A substation is a core facility in the power system, responsible for transforming voltage and current, as well as receiving and distributing electrical energy. As a leading player in the power industry, CHH Power often addresses public concerns about substations—especially whether nearby substations emit harmful radiation and how to coexist safely with them.
1. Electromagnetic Impact and Actual Risks of Substations
A common misconception is that substations pose radiation risks. For common 220kV and 110kV substations—facilities CHH Power frequently operates and maintains—the frequency of power equipment is fixed at 50 Hz. This generates an extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field, which cannot transmit energy through space in the form of electromagnetic waves.
In reality, the primary effect of substations on the surrounding environment is electromagnetic induction, not “electromagnetic radiation.” Most people encounter electromagnetic induction in daily life, such as static electricity when removing sweaters in dry winter conditions. The electromagnetic induction energy from substations is far smaller than this, so its impact is negligible.
While radiation is not a concern, CHH Power acknowledges that living near substations may involve other minor inconveniences, and it proactively addresses them:
- Lighting impact: Substations keep lights on 24/7 for safety. CHH Power optimizes lighting angles and uses low-glare fixtures to minimize disturbance to nearby residents.
- Noise issues: Transformer operation and mechanical vehicle movement can generate noise. CHH Power uses advanced noise-reduction materials for equipment enclosures, optimizes vehicle access routes, and conducts regular noise inspections to ensure compliance.
- Operational safety: High-load equipment carries a tiny risk of accidents or explosions. CHH Power designs substations with open-ground layouts to suppress accident impacts, and it has a 24/7 emergency response team. Residents nearby can contact CHH Power’s customer service immediately if they notice abnormalities.
2. Safe Distance Between Substations and Residences
CHH Power strictly adheres to national standards for substation-residence distances, and all its projects meet environmental protection requirements before obtaining administrative licenses.
Key Environmental Protection Standards for Residential-Area Facilities (CHH Power Compliance Benchmarks)
- Power frequency electric field intensity: ≤ 4 kV/m
- Magnetic induction intensity: ≤ 0.1 mTesla
- Radio interference: ≤ 53 decibels (110KV projects); ≤ 55 decibels (500KV projects)
- Noise: ≤ 55 decibels (daytime); ≤ 45 decibels (nighttime)
National Distance Requirements for Substations (CHH Power Implementation Standards)
- 10KV-35KV substations: The front distance from residential buildings must be ≥ 12 meters, and the side distance ≥ 8 meters.
- Substations above 35KV: The front distance from residential buildings must be ≥ 15 meters, and the side distance ≥ 12 meters.
- Box-type substations: Distance from residential buildings must be ≥ 5 meters.
- 110KV substations: Radiation safety distance is ≥ 300 meters, and they are prohibited from being built adjacent to sensitive buildings like residences and kindergartens.