TENTATIVE CRITERIA FOR THE DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF ELECTRICAL-POWER SYSTEMS SUBJECT TO SEISMIC HAZARD

This paper discusses the need to study the criteria for the design and installation of electrical power systems in buildings subject to seis mic hazard. Nowadays, all the recommended seismic requirements (accord ing to the Uniform Building Code [UBC], Structural Engineers Associati on of California [SEAOC], and National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Pr ogram [NEHRP]) do not specifically take into account the electrical or technological power systems. This paper analyzes the problems an eart hquake can cause with regard to the functional reliability and continu ity of supply of electrical power systems. Therefore, it proposes desi gn and installation requirements, to be graduated according to buildin g occupancy categories. Basically, the criteria relative to the instal lation of the electrical equipment are an appropriate extension of tho se general static ones for nonstructural components. Their considerati on is essential for the settlement of the design criteria, which, as f ar as the configuration and the size of the electrical power system ar e concerned, aim at limiting the same installation problems. Other gen eral design criteria, designed as a guarantee for the supply continuit y and system reliability, have a particular use in these appliances.