NEE 425

POWER SYSTEM
OPERATION
POWER SYSTEM OPERATION POWER SYSTEM OPERATION

Distribution System
The electrical energy produced at the generating station
is conveyed to the consumer through a network of transmission
and distribution systems.

It is the part of power system which distributes electric

power for local use. In general, the distribution system is the
electrical system between the sub-station fed by the
transmission system and the consumers meters. It generally
consists of feeders, distributors and the service mains
POWER SYSTEM OPERATION POWER SYSTEM OPERATION

1. Feeders
A feeder is a conductor which connects the sub-station (or
localized generating station) to the area where the power is
distributed. Generally, no tappings are taken from the feeder so
that the current remains the same throughout. The main
consideration in the feeder is the current carrying capacity.

2. Distributor
A distributor is a conductor from which tappings are taken
for supply to the consumers. The current through the
distributors 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.
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3. Service Mains
A service mains is generally a small cable which connects
the distributor to the consumer’s terminals.
POWER SYSTEM OPERATION Classification of Distribution System

A distribution system may be classified according to;

1. Nature of Current. According to nature of current, distribution

system may be classified as (a) d.c. distribution system (b) a.c.
distribution system.
2. Type of Construction. According to type of construction,
distribution system may be classified as (a) overhead system
(b) underground system. The overhead system is generally
employed for distribution as it is 5 to 10 times cheaper than the
equivalent underground system. In general, the underground
system is used at places where overhead construction is
impracticable or prohibited by the local laws.
3. Scheme of Connection. According to scheme of connection,
the distribution system may be classified as (a) radial system
(b) ring main system (c) inter-connected system.
POWER SYSTEM OPERATION Types of Delivery Systems

The delivery of electric energy from the generating plant

to the consumer may consist of several more or less distinct parts
that are nevertheless somewhat interrelated. The part considered
“distribution” i.e., from the bulk supply substation to the meter at
the consumer’s premises, can be conveniently divided into two
subdivisions:

1. Primary Distribution, which carries the load at higher than

utilization voltages from the substation (or other source) to the
point where the voltage is stepped down to the value at which the
energy is utilized by the consumer.

2. Secondary Distribution, which includes that part of the system

operating at utilization voltages, up to the meter at the consumer’s
premises.
POWER SYSTEM OPERATION Primary Distribution System
POWER SYSTEM OPERATION Secondary Distribution System
POWER SYSTEM OPERATION Primary Distribution

Primary distribution systems include three basic types:

1. Radial systems, including duplicate and throwover systems

2. Loop systems, including both open and closed loops.

3. Primary network systems.

POWER SYSTEM OPERATION Primary Distribution
1. Radial System. In this system, separate feeders radiate from a
single substation and feed the distributors at one end only. The
radial system is employed only when power is generated at low
voltage and the substation is located at the center of the load.
This is the simplest distribution circuit and has the lowest
initial cost. However, it suffers from the following drawbacks:

(a) The end of the distributor nearest to the feeding point will be
heavily loaded.
(b) 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.
(c) The consumers at the distant end of the distributor would be
subjected to serious voltage fluctuations when the load on the
distributor changes.
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Radial System
POWER SYSTEM OPERATION
Radial System
POWER SYSTEM OPERATION Primary Distribution
2. Ring Main System. In this system, the primaries of distribution
transformers form a loop. The loop circuit starts from the
substation bus-bars, makes loop through the area to be served,
and returns to the substation. The ring main system has the
following advantages:

(a) There are less voltage fluctuations at consumer’s terminals.

(b)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.
POWER SYSTEM OPERATION
Ring or Loop System
POWER SYSTEM OPERATION Radial System

Schematic Diagram of Alternate Feed-Throwover Arrangement

for Critical Consumers
POWER SYSTEM OPERATION Radial System

Open-Loop Circuit Schematic Diagram

POWER SYSTEM OPERATION Radial System

Closed-Loop Circuit Schematic Diagram

POWER SYSTEM OPERATION Secondary Distribution
Secondary distribution systems operate relatively low utilization
voltages and, like primary systems, involve considerations of
service reliability and voltage regulation. The secondary system
may be of four general types:

1. An individual transformer for each consumer, i.e., a single

service from each transformer.

2. A common secondary main associated with one transformer

from which a group of consumer is supplied.

3. A continuous secondary main associated with two or more

transformers, connected to two or more primary feeders, from
which a large group of consumers is supplied. This is known as
a low-voltage or secondary network.
POWER SYSTEM OPERATION Secondary Distribution
1. Individual Transformer – Single Service
Individual-transformer service is applicable to certain
loads that are more or less isolated, such as in rural areas
where consumers are far apart and long secondary mains are
impractical, or where a particular consumer has an
extraordinarily large or unusual load even though situated
among a number of ordinary consumer.
POWER SYSTEM OPERATION Secondary Distribution
2. Common Secondary Main
The most common type of secondary system in use
employs a common secondary main. It takes advantage of
diversity between consumer’s loads and demands. Moreover,
the large transformer can accommodate starting currents or
motors with less resulting voltage dip than would be case with
small individual transformers.
POWER SYSTEM OPERATION Secondary Distribution
3. Banked Secondaries
This type of system may be viewed as a single-feeder low-
voltage network, and the secondary may be a long section or
grid to which the transformers are connected. Fuses or
automatic circuit breakers located between the transformer and
secondary main serve to clear the transformer from the bank in
case of failure of the transformer. Fuses may also be placed in
the secondary main between transformer bank.
POWER SYSTEM OPERATION Secondary Distribution
4. Secondary Networks
In general, the secondary network
is created by connecting together the
secondary mains fed from the
transformers supplied by two or more
primary feeders. Automatically
operated circuit breakers in the
secondary mains, known as network
protectors, serve to disconnect the
transformer from the network when its
primary feeder is de-energized; this
prevents a back feed from the
secondary into primary feeder. This is
especially important for safety when
the primary feeder is de-energized
from fault or other cause. The circuit
breaker or protector fail to operate, the
fuse will blow and disconnect the
transformer from the secondary mains.