June 19, 2012

June 19, 2012

ORIGINAL DOCUMENT APPROVED December 16, 2006

TRANSMISSION ENGINEERING STANDARD

TES-P-104.01, Rev. 01

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0

PURPOSE

2.0

SCOPE

3.0

CODES, STANDARDS AND REFERENCES

4.0

ORDER OF PRECEDENCE

5.0

SYSTEM PARAMETERS
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4

Frequency
System Voltage
Short Circuit Rating
Insulation Levels

6.0

DEVIATIONS

7.0

BIBLIOGRAPHY

TESP10401R01/YM

Date of Approval: June 19, 2012

PAGE NO. 2 OF 8

TRANSMISSION ENGINEERING STANDARD

1.0

TES-P-104.01, Rev. 01

PURPOSE
This chapter of the underground Power Cable Transmission Engineering Standards (TESP-104.01) is an introductory chapter to TES-P-104. It provides general information
applicable to power cables and their applications to the Transmission System of Saudi
Electricity Company (SEC), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Chapters of TES-P-104 and the references therein serve as a guide to the Design
Engineer.

2.0

SCOPE
The U/G Power Cable Transmission Engineering Standards TES-P-104:
2.1

Covers the following cable nominal voltage ratings:

2.1.1 Service (Low Voltage) Cables:
0.6/1kV.
2.1.2 Distribution (Medium Voltage) Cables:
11kV, 13.8kV, 33kV & 34.5kV.
2.1.3 Transmission (High Voltage) Cables: 69kV, 110kV, 115kV & 132kV.
2.1.4 Transmission (Extra High Voltage) Cables: 230 kV & 380 kV.

2.2

Reflects the use of the following types of cables and their applications:
2.2.1 Cross-Linked Polyethylene Cable (XLPE).
2.2.2 Low Pressure Oil-Filled Cable (LPOF).

2.3

Intended to help the Design Engineer in selection of the appropriate type and size
of the power cable.

2.4

Contains the type of installation and the installation requirements in details. These
are developed to govern the practices and procedures which shall be adopted by
the Design Engineer for the design of power cable systems.

2.5

Covers the drawings and ampacity tables in different installations cases and
their requirements in details, which shall enable the engineers to design and
install the power cables within the specified parameters.

2.6

Shows the various types and requirements of splicing and terminations of XLPE
and LPOF power cables. However, it shall not cover the requirements for LPOF or
XLPE cable termination at GIS cable boxes or at oil boxes at power transformers.

2.7

Serves as a guideline in selection of the single core power cable sheath bonding
and grounding method of insulated metallic sheath of power cables.

2.8

The technical data provided in this standard (TES-P-104) for 0.6/1kV to 380kV
are intended for general information.

TESP10401R01/YM

Date of Approval: June 19, 2012

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TRANSMISSION ENGINEERING STANDARD

2.9

3.0

4.0

TES-P-104.01, Rev. 01

In case of additional technical requirements, details or information not contained

in this standard, the Design Engineer is responsible to have the power cable
system accurately designed.

CODES, STANDARDS AND REFERENCES

3.1

Items not specifically covered in this standard shall be in accordance with the
latest revisions of the referenced Industry Codes and Standards.

3.2

It shall be the responsibility of the Design Engineer preparing the base design
or detailed design to be or become knowledgeable of the requirements of the
latest Industry Codes and Standards referred in TES-P-104. He shall bring to the
attention of National GridSA of SEC, any latest revisions of these Codes and
Standards which may have an impact on the technical requirements of TES-P-104.

3.3

Whenever different Codes and Standards are used, National GridSA of SEC
approval to the same shall be obtained before proceeding with design. These Codes
and Standards shall be equal to or better than those specified in TES-P-104.

ORDER OF PRECEDENCE
In case of any conflict between various documents and standards or specifications for
underground power cable projects, the order of precedence shall be as follows:

5.0

4.1

The Scope of Work and Technical Specifications (SOW/TS) for the project.

4.2

Transmission Materials Standard Specifications (TMSS).

4.3

This standard (TES-P-104.01).

4.4

Other applicable Transmission Engineering Standards (TES).

4.5

SEC Transmission Construction Standards (TCS).

4.6

SEC Transmission Standard Drawings (TSD).

4.7

Applicable Industry Codes and Standards.

SYSTEM PARAMETERS
Unless otherwise specified in the associated data schedule of relevant TMSS, the power
cables shall be suitable to operate under the typical system parameters as shown in Table 011 and shall meet the minimum requirements given in clause 5.2.

TESP10401R01/YM

Date of Approval: June 19, 2012

PAGE NO. 4 OF 8

TRANSMISSION ENGINEERING STANDARD

5.1

TES-P-104.01, Rev. 01

Frequency
The nominal frequency for SEC system is 60 Hz and the permissible
operating frequency range is between 59.9 Hz and 60.1 Hz as per clause 4.1 of
SEC specification # 01-TMSS-01 Rev.01.

5.2

System Voltage
The standard nominal system voltages adopted by SEC are listed in Table 01-1.
The permissible operating voltage range is 5% under normal operating
conditions as per clause 4.2 of SEC specification # 01-TMSS-01 Rev.01. These
are detailed in Table 01-1.

Table 01-1: System Voltages

5.3

Nominal
System Voltage

Voltage Range (Normal

Operating Condition,
5%)

(kVrms)
11
13.8
33
34.5
69
110
115
132
230
380

(kVrms)
10.5-11.6
13.1-14.5
31.4-34.7
32.8-36.2
65.6-72.5
104.5-115.5
109.3-121
125.4-139
219-242
361-399

Short Circuit Rating

The 3 symmetrical short circuit current ratings and duration of the various
power cables shall be as specified in Table 01-2 as per clause 4.0 & Table-1 of
SEC specification # 01-TMSS-01 Rev.01.

TESP10401R01/YM

Date of Approval: June 19, 2012

PAGE NO. 5 OF 8

TRANSMISSION ENGINEERING STANDARD

TES-P-104.01, Rev. 01

Table 01-2: Voltage, 3 Symmetrical Short Circuit

Current Ratings& Durtion for Various Power Cables

Power Cable
Nominal
Voltage Rating
(kVrms)
380
230
132
115
110
69
34.5
33
13.8
11
*
**
***
5.4

Power Cable
3 Symmetrical
3 Symmetrical
Maximum Voltage Short Circuit Current Short Circuit Current
Duration
(kVrms)
(kArms)
(sec.)
420
245
145
123
123
72.5
36 (minimum)
36
(15 or 17.5)**
12

63***
63*
40
40
40
31.5 or 40*
25
25
25
25

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1 or 3*
1 or 3*

It shall be specified by the design engineer.

Unless otherwise specified in the SOW/TS, cable shall be rated 17.5 kV and
for other equipment it shall be as specified in the SOW/TS.
50kA if required shall be specified in the SOW/TS

Insulation Levels
The insulation levels for all underground cables shall not be less than the values
specified in Table 01-3. For installations at an altitude higher than 1000m, the
external air insulation level shall be calculated as per clause 4.6.6.3 of SEC
specification # 01-TMSS-01 Rev.01.
In table 01-3 basic lightning impulse insulation levels (BIL) are specified with
respect to a standard 1.2/50s wave shape and the basic switching impulse
insulation level (BSL) is specified for a 250/2500s impulse as per clause 4.6 of
SEC specification # 01-TMSS-01 Rev.01.

TESP10401R01/YM

Date of Approval: June 19, 2012

PAGE NO. 6 OF 8

TRANSMISSION ENGINEERING STANDARD

TES-P-104.01, Rev. 01

Table 01-3: Insulation Levels

Nominal System
Voltage

Basic Insulation Level

(BIL)

Power Frequency
Withstand Voltage
*Dry/Wet

Basic Switching
Impulse Level
(BSL)

(kVrms)

(kVPeak)

(kVrms)

(kVrms)

11

110

50/45

13.8

110

50/45

33

200

95/80

34.5

200

95/80

69

350

160/140

110

650

275/275

115

650

275/275

132

650/750

325/325

230

1050

460/460

380

1425

620/620

1050

The insulation levels for LV cables shall be as under:

0.6/1.0
Nominal SystemVoltage (kVrms)
Basic Insulation Level (BIL) (kVPeak)
8
Power Frequency Withstand Voltage (kVrms)
3
*Dry for 1 minute, wet for 10 seconds
6.0

DEVIATIONS
6.1

The Design Engineer who prepares the SOW/TS for the U/G power cable project
is responsible to obtain an appropriate waiver from S&SD for any specific
deviation from this Standard (TES-P-104.01). This waiver shall be taken for overspecification as well as under-specification.

6.2

In case of any deviations from this Standard (TES-P-104.01) during the base design
and detailed design of any U/G power cable project, it is the responsibility of the
engineer preparing the base design or detailed design to obtain appropriate waiver
from S&SD, through concerned SEC departments, before finalizing the design.

6.3

In case of a n y conflict or deviation, which cannot be resolved, shall be referred

to S&SD who will be the final authority for correct interpretation of the standards
and associated documents, as applicable.

TESP10401R01/YM

Date of Approval: June 19, 2012

PAGE NO. 7 OF 8

TRANSMISSION ENGINEERING STANDARD

7.0

TES-P-104.01, Rev. 01

BIBLIOGRAPHY
1.

Underground Systems Reference Book, Edison Electric Institute, New York, 1957,
no ISBN

2.

R. M. Black The History of Electric Wires and Cables, Peter Pergrinus, London
1983 ISBN 0 86341 001 4

3.

01-TMSS-01 Rev.# 1 (General Requirements for all Equipment Materials)

4.

TES-P-104.08 Rev.# 1 (Bonding & Grounding of Insulated Metallic Sheath of

Power Cable System 69kV to 380kV)

5.

EPRI Underground Transmission Systems Reference Book, 2006 Edition, 1014840

TESP10401R01/YM

Date of Approval: June 19, 2012

PAGE NO. 8 OF 8