EE 418

DISTRIBUTION
SYSTEM &
SUBSTATION
DESIGN
OVERVIEW POWER SYSTEM
 POWER SYSTEM
A power system is an interconnected network with
components converting non-electrical energy such as
thermal energy to electrical energy and transporting
these electrical energy to the end-user as
economically and as reliably as possible.
 BASIC COMPONENTS OF A POWER
SYSTEM
I. Generation
✓ This component is responsible for generating the electrical
energy by converting other forms of energy such as thermal
energy, nuclear energy, kinetic energy, potential energy, etc.
into electrical energy.
✓ The main components of a generating station is a generator
(alternator) and a power transformer to step-up the generated
voltages for transmission.
✓ In the Philippines, the common generation voltages are 4.16 kV,
6.6 kV, 13.2 kV, 13.8 kV, etc.
 BASIC COMPONENTS OF A POWER
SYSTEM
I. Transmission
✓ This component is responsible for transporting the electrical energy
at high voltages (for lower losses) to the distribution utilities and
to interconnect neighboring generating stations. This is divided into
two components:
A. Transmission Substation
✓ It carries the overhead lines which transports the energy from
generating stations to bulk receiving stations (distribution
utilities, very big power consumers, etc) or interconnect two or more
generating stations.
✓ In the Philippines, the common transmission voltages are 500 kVdc,
350 kVdc, 230 KVac and 138 kVac.
 BASIC COMPONENTS OF A POWER
SYSTEM
B. Subtransmission Substation
✓ The portion of the transmission system which connects the
high voltage substation thru the stepdown transformer to the
distribution system.
✓ It can also supply directly to some large industries.
✓ In the Philippines, the common subtransmission voltages are
115 kV and 69 kV.
 BASIC COMPONENTS OF A POWER
SYSTEM
III. Distribution

✓ This component is responsible for delivering the electrical energy to

end-users. This is divided into two components:

A. Primary Distribution
✓ Consists of feeders that deliver power from distribution substations to
distribution transformers.
✓ Supplies power to industrial and commercial users.
✓ In the Philippines, the common primary distribution voltages are 13.2 kV,
13.8 kV, 23 kV. and 34.5 kV
 BASIC COMPONENTS OF A POWER
SYSTEM
B. Secondary Distribution
✓ Low-voltage network which carries electric energy from
distribution transformers to electricity meters of end
customers.
✓ Supplies power to residential consumers.
✓ In the Philippines, the common secondary distribution
voltage is 230 V.
 DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
A loop feed transformer can
accommodate both radial and loop
distribution systems, whereas radial
feed transformers almost always
appear in radial systems.
 DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
In the transformer world, the terms "loop feed" and
"radial feed" are most associated with the HV bushing
layout for compartmentalized padmount transformers.
These terms, however, did not originate with
transformers. They come from the broader concept of
power distribution in electrical systems (or circuits).
A transformer is called a loop feed transformer because
its bushing configuration is tailored toward a loop
distribution system. The same applies to transformers we
classify as radial feed—their bushing layout is
typically suited toward radial systems.
 DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
Both radial and loop systems aim to
accomplish the same thing: send medium
voltage power from a common source
(usually a substation) to one or more
step-down transformers serving a load.
 DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
Radial feed is the simpler of the two. Imagine a
circle with several lines (or radians) proceeding from
one center point, as shown in Figure 1. This center
point represents the source of power, and the squares at
the end of each line represent step-down transformers.
In this setup, each transformer is fed from the same
point in the system, and if the power source is
interrupted for maintenance, or if a fault occurs, the
entire system goes down until the issue is resolved.
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
 DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
In a loop system, power can be supplied from two or
more sources. Instead of feeding transformers from one
central point as in Figure 1, the loop system shown in
Figure 2 offers two separate locations from which power may
be supplied. If one power source goes offline, the other can
continue to supply power to the system. This redundancy
provides continuity of service and makes the loop system the
preferred choice for many end users, such as hospitals,
college campuses, airports, and large industrial complexes.
Figure 3 gives a close-up view of two transformers depicted
in the loop system from Figure 2.
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
 DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
The distinction between radial and loop systems can
be summarized as follows:

➢ If a transformer receives power from only one point

in a circuit, then the system is radial.
➢ If a transformer is capable of receiving power from
two or more points in a circuit, then the system is
loop.
 RADIAL AND LOOP FEED BUSHING
CONFIGURATIONS
In padmount transformers, the main distinction
between radial and loop feed lies in the primary/HV
bushing configuration (the left side of the
transformer cabinet). In a radial feed primary, there
is one bushing for each of the three incoming phase
conductors, as shown in Figure 4. This layout is most
often found where only one transformer is needed to
power an entire site or facility.
 RADIAL AND LOOP FEED BUSHING
CONFIGURATIONS
In padmount transformers, the main distinction
between radial and loop feed lies in the primary/HV
bushing configuration (the left side of the
transformer cabinet). In a radial feed primary, there
is one bushing for each of the three incoming phase
conductors, as shown in Figure 4. This layout is most
often found where only one transformer is needed to
power an entire site or facility.
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
 RADIAL AND LOOP FEED BUSHING
CONFIGURATIONS
Loop feed primaries have six bushings
instead of three. The most common arrangement is
known as a V Loop with two sets of three
staggered bushings (see Figure 5)—three bushings
on the left (H1A, H2A, H3A) and three on the
right (H1B, H2B, H3B), as outlined in IEEE Std
C57.12.34.
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
 RADIAL AND LOOP FEED BUSHING
CONFIGURATIONS
Figure 6 outlines a perfect example of a
loop of transformers installed in a radial
system. If power is lost at the source, all
three transformers will be offline until power
is restored. Note, a close examination of the
radial feed unit on the far right would indicate
a radial system, but this would not be as clear
if we only looked at the other two units.
RADIAL AND LOOP FEED BUSHING
CONFIGURATIONS
DISTRIBUTION LINES
EE 418
 DISTRIBUTION LINES
Electrical power is produced at the power
generating plants which are located far away from
the load centers. Therefore, we need to transport
the electrical power generated at the power
generating plant to the points of utilization or
load points. For this purpose, two major systems
of conductors are developed called transmission
system and distribution system.
 DISTRIBUTION LINES
Both transmission and distribution systems
are further classified into two types namely:
a. Underground b. Overhead
 DISTRIBUTION LINES
In the overhead system of transmission
and distribution, the overhead line wires
supported by poles are used for power
transportation; while in the underground
system, insulated underground cables are
employed for the transportation of
electric power.
 OVERHEAD SYSTEM
Overhead lines are the bare conductors supported on
poles and towers. In overhead system, the line
conductors are hanged in air with the help of
transmission line supports installed at a certain
distance.
An overhead line consists of conductors, supports,
line insulators, cross arms, and many other auxiliary
components. The conductors are the bare metallic
conductors that carry electric power from the sending
end to the utilization end. The supports may be poles or
 OVERHEAD SYSTEM
steel towers that keep the line conductors at a suitable
level above the ground. Since the conductor and support
both are conductors of electricity, therefore insulators
are used to insulate the line conductors from the
support and hence from the ground which may otherwise
cause fault and danger for living beings.
The cross-arm is the part of an overhead line which
provides housing and support to the line insulators.
Other auxiliary component of an overhead line are
lightning arrestors, anti-climbing wires,
 OVERHEAD SYSTEM
phase and danger plates, stay rod, etc.
Due to some technical and economic reasons, the
overhead lines are extensively used in power
transmission and distribution.
 UNDERGROUND SYSTEM
Underground cables or undergrounds lines are the
insulated electric cables which are buried under the
earth surface for the transmission and distribution of
electric power. However, the power transmission using
underground cables is relatively more expensive method,
hence it is less frequently used method.
Mostly, the underground cables are used in such
cases where it is impossible to install overhead lines.
A typical underground cable consists of one or
 UNDERGROUND SYSTEM
more (two, three or four) central cores of stranded
conductors (copper or aluminum) and these are insulated
from each other by paper or varnished cambric or
impregnated paper. In order to protect this insulation
against moisture and mechanical damages, a metallic
sheath of lead or alloy of aluminum is provided around
it. Finally, an insulation cover is provided.
BASIS OF DIFFERENCE OVERHEAD LINES UNDERGROUND CABLES
Definition
DISTRIBUTION LINES
An overhead line is the one that uses
bare conductors supported on a pole
An underground cable is an insulated
cable which is buried under the earth
or tower for power transmission and surface for power transmission and
distribution. distribution.
Type of conductor bare conductor insulated conductor
Size of conductor smaller larger
Voltage rating higher voltage rating, comparatively lower voltage rating,
near about 765 kV typically limited to 66 kV
Current carrying more lesser
capacity
Insulation less insulation, usually at the contact more insulation because the whole
points of the support conductor is required coated with the
insulation sheath
Interference with causes interference to the nearby do not cause interference to the
communication lines communication lines communication lines as these are buried
under the earth surface
BASIS OF DIFFERENCE OVERHEAD LINES UNDERGROUND CABLES

DISTRIBUTION LINES
Safety for living being
Fault detection and
not much safer
easy
safest
very difficult to detect
clearance
Line cost less expensive expensive
Maintenance cost high low
Extra connection very easy not easy
Reliability less reliable high
Risk of explosion risk of explosion or fire is more reduce the risk of explosion or fire
Layout flexibility highly flexible less flexible
Effect on environmental easily affected by the adverse less affected by the environmental
conditions environmental conditions like lightning, attacks
thunderstorm, windstorm, moisture, etc.
Corona discharge corona discharge occurs no corona discharge takes place
Proximity effect unaffected affected
Applications long distances short and moderate distances
 OVERHEAD VS UNDERGROUND LOSSES
Overhead lines tend to have higher losses than
underground lines, due to their longer length and higher
resistance. Overhead lines also experience more
technical losses, such as line losses, which are the
losses due to the resistance of the conductors and the
heat generated by the current flow. Moreover, overhead
lines also experience more non-technical losses, such as
commercial losses, which are the losses due to theft,
metering errors, or billing errors.
 OVERHEAD VS UNDERGROUND LOSSES
On the other hand, underground lines tend to have
lower losses than overhead lines, due to their shorter
length and lower resistance. Underground lines also
experience less technical losses, as they have less line
losses and more insulation. However, underground lines
also experience some non-technical losses, such as
leakage losses, which are the losses due to the
insulation breakdown or water infiltration.
VOLTAGE DROP
CALCULATION
 VOLTAGE DROP
On the other hand, underground lines tend to have
lower losses than overhead lines, due to their shorter
length and lower resistance. Underground lines also
experience less technical losses, as they have less line
losses and more insulation. However, underground lines
also experience some non-technical losses, such as
leakage losses, which are the losses due to the
insulation breakdown or water infiltration.