IEEE 22-1940

22-1940 is the English-language AIEE Standard for Air Switches and Bus Supports, a superseded technical document that addresses equipment used in power and energy applications. It is relevant where switchgear arrangements must support reliable current interruption and stable bus mounting, with attention to mechanical strength, spacing, and operating performance. For engineers, buyers, and maintenance teams, this standard helps clarify the expectations behind older design and procurement requirements for related electrical components.

Overview of 22-1940

This standard focuses on the technical requirements associated with air switches and bus supports in electrical power systems. In practical terms, it would have guided how these components are designed, evaluated, and used in assemblies where bus conductors must be securely supported and switching devices must perform consistently. As an AIEE document, 22-1940 reflects an early formal approach to utility and industrial equipment standardization, making it useful for historical reference, legacy equipment review, and documentation of older engineering practices.

Typical use cases

The standard is most closely associated with legacy power distribution equipment, substation assemblies, and industrial electrical installations that relied on air switches and rigid bus structures. It may also be consulted when evaluating older switchgear designs, replacement parts, or archival drawings where the original engineering basis must be understood. In procurement and maintenance contexts, 22-1940 can help identify how bus supports and switching hardware were intended to be arranged within power, energy, and industrial systems.

Why it matters

Although superseded, 22-1940 still matters when teams need to interpret older equipment specifications or compare historical design practices against later standards. It can support safer refurbishment, more consistent replacement decisions, and better documentation of legacy assets. Clear technical reference is especially important for air switch and bus support arrangements, where mechanical integrity, alignment, and operating reliability can affect system performance and risk. For compliance reviews, this document may also help explain why certain construction choices were originally accepted.

• Air switch and bus support requirements
• Legacy switchgear and substation reference
• Mechanical support and electrical arrangement
• Historical AIEE technical guidance
• Superseded standard for archival use