INTRODUCTION TO

SUBSTATION
(Part-I)

AMIT K. SINGH
Due to limitation of Generating size , Power is generated in Medium Voltage Range.

IMPACTED AREA FOR 1. The number of turns of wire in the armature

HIGHER LEVEL VOLTEGE 2. The strength of the magnetic field of the pole pieces
GENERATION : 3. The speed of the cutting action (speed of rotation)
GENERATION VOLTAGE :
Economic generation voltage is generally limited to following values (CBI & P Manual).

Up to 750 kVA - 415 volts

751 - 2500 kVA - 3.3 volts
2501 – 5000 kVA - 6.6 volts
Above 5000 kVA - 11 kV or higher

Generally terminal voltage of large generators is 11 kV in India. Generator with high terminal voltages up to 20 kV is being
made. Step up voltage depends upon following.
i). Length of transmission line for interconnection with the power system.
ii). Power to be transmitted.

For the purpose of standardization in India transmission lines may be classified for operating at 66 kV and above.
33 kV is sub transmission, 11 kV and below may be classified as distribution.
Line --> 200
KVA---> 1000000

KV---> 5.5 124 6666.7 82.4 453.23

To minimize Line losses (due to high current) , Transmission
voltages are being selected in HV / EHV / UHV Range.

VOLT.
VOLT.
X

POWER POWER
(MW) (MW)
X

CURRENT

CURRENT
SUBSTATION:
The assembly of apparatus which can be used to change the characteristics of electrical supply is called a substation.

FUNCTIONS OF SUBSTATION

- It reduces/increases voltage to a low/high level.

- Can be used as switching stations.
- Can be used as converting stations.

TYPE OF SWITCHYARD BASED ON SERVICE

REQUIREMENT

- GENERATING SUBSTATION.
- GRID SUBSTATION.
- SWITCH SUBSTATION.
- DISTRIBUTION SUBSTATION.
- CONVERTER STATION.
GENERATING SUBSTATION:

The first type is the switchyard

at a generating station.
These facilities connect the
Generators to the utility grid
and also provide off-site power
to the plant.

GRID SUBSTATION:

Grid Station is an interconnection point between two transmission line circuits (Rings), those are serving/connecting two
geographic regions. Grid Station has transformer depending on the possibly different voltages, so that the voltage levels can
be adjusted as needed
SWITCH SUBSTATION:
A switching station is a
substation without transformers
and operating only at a single
voltage level.
An important function performed
by a substation is switching,
which is the connecting and
disconnecting of transmission
lines or other components to and
from the system.
The function of the switching
station is to isolate the faulty
portion of the system in the
shortest possible time. De-
energizing faulty equipment
protects it from further damage,
and isolating a fault helps keep
the rest of the electrical grid
operating with stability.
DISTRIBUTION SUBSTATION:

The distribution station reduces voltage to a level suitable

for local distribution.
In addition to transforming voltage, distribution substation
also isolate faults in either the transmission or distribution
systems.

CONVERTER SUBSTATION:

An HVDC converter station is a specialised type of substation

which forms the terminal equipment for a high-voltage
direct current transmission line. It converts direct current to
alternating current or the reverse.
TYPICAL COMPONENTS OF SWITCHYARD :

BUSBAR (or bus, for short) – is a term we use • CONNECT A – Busbar

for a main bar or conductor carrying an • CONNECT & DIS-CONNECT B - Disconnector
electric current to which many connection
may be made. • CONNECT, DIS-CONNECT & DETECT C - Circuit Breaker
Buses are merely convenient means of
connecting switches and other equipment • DETECT & TRANSFORM D - Current Transformer
into various arrangements. The usual
arrangement of connections in most • DETECT & TRANSFORM E - Voltage Transformer
substations permit working on almost any • PROTECT & SAFETY F - Earthing Switch
piece of equipment without interruption to
incoming or outgoing feeders • PROTECT G - Surge Arrestor

1. MAIN BUS : Busbar which feeds power under normal operation .

2. AUXILIARY / TRANSFER BUS : Additional Busbar to the main Busbar, normally not in operation Circuit breaker of a
bay can be bypassed by transfer bay for maintenance purpose.
EXAMPLE : Normal Operation

Bus Transfer Bay 252, 289A, 289B

Normally OPEN.
189B OPEN
189A, 189L CLOSED
152 CLOSED

Transfer of Power from Feeder Bay to

Bus Transfer Bay for Breaker
Maintenance

CLOSE 289A and 289B

CLOSE 189B
CLOSE 252.
Both Circuits are in parallel.
OPEN 152.
Breaker available for maintenance
OPEN 189A and 189L.

Power transferred to BT Bay without

MAIN & TRANSFER BUS BAR SCHEME interruption
TYPE OF BUS BAR (AS PER CONSTRUCTION) :
FLEXIBLE BUS BAR A Busbar made of ACSR / AAAC / AAC Conductors,
strung between structures.

RIGID BUS BAR A Busbar made of Aluminium / copper tubes, supported on

Bus Support Insulators
TYPE OF SWITCHYARD BASED ON
SERVICE REQUIREMENT :

1. Outdoor AIS Substations

2. Indoor / Outdoor GIS Substations
3. Outdoor / Indoor Hybrid Substations

Advantages and disadvantages of each solution

analyzed based on below major parameters:
- Initial cost
- Reliability
- Maintainability
- Space consumption
- Qualification of assembly and operational
personnel
- Erection time
- Total ownership cost
HYBRID SWITCHYARD:

The Hybrid switchgear is a mix of AIS and GIS technology

and can be installed indoor as well as outdoor. Outdoor
installation is preferred because of the saving in civil works
of building.
Clearance Requirements In EHV AIS Substation
( You MUST Respect )

Starting point for planning a substation is its single line diagram (SLD) which relates to circuit configuration, number of bus
bars and its type and other associated equipment. However from erection and installation point of view layout of any
substation is the most vital and key engineering because the single line diagram, bus switching scheme is to be translated
into a layout of appropriate bay widths, section and ground clearances so as to physically achieve the feeder switching
required for ease in erection and maintenance.

Spatial separation consists of following

types of separation:

- Creepage.
- Earth clearance.
- Phase clearance.
- Ground clearance.
- Sectional Safety Working Clearance.
CREEPAGE DISTANCE & CLEARANCE
Creepage (Leakage distance) is the shortest path between two
conductive parts (or between a conductive part and the bounding
surface of the equipment) measured along the surface of
the insulation.

The leakage current flows from the live conductor to the earth
through such surface layers. The leakage properties (creepage
properties) of an insulators in substation are characterized by
the length of the leakage path. While designing the insulator sheds,
the leakage distance for insulators requirement should be satisfied. Clearance is the shortest distance between two
conductive parts (or between a conductive part
and the bounding surface of the equipment)
measured through air. Clearance distance helps
prevent dielectric breakdown between electrodes
caused by the ionization of air.
The dielectric breakdown level is further
influenced by relative humidity, temperature, and
degree of pollution in the environment.
Dry arcing distance and creepage distance:

Dry arcing distance means the shortest path

which the voltage can puncture the air outside
the insulator. Creepage distance means the
shortest path between two conductive parts
measured along the surface of the insulation.
Arcing distance is also called as Flash Over Distance. Below illustration Important Notes:
will make it clearer. The corrugation below the insulator is for the • Flashover distance – It is the shortest distance
purpose of obtaining longer creepage path between the pin and cap. through air between the electrodes of
the insulator. For a pin type insulator shown in the
figure the double headed red arrow line
is flashover distance.

• Flashover voltage – The voltage at which the air

around insulator breaks down and flashover takes
place shorting the insulator.

• Puncture voltage – The voltage at which the

insulator breaks down and current flows through
the inside of insulator.

• Creepage is related with leakage current and

puncture voltage whereas arcing distance
is related to flashover voltage or BIL level of that
voltage level. That’s why height/length of insulator
depends upon arcing / flashover distance.
Protected creepage
distance: Part of the
creepage distance on the
illuminated side of the
insulator which would lie
in shadow if light were
projected on to the
insulator at 90° (or 45° in
special cases) to the
longitudinal axis of the
insulator.

The distance between A

and B is the protective
creepage.
Can be seen as RED
marked line in the
diagram →
POLLUTION DEGREE is divided into four categories. The following definitions are based on those in IEC 60664.3

• Pollution degree 1. No pollution or only dry, nonconductive pollution occurs. The pollution has no influence (example:
sealed or potted products).
• Pollution degree 2. Normally only nonconductive pollution occurs. Occasionally a temporary conductivity caused by
condensation must be expected (example: product used in typical office environment).
• Pollution degree 3. Conductive pollution occurs, or dry, nonconductive pollution occurs that becomes conductive due to
expected condensation (example: products used in heavy industrial environments that are typically exposed to pollution
such as dust).
• Pollution degree 4. Pollution generates persistent conductivity caused, for instance, by conductive dust or by rain or
snow
GROUND CLEARANCE :
The ground clearance is the distance between ground level and bottom of any insulator in an outdoor substation.

This ensures that any person working in the area

cannot touch or damage the insulators accidentally.

This clearance is kept as 2.5 meters for all voltage levels. When atmospheric conditions or ambient conditions
The minimum vertical distance from the bottom of the are different from standardized conditions than
lowest porcelain part of the bushing,porcelain enclosures appropriate correction factor should be applied by
or supporting insulators to the bottom of the equipment finding the withstand voltage in that condition that is
base, where it rests onthe foundation pad shall be 2.5 actual BIL testing in new non-standard
meters. ambient/atmospheric condition. Than based on
This means that support structure from plinth up to the dielectric strength of air required phase to phase and
bottom of insulator or top of the metallic earthed part of phase to earth clearance can be calculated.
the equipment below insulator should be at 2.5 meters.
ALLOWABLE ELECTRICAL FIELD :
“The regular influence of electric field may be harmful to Researches carried out in USSR had derived following limits
400 kV – 765 kV switchyard staff health. There is no well of electric field intensity tolerable by human beings within
defined guideline in India for the limits of electrostatic a period of time.
levels in substation”

Exposure limit of electric fields which is 5kV/m for the

International Non-ionizing Radiation committee of the
general public and 10kV/m for occupational and exposure
International Radiation Protection Association has
limit of magnetic fields which is 100μT for general public
suggested that continuous occupational exposure the
and 500μT for occupational is well within the limit as per
working day should be limited to 10KV/Mtr. Therefore, for
the guidelines of various standards and suppoted by WHO
safe working near charged equipment the electric field
reports
should not be more than 10KV/mtr at 1.8 meter level.
CLEARANCES FOR SAFE ACCESS AND CONDUCTOR
SPACINGS :
Designs must ensure that competent personnel
can carry out operating and maintenance
procedures without inadvertently encroaching
within the danger zone.
The danger zone is defined by the minimum
phase to earth clearance (N) to live conductors.

Rv = 2440 mm shall be minimum Clearance from

Earthing Point of electrical equipment to
accessible surface to the user/operator person.
The lowest part of any insulation, for example
the upper edge of metallic insulator bases, shall
not be less than 2440 mm above the accessible
surface.
The minimum walking access clearance to live
parts from accessible ground, or accessible
platforms shall be W, where W = N + RV
MINIMUM CONDUCTOR HEIGHT :
Bus height is also governed and
calculated by the fact that allowable
electric field due to live conductor at
man height should be less than
permissible value as per guidelines
As per calculations and
measurements carried out in 400 kV
substations with 8 meter ground
clearance and with 6 meter phase to
phase distance, electric fields at
various locations have been found to
be well within the limit of 10KV/mtr.
SECTIONAL CLEARANCE Or SAFETY WORKING CLEARANCE :
Section clearance is the distance between two sections of substation, which enables a person to work on one section of a
substation in a safe manner, while the other section is charged. Section clearance is chosen in such a manner that phase
to earth clearance is maintained between the live point and the approach of the working personnel with adequate
margin.
In case of 400 KV:
• The phase to earth clearance of 3.5 mtr.
• The approach of man is considered as
2.5 mtr.
• Margin of 0.5 mtr. is considered for
unforeseen reasons like errors in erections,
dimensions of tools and platforms etc.
• Thus the section clearance is taken as 6.5 mtr.

Hence sectional clearance or safety working

clearance can be defined as the clearance
between working personnel and adjacent live
part in a way that maximum reach of a man
is at phase to earth clearance from the
adjacent live part.
EQUIPMENT TO EQUIPMENT SPACING: BAY WIDTH:
The equipment to equipment spacing is The bay widths are chosen in such a way that the minimum clearances
decided based upon following factors: are maintained even when the isolator is kept under fully open
condition with one end energized.
• Adequate clearances (phase to earth, The different types of the isolators like horizontal center brake,
phase to phase, section and ground horizontal double brake, pantograph and vertical break has a great
clearances). impact in deciding the bay widths.
• Convenience of erection and security.
• Adjacent equipments should not foul
physically while installing terminal clamps.
• Equipment foundations should not foul
with each other and cable trenches.
• Technical requirements.
• Location of surge arrestors with respect to
protected equipments such as transformer
and reactors.
• Position of CVT, wave-trap and shunt
reactor approaching from line side.
• Maintenance flexibility.
IEC TABLE FOR MIN CLEARANCE REQUIREMENT :
SURGE / LIHTINING ARRSTOR:
A protective device for limiting surge voltages on equipment by diverting surge
current and returning the device to its original status. It is capable of repeating
these functions as specified.’’

Two-Unit HV Surge Arrester Components

 SURGE ARRESTOR BASIC PRINCIPLE :
Usually installed between phase and
earth/neutral Under

Under normal operating conditions,

> acts as an insulator
When subjected to an transient over voltage,
> it switches and diverts current to ground,
thus limiting the over-voltage.
Returns to insulator function: ..
a). if energy rating is not exceeded
b). damaged by internal short circuit.
ON LOAD ISOLATOR OPERATION :
CIRCUIT BREAKER :
A circuit breaker is a device which opens or closes a 1. Breaking Chamber
high voltage circuit by opening or closing contacts
which are driven by a mechanism. -CIGRE
2. Insulated Tie Rod.
Equipment provided to be connected to an electrical 3. Operating Mechanism
circuit for the purpose of carrying out one or more of
the following functions – protection, control, 4. Closing Resistor
isolation, switching. – IEC60050
The pole of Circuit breaker is made up
5. Grading Capacitor
with three main components: -
6. Central Housing
1.The interrupter chambers
2.The support column
3.The housing of the mechanism
7. CMB
Air-Break C.B Outdated
Classification of Circuit Oil C.B
Breaker based on Air blast C.B
Medium used for ARC Sulphur Hexafluoride C.B Latest Trend
quenching : Vacuum C.B
Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6) C.B
SF6 an inert gas (does not undergo any chemical reactions) and
thermally stable (opposing decomposition during high temperatures).
It has got good arc quenching and insulating properties.
Its density is 5 times that of air and heat convection is 1.6 times that
of air.
It is non – inflammable, non – poisonous and odourless.
But the by products produced in SF6 during arcing is dangerous for Behaviour under the influence of electrical
the operating personnel. discharges
Electrical discharges cause a decomposition of
the gas to an extent proportional to the
converted energy. Under the influence of an
F
e F electric arc, part of the sulphur hexafluoride is
F e
F e dissociated into its atomic constituents.
F F This reaction is reversible. After the discharge,
e F the dissociation products recombine, provided
F F e that no secondary reactions with vaporized
F F e
F electrode metal, the container wall or other
constructional components occur.
Circuit Breakers consist, current carrying contacts called electrodes. These are
normally engaged but, under predetermined conditions, separate to interrupt the
circuit. When the contacts are separated an arc is stuck between them. Extinction
of this takes place within the arc interrupting medium.

CIRCUIT BREAKER RATING

Breaking capacity : It is the highest current that a C.B can break at a stated recovery voltage under prescribed condition. It
is expressed in terms of MVA
Making capacity : It is the peak value of the current wave in the first cycle after the C.B is closed when the fault is existing.
It is 2.55 times that of normal short circuit breaking current.
Short time capacity : The RMS value of current that a circuit breaker can carry safely for certain specific time without any
damage in it.
Live Tank - The circuit breaker the switching unit is located in an insulator bushing which is
live at line voltage (or some voltage above ground). Live Tank circuit breakers are cheaper
than dead tank and require less space.

Dead Tank - The switching unit is located within a metallic container which is kept a earth
potential. As the incoming/outgoing conductors are taken through insulated bushings, it is
possible to place current transformers on these (with a Live Tank arrangement this is not
possible and separate CTs are required).
DISCONNECTOR / ISOLATOR : HORIZONTAL CENTRE BREAK (HCB):
Disconnectors are used for galvanic isolation of networks
or sections of switchgear installations. As an
independent air-insulated device, they form a visible
isolating distance in their open position. They are
suitable for switching small currents (< 0.5 A) or also
larger currents if the voltage does not change
significantly between the contacts of a disconnector
pole during switching (commutation currents)
TYPE OF DISCONNECTORS :

1. Center break. 5. Pantograph &

2. Double End break (also TANDEM

sometimes called
double side break) 6. Semi-Pantograph
3. Vertical break 7. Earth Switch
4. Knee Type
HORIZONTAL DOUBLE BREAK (DBR):
VERTICAL BREAK TYPE : The vertical-break
disconnector consists of
one arm which, by
moving on the plane of
the insulators supporting
it, closes the circuit on a
fixed contact located on
the side insulator.

Since the movement of

the arm takes place on
the same plane as that of
the insulators, the phase-
to-phase spacing is
minimized.
KNEE TYPE : The knee-type disconnector
consists of one articulated arm
which, by moving “horizontally”
on the plane of the insulators,
closes the circuit on a fixed
contact located on the side
insulator.
Since the movement of the arm
takes place on the same plane
as that of the insulators, the
phase-to-phase spacing is
minimized.
Compared to the vertical-break
disconnector (SLOB), the
dimensions of the knee-type
model in open position are
reduced, thus allowing for top
metal structures (if any) to be
placed at lower heights.
PANTOGRAPH TYPE : The pantograph disconnector
consists of two articulated
half-arms which, by moving in
a coordinated way and
“vertically” on the plane of
the insulators, close the circuit
on a fixed contact connected
the upper busbar.

Pantograph disconnectors are

an ideal solution for
connection to busbar systems,
since they allow minimizing
the substation area and
ensure the maintenance
(disconnector arms included)
of the bay inside which the
equipment is installed,
without putting the upper
busbar out of service.
TANDEM TYPE :
It is a isolator where the three pole phases are aligned
diagonally ie. all the pole phases are connected one
behind another so that the jumpering can be done on
the bus bar. It is a double break isolator which isolates
both sides and used in all stations.
INSTRUMENT TRANSFORMERS :
In power system, the currents and voltages are very
large therefore, their direct measurements are not
possible.
The solution is to step The solution is to step -down
these currents/voltages with the down these
currents/voltages with the help of Instrument
Transformer – So that, they could be metered with
instruments of moderate size

- SF6 FILLED INSTRUMENT TRANSFORMERS.

- OIL FILLED INSTRUMENT TRANSFORMERS.

Current Transformer (C.T.): –

Transformers used for current measurement and Steps down the current to the level of ammeter. Steps down the current to
the level of ammeter.
Voltage Transformer (V.T. or P.T.): –
Transformers used for voltage (Potential) measurement and Steps down the voltage to the level of voltmeter.
Potential / Voltage Transformers (VT /PT) :
The primary of a voltage transformer is connected to
the terminals between which the voltage is to be
measured, and the secondary is connected to the
voltage circuits of one or more measuring devices,
connected in parallel.
VTs may be used to measure the voltage between
phases or between a phase and earth. In this case
one end of its primary winding will be directly
earthed, inside or outside

CAPACITIVE Voltage Transformers (CVT) :

A special form of instrument transformer used on very high-voltage systems is the
capacitively coupled voltage transformer, or CCVT/CVT . These sensing devices employ a
series-connected set of capacitors dividing the power line voltage down to a lesser
quantity before it gets stepped down further by an electromagnetic transformer.
CVT is also useful in communication systems. CVTs in combination with wave traps are
used for filtering high-frequency communication signals from power frequency.[2] This
forms a carrier communication network throughout the transmission network, to
communicate between substations.
DIFFERENCE :
A PT, Potential Transformer, can be thought of as
a pure transformer with primary and secondary
windings; PT’s are sometimes referred to as
magnetic transformers due to the fact that their
mode of operation is purely magnetic.
A CVT or CCVT, Capacitor Coupled Voltage
Transformer, is made with two capacitor sets
acting as a voltage divider that brings the line,
actually the phase, voltage down to around 12-
20 kV then this voltage is fed to a relatively small
transformer for the voltage signal to be
processed.
Coupling capacitor connects the carrier
equipment to the transmission line. The coupling
capacitor’s capacitance is of such a value that it
offers low impedance to carrier
frequency (1/ωC) but high impedance to power
frequency (50 Hz).
For example 2000pF capacitor offers 1.5MΩ to
50Hz but 150Ω to 500kHz.
Current Transformers (CT) :
A current transformer (CT) is a type of transformer that is used to reduce or multiply an alternating current (AC). It
produces a current in its secondary which is proportional to the current in its primary.
Current transformers are used for protection, measurement and control in high-voltage electrical substations and
the electrical grid. Current transformers may be installed inside switchgear or in apparatus bushings, but very often free-
standing outdoor current transformers are used. In a switchyard, live tank current transformers have a substantial part of
their enclosure energized at the line voltage and must be mounted on insulators.
Based on large changes in a current transformers turns ratio can be
the achieved by modifying the primary turns through the CT’s
construction window where one primary turn is equal to one pass and
, there are more than one pass through the window results in the
two types of electrical ratio being modified.
current
transformer.
One is Live
Tank CT and **Current transformer with a relationship of say,
another one 300/5A can be converted to another of 150/5A or even
is Dead Tank 100/5A by passing the main primary conductor through
CT. its interior window two or three times as shown.
 LIVE TANK: DEAD TANK:

If the Core and

Secondary
Winding is
located in
Dead Tank,
then it is Dead
Tank type CT
while in case
the Core and
Secondary
Winding is
located in Live
Tank portion
then it is Live
Tank type CT
POWER TRANSFORMER :
Transformers raise or lower the voltage to serve
transmission or distribution circuits

Rated in:
- Power (usually MVA/KVA)
- Insulation (cooling type)
- Voltage rating
- Winding connections
- Voltage regulation (tap changers)
- Class (cooling design)

A transformer essentially consists of three

components: Core, HV Winding and LV Winding. Rest
everything like Conservator, Buchholz Relay, Radiator,
Breather etc. are auxiliaries of transformer. These
auxiliaries are required for satisfactory operation of
transformer.
AUTO Transformers : An autotransformer is a kind of electrical
Generally for a large power generating transformer where primary and secondary shares
units, bank of 3 single phase transformer same common single winding. So basically it’s a
is preferred. The main reason is the size one winding transformer.
and transportation. Let us take an Advantages of using Auto Transformers
example for better understanding.
An auto transformer has higher efficiency than two
Consider a 700 MW generating station
winding transformer. This is because of less ohmic loss
where we need to choose and core loss due to reduction of transformer
a generator transformer (GT) to evacuate material.
power to 400 kV Grid. The size of a
For transformation ratio = 2, the size of
single three phase transformer of 823 Auto transformer has
the auto transformer would be approximately
MVA (700 / 0.85) will be quite high and
50% of the corresponding size of two winding better voltage
hence will not be easily transportable
transformer. For transformation ratio say 20 regulation as voltage
from the Transformer factory to the site.
however the size would be 95 %. The saving in drop in resistance an
Thus for this case, bank of three single
cost of the material is of course not in the d reactance of the
phase transforer is used. There are many single winding is less.
same proportion. The saving of cost is
other advantages of using bank of three
appreciable when the ratio of transformer is
single phase transformer like ease in
low, that is lower than 2. Thus auto
maintenance, less cost of spare
transformer is smaller in size and cheaper
inventory requirement etc
To Be Continued …………………….