Indonesia's Seismic-Resilient High Voltage Disconnect Switch Solution for Earthquake-Prone Grids

1. Project Background​

Indonesia is situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, experiencing frequent seismic activity. According to warnings from the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG), islands such as Sumatra, Java, and Sulawesi face threats from large-scale megathrust earthquakes, posing severe risks to power infrastructure.

Traditional ​High Voltage Disconnect Switches, due to their high structural rigidity and weak seismic resistance, are prone to insulator fractures, conductor displacement, or mechanical linkage failures during earthquakes, leading to grid paralysis. For example, the 2018 M7.4 Sulawesi earthquake caused massive damage to substation equipment. Thus, developing ​High Voltage Disconnect Switches​ adapted to high-intensity seismic zones has become an urgent need for Indonesia's power security.

​2. Solution​

2.1 ​Core Seismic Design Technology​​

• Multi-stage Shock Absorption System:
  Adopts a "damper + disc spring" composite structure for ​High Voltage Disconnect Switches. Vertical bidirectional dampers absorb seismic energy, while transverse buffer disc spring sets disperse shear forces, reducing resonance risks. For instance, adding disc spring arrays to ​High Voltage Disconnect Switch​bases can offset up to 30% of lateral displacement.
• Friction Pendulum Isolation Bearings (FPS)​:
  Installs curved sliding rail friction pendulum systems at ​High Voltage Disconnect Switch​ equipment bases, dissipating energy through sliding friction (friction coefficient optimized to 0.04) with automatic resetting.

2.2 ​Structural Reinforcement & Smart Early Warning Integration​

• ​Equipment Coupling Optimization:
  For ​High Voltage Disconnect Switches​with multi-section insulators (e.g., GW9-10 type), flexible conductors replace rigid connections to minimize seismic coupling effects. Metal reinforcement rings are added to insulator roots to prevent brittle fractures in these switches.
• Seismic Early Warning Linkage:
  Integrates with earthquake early warning systems, enabling automatic power-off protection for ​High Voltage Disconnect Switches​ seconds before strong quakes.

​2.3 Localized Adaptation & Maintenance Assurance​

• ​Materials & Craftsmanship:
  ​High Voltage Disconnect Switch​cabinets use high-ductility steel, and critical bolt connections incorporate rubber shock-absorbing pads.
• Modular Maintenance Design:
  Shock-absorbing components in ​High Voltage Disconnect Switches​ feature detachable modules for rapid replacement.

​3. Achieved Outcomes​

3.1 ​Significantly Enhanced Seismic Performance​
Laboratory simulations confirm optimized ​High Voltage Disconnect Switches​withstand IX intensity, with insulator root stress reduced by >50%.

3.2 ​Improved Grid Reliability​
Early warning linkage shortens earthquake-induced blackout recovery for ​High Voltage Disconnect Switch​-equipped substations to ≤2 hours.

​3.3 Technology Promotion & Cost Efficiency​
The ​High Voltage Disconnect Switch​solution is incorporated into Indonesia’s SNI Seismic Building Standards.