Outdoor Substations in New England

The present development of outdoor switching apparatus and transformers for systems of 110,000 volts or less is such as to make their use entirely successful, and in most transformer substations, a considerable saving in first cost can be accomplished without increase in operating expenses, by making use of this type of equipment. This paper gives a brief description of two substations of 10,000 kv-a. ultimate capacity, just put into operation, in which all the high-tension switching apparatus (66,000 volts) and the transformers are outdoors. The low-tension apparatus (13,200 volts) and the railway apparatus are indoors. This arrangement is based on the three following principles which have in this case proved to be sound: 1. That the greatest saving in building cost can be made by putting all high-tension work outdoors. 2. That the switching apparatus, lightning arresters and transformers of voltages in the neighborhood of 66,000 volts are practical and may be successfully operated outdoors in New England. 3. That distributing switchboard, control switchboard and railway apparatus and switchboard are not suitable for outdoors.