Power Distribution and

Utilization
Distribution Systems in General

Dr. Attique Ur Rehman

Faculty of Electrical Engineering
Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology
Distribution System
 A distribution system consists of all the facilities and equipment connecting a transmission system
to the customer's equipment.

 Distribution Substation
 Feeders
 Distribution Transformers
 Distributor Conductors
 Service Mains Conductors

The above figure shows a simple radial AC power distribution system. The
figure does not show other equipment like circuit breakers, protection
equipment, measuring instruments etc. for simplicity purpose.
Distribution System
 Feeders
 Feeders are the conductors which connects the generating stations or substation to where power
supply requires or power to be distributed.
 The stepped-down voltage from the substation is carried to distribution transformers via feeder conductors.
 No tappings are taken from the feeders so that the current remains same throughout.
 The main consideration in designing of a feeder conductor is its current carrying capacity.

 Distribution Transformer
 A distribution transformer, also called as service transformer, provides final transformation in the
electric power distribution system. It is basically a step-down 3-phase transformer.
 Distribution transformer steps down the voltage to 400/230 volts. Here it means, voltage between any
one phase and the neutral is 230 volts and phase to phase voltage is 400 volts.
Distribution System
 Distributors
 Distributors are the conductors from where number of the tapping are taken to supply the power to the
consumer.
 Output from a distribution transformer is carried by distributor conductor.
 Tappings are taken from a distributor conductor for power supply to the end consumers.
 Current through a distributor is not constant as tappings are taken at various places throughout its length.
 Voltage drop along the length is the main consideration while designing a distributor conductor.

 Service Mains
 The service mains are one type of conductor which connects the consumer terminals to distributors.
 In our homes, service mains come from distribution company pole to our energy meter.
Classification of Distribution System
 According to Nature of Current
 DC distribution system
 AC distribution system

 According to Construction Type

 Overhead distribution system
 Underground distribution system

 Based on Scheme of Connection

 Radial distribution system
 Ring main distribution system
 Inter-connected distribution system
Classification of Distribution System
 According to Nature of Current
 DC distribution system
 AC distribution system
AC Distribution System
 A system where electrical energy is distributed among the consumers from substations in the
form of AC is an AC distribution system.
 In other words, the electric system between the transmission systems step-down substation and the
consumer’s meter is known as the AC distribution system.
 It is divided into two systems, namely
 Primary distribution systems
 Secondary distribution systems
Primary AC Distribution System
 It is that part of an AC distribution system which operates at somewhat higher voltages than
general residential consumer utilization. Commonly used primary distribution voltages in most
countries are 11 kV, 6.6 kV and 3.3 kV.
 Primary distribution handles large consumers such as factories and industries. It also feeds small
substation from where secondary distribution is carried out.
 Primary distribution is carried out by 3-phase, 3-wire system.
Secondary AC Distribution System

 This part directly supplies to the residential end

consumers.
 Domestic consumers are fed with single phase
supply at 230 volts. Three phase supply may
also be provided at 400 volts for big properties,
commercial buildings, small factories etc.
 Secondary distribution in most countries is
carried out by 3-phase, 4-wire system.
DC Distribution System
 For certain applications, DC supply is necessary
 Variable speed machinery (DC Motors)
 Electrochemical work
 Storage battery reserves

 Wherever DC power distribution is required, AC power from the transmission network can be
rectified at a substation using converting equipment and then fed to the DC distribution system.
AC power is converted to DC power at the substation by using converters
 Mercury arc rectifier
 Rotary converters
 Motor-generator sets
DC Distribution System
 DC distribution system is of two types.
 2-wire DC system (Unipolar DC distribution system)
 3-wire DC system (Bipolar DC distribution system)
2-wire DC Distribution System
 This system of distribution uses two conductors (wires), one is positive (outgoing) conductor and
the other one is negative (return) conductor. The energy is transmitted at only one voltage level
to all the consumers using this system.
3-wire DC Distribution System
 It consist of two outers and a middle or neutral wire which is earthed at the substation.
 The voltage between the outers is twice the voltage between either outer and a neutral wire.
 The principal advantage is that it makes available two voltages at the consumer terminal.
 Loads requiring high voltage are connected across the outers, whereas circuits requiring less
voltage are connected between either outer and the neutral.
3-wire DC Distribution System
 This is basically a combination of two series connected unipolar DC systems. It consists of three
conductors, two outer conductors (one is positive and the other is negative) and one middle
conductor which acts as neutral. This system leaves following connection choices to a consumer -
 between positive conductor and neutral
 between negative conductor and neutral
 between positive and negative conductor (double voltage)
 positive to negative with neutral connected
Methods of Obtaining 3-wire DC System
 Two Generator Method
 3-Wire DC Generator
 Balancer Set
Classification of Distribution System
 According to Construction Type
 Overhead distribution system
 Underground distribution system
Overhead & Underground Distribution
System
 The overhead lines are generally mounted on wooden, concrete, or steel poles which are
arranged to carry distribution transformers in addition to the conductors.
 The underground system uses conduits, cables, and manholes under the surface of the streets
and sidewalks.
Overhead & Underground Distribution
System
 The choice between overhead and underground system depends upon several differing factors,
such as,
 Public Safety
 Initial Cost
 Maintenance Cost
 Flexibility
 Faults
 Faults Location and Repairs
 Appearance
 Useful Life
 Interference with Communication Circuits
Classification of Distribution System
 Based on Scheme of Connection
 Radial distribution system
 Ring main distribution system
 Inter-connected distribution system
Radial System
 Separate feeders radiate from a single substation and feed the distributors at one end only.
 Radial system is employed only when power is generated at low voltage and the substation is
located at the centre of the load.
Radial System
 Simplest distribution circuit and has the lowest initial cost.
 Drawback
 The end of the distributor nearest to the feeding point will be heavily loaded
 Any fault on the feeder or distributor cuts off supply to the consumers
 For distant end consumers, serious voltage fluctuations when the load on the distributor changes.
 Due to these limitations, this system is used for short distances only.
Ring Main System
 The primaries of distribution transformers form a loop.
 The loop circuit starts from the substation bus-bars, makes a loop through the area to be served,
and returns to the substation.
Ring Main System
 Less voltage fluctuations at consumer’s terminals
 The system is very reliable
 Each distributor is fed via two feeders. In the event of fault on any section of the feeder, the continuity
of supply is maintained.
 Example - Fault at any point F
Inter-connected System
 Feeder ring is energized by two or more than two generating stations or substations.
Inter-connected System
 It increases the service reliability.
 Any area fed from one generating station during peak load hours can be fed from the other
generating station. This reduces reserve power capacity and increases efficiency of the system.
Requirements of a Distribution System
 Requirements of a good distribution system are
 Proper Voltage
 Availability of Power on Demand
 Reliability
Design Consideration in Distribution System
 Good voltage regulation of a distribution network is probably the most important factor
responsible for delivering good service to the consumers.
 Feeder
 A feeder is designed from the point of view of its current carrying capacity, while the voltage drop
consideration is relatively unimportant.
 Voltage drop in a feeder can be compensated by means of voltage regulating equipment at the
substation.
 Distributor
 A distributor is designed from the point of view of the voltage drop. Because it supplies power to the
consumers and there is a statutory limit of voltage variation at the consumer’s terminal (±6% of rated
value)
 The size and length of the distributor should be such that voltage at the consumer’s terminals is within
the permissible limits.