Final Interconnection Guidelines
Final Interconnection Guidelines
1.0 INTRODUCTION........................................................................................1
10.0 MAINTENANCE.......................................................................................27
11.0 TABLES...................................................................................................28
1.0 INTRODUCTION
This guideline sets out the criteria and technical requirements for interconnection
of a Distributed Resource (DR) operating at a voltage of 25,000 volts or lower
(that is not exclusively owned by the Wires Owner) to a Wires Owners facilities.
DR includes both generation and energy storage technology. This guideline
provides the requirements across a broad spectrum of matters relevant to
performance, operation, testing, safety and maintenance of a DR
interconnection. This guideline has been developed with reference to
international standards, including the Institute of Electrical and Electronic
Engineers (IEEE), as well as utility practices in other jurisdictions.
Section 2 of this guideline sets out further cautions respecting the limitation of
use of this guideline. Section 3 provides definitions for the terms and references
used in this guideline. Section 4 sets out general interconnection and protections
requirements. Section 5 addresses construction requirements. Section 6
provides metering requirements. Section 7 addresses inspection and equipment
testing matters. Section 8 provides the data requirements for approval of DR
projects. Section 9 addresses equipment marking and tagging. Section 10
specifies the maintenance requirements. Section 11 contains various tables
which list interconnection protection requirements. Lastly, the Appendices set
out (1) the applicable codes and standards, (2) single line drawings illustrating
typical interconnection arrangements, (3) metering accuracy tables and (4)
reference notes.
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2.0 LIMITATIONS
The Wires Owner shall not be liable for any damage, injury, loss, costs or claims
suffered or incurred by the DR Owner, its agents or employees as a result of this
standard. The DR Owner shall not be liable for any damage, injury, loss, costs or
claims suffered or incurred by the Wires Owner, its agents or employees as a
result of this standard. This guideline does not address any liability provisions
provided for elsewhere, such as in interconnection and operating agreements
between the DR Owner and the Wires Owner, or the Wires Owners tariff.
This guideline does not absolve the DR Owner of responsibility to protect their
equipment, the Wires Owners equipment, and personal and public safety.
3.0 DEFINITIONS
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CSA means the Canadian Standards Association.
DR Owner means anyone interconnected to the Wires Owners system for the
purpose of generating electric power.
Parallel Operation means, with reference to the Wires Owner, any electrical
connection between the Wires Owner and the DR Owners generation
equipment.
Point of Common Coupling or PCC means the point where the electrical
facilities or conductors of the Wires Owner are connected to the DR Owners
facilities or conductors, and where any transfer of electric power between the DR
Owner and the Wires Owner takes place.
Stabilized means the state of the Distribution System after voltage and
frequency have returned to normal range for a period of at least five minutes (or
another period of time as coordinated with the Wires Owner) following a
disturbance.
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Telemetering means the transmission of measurable quantities using
telecommunications techniques.
Trip Time means the time between the start of the abnormal condition and the
interconnection device ceasing to energize the Wires Owners Distribution
System.
voltage means the electrical force or potential that causes a current to flow in a
circuit measured in Volts (V) or kiloVolts (kV). 1 kV = 1000 V.
Wires means the electric utility distribution system below 25 kiloVolts to which
the generation equipment is interconnected.
Wires Owner means the electric utility which owns the Distribution System.
Any DR Owner may operate 60 Hertz, three phase or single phase generating
equipment, in parallel with the Wires Owners System and in accordance with
interconnection and operating agreements with the Wires Owner, subject to the
equipment and DR Owner meeting or exceeding the requirements of this
guideline and the Wires Owners approval.
The following three sections, 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3, define the system technical
requirements. The DR Owners equipment must be able to operate within the
ranges specified in section 4.1. The technical requirements to be met by the DR
Owner are described in section 5.2. Section 5.3 provides the technical
requirements to be met by the facilities interconnecting the producing facility and
the distribution system.
These requirements promote safe operation and minimize the impact on the
electrical equipment in the Wires Owners system and its other customers.
These guidelines are not intended to provide protection for the DR Owners
generation equipment. It is the responsibility of the DR Owner to provide such
protection. The DR Owner is responsible for protecting the DR Owner's
generating equipment in such a manner that Distribution System outages, short
circuits or other disturbances, including excessive zero sequence currents and
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ferro-resonant over-voltages, do not damage the DR Owner's generating
equipment. The DR Owner's protective equipment shall also prevent excessive
or unnecessary tripping that would affect the Wires Owner's system reliability and
power quality to other customers as required in this guideline.
The DR Owner is required to install, operate and maintain in good order and
repair at all times in conformity with good electrical practice the facilities required
by this guideline for the safe parallel operation with the Wires Owners system.
Refer to Tables 1, 2 and 3 and Appendix 2 for summary tables & single line
diagrams showing typical interconnection protection requirements.
All interconnected equipment must comply with the Wires Owner's standards for
power quality. The following industry standards may provide guidance as to
appropriate performance:
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Unbalance (%) = 100 x (maximum deviation from average phase voltage)
Average phase to phase voltage
Fault levels and maximum allowable fault levels, vary significantly through a
Distribution System and must be considered in the design of the interconnection.
Fault levels and X/R ratios must be evaluated for the equipment selected.
To maintain the reliability of the Distribution System, the Wires Owner may use
automatic re-closing. The DR Owner needs to take into consideration line re-
closing when designing generator protection schemes. This is to ensure that the
generator is disconnected from the Distribution System prior to automatic re-
close of breakers. The DR Owner may reconnect when the Distribution System
voltage and frequency return to normal range and is stabilized. To enhance
reliability and safety and with the Wires Owners approval, the DR Owner may
employ a modified relay scheme with tripping or blocking using communications
equipment between the DR Owners and the Wires Owners facilities.
Adding a generating facility can adversely affect the electric service to existing or
future electric customers. The DR Owner shall work with the Wires Owner to
mitigate any adverse affects.
If the generating facility is affecting customers adversely, the Wires Owner may
disconnect it until such time as the concern has been mitigated. The DR Owner
will be responsible for any costs incurred as a result of these actions.
4.2.2 Synchronism
Any generating facility that can create a voltage while separate from the electric
system must have synchronization facilities to allow its connection to the electric
system.
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Inverter-type, voltage-following equipment that cannot generate a voltage while
separate from the electric system does not require synchronization facilities. Nor
do induction generators that act as motors during start-up, drawing power from
the electric system before they themselves generate power.
The DR Owner shall be responsible for ensuring that the voltage levels at the
PCC are maintained within the guidelines prescribed by the Wires Owner and/or
at least equal to the voltage levels, during feeder peak load conditions, prior to
the interconnection.
Induction generators do not have voltage or reactive power control and consume
reactive power. In this case, the generator must provide reactive compensation
to correct the power factor to 0.90 at the PCC, unless other terms are
negotiated with the Wires Owner.
Inverter-type generating equipment can control the power factor over a wide
range, typically 0.75. An inverter type generator connected to the distribution
facility must be capable of adjusting the power factor in the range of +/- 0.9. The
DR Owner may operate outside that range by agreement with the Wires Owner.
The Wires Owner will define voltage and reactive power control requirements on
a project-by-project basis. Together, the DR Owner and the Wires Owner will
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identify the exact transformer ratio to allow best voltage regulation on the system,
and whether an on-load tap-changer is needed.
In order to coordinate with its existing voltage control devices, the Wires Owner
may require that the generator operate in a power factor control mode (i.e. within
a constant power factor set-point range). The voltage/power factor regulator
shall be capable of controlling the power factor of the generator between +0.90
and -0.90. The Wires Owner shall determine the actual set point between these
limits.
In power factor control mode, the voltage regulator shall have a voltage override
that causes it to reduce excitation if the voltage at the PCC exceeds an upper
limit to be specified by the Wires Owner. The normal upper limit is 105% of
nominal, however, the voltage regulator shall have provision to adjust this upper
limit between 100 and 110% of nominal. The voltage regulator shall also have
provision for a time delay between sensing an excursion of the upper voltage and
initiating control action. The power factor control equipment shall have provision
to allow for the adjustment of this time delay between 0 and 180 seconds. The
Wires Owner will specify the required time delay.
For generators connected to the Wires Owner, Islanded operations are not
allowed (see section 4.3.10). Generators that serve remote isolated systems
must be capable of controlling the frequency of the system to between 59.0 Hz to
61.0 Hz for normal operation. Under certain operating conditions, frequency
tolerances may need to be operated within a smaller bandwidth.
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Unbalance (%) = 100 x (maximum deviation from average phase voltage)
Average phase to phase voltage
In the event that an induction generator is used by the DR Owner, the adverse
effects of self-excitation of the induction generator during Island conditions
should be assessed and mitigated. The intent is to detect and eliminate any self-
excited condition (see Appendix 4, Note 4).
The engineering analysis of resonance and the assessment of the effect of self-
excitation of induction generators should be submitted to the Wires Owner for
their approval or further evaluation.
4.3 Interconnection
4.3.1 Safety
The Point of Common Coupling or PCC is the point where the Wires Owners
electrical facilities or conductors are connected to the DR Owners facilities or
conductors, and where any transfer of electric power between the DR Owner and
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the Wires Owner takes place. The PCC will be identified in the design and on
the single line diagram. The Wires Owner will coordinate design, construction,
maintenance and operation of the facilities on the distribution side of the PCC.
The DR Owner is responsible for the design, construction, maintenance and
operation of the facilities on the generation side of the PCC.
In specific cases, either the Wires Owner or the DR Owner may own equipment
located on the other partys side of the PCC. For example, the Wires Owner may
own and operate communications, supervisory, or metering equipment, which is
located on the DR Owners side of the PCC.
The DR Owner must provide a site with the necessary space for the Wires
Owner to install current transformers, potential transformers, switching
equipment, meters and any other controls or communications equipment
required to interconnect with the generating facility. The site is to be approved by
the Wires Owner and a 120-volt AC power service is to be available at no cost for
the use of portable tools.
The disconnect switch can be on the high or low voltage side of the
interconnection transformer if required. When the interconnection involves three
phase generators the disconnect switch must be gang operated to
simultaneously isolate all three phases.
A manual visible disconnect switch is required so that the power system can be
isolated in order to work on the facilities. Appendix 2 illustrates sample
configurations. The DR Owner is responsible for the disconnect switch
installation. All low voltage disconnect switches shall:
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have contact operation verifiable by direct visible means;
provide safe isolation for the Wires Owners personnel from the
generators and all other possible customer sources of power; and
For a site that interconnects multiple generators, one disconnect switch must be
capable of isolating all the generators simultaneously.
There may be other means of meeting this requirement. The Wires Owner must
approve any other means.
The DR Owner shall follow the Wires Owners switching, work protection
procedures in which the Wires Owner shall instruct the DR Owner.
4.3.4 Phasing
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4.3.5 Interconnection Grounding
protection of the low voltage side from high fault current damage.
The design of DR must consider the fault contributions from both the Distribution
System and the generating facility itself, to ensure that all circuit fault interrupters
are adequately sized. The Wires Owner will inform the DR Owner of the present
and anticipated future fault contribution from the interconnected electric system.
The DR Owner must install protective devices to detect and promptly isolate the
generating facility for faults occurring either in the generating facility itself or on
the distribution system. Virtual devices (i.e. computer or programmable-logic-
controller systems) are acceptable provided that they meet standard utility
practice for system protection and they have been type tested and approved by
an independent testing laboratory.
The DRs protective devices must fully coordinate with protective relays on the
electric system unless otherwise agreed by the Wires Owner. The DR Owner
must calculate the protective device settings and submit the relay characteristics
and settings to the Wires Owner for review and approval.
The DR must be able to detect the following situations and isolate itself from the
distribution system for:
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a short circuit between phase(s).
The DR Owner will operate its generating equipment in such manner that the
voltage levels on the Wires Owners system are in the same range as if the
generating equipment were not connected to the Wires Owners system.
The DR Owner must install necessary relays to trip the circuit breaker when the
voltage, measured phase to ground, is outside predetermined limits. Under
voltage relays should be adjustable and should have a settable time delay to
prevent unnecessary tripping of the generator on external faults. Over voltage
relays should be adjustable and may be instantaneous.
The DR Owner may reconnect when the Wires Owners system voltage and
frequency return to normal range and is stabilized as permitted in interconnection
and operating agreements.
The DR Owner must install frequency selective relays to separate the DR from
the Distribution System in cases of extreme variations in frequency.
4.3.10 Anti-Islanding
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At the discretion of the Wires Owner, the DR Owner will install under-frequency
tripping at 59.0 Hz and over frequency tripping at 61.0 Hz at a time delay as
permitted in interconnection and operating agreements.
For situations where there could be a reasonable match between the DR Owner
generation and Islanded load, conventional methods may not be effective in
detecting Islanded operation. In this event the Wires Owner will require the
addition of transfer trip communication facilities to remotely trip off the DR Owner
generation upon opening of the distribution feeder main circuit breaker or circuit
re-closer.
Where a DG could adversely affect the power system, the DR Owner must have
systems in place to inform the Wires Owner of what protective operations
occurred and failed to occur. An example of an adverse effect would be the DR
Owners generator providing inflow into a fault.
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4.3.13 Special Interconnection Protection
The DR Owner needs to be aware that unbalance conditions can occur in the
Distribution System, especially under system fault conditions, and the design of
the interconnection facilities should take this into account.
4.3.14 Flicker
The DR Owner is required to ensure that the operation of the DR Owners facility
will not cause voltage variations on the Wires Owners system that could result in
excessive lamp flicker for the Wires Owners customers. If the DR Owners
facility utilizes a prime mover that has a fluctuating power output (eg. wind power,
slow speed reciprocating engine, etc), the DR Owner must ensure that the
fluctuations in power output do not cause voltage variations, which exceed the
Wires Owners acceptable limits. Please refer to IEEE Std. 519-1992 IEEE
Recommend Practice and Requirement for Harmonic Control in Electric Power
Systems.
4.3.15 Harmonics
The objective of the current distortion limits in IEEE Std. 519 is to limit the
harmonic injection from individual customers. This is to ensure that they do not
cause unacceptable voltage distortion levels to normal system characteristics.
The voltage distortion shall then be limited to 3% of the fundamental frequency
for individual harmonic frequencies and 5% voltage total harmonic distortion on
the Wires Owners side of the PCC.
DR Owners facilities must not inject Direct Current greater than 0.5% of the full
rated output current into the Wires Owners distribution system under normal or
abnormal operation conditions.
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4.3.16 Protection from Abnormal Conditions
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4.3.18 Inadvertent Energization of the Wires Owners Facilities
The DRs generator shall not energize the Wires Owner facilities when the Wires
Owners facilities are de-energized.
The interconnection system shall have the capability to withstand voltage and
current surges I accordance with the environments described in IEEE/ANSI
C62.41 or C37.90.1.
4.3.21 Synchronization
Protective relays, electric conversion devices, or other devices may comply with
this guideline by the DR Owner demonstrating that such devices can accomplish
the required protective function specified as applicable in section 12, Tables 1, 2
or 3.
Section 12, Table 1 shows the protective functions required to meet this
guideline. Inverter type generators must meet the criteria in IEEE 929 -
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Recommended Practice for Utility Interface of Photovoltaic (PV) Systems and be
certified to UL 1741 and CSA 22.2 #107.1.
Section 12, Table 2 shows the protective functions required to meet this
guideline.
Section 12, Table 2 shows the protective functions versus generator size
required to meet this guideline.
Inverter type generators must meet the applicable criteria in IEEE 929 and be
certified to UL 1741 and CSA 22.2 #107.1. This also applies to induction
generators and self-commutation inverters.
Section 12, Table 3 shows the protective functions required by this guideline for
generators, which parallel with the Wires Owner for 6 cycles or less.
Generators meeting this requirement shall apply for Parallel Operation, shall
enter into interconnection and operating agreements with the Wires Owner and
shall otherwise meet the requirements of this guideline.
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4.4.5 Mitigation of Protection System Failure
Dependent on the system and its design, where relays with the self-diagnostic
check feature do not trip the appropriate breaker(s), sufficient redundant or
backup protection should be provided for the power system. The malfunctioning
relay should also send a signal to notify operating personnel to initiate
investigation of the malfunction.
Where the DG capacity exceeds the load carrying capacity of the generator
interconnection at the PCC or exceeds the capacity of the Wire Owners
Distribution System connected to the generator, the DR shall install protection to
limit the amount of export power to the rated capacity of the Distribution System
or the contracted export amount, whichever is less. The maximum limit on the
amount of power to be exported shall be set out in an interconnection and
operating agreement.
The DR Owner shall provide to the Wires Owner complete documentation on the
proposed interconnection protection for review against the requirements of this
guideline and potential impacts on the Wires Owners system.
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the disconnect switch details (i.e. manufacturer, model and
associated certification.
The DR Owner shall revise and re-submit the protection information for any
proposed modification.
5.0 CONSTRUCTION
5.1 General
The DR Owners facility shall be constructed and installed to meet all applicable
regulations. All permitting and safety codes compliance must be completed and
copies of inspection reports provided to the Wires Owner prior to energizing the
PCC.
All single line diagrams (original or electronic versions) provided to the Wires
Owner shall be drawn in accordance with IEEE standards and conventions, and
shall be stamped by a professional engineer assuming responsibility for the
design.
6.0 METERING
6.1 General
The primary side of the interconnection transformer, which is the side connected
to the Distribution System, is the metering billing point for the DR Owners
generation export conditions. The low side of the interconnection transformer,
which is the side connected to the DR Owners facilities, is the metering billing
point for the DR Owners import conditions. On all installations where the
metering equipment is installed on the low side of the interconnecting
transformer, transformer loss compensation shall be installed in the meter for
generation export conditions.
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6.2 Meter Requirements
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6.3 Measurement Transformers
DR Owners exporting power onto the Distribution System shall be equipped with
bi-directional meters with four quadrant measurement capability. Six channels
are required for four quadrant meters to separately record active power, leading
power and lagging reactive power in both the export and the import directions.
Where export of power is not required, unidirectional two quadrant metering with
three channels is required to separately record active power, leading power and
lagging reactive power. A reverse power relay shall also be installed to ensure
blocking of any power exports.
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7.0 INSPECTION AND TESTING
7.1 General
The DR Owner shall notify the Wires Owner in writing at least 2 weeks before the
initial energizing and start-up testing of the DR equipment and the Wires Owner
may witness the testing of any equipment and protective systems associated with
the interconnection. The tests and testing procedures shall generally align with
the requirements specified in IEEE P1547.
This section is divided into type testing and verification testing. Type testing is
performed or witnessed a single time by an independent testing laboratory for a
specific protection package. Once a package meets the type test criteria
described in this section, the design is accepted by the Wires Owner. If any
changes are made to the hardware, software, firmware or verification test
procedures, the manufacturer must notify the independent testing laboratory to
determine what, if any, parts of the type testing must be repeated. Failure of the
manufacturer to notify the independent test laboratory of changes may result in
withdrawal of approval and disconnection of units installed since the change was
made. Verification testing is site-specific, periodic testing to assure continued
acceptable performance.
These test procedures apply only to devices and packages associated with
protection of the interface between the generating system and the Wires Owners
facilities. Interface protection is usually limited to voltage relays, frequency
relays, synchronizing relays, reverse current or power relays, and Anti-Islanding
schemes. Testing of relays or devices associated specifically with protection or
control of generating equipment is recommended, but not required unless they
impact the interface protection.
At the time of production, all interconnecting equipment and discrete relays shall
meet or exceed the requirements of ANSI /IEEE C62.4 1 - 19 1 9-Recommended
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Practices on Surge Voltages in Low Voltage AC Power Circuits or C37.90.1
1989, IEE standard Surge Withstand Capability (SWC) Tests for Protective
Relays and Relay Systems. If C62.41-1991 is used, the surge types and
parameters shall be applied, as applicable, to the equipments intended
insulation location.
The manufacturers verification test and the appropriate dielectric test specified in
UL 174 1 shall also be met.
All interface equipment must include a type test procedure as part of the
documentation. The type test must determine if the protection settings meet
these guidelines.
All inverters shall be non-Islanding as defined by IEEE 929. Inverters shall at the
time of production meet or exceed the requirements of IEEE 929 and UL 1741.
Any system that depends upon a battery for trip power shall be checked and
logged once per month for proper voltage. Once every four years the battery
must be either replaced or a discharge test performed and passed.
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7.3.1 Protective Function Tests
Protection settings that have been changed after factory testing shall be field-
tested. Tests shall be performed using secondary injection, applied waveforms,
a simulated utility or, if none of the preceding tests can reasonably be done, a
settings adjustment test, if the unit provides discrete readouts of the settings, to
show that the device trips at the measured (actual) voltage and frequency.
Interconnection protective devices that have not previously been tested as part of
the interconnection system with their associated instrument transformers or that
are wired in the field shall be given an in-service test during commissioning.
This test shall verify proper wiring, polarity, sensing signals, CT/VT ratios, and
proper operation of the measuring circuits.
For protective devices with built-in metering functions that report current and
voltage magnitudes and phase angles, or magnitudes of current, voltage, and
real and reactive power, the metered values can be compared to the expected
values. Alternatively, calibrated portable ammeters, voltmeters, and phase-angle
meters may be used.
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non-islanding function (if applicable);
The Wires Owner reserves the right to witness the testing of installed switchgear,
and metering. The DR Owner shall notify the Wires Owner at least ten days prior
to any testing.
The following lists the drawings and data required for the approval of the project:
Control schematic X X
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*The minimum time requirement for review of information will generally be in the
order of 10 working days.
manufacturers name;
10.0 MAINTENANCE
The DR Owner has full responsibility for routine maintenance of the DR Owners
generator, control and protective equipment and the keeping of records for such
maintenance.
All of the equipment from the generator up to and including the visible point of
isolation is the responsibility of the DR Owner. The DR Owner is responsible to
maintain the equipment to accepted industry standards.
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11.0 TABLES
Table 1
Notes:
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Table 2
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Notes:
For synchronous and other types of generators with stand alone capability.
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Table 3
Notes:
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Appendix 1
In addition to the power quality standards, the following standards are applicable
to the interconnection of distributed generation resources on the Wires Owners
system:
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IEEE Std. 100-1997 IEEE Standard Dictionary of Electrical and
Electronics Terms
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C57.12 IEEE Standard General Requirements for Liquid Immersed
Distribution, Power and Regulating Transformers
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CadCSA - C22.2 No. 107.1-95 - Commercial and Industrial Power
Supplies
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C37.0 11-1994 IEEE Application Guide for Transient Recovery
Voltage for AC High-Voltage Circuit Breakers Rated on a
Symmetrical Current Basis
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C37.32-1996 American National Standard for SwitchgearHigh-
Voltage Air Switches, Bus Supports, and Switch Accessories
Schedules of Preferred Ratings, Manufacturing Specifications, and
Application Guide
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C37.85-1989 (R1998) American National Standard for
SwitchgearAlternating-Current High-Voltage Power Vacuum
Interrupters-Safety Requirements for X-Radiation Limits
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Appendix 2
Typical Arrangements
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(b)
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(c)
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Appendix 3
Schedule 1
Schedule 2
Meter Accuracy
Metering Point Points of Points of Supply
Capacity (MVA) Delivery
10 and Above 1.0% 1.0%
Below 10 1.0% 1.0%
Notes:
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Appendix 4
Notes
Note 1:
Note 2:
Note 3:
Note 4:
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