SUBSTATION LAYOUT

1 Introduction

A Substation is a part of an electrical

Generation, Transmission &
Distribution system, where power is
transform from high voltage to low
voltage or vice versa and also many
other functions. Electrical power may
flow through several substations
between generating plant and
consumer, and may be changed in
voltage in several steps. Mainly Sub-

apparatus used to same

characteristics (e.g. Voltage, AC to
DC, Power Frequency, Frequency, Figure 1: Schematic View of a Power System

-station Or he electrical substation is the part of a

power system in which the voltage is transformed from high to low or low to high for
transmission, distribution, transformations and switching. The power transformer, circuit
breaker, bus-bar, insulator, lightning arrester are the main components of an electrical
substation.

The layout of the substation is very important since there should be a Security of Supply. In
an ideal substation all circuits and equipments would be duplicated such that following a fault,
or during maintenance, a connection remains available. Practically this is not feasible since
the cost of implementing such a design is very high. Methods have been adopted to achieve
a compromise between complete security of supply and capital investment. There are four
categories of substation that give varying securities of supply:

Category 1: No outage is necessary within the substation for either maintenance or

fault conditions.

Category 2: Short outage is necessary to transfer the load to an alternative circuit for
maintenance or fault conditions.

1|Page
 Category 3: Loss of a circuit or section of the substation due to fault or maintenance.

Category 4: Loss of the entire substation due to fault or maintenance.

2 Function of Substation

A. Transform
B. Dispatching
C. Control
D. Measurement
E. Protection
F. Communication
G. Security

Transform

A substation is able to
transform power from Figure 2: 400 KV Substation

one voltage level to

other voltage level.
Reliable supply by feeding the network at various points.

Dispatching

Load shedding and prevention of loss of synchronism. Maintaining the system

frequency within targeted limits.
Determining the energy transfer through transmission lines.
Establishment of economic load distribution and several associated functions.

Control

Controlling the exchange of energy.

Voltage Control: reducing the reactive power flow by compensation of reactive
power, tap-changing.
Over drawal & under drawal controlling.

Measurement

Measuring the voltage, current and other parameters by the help of CT & PT/ CVT
for metering purpose.
Ensure steady state & transient stability.

2|Page
 Protection

Protection of transmission system.

Fault analysis and pin-pointing the cause and subsequent improvement in that area
of field.

Communication

Speech as well as Data transmission via Power Line Carrier/ OPGW for the
purpose of network monitoring, control and protection.

Security

Securing the supply by proving adequate line capacity.

3 Selection and location of a site for an Electrical Substation

The following factors are considered while making site selection for a substation.

Type of Sub-station

The category of the substation is important for its location. For example, a step-up transformer
is a point where power from various sources is pooled and stepped-up for long distance
transmission. It should be kept as cool as possible to minimise the losses. Similarly, the step-
down transformer should be located nearer to the load centre to reduce transmission losses,
the cost of the distribution system and better reliability of supply.

Availability of suitable and sufficient land

The land selected for a substation should be level and open from all sides. It should not be
waterlogged particularly in the rainy season. The site selected for substation should be such
that approach of transmission lines and their take off can be easily possible without any
obstruction.The places nearer to aerodrome, shooting practice ground, etc. should be
avoided.

Communication facility

Suitable communication facility is desirable at a proposed station, both during and after its
construction. It is better, therefore, to select the site alongside the existing road to facilitate an
easier and cheaper transportation.

3|Page
 Atmospheric Pollution

The atmosphere around the ground factories produces metal corroding gas, air fumes,
conductive dust, etc. And the area near the sea coast may be more humid and is harmful to
the proper running of the power system. Thus, the substation should not be located near the
factories or sea coast.

Availability of essential facilities for the Staff

The site should be such where staff can be provided essential facilities like school, hospital,
drinking water, housing, etc.

Drainage facility

The site selected for the proposed substations should have proper drainage arrangement or
the possibility of making effective drainage.

3.6.1 Design Considerations

3.6.1.1 Site Consideration:-
Location place, access road, present & future load center, existing & future source of power
etc.

3.6.1.2 Enviromental Considerations:-

Weather, Temperature, Wind, Appearance, Public Safety, Audible Noise, Electrostatic &
Electromagnetic Effects, Effluent, Ice etc..

Now-a-days, electrical power demand is increasing very rapidly. For catring to such huge
power demands the modern time requires creation of bigger power generating stations. These
power generating stations may be hydro-electric, thermal or atomic. Depending upon the
availability of resources these stations are constructed at different places. These places may
not be nearer to load centres where the actual consumption of power takes place. So it is
necessary to transmit these huge power blocks from generating station to their load centers.
Long and high voltage transmission networks are needed for this purpose. Power is generated
comparatively at low voltage level. It is economical to transmit power at high voltage level.
Distribution of electrical power is done at lower voltage levels as specified by consumers. For
maintaining these voltage levels and for providing greater stability, a number of transformation
and switching stations have to be created in between generating station and consumer ends.
These transformation and switching stations are generally known as electrical substations.

4|Page
4 Types of sub-station

1. According to the constructional feature

2. According to application
3. According to the service requirement

According to constructional features:-

A. Outdoor Sub-station
B. Indoor Sub-station
C. Underground Sub-station
D. Pole-mounted Sub-station

4.1.1 Outdoor Substation

Outdoor type substations are constructed in open air. Nearly all 132KV, 220KV, 400KV
substations are outdoor type substation. However, now-a-days special GIS (Gas Insulated
Substation) are constructed for extra high voltage system which are generally situated under
roof.

4.1.2 Indoor Substation

The substations constructed under a roof are called indoor type substation. Generally 11 KV
and sometime 33 KV substations are of this type.

4.1.3 Underground Substation

The substations situated underground are called underground substation. In congested places
where place for constructing distribution substation is difficult to find out, one can go for
underground substation scheme.

4.1.4 Pole Mounted Substation

Pole mounted substation are mainly distribution substation constructed on two pole, four pole
and sometime six or more poles structures. In these type of substation fuse protected
distribution transformer are mounted on poles along with electrical isolator switches. Such
substations are used for supporting distribution transformers having the capacity up to 250
KVA. Such types of transformers are the cheapest, simplest, and smallest of distributions. All
the equipments are outdoor type and mounted on the supporting structures of high tension
distribution line. Triple pole mechanically operated switch is used for switching on and off the
high tension transmission line.

5|Page
HT fuse is used for protection of the high tension transmission line. For controlling the low
tension lines, low tension switches along with fuses is equipped. Lightning arresters are
equipped over the high tension line for the protection of the transformers from the surges.
Pole-Mounted substations are earthed at two or more places.

4.1.5 Plinth/ Foundation Mounted Substation

In foundation mounted substation all the equipment area assembled and the substations are
embedded by the fence for safety purpose. The equipment required for such type of
substations are heavy, and hence the site selected for such type of substation must have a
good path for heavy transport.

Depending upon the application features:-

A. Step Up Substation
B. Step Down Substation
C. Primary Step Down Substation
D. Secondary Step Down Substation
E. Distribution Substation
F. Bulk Supply or Industrial Substation
G. Mining Substation
H. Mobile Substation

4.2.1 Step Up Substation

Step up substations are associated with generating stations. Generation of power is limited to
low voltage levels due to limitations of the rotating alternators. These generating voltages must
be stepped up for economical transmission of power over long distance. So there must be a
step up substation associated with generating station.

4.2.2 Step Down Substation

The stepped up voltages must be stepped down at load centers, to different voltage levels for
different purposes. Depending upon these purposes the step down substation are further
categorized in different sub categories.

4.2.3 Primary Step Down Substation

The primary step down sub stations are located nearer to load center along the primary
transmission lines. Here primary transmission voltages are stepped down to different suitable
voltages for secondary transmission purpose.

6|Page
4.2.4 Secondary Step Down Substation

Along the secondary transmission lines, at load center, the secondary transmission voltages
are further stepped down for primary distribution purpose. The stepping down of secondary
transmission voltages to primary distribution levels are done at secondary step down
substation.

4.2.5 Distribution Substation

Distribution substation are situated where the primary distribution voltages are stepped down
to supply voltages for feeding the actual consumers through a distribution network.

4.2.6 Bulk Supply or Industrial Substation

Bulk supply or industrial substation are generally a distribution substation but they are
dedicated for one consumer only. An industrial consumer of large or medium supply group
may be designated as bulk supply consumer. Individual step down substation is dedicated to
these consumers.

4.2.7 Mining Substation

The mining substation are very special type of substation and they need special design
construction because of extra precautions for safety needed in the operation of electric supply.

4.2.8 Mobile Substation

The mobile substations are also very special purpose substation temporarily required for
construction purpose. For big construction purpose this substation fulfills the temporary power
requirement during construction work.

According to the Service Requirement.

A. Transformer Substation
a. Transmission Substation
b. Distribution Substation
B. Switching Sub-station
C. Converting Sub-station
D. Power Cactor Correction Sub-station
E. Frequency Changing Sub-station
F. Industrial Sub-station

7|Page
4.3.1 Transformer Substation
In such type of substation transformers are installed for transforming the power from one
voltage level to another level as per need. Depending on the voltage level it can be
Transmission Substation (Above 33 KV) and Distribution sub-station (Below 33 KV).

4.3.1.1 Classification of Substations by Operating Voltage

The substations, according to operating voltage, may be categorised as:

a) High Voltage Substations (HV Substations) Involving voltages between 11 KV

and 66 KV.
b) Extra High Voltage Substations Involving voltages between 132 kV and 400 KV.
c) Ultra High Voltage Operating voltage above 400 KV.

4.3.2 Switching Sub-station

The substations use for switching the power line without disturbing the voltage is known as
the switching substations. This type of substations are placed between the transmission lines.

4.3.3 Converting Sub-station

In such types of substations, AC power is converted into DC power or vice versa or it can
convert high frequency to lower frequency or vice versa.

4.3.4 Power Factor Correction Sub-station

As we know that under light loaded condition the transmission line will inject reactive power to
grid substation and under heavy loaded/ fully loaded condition same transmission line can
draw reactive power. The reactive power is also known as wheeling power and it will added
extra loss to the system and also effect on the quality of the power. In order to get the quality
power i.e. Improvement of power factor, Reactor or Capacitor bank can be added to the circuit.

4.3.5 Frequency Changing Sub-station

This substation is also known as Back-to-Back substation where two different frequencies of
system are synchronised in HVDC application.

4.3.6 Industrial Sub-station

When the available voltage level is not suitable for industries, then they can set up the
appropriate transformer as per their requirement of voltage.

8|Page
5 Components of a Substation

A. Surge Arrestor
B. Wave Trap
C. Potential Transformer
D. Capacitive Voltage Transformer (CVT)/CCVT
E. Current Transformer
F. Isolator
G. Earth Switch
H. Circuit breaker
I. Transformer
J. Bus bar
K. Relays
L. Conductors
M. Earth wire/ spike
N. Insulations (Insulator)
O. Communication
P. Overhead line Terminations
Q. Earthing
R. AC Auxiliary
S. DC Auxiliary (Battery set)
T. Power cables
U. Control cables
V. Structure

Surge Arrestor

A surge arrester is a device to protect

electrical equipment from over-voltage
transients caused by external (lightning)
or internal (switching) events.

It is connected in parallel
It is made of semiconductor
Metal oxide varistor (ZnO)

Figure 3: 400 KV Surge Arrestor

9|Page
 Non-linear V-I C/cs

Wave Trap

A wave trap (high-frequency stopper) is a

parallel resonant circuit. It prevents the
transmission of high frequency (40 KHz to
1000 KHz) carrier signals of PLCC. It is
connected in series with the power line.
The inductive reactance of the wave trap
offers a high reactance to high-frequency
signals and low reactance to power
frequency. It is used only when PLCC
Figure 4: Wave Trap
network is establish.

Instrument Transformer

Instrument transformers are those

transformers which output are connected
to input of different instruments, (e.g.
Metering instrument). Basic Functions of
Instrument Transformer

Measurement
Protection
Control

Potential Transformer

Potential transformer is used to step down the

voltage of power system to a lower level to
make it feasible to be measured by small rating
voltmeter i.e. 110 120 V. Whatever may be
the input voltage the outpu voltage of PT is
allways 110V. Ex. 33KV/110V, 132KV/110V,
220KV/110V, 400KV/110V.

Figure 5: Potential Transformer

10 | P a g e
 Capacitive Voltage Transformer (CVT)

It consists of three parts: two capacitors across which

the transmission line signal is split, an inductive
element to tune the device to the line frequency, and
a voltage transformer to isolate and further step down
the voltage for metering devices, protective relay or

Figure 6: CVT

control unit.

Current Transformer

Current transformer is used to step down the

current of power system to a lower level to
make it feasible to be measured by small rating
Ammeter (i.e. 1A/5A Ammeter). Whatever may
be the input current, the output current of CT is
allways 1A for transmission substation use and
5A for distribution substation use. Ex. 100-200-
400/1:1:1:1, 300-600-1200/1:1:1:1, or 500-
1000-2000/1:1:1:1.

Isolator

Isolator is a mechanical switch which

isolates a part of circuit from system as when
required. Isolators are used to open a circuit
under NO LOAD condition. It is also known
as OFF Load Switch. Isolators are generally
used on both ends of the breaker for safe
repair or replacement of circuit breaker.
With the help of Isolator, the maintenance
work is done safely.
Figure 7: Current Transformer

11 | P a g e
5.7.1 Types of Isolator
5.7.1.1 According to system requirement:
A. Horizontal Break
a. Double Break Isolator
b. Single Break Isolator (center
break)
B. Vertical Break
C. Pantograph type Isolator.

5.7.1.2 According to substation lay out:

Figure 8: Double Isolator
A. Single Isolator (SI)
B. Double Isolator (DI)
C. Beam mounted
D. Off Set (Tandem) Isolator
E. Isolator with E/S, Double E/S,
without E/S.

Earth Switch Figure 9: Earth Switch

It provides a permanent Earthing of the equipment, circuit during maintenance. Normally it is

provided with the isolators so that the equipment/circuit which was isolated by the isolator for
maintenance work can be can be
earthed. These are normally gang
operated and a mechanical interlock
is provided for safety purpose.

Circuit Breaker

It is a protective switching device or

circuit interrupting device. Switching
ON and OFF during normal operation
for maintenance work or switching
during abnormal conditions too. It is
an automatic switch which can
interrupt the fault current. Also known
as ON Load Switch.
Figure 10: 400 KV Circuit Breaker

12 | P a g e
5.9.1 Types of Circuit Breaker
5.9.1.1 According to ARC Quenching medium

A. Oil Circuit Breaker

B. Air Break Circuit breaker (<1KV)
C. Air Blast Circuit breaker
D. Vacuum Circuit breaker
E. SF6 Circuit breaker

5.9.1.2 According to operating Mechanism

A. Hydraulic
B. Pneumatic
C. Spring

Transformer

Transformer is a static electric device which transfers A.C Electrical power from one circuit to
other at the same frequency through magnetic flux linking both the circuits by electromagnetic
induction.

Figure 11: 315 MVA Auto Transformer

Bus Bar

There are different electrical bus system schemes available. But selection of a particular
scheme depends upon the system voltage, position of substation in electrical power system,

13 | P a g e
flexibility needed in system and cost to be expensed. The main criteria is to be considered
during selection of one particular bus bar arrangement scheme among others:

1. Simplicity of system.
2. Easy maintenance of different equipments.
3. Minimizing the outage during maintenance.
4. Future provision of extension with growth of demand
5. Optimizing the selection of bus bar arrangement scheme so that it gives maximum
return from the system.

Types of Bus Bar Scheme

a. Single/ Radial Bus

b. Single Bus system with Sectionalizer
c. Ring Bus
d. One Main One Transfer Bus
e. Two Main or Double Bus
f. Double Bus with Bypass arrangement
g. Double Bus Double Breaker
h. Two Main one Transfer Bus
i. One and Half Breaker

5.11.1 Single/ Radial Bus system

Single Bus System is simplest and cheapest one. In this scheme all the feeders and
transformer bay are connected to only one single bus as show.

Figure 12: SLD of a Single Bus Bar

14 | P a g e
Advantages of Single Bus System

a. This is very simple in design.

b. This is very cost effective scheme.
c. This is very convenient to operate.

Disadvantages of Single Bus System

a. One major difficulty of this type of arrangement is that, without interrupting the feeder
or transformer connected to that bay, maintenance of equipment of any type is not
possible.
b. The indoor 11 KV switch boards have quite often single bus bar arrangement.

5.11.2 Single Bus System with Sectionalizer

With this design, there is an ease of operation of the substation. This design also places
minimum reliance on signalling for satisfactory operation of protection. Additionally there is the
facility to support the economical operation of future feeder bays.

Such a substation has the following characteristics.

a. Each circuit is protected by its own circuit breaker and hence plant outage does not
necessarily result in loss of supply.

Figure 13: Single Bus system with Sectionalizer

b. A fault on the feeder or transformer circuit breaker causes loss of the transformer and
feeder circuit, one of which may be restored after isolating the faulty circuit breaker.

15 | P a g e
 c. A fault on the bus section circuit breaker causes complete shutdown of the substation.
All circuits may be restored after isolating the faulty circuit breaker.
d. A bus bar fault causes loss of one transformer and one feeder. Maintenance of one
bus bar section or isolator will cause the temporary outage of two circuits.
e. Maintenance of a feeder or transformer circuit breaker involves loss of the circuit.
f. Introduction of bypass isolators between bus bar and circuit isolator allows circuit
breaker maintenance facilities without loss of that circuit.

Some advantages are realized if a single bus bar is sectionalized with circuit breaker. If there
are more than one incoming and the incoming sources and outgoing feeders are evenly
distributed on the sections as shown in the figure 14, interruption of system can be reduced to
a good extent.

5.11.2.1 Advantages of Single Bus System with Bus Sectionalizer

a. If any of the sources is out of system, still all loads can be fed by switching on the
sectional circuit breaker or bus coupler breaker.
b. If one section of the bus bar system is under maintenance, part load of the substation
can be fed by energizing the other section of bus bar.

5.11.2.2 Disadvantages of Single Bus System with Bus Sectionalizer

a. As in the case of single bus system, without interrupting the feeder or transformer
connected to that bay, maintenance of equipment of any bay is not possible.
b. The use of isolator for bus sectionalizing does not fulfil the purpose. The isolators have
bar.
So investment for bus-coupler breaker is required.

5.11.3 Ring/ Mesh Bus

The characteristics of such a substation are as follows.

a. Operation of two circuit breakers is required to connect or disconnect a circuit, and

disconnection involves opening of a mesh.
b. Circuit breakers may be maintained without loss of supply or protection, and no
additional bypass facilities are required.
c. Bus bar faults will only cause the loss of one circuit breaker. Breaker faults will involve
the loss of a maximum of two circuits.

16 | P a g e
 d. Generally, not more than twice as many outgoing circuits as in feeders are used in
order to rationalise circuit equipment load capabilities and ratings.

Figure 14: Ring Bus

The schematic diagram of the system is given in the figure. It provides a double feed to each
feeder circuit, opening one breaker under maintenance or otherwise does not affect supply to
any feeder. But this system has two major disadvantages;

i. As it is closed circuit system, it is next to impossible to expand in future and hence it is

unsuitable for developing system.
ii. During maintenance or any other reason if any one of the circuit breakers in ring loop is
switched off reliability of system becomes very poor because closed loop becomes open.
Since, at that moment for any tripping of any breaker in the open loop causes interruption
in all the feeders between tripped breaker and open end of the loop.

5.11.4 One Main One Transfer Bus

This is an alternative of double bus system. The main concept of Main and Transfer Bus
System is, here every feeder line is directly connected through an isolator to a second bus
called Transfer Bus. The said isolator in between transfer bus and feeder line is generally
called bypass isolator. The Main Bus is as usual connected to each feeder through a bay
consisting of circuit breaker and associated isolators at both side of the breaker. There is one
bus coupler bay which couples transfer bus and main bus through a circuit breaker and
associated isolators at both sides of the breaker. If necessary, the transfer bus can be
energized by main bus power by closing the transfer bus coupler isolators and then breaker.

17 | P a g e
Then the power in transfer bus can directly be fed to the feeder line by closing the bypass
isolator. If the main circuit breaker associated with feeder is switched off or isolated from
system, the feeder can still be fed in this way by transferring it to transfer bus.

5.11.4.1 Switching Operation for Transferring a Feeder to Transfer Bus from

Main Bus without Interruption of Power

a. First, close the isolators at both side of the bus coupler breaker.
b. Now energize the transfer bus by closing the bus coupler circuit breaker from remote.
c. Then close the bypass isolator of the feeder which is to be transferred to transfer bus
by equipotential concept.
d. After bus coupler breaker is closed, the power from main bus flows to the feeder line
through its main breaker as well as bus coupler breaker via transfer bus.
e. Now if main breaker of the feeder is switched off, total power flow will instantaneously
shift to the bus coupler breaker and hence this breaker will serve the purpose of
protection for the feeder.

Figure 15: One main one transfer Bus

f. At last the operating personnel open the isolators at both sides of the main circuit
breaker to make it isolated from rest of the live system.

So, it can be concluded that in Main and Transfer Bus System the maintenance of circuit
breaker is possible without any interruption of power. Because of this advantage, the scheme
is very popular for 33 KV and 13 KV system.

18 | P a g e
5.11.5 Two Main or Double Bus

In double bus bar system two identical bus bars are used in such a way that any outgoing or
incoming feeder can be taken from any of the bus. Actually every feeder is connected to both
of the buses in parallel through individual isolator as shown in the figure.

By closing any of the isolators one can put the feeder to associated bus. Both the buses
are energized and all feeders are divided into two groups, one group is fed from one bus and
the other group from another bus. But any feeder at any time can be transferred from one bus
to other. There is one bus coupler breaker which should be kept closed during bus transfer
operation. For transfer operation, one should first close the bus coupler circuit breaker, then
close the isolator associated with the bus to where the feeder would be transferred and then
open the isolator associated with the bus from where feeder is transferred. Lastly after this
transfer operation, he/she should open the bus coupler breaker.

Figure 16: Double Bus System

5.11.5.1 Advantages of Double Bus System

Double Bus Bar Arrangement increases the flexibility of system.

5.11.5.2 Disadvantages of Double Bus System

The arrangement does not permit breaker maintenance without interruption.

5.11.6 Double Bus with Bypass arrangement

This is a combination of the double bus system and main and transfer bus system. In Double
Bus System with Bypass Isolators, either bus can act as main bus and the second bus as

19 | P a g e
 Figure 17: Double Bus with Bypass arrangement

transfer bus. It permits breaker maintenance without interruption of power which is not possible
in double bus system. But it provides all the advantages of double bus system. It however
requires one additional isolator (bypass isolator) for each feeder circuit and introduces slight
complication in system layout. Still this scheme is best for optimum economy of system and it
is best optimum choice for 220 KV system.

5.11.7 Double Bus Double breaker

In double breaker bus bar system two identical bus bars are used in such a way that any
outgoing or incoming feeder can be taken from any of the bus similar to double bus bar system.
Only difference is that here every feeder is connected to both of the buses in parallel through
individual breaker instead only isolator as shown in the figure. By closing any of the breakers
and its associated isolator one can put the feeder to respective bus. Both of the buses are
energized and all feeders are divided into two groups, one group is fed from one bus and other
from other bus similar to previous case. But any feeder at any time can be transferred from
one bus to other.

There is no need of bus coupler as because the operation is done by breakers instead of
isolator. For transfer operation, one should first close the isolators and then the breaker
associated with the bus to where the feeder would be transferred and then he/she opens the
breaker and then isolators associated with the bus from where feeder is transferred.

20 | P a g e
 Figure 18: Double Bus Double breaker scheme

5.11.8 Two Main one Transfer Bus

a. In this two main buses are available.

b. They are called Bus-I & Bus-II.
c. One more bus is available. This is not Main Bus. We call as the Transfer Bus or
Auxiliary Bus or Temporary Bus.

Figure 19: Two main one transfer Bus

d. This is useful only, when any of the circuit breaker (only one) is out of service or under
maintenance.

21 | P a g e
 e. If second circuit breaker is also in trouble, then this is not useful.
f. Most of the time, the Auxiliary Bus is kept open.
Note: Once in every month, one feeder is to be kept on transfer bus in order to
ascertain healthiness of transfer bus. This should be a regular practice for the transfer
bus to be available when emergency occurs.
g. But, this system is not useful for CT troubles or any other equipment troubles.
h. This system is adopted when ABCBs, BOCBs, MOCBs are available. The ABCBs,
BOCBs, MOCBs require regular maintenance.
i. The reason behind adoption of transfer bus system is, during the maintenance of circuit
breaker, the consumer should not suffer.
j. The location of CT is after line isolator and towards line. This is also one more
disadvantage.
k. For maintenance of CT the line is to be taken LC and remove the jumpers and to test.
l. This type of one more unhappy system is available i.e. Double bus with bypass isolator.

5.11.9 One and Half Breaker

This is an improvement on the double breaker scheme to effect saving in the number of circuit
breakers. For every two circuits only one spare breaker is provided. The protection is however
complicated since it must associate the central breaker with the feeder whose own breaker is

Figure 20: One & Half Circuit Breaker Scheme

taken out for maintenance. For the reasons given under double breaker scheme and because
of the prohibitory costs of equipment even this scheme is not much popular. As shown in the

22 | P a g e
figure, it is a simple design. Two feeders are fed from two different buses through their
associated breakers and these two feeders are coupled by a third breaker which is called tie
breaker. Normally all the three breakers are closed and power is fed to both the circuits from
two buses which are operated in parallel. The tie breaker acts as coupler for the two feeder
circuits.

During failure of any feeder breaker, power is fed through the breaker of the second feeder
and tie breaker. Therefore each feeder breaker has to be rated to feed both the feeders,
coupled by tie breaker.

5.11.9.1 Advantages of One and A Half Breaker Bus System

During any fault on any one of the buses, that faulty bus will be cleared instantly without
interrupting any feeder in the system since all feeders will continue to feed from the other
healthy bus.

5.11.9.2 Disadvantages of One and A Half Breaker Bus System

This scheme is much more expensive due to investment for third breaker.

Relays

Relay is a device which sense the abnormality in electrical power system and convey the
protection system to operate the protective devices so as to protect the equipment, system,
line or living being in order to isolate any abnormal condition either instantaneously or a pre-
determined time period.

Figure 21; Over Current Relay

23 | P a g e
 a) No harm to the public &operating staff.
b) Minimise possibility of explosion & fire.

5.12.1 Requirement for Protective Relay

i. Simplicity - easy handling and maintenance
ii. Reliability - reliability has a bearing & Discriminant
iii. Stability:- remain in-operative other than fault.
iv. Speed in operation:- Limits of damage
v. Discrimination;- Absolute Discrimination and relative discrimination
vi. Sensitivity;- to detect minimum level of fault

5.12.2 Types of Relays

1. Relays are basically three types
according to their operating
principles. They are as follows
A. Instantaneous Relay
B. Time Delay Relay
C. IDMT(Inverse Definite
Minimum Time) Relay
2. According to construction, they are Figure 22: Numerical Relay
of the following types:
A. Electromagnetic Relay
B. Induction-cup-Relay
C. Static Relay
D. Microprocessor Based
Numerical or Digital
Relay

Conductors

In power Transmission and

Distribution, the conductor which is
carrying current should have the
following characteristics:

a. High conducting i.e. low

specific resistance
Figure 23: Conductor drum

24 | P a g e
 b. High tensile strength in order to withstand mechanical stress
c. Modulus of elasticity to be more
d. Coefficient of linear expansion to be low
e. Low specific gravity in order to give low weight per unit volume
f. Low cost in order to be used over long distance
g. Should not be brittle

5.13.1 Types of Conductors

a. All Aluminium Conductors (AAC)

b. Aluminium Conductors Steel Reinforced (ACSR)
c. All Alloy Aluminium Conductors (AAAC)
d. High Temperature Low Sag Conductors (HTLS)

Earth Wire/ Spike

It is usually called as Earth/Shield

Wire. It is used for Earthing the
structure and shielding the phase
conductors from lightning. Some
utilities use ACSR, AAAC as earth
conductors where some other
utilities use Galvanised Steel Wire
Strand or Aluminised Steel Wire
Strand. Now a days, OPGW are
Figure 24: Earth wire used in Transmission line
also used as Earth Wire. The sag of
the earth conductor must be less than the phase conductors and also at mid span, the phase
and earth conductors shall maintain a minimum spacing to maintain shielding of the phase
conductor from lightning strikes.

Earth wire: - Total Protection Angle = 30 degree.

Earth Spike: - Total Protection Angle = 45 degree.

Insulations (Insulator)

Insulators are used in electrical system to prevent unwanted flow of current to the earth from
its supporting points. Insulator is a very high resistive path through which practically no current
can flow. In Transmission and Distribution system, the overhead conductors are generally
supported by supporting towers or poles. The towers and poles both are properly grounded.

25 | P a g e
Insulators are provided between tower/pole body and current carrying conductors. The main
cause of failure of overhead line insulator, is flash over, which occurs in between line and earth
during abnormal over voltage in the system. During this flash over, the huge heat produced
by arcing, causes puncture in insulator body. In order to avoid such phenomenon the materials
used for insulator, have to possess some specific properties:

a. Mechanically strong
b. High Dielectric Strength
c. High insulation resistance to
leakage current
d. Free from internal impurities
e. Should not be porous
f. Not affected by change of
temperature
g. High ratio of puncture strength to
flash over voltage

Figure 25: Double String Insulators

5.15.1 Types of Insulator
5.15.1.1 Based on Material

Porcelain
Glass
Polymer
PVC

5.15.1.2 Based on Use (Location)

Pin Insulator
Disc Insulator (Suspension or Strain)
Post Insulator
Long Rod Insulators
Shackle Insulators
Gay Insulator

Communication

In power system speech and data are transmitted through communication network like PLCC
or OPGW. In PLCC two electrical power equipment are required i.e Wave Trap and Capacitive
Voltage Transformer or Coupling Capacitor. But optical fibre communication network is used

26 | P a g e
in OPGW. The fibre optics core used in the central core of earth wire in transmission line by
which it can restrict the use of Wave Trap and CC/CVT in power line.

Overhead line Terminations

Power transmission lines are terminated at gantry point of a substation.

The following hard wire are required in a grid substation.

A. Single/ Double Tension hard wire fittings

B. Single/ Double Suspension hard wire fittings
C. T-Clamp/ Compressed Jumper Clamp
D. L- Clamp
E. Bimetallic / Aluminium Straight through Clamp
F. Pad Clamp (for Isolator, Post Insulator, CT, Circuit Breaker)
G. Parallel Groove (PG) Clamp
H. Spacer Clamp
I. Flexible Earth bond

Earthing

The process of transferring

immediate discharge of the
electrical energy directly to
the earth by the help of the
low resistance wire is
known as the electrical
Earthing. The electrical
Earthing is done by
connecting the non-current
carrying part of the
equipment or neutral of
supply system to the
ground. Mostly, galvanised Figure 26: Electrical system without Earthing
iron is used for the
Earthing. Earthing provides a simple path to the leakage current. The short-circuit current of
the equipment passes to the earth which has zero potential. Thus, protects the system and
equipments from damage.

27 | P a g e
5.18.1 Types of Electrical Earthing

The electrical equipment

mainly consists of two non-
current carrying parts.
These parts are neutral of
the system or frame of the
electrical equipment. From
the Earthing of these two
non-current carrying parts
of the electrical system
Earthing can be classified Figure 27: Electrical System with Earthing
into two types.

A. Neutral Earthing
B. Equipment Earthing.

5.18.1.1 Neutral Earthing

In neutral Earthing, the neutral of the system is directly connected to earth by the help of the
GI wire. The neutral Earthing is also called as system Earthing. Such type of Earthing is mostly
provided to the system which has star winding. For example, neutral Earthing is provided in
the generator, transformer, motor etc.

5.18.1.2 Equipment Earthing

Such type of Earthing is provided to the electrical equipment. The non-current carrying part of
the equipment like their metallic frame is connected to the earth by the help of the conducting
wire. If any fault occurs in the apparatus, the short-circuit current is allowed to pass to the
earth by the help of wire. Thus, the system is protected from damage.

5.18.2 Based on Construction

A. Pipe Earthing; used in domestic application

B. Plate Earthing; used in domestic as well as in distribution
C. Strip Earthing: used in multi storied building.
D. Mat Earthing: used in Grid Substation.

28 | P a g e
 Battery set

In Sub-stations many
equipments are used. All these
equipments are controlled as
per our requirement. For
controlling all equipments
which are in the Sub-Station,
we also Control Circuits. These
Control Circuits rund on DC. It
has its own advantage.
Suppose a black out occurs
give power
from power plan, in such a
situation DC source take very Figure 28: Battery Set

important role. Then control circuits all designed with DC power supply. If blackout occurs we
start the sub stations for restoring. In substations there is a special Battery Room which is
maintained specially. The major role of DC is to energise the tripping and closing the coil of
the circuit breaker.

DC power is required in
substation for the
purpose of control and
protection.
It is also required for
emergency lighting in
case of failure of AC
Supply
In our practice, we are
using lead acid
batteries of
Figure 29: Battery Charger Panel
200/300/350AH and
220V.
Normally operating cell voltage is 2.15V, fully discharge-1.85V, fully charged-2.4v to
2.5V.

29 | P a g e
 Power cables

In grid substations, power cables are used for

providing power supply to Lighting Post,
Breaker Cubicle, Isolator Mechanism Box,
Transformer Marshalling Box, Control Room
for lighting, Air Condition, Control Panel,
Relay Panel etc. For this purpose, we may
use two core power cable or three and half
core power cable.

Control cables Figure 30 Power Cable

In grid substations control cables are used

for protection and control purpose. This
cable is laid from CT, PT to Control room and
from control room to breaker cubicle and
transformer Marceline box. For this purpose,
we may use nine core or nineteen core
control cable.

Structure Figure 31: Control Cable

Outdoor, above-ground substation structures include wooden pole, lattice metal tower, and
tubular metal structures, although other variants are available. Where space is plentiful and
appearance of the station is not a factor, steel lattice towers provide low-cost supports for
transmission lines and apparatus. Low-profile substations may be specified in suburban areas
where appearance is more critical. Indoor substations may use gas-insulated switchgear (at
high voltages), or metal-enclosed or metal-clad switchgear at lower voltages. Urban and
suburban indoor substations may be furnished outside so that they can be housed with other
buildings in the area.

A compact substation is generally an outdoor substation built in a metal enclosure, in which

each item of the electrical equipment is located very near to each other so as to create a
relatively smaller footprint size of the substation.

30 | P a g e
Single Line Diagram (SLD)

Single Line Diagram (SLD) represents three phase electrical circuit in a single line

Figure 32: SLD of 220KV/ 132KV/ 33 KV Grid Substation

31 | P a g e
Figure 29: SLD of 400KV Grid Substation

32 | P a g e
GAS INSULATED SUBSTATION (GIS)

Figure 30: Picture of a 220KV Gas Insulated substation

Conclusion

In large, modern AC power systems, the transmission and distribution systems function to
deliver bulk power from generating sources to users at the load centres. Transmission systems
generally include generation switchyards, interconnecting transmission lines,
autotransformers, switching stations, and step-down transformers. Distribution systems
include primary distribution lines or networks, transformer banks, and secondary lines or
networks, all of which serve the load area.

33 | P a g e