A Darwinian evolution of electrical power systems design for preventing seismic risks in sensitive buildings

Seismic events cause serious problems to the electrical supply continuity in sensitive structures. The design of electrical and mechanical power systems can apply a “Darwinian” approach in sizing the components and in drawing the layout for minimizing the seismic stresses during an earthquake. This kind of evolution has to aim in preventing more than protecting damages to systems operability. All the components should have adequate ratings and be installed in a proper manner to provide a reliable and safe electrical system after or during earthquake. The electrical engineer and mechanical engineer should work closely with the structural engineer. The paper suggests a comparison among different international approaches in simplified evaluation of the seismic forces to assist the design electrical engineers and highlights the need that the constructors of equipment essential to the service continuity, as transformers, switchboards, generator sets, uninterruptible power supplies, motors driving critical loads, have to promote certified tests of their seismic behavior and to make available their basic seismic parameters.