High Voltage Electric Substation Performance in Earthquakes

This paper examines the performance of several types of high voltage substation equipment in past earthquakes. Damage data is provided in chart form. This data is then developed into a tool for estimating the performance of a substation subjected to an earthquake. First, suggests are made about the development of equipment class fragility curves that represent the expected earthquake performance of different voltages and types of equipment. Second, suggestions are made about how damage to individual pieces of equipment at a substation likely affects the post-earthquake performance of the substation as a whole. Finally, estimates are provided as to how quickly a substation, at various levels of damage, can be restored to operational service after the earthquake.