Energy and Power / Low Voltage / Metering / Protection

Learn To Interpret Single Line Diagram (SLD)

Single line diagram (SLD)

We usually depict the electrical distribution system by a graphic representation called a single line diagram (SLD). A
single line can show all or part of a system. It is very versatile and comprehensive because it can depict very simple
DC circuits, or a very complicated three-phase system.

Learn To Interpret Single Line Diagram - SLD (on photo: An example of 66/6.6kV power substation single line
diagram)

We use universally accepted electrical symbols to represent the different electrical components and their
relationship within a circuit or system. To interpret SLDs you first need to be familiar with the electrical symbols. This
chart shows the most frequently used symbols.
 Individual electrical symbols
Symbol Identification Explanation
Transformer Represents a variety of transformers from liquid filled to dry types. Additional
information is normally printed next to symbol indicating winding connections,
primary /secondary voltages and KVA or MVA ratings.

Removable or Normally represents a MV drawout circuit breaker 5kV and above.

drawout circuit
breaker

Future removable Represents a structure equipped to accept circuit breaker in the future, commonly
or drawout circuit known as provisions.
breaker position

Non-drawout Represents a fixed mounted low voltage circuit breaker.

circuit breaker

Removable or Represents a drawout low voltage circuit breaker.

drawout circuit
breaker

Disconnect switch Represents a switch in low or medium/high voltage applications (open position
shown)

Fuse Represents low voltage and power fuses.

Bus duct Represents low and medium/high voltage bus duct.

Current Represents current transformers mounted in assembled equipment. A ratio of 4000A

transformer to 5A shown.

Potential or Represents potential transformers usually mounted in assembled equipment. A ratio

voltage of 480V to 120V shown.
transformer

Ground (earth) Represents a grounding (earthing) point

Battery Represents a battery in an equipment package

Motor Represents a motor and is also shown with an “M” inside the circle. Additional motor
information is commonly printed next to symbol, such as horsepower, RPM and
voltage.

Normally open Can represent a single contact or single pole switch in the open position for motor
(NO) contact control

Normally closed Can represent a single contact or single pole switch in the closed position for motor
(NC) contact control

Indicating light The letter inside circle indicates the color. The color red is indicated.

Overload relay Protects a motor should an overload condition develop.

Capacitor Represents a variety of capacitors.

Ammeter A letter is usually shown to designate the meter type (A = ammeter, V = voltmeter,
etc.)

Instantaneous The device number designates the relay type (50 = instantaneous overcurrent, 59 =
overcurrent overvoltage, 86 = lockout, etc.)
protective relay
Emergency The symbol is frequently shown in conjuction with a transfer switch.
generator

Fused disconnect The symbol is a combination of a fuse and disconnect switch with the switch in the
switch open position.

Low voltage The symbol is a combination of a normally open contact (switch), overload relay,
motor control motor and disconnect device.
 Medium voltage The symbol is a combination of a drawout fuse, normally open contact (switch) and
motor starter motor.

Meter center A series of circle symbols representing meters usually mounted in a common
enclosure.

Load center or One circuit breaker representing a main device and other circuit breakers
panelboard representing feeder circuits usually in a common enclosure.

Transfer switch • Circuit breaker type transfer switch

• Non-circuit breaker type transfer switch

Current The instrument connected could be a different instrument or several different

transformer with instruments identified by the letter.
connected
ammeter
Protective relays Device numbers indicate types of relays connected, such as:
connected to • 67 – Directional overcurrent
current • 51 – Time overcurrent
transformer

Simple electrical circuit

Now, that you are familiar with electrical symbol, let’s look at how they are used in interpreting single line diagrams.
Below is a simple electrical circuit.

Figure 1 – Simple single line diagram

You can tell by the symbols that this single line diagram has three resistors and a battery. The electricity flows from
the negative side of the battery through the resistors to the positive side of the battery.

Industrial single line diagram

Now, lets go through a industrial single line diagram. When interpreting a single line diagram, you should always start
at the top where the highest voltage is and work your way down to the lowest voltage. This helps to keep the
voltages and their paths straight.

To explain this easier, we have divided the single line into three sections.
Figure 2 – A typical industrial single line diagram

Area A //

Starting at the top, you will notice that a transformer is feeding power to the whole system. The transformer steps the
voltage down from 35kV to 15kV, as indicated by the numbers next to the transformer symbol. Once the voltage has
been stepped down, a drawout circuit breaker (a1) is encountered.

Do you recognize the drawout circuit breaker symbol?

You can assume this circuit breaker can handle 15kV, since it is attached to the 15kV side of the transformer, and
nothing different is indicated on the single line diagram. Following the drawout circuit breaker (a1) from the
transformer, it is attached to a heavier, horizontal line.

This horizontal line represents an electrical bus, which is a means used to get electricity to other areas or circuits.

Area B //

You will notice that two more drawout circuit breakers (b1 and b2) are attached to the bus and feed other circuits,
which are at 15kV, since there has been no indication of voltage change in the system. Attached to the drawout circuit
breaker (b1), a step-down transformer is used to take the voltage in that area of the system from 15kV down to 5kV.
SLD area B

On the 5kV side of this transformer, a disconnect switch is shown. The disconnect is used to connect or isolate the
equipment below it from the transformer. The equipment below the disconnect is at 5kV, since nothing indicates the
contrary.

Do you recognize the equipment attached to the lower side of the disconnect
switch as being two medium-voltage motor starters?

A number of starters could be connected depending upon the particular system requirements. Now locate the second
drawout circuit breaker (b2). This circuit breaker is attached to a fused disconnect switch and it is connected to a
step-down transformer. Notice that all the equipment below the transformer is now considered low voltage equipment,
because the voltage has been stepped down to a level of 600 volts or lower.

The last piece of electrical equipment in the middle portion of the diagram is another circuit breaker (b3).
This time, however, the circuit breaker is a fixed low voltage circuit breaker, as indicated by the symbol.

Moving to the bottom area of the single line diagram, notice that the circuit breaker (b3) in the middle is connected to
the bus in the bottom portion.

Area C //

To the bottom left and connected to the bus is another fixed circuit breaker. Look carefully at the next grouping of
symbols.

Do you recognize the automatic transfer switch symbol?

Also, notice that a circle symbol which represents an emergency generator is attached to the automatic transfer
switch. This area of the single line diagram tells us that it is important for the equipment connected below the
automatic transfer switch to keep running, even if power from the bus is lost. You can tell from the single line
diagram that the automatic transfer switch would connect the emergency generator into the circuit to keep equipment
running, if power from the bus were lost.

SLD area C

A low-voltage motor control circuit is attached to the automatic transfer switch through a low-voltage bus. Make sure
you recognize these symbols. Although we do not know the exact function of the low voltage motor control in this
circuit, it is obvious that it is important to keep the equipment up and running. A written specification would normally
provide the details of the application.

On the right side of the third area there is another fixed circuit breaker connected to the bus. It is attached to
a meter center, as indicated by the symbol formed by three circles. This indicates that the electric
company is using these meters to keep track of power consumed by the equipment below the meter center.

Below the meter center is a load center or panelboard that is feeding a number of smaller circuits. This could
represent a load center in a building that feeds power to the lights, air conditioning, heat and any other electrical
equipment connected to the building.

Few more words //

This over-simplified analysis of a single line diagram gives you an idea of the kind of story such diagrams tell
about electrical system connections and equipment.

Just keep in mind that although some single line diagrams may appear overwhelming by virtue of their size and
the wide variety of equipment represented, they can all be analyzed using the same step-by-step method.

Reference // Fundamentals of Electrical Distribution by EATON

About Author
About Author

Edvard Csanyi

Edvard - Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for design of LV/MV switchgears
and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings and industry fascilities.
Professional in AutoCAD programming. Present on Google+