ABSTRACT
Prior to 1970, seismic requirements for substation components were minimal. In the 1970s and 1980s, several large-magnitude earthquakes struck California, causing millions of dollars in damage to substation components and consequent losses of revenue. As a result of these losses, it became apparent to owners and operators of substation facilities in seismically active areas that the existing seismic requirements for substation components were inadequate. The 1997 version of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Standard 693-1997, Seismic Design for Substations [1], and the document presently being produced by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), entitled Substation Structure Design Guide [2], have enhanced the current state of knowledge in this area. These documents also promote seismic standardization of substation power equipment in the electric power industry.
