IEEE P693/D16, June 2017

IEEE P693/D16, June 2017 is a draft recommended practice focused on seismic design of substations, addressing how power-system facilities and related equipment can be arranged and detailed to better withstand earthquake loading. It is relevant where components, circuits, devices, and systems must continue to perform safely under geologic hazard conditions. For engineers and specifiers, this standard helps define a practical technical basis for reducing damage, limiting outages, and improving resilience in substation projects.

IEEE P693/D16, June 2017 overview

This draft document provides guidance for seismic design considerations within substation environments, where structural elements and electrical equipment must often work together under dynamic motion. IEEE P693/D16, June 2017 is intended to support engineering decisions around support structures, anchorage, and equipment arrangement so that seismic demands are addressed in a consistent way. As a draft recommended practice, it is useful for design review, specification development, and coordination between civil, mechanical, and electrical project teams.

Typical use cases

Typical use cases include planning or reviewing new substations in earthquake-prone regions, evaluating retrofit measures for existing installations, and defining seismic requirements for major equipment packages. IEEE P693/D16, June 2017 may be used when specifying supports for switchgear, transformers, control equipment, and associated circuit components. It is also relevant during procurement and engineering coordination, where the seismic performance of mounted devices, interconnections, and assemblies needs to be checked against project criteria and site conditions.

Why this standard matters

This standard matters because seismic design in substations affects both personnel safety and service continuity. IEEE P693/D16, June 2017 supports more consistent design expectations for equipment restraint, structural detailing, and performance under earthquake conditions, which can reduce the risk of cascading failures. It also helps owners, consultants, and suppliers align on technical requirements early in the project, making compliance reviews, testing discussions, and procurement decisions more straightforward and less ambiguous.

• Seismic design guidance for substations
• Support structures and anchorage
• Equipment and component arrangement
• Design review and procurement reference
• Earthquake-related risk reduction