transformers Part 3: Insulation levels, dielectric tests and external clearances in air
Where conflict exists between the above documents they shall take precedence in the order listed. The design of Transpower a.c. switchyards shall facilitate compliance with the following documents: Electricity Regulations 1997 Regulations made under the HSE Act 1992 Safety Manual Electricity Industry (SM-EI) Code of Practice for Manual Handling, Department of Labour documents
Existing a.c. switchyards that do not fully comply shall be brought into line with the requirements of Section 8 Existing a.c. switchyards.
REFERENCES AND BACKGROUND MATERIAL

The following documents are referred to in this standard or provided background material for the development of this standard:
TP.DG 01.01 TP.DG 30.01 TP.DG 47.01
Insulation co-ordination Electric and magnetic field design parameters for a.c. 50 Hz transmission lines, substations and underground, cables Safety by design strategy and application: elimination of hazards for people, plant and the environment during construction, operations, maintenance and disposal Station security physical and electronic requirements Electrical design standard High voltage installations Code of practice for design of high voltage open-terminal stations National guidelines for safe approach distances to electrical apparatus International Commission on Non-ionizing Radiation Protection Guidelines: Guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying (1998) electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields Insulation co-ordination Part 2: Application guide Power transformers Part 3: Insulation levels, dielectric tests and external clearances in air Power installations exceeding 1 kV a.c. Common rules Guide for substation fire protection Electrical Safe Distances Safety Manual Electricity Industry Electricity Regulations 1997 New Zealand Department of Labour Code Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992
TP.DS 53.02 DC 3.1.2:1974 AS 2067 BS 7354 ESAA NENS 04 ICNIRP
IEC 60071-2 IEC 60076-3 IEC 61936-1 IEEE 979 NZECP 34 SM-EI Electricity Regulations Code of Practice for Manual Handling HSE Act
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5.1
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Design drawings Design drawings for all new a.c. switchyards, and extensions, or modifications to existing a.c. switchyards shall be prepared by the designer and submitted to Transpower for approval. These drawings shall include critical dimensions and show: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The proposed equipment maintenance groups. The proposed equipment maintenance zones. The type of temporary access equipment that can be used for routine maintenance and the replacement of equipment. Clearances and minimum spacings. Access ways for routine maintenance/ equipment change-outs.
Refer to the drawing series TP58394 for examples of points 1 to 5 above. 5.2 5.2.1 Continuity in service Routine maintenance All a.c. switchyards shall be designed so that routine maintenance can be safely carried out without the need to remove from service, nearby energized equipment in other circuits. Note that during replacement, upgrade or extension projects existing equipment within the associated maintenance group that does not meet this requirement shall, where practicable, be relocated to a position that does meet this requirement. 5.2.2 5.2.2.1 Equipment replacement Network security requirements Circuits shall be designed so that equipment can be safely replaced without the need to remove from service nearby energized equipment in other circuits. 5.2.2.2 Zero contingency circuits Where there is no back-up for circuits connected to a busbar (i.e. there is only n security), a new circuit connected to that busbar shall be designed so that circuit breakers can be safely replaced without the need to remove from service, either the busbar or nearby circuits. 5.2.2.3 Bus coupler installations Bus coupler installations shall be designed so that equipment can be safely replaced without the need to remove from service, nearby energized equipment in other circuits, including sections of bus. Example: To be able to replace the bus coupler circuit breaker and CTs with both adjacent busbars live. 5.3 5.3.1 Design co-ordination Switchyard layout and patterning Replicable layouts that can be readily related to the single line diagram shall be used. The equipment layouts and conductor dispositions in circuit bays of the same type (line, transformers, capacitor banks etc.) shall consistently conform to an established pattern. Electric and magnetic fields Close proximity to high voltage conductors can result in unacceptable exposure to electric and magnetic fields.
5.3.2

Internal fences around air-cooled reactors and other areas of high magnetic fields shall protect personnel outside the fence from magnetic fields in excess of the ICNIRP guideline for occupational exposure. TP.DG 30.01 Electric and magnetic field design parameters for a.c. 50 Hz transmission lines, substations and underground, cables provides more specific requirements with regard to the consideration of the limitation of EMF exposures during design. 5.4 Tables Table 1: Minimum clearances for voltage range I: 1 kV < Um up to and including 245 kV
Nominal system voltage Un (kV) 11 22 33 50 66 110 220 Highest equipment voltage Um (kV) 12 24 36 55 72.5 123 245 (kVpk) 75 125 170 250 325 550 1050 (mm) 500 (150 see Note 2) 500 (220 see Note 2) 500 (320 see Note 2) 500 630 1100 (see Note 3) 2100 (see Note 4) LIWV 1 Minimum phase to earth (N) & phase to phase clearance
Notes: 1 Clearances are determined by LIWV not by nominal system or highest equipment voltages. 2 Reduced clearances may be used if there is no practical alternative, if other means are provided to prevent flashovers by birds or vermin. The reduced clearances are not to be used to calculate maintenance clearances, protective barrier/obstacle clearances, or security fence clearances. 3 110 kV lines which have a LIWV of 450 kVpk have a corresponding minimum clearance of 900 mm. 4 220 kV lines and transformers which have a LIWV of 950 kVpk (or 900 kVpk for transformers prior to about 1982) have a corresponding minimum clearance of 1900 mm.

Table 2: Minimum clearances for voltage range II: Um > 245 kV
Nominal system voltage Un (V) 400 Highest equipment voltage Um (kV) 420 (kVpk) 1425 (kVpk) 1050 Rated LIWV Rated SIWV Minimum phase to earth clearance N (mm) 3400 (kVpk) 1575 (mm) 4200 SIWV Minimum phaseto-phase clearance
Note:
The nearest IEC 61936-1 Nominal system voltage to 400 kV is 380 kV. Transpower has selected a nominal system voltage of 400 kV. As the nominal system voltage is defined as a suitable approximate value 400 kV is used in Table 2 as opposed to 380 kV.
Table 3: Standard clearances for safe access and conductor spacings A.C. voltages from August 2008
Nominal system voltage Minimum height of live parts above fixed accessible surfaces 1, 2 W (mm) 3070 3540 4540 5840 Minimum busbar (rigid type/ no sag) clearance height1 Busbar spacing centre line to centre line for rigid busbars Minimum vertical work safety clearance 1,3 V (includes DiV of 1000 mm) (mm) 3070 3540 4540 5840 Minimum horizontal work safety clearance 1,3 H (includes DiH of 1900 mm and Ma of 1900 mm)
Un (kV) 66 110 220 400
(mm) 4070 4540 5540 6840
(mm) 1500 2100 3600 5400
(mm) 4430 4900 5900 7200
Notes: 1. All clearances are surface to surface taut string distances, whereas conductor spacings are centre line to centre line measurements. 2. Refer to Figure 3 for installation example designed to achieve walking access clearance W. 3. The maintenance clearances H and V are based on the use of MEWPs as illustrated in Figure 9. 4. Because outdoor 33 kV and lower voltage level air insulated a.c. switchyards are no longer economic due to the comparatively low cost of indoor switchgear installations these are not included in the above table. 5. Because the trend is to phase out 50 kV lines and a.c. switchyards these are not included in the above table. Therefore for 50 kV installations design to 66 kV clearances.

Table 4: Revised safety distances as from 20th April 2005 to July 2008
Nominal system voltage Minimum height of live parts above fixed accessible surfaces Minimum busbar (rigid type/ no sag) clearance height assuming vehicle access
Un (kV) 11 22 33 50 66 110 220 (mm) 3000 3000 3000 3000 3100 3500 4500 (mm) 4000 4000 4000 4000 4100 4500 5500
Refer to Section 8.
Table 5: Acceptable safety distances for installations built prior to 20th April 2005
Nominal system voltage Minimum height of live parts above fixed accessible surfaces Minimum busbar (rigid type/ no sag) clearance height assuming vehicle access
Un (kV) 11 22 33 50 66 110 220 (mm) 2600 2700 2800 2900 3100 3500 4500 (mm) 3600 3700 3800 3900 4100 4500 5500
Refer to Section 8.
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6.1
BASIC ELECTRICAL CLEARANCES

Requirements The requirements of this section apply to both new and existing a.c. switchyards. Insulation coordination of electrical equipment is required to provide a level of protection for personnel and equipment by reducing flashovers caused by system over-voltages and lightning strikes. Basic electrical clearances are required in order to achieve this purpose.
6.2
Basic electrical clearances Tables 1 and 2 list Transpower nominal system voltages, highest equipment voltages, lightning impulse withstand voltage (LIWV) and corresponding minimum phase to earth clearances (N) and phase to phase clearances. These clearances are used for a.c. switchyard structures, conductors, and insulators etc. that, for practical reasons, have not been tested for compliance with the LIWV type tests, either individually or as a total built unit. The clearances are based on conservative criteria and are to be used for any outdoor equipment that has not passed the appropriate LIWV type test. Circumstances when increased clearances are, or may be required, are detailed in subsection 6.3. Increased minimum clearances under special conditions Circumstances when the minimum clearances given in Tables 1 and 2 shall be or may require to be increased are as follows: (a) (b) Minimum clearances between conductors of an installation that may be subject to phase opposition shall be 20 % higher than the standard minimum values. Minimum clearances between conductors of an installation, which are assigned to different insulation levels, shall be 25 % higher than the standard minimum values established for the higher insulation level present. Where conductors can move under the influence of short circuit forces, at least 50 % of the standard minimum clearances shall be maintained as a minimum. Where conductors can move under the influence of wind, at least 75 % of the standard minimum clearances shall be maintained as a minimum.
6.3
(c) (d)
6.4
Reduced minimum clearances under special conditions In cases where there is insufficient space available to achieve the minimum clearances then, subject to approval by Transpower, reduced clearances may be used provided that suitable measures are put in place such as barriers or obstacles to ensure the protection of personnel, and provided the achieved probability of flashover is controlled to a level acceptable to Transpower.
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CLEARANCES FOR SAFE ACCESS AND CONDUCTOR SPACINGS

This section sets out the minimum clearances required for safe access to a.c. switchyards, and also includes the minimum conductor spacing requirements for new a.c. switchyards.
7.1
Fundamental design requirement for safety Designs must ensure that competent personnel can carry out operating and maintenance procedures without inadvertently encroaching within the danger zone. The danger zone is defined by the minimum phase to earth clearance (N) to live conductors.
Figure 1: Danger zone concept
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7.2 Walking access clearances New a.c. switchyards shall be designed to have minimum safe clearances from all surfaces that are accessible to competent employees walking throughout the substation.
Figure 2: Minimum design dimensions for safe access
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The minimum walking access clearance to live parts from accessible ground, or accessible platforms shall be W, where W = N + RV and RV = 2440 mm. 7.3 Minimum conductor heights (a) The minimum conductor height shall not be less than the greater of the minimum height of live conductors above fixed accessible surfaces given in Table 3 or the walking access clearance W, where W= N + 2440. The clearance W is referenced to the maximum conductor sag. (b) The lowest part of any insulation, for example the upper edge of metallic insulator bases, shall not be less than 2440 mm above the accessible surface.
Figure 3: Minimum design dimensions for walking access Note, as in the case of capacitor voltage transformers, attention to detail is required since the lowest live conductor is not always located at the equipment terminals.
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7.4 Access for maintenance work New a.c. switchyard designs shall be based on the provision of safe and efficient maintenance access from temporary elevated surfaces for all work that cannot be done from ground level. It shall be possible to locate temporary work platforms so that routine maintenance can be carried out without the need for outages of equipment in other equipment maintenance groups. Standard designs shall not be based on the use of scaffolding/ climbing /ladders for routine maintenance access. The exceptions to this are: 1. 2. Ladders for inspection purposes. Scaffolding which may be necessary due to the unique nature of the work, such as retermination of high voltage power cables.
The preferred means of access for maintenance work is a MEWP. Junction boxes shall not be located such that they impede the positioning of temporary work platforms. For example, equipment should not be located in the area in front of a circuit breaker, or the area along the side adjacent to the access route for maintenance plant. It shall be possible to maintain equipment such as boundary fences, spare transformer units etc. without requiring shutdown of any primary electrical equipment. 7.4.1 Equipment maintenance access groups Equipment maintenance groups are formed by splitting the equipment into logical groups, any of which can be removed from service as a group for routine maintenance and inspection. A typical example of this is indicated in Figure 4.
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Figure 4: SLD primary equipment maintenance groups 7.4.2 Equipment maintenance zones Maintenance zones are based upon the maintenance access width, the volume occupied by the equipment, and the work plane heights. Refer to Figures 5, 6 and 7 below.
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Figure 5: CB/CT maintenance access envelope and zone plan view The required height of the temporary work platform is determined by the highest work plane height. Generally, the highest work plane shall be at the same height as the highest equipment point, and for ergonomic reasons, is taken as being located 1000 mm above the work platform. For circuit breakers the highest work plane shall be at the same height as the highest terminals, and taken as being located 1000 mm above the work platform for ergonomic reasons.
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Figure 6: Maintenance access envelope and zone vertical view A maintenance access width plus sufficient room to facilitate replacement of major components, as well as replacement of the entire unit of equipment, shall be provided around the periphery of all large equipment items such as transformers.
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Figure 7: Transformer maintenance access It may not always be practical to provide an access width along each side of an item of equipment in order to meet general requirements. The maintenance access series of drawings TP58394 (refer subsection 5.1 above) is being extended to show maintenance access arrangements as they become available for various types of equipment. 7.4.3 Positioning of temporary elevated work platforms Temporary elevated work platforms shall be able to be safely moved into the work position without requiring outages of equipment other than the equipment to be worked on. The component distances in Figures 8 and 9 have been selected to cater for a reasonably wide range of MEWPs as used by contractors.
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Figure 8: Mobile elevating work platforms minimum design requirements
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7.4.4 Work Position of Temporary Elevated Work Platforms Once in position the required minimum clearances are as per Figure 9 below.
Figure 9: Boom type EWPs heights and clearances
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7.4.5 Access using ladders Where it is not possible to gain access using MEWPs, then access using ladders is permissible for inspection purposes, but ladders are not to be used as work platforms.
Figure 10: Use of ladders heights and clearances
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7.4.6 Work safety clearances formula For definitions of Di, (including DiV and DiH), Rv, and Rh, refer to the distance for inadvertent movement, vertical reach and horizontal reach respectively in the definitions section. (a) The vertical work safety clearance, V = N + DiV + Rv Work plane height, where: Vertical reach (Rv) = 2440 mm Work plane height = 1000 mm (b) The horizontal work safety clearance, H = N + Ma + DiH
Di values to be used: MEWP boom or stick type Scissor lift platform Ladder Vehicle, or mobile plant in transit (subsection 7.9) All other applications, unless the type of equipment justifies the use of a value of Di Ma values to be used: MEWP boom or stick type Scissor lift platform Ladder Security fence spacing (subsection 7.10) Protective barriers and obstacles All other applications 1900 mm 1900 mm 25 % of working length of ladder (mm) 1000 mm 1000 mm 1000 mm 1000 mm for DiV and 1900 mm for DiH 1000 mm for DiV and 1500 mm for DiH 300 mm for DiV (allows for one step) and 0 m for DiH 1000 mm for DiH, and 0 mm for DiV 0 mm
7.5 7.5.1
Busbar heights and spacings Busbar mounting heights Generally busbar mounting heights are to comply with Table 3 to allow vehicles and plant to pass underneath. The required height is to the lowest part of the busbar. For vertically spaced busbars the required height is the height to the lowest part of the lowest busbar. Mounting heights for flexible busbars and other sections of live conductor shall be designed such that under the worst combination of conditions the minimum height at any point shall not be less than that required by Table 3. Busbars mounted in a special enclosure, which prevents access to personnel while the equipment is live, may be mounted at any height sufficient to give phase to earth clearances in accordance with Table 1 and 2. In such cases protective barriers shall be installed in accordance with subsection 7.8.
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7.5.2 Busbar horizontal spacings The centre line to centre line spacings in Table 3 allow for the installation of the typical designs of disconnectors and earth switches in line with the busbars. The typical disconnectors are rocking and vertical break types at 33 kV and vertical break at 72.5 kV, 123 kV and 245 kV. Centre rotating disconnectors and some centre break are also accommodated at 72.5 kV, 123 kV and 245 kV. For single side break disconnectors the spacings must be increased. The spacings are also suitable for in-line installation of current transformers and circuit breakers. Vertically-spaced busbars must meet the requirements of Table 1 and 2, after making due allowance for flexibility, etc. Flexible or strung busbars require greater spacings to allow for side swing and the separation of bundled conductors. 7.6 Standard clearances and conductor spacings Table 3 summarizes the above subsections and gives the minimum vertical and horizontal work safety clearances (V and H) for new a.c. switchyards. Alternative clearances and conductor spacings Alternatives to the above standard clearances and conductor spacings may be proposed to Transpower provided they meet the policy requirements, and meet: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The walking access and minimum equipment height requirements as set out in Table 3 above. The maintenance clearances formulae and values as set out above. Use of boom or stick type elevating work platforms as set out above. Use of other types, e.g. scissor type MEWPs. Other options.
7.7
The selection of alternative options is to be based on the following hierarchy:
Drawings of the proposed alternative shall be submitted to Transpower for approval by the Manager responsible for this standard and approval of the manager responsible for equipment maintenance.
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7.7.1 Scissors elevating work platforms
Figure 11: Scissor lifts heights and clearances fall back option 1 Where the provisions of this Standard cannot be practicably achieved, the designer may propose an alternative solution for Transpowers consideration, or request advice from Transpower on alternative acceptable solutions. For example, in the case of scissor type
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MEWPs a value of Ma less than 1900 mm may be proposed if suitable narrower mobile equipment would suit the work. 7.8 Low level equipment installations/ protective barriers (capacitors etc.) Where necessary the designs shall incorporate earthed protective barriers, and/or protective obstacles and appropriate warning signage to ensure that competent employees can walk safely as intended and gain access where necessary throughout the substation.
Figure 12: Protection against direct contact Protective barriers shall be of substantial construction and shall be suitable for the environment in which they are located. They shall limit the approach of personnel carrying out routine inspections, operations or maintenance to a safe distance from the live parts.
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Either solid or mesh barriers shall be used as per Figure 12. Barriers with openings exceeding 50 mm shall not be used. For non-rigid protective barriers and wire meshes, the clearance values shall be increased to take into account movement or deflection of the protective barrier or mesh and meet the worst case seismic and wind design loads. 7.9 7.9.1 Access for maintenance vehicles and plant Clearances The access envelopes designed for maintenance vehicles and plant shall include provision for inadvertent movement, provision for door opening, and shall have a clearance from overhead conductors and other live parts, equal to, or greater than the reduced minimum approach distance given in NZECP 34 Table 6 plus 100 mm. (Refer to Figures below). Under station busbars Mounting heights for flexible busbars and other sections of live conductor under which vehicles may pass shall be designed such that under the worst combination of conditions the minimum height at any point shall not be less than that given in Table 3. This is for the passage of maintenance equipment underneath busbars on the basis that such equipment movements are carried out in accordance with SM-EI Rule 3.712. Busbars mounted in a special enclosure, to which access by personnel is prevented while the equipment is live, may be mounted at any height sufficient to give phase to earth clearances in accordance with Tables 1 and 2. 7.9.3 Primary equipment excluding transformers To ensure equipment maintenance and replacement of typical bay equipment such as CBs, CTs etc. can be undertaken safely and efficiently, access routes shall be provided that meet the following criteria: 1. 2. As a minimum straight through access shall be available between every second diameter from one side of the structure to the other. The access route and area provided shall be suitable for the following MEWPs and crane: (a) (b) Genie Z-45/ 25J RT Genie S-45
7.9.2
(c) Franna AT-20 (20 tonne crane, required clearance height 3100 mm). The minimum turning radii shall be based on the largest specified turning radii of these types plus 1000 mm. 3. 4. In combination with the maintenance zones and available area enable equipment change-outs to be carried out safely and efficiently. Meet the minimum access route profile requirements as indicated in the figures below.
Note, the above crane and MEWPs have been selected solely for the purpose of ensuring that design access envelopes cater for a reasonable range of mobile plant that the maintenance contractors may need to use for typical bay equipment. 7.9.4 Transformer or heavy item access Formed heavy transport routes shall be provided for the installation and removal of transformers or other heavy items. Access routes for transformer transporters and cranes intended for lifting transformers shall meet the requirements of Figures 13 to 16 except that the vehicle envelope shall have a minimum width of 3000 mm and a minimum height of 4500 mm. Actual transformer
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dimensions, and lifting arrangements etc. should be specified during the design phase, and appropriate increases in height/ width made to the vehicle envelope as necessary. Corners for the transport route shall have an outside radius of not less than 10,000 mm. An appropriate increase in turning radius shall be used where it is foreseen that required turning radius could exceed 10,000 mm. The transport route shall provide for a minimum loaded vehicle clearance to live conductors of RMAD + 100 mm. Equipment shall be located so that no outages are required during movement of the transporter with or without the transformer loaded. If the required space for access is not possible because of site restrictions, warning signs shall be attached to structures at a height of approximately 2,400 mm to their underside and stop lines shall be painted across the access route. 7.9.5 Equipment mounted on high structures Safe access for MEWPs having sufficient reach shall be provided for work on equipment items such as light fittings, lightning spires etc. without the need to remove primary equipment from service. For example in some cases a high reaching type MEWP such as a Genie S-65 may be required. Calibration vehicle and trailer access At sites where revenue metering is carried out at voltages above 33 kV, access shall be provided for the calibration vehicle and trailer to be safely parked within 4,000 mm of the instrument transformers that require calibration.
7.9.6
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Figure 13: Vehicle access between non-live equipment
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Figure 14: Vehicle access between de-energised bay and live bay
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Figure 15: Vehicle access between live bays
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7.9.7 Vehicle & plant access around structure perimeters Wherever practicable, a vehicle access route shall be provided all the way around the inside of the substation security fence of minimum dimension as per Figure 16 below.
Figure 16: Vehicle access around inside of security fence Corners of access routes around structure perimeters shall, where practical, have an outside radius of not less than 10,000 mm.
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7.9.8 Stable access and work surface for MEWPs and crane A stable durable surface that is capable of carrying a fully loaded MEWP of any of the types listed in clause 7.9.3 shall be provided for maintenance access/ equipment change outs: Genie Z-45/ 25J RT Genie S-45 The surface layer properties shall be such that: (a) (b) Significant damage does not occur to the surface, and that Unforeseen movement of the MEWP does not occur when the MEWP is fully loaded and turning/ slewing, or when a crane is lifting an equipment item such as a circuit breaker onto a transport truck.
7.10
Security fence clearances The clearances/ distance between switchyard perimeter security fences and equipment shall comply with the minimum requirements of Figure 16. Where this is not possible the minimum security fence clearances shall be based on one of the following alternatives: (a) (b) N + 1000 mm, when boundary fence is a solid wall; N + 1500 mm, when boundary fence is mesh/ with openings construction.
For alternatives (a) and (b) the fence must be of a low maintenance type to minimise equipment outages for maintenance work. For maintenance purposes the top of the security fence is to be treated as a work plane, and the overhead live conductor limit designed to be no less than V (refer to Figure 16). Vertically above and beyond the outside of the security fence the provisions of NZECP 34 apply with regard to vertical height of the conductor above the ground and the top of the fence. 7.11 7.11.1 Safe access to operational equipment Equipment mechanism boxes Safe access from an accessible surface (normally at ground level) shall be provided for operational or in-service inspection purposes of equipment mechanisms, counters, gauges, mechanism boxes etc.
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Figure 17: Live tank CB installation
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7.11.2 Safe access to equipment at 50 kV and lower voltage level
Figure 18: 33 kV / 415 kV local service transformer (new installation)
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8.1
EXISTING A.C. SWITCHYARDS

Policy requirements Existing a.c. switchyards shall meet the policy compliance requirements set out in Section 3, in order to ensure a consistency of approach to safety. Requirements for ground clearances and busbar heights The minimum heights of live metal/conductors above ground for walking access and for vehicle access under busbars, as scheduled in Tables 4 and 5 in subsection 5.4, apply to existing structures. The clearances and heights in Table 4 apply to structures designed after 20th April 2005 to July 2008, while those in Table 5 apply to structures designed before 20th April 2005. Tables 4 and 5 give the height above normally accessible ground for access within a fenced structure area, in which live metal other than busbars, i.e. not exceeding 1 m in any horizontal dimension, may be mounted. This permits some flexibility to cater for different arrangements of the connections between equipment terminals and overhead busbars, but the transition to the busbar height should be made as close as reasonably possible to the equipment terminals. Ideally vertical droppers onto the equipment terminals would be used, but in practice this may not be possible in a significant number of cases.
8.2
8.3
Non-compliant existing structures Where existing structures do not comply with the above requirements appropriate permanent signage and protective obstacles (fences and bollards) shall be put in place to achieve compliance/ control the hazards to safe levels, until such time as replacement can be justified.
36

8.3.1 Protective obstacle clearances (for mitigation of substandard clearances)
Figure 19: Protection against direct contact Within outdoor installations a minimum protective obstacle clearance of N + 300 mm (minimum 600 mm) shall be maintained from live parts to the internal surface of any protective obstacle (see Figure 19 above). Protective obstacles shall be located so that the minimum clearance from where an operator may stand on the accessible side of the obstacle to the live part. This is determined by a taut string distance of W. Protective obstacles shall be a minimum height of 1200 mm and a maximum height of 1400omm to be effective. Appropriate warning signage shall be provided.
37

8.4 Modifications or extensions Modifications/extensions to existing electrical structures must meet the requirements, spacings and distances in place at the time they were originally installed, and also meet the following requirements: 1. Minimum phase phase and phase earth clearances as per Table 1 of this standard (the clearance values in brackets at the lower voltage levels may be applied for this purpose).
Note: Table 1 clearances are generally lower than those in the predecessor documents. There have been a number of significant reductions in clearances since Electrical Design Standard DC 3.1.2, 1974 was issued. 2. The minimum heights of live metal above ground level specified in Electrical Design Standard DC 3.1.2, 1974 are satisfied.
Note: Minimum heights of live metal above ground level were revised by Transpower to accept the values specified in Electrical Design Standard DC 3.1.2, 1974 for existing older structures. Service Advisory TP.DS 62.01 SA1 which was issued on 20th April 2005 for this purpose, is now superseded by this Issue of TP.DS 62.01, and which includes DC 3.1.2 as an appendix. 3. Maintenance access spacings as per original design shall not be reduced.
Note: It is particularly important that when bulk oil circuit breakers are being replaced, care is taken to ensure that there are sufficient clearances for inspection and testing of the replacement circuit breaker. This is because modern SF6 live tank circuit breakers typically have a greater height profile than designed for when bulk oil circuit breakers were installed in older structures. The clearances to the terminals of the SF6 live tank circuit breakers must be sufficient to allow for connection of test equipment with adjacent equipment in service. 4. The original layout and patterning of equipment shall not be varied if the variation means that safety is compromised.
Note: Replacing existing equipment with equipment that requires more space in structures that have minimal clearance is not permitted where the minimal clearances are significantly reduced. Minimal clearances typically occur in older structures where the voltage is < 50 kV. As a guide, if the clearance between ground and any part of the equipment and live metal is less than N + 2440 then the clearance is considered to be minimal. For example it is considered unsafe practice to replace a 33 kV circuit breaker with a larger 66 kV circuit breaker if this results in the distance between the nearest live metal at the point of isolation and where earths are to be applied is reduced. 5. Wherever reasonably practical compliance with the latest standard shall be achieved during modification or extension.
38
IMPULSE TESTED EQUIPMENT

The minimum basic electrical clearances in this standard are for untested equipment and may differ from clearances offered on purchased equipment. There are fundamental differences between the requirements for buswork and connections, and the requirements for the individually specified, works tested, equipment to which the busbars and connections are attached. However, to achieve consistency of applied clearances and conductor spacings throughout outdoor switchyard structures the minimum phase to earth, and phase to phase clearances given in Tables 1 and 2 shall apply to all new equipment items.
9.1
Transformers The minimum phase to phase and phase to earth clearance and terminal spacings for transformers shall comply with IEC 60076-3 except that the minimum phase to phase and phase to earth clearance and spacings for 33 kV and below shall be 500 mm respectively. Spacings shall include an additional allowance of 150 mm for the space taken up by the terminal connection. The minimum distance from a transformer to another transformer, building or other equipment shall comply with IEC 61936-1 (see also IEEE 979 Guide for substation fire protection). This only applies to new transformer bays. If an existing transformer bay is being upgraded then the opportunity should be taken to include a fire resistant wall if this is practicable.
39
APPENDIX A
DEFINITIONS
Terms in this standard are used as defined in TP.AG 10.02 Transpower Glossary. Other definitions are: clearance: The distance between two conductive parts or between a live part and earth along a string stretched the shortest way between these conductive parts (the taut string distance). (See also definition of taut string distance). competent: An employee is competent when they can demonstrate to Transpower, at any time, that they have the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to carry out work within a switchyard safely, to the standards used by Transpower. danger zone: The zone defined by the minimum phase to earth clearance (N) around exposed live parts. Note: Exposed includes insulated but not to full working voltage. distance for inadvertent movement (Di): The distance, vertical (DiV) and/or horizontal (DiH), which is allowed for the inadvertent movement of both personnel and machines. earthed: Effectively connected to the general mass of earth. enclosure: The part providing protection of equipment against certain external influences and protection against direct contact from any direction. highest equipment voltage: The highest r.m.s value of phase to phase voltage for which the equipment is designed in respect of its insulation as well as other characteristics that relate to this voltage in the relevant equipment standards. horizontal reach (Rh): The horizontal reach of a person allowed for the purposes of working from a fixed work platform shall be 1440 mm. horizontal work safety clearance (H): The minimum distance measured horizontally between live parts and the equipment to be worked on. This distance includes an allowance of 300 mm for use of hand held tools. LIWV: Lightning Impulse Withstand Voltage. live: Connected to a source of electrical supply or subject to hazardous induced or capacitive voltage. maintenance access width (Ma): The access width provided for maintenance access, and within which ladders and mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) from which maintenance is carried out are located. maintenance clearance: A collective term for horizontal work safety clearance (H), vertical work safety clearance (V), and walking access clearance (W). maintenance zone: A zone comprising the equipment to be worked on, the surrounding maintenance access width, and the associated space required for maintenance work, and within which work from pre-planned work platform locations may be carried out. minimum height: The smallest permissible vertical clearance between accessible surfaces and live parts without protection against direct contact, or those parts that may be subject to a hazardous voltage. minimum phase to earth clearance (N): The smallest permissible clearance in air between live parts and earth or between live parts and parts at earth potential (values of N as per IEC 61936-1 are used in this design standard). minimum phase to phase clearance: smallest permissible clearance in air between live parts of different phases or between the same phase that are electrically separate from another.
40
APPENDIX A
network security: A term used to describe the ability or capacity of a network to provide service after one or more equipment failures. It can be defined by deterministic planning criteria such as (n), (n-1), (n-2) security contingency. A security contingency of (n-m) at a particular location in the network means that m component failures can be tolerated without loss of service. nominal value: The value of a quantity used to designate and identify a component, device, equipment or system. nominal system voltage: A suitable approximate value of voltage used to designate or identify a system Note: Any reference to nominal voltage means nominal system voltage. protection against direct contact: Measures that prevent the body of a person or an object (reaching into the danger zone) persons coming into hazardous proximity to live parts or those parts that could carry a hazardous voltage. protective barrier: The part providing protection against direct contact from any usual direction of access. protective obstacle: The part preventing unintentional access to an area where safety clearances will be infringed, but not preventing access to this area by deliberate action. security fence clearance: The smallest permissible clearance, measured horizontally, between an external fence and live conductors. SIWV: Switching Impulse Withstand Voltage. spacings: The distances measured between centre lines of conductors or equipment. standard person: Figure 2 shows the height and reach of the standard person. This is based on AS 2067. switchyard: An area, enclosed by a security fence, containing normally live conductors and/or other exposed live material. taut string distance: The distance between two parts measured along a taut string stretched the shortest way between those parts. vertical reach (Rv): The maximum vertical reach of a person (2440 mm) measured from the accessible surface or temporary work platform floor. The accessible surface is either ground level, or a fixed walkway. (This is based on AS 2067, and includes an allowance of 300 mm for use of a hand held tool) vertical work safety clearance (V): The minimum distance measured vertically between live parts and the work plane. This distance includes an allowance of 300 mm for use of a hand held tool. voltage range I: Voltage in the range 1 kV < Um up to and including 245 kV. voltage range II: Voltage in the range Um > 245 kV. walking access clearance (W): The minimum safe clearance distance, measured as a taut string distance to be observed between normally exposed live parts and any accessible surface which a person may walk on (normally ground level) in an outdoor installation of open design. Work plane: The work plane is taken to be at waist height (1000 mm) above the accessible surface or temporary work platform. 1000 mm is a nominal value that may be varied, but should not be increased without careful consideration of the nature and duration of the work to be undertaken.
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APPENDIX B
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT FEEDBACK FORM
If you would like to submit any feedback or suggestions to Transpower to improve this document, there are two ways you can do this. You can either complete the form below and fax it to: Controlled Document Services, Transpower NZ Ltd, on 04-494 6738; or you can submit a form online - just look for the Controlled Document Feedback Form on the Contractors/Consultants section on our website at www.transpower.co.nz.
Content change request

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TP.DS 62.

01 Issue 3 Feb 2009

Clearances and conductor spacings

TP.DS 62.01 Issue 3 Feb 2009

2009 - Transpower New Zealand Limited

TP.DS 62.01 Issue 3 Feb 2009

2009 - Transpower New Zealand Limited

TP.DS 62.01 Issue 3 Feb 2009

BASIC ELECTRICAL CLEARANCES............................................................................. 11

CLEARANCES FOR SAFE ACCESS AND CONDUCTOR SPACINGS ........................ 12

EXISTING A.C. SWITCHYARDS ..................................................................................... 36

IMPULSE TESTED EQUIPMENT .................................................................................... 39

2009 - Transpower New Zealand Limited

TP.DS 62.01 Issue 3 Feb 2009

TP.DS 62.01 Issue 3 Feb 2009

REFERENCES AND BACKGROUND MATERIAL

TP.DG 01.01 TP.DG 30.01 TP.DG 47.01

TP.DS 53.02 DC 3.1.2:1974 AS 2067 BS 7354 ESAA NENS 04 ICNIRP

2009 - Transpower New Zealand Limited

TP.DS 62.01 Issue 3 Feb 2009

2009 - Transpower New Zealand Limited

TP.DS 62.01 Issue 3 Feb 2009

2009 - Transpower New Zealand Limited

TP.DS 62.01 Issue 3 Feb 2009

Un (kV) 66 110 220 400

(mm) 4070 4540 5540 6840

(mm) 1500 2100 3600 5400

(mm) 4430 4900 5900 7200

2009 - Transpower New Zealand Limited

TP.DS 62.01 Issue 3 Feb 2009

2009 - Transpower New Zealand Limited

TP.DS 62.01 Issue 3 Feb 2009

BASIC ELECTRICAL CLEARANCES

2009 - Transpower New Zealand Limited

TP.DS 62.01 Issue 3 Feb 2009

CLEARANCES FOR SAFE ACCESS AND CONDUCTOR SPACINGS

Figure 1: Danger zone concept

2009 - Transpower New Zealand Limited

TP.DS 62.01 Issue 3 Feb 2009

Figure 2: Minimum design dimensions for safe access

2009 - Transpower New Zealand Limited

TP.DS 62.01 Issue 3 Feb 2009

2009 - Transpower New Zealand Limited

TP.DS 62.01 Issue 3 Feb 2009

2009 - Transpower New Zealand Limited

TP.DS 62.01 Issue 3 Feb 2009

2009 - Transpower New Zealand Limited

TP.DS 62.01 Issue 3 Feb 2009

2009 - Transpower New Zealand Limited

TP.DS 62.01 Issue 3 Feb 2009

2009 - Transpower New Zealand Limited

TP.DS 62.01 Issue 3 Feb 2009

2009 - Transpower New Zealand Limited

TP.DS 62.01 Issue 3 Feb 2009

Figure 8: Mobile elevating work platforms minimum design requirements

2009 - Transpower New Zealand Limited

TP.DS 62.01 Issue 3 Feb 2009

Figure 9: Boom type EWPs heights and clearances

2009 - Transpower New Zealand Limited

TP.DS 62.01 Issue 3 Feb 2009

Figure 10: Use of ladders heights and clearances

2009 - Transpower New Zealand Limited

TP.DS 62.01 Issue 3 Feb 2009

2009 - Transpower New Zealand Limited