What does a European type packaged substation contain?

It normally contains a high-voltage switchgear room, a transformer room and a low-voltage distribution room in one outdoor enclosure, with metal partitions and mechanical interlocks between the compartments.

Can a European type substation use a dry-type transformer?

Yes. The transformer room can be configured for an oil-immersed S11 or S13 transformer, or a cast-resin SCB14 dry-type transformer.

What capacity range is available for a packaged substation?

The typical range is 400 to 1250 kVA. Larger ratings can be reviewed against the transformer, switchgear, ventilation and transport requirements.

Can the enclosure dimensions and layout be customised?

Yes. Door position, colour, cladding, cable entry and compartment layout can be adapted. Send a site or single-line drawing so the design can be checked.

Can a packaged substation be shipped assembled?

It can be shipped as an assembled unit or in coordinated sections when transport dimensions require it. The delivery arrangement is confirmed with the enclosure layout.

What information is needed for a substation quotation?

Send the HV system voltage, transformer rating and type, LV outgoing arrangement, site conditions, required standards, destination and any layout drawing.

What is an 11kV/415V packaged substation?

It is a factory-assembled secondary substation that steps an 11kV network down to 415V and combines medium-voltage switchgear, a distribution transformer, low-voltage distribution equipment and protection in one coordinated outdoor enclosure.

Home › Products › European type substation

Packaged substations for 11kV/415V secondary distribution

Factory-assembled secondary substations with separate HV, transformer and LV compartments, delivered as one coordinated outdoor unit for utility, industrial and renewable projects.

What it is

What is a packaged substation?

A packaged substation, also called a package substation, compact substation or prefabricated secondary substation, combines the medium-voltage switchgear, distribution transformer, low-voltage distribution board and protection in a factory-built enclosure. The equipment is coordinated, wired and tested as one package before shipment.

The European type is a walk-in style substation: the high voltage switchgear, the transformer and the low voltage distribution board each sit in their own compartment, separated by metal partitions with mechanical interlocking. That is what allows maintenance on one side without shutting the whole unit down.

It is the usual choice when there is no building to put a transformer in — an industrial park, a roadside plot, a solar or wind site — but you still want the equipment to arrive assembled and tested rather than built on site.

Separate HV, transformer and LV compartments
Mechanical interlocking between compartments
All-weather outdoor enclosure, walk-in access
Oil-immersed or dry-type transformer inside, to your preference

Distribution transformers for packaged substations

Inside the enclosure

What a European type substation contains

HV switchgear room

Ring-main or circuit-breaker switchgear for the incoming and outgoing medium-voltage circuits. For 11 kV projects this can include an KYN28A-12 switchgear arrangement or an RMU, according to the feeder and protection design.

Transformer room

An S11/S13 oil-immersed transformer or an SCB14 cast-resin dry-type transformer. The room needs the correct clearances, ventilation, fire separation and cable access for the selected unit.

LV distribution room

A GGD switchboard or project-specific panel with the required incomer, busbar, metering and outgoing feeders. Final protection and metering follow the single-line diagram and utility requirements.

The equipment inside is selected as one coordinated package, so the transformer, HV protection, LV busbar and enclosure clearances are checked together before production.

Typical packaged substation configurations

HV / LV voltage	Transformer	Typical application
11 / 0.4 kV	S11 oil-immersed or SCB14 dry-type	Local distribution where the LV network is standardised at 400 V
11 / 0.415 kV	S11 oil-immersed or SCB14 dry-type	Industrial parks and utility networks using 415 V LV distribution
11 / 0.433 kV	S11 oil-immersed	Projects whose LV specification calls for 433 V
33 / 0.415 kV	Selected per project	Higher-voltage distribution projects; HV switchgear is matched to the 33 kV system

These are starting configurations. Final voltage ratio, vector group, fault rating, protection, IP rating and enclosure dimensions must follow the project specification.

European type vs American type

The names describe common enclosure architectures. The final arrangement should follow the local utility standard and the available footprint.

Feature	European type	American type
Layout	Walk-in enclosure with separate HV, transformer and LV rooms	Usually a compact pad-mounted arrangement with fewer separately accessed rooms
Maintenance access	Each compartment can be reached from its own door	Access is arranged around the pad-mounted enclosure and its compartments
Footprint	Larger than a compact pad-mounted unit	Generally smaller for the same transformer rating
Common fit	Industrial parks, roadside plots and projects requiring separated rooms	Distribution projects where a compact utility-standard pad-mounted unit is required

Need a transformer for an 11 kV feeder before choosing the enclosure? Compare the 11 kV distribution transformer range and 33 kV range.

Specification

Parameter	Range
Type	European type, three-compartment, walk-in
Typical capacity	400 – 1250 kVA; larger ratings on request
HV side	Ring main unit HXGN-12 or KYN28A-12 switchgear
Transformer	Oil-immersed S11/S13, or cast-resin SCB14
LV side	GGD switchboard or distribution panel
Installation	Outdoor, on a prepared foundation
Documentation	Test report for the substation, drawings, routine records for the transformer

Where it is used

Industrial parks

Feeding one or two factory buildings from a plot with no substation room.

Urban distribution

Roadside and pavement substations where space is tight.

Renewable sites

Wind turbine and PV step-up substations, including cold and high-altitude designs.

11kV / 415V configuration

11kV/415V packaged substation

A common configuration is a packaged secondary substation that receives an 11kV supply from an RMU or HV switchgear, steps it down through an 11/0.415 kV distribution transformer and distributes the 415V supply through an LV switchboard.

System element	Typical configuration
HV system	11kV ring-main unit or metal-clad switchgear
Transformer	11/0.415 kV, 400–1250 kVA; S11 oil-immersed or SCB14 dry-type
LV system	415V main incomer, metering, busbar and outgoing feeders
Protection	HV protection, transformer protection, metering and LV distribution protection
Enclosure	Outdoor, walk-in or compact layout with separate equipment compartments

If only the transformer is required, compare the 11kV distribution transformer range. If the project also requires an RMU, HV protection, LV feeders and an enclosure, a packaged substation normally reduces site assembly and interface work.

Packaged substation options and FAQs

Question	Answer
What is an 11kV/415V packaged substation?	It is a complete secondary distribution substation that steps 11kV down to 415V and includes the HV switchgear, transformer, LV distribution and protection in one coordinated enclosure.
Oil or dry-type transformer inside?	Either. Oil-immersed is cheaper for the same rating; dry-type removes the oil containment requirement.
Can the enclosure be customised?	Colour, cladding, door position and cable entry can be adapted. Send a layout drawing if you have one.
Is it delivered assembled?	Yes, assembled and tested, then shipped as a unit or in sections for a small container.
What is the MOQ?	Quoted per project. Substations are normally ordered with the transformers and switchgear as one package.
What are the payment terms?	T/T 30% deposit, 70% before shipment; L/C at sight for tender orders.
What is the typical capacity range?	400–1250 kVA is the standard working range. Larger ratings can be reviewed against the transformer, switchgear, ventilation and transport limits.
What should I send for a quotation?	The HV system voltage, transformer rating and type, LV outgoing arrangement, site conditions, required standards, destination and any layout drawing.