Seismic vulnerability assessment of a high voltage disconnect switch

This paper deals with the seismic vulnerability of high voltage equipment typically installed in electric substations. In particular, the seismic response of a 380 kV vertical disconnect switch has been investigated based on the results of an experimental campaign carried out at Roma Tre University. According to a series of non-linear analyses, the influence of the most significant parameters on the seismic behavior of this apparatus has been analyzed and the corresponding fragility curves have been evaluated by using the Effective Fragility Analysis method. The results showed a limited vulnerability of the disconnect switch, whose most critical parts are the bottom joint of the ceramic support column and the steel column base.