In the end of the chapter, student should be able to:
Understand the principle of distribution system
Know the role of distribution substation
Apply the role of distribution substation
Understand the characteristic of transmission cables
Apply the knowledge of transmission cables
Discover the role of transmission substations
In case of feeder failure, the consumer would not get any power
In case of transformer failure also, the power supply is
interrupted.
The consumer in the radial electrical distribution system would
be in darkness until the feeder or transformer was rectified
Used to overcome problems in radial system
Similar to the radial but the secondary part of the transformer
connected to each other
If one transformer is damaged, the electricity can still be
supplied to consumers through other transformers connected in
parallel with it
Supply to the consumers connected to the healthy zone of the ring, can
easily be maintained even when one section of the ring is under shutdown.
The number of feeders connected to the ring main depends on:
Maximum Demand of the System
Total Length of the Ring Main Distributor
Required Voltage Regulation
A mixture of the radial and ring system
The primary side is made in radial connection while the
secondary side is made in ring connection
If one of the transformers damaged, the electrical supply to the
damaged area of the transformer is still available as part of the
secondary transformer circuits are in the ring
Factor Radial System Ring System
Not too expensive cause
More expensive cause
only uses a small
of installation is more
number of feeders and
complex
switchgear
Installation
Cost
More expensive cause
Easily constructed and
of installation is more
maintained
complex
Factor Radial System Ring System
Suitable for users or
Suitable for the load
areas with small loads
centers such as the
such as villages or
cities
towns
Supply
Suitability
Not suitable for high
Power dissipation is less
load which will cause a
than the radius system
use of greater cables
Involves
Involves residential,
manufacturing sec.
houses, flats, apartment
& others
Get electricity via 3ɸ with
its own substation
Residential Houses (1ɸ)
Apartments & other (3ɸ)
Loads are electric motor,
control panels and
Loads are lighting,
manufacturing equipment
heating, radio, TV & etc.
Need its own
distribution substation
Total cost of construction without sharing with other
equipment is large user
Total load estimated up Total load estimated up
to 80% of total electricity to 25% of total
consumption electricity consumption
3.1.6 Explain the medium-voltage & low-voltage distribution
Malaysia Supply Voltage Options
High Voltage (HV)
Three-phase, three-wire, 132kV, 275kV and 500kV
Medium Voltage (MV)
Three-phase, three-wire, 11kV
Three-phase, three-wire, 22kV (Certain parts of Johor and Perak)
Three-phase, three-wire, 33kV
Low Voltage (LV)
Single-phase, two-wire, 240 V
Three-phase, four-wire, 415 V
Three-phase, four-wire, 400/230 V (Certain parts of Johor and Perak)
(C.T. metered)
3.2.1 Know the role of distribution substations
Distribution Substation
An electrical substation is a subsidiary station of an electricity
generation, transmission and distribution system where
voltage is transformed from high to low or the reverse using
transformers
A substation that has a step-up transformer increases the
voltage while decreasing the current, while a step-down
transformer decreases the voltage while increasing the current
for domestic and commercial distribution.
3.2.2 Advantages & disadvantages of indoor & outdoor substation
Types of Distribution Substation
Indoor Substation
3.2.2 Advantages & disadvantages of indoor & outdoor substation
Types of Distribution Substation
Top Pole Mounted
Outdoor Substation
Fence
3.2.2 Advantages & disadvantages of indoor & outdoor substation
Types of Distribution Substation
Indoor Substation Outdoor Substation
Has limited ability to The ability for overhead
1000kVA for each substation is 100kVA
transformer
Usually placed in the
Usually located in the mines, factories and
city, factories, buildings places far from the city
and others
Consists of 33kV and
Consists of 66kV 11kV switchgears, relay
switchgear panels, operating panels,
battery chargers and
distribution board
3.2.2 Advantages & disadvantages of indoor & outdoor substation
Advantages & Disadvantages of
Indoor & Outdoor Substation
Indoor Substation Outdoor Substation
Expensive cost because it Only requires a small
requires building materials space, little fenced, steel
such as concrete and steel and concrete for placing
Installation Cost
Usually located in the city, high-voltage equipment
factories, buildings and others
Costs of maintenance
Due to changes in and additions to the
temperature, dust and dirt, the exterior of the outdoor
equipment should be substation switchyards
designed specifically for a will increase
good quality of service and
will result in higher
construction costs
3.2.2 Advantages & disadvantages of indoor & outdoor substation
Advantages & Disadvantages of
Indoor & Outdoor Substation
Indoor Substation Outdoor Substation
More quietly because the
Noise & Interference
Noise spread in the
noise is not spread out and surrounding area
trapped in the building only
Exposed to
Switchgears and high voltage environmental hazards
equipment safe from lightning, such as lightning,
rain, snow and storms changes in temperature,
dust and dirt
3.2.3 Function of bus bar
Bus bar
Bus bar is the thick strips of copper/aluminum that conduct
electricity within a switchboard, distribution board, substation
or other electrical equipment.
Function: A medium that connects the various electrical
equipment in the substation
3.2.4 Types of bus bar arrangement
Types of Bus bar Arrangement
Single Bus bar
Dual Bus bar
3.2.4 Types of bus bar arrangement
Ring Bus bar Types of Bus bar Arrangement
3.2.5 Advantages & Disadvantages of each bus bar arrangement
Types of Bus bar Arrangement
Single Bus bar Dual Bus bar Ring Bus bar
Continuous supply Feeder gets supply
Low cost from two different
Advantages
Simple to operate source
Maintenance and Failure in system wont
Simple protection circuit breaker disturb supply
testing can be done Maintenance done
without disturb without disturb power
supply to consumer supply
If one bus bar Expensive Open any circuit
Disadvantages
damaged, overall breaker will caused
installation and
system disturb overload due to current
construction cost flow in one direction
Difficult to do any
Difficult to add new
maintenance cables
3.3.3 Importance of grounding practice
Grounding / Earthing System
The process of earthing is to connect all these parts which could become
charged to the general mass of earth, to provide a path for fault currents
and to hold the parts as close as possible to earth potential
The standard method of tying the electrical supply system to earth is to
make a direct connection between the two. This is usually carried out at the
supply transformer, where the neutral conductor (often the star point of a
three-phase supply) is connected to earth using an earth electrode or the
metal sheath and armouring of a buried cable
The earthing system is an essential part of power networks at both high-
and low-voltage levels. A good earthing system is required for protection of
buildings and installations against lightning, protection of buildings and
installations against lightning, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and
correct operation of the electricity supply network and to ensure good
power quality
3.3.3 Importance of grounding practice
Grounding / Earthing System
High Voltage and Extra High Voltage
3 phase configuration
Solidly earthed or impedance-earthed
Overhead lines and underground cable are used extensively for
high and extra high voltage distribution
Low Voltage 400/230V
3 phase 4 wire system
Neutral point solidly earthed mixture of overhead lines,
underground cables and aerial insulated cables
Mixture of overhead lines, underground cables and aerial insulated
cables
3.3.4 Types of grounding in power system
1 2
Solidly
Ungrounded
Grounded
System
System
Types of
Grounding
System
4 3
Low
High
Resistance
Resistance
Grounded
Grounded
System
System
*All types of grounding system discuss is accordance with CEC 22.1:2012
3.3.4 Types of grounding in power system
No Connection
1
Ungrounded
between neutral
or any phase
System and ground
An ungrounded system is grounded through
the concept of capacitive coupling
The neutral potential of an ungrounded
system, with balanced loading will be close
CEC 22.1:2012 to ground potential due to the capacitance
between each phase conductor and ground
3.3.4 Types of grounding in power system
2
Solidly
Directly
connected to
ground
grounded
System
The solidly grounded system is one that has
the neutral connected to ground without an
intentional impedance
The system will result in a large magnitude
CEC 22.1:2012 of current to flow, but has no increase in
voltage on unfaulty phases
3.3.4 Types of grounding in power system
3
Low
Directly
connected to
Resistance ground with
Grounded impedance
System
The system is one that has the neutral
connected to ground through a small resistance
that limits the fault current
The size of the grounding resistor is selected to
CEC 22.1:2012 detect and clear the faulted circuit. The resistor
can limit ground currents to a desired level
based on coordination requirement
3.3.4 Types of grounding in power system
4
High
Directly
connected to
Resistance ground with high
Grounded impedance
System
The high resistance grounded system is one
that has the neutral connected to ground
through a resistive impedance whose
resistance is selected to allow a ground fault
current through the resistor equal to or slightly
CEC 22.1:2012 more that the capacitive charging current of the
system
3.3.5 Sketch the layout of the earthing system of distribution substation
Layout of the Earthing System of Distribution Substation
3.4.1 Structure of underground transmission cable
Underground Transmission Cable
LV Cable
LV Cable
LV Cable
HV Cable
3.4.2 Primary requirement for the underground transmission cable
Requirement for Underground Transmission Cable
The conductor used in cables should be tinned (provides
01
more durability and strength) stranded copper or aluminium of
high conductivity
The conductor size should be such that the cable carries the
02
desired load current without overheating and causes voltage
drop within permissible limits
The cable must have proper thickness of insulation in order to
03 give high degree of safety and reliability at the voltage for
which it is designed
04
The cable must be provided with suitable mechanical
protection so that it may withstand the rough use in laying it
The materials used in the manufacture of cables should be
05 such that there is complete chemical and physical stability
throughout
3.5.1 Structure of underground transmission cable
Underground Transmission Cable
Insulation
3.5.1 Structure of underground transmission cable
Underground Transmission Cable
A B C D E F
3.5.1 Structure of underground transmission cable
Underground Transmission Cable
A cable may have one or more than one core
A Core / Conductor (conductor) depending upon the type of service for
which it is intended
Each core is provided with a suitable thickness of
insulation, the thickness depend upon voltage to be
B Insulation withstood by the cable. Commonly used material are
varnished cambric, impregnated paper or rubber
mineral compound
A metallic sheath of lead or aluminium is provided
Metal coating / over the insulation to protect the cable from
C
Lead sheath moisture, gases or other damaging liquids (acids or
alkali)
3.5.1 Structure of underground transmission cable
Underground Transmission Cable
Layer of bedding which consists of a fibrous
material like jute or hessian tape. The purpose is to
D Bedding
protect the sheath against corrosion and from
mechanical injury due to armouring.
Consists of one or two layers of galvanized steel
Shielding wire or steel tape. Its purpose is to protect the cable
E
(Armouring) from mechanical injury while laying it and during the
course of handling
In order to protect armouring from atmospheric
F Serving conditions, a layer of fibrous material (like jute)
similar to bedding is provided over the armouring.
3.5.2 Advantages & Disadvantages of underground cable compare to overhead trans
Advantages & Disadvantages of Underground Cable
Compared to Overhead Transmission Lines
Overhead System Underground System
1 Public Safety It is less safe It is more safe
2 Initial cost It is less expensive It is more expensive
Very rare chances of
3 Faults Faults occur frequently
faults
It is more flexible as
It is not flexible, as new
new conductors can be
4 Flexibility conductors are to be
laid along the existing
laid in new channels
conductor
Fault point can be Fault point cannot be
5 Location of fault
easily located easily located
Cannot be easily
6 Repair Can be easily repaired
repaired
3.5.2 Advantages & Disadvantages of underground cable compare to overhead trans
Advantages & Disadvantages of Underground Cable
Compared to Overhead Transmission Lines
Overhead System Underground System
It can work only up to
7 Working voltage It can work up to 400kV 66kV due to insulation
difficulty
More chances of Very little chances of
8 Supply interruption
supply interruption supply interruption
Very little chances of
More chances of being
9 Lightning thunder being subjected to
subjected to lightning
lightning
It interferes with No interferes with
Interference with
10 communication communication
communication system
systems systems
3.6.1 Role of transmission substations
Transmission Substation
3.6.1 Role of transmission substations
Transmission Substation Function
To receive energy transmitted at high Providing place to install security
voltage power station & reduce it for equipment and enables it to be
local distribution with suitable 01 05 separated from equipment or lines
switchgears when there is a breakdown
Act as a simple switching station
Output voltage from the distribution
which has a different connection
between the various transmission 02 06 bus bar can also be distributed at the
substation
lines
To improve the power factor and
To convert the AC supply to DC or allows measurements to check the
vice versa
03 07 operation of the various parts of the
power system
Street lighting equipment such as
To converts high frequency voltage to
low frequency voltage and vice versa
04 08 control switches for street lights can
also be installed in the substation
3.6.1 Role of transmission substations
Transmission Substation
3.6.1 Role of transmission substations
Transmission Substation Components
08
Instrument
Transformer
05
06 Earthing
03 Surge
Arrestor
Switches 04
Air-Break
Switches
Isolators
07
Current
Limiting
Reactors 02
01 Circuit
Breakers
Transformer
with Tapping
3.6.2 Function of transmission substations component
Transmission Substation Components
Regulator-transformer is used to control the voltage
Transformer with
01 on the duplicate or output by adjusting the amount
Tapping
of turns on the duplicate
Installed between isolator and transformer
substation. Function:
(a) Carry Full load current continuously
(b) Open and close the circuit at no-load
02 Circuit Breakers
(c) To decide and disconnect operating current at
normal condition
(d) To decide and disconnect short-circuit current
according the designed value
Air Break Switches are special switches designed
Air-Breaker isolate a circuit. These switches are usually
03
Switch operated by a handle which is located at the ground
level
Used to open some parts of the circuit in the load
04 Isolator circuit power after disconnect the circuit breaker.
Two types : OLU and HFU
3.6.2 Function of transmission substations component
Transmission Substation Components
Connection made between electrical equipment and
the earth with the aid of wire connections that do not
05 Earth Switches have resistance. In the substation, high voltage
equipment will be grounded together through the
substation earthing system
Used to limit the excess current from entering
through the transformer and other equipment stored
in the substation. This excess current will flow to the
06 Surge Arrestors grounding terminal. It serves as a gate which
captures the current excess and brought him to the
ground. It save interface between electric circuits
and electronic circuits in a substation system
A coil that has a large inductive reactance than
resistance. It was installed in the high voltage
equipment circuit for limiting short-circuit current
Current Limiting flowing in the line before it is passed to switchgears
07
Reactors in substations. So, the switchgears can be protected
from being damaged due to short-circuit. Reactors
are usually installed on the generator system,
feeders and bus bar.
3.6.2 Function of transmission substations component
Transmission Substation Components
Instrument transformers are used for measuring
voltage and current and also for system protection
and control. Instrument transformers isolate
measurement, protection and control circuitry from
the high currents or voltages present on the circuits
being measured or controlled. Two types :
Instrument (a) Current Transformer (CT)
08
Transformer ▪ to provide a current in its secondary coil
proportional to the current flowing in its
primary coil
(b) Voltage Transformer (VT)
▪ have an accurately known transformation
ratio in both magnitude and phase, over a
range of measuring circuit impedances
