Introduction to Electric Power

Transmission and
Distribution
SUSHREE SAMIKSHYA PATTANAIK
Introduction 2

 Electric power transmission is the bulk movement of electrical

energy from a generating site, such as a power plant, to an
electrical substation. The interconnected lines which facilitate this
movement are known as a transmission network.
 The combined transmission and distribution network is known
as the "National Grid".
Power System 3

 The generation, transmission and distribution of electric power is

called power system.
A power system has the following stages:
- Generation of electric power
- Transmission of electric power.
- Distribution of electric power.
 Most transmission lines are high-voltage three-phase alternating
current (AC).
 High-voltage direct-current (HVDC) technology is used for greater
efficiency over very long distances (typically hundreds of miles).
 Electricity is transmitted at high voltages (115 kV or above) to reduce
the energy loss which occurs in long-distance transmission.
Layout of Power System 4

A power system is consist of the following

stages:
1. Power Station
2. Primary Transmission
3. Secondary Transmission
4. Primary Distribution
5. Secondary Distribution
5
1. Power Station 6

 The bulk power is

generated at the power
station by 3- phase, 3 wire
system employing several
alternators in parallel. The
usual generation voltage is
11kV. Due to economic
consideration , the
generation voltage(ie; 11kV )
is step up to 220kV or
132kV at the power station
with the help of step up
transformers.
2. Primary Transmission 7

 High voltages of the

order of 66 kV 132 kV
220 kV and 400 kV are used
for transmitting power by
3 phase 3 wire overhead
system. This is supplied
to substations usually at
the out skirts of major
distribution centre or city.
3. Secondary Transmission 8

 On the outskirt of the city, there are sub- station which step
down the primary transmission voltage to 66kV or 33kV and
power is transmitted at this voltage. This forms the secondary
transmission system. 3 phase wire system is used.
4. Primary Distribution 9

 The transmission lines

or inner connectors
terminate at large main
substations from which
the power is distributed
to small secondary
substations scattered
throughout the load area.
The voltage may range
from 11 kV to 132 kV.
5. Secondary Distribution 10

 This consists of the low-

voltage network laid along
the streets, localities and
over the rural areas. From
these sources connections
to individual customers are
provided. The circuit used
for this purpose is 3 phase
4 wire, 440 V/220 V from
which either 3 phase 440 V
or single phase 220 V
supply to the consumers
may be provided.
INTRODUCTION OF DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Distribution of electric power is an important part of power system. The

important requirement of a distribution system is that the power should
be distributed to various consumers economically and efficiently .
The electric energy is made available for use in a factory or a
residential building by distribution system which can be subdivided into
three distinct parts.
 Feeders
 Distributors
 Service mains
 DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
The arrangement of conveying electric power from bulk power sources
(generating stations or major substations) to the various consumers is
called distribution system.
Distribution is of two types. –
1. High voltage or primary distribution
2. Low voltage or secondary distribution

High voltage distribution is carried out at voltages of the order of

33kv,66kv or,11kv.
Low voltage distribution which is carried out at 400/230 volts (in
three phase 4 wires system)
Important terms of distribution system
1. Feeder
2. Distributor
3. Service mains

Feeder- A feeder is a conductor which connects sub-station or generating station

to the are where the power is to be distributed. These are the conductors which carry
large currents to the feeding points. In Fig. 3.1, s is the sub-station and SA and SC are
the feeders. A and C are the feeding points.
2.Distributor :
A distributor is a conductor from which tapings are taken for supply to the consumers
or it is the conductor t which carries current to the service main form the feeding
points. The current loading of a distributor varies along its length.
3.Service mains : A services main is generally a small cable which connects the
distributor to the consumer terminals.

CLASSIFICATION OF DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

1. According to Nature of Construction :
a. Overhead distribution system
b. Underground distribution system
overhead system is cheaper than underground system. However, underground system is
used in thickly populated areas where overhead system may not be practicable.
2. According to nature of current :
a. D.C distribution system
b. A.C distribution system
A.C distribution is universally adopted due to many advantage of a.c. power
over d.c. power.
3. According to number of wires :
a. 2-wire d.c. system
b. 3-wire d.c. system
c. Single phase, 2-wire a.c. system
d. 3-phase, 3-wire a.c. system
e. 3-phase, 4—wire a.c. system
4. According to the system of connection:
(a) Radial system
(b) Ring main system
(c) Interconnected system
Radial System: when the distributor is fed at one end
only, it is called radial distribution system. A single line diagram of radial
system is shown in fig.
Advantages of radial system:
1. its initial cost is minimum.
2.this system is employed when electrical energy is generated at low
voltage and power station is situated at the center of load.
Disadvantages:
3.the end of the distributor nearest to the supply end would be heavily
loaded.
4.the consumers at the distant end of the distributor would be subjected
to serious voltage variations.
When the load on the distributor changes.
Ring main system:
when the distributor is supplied by two feeders, it is called a ring
main distribution system. In this system the feeder closes on itself,
i.e. it forms a complete ring and hence the name ring mains.
Advantages of ring main system:
1.it offers a great reliability of supply. In the event of fault on any
system of feeder, the continuity of supply can be maintained.
2. each distributor is supplied via two feeders, for
example,- the distributor connected at a point “D” is fed via feeder
ABC and ADC
Inetrconnected system:
In an “interconnected system” the feeder ring is energised by two or more than
two generating stations or substations fig. shows the single line diagram of an
interconnected system. The closed feeder ring ABCDA is supplied by four
stations S1, S2, S3 & S4 at
points D,A, B & C.
Introduction of Substations 20

 A substation is a part of an electrical generation, transmission, and

distribution system. Substations transform voltage from high to low, or
the reverse, or perform any of several other important functions.
 Between the generating station and consumer, electric power may flow
through several substations at different voltage levels.
 A substation may include transformers to change voltage levels between
high transmission voltages and lower distribution voltages, or at the
interconnection of two different transmission voltages.
 Substations may be owned and operated by an electrical utility, or may be
owned by a large industrial or commercial customer. Generally substations
are unattended, relying on SCADA for remote supervision and control.
21
Types of Substations 22

1. Transmission substation
A transmission substation connects two or more transmission lines. The simplest
case is where all transmission lines have the same voltage. In such cases,
substation contains high-voltage switches that allow lines to be connected or
isolated for fault clearance or maintenance.
A transmission station may have transformers to convert between two
transmission voltages, voltage control/power factor correction devices such as
capacitors, reactors or static VAR compensators and equipment such as phase
shifting transformers to control power flow between two adjacent power systems.
Types of Substations 23

2. Distribution substation
A distribution substation transfers power from the transmission system to the
distribution system of an area. It is uneconomical to directly connect electricity
consumers to the main transmission network, unless they use large amounts of
power, so the distribution station reduces voltage to a level suitable for local
distribution.
The input for a distribution substation is typically at least two transmission or sub
transmission lines. Input voltage may be, for example, 115 W, or whatever is
common in the area. The output is a number of feeders.
Distribution voltages are typically medium voltage, between 2.4 kV and 33 kV
depending on the size of the area served and the practices of the local utility.
Types of Substations 24

3. Collector substation
In distributed generation projects such as a wind farm, a collector substation may
be required. It resembles a distribution substation although power flow is in the
opposite direction, from many wind turbines up into the transmission grid.

Usually for economy of construction the collector system operates around 35 kV

and the collector substation steps up voltage to a transmission voltage for the
grid. The collector substation can also provide power factor correction if it is
needed, metering and control of the wind farm. In some special cases a collector
substation can also contain an HVDC converter station.
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Components of Substations 26

Various components are used at grid transmission substations. These are as

follows:

1. Conductors
2. Current transformers
3. Potential Transformers
4. Power transformers(Auto Transformer)
5. Capacitive voltage Transformers
6. Line Isolators
7. Bus Isolators
8. Lighting Arresters
9. Capacitor Bank
10. Circuit Breaker