On behalf of a client, EMHA carried out seismic analyses for various types of high voltage disconnectors. The objective was to verify performance under earthquake conditions. With a thorough FEM analysis, EMHA provided a substantiated confirmation of the reliability of the design.
Situation
The high voltage disconnectors are used in a project in Southern Europe, where seismic loads must be taken into account. It was essential for the end user to demonstrate that the installations continue to function correctly during and after an earthquake. The objective was to test the designs against the applicable IEC standards and to confirm that both strength and stiffness meet requirements under combined loads.
Approach
EMHA analysed the designs using ANSYS, carrying out a Response Spectrum Analysis. In this analysis, the occurring seismic loads were combined with other operational loads, creating a realistic load picture. On this basis, the disconnectors were assessed for structural strength and stiffness, fully in line with international IEC guidelines.
Result
The analyses confirm that the high voltage disconnectors meet the specified requirements and function reliably under seismic conditions. The client now has a validated design suitable for application in earthquake-prone areas. This project underlines the strength of EMHA in carrying out complex FEM analyses and translating theoretical calculations into practical certainty for the client.
