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SECTION 16312
UNIT SUBSTATION, SECONDARY

SPEC WRITER NOTE: Delete between //---//

if not applicable to the project.

PART 1 - GENERAL
1.1 DESCRIPTION:
This section specifies the furnishing, installation, and connection of
the secondary unit substation, complete and ready for operation.
1.2 RELATED WORK:
A. Section 16050, BASIC METHODS AND REQUIREMENTS (ELECTRICAL): General
electrical requirements and items that are common to more than one
section of Division 16.
B. Section 16051, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROTECTION DEVICE STUDY: Electrical
coordination study of overcurrent protection devices.
C. Section 16111, CONDUITS SYSTEMS: Conduits and outlet boxes.
D. Section 16112, BUSWAYS: Feeder busways and fittings.
E. Section 16126, CABLES, HIGH VOLTAGE (ABOVE 600 VOLTS): High voltage
cables.
F. Section 16127, CABLES, LOW VOLTAGE (600 VOLTS AND BELOW): Cable and
wiring.
G. Section 16450, GROUNDING: Requirements for personnel safety and to
provide a low impedance path for possible ground fault currents.
H. Section 16462, DISTRIBUTION SWITCHBOARDS: Secondary distribution
switchboards.
I. Section 16464, SWITCHGEAR, LOW VOLTAGE (600 VOLTS AND BELOW): Secondary
distribution switchgear.
1.3 FACTORY TESTING:
Substations shall be thoroughly tested at the factory to assure that
there are no electrical or mechanical defects. Tests shall be conducted
as per UL and ANSI Standards. Factory tests shall be certified.
1.4 SUBMITTALS:
Submit in accordance with Section 16050, BASIC METHODS AND REQUIREMENTS
(ELECTRICAL):
A. Shop Drawings:
1. Include sufficient information, clearly presented, to determine
compliance with drawings and specifications.

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2. Include electrical ratings, dimensions, mounting details, winding

materials, required clearances, terminations, fuses (if required),
safety features, weight, decibel rating, temperature rise, nominal
impedance, regulation, no load and full load losses, wiring and
connection diagrams, front, side and rear elevations, sectional
views, coordination curves, accessories and nameplate data.
B. Manuals:
1. Submit, simultaneously with the shop drawings, companion copies of
complete maintenance and operating manuals including technical data
sheets, wiring diagrams, and information for ordering replacement
parts. It shall also include installation, operating instructions,
maintenance, trouble shooting and repair procedures and technical
literature pertaining to all components or instruments provided.
2. Two weeks prior to final inspection, submit four copies of the final
up-dated maintenance and operating manuals to the Resident Engineer.
C. Certificates:
1. Two weeks prior to final inspection, submit four copies of the
following to the Resident Engineer:
a. Certification by the Contractor that the substations have been
properly installed, adjusted, and tested, including final circuit
breaker settings.
b. Certified copies of all of the factory design and production
tests, field test data sheets and reports for the substations.
SPEC WRITER NOTE: Include following
paragraph for seismic areas only.

//D. Manufacturer Seismic Qualification Certification: Submit certification

that the switchgear, overcurrent protective devices, accessories, and
components will withstand seismic forces at location being installed.
Include the following:
1. Basis of Certification: Indicate whether withstand certification is
based on actual test of assembled components or on calculation.
a. The term “withstand” means “the unit remain in place without
separation of any parts from the equipment when subjected to the
seismic forces as per specification Section 13081, and the unit
will be fully operational after the seismic event”.
2. Dimensioned Outline Drawings of Equipment Unit: Identify center of
gravity and locate and describe mounting and anchorage provisions.

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3. Detailed description of equipment anchorage devices on which the

certification is based and their installation requirements. //
1.5 APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS:
A. Publications listed below (including amendments, addenda, revisions,
supplements, and errata), form a part of this specification to the
extent referenced. Publications are referenced in the text by basic
designation only.
B. American Concrete Institute (ACI):
ACI 318-02..............Building Code Requirements for Structural
Concrete.
C. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM):
D3487-00................Standard Specification for Mineral Insulating
Oil Used in Electrical Apparatus.
D. Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE):
C62.11-99...............Metal Oxide Surge Arresters for AC Power
Circuits
C62.41-95...............Surge Voltage in Low Voltage AC Power circuits
E. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):
70-02...................National Electrical Code (NEC):
PART 2 - PRODUCTS
2.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
A. Unit substations shall be in accordance with ASTM, ANSI, IEEE, NEC, and
as shown on the drawings.
SPEC WRITER NOTE: Designer may substitute
dry transformer for liquid-filled type
below. Such substitution must consider
B.I.L., NOISE, VENTILATION, CONTAMINATION
and OVERLOAD factors before substitution.
Provide necessary specifications. Use
oiled filled transformer for indoors and
outdoors.

B. The substations shall be complete, grounded, continuous-duty, unitized

integral assembly, metal clad, dead-front, dead-rear types, with
liquid-immersed transformers.
C. Ratings shall be not less than required by the NEC and not less than
shown on the drawings. Short circuit current ratings shall be not less
than the maximum short circuit currents available, where the substation
is being installed, as shown on the drawings.

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D. Provide substations that conform to the arrangements and details shown

on the drawings and to the space designated for installation.
E. Coordinate the components of the substations and their arrangements
electrically and mechanically. Coordinate all circuit entrances into
the substations, including methods of entrance and connections.
F. The substation equipment shall have the capability to withstand and
interrupt fault currents supplied by the utility.
G. Incorporate interlocking as shown on the drawings and as required for
the safe operation of the substations.
H. The substation shall be assembled and prewired by the manufacturer at
the factory.
I. Substation shall be thoroughly cleaned, phosphate treated and painted at
the factory with rust-inhibiting paint and baked enamel or lacquer light
gray finish.
J. Coordinate the high and low voltage sections with their associated
transformers. Sections shall be fabricated by a single manufacturer.
K. Bolts, nuts and washers shall be rustproof metal, corrosion resistant
(zinc chrome plated).
2.2 HIGH VOLTAGE SECTION:
A. Housing shall be of // indoor outdoor // type. // outdoor housings shall
be gasketed, weatherproof construction. //
B. Preformed Terminations:
1. May be used for cables.
2. Shall conform to the requirements in Section 16126, CABLES, HIGH
VOLTAGE (ABOVE 600 VOLTS).
3. Independently support each cable by a clamp to a structural support
within 152.4 mm (6 inches) of the termination to relieve any strain
imposed by cable weight or movement.
//C. High Voltage Lightning Arresters:
1. Shall have the following features:
a. Class as recommended by the manufacturer of the lightning
arresters for protecting the installations.
b. Valve type or gaplers, metal oxide disk per ANSI/IEEE C62.11.
c. Wet process porcelain, glass polyester, or epoxy insulators.
d. Supports shall be rustproof metal and shall hold the porcelain in
compression.

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2. Install the arresters on each underground conductor of each circuit

at the locations indicated on the drawings. //
D. High Voltage Fused Switches:
1. Shall have the following features:
a. Air-break, gang-operated, rated load interrupter type.
b. Quick-make, quick-break, operating mechanisms.
c. Copper blades.
d. A separate door for the fuse section. A mechanical interlock
shall prevent opening the door unless the switch blades are open.
e. A manual operating handle with lock-open padlocking provisions.
f. When the switches are open, the fuses shall be de-energized.
g. Phase barriers for the full length of the blades and fuses for
each pole.
h. A protective shield to cover the cable connections on the line
terminals.
i. A safety window for viewing the switch blades.
2. Provide fuses of the current limiting power type.
E. Interrupting ratings for the switches shall be not less than the maximum
short circuit current available where the substation is being installed,
as shown on the drawings.
2.3 LIQUID IMMERSED TYPE TRANSFORMERS:
A. Shall have the following features:
1. Self-cooled by natural convection, isolating windings, // indoor //
outdoor // type.
2. Auto-transformers will not be accepted.
3. Ratings indicated are for continuous-duty without the use of cooling
fans.
4. Temperature rises shall not exceed the following NEMA Standard test
values for the respective insulation systems: 65 degrees C (149
degrees F) by resistance and 80 degrees C (176 degrees F) hottest
spot.
5. Transformer insulating mineral oil shall be in accordance with ASTM.
6. Nominal impedance shall be as shown on the drawings, but not less
than 4.5 percent.
7. Sound levels shall conform to 3dB below the NEMA Standards.
8. Primary and secondary windings:
a. Primary windings shall be delta-connected.

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b. Secondary windings shall be wye-connected except where otherwise

shown on the drawings.
c. Leads shall be brought out through wet process, porcelain busings,
pressure-tight.
d. Shall have secondary neutral bushings for transformers with wye
connected secondary windings.
e. Terminals shall be the most suitable clamp or blade type as
required for the circuit connections.
9. Four, 2-1/2 percent full capacity taps in the primary windings, with
two taps above rated voltage and two taps below rated voltage.
10. Core and Coil Assemblies:
a. Assemblies shall be rigidly braced to withstand the stresses
caused by rough handling during shipment and the stresses caused
by short circuit currents.
b. Cores shall be grain-oriented, non-aging, silicon steel.
c. Coils shall be continuous windings without splices except for
taps.
d. Coil loss and core loss shall be optimum for efficient operation.
e. Primary, secondary and tap connections shall be brazed or pressure
type.
f. Coil windings shall have end fillers or tie downs.
11. Tanks, covers and radiators shall be not less than code gage steel.
Outdoor units shall have an additional coat of paint baked-on, and
the underside shall be coated with asphalt.
12. Standard NEMA features and accessories including the following:
a. A suitable tap changer for de-energized operation.
b. Lifting, pulling and jacking facilities.
c. Globe type valves for filtering and draining.
d. A grounding pad.
e. A dial type liquid thermometer with a maximum reading pointer and
an external reset.
f. A liquid level gage.
g. A pressure relief device.
h. A diagrammatic nameplate, including date of manufacture.
13. All winding materials shall be copper.
14. The energy efficiency requirement values per NEMA TP-1 for Liquid
filled transformers are listed below:

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kVA (%)
500 99.1
750 99.2
1000 99.2
1500 99.3
2000 99.4
2500 99.4

2.4 SILICON TRANSFORMERS:

A. Shall have the following features:
1. Self-cooled by natural convection, isolating windings, // indoor //
outdoor // type.
2. Auto-transformers will not be accepted.
3. Ratings indicated are for continuous-duty without the use of cooling
fans.
4. Temperature rises shall not exceed the following NEMA Standard test
values for the respective insulation systems: 65 degrees C (149
degrees F) by resistance and 80 degrees C (176 degrees F) hottest
spot.
5. Transformer insulating silicone shall be in accordance with ASTM.
6. Nominal impedance shall be as shown on the drawings, but not less
than 4.5 percent.
7. Sound levels shall conform to 3dB below the NEMA Standards.
8. Primary and secondary windings:
a. Primary windings shall be delta-connected.
b. Secondary windings shall be wye-connected except where otherwise
shown on the drawings.
c. Leads shall be brought out through wet process, porcelain busings,
pressure-tight.
d. Shall have secondary neutral bushings for transformers with wye
connected secondary windings.
e. Terminals shall be the most suitable clamp or blade type as
required for the circuit connections.
9. Four, 2-1/2 percent full capacity taps in the primary windings, with
two taps above rated voltage and two taps below rated voltage.
10. Core and Coil Assemblies:

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a. Assemblies shall be rigidly braced to withstand the stresses

caused by rough handling during shipment and the stresses caused
by short circuit currents.
b. Cores shall be grain-oriented, non-aging, silicon steel.
c. Core and coil assembly shall be immersed in silicone or R-Temp
fluid.
d. Coils shall be continuous windings without splices except for
taps.
e. Coil loss and core loss shall be optimum for efficient operation.
f. Primary, secondary and tap connections shall be brazed or pressure
type.
g. Coil windings shall have end fillers or tie downs.
11. Tanks, covers and radiators shall be not less than code gage steel.
Outdoor units shall have an additional coat of paint baked-on, and
the underside shall be coated with asphalt.
12. Standard NEMA features and accessories including the following:
a. A suitable tap changer for de-energized operation.
b. Lifting, pulling and jacking facilities.
c. Globe type valves for filtering and draining.
d. A grounding pad.
e. A dial type liquid thermometer with a maximum reading pointer and
an external reset.
f. A liquid level gage.
g. A pressure relief device.
h. A diagrammatic nameplate, including date of manufacture.
13. All winding materials shall be copper.
14. The energy efficiency requirement values per NEMA TP-1 for Silicon
filled transformers are listed below:
kVA (%)
500 98.7
750 98.8
1000 98.9
1500 99.0
2000 99.0
2500 99.1
SPEC WRITER NOTE: The low voltage section
should be located indoors or the entire
secondary unit substation should be

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located indoors. Include the selected low

voltage spec section in the project when
using this section.

2.5 LOW VOLTAGE SECTION:

//A. Refer to SWITCHGEAR, LOW VOLTAGE (600 VOLTS AND BELOW), Section
16464. //
//B. Refer to DISTRIBUTION SWITCHBOARDS, Section 16462. //
2.6 AUXILIARIES:
Install additional components as shown on the drawings or otherwise
required for the substations.
PART 3 - EXECUTION
3.1 INSTALLATION:
A. Install the equipment in accordance with the NEC, as shown on the
drawings and as recommended by the equipment manufacturer.
SPEC WRITER NOTE: Include the following
paragraphs when the high voltage section
and transformer are located outdoors.

B. Foundations:
1. Provide foundations of reinforced concrete, Type C (3000 psi minimum,
28 day compressive strength), and comply with the ACI 318.
2. Locate the top of the foundation pad 152.4 mm (6 inches) above the
adjacent finished grade unless otherwise shown on the drawings.
Refer to drawings for size, location, and structural steel
reinforcing required.
3. Grade the adjacent terrain so that surface water will flow away from
the foundation.
4. Anchor the unit with rustproofed bolts not less than 12.5 mm (1/2
inch). // In seismic areas, substation shall be adequately anchored
and braced to withstand the seismic forces at the location where
installed. //
3.2 INSTRUCTIONS:
Furnish the services of a competent instructor for two, 4 hour periods
for instructing personnel in the operation and maintenance of the
substation, on the date requested by the Resident Engineer.
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