Definitions, Electrical Equipment, and Structure Types

Substation and switchyard structures are used to support above-grade components and electrical equipment such as cable bus, rigid bus, and strain bus conductors; switches; surge arresters; insulators; and others. This chapter provides an overview of electrical equipment, identifies the various components and structure types, and describes structure configurations. Photographs of selected substation structures and equipment are also included. The chapter provides an overview of typical types of electrical equipment support structures and a brief description of the electrical equipment they support. An understanding of the function, operation, and relationship of electrical equipment to the support structures is a prerequisite for a good structural design. The structure designer is the party responsible for the design of the structures in the substation who may be an agent of the owner or fabricator. The supplier or a fabricator is the producer of the substation structures as directed by the owner or the structure designer.