TECHNICAL ESSAY

SAFEPAD Series Compact Substation

BASIC MODELS:
SAFEPAD 500
SAFEPAD 1000
SAFEPAD 1600

1. General
SAFEPAD compact substations can be manufactured for indoor or outdoor applications. The basic
models are designed for indoor application. Design for outdoor applications can be obtained upon
request. ABB Electrical Industries Co. Ltd. uses its capabilities in engineering and manufacturing
secondary substations to provide each project with the most suitable solutions.
The substations basic models normally consists of three main parts: MV switchgear or Ring Main Unit
(like ABB SafeRing or SafePlus), transformer (oil immersed or dry-type) and LV panel that contains
circuit breakers or fuse switches. Full flexibility is given to the user with regards to the selection of main
equipment and their arrangement within the substation. The complete substation can be picked up from
the factory or delivered to site with the three main parts ready interconnected and fixed in a common hotdipped galvanized base frame.

2. Layout Assembly
In the basic model, the transformer is located in the middle while MV switchgear and LV panel is on the
opposite sides. As an option, MV switchgear and LV panel can be assembled side-by-side adjacent to
the bushings of the transformer.
The transformer is connected to the MV switchgear by HV cables while the LV panel is connected using
copper busbars. It can also be assembled with or without MV switchgear. On this case, HV cable will be
directly connected to the HV terminal of the transformer.
All three major components are completely assembled and fixed in a welded and hot-dipped galvanized
common base frame. The substation can be lifted as one unit through the four pulling/lifting eyes located
in the base frame. The unit can be moved and placed into its position on site by pulling, using solid round
steel bars (to serve as a roller) placed under the base frame.

3. MV Section
This section can be equipped with the standard SF6 insulated ring main units (RMU) like ABB
SAFERING rated up to 24kV. SafeRing is a family of non-extensible, type tested RMU with different
configurations. The basic configuration is SafeRing CCF which consist of two load break switches and
one switch-fuse combination for transformer protection, all contained in a single sealed tank. Other
combinations are CCV, CCCF, CCCV, CCFF, and CCVV.
Whenever extensible compact switchgear is required, ABB SafePlus SF6 insulated switchgear can be
provided for voltages up to 24kV.

PTMV - Medium Voltage Equipment

ABB Electrical Industries Co. Ltd.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

ABB

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Both SafeRing and SafePlus Ring Main Unit are SF6 gas insulated and is a completely sealed system
with a stainless steel tank containing all the live parts and switching functions.

4. Transformer
This section can be equipped with oil-immersed or dry type transformer. Oil immersed transformer are
hermetically sealed type. Dry-type are RESIBLOC cast resin transformers. The glass fiber reinforced
RESIBLOC transformer offers an extremely robust and proven alternative in the medium voltage
transformer range.

5. Low Voltage Section

The Low Voltage panel is fed from the secondary side of the transformer. It can be designed in different
arrangements and configurations in order to suit any specific application. Copper busbars are provided
for the phases and neutral suitable to the transformer secondary voltage and current ratings. A ground
bus linked to the neutral bus is also provided.
Degree of protection: up to IP 23 (IP 43 upon request)
The following equipment can be accommodated inside the panel:
Air circuit breakers (ACBs)
Moulded case circuit breakers (MCCBs)
LV Fuse switches / Fuse ways
Instrumentation and metering
Automatic transfer scheme (ATS)

6. Grounding System
The substation forms a complete metallic structure bolted together and each compartment is provided
with grounding busbars. Bonding and interconnection of the grounding buses are made of 70mm2 bare
stranded copper conductors. The ring main unit (RMU) as well as the low voltage panel (LVDB) is
provided with grounding bus from which connection to the grounding system at site can be made.
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