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Instructional Leaflet IL019117EN

Effective July 2016
Supersedes December 2015

Installation guidelines for users of Magnum DS 

Low-Voltage Rear-Access Switchgear Assemblies 

for seismic applications

A representative Type Magnum DS

®

 Low-Voltage 

Rear-Access Switchgear Assembly was attached 

to a seismic table and shaken to simulate the 

effects of an earthquake. The test exceeded the 

requirements of the 2012 International Building 

Code (IBC), the 2013 California Building Code (CBC), 

and OSHPD Seismic Pre-certification (OSP). The 

following guidelines were developed as a result of 

that test program, and they apply to standard and 

arc-resistant switchgear:

1. 

When Magnum DS Switchgear is subjected 

to an earthquake, it pulls on its foundation. 

The importance of an adequate foundation 

cannot be over emphasized; in fact, proper 

mounting is the single most important factor in 

withstanding a seismic event. The foundation 

must be level and continuous under the 

entire switchgear assembly. The foundation 

must be designed to withstand the reaction 

loads imposed on it by the equipment. The 

foundation must be designed to hold a quantity 

of six ½-13 SAE Grade 5 bolts per section. 

The anchoring system must be strong enough 

to prevent “pull-out” of these bolts. 

The 

anchoring system should be put into place 

prior to switchgear installation to reduce 

effort associated with anchoring. 

Welding 

to embedded steel members is acceptable, 

provided the weld strength is equivalent to  

that of six SAE Grade 5 bolts specified. For 

nuclear installations, weld per AWS D1.1, 

alternatively, welding procedures and 

personnel qualifications may be performed 

IAW ASME BPVC Section IX and the 

inspections be performed IAW AWS D1.1,  

and/or D1.3 and/or D9.1. See foundation 

drawings provided for the specific project  

to identify anchoring locations.

2. 

When Magnum DS Switchgear is subjected to 

an earthquake, it moves. The amount of motion 

depends on the magnitude of the earthquake. 

Eaton Pow-R-Way

®

 and non-segregated phase 

bus ducts, and their associated switchgear 

flanges have been seismically qualified as 

a system. If other types of top entry, i.e., 

conduits, are necessary, attachments must be 

capable of accommodating a 3-inch front-to-

back and side-to-side (6 inches peak-to-peak) 

cabinet motion.

3.  Center of gravity

  

For seismic calculations, the following 

dimensions should be used to locate the 

approximate center of gravity for Magnum DS 

switchgear. They are applicable to all types  

of line-ups:

Vertical

  

60 inches

From left-to-right

   Center of line-up

From front

  

One-half the depth  

 

of the switchgear

Enclosure weights are found on the equipment 

drawings provided for the specific project. Add 

breaker weights to enclosure weight.

4. 

When a switchgear assembly is separated 

into groups of vertical sections for shipment, 

the user must be sure to install all of the inter-

unit tie bolts (see drawing 9253C18). Failure 

to join the shipping groups together properly 

could result in damage to the equipment 

during an earthquake.

5. 

It is recommended that incoming power  

cables be lashed together at least every  

4 feet within the switchgear.

6. 

The drawout Magnum DS power circuit 

breakers should always remain in the 

connected position, or they should be  

secured remote from the switchgear.

7. 

The user should provide storage areas to 

secure mobile pieces of equipment (such as 

breaker lifting trucks, spare breakers, hand 

trucks, etc.) away from the switchgear so it 

is not damaged by being bumped during an 

earthquake. When the optional top-of-gear 

traveling circuit breaker lifter is provided, it 

must be secured in place with the hardware 

provided when not in use. Refer to the 

operating instructions provided with the 

switchgear for the details of this procedure.

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