TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION

Medium voltage fixed electrical

installations: SANS 10142 – Part 2
by Jaco van Heerden, TWP Projects

The use and application of the Wiring Code SANS 10142-1 is well known to all of us, and covers fixed electrical installations of
up to 1000 V AC and 1500 V DC and has been the topic of wide discussion over many years. This standard is called up by the
Occupational Health and Safety Act as well as for prescribed electrical installations by the Mines Health and Safety Act. A new
Part 2 of SANS 10142 has now been developed for voltages of up to 22 kV and power up to 3000 kW.

Developments during the past number of The OHS Act and its regulations are concerning the safety aspects, of the said
years of self-contained residential villages, neither specific nor prescriptive on what is electrical power installations. Installations
sizeable commercial farms and even small required in terms of design, construction, and equipment will be capable of
industrial sites created the need to receive commissioning and operation when withstanding the electrical, mechanical,
power at higher distribution voltages from a medium voltage supply has been climatic and environmental influences
Licensed Suppliers. Design, construction, negotiated with a licensed supplier anticipated on site.
commissioning and operation of these o f e l e c t r i c i t y. M u n i c i p a l e l e c t r i c a l
installations in most instances took place undertakings and Eskom for several years The SABS technical committees for HV
in an uncontrolled environment with now are not involved or responsible for equipment and for electrical distribution
potential life threatening consequences. the electricity supply once it crosses established a working group to compile a
The purpose of this paper is to explain the the customer ’s boundar y. This is where new Part 2 for SANS 10142 to address the
reasons for compiling this new standard, a prevailing void has been created minimum safety requirements for medium
how it should be applied and what the and especially small MV fixed electrical voltage fixed electrical installations above
consequences it would have for the power installations are prone to being designed 1 kV AC and up to 22 kV AC and power
distribution equipment industr y and in output of up to 3000 kW. The proposed
and constructed by persons and installers
particular for designers and installers. SANS 10142 Part 2 has passed through
who may not be qualified nor competent
to perform such work. all stages as a draft SA standard and has
The aim of the new South African National
been approved and published.
Standard During 2008 the SABS standards division
The little green book (grey book nowadays) technical committee SC67F adopted the Who will be affected and who will be
or SANS 1014 Part 1 as it was known so IEC 61936-1 Power installations exceeding advantaged by the new standard
well by the electrical contracting industry 1 kV AC-Part 1: Common rules. At the time
of developing the SANS 10142 Part 2, it was The SANS 10142-Part 2 shall follow the same
covers all fixed electrical installations of up
felt that certain specific requirements for route as SANS 10142-Part 1 where it will be
to 1000 V AC and up to 1500 V DC. This
field of electrical supply is well understood MV electrical installation are applicable referenced in the Occupational Health and
by most users of electricity and the for SA and that the IEC 61936-1 scope Safety Act through the Electrical Machinery
general rules are followed. Part 1 is clearly is too wide. The IEC Standard is however Regulations. This action will firmly establish
referenced in the Occupational Health available for work on all HV Electrical the standard as compulsory for the range
and Safety Act and its stamp of authority Installations. of small medium voltage fixed electrical
is generally well understood. installations. Specific medium voltage
The purpose of the new electrical installations include residential
The nature of electrical supply to end SANS 10142 Part 2 is to provide, in a
users has changed substantially over the complexes, commercial complexes,
convenient form, common rules for the industrial complexes and installations
past two decades. Emergence of macro
safety of specific, fixed, MV electrical with regard to agriculture. Medium-
commercial farmers and phenomenal
installations in systems with nominal voltage electrical installations include
growth in eco-tourism has resulted in large
game farms and lodges being established voltages above 1 kV AC not exceeding generators, transformers, switchgear,
all over South Africa. In developed areas, 22 kV AC and up to and including auxiliary equipment and circuits.
a strong trend toward security villages 3000 kW installed capacity. All parts of
caused used to group together rather the final MV installation below 1 kV are This part of SANS 10142 does not cover
than applying individually for electrical covered by the requirements of SANS distribution systems operated by licensed
connections. The result of all this was 10142-1. The upper voltage of 22 kV suppliers Eskom and municipalities since
the emergence of many new medium was specifically selected since 11kV and it is deemed that these organisations
voltage points of control with voltage 22 kV are common SA distribution voltages. traditionally have sufficient expertise and
transformation which had to be designed Specialised knowledge is required where knowhow to ensure safe and functionally
constructed (and commissioned). Industrial 33 kV installations need to be designed. designed installations. Developers of
type medium voltage substations have security villages, small commercial and
The new Standard contains minimum
traditionally been designed by qualified
requirements and additional information industrial complexes as well as game
engineers and equipped with tested and
with regard to the safe operation, and farm owners will be affected by the
proven performance power distribution
equipment. A safety and performance void to ensure acceptable reliability, of the new requirements since they would
was created where township developers medium-voltage part of an electrical need to appoint designers and installers
often weighs the CAPEX requirements of installation. who are deemed competent before
establishing infrastructure in concentrated undertaking such design, construction
SANS 10142 Part 2 covers the system
developments to maximise profits to be and commissioning work. Developers and
engineering and erection, particularly
made. Owners (users) will be advantaged since

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TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
fruitless expenditure on poor designs may
be prevented and the safety of the MV
installation should improve. This would
positive influence the safety of persons
appointed to perform maintenance work
on such installations.

The new standard iscompulsor y for the

above applications for all new development
and it should be noted that extensions to
existing small medium voltage installations
would also be forming part of the new
requirements. The registered person
(designer) defined as "a person registered
with the Engineering Council of South Africa
(ECSA) and who is competent to perform
work in accordance with this part of
SANS 10142" would be required to inspect
existing MV installations where extensions
are required and submit an opinion on the
safety and functionality of the existing MV
installation. Unsafe installations may need
to be rectified or replaced prior to further
extensions being implemented.

Where does the new standard fit in for

licensed suppliers of electricity?
The new standard, as mentioned
above, is not applicable to Eskom and
municipalities. Other licensed suppliers Fig. 1: Fields of electrical transmission and distribution with specific reference
of electricity are however bound by the to the applicability of SANS 10142 Part 2.
standard’s requirements in cases where
their supply falls within the scope of the
standard. Individual customers of all engineer etc." Unit standards are typically The technological landscape of power
licensed suppliers would however need generated for specialised categories and distribution equipment per formance
to observe the requirements of the new are registered via the SA Qualifications capabilities is changing at an extremely
standard. Authority (SAQA). The ECSA will be informed fast pace and performance standards
regarding the new SANS 10142 Part 2 and follow suit. It is therefore imperative for
The diagram given in Fig. 1 depicts typical the need for an ECSA code of practice for designers (ultimately consulting engineers)
distribution scenarios covered by this MV electrical installations would thereafter to keep abreast of new standards and
document with specific reference to MV be evaluated. revisions to existing standards. In a similar
installations
way, Installers who regard themselves
Technical content of the new standard
ECSA’s role with implementation of the competent to construct and test such
and how it should be applied
new Standard MV installations should have a clear
The standard has been compiled in understanding of the respective codes of
The role of the Engineering Council of South such a way that it would be expected practice for installation work.
African (ECSA) is to ensure that persons of the registered person to have an
who are registered in specific categories understanding of the respective Legislation, The following aspects are covered by the
are indeed theoretically and technically new Standard:
relevant regulations, codes of practices
sufficiently qualified to ensure that such and performance standards referenced  Compliance with statutory requirements
Registered persons are competent to in the document. A total of seventy five  Electrical design
perform the categor y of work. For this SANS standards and eleven IEC standards
 Mechanical design
purpose, competency baselines need to are referenced as normative standards
be clearly defined. The baseline simply which means that their use is compulsory  Earthing
refers to a code of professional conduct when designing and constructing an MV  Buildings and enclosures
which must be followed by the registered electrical installation. Included in the
 Clearance distances
person. The ECSA accepts that the SA above are nineteen codes of practice
which prescribe the way design and  External fences, walls, access doors
National Standards in several instances
installation work should be performed. It and barriers
describe the roles of persons when certain
categories of work need to be performed. is important to note that all cables used  Climatic and environmental conditions
A typical example of roles description is as part of the MV electrical installation  Electrical protection systems
found in SANS 10400 "The application of must comply with the compulsory safety
 Audible noise levels
the national building regulations". specifications (standards) as issued by
the National Regulator for Compulsor y  Notices and labeling
The Council for the Built Environment ’s Specifications (NRCS) of South Africa and  Installation of power distribution
(CBE) aim is to register each special valid regulator certificates of compliance equipment
category of work for registration of persons (RCC ’s) accompanies the MV and
 Testing and measurement
i.e. sub-registration within the engineering LV cables (used as part of the power
discipline ie "substation engineer, structural distribution equipment) i.e. SANS 97,  Commissioning
engineer, i.e. geo-technical engineer, fire SANS 1339, SANS 1507 and SANS 1574.  Documentation

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 TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION

MV Installation Safety Report

Registered person – design, supervision and witness testing Questions
Equipment of the new, extended or reconstructed installation 20
Protection design and settings 5
Substation design and construction 16
Transformer 1
Earthing 5
Total design related questions 47
Contractor – procurement, installation, testing and commissioning Questions
Equipment of the new, extended or reconstructed installation 15
Protection design and settings 4
Substation design and construction 12
Transformer 4
Earthing 4
Tests carried out and instruments used 20
Total installation and testing related questions 59
Total positive questions for completion of the installation safety report 106

Table 1: Compulsory compliance for particular elemental design.

 Safety measures and codes of practice, the latter of (Registered Person) should be capable
 Installation safety report which, mainly concentrate on installation to interpret the respective Standards and
As indicated above, three selected methods. Of particular importance is be able to evaluate test reports where
combinations of documents are to be Table 1 which specifies compulsor y type-tests have been per formed on
used by the designer i.e. Compulsor y compliance for the particular elemental power distribution equipment. General
safety legislation, performance standards d e s i g n o r c o m m o d i t y. T h e d e s i g n e r acceptance of test certificates must be

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TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
steered clear from due to insufficient The standard is structured in such a way to listed in Table 1. This requirement places
information normally supplied on crucial guide the designer to consider all safety extensive responsibility on the Registered
safety and performance characteristics and per formance requirements for a Person to declare that the respective
of the commodity tested. medium voltage electrical installation. In equipment has in fact been type-tested
Fo r s o m e e l e m e n t s o f d e s i g n , t h e a similar sense, the standard cannot be and are in compliance with the relevant
new standard refers the designer to used as a "cook book" with the expectation Standards. Attention to routine tests
consult specific legislation, performance to achieve a workable design by a non- performed on re-conditioned equipment
standards and the relevant codes competent person. The exact opposite is also required.
of practice. It remains the registered
can be expected if such attempts are
person’s responsibility to have covered all Advantages of the new standard to
made. The interrelationship of the one
appropriate engineering design criteria for improve the safety and performance of
the MV electrical installation. standard to the next, the technical content
fixed MV electrical installations
and the level of electrical engineering
The new standard is quite specific on SANS 10142-Part 2 will create a new
expertise called for when applying the
minimum safety distances and clearances awareness amongst the power distribution
normative standards, are of an advanced
which must be observed in during design
nature. The extent and complexity of equipment industry, designers, installers
and construction. Such distances are
design work cannot be understated if the and ultimately developers/users of the
important to prevent accidental contact
number of regulations and performance critical importance of achieving minimum
when operation and maintenance take
place. Minimum lightning impulse withstand standards which the designer must consult safety for MV electrical installations.
voltage values ensure that insulation are taken into consideration.
MV fixed electrical installations falling within
co-ordination for power distribution the scope of the new standard in most
International Standards, which have been
equipment has been established under
adopted by the SABS and which are cases are not supervised by a qualified
operating conditions.
called up in SANS 10142-Part 2, places person. From this perspective it is crucial
Circuit protection and setting of protection SA consulting engineers in a position that the installation’s upfront design and
relays form an important part of the new to have direct access to a carefully construction must offer an additional
standard. Registered persons should have selected set of documents portraying the margin of safety to prevent unexpected
experience in the field of calculating work of experts from all over the world. A malfunctioning or complete failure.
protection settings or ensure that a clear understanding, how the respective
specialist in this field have performed all Operation and maintenance of fixed MV
standards interlink and complement
required protection settings and have electrical installations falling within the
each other, should be mastered by every
certified same in writing. scope of the new standard are under
engineer who is commissioned to design
practical situations, seldom performed.
The requirements for signs, boards and and commission a medium voltage
Failures and malfunctioning of equipment
notices are referred to in a comprehensive electrical installation.
can more easily be prevented or minimised
manner with specific instructions for clear
identification and unambiguous marking in Earthing of electrical installations when robust design, construction and
order to avoid incorrect operation, human (irrespective of its size) is an area often commissioning testing principles as
error, accidents, etc. during operation not fully covered by many designers specified in the new Standard were
and when maintenance is being carried and maintenance engineers. This aspect followed.
out. Signs, boards and notices must be is addressed in extensive detail by
The area of MV fixed electrical installation
made of durable and non-corrodible SANS 10313 which is now a front-end
design and construction work has with
material and printing shall be in indelible standard to SANS 63305-3 where a lightning
characters. This requirement will enhance the new Standard, been brought into
protection system comprises of an aerial
the safety of MV electrical installations. the public domain and a benchmark
protections system, a down conductor
for minimum safety design, construction
Routine testing is an important component system and an earthing termination system.
and commissioning testing has now
of commissioning and testing which is The Standard requires that a risk analysis
been established. It is foreseen that
fully covered in the new Standard. Testing should be performed to determine to
SANS 10142 Part-2 will be thoroughly
requirements of each power distribution what extent the respective systems would
equipment item together with that of scrutinised by prospective users and stake
result in an effective earthing system for
the complete installation ensure that a holders and that constructive input will be
the complete fixed electrical installation.
safe and functional MV fixed electrical received for continual improvement to
A recommendation to the SABS standards
installation. serve those best whose lives are at stake
approvals committee to adopt the IEEE
during operation and maintenance as
Documentation such as type-test reports, 80-2000 code of practice for substation
well as to users who deserve a safe and
installation, commissioning and testing grounding is expected to be supported
instruction manuals with associated durable supply of quality electricity.
and reference to this widely used code
engineering drawings are more than often of practice. It is envisaged to include this References
missing or not even handed over to the [1] Occupational Health and Safety Act 1993 (Act
document in the new standard.
Customer at completion of the project. No. 85 of 1993).
The MV safety installation report will now Introduction of a comprehensive MV [2] SANS 10142-2. The wiring of premises Part 2:
Medium-voltage installations above 1 kV AC not
ensure that this most important element installation safety report exceeding 22 kV AC and up to and including
is fully complied with. 3000 kW installed capacity.
The installation safety report requires
Knowledge base required by designers upfront confirmation that the power Contact Jaco van Heerden,
and by contractors to implement the distribution equipment as specified, TWP Projects, Tel 011 218-3000,
standard. complies with the applicable standards [email protected] 

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