Reference Information
Key information from reference documents and guides (e.g.) or succinct descriptions of concepts (e.g. what is risk and how do I visualize it)
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Research & Technical Content
Key takeaways, results from ongoing research tasks, and how they are applied.
1 - Research Result Summaries
Latest results from ongoing tasks
ESRI Survey123 Inspection Form for Commissioning of New Line Switches
Procedures for the deployment of inspection forms for the commissioning of new overhead transmission line switches using ArcGIS Survey123.
Quick Break Whip Testing – Intro on Interrupting Capacitive Currents
Information on quick break whip switches and why there is a need to test them can be obtained by clicking on the link.
Line Switch Commissioning 101
There are many reasons why line switches do not work correctly over time. Utilities can avoid many operational issues if the component is specified for actual environmental exposure conditions and installed per the design requirements.
2 - Reference Information
Key information from reference documents and guides (e.g.) or succinct descriptions of concepts (e.g. what is risk and how do I visualize it)
Selected Standards
This page lists selected standards related to overhead line switches (disconnect switches) and associated components, organized by components and year of publication. Descriptions of most listed documents are taken from the respective websites.
2.1 - Selected Standards
High-Voltage Air Disconnecting Switches
IEEE C37.36b-1990 - IEEE Guide to Current Interruption with Horn-Gap Air Switches is intended to aid air switch users in establishing suggested maximum values of excitation, resistive and capacitive currents that may be successfully interrupted while using outdoor air switches mounted in horizontal-upright position and not equipped with interrupting aids.
IEEE Std C37.34-1994 IEEE Standard Test Code for High-Voltage Air Switches specifies design test requirements for all high-voltage enclosed indoor and outdoor and non-enclosed indoor and outdoor air switches rated above 1000 V including requirements for disconnecting, selector, horn-gap, grounding, interrupter, etc., for manual and power operation.
IEEE Std C37.35-1995 IEEE Guide for the Application, Installation, Operation, and Maintenance of High-Voltage Air Disconnecting and Interrupter Switches provides guidance for users in the application, installation, operation, and maintenance of high-voltage air switches and interrupter switches.
IEEE Std C37.37-1996 IEEE Loading Guide for AC High-Voltage Air Switches (in Excess of 1000 V) provides aid to users to determine the allowable continuous current class, the continuous load current capabilities and the emergency load current of air switches under various conditions of ambient temperature.
ANSI C37.32-2002 American National Standard for High Voltage Switches, Bus Supports, and Accessories Schedules of Preferred Ratings, Construction Guidelines, and Specifications provides the schedules of preferred ratings and construction specifications for high-voltage disconnect, interrupter, fault initiating, and grounding switches rated above 1000 volts, including operator control voltage ranges, bus supports and accessories.
IEEE Std 1247-2005 IEEE Standard for Interrupter Switches for Alternating Current, Rated Above 1000 V provides the basic standard for interrupter switches used indoors, outdoors, and in enclosures.
IEC/TR 62271-305 (2009) High-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 305: Capacitive current switching capability of air-insulated disconnectors for rated voltages above 52 kV describes the capacitive current switching duty and provides guidance on laboratory testing to demonstrate the switching capability. Air-insulated disconnectors equipped with auxiliary interrupting devices are included under this scope.
IEC 62271-102 (2022) High-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 102: Alternating current disconnectors and earthing switches specifies alternating current disconnectors and earthing switches, designed for indoor and outdoor enclosed and open terminal installations for voltages above 1 000 V and for service frequencies up to and including 60 Hz.
IEEE Std C37.30.1-2011 IEEE Standard Requirements for AC High-Voltage Air Switches Rated Above 1000 V specifies preferred ratings, construction and testing requirements, and application, loading, installation, operation, and maintenance guidelines for all high-voltage enclosed and nonenclosed, indoor and outdoor air switches rated above 1000 V, including horngap, fault-initiation, and ground for manual or power operation.
IEEE Std C37.30.1a-2017 IEEE Standard Requirements for AC High-Voltage Air Switches Rated Above 1000 V - Amendment 1: Criteria for acceptance defines criteria for acceptance of mechanical operations tests applicable for all equipment covered by the standard IEEE Std C37.30.1-2011.
VRLA Batteries and UPS
IEEE Std 1188-2005 IEEE Recommended Practice for Maintenance, Testing, and Replacement of Valve-Regulated Lead- Acid (VRLA) Batteries for Stationary Applications provides recommended practice of maintenance, test schedules, and testing procedures that can be used to optimize the life and performance of valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries for stationary applications, and to determine when batteries should be replaced.
IEEE Std 1187-2013 IEEE Recommended Practice for Installation Design and Installation of Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid Batteries for Stationary Applications provides guidance for the installation and installation design of valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries for all standby stationary installations.
IEEE Std 1188a-2014 IEEE Recommended Practice for Maintenance, Testing, and Replacement of Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid (VRLA) Batteries for Stationary Applications provides new guidance to users dealing with premature capacity failures with VRLA batteries.
IEEE Std 450-2020 IEEE Recommended Practice for Maintenance, Testing, and Replacement of Vented Lead-Acid Batteries for Stationary Applications provides maintenance, test schedules, and testing procedures to optimize the life and performance of permanently installed, vented lead-acid storage batteries used for standby service are provided. It also provides guidance to determine when batteries should be replaced.
IEEE Std 485-2020 IEEE Recommended Practice for Sizing Lead-Acid Batteries for Stationary Applications provides guidance for defining the dc load and for sizing a lead-acid battery to supply that load for stationary battery applications in float service.
IEEE Std 1184-2022 IEEE Guide for Batteries for Uninterruptible Power Supply Systems provides information on various battery systems for selection, installation design, installation, maintenance, and testing of stationary standby batteries used in uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems.
3 - Calculators
Software applications to support quick calculations
Whip Testing (Web-based) a simplified software calculator has been developed to calculate the test circuit component values for a range of input parameters. With the known test circuit parameters, this software tool can also calculate the expected TRV transients and oscillation frequencies, that can be compared to oscillographs captured during testing.