SECTION L3

SUBSTATION DESIGN

FOR LOAD-ONLY ENTITIES

PG&E INTERCONNECTION HANDBOOK

PURPOSE
This section provides substation design information for Load Entities interconnected at
transmission voltage. Supplemental information is provided in the Planning Guide for Single
Customer Substations Served from Transmission Lines (Refer to Appendix D). Design
information for interconnecting at a distribution voltage will be provided by PG&E, upon
request.

L3.1 DEAD-END STRUCTURE

The Load Entity shall supply the structure at which PG&E shall dead-end or terminate its
transmission conductors. PG&E shall supply the insulators at the entity’s expense. The entity
shall supply the associated hardware for the transmission connection and the conductor up to the
first device. The entity’s dead-end structure shall meet the specifications of Table L3-1 below.

Table L3-1
DEAD-END STRUCTURE SPECIFICATIONS
MINIMUM MINIMUM MINIMUM MINIMUM TENSION
PHASE CLEARANCE CLEARANCE CONDUCTOR PER PHASE
VOLTAGE SEPARATION (live part to phase-to- ground SIZE IN FT•LB.
structure) (per GO 95)*
60 kV 7 ft. 2 ft. 6 in. 32 ft. #4/0 al 1520
715 kcmil al 2700
70 kV 7 ft. 2 ft. 6 in. 32 ft. #4/0 al 1520
715 kcmil al 2700
115 kV 10 ft. 3 ft. 9 in. 34 ft. #4/0 al 1520
715 kcmil al 2700
230 kV 18 ft. 7 ft. 3 in. 34 ft. 954 kcmil ACSR 2700-6800
1113 kcmil 2700-6800
AACC
* The actual minimum height at which the conductor lands on the structure shall be
such that the conductor height at mid span meets these requirements.

Pacific Gas and Electric © 2001 L3-1 Rev. 01, 12/15/97

L3.2 TRANSFORMERS
Before ordering the transformer, the Load Entity shall submit the transformer nameplate data to
PG&E for approval, because the normal operating voltage in some parts of the system may
deviate slightly from the nominal voltages. Approval by PG&E does not imply warranties or
endorsement. Load entities interconnecting to 60 kV, 70 kV or 115 kV facilities should be aware
that at some future date PG&E may convert those facilities to a higher voltage. It would then be
the entity’s responsibility to maintain, at the entity’s expense, compatibility between the entity’s
and PG&E’s facility.
PG&E recommends a high-side delta, low-side grounded wye transformer bank for
interconnection. Any other connections may require additional protection, as determined by
PG&E. The use of a delta connection also helps to suppress harmonics, helping to keep power
quality at acceptable levels.
If the entity chooses to install lightning arrestors, the arrestors must be on the transformer side of
the fault-interrupting devices.

L3.3 VOLTAGE REGULATION

PG&E maintains transmission voltages at levels required for economic and reliable transmission
of electricity. Regulation to keep voltage variations within limits acceptable to end-use entities is
provided typically on distribution. Entities interconnecting at transmission voltage need to
understand that voltage regulation at transmission voltage is different from distribution voltage.
For this reason, load entities are strongly urged to install their own voltage regulation equipment.
The entity should contact PG&E regarding the typical range of operating voltages in the area.
PG&E usually purchases transformers with a high-side, nominal center tap, and with two taps
above and two taps below, each at 2.5 percent of the nominal voltage. The nominal PG&E
voltages are 60 kV, 70 kV, 115 kV and 230 kV, but in some areas of the PG&E system, voltages
may run significantly higher or lower. The Load Entity is advised to contact PG&E before
ordering its transformer. PG&E transformers are usually equipped with a low-side regulator or
load tap changer ( ± 7.5 percent or ± 10 percent).

L3.4 POWER FACTOR

The ISO Tariff, effective on March 31, 1998, specifies that all loads connected directly to the
ISO grid are to maintain a power factor between 0.97 lag and 0.99 lead, as measured at the point
where the retail facilities interconnect with the ISO-controlled facilities; i.e., the high voltage
side of the distribution and entity-owned transformer banks. The ISO is currently developing
penalties, which, subject to any required regulatory approvals, will be applied to the Scheduling
Coordinators for Load Entities’ non-compliance to this power factor requirement.”
Many PG&E Load Entities with a transmission connection receive Traditional Bundled Service
under electric tariffs that provide for a billing adjustment using a reference power factor of 0.85.
Those entities with power factors less than 0.85 incur a penalty and those with power factors
greater than 0.85 receive a credit. Receiving service under these electric tariffs does not negate
the need to meet the provisions of the ISO tariff. However, PG&E would continue to apply the
power factor provisions contained in the existing tariffs to all transmission-connected entities.
Thus, an entity whose power factor is within, or corrects its power factor to be within, the ISO-
acceptable range would receive a billing credit to the extent it exceeds the 0.85 reference power
factor.

L3.5 CIRCUIT BREAKER OR OTHER FAULT INTERRUPTING DEVICES

See Section L2, Protection and Control Requirements.

Pacific Gas and Electric © 2001 L3-2 Rev. 01, 12/15/97

L3.6 SWITCHES
Manual disconnect switches, tap switches and line selector switches are required as described
below:
L.3.6.1 Manual Disconnects
For a transmission interconnection, there shall be manually operated disconnects on both
sides of the metering PT/CTs. The first manual disconnect device must be at the point
of interconnection with PG&E. This device would be operated by PG&E and is used
to establish a visually open working clearance for maintenance and repair work in
accordance with PG&E safety rules and practices. The disconnect device must not be
used to make or break parallels between the PG&E system and the Load Entity’s
substation. It shall be a gang-operated, three-pole switch. The device enclosure and
operating handle (when present) shall be kept locked at all times with a PG&E lock.
If the disconnect device is PG&E-owned, it shall be installed by PG&E at the Load
Entity’s expense. If the device is to be located in the entity’s substation, it must be
owned, furnished and installed by the entity. Only devices specifically approved by
PG&E may be used. PG&E personnel must inspect and approve the installation before
service is energized.
The device shall be physically located for ease of access and visibility to PG&E
personnel. When installed in the entity’s substation, the device shall normally be located
close to the metering. The PG&E-operated disconnect shall be identified with a PG&E-
designated switch number plate.
The second manual disconnect device is required between the metering units and the
circuit breaker or fault-interrupting device. This device may be operated by the entity
and need not have a PG&E lock. This device would be owned, furnished and installed
by the entity.
Disconnect devices shall have the following specifications:
• Must be rated for the voltage and current requirements of the particular installation.
• Must be gang-operated.
• Must be weatherproof.
• The first disconnect switch, at the point of ownership change, must be lockable in
both the open and closed positions with a standard PG&E lock.
• Proposed switch specifications must be submitted to PG&E for approval, preferably
prior to ordering.
Disconnect devices must be installed on switch operating platforms. Appendix E
contains information on the:
• Size and hold weight of platform
• Size of foundation
• Method of bonding to the ground grid.

L3.6.2 Tap Switch

Tapped connections to the Grid may also require a switch at the tap. The purpose of this
switch would be to disconnect the tap line from the main line in the event the tap line
needs to be de-energized while keeping the main line in service. Thus the switch would

Pacific Gas and Electric © 2001 L3-3 Rev. 01, 12/15/97

 provide a way to isolate trouble or to perform maintenance on the tap line without a long-
term service interruption on the main line.
The need for a tap switch depends on several factors including the length of the tap line,
the exposure of the tap line to potentially adverse elements and the criticality of the main
line. PG&E will evaluate these factors and will determine whether such a switch is
needed. If needed, this switch would be in addition to the disconnect switches described
above.
The tap switch would be owned, furnished and installed by PG&E under a Special
Facilities Agreement in accordance with applicable electric tariffs.
L3.6.3 Line Selector Switches
Line selector switches are installed on one or both sides of a single-tap in order to
provide operational flexibility in providing service to customers on the tap line. (See
Appendix O.) They are used to reduce the duration of customer outages for planned
maintenance in the main line and to restore service in the case of an unplanned
interruption of the main line. At PG&E’s discretion, a selector switch may not be
required if the distance from the new single-tap interconnection to either end of the
transmission line or to an existing selector switch on the line is relatively short (one mile
or less), and have minimal exposure to causes of outages (trees, traffic, etc.).
The selector switches would be owned, furnished and installed by PG&E under a Special
Facilities Agreement in accordance with applicable tariffs.

L3.7 INTERCONNECTION OF LOAD ENTITY’S SUBSTATION WITH PG&E’S

SYSTEM
For a basic transmission-level interconnection, PG&E will usually provide a hard tap from the
nearest transmission line (see Figure L3-1). To accommodate an entity’s request for improved
reliability, PG&E can provide a double tapped or looped interconnection, at the entity’s expense
in accordance with Rule 2. The interconnection facilities and any additional facilities needed to
accommodate improved service reliability shall be covered by a Load Special Facilities
Agreement (refer to Appendix K for a CPUC jurisdictional example).

L3.8 LOAD ENTITY INTERFERENCE WITH POWER QUALITY

Under Electric Rule 2, the Load Entity is responsible for providing facilities and equipment to
avoid unacceptable interference which may adversely affect PG&E’s operations or service
provided to other customers, whether by voltage fluctuations, harmonics, or inductive
interference. The Load Entity is responsible for the costs of mitigating interference it causes.

Pacific Gas and Electric © 2001 L3-4 Rev. 01, 12/15/97

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