Filter Earthing

Procedure for working on High Voltage Alternating
OPSAF-11-089
Current Filter Banks at Hunterston HVDC Converter
Issue No. 1
Station
1. SCOPE
This document details the procedures to be adopted when working on the High Voltage AC filter
banks at Hunterston HVDC Converter Station.
Hunterston HVDC Converter Station employs filters connected at 400kV AC whose purpose is to
prevent harmonic disturbances that arise from the process of converting Direct Current to Alternating
Current and vice versa from entering the System. They also reduce the impact of reactive power
created by the conversion process. The filters comprise combinations of capacitors, resistors and
reactors and are tuned to filter out specific harmonics from the effects of the AC/DC conversion
process using thyristor based technology.
2. ISSUE RECORD
This is a Reference document. The current version is held on the EN Document Library.
It is your responsibility to ensure you work to the current version.
Issue Date Issue No. Author Amendment Details

15/02/2017 1 Willie Falconer Initial Issue
Dave Naylor
3. ISSUE AUTHORITY
Author Owner Issue Authority

Name: William Falconer Name: Gary Evans Name: Wilma Kelly
Title: Senior Project Engineer Title: Operational Assurance Title: Health & Safety Director
Transmission Operations Manager
Support
Date: ...1/3/17..........................
4. REVIEW
This is a Reference document which has a 5 year retention period after which a reminder will be
issued to review and extend retention or archive.
The proposed revision date can be viewed in the Management Safety Procedures Index, DOC-00-
238.
DISTRIBUTION
This document is not part of a manual maintained by Document Control and does not have a
maintained distribution list.
© SP Power Systems Limited Page 1 of 31 MSP 2.15

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5. CONTENTS
1. SCOPE ....................................................................................................................................... 1
2. ISSUE RECORD ........................................................................................................................ 1
3. ISSUE AUTHORITY .................................................................................................................. 1
4. REVIEW ..................................................................................................................................... 1
DISTRIBUTION ................................................................................................................................ 1
5. CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................... 2
6. REFERENCE AND RELATED DOCUMENTS .......................................................................... 3
7. DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................................ 3
8. AUTHORISATION ................................................................................................................... 10
9. HANDLING STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION OF CAPACITOR UNITS ....................... 10
10. PROCEDURE FOR WORK ON HIGH VOLTAGE ALTERNATING CURRENT FILTER
BANKS ........................................................................................................................................... 10
11. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL WORK (CAPACITORS, REACTORS, RESISTORS)
................................................................................................................................................. 11
12. PROCEDURE FOR WORK ON CAPACITOR BANKS ASSOCIATED WITH AC FILTERS . 12
13. PRECAUTIONS FOR WORKING ON A REACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH AN AC FILTER . 13
14. ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS FOR WORKING ON A RESISTOR ASSOCIATED WITH AN
AC FILTER ..................................................................................................................................... 13
15. ENTRY TO FILTER COMPOUNDS TO INSPECT OR OPERATE ROLLER SHUTTER
DOORS ........................................................................................................................................... 13
16. PERFORMING CAPACITOR MEASUREMENTS .................................................................. 14
17. PROCEDURE TO BE APPLIED WHEN CAPACITOR UNIT HAS DISRUPTIVELY FAILED 14
18. FILTER BANK EARTH APPLICATION DIAGRAMS ............................................................. 15

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6. REFERENCE AND RELATED DOCUMENTS
6.1 Manufacturer’s Manuals
Hunterston Earthing Manual P-010221_E_B4_0571_H_001_A

AC Filter C1 Capacitors Equipment Manual P-010221_E_B4_0151_C1_HF_A
AC Filter C2, C3, C4 Capacitors Equipment Manual P-010221_E_B4_0151_C2C3C4_C
AC Filter Reactors Equipment Manual P-010221_E_B4_0152_H_0
AC Filter Resistors Equipment Manual P-010221_E_B4_0153_H_0
6.2 SP EnergyNetworks Documents
OPSAF-10-006 (PSSI 6) - Demarcation of Work Areas in Substations

OPSAF-10-008 (PSSI 8) - Access Equipment, Cranes, Vehicles and Long Objects in Substations
OPSAF-10-011 (PSSI 11) - High Voltage Static Capacitors
OPSAF-10-027 (PSSI 27) - Work or Testing On or Near to High Voltage Direct Current Plant and
Apparatus
ScottishPower Electromagnetic Fields Procedure UKHS-GSP-SMS3029
7. DEFINITIONS
Terms printed in bold type are as defined in the ScottishPower Safety Rules (Electrical and
Mechanical). Terms printed in italic type are as defined in OPSAF-10-027 (PSSI 27) or OPSAF-11-
002 Management Safety Procedures Definitions or are listed below:
Filter Hall:
Building containing four High Voltage Alternating Current Filter Banks connected via 400kV AC
cables or gas insulated busbars to the 400kV Gas Insulated Switchgear building.
Figure 1. Filter Hall North at Hunterston
Resistor
Reactor
Capacitor

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Filter Compound:
Caged enclosure within a Filter Hall that contains a Filter Bank.
Filter Bank:
High Voltage Alternating Current harmonic filter designed to prevent harmonic disturbances from the
process of AC/DC conversion from entering the System and compensate for reactive power created
by the conversion process. Each Filter Bank contains capacitors, reactors, resistors and protection
instruments to prevent specific harmonics from being passed on to the System. The types of filters at
Hunterston HVDC Converter Station are described below.
A+B Filter:
th th th
The A+B Filter is a double banked triple-tuned filter which is tuned to cancel out the 7 /13 /36
th th th
harmonics for the A Branch of the Filter and 5 /11 /24 harmonics for the B branch of the filter. When
energised both branches of the filters are in service. The A+B Filter contains a combination of
capacitors, resistors and reactors along with surge arrestors and current transformers for protection.
Two of these types of filters are present at Hunterston, one in each Filter Hall. Refer to section 18 for
single line diagrams and physical layout diagrams.
A branch of filter B branch of filter
Figure 2. A+B Filter (Single Phase Shown)

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C Filter:
rd th th
The C Filter is a triple tuned filter tuned to cancel out the 3 /11 /13 harmonics. The C Filter contains
a combination of capacitors, resistors and reactors along with surge arrestors and current
transformers for protection. There are four C Filters at Hunterston, two in each Filter Hall. Refer to
section 18 for single line diagrams and physical layout diagrams.
Figure 3. C Filter

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D Filter:
th
The D Filter is a single tuned filter to cancel out the 46 harmonic. The D Filter contains capacitors
and reactors along with surge arrestors and current transformers for protection. There are two D
Filters at Hunterston, one in each Filter Hall. Refer to section 18 for single line diagrams and physical
layout diagrams.
Figure 4 D Filter
Capacitor Bank:
An assembly of one or more Capacitor Stack(s) forming a capacitor installation.
Capacitor Stack:
An assembly of Capacitor Rack(s) connected together. If the equipment consists of only one
Capacitor Rack the term Capacitor Stack will also apply. A Capacitor Stack may contain Capacitor
Unit(s) from one or more discrete components of the static Capacitor Bank, e.g. the main and
auxiliary capacitors.
Capacitor Rack:
An individual framework containing Capacitor Unit(s) connected together.
Capacitor Unit:
An assembly of one or more capacitor elements in the same container with terminals brought out by
one or more bushings. Each unit contains a discharge resistor that will discharge the voltage across
a de-energised Capacitor Unit within twenty minutes.

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Capacitor Bank
Capacitor Stack
Figure 5. Capacitor Bank and Stack
Capacitor Unit
Capacitor Rack
Figure 6. Capacitor Rack and Capacitor Unit

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Discharge Stick:
An Approved device for the purpose of discharging a Capacitor Unit, which may be charged. Note
various Approved types exist which each fulfil the same purpose i.e. two insulated sticks with an
electrical contact connected to a common earth clamp.
Figure 7. Discharge Stick
Rack Earth:
Fixed or Portable Earthing Device provided for the purpose of earthing and/or short-circuiting
Capacitor Units or groups and the Capacitor Rack or frame supporting them. The term Rack Earth
includes Frame Earths.
Figure 8. Rack Earth applied on Capacitor Racks

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Short Circuiting Lead:

An Approved lead used for short-circuiting an individual Capacitor Unit. This can be a clip-on short
used during the disconnection of a Capacitor Unit or a bolt-on short used during removal
transportation and storage.
Figure 9. Short Circuiting Lead temporary and bolted type
Rack Earth Spigot:

Earthing point positioned at the end of each Capacitor Rack for the purpose of connecting Rack
Earths.
Figure 10. Rack Earth Spigots (Earth already applied)

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8. AUTHORISATION
Despite comprising Apparatus operating at 400kV AC, due to the unique nature of the Filter Banks
and the complex inter-operation with the rest of the Hunterston HVDC Converter Station the Filter
Banks shall be treated as an item of High Voltage DC Apparatus for the purpose of authorisation of
Persons. This will ensure that only Persons with adequate training and competence may access,
operate, control, establish Safety from the System or work on the Filter Bank.
Entrance to a Filter Compound requires appropriate HVDC authorisations. See section 10.2.
The ground-level and high-level access passages inside the Filter Halls are outside the Filter
Compounds and may be accessed by a Person who does not hold HVDC authorisation. Other
275/400 kV AC authorisations are required to access the Hunterston HVDC Converter Station site.
See section 10.1.
Persons who do not hold appropriate authorisation may receive standby Supervision from an
appropriately Authorised Person, in accordance with OPSAF-11-035 (MSP 5.5) and OPSAF-13-001
(MSP 5.1).
9. HANDLING STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION OF CAPACITOR UNITS
9.1 Capacitor Units that are to be disconnected from Capacitor Stacks shall be short-circuited
using a Short-Circuiting Lead and remain short-circuited during transportation and storage.
9.2 Where there is a potential for Capacitor Units to become charged they shall not be handled
unless they are short-circuited. This may arise, for example, if a discharge resistor becomes
open circuit.
9.3 Before the application of a Short-Circuiting Lead to a Capacitor Unit the Capacitor Unit shall
be discharged using a Discharge Stick(s).
9.4 If a clip-on Short-Circuiting Lead has been applied then before a Capacitor Unit is removed
from a Capacitor Rack the clip-on lead shall be replaced by a bolt-on Short-Circuiting Lead.
10. PROCEDURE FOR WORK ON HIGH VOLTAGE ALTERNATING CURRENT FILTER

BANKS
Due to the Danger of magnetic fields generated by the air cored reactors within the Filter Halls, no
Person shall enter an individual Filter Compound unless the Filter Bank within it has been Isolated
and Earthed and this Approved procedure followed in order to establish Safety from the System –
see section 11.
10.1 Work not requiring access into Filter Compounds but within Filter Hall buildings
Hunterston HVDC Converter Station has been designed with access passages at ground- and high-
level within the Filter Hall from which visual inspections and thermal surveys can be carried out which
are outside the Safety Distance and outside the occupational level of harmful magnetic fields that
may cause Danger generated by the reactors of the Filter Banks when in service. Magnetic fields will
exceed the Public Exposure action level meaning that ‘Workers at Risk’ shall not access the
Hunterston HVDC Converter Station site.
Work such as inspections and surveys, or on building services, H-VAC or firefighting systems located

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outside a Filter Compound may be carried out by a suitably Authorised Person subject to a risk
assessment being completed.
10.2 Work requiring access into Filter Compounds
Gates and roller shutter doors allowing access into an individual Filter Compound are interlocked to
prevent access while the Filter Bank is in service. The interlocking required to access the Filter
Compound is dependent upon the appropriate earth switch being closed, which in turn, requires
additional conditions to be met prior to the closure of the earth switch. For work requiring access into
a Filter Compound the requirements of the following sections shall be met.
11. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL WORK (CAPACITORS, REACTORS, RESISTORS)
11.1. The Control Person shall ensure that the time delay between de-energisation and the first
Primary Earth being applied via the earth switch is a minimum of 20 minutes. This is to allow
sufficient time for the Capacitor Bank to discharge via the Capacitor Unit discharge resistors.
11.2. The Filter Bank to be worked on shall be Isolated, and Primary Earth(s) applied.
11.3. Only when isolation has been completed and Primary Earths applied can access to the
individual Filter Compound be gained by the use of an interlock key arrangement and
demarcation erected in accordance with OPSAF-10-006 (PSSI 6) before a Safety Document
is issued.
11.4 Danger Notices shall be posted on access gates and/or external fences of adjacent Live
Filter Compounds.
11.5 A Permit for Work or Sanction for Test shall be issued, with an Earthing Schedule
describing the positions of Drain Earths and Rack Earths to be applied.
11.6 The earth switch internal to the Filter Compound shall be closed and Locked prior to the
application of Drain Earths on the Filter Bank. If the earth switch is to be worked on an extra
Drain Earth shall be applied adjacent to the earth switch.
11.7 At no time shall a distance of 0.8m be encroached by any Person or object (other than a
Discharge Stick or Drain Earth) to any High Voltage conductor until Drain Earths are
applied and Capacitor Units discharged.
11.8 Drain Earths shall be applied to the conductors identified and in the order given in section 18
of this instruction dependent upon the type of Filter Bank to be worked on in order to provide
adequate electrical connection to earth. Drain Earths need not be applied at the specific
position described, or shown in diagrams or photographs but may located at an electrically
common point depending either on access to apply the Drain Earth or the work to be
completed. Drain Earths shall be quoted in an Earthing Schedule.
11.9 On all Capacitor Stacks, discharge the capacitor connections and apply Rack Earths in a
sequential manner from ground level up to a height of 3 metres. The sequence to be followed
is:
i. On the first Capacitor Stack earth the lowest Rack Earth Spigot using a Rack Earth. The
Rack Earth shall be applied using an Approved earthing rod.

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ii. Discharge all of the Capacitor Units on this Capacitor Rack using a Discharge Stick
connected to the substation earth connection, the two crook ends of the Discharge Sticks
being applied to the capacitor terminal bushings to short out Capacitor Unit terminals.
iii. Earth the next lowest Rack Earth Spigot and discharge the Capacitor Units in that
Capacitor Bank.
iv. Apply the same principle to Capacitor Rack(s) in the same Capacitor Stack up to 3m from
ground level. As this process extends up the Capacitor Stack the Discharge Stick may be
connected to an Earthed Rack Earth Spigot if this is more convenient, providing the
distance of 0.8m is not encroached to any High Voltage Apparatus that is either not
Earthed or, as in the case of Capacitor Units, not discharged.
v. Complete this sequence for the remaining Capacitor Stack(s) that are located within the
Filter Compound).
11.10 Where practicable, any requirement to disconnect the Earthed star point for work or testing
shall be identified prior to the issue of a Safety Document and extra Drain Earths shall be
applied in a position to maintain earth continuity during the application of the other Drain
Earths within the Filter Bank. These Drain Earths shall be listed in the Earthing Schedule
issued with the Safety Document.
11.11 Before starting work or testing Danger Notices shall be posted inside the Filter Compound on
the fences to adjacent Filter Compounds to identify Live adjacent Apparatus.
11.12 On completion of work or testing the Danger Notices within the Filter Compound shall be
removed. The Drain Earths and Rack Earths shall be removed from the Filter Bank in the
reverse order to which they were applied. The earth switch inside the Filter Compound shall
be opened and the Safety Document cancelled.
12. PROCEDURE FOR WORK ON CAPACITOR BANKS ASSOCIATED WITH AC FILTERS
In addition to the completion of Section 11 above the following shall be carried out to all phases of the
Filter Bank.
12.1. If work is to be performed on any Capacitor Bank component then an Earthing Schedule
shall be issued by the Senior Authorised Person stating where Drain Earths and Rack
Earths are to be applied and where the Discharge Stick needs to be used. The positions for
the application of Rack Earths shall include:
(i) On all Capacitor Stacks within the Filter Compound up to a height of 3 metres.
(ii) On the Capacitor Stack to be worked on all Rack Earth Spigots from ground level to the
one above the point of work.
(iii) Additional points where a disconnection is planned to ensure both sides of the
disconnection points remain connected to earth.
(iv) Any additional position as deemed necessary by the Senior Authorised Person.
12.2. The Permit for Work or Sanction for Test required in section 11.5 for work or testing on the
capacitor components shall be issued.
12.3. Before performing any work on a Capacitor Bank the recipient of the Safety Document shall
ensure that:

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(i) Capacitor Banks are visually inspected at a distance greater than 0.8 metres from exposed
capacitor components in order to identify any abnormal Capacitor Unit(s).
(ii) Drain Earths and Rack Earths are applied in accordance with the issued Safety
Document and Earthing Schedule where applicable.
(iii) Capacitor Unit(s) in a parallel group are discharged using a Discharge Stick connected to
the Rack Earth Spigot, the crook ends of the Discharge Stick being applied to the
capacitor terminal bushings. The Discharge Stick shall be operated by the recipient of the
Safety Document or a Person under his Personal Supervision.
At no time shall a distance of 0.8 metres be encroached to any High Voltage Apparatus until
earths are applied and capacitors discharged as described above.
12.4. When working on a Capacitor Rack all Capacitor Racks from ground level to the one above
that to be worked on shall be discharged.
12.5. When testing requires the removal of earths and special requirements to allow subsequent
access to Capacitor Units, these actions shall be carried out by, or under the Personal
Supervision of, a Senior Authorised Person under a Sanction for Test.
12.6. If a Capacitor Unit is to be removed or installed, the requirements of section 9 shall be

followed and when any Person is in contact with a Capacitor Unit, the Capacitor Unit shall
remain shorted by the Short Circuiting Lead unless the testing process requires the Short
Circuiting Lead to be removed.
12.7 On completion of testing, Capacitor Units shall be discharged using a Discharge Stick by or
under the Personal Supervision of a Senior Authorised Person and all Short Circuiting
Lead(s) re-applied.
13. PRECAUTIONS FOR WORKING ON A REACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH AN AC FILTER
The requirements of Section 11 above shall be completed.
14. ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS FOR WORKING ON A RESISTOR ASSOCIATED WITH AN

AC FILTER
In addition to the completion of Section 11 above the following shall be carried out:
14.1. A Drain Earth(s) shall be connected at or as near as reasonably practicable to the input
terminals to a resistor that are not already connected to earth.
15. ENTRY TO FILTER COMPOUNDS TO INSPECT OR OPERATE ROLLER SHUTTER

DOORS
The inspection and operation of the roller shutter doors is required at a frequency greater than the
intended maintenance frequency for Apparatus within the Filter Compounds. The roller shutters form
part of the interlock logic for access to the Filter Compounds themselves.
For the purpose of the inspection and operation of the roller shutters only, it is not considered
reasonably practicable to complete the full requirements of section 11 since all work may be
completed at ground level, outside the Safety Distance and it is appropriate to achieve Safety from
the System by limiting the work area. Therefore the procedure in parts 15.1 to 15.7 below may be

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carried out which require the Filter Bank to be Isolated and a Primary Earth applied but does not
require Drain Earths and Rack Earths to be applied to the Filter Bank components. For any other
work on the roller shutters the full requirements of section 11 shall be applied.
15.1. There shall be a minimum of two Persons in the Working Party - one to carry out the work and
one to act as a Standby Man to ensure that Safety Distance is not infringed.
15.2. Sections 11.1 to 11.4 shall be carried out.
15.3. A Limited Work Certificate shall be issued to allow access via the pedestrian door adjacent to
the roller shutters of the appropriate Filter Compound and to carry out operational checks on the roller
shutters in that Filter Compound. No other work shall be stated on the Limited Work Certificate.
15.4. The recipient of the Limited Work Certificate shall confirm the correct door to open by
checking the identification on the interlocked door and also ensure that the earth switch associated
within the Filter Bank is in the closed position.
15.5. The recipient of the Limited Work Certificate and the Standby Man may then enter the Filter
Compound and remain within the walkway marked on the floor to carry out operation checks of the
roller shutters. The Standby Man shall maintain visual and audible contact to ensure Safety
Distance. The Safety Distance of 3.1m to the nearest exposed busbar is not infringed while carrying
out the work. The extent of the Safety Distance is marked on the floor adjacent to the roller shutters
to assist with limiting the work area.
15.6. On completion of the work the Authorised Person shall close fully the roller shutters and the
pedestrian door and ensure that the interlock conditions are met for return to service.
15.7. The Limited Work Certificate shall then be cancelled and then Switching may be carried out
to return the Filter Bank to service.
If it is found that further work beyond inspection and operation is required, then a separate Safety
Document shall be issued with appropriate precautions taken to achieve Safety from the System.
16. PERFORMING CAPACITOR MEASUREMENTS
In addition to the completion of sections 11 and 12 above the following shall be carried out.
16.1 Before and after performing capacitor measurements, the Capacitor Unit(s) in a parallel group
shall be discharged using a Discharge Stick by or under the Personal Supervision of a
Senior Authorised Person and all Short Circuiting Lead(s) re-applied.
17. PROCEDURE TO BE APPLIED WHEN CAPACITOR UNIT HAS DISRUPTIVELY FAILED
Industry experience of Capacitor Unit(s) suggests that there may not be visible signs of disruption on
the Capacitor Unit case or bushings.
Abnormal capacitor failures are Capacitor Units showing signs of excessive bulging, major leaks or
broken bushings. On this type of failure there could be an open circuit on the bushing connection lead
internally within the Capacitor Unit. In this situation a dangerous voltage may be present on the lead
or if the lead was to come into contact with the casing it could make the casing Live at some point
during removal or transportation.
Where there is no cause for concern that an open circuit exists the Capacitor Unit shall be removed
using the procedure described in sections 11 and 12 above.

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Where there is evidence to suggest that the bushing has been damaged and an open circuit may
exist in the Capacitor Unit casing then an Approved procedure shall be written. A person with
specialist knowledge of capacitors, their construction, failure modes and removal from service shall be
consulted.
18. FILTER BANK EARTH APPLICATION DIAGRAMS
18.1 Filter Type A+B Earthing Procedure
Application of the earths within the A+B Filter shall be carried out in the sequence described below.
The sequence gives the order for one phase. Each step in this procedure shall be completed on all
phases before moving to the next step of earthing.
1. (Earth 1 and 2) Applying Rack Earths to C1 Capacitor Bank and subsequent discharge of
capacitors on both A and B branches of the Filter Bank up to 3 metres. The initial earth
end clamp shall be applied at the earth switch within the Filter Compound and then the
first Rack Earth shall be applied to the lowest Capacitor Rack. The Capacitor Units of the
lowest rack shall be discharged using a Discharge Stick. Subsequent Rack Earths shall
then be applied to the Rack Earth Spigots and then ‘daisy chained’ to the required height,
discharging the Capacitor Units of each rack before applying the Rack Earth to the next
rack above.
2. (Earths 3 and 4) Applying a Drain Earth to the conductor between C1A Capacitor Bank
and L1A/R1A and between C1B Capacitor Bank and L1B/R1B at the surge arrestor. The
earth end clamp shall first be attached to the earth tape under the C1 capacitors that
have already been Earthed.
3. (Earth 5 and 6) Applying a Drain Earth to the common busbar that connects L1A/R1A to
C2A/L2A/R2A and L1B/R1B and C2B/L2B/R2B. The earth end clamp shall be attached to
the earth tape under the C1 capacitors.
4. (Earths 7 and 8) Applying a Drain Earth to the common busbar that connects
C2A/L2A/R2A to C3A/L3A/R3A and C2B/L2B/R2B to C3B/L3B/R3B. The earth end
clamp shall be attached to the earth tape at the points where earths 3 and 4 have been
attached.
5. (Earths 9 and 10) Applying Rack Earths to C2/C3 Capacitor Banks. The earth end clamp
shall be attached onto earth tape on support structures where the associated busbar has
already been Earthed by one of the earthing points applied previously in this list and then
the first Rack Earth shall be applied to the lowest Capacitor Rack. The Capacitor Units of
the lowest rack shall then be discharged using a Discharge Stick. Subsequent Rack
Earths shall then be applied to the Rack Earth Spigots and then ‘daisy chained’ to the
required height, discharging the Capacitor Units of each rack before applying the Rack
Earth to the next rack above.

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Earthed star
point
Busbar between Busbar between

C3B/L3B/R3B and C3A/L3A/R3A and
Earthed star point Earthed star point
Earth 10 Earth 9

C3B/L3B/R3B C3A/L3A/R3A
Earth 8 Earth 7
Busbar between
Busbar between L1A/R1A and
L1B/R1B and C2A/L2A/R2A
C2B/L2B/R2B
Earth 6 Earth 5
Earth 4 Earth 3
Earth 2 Earth 1
Figure 11. A+B Filter Single Line Diagram

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Earthed star
point

Earthed star point Earthed star point

Earth10 Earth 9
Earth 8 Earth 7
Earth 6 Earth 5

L1B/R1B and L1A/R1A and
Earth 4 Earth 3
Earth 2 Earth 1
Figure 12. A+B Filter Physical Layout (Single Phase Shown)

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Figure 13. Earth 1 applied from earth switch to Capacitor Stack C1A
Figure 14. Earth 2 applied from earth switch to Capacitor Stack C1B

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Figure 15. Earth 3 applied between C1A and L1A/R1A
Figure 16. Earth 4 applied between C1B and L1B/R1B

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Figure 17. Earth 5 applied between L1A/R1A and C2B/L2B/R2B
Figure 18. Earth 6 applied between L1B/R1B and C2B/L2B/R2B

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Figure 19. Earth 7 applied between C2A/L2A/R2A and C3A/L3A/R3A
Figure 20. Earth 8 applied between C2B/L2B/R2B and C3B/L3B/R3B

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Figure 21. Earth 9 applied to C2A/C3A Capacitor Stack
Figure 22. Earth 10 applied to C2B/C3B Capacitor Stacks.

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18.2 Filter Type C Earthing Procedure
Application of the earths within the Type C Filter shall be carried out in the sequence described below.
The sequence gives the order for one phase. Each step in this procedure shall be completed on all
phases before moving to the next step of earthing.
1. (Earth 1) Applying a Rack Earth to C1 Capacitor Bank and subsequent discharge of

capacitors up to 3 metres. The initial earth end clamp shall be applied at the earth switch
within the Filter Compound and then the first rack first Rack Earth shall be applied to the
lowest Capacitor Rack. The Capacitor Units of the lowest rack shall then be discharged
using a Discharge Stick. Subsequent Rack Earths shall then be applied to the Rack
Earth Spigots and then ‘daisy chained’ to the required height, discharging the Capacitor
Units of each rack before applying the Rack Earth to the next rack above.
2. (Earth 2) Applying a Drain Earth to conductor between C1 Capacitor Bank and L1/R1 at
the surge arrestor. The earth end clamp shall first be attached to the earth tape under the
C1 capacitors that have already been Earthed.
3. Earth (3) Applying a Drain Earth to common busbar that connects L1/R1 to C2/L2/R2.
The earth end clamp shall be attached to the earth tape under the C1 capacitors.
4. (Earth 4) Applying a Drain Earth to common busbar that connects C2/L2/R2 to C3/L3/R3.
The earth end clamp shall be attached to the earth tape where earth 2 has been
attached.
5. (Earth 5) Applying a Rack Earth to C2/C3 Capacitor Banks. The earth end clamp shall be
attached onto support insulators where its associated busbar has already been Earthed
by one of the earthing points applied previously in this list and the first Rack Earth shall
be applied to the lowest Capacitor Rack. The Capacitor Units of the lowest rack shall
then be discharged using a Discharge Stick. Subsequent Rack Earths shall then be
applied to the Rack Earth Spigots and then ‘daisy chained’ to the required height,
discharging the Capacitor Units of each rack before applying the Rack Earth to the next
rack above.

OPSAF-11-089
Issue No. 1
Station
Earthed
Star Point
Busbar between
C3/L3/R3 and
Earthed Star Point
Earth 5
Earth 4 Busbar between

C2/L2/R2 and
C3/L3/R
Earth 3 Busbar between

L1/R1 and
C2/L2/R2
Earth 2
Earth 1
Figure 23. C Filter Single Line Diagram

OPSAF-11-089
Issue No. 1
Station
Earthed
star point
Busbar between Earth 5

C3/L3/R3 and
Earthed star point
Busbar between
C2/L2/R2 and
C3/L3/R
Busbar between
L1/R1 and
C2/L2/R2
Earth 3
Earth 4
Earth 2
Earth 1
Figure 24. C Filter Physical Layout

OPSAF-11-089
Issue No. 1
Station
Figure 25 Earth 1 from earth switch to C1 capacitors
Figure 26 Earth 2 between C1 and L1/R1

OPSAF-11-089
Issue No. 1
Station
Figure 27 Earth 3 between L1/R1 and C2/L2/R2
Figure 28 Earth 4 between C2/L2/R2 and C3/L3/R3

OPSAF-11-089
Issue No. 1
Station
Figure 29 Earth 5 onto lowest rack of C2/C3 Capacitor Stack
18.3 Filter Type D Earthing Procedure
Application of the earths within the Type D Filter shall be carried out in the sequence described below.
The simplicity of the Type D Filter allows the procedure to list the approach for all three phases. Each
step in this procedure shall be completed on all phases before moving to the next step of earthing.
1. (Earth 1) Applying a Rack Earth to C1 Capacitor Banks and subsequent discharge of

capacitors up to 3 metres. The earth end connections shall be applied to the earth tape
at the earth switch and the first Rack Earth shall be applied to the lowest Capacitor Rack.
The Capacitor Units of the lowest rack shall then be discharged using a Discharge Stick.
Subsequent Rack Earths shall then be applied to the Rack Earth Spigots and then ‘daisy
chained’ to the required height, discharging the Capacitor Units of each rack before
applying the Rack Earth to the next rack above.
2. (Earth 2) Applying a Drain Earth to the connections between the capacitors and reactors.
The earth end connection may be applied either to the earth tape at the earth switch or
under the Capacitor Stack.

OPSAF-11-089
Issue No. 1
Station
Earth 1
Earth 2
Earthed
star point
Figure 30. D Filter Single Line Diagram

OPSAF-11-089
Issue No. 1
Station
Earth 1 Earth 1 Earth 1
Earth 2 Earth 2 Earth 2
Earthed
Star Point
Figure 31. D Filter Layout (all three phases shown)

OPSAF-11-089
Issue No. 1
Station
Figure 32 Earth from earth switch to C1 Capacitor Stack
Figure 33 Earth between C1 and L1

Filter Earthing

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Procedure for working on High Voltage Alternating

It is your responsibility to ensure you work to the current version.

Issue Date Issue No. Author Amendment Details

Author Owner Issue Authority

© SP Power Systems Limited Page 1 of 31 MSP 2.15

© SP Power Systems Limited Page 2 of 31 MSP 2.15

6. REFERENCE AND RELATED DOCUMENTS

6.1 Manufacturer’s Manuals

Hunterston Earthing Manual P-010221_E_B4_0571_H_001_A

6.2 SP EnergyNetworks Documents

OPSAF-10-006 (PSSI 6) - Demarcation of Work Areas in Substations

Figure 1. Filter Hall North at Hunterston

© SP Power Systems Limited Page 3 of 31 MSP 2.15

A branch of filter B branch of filter

Figure 2. A+B Filter (Single Phase Shown)

© SP Power Systems Limited Page 4 of 31 MSP 2.15

© SP Power Systems Limited Page 5 of 31 MSP 2.15

© SP Power Systems Limited Page 6 of 31 MSP 2.15

Figure 5. Capacitor Bank and Stack

Figure 6. Capacitor Rack and Capacitor Unit

© SP Power Systems Limited Page 7 of 31 MSP 2.15

Figure 7. Discharge Stick

Figure 8. Rack Earth applied on Capacitor Racks

© SP Power Systems Limited Page 8 of 31 MSP 2.15

Short Circuiting Lead:

Figure 9. Short Circuiting Lead temporary and bolted type

Rack Earth Spigot:

Figure 10. Rack Earth Spigots (Earth already applied)

© SP Power Systems Limited Page 9 of 31 MSP 2.15

9. HANDLING STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION OF CAPACITOR UNITS

10. PROCEDURE FOR WORK ON HIGH VOLTAGE ALTERNATING CURRENT FILTER

© SP Power Systems Limited Page 10 of 31 MSP 2.15

10.2 Work requiring access into Filter Compounds

11. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL WORK (CAPACITORS, REACTORS, RESISTORS)

© SP Power Systems Limited Page 11 of 31 MSP 2.15

12. PROCEDURE FOR WORK ON CAPACITOR BANKS ASSOCIATED WITH AC FILTERS

© SP Power Systems Limited Page 12 of 31 MSP 2.15

12.6. If a Capacitor Unit is to be removed or installed, the requirements of section 9 shall be

13. PRECAUTIONS FOR WORKING ON A REACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH AN AC FILTER

The requirements of Section 11 above shall be completed.

14. ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS FOR WORKING ON A RESISTOR ASSOCIATED WITH AN

15. ENTRY TO FILTER COMPOUNDS TO INSPECT OR OPERATE ROLLER SHUTTER

© SP Power Systems Limited Page 13 of 31 MSP 2.15

15.2. Sections 11.1 to 11.4 shall be carried out.

16. PERFORMING CAPACITOR MEASUREMENTS

17. PROCEDURE TO BE APPLIED WHEN CAPACITOR UNIT HAS DISRUPTIVELY FAILED

© SP Power Systems Limited Page 14 of 31 MSP 2.15

18. FILTER BANK EARTH APPLICATION DIAGRAMS

18.1 Filter Type A+B Earthing Procedure

© SP Power Systems Limited Page 15 of 31 MSP 2.15

Busbar between Busbar between

Busbar between Busbar between

Figure 11. A+B Filter Single Line Diagram

© SP Power Systems Limited Page 16 of 31 MSP 2.15

Busbar between Busbar between

Busbar between Busbar between

Busbar between Busbar between

Figure 12. A+B Filter Physical Layout (Single Phase Shown)

© SP Power Systems Limited Page 17 of 31 MSP 2.15

© SP Power Systems Limited Page 18 of 31 MSP 2.15

Figure 15. Earth 3 applied between C1A and L1A/R1A

Figure 16. Earth 4 applied between C1B and L1B/R1B

© SP Power Systems Limited Page 19 of 31 MSP 2.15

Figure 17. Earth 5 applied between L1A/R1A and C2B/L2B/R2B