IEEE P693/D10

IEEE P693/D10 is an unapproved draft recommended practice focused on the seismic design of substations within power, energy, and industry applications. It addresses how substation structures, equipment, and supporting systems may be planned to better withstand earthquake-related demands. As a draft document marked inactive, it is most useful for understanding the technical direction of seismic design guidance and the engineering considerations that influence reliability, safety, and continuity in substation projects.

Overview of IEEE P693/D10

This draft standard sets out recommended practices for seismic design considerations in substations, where mechanical stability and operational integrity are critical during seismic events. IEEE P693/D10 is relevant to engineers working with power-system infrastructure that must remain serviceable or recover quickly after shaking, vibration, or related ground motion. The document helps frame design decisions around equipment support, anchorage, and layout so that substation assets can be evaluated against earthquake exposure in a more consistent way.

Typical use cases

IEEE P693/D10 is typically consulted when designing or reviewing substations in seismic regions, especially for utility, industrial, and grid-connected facilities. It may support structural and electrical engineering teams working on transformer bays, switchgear assemblies, control buildings, support frames, and anchored equipment. It is also useful during retrofit planning, procurement reviews, and project specifications where seismic performance expectations need to be defined for critical power infrastructure and related substation components.

Why it matters

Seismic guidance for substations matters because these facilities are central to power delivery and can be vulnerable to loss of service after an earthquake. IEEE P693/D10 helps promote more consistent design expectations, which can reduce uncertainty in compliance reviews, supplier coordination, and engineering checks. Using a referenced practice for seismic design may improve risk management, support safer installations, and help limit damage to equipment that is expensive or difficult to replace.

• Seismic design practices for substations
• Equipment anchorage and support considerations
• Power-system infrastructure in earthquake-prone areas
• Draft guidance for engineering review and specification
• Inactive IEEE recommended practice document