HV Reticulation & Distribution Design Services Australia

Overhead distribution design covers pole-mounted high voltage and low voltage networks, from single-pole extensions to multi-kilometre powerline routes. Megavar designs overhead lines to AS/NZS 7000, sizing conductors, selecting pole and crossarm configurations, calculating sag and tension, and confirming electrical and ground clearances. Deliverables are issued as DNSP-ready construction drawings.

• Conductor sizing and selection
• Pole, crossarm and hardware schedules
• Sag, tension and clearance calculations to AS/NZS 7000
• Structural and wind-loading assessment
• Vegetation clearance and easement review
• DNSP-compliant construction drawings

Underground reticulation routes HV and LV cables through trenches and conduits rather than overhead lines, and is the preferred approach for new estates, industrial sites and renewable connections. Megavar designs the full underground network, with cable sizing that accounts for current rating, fault level, voltage drop and derating for installation conditions.

• HV and LV cable route design and sizing
• Trench, conduit and duct-bank layouts
• Cable rating, fault-level and voltage-drop calculations
• Joint, termination and pillar/pit placement
• Earthing and bonding design
• DBYD and existing-service coordination

Underground residential distribution (URD) is the underground network that supplies power to a residential subdivision or estate. Megavar designs URD schemes end to end and to the relevant distributor's rules, whether that is SA Power Networks, TasNetworks, Ausgrid, Energex/Ergon or another network operator.

• Subdivision electrical layout
• Distribution substation (kiosk and padmount) placement and sizing
• HV and LV cable reticulation
• Street lighting design
• Distributor design-submission and approval package

Most reticulation schemes need one or more distribution substations to step subtransmission or HV down to the local network. Megavar sizes and locates kiosk and padmount substations, designs the HV and LV connections, and prepares the connection application for the network operator. Because Megavar also designs zone substations and commissions HV plant, distribution-level connection design sits inside a single capability rather than being handed between firms.

• Kiosk and padmount substation sizing and siting
• HV and LV connection design
• Protection and metering coordination
• Network connection application package

Every distribution design is delivered as construction-ready documentation. Megavar's drafters produce DNSP-compliant CAD drawings prepared to the distributor's drafting standards, so the design passes review the first time.

• DNSP-compliant CAD drawings
• Cable and equipment schedules
• As-built drawing updates
• Design-submission package for network approval

Distribution design is required whenever a new or modified electrical network connects to the grid. Common triggers include:

• New residential, commercial or industrial subdivisions
• Renewable energy connections (solar farms, BESS, wind)
• Network augmentation and feeder upgrades
• Overhead-to-underground conversion
• Load growth requiring new feeders or substations
• Private HV networks for large sites such as mines, ports and data centres

Megavar designs distribution and reticulation networks to the applicable Australian Standards and network operator design rules. Commonly applied standards include:

• AS/NZS 7000 - Overhead line design
• AS/NZS 3000 - Wiring rules
• AS/NZS 3008 - Selection of cables
• AS 2067 - Substations and high voltage installations exceeding 1kV
• ENA EG-0 - Power system earthing guide
• ENA and DNSP-specific design manuals (SA Power Networks, TasNetworks, Ausgrid, Energex/Ergon and others)

Megavar designs HV and LV distribution networks for projects in Melbourne and across regional Victoria, delivered from our Tasmanian and Adelaide offices. Tell us which network area the connection sits in and we will confirm the design and drafting requirements that apply.

Design through to energisation under one roof. Megavar designs the network and then commissions and energises it, so design intent is carried all the way to a live, tested asset rather than handed off mid-stream.

• Practising HV engineers, not a drafting bureau
• Five offices: Hobart, Launceston, Adelaide, Newcastle and Gladstone
  ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certified
• Electrical contractors licence in every Australian state
• Documentation built to pass DNSP design review first time