TECHNICAL ESSAY SAHARA Series Compact Substation

MODELS: 24kV SAHARA 500 SAHARA 1000 SAHARA 1600 SAHARA 2000 SAHARA 3000 36kV SAHARA MAX-1 SAHARA MAX-2

1. General
SAHARA is a series of outside-operated compact secondary substations for voltages up to 36kV. They have been designed and manufactured by ABB Electrical Industries Co. Ltd. of Saudi Arabia to withstand all operating needs and special environmental conditions in the Gulf Cooperation Council Region, Middle East countries and similar places. The unit is a fully equipped package substation that includes outdoor housing, high voltage switchgear, distribution transformer, low voltage panel, and internal wiring for lighting on all compartments, as such only the incoming cables need to be connected at site and the site works are kept to an absolute minimum.

2. General Description
SAHARA substations are completely self-contained, factory assembled in a totally enclosed metal cladding, weatherproof housing ready for placing into position upon a concrete base pad. For SAHARA 500 up to 1600, the complete housing assembly is provided with four lifting eyes located on the sloping roofs for easy lifting and positioning the whole unit at the site by the use of crane. While the range from SAHARA 2000 up to MAX-2, the complete housing assembly is provided with four lifting lugs located on the baseframe. The substation can be lifted without damage or distortion. The housing of the kiosk is mainly made of corrosion resistant 2mm ALUZINK steel sheets. In the ALUZINK, the steel provides strength while the aluminum and zinc alloy coating provides protection against corrosion due to harsh environment conditions. In addition, 3mm galvanized steel sheets are used for stronger support in the base frame or in the corner post. Last finish coat is powder paint of polymer resin base color to RAL 7032 or RAL 7033. Other colors are available upon request. Each substation contains three main equipment: transformer, MV switchgear and LV switchgear each is contained in a separate compartment. The compartments are completely separated by ALUZINK steel sheet. The barrier between the HV switchgear and the transformer is provided with pressure relief flaps.

PTMV - Medium Voltage Equipment

ABB Electrical Industries Co. Ltd.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

ABB

172952673.doc, Page 2 of 3 All compartments are individually accessible by their own door from outside. Labyrinthian louvers with sand traps at the bottom form the sidings of the transformer compartment to assure free entry and exhaust of air, as such the inside temperature is kept within limits. The cooling of transformer is by natural system. The substation is provided with a metallic ceiling as additional provision to diminish heating due to solar radiation. Openings located at the lower and upper sides of the sloping roof allow air circulation as part of the ventilation design. For SAHARA 2000, 3000, and MAX1, the transformer is located in the middle of the substation while the MV and LV compartments are located at both ends of the substation adjacent to the corresponding bushings of the transformer. For MAX2, the transformer is located at one end while each switch/fuseswitch and LV panel is located in the remaining compartments. Please refer to the dimension drawing, sectional and plan views. The outer doors of the kiosk are wide and provided with gas spring stoppers. They are provided with heavy-duty hinges to prevent distortion and misalignment. Locks are provided with door swing handles. When they are closed, they are firmly locked as such entry of dust, vermin and rainwater is completely prevented. The MV doors are provided with a drawing pocket, one danger sign and ABB weatherproof nameplate. All compartments are equipped with internal lighting controlled by their respective door microswitches. Danger signs are located outside the substation doors. Protection degrees: HV compartment Transformer compartment LV compartment : IP 43 (IP 54 on request) : IP 23 : IP 43 (IP 54 on request

3. MV Compartment
This compartment can be equipped with wide varieties of MV switchgear. For voltages up to 24kV, standard SF6 insulated ring main units (RMU) like ABB SAFERING can be provided. 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. SAFEPLUS module range covers all required applications such as switches, fuse-switches, circuit breaker, sectionalizer, and metering panel. For voltages up to 36kV, ABB CSF2 SF6 insulated switchgear can be provided to protect the distribution transformer. Load break switches and circuit breaker modules can be combined together in different arrangements as per customer needs. Alternatively, air insulated switch and fused switch option is also available for voltages up to 36kV. ABB NAL switch and ABB NALF fuse switch disconnectors can be used in different configurations in order to provide the required protection, metering, and switching needs in the MV side of the substation. Each switch/fuse-switch can be equipped with a mechanically interlocked earthing switch with making capacity.

4. Transformer Compartment
This compartment is specially designed to provide the transformer with sufficient volume of airflow for cooling through adequately sized and professionally designed ventilation openings. These opening located on both sides of the compartment are uniquely designed to trap the sand from entering the compartment, hence, they are called sand traps.

172952673.doc, Page 3 of 3 The compartment is provided with a pressure relief system integrated in the ceiling/roof. As an option, a floor mesh can be provided to prevent entry of small animals and other foreign objects, while assuring continuous airflow and circulation. Oil-immersed or dry type transformers can be accommodated on this compartment.

5. Low Voltage Section

This compartment contains the Low Voltage Distribution Board (LVDB), which is fed from the secondary side of the transformer. The LVDB 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. 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) Street lighting system

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. -ooOoo-