Receiving Stations, Converter Stations, Switching Stations, and other Control Facilities: How the LADWP Moves Its High Voltage Around
There are a few types of high voltage substations used by the DWP which act as a bridge between power plants and local distribution. The principal type is called a receiving station. High voltage AC lines, typically from 115,000 volts to 230,000 volts, coming from power plants, enter the grid at receiving stations, where the voltage is stepped down to 34,500 volts or less, in long transformer banks. From there, the power is sent via underground or above-ground wires to surrounding distributing stations, which reduce the current further to send to customers.
There are 23 receiving stations in the DWP system. Most of them are designated by a letter in the alphabet, reflecting the sequence in which they were built, and most also have a name, usually derived from a nearby street. Each receiving station has racks and rows of high voltage equipment in a yard larger than a few city blocks, and usually a control house facing the street, designed to reflect the architectural styles and aspirations of the time it was built.
In addition to the receiving stations, there are a few switching stations in the DWP system, two DC to AC converter stations, and other control and support facilities that manage and maintain the electrical distribution network.
RS-A ST. JOHN
RS-B CENTRAL
RS-C WILMINGTON
RS-D FAIRFAX
RS-E TOLUCA
RS-F VELASCO
RS-G ATWATER
RS-H HOLLYWOOD
RS-J NORTHRIDGE
RS-K OLYMPIC
RS-L SCATTERGOOD
RS-M
RS-N AIRPORT
RS-P MARKET
RS-Q HARBOR
RS-S VAN NUYS
RS-T CANOGA
RS-U TARZANA
RS RINALDI
RS HALLDALE
SYLMAR CONVERTER STATION
SYLMAR GROUND RETURN ELECTRODE
ADELANTO CONVERTER STATION
COYOTE LAKE GROUND RETURN ELECTRODE
VICTORVILLE SWITCHING STATION
SYLMAR SWITCHING STATION
OLIVE SWITCHING STATION
GRAMERCY SWITCHING STATION
RIVER SWITCHING STATION
BOYLSTON STREET
DWP TRANSMISSION HEADQUARTERS