Distribution System

Dr. Preetha PK
 Course Syllabus
• Unit 1
Introduction-Structure of Electric Power System-Conventional, Deregulated Structure, Grid Structure Micro-grid and
Smart Grid Structure; Methods of electric power generations – Conventional- Renewable Energy based generation,
need for interconnected system- necessity of EHV transmission: EHVAC and HVDC transmission, Variable load on
power system- Load Curve and Load Duration Curve, Tariff-Types, Power factor improvement.
• Unit 2
Introduction to Modeling and performance analysis, Transmission line Models- Line parameter estimation-
symmetrical and unsymmetrical spacing of lines, bundled conductor, double circuit lines- corona- Regulation,
Efficiency, Real and reactive power flow in transmission lines- Harmonics- Effects in power system, THD.
Compensation- shunt and series compensation.
• Unit 3
Insulators and Underground cables -classification and grading. Mechanical design of transmission lines. Distribution
systems –Types and comparison–Ring main- Radial distribution. Representation of power system: Power system
components model, Single line diagram and per unit representation, reactance/impedance diagram, Bus Admittance and
Impedance matrix.
• Lab Practice: Hardware experiments, simulation experiments and field visit – Structure of Electric Power System,
modeling and performance analysis of transmission and distribution systems, power system representation etc.
• Distribution system is that part of power system which distributes power to the consumers for utilization

• Consists of feeders, distributors and the service mains.

(i) Feeders :
• Conductor which connects the sub-station to the area where power is to be distributed.
• Generally, no tappings are taken from the feeder so that current in it remains the same
throughout.
• The main consideration in the design of a feeder is the current carrying capacity.
(ii) Distributor:
• Conductor from which tappings are taken for supply to the consumers.
• In Fig. A B, BC, CD and DA are the distributors.
• The current through a distributor is not constant because tappings are taken at various
places along its length.
• While designing a distributor, voltage drop along its length is the main consideration
since the statutory limit of voltage variations is ± 6% of rated value at the consumers’
terminals.
iii) Service mains:
• Small cable which connects the distributor to the consumers’ terminals
 Nature of Current
AC DC Type of Scheme of
Distribution Distribution Construction Connection

Primary
2 wire Overhead Radial
distribution

Secondary
3 wire Underground Ring main
distribution

Interconnected
 (i) Primary distribution system.

• It is that part of a.c. distribution system which

operates at voltages somewhat higher than
general utilization

• Handles large blocks of electrical energy than

the average low-voltage consumer uses.

• The most used primary distribution voltages are 11 kV, 6·6 kV and 3·3 kV.
• Due to economic considerations, primary distribution is carried out by 3- phase, 3-wire system.
(ii) Secondary distribution system.

• It is that part of a.c. distribution system which includes

the range of voltages at which the ultimate consumer
utilizes the electrical energy delivered to him.

• The secondary distribution employs 400/230 V, 3-

phase, 4-wire system.

• At each distribution substation, the voltage is stepped down to 400 V and power is delivered by 3-
phase,4-wire a.c. system.
• The single phase domestic loads are connected between any one phase and the neutral, whereas 3-
phase 400 V loads are connected across 3- phase lines directly
• It is a common knowledge that electric power is usually generated, transmitted
and distributed as a.c. However, for certain applications, d.c. supply is
absolutely necessary.
• For instance, d.c. supply is required for the operation of variable speed
machinery (i.e., d.c. motors), for electrochemical work and for congested areas
where storage battery reserves are necessary.
• For this purpose, a.c. power is converted into d.c. power at the substation. The
d.c. supply from the substation may be obtained in the form of
(i) 2-wire or (ii) 3-wire for distribution.
2-wire d.c. system

• This system of distribution consists of two wires. One is the outgoing or positive wire and the
other is the return or negative wire.
• The loads such as lamps, motors etc. are connected in parallel between the two wires as
shown in Fig.
• This system is never used for transmission purposes due to low efficiency but may be
employed for distribution of d.c. power.
 3-wire d.c. system.

• Consists of two outers and a middle or neutral wire which is earthed at the substation.

• The voltage between the outers is twice the voltage between either outer and neutral wire as shown
in Fig.

• The principal advantage of this system is that it makes available two voltages at the consumer
terminals viz., V between any outer and the neutral and 2V between the outers.

• Loads requiring high voltage (e.g., motors) are connected across the outers, whereas lamps and
heating circuits requiring less voltage are connected between either outer and the neutral.
• In this system, separate feeders radiate
from a single substation and feed the
distributors at one end only.

• Fig. (i) shows a single line diagram of a radial system for d.c. distribution where a feeder OC
supplies a distributor A B at point A. Obviously, the distributor is fed at one end only i.e., point A
in this case.
• Fig. (ii) shows a single line diagram of radial system for a.c. distribution.
• This is the simplest distribution circuit and has the lowest initial cost.
• The end of the distributor nearest to the
feeding point will be heavily loaded.

• The consumers are dependent on a single

feeder and single distributor.

• Therefore, any fault on the feeder or distributor cuts off supply to the consumers who are on the side
of the fault away from the substation.
• The consumers at the distant end of the distributor would be subjected to serious voltage
fluctuations when the load on the distributor changes.
• Due to these limitations, this system is used for short distances only.
• In this system, the primaries of distribution
transformers form a loop.
• The loop circuit starts from the substation
bus-bars, makes a loop through the area to
be served, and returns to the substation.
• Substation supplies to the closed feeder
LMNOPQRS.
• The distributors are tapped from different
points M, O and Q of the feeder through
distribution transformers.
• There are less voltage fluctuations at consumer’s
terminals.

• The system is very reliable as each distributor is

fed via two feeders.

• In the event of fault on any section of the feeder,

the continuity of supply is maintained.

• For example, suppose that fault occurs at any point

F of section SLM of the feeder. Then section SLM
of the feeder can be isolated for repairs and at the
same time continuity of supply is maintained to all
the consumers via the feeder SRQPONM.
• When the feeder ring is energised by two or more
than two generating stations or substations, it is
called inter-connected system.
• Fig. shows the single line diagram of
interconnected system where the closed feeder
ring ABCD is supplied by two substations S1 and
S2 at points D and C respectively.

ADVANTAGES :
• It increases the service reliability.
• Any area can be fed from any one of the generating station. This reduces reserve
power capacity and increases efficiency of the system.
 Requirements of a Distribution system
(i) Proper voltage
• One important requirement of a distribution system is that voltage variations at consumer’s terminals should be
as low as possible.

• The changes in voltage are generally caused due to the variation of load on the system.

• Low voltage causes loss of revenue, inefficient lighting and possible burning out of motors.

• High voltage causes lamps to burn out permanently and may cause failure of other appliances.

• Therefore, a good distribution system should ensure that the voltage variations at consumers terminals are
within permissible limits.

• The statutory limit of voltage variations is ± 6% of the rated value at the consumer’s terminals.

• Thus, if the declared voltage is 230 V, then the highest voltage of the consumer should not exceed 244 V while
the lowest voltage of the consumer should not be less than 216 V.
 Requirements of a Distribution system
(ii) Availability of power on demand.

• Power must be available to the consumers in any amount that they may require from time to time.

• For example, motors may be started or shut down, lights may be turned on or off, without advance warning to
the electric supply company.

• As electrical energy cannot be stored, therefore, the distribution system must be capable of supplying load
demands of the consumers.

• This necessitates that operating staff must continuously study load patterns to predict in advance those major
load changes that follow the known schedules.

(iii) Reliability.

• Reliability can be improved to a considerable extent by (a) interconnected system (b) reliable automatic
control system (c) providing additional reserve facilities
 Design Considerations in Distribution system
• Good voltage regulation of a distribution network is probably the most
important factor responsible for delivering good service to the consumers.
• For this purpose, design of feeders and distributors requires careful
consideration.
(i) Feeders.
• A feeder is designed from the point of view of its current carrying capacity while the
voltage drop consideration is relatively unimportant.
• It is because voltage drop in a feeder can be compensated by means of voltage
regulating equipment at the substation.

(ii) Distributors.
• A distributor is designed from the point of view of the voltage drop in it.
• It is because a distributor supplies power to the consumers and there is a statutory
limit of voltage variations at the consumer’s terminals (± 6% of rated value).
• The size and length of the distributor should be such that voltage at the consumer’s
terminals is within the permissible limits.