TOPIC
3
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
INTRODUCTION
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
• The main function of a distribution
system is to receive electric power
from large, bulk power sources and
to distribute electric power to
consumers at various voltage level
with acceptable degree of
reliability.
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
• The electricity is transmitted from
the power stations to sub‐stations
near the load centre. These sub‐
stations are known as transmission
sub station.
• Then the electricity distributed to
the consumer through distributions
sub‐stations.
Simple Transmission and
Distribution System
Simple Transmission and
Distribution System
• The steam or gas turbine in the power station
produces electricity at about 11 to 15kV.
• Step‐up transformer raise the voltage directly
to 132, 275 or 500kV and transmitted through
transmission network. In order to minimize
power losses, reduce cost and to stable
voltage.
Simple Transmission and
Distribution System
• Step down transformer reduce the high
transmission voltage to 33 or 11kV at
transmission sub‐stations then to the
distribution network.
• Distribution network supplies electricity to the
consumers. At the distributions sub‐stations,
the voltage is lowered to the local area for
various low voltage consumers 415 or 240V.
AC three phase single‐line
diagram
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
• In general, the distribution system is
the electrical system between the
sub‐station fed by the transmission
system and the consumer meters.
• It generally consists of feeders,
distributors and service mains.
Single‐line diagram of a low
tension distribution system
Consists of Three major parts :
Feeders ‐ a line, wire or conductor
cable which connects generator station,
substation or electricity supply point in
electricity distribution system.
Distributors ‐ a conductor from which
tapping are taken for supplying to the
consumers.
Services mains ‐ cable which connects
the distributor to the consumer
terminals.
Connection Schemes of
Distribution System
• The necessary electrical power for the
distribution network is transformed at the
distribution substations.
• The simplest method is to connect each
consumer load to the grid substation through
dedicated feeder lines.
Connection Schemes of
Distribution System
• Such a network will need a large number of
feeder lines to be installed between the grid
substation and the consumer loads and
therefore is not recommend.
• Instead of connecting a single consumer to a
dedicated feeder, it is recommended to connect
a group of consumers to each of these feeder
lines thus minimizing the overall distribution
cost.
Types of distribution
arrangement
i. Radial system
ii. Parallel system
iii. Ring system
iv. Simple Network system
RADIAL SYSTEM
Fig 1 : Radial system diagram
• In radial system, all the sections/branches of a
feeder are fed from a single source in a fixed
direction.
RADIAL SYSTEM
• Radial system is a distribution system connected of
supply source which merely have one end only.
• The radial system is employed only when power
is generated at low voltage and the substation
is located at the centre of the load.
• This is the simplest distribution circuit and has the
lowest initial cost.
RADIAL SYSTEM
• However, it suffers from the following drawbacks :
a) The end of the distributor nearest to the feeding point
will heavily loaded.
b) The consumers are dependent on a single feeder and
single distributor. Therefore, any fault on the feeder or
distributor cuts off supply to the consumers who are on
the side of the fault away from the substation.
c) The consumers at the distant end of the distributor
would be subjected to serious voltage fluctuations when
the load on the distributor changes.
• Due to these limitations, this system is used for
short distances only.
PARALLEL SYSTEM
Fig 2 : Parallel system diagram
• To overcome problem in radial system, parallel
feeder system introduced.
PARALLEL SYSTEM
• This system nearly identical with radial system that
is on main part of transformer obtain supplies from
one source only, but in parallel system secondary
part of transformer connected between one to
another.
• With that connection if either transformer damage,
source of electric power still can be supplied to
users through other transformer parallel connected
with it.
RING SYSTEM
Fig 3 : Ring system diagram
RING SYSTEM
• This transmission system is made with connect the
stepup transformer altogether at one area such as
village, town or state in ring circuit.
• This ring connection involved main transformer part
only, while his secondary side fitted further to other
stepdown transformer. This system could be
perceived as balanced current transmission system
although the loads are changed.
• Voltage drop in his transmission considered does
not exist. This system can accommodate many
consumers' load although his size is small and
long.
SIMPLE NETWORK SYSTEM
SIMPLE NETWORK SYSTEM
• Simple network system is mixture of
advantages of ring and bus tie system
therefore ring is only made in secondary part
of converter while main part made within
radius connection.
• This connection give the same result like
advantages of ring and bus tie circuit
Advantages &
Disadvantages Of
Radial & Ring System
In terms of :
1) Cost
2) Supply suitability
COST
• Ring system are costlier compared to radial
system. This is because installations using this
system is more complex, because many
feeders use, so that switch gear use is also
increased. Expansion of switch gear used in
this system will increased initial cost.
• On the other hand, radial system that does
not complex in installation aspect then feeder
use and further switch gear is in small number.
At the same time it is a easy to build.
SUPPLY SUITABILITY
• For radial feeder system, it is suitable for area
or consumer which required small load such
as village or town. It is not suitable to be used
in areas which required high load because it
would cause use of larger cable to avoid
power dissipation.
• Ring feeder system is suitable for central load
area such as town areas and others. Power
dissipation that exists is less compared to
radial system.
Radial Systems Ring Systems
‐The radial main ‐Ring main systems receive
Advantages distribution system is the supply from multiple
cheapest because it sources.
(cost and supply requires the least amount
of conductors and simple ‐More reliable.
line protection methods.
suitability)
‐Mostly, these systems are
used in rural areas.
‐All the lines are radially
emanating from the
source.
‐If one of these radial lines ‐The major disadvantages
Disadvantages goes out of service, also of ring main systems are
known as “forced outage”. capacity and costly.
(cost and supply
The consumer (or group
suitability) of consumers), connected
to the feeder line will not
get any electrical power.
CONSTRUCTION OF UNDERGROUND
TRANSMISSION CABLES
Distribution of electricity not only to
use the online system as
where we have learned,
sometimes the distribution
of electricity is also done
by using the underground system.
Therefore to enable the distribution of electricity through
underground cables suitable then be used.
For this purpose it is produced underground cables to
facilitate the energy supply electricity to an area
or the user can be done safely. Underground
cable installation is usually done in areas the city and
in areas that should (line above does not apply).
All cables carrying soil has a core or more than
1. Core one core is made from Almunium or copper core
is typically the number 1,2,3 or 4.
The types of insulation used are:
2. insulator (i) of paper soaked in oil;
(ii) vulcanized bitumen,
(iii) varnished cambric.
Coated on the insulation to prevent
3. metal coating moisture entry. Materials
the use of lead and Almunium.
In the outer metal layer is a layer
4. Bedding of bedding, made from a combination of paper
with substitutes. The duties of this coating is
to provide protection to metal coating.
To prevent mechanical damage from
5. Armouring occurring to the cable. One or two layers steel
wire (galvanized steel wire) or two layers
of steel tap used for the task coating.
On the outside of one of the shielding layer
6. Serving coated with a layer replacement similar to
the coating.
Although several types of cables are available,
the type of cable to be used will depend upon
the working voltage and service requirements.
As a result of ensure that the design of
underground cable can be used for transmission and
distribution of electricity through the ground, the
main requirements of the construction must be followed:
Almunium conductor / copper used, must have
1 a size affordable so that currents can flow
without the occurrence of heat excessive.
Voltage drop on the cable must not exceed a
limit set.
2
The cable must have proper insulation and
thick insulation which can prevent from
happening of an accident and can withstand
high dielectric.
As a result of ensure that the design of
underground cable can be used for transmission and
distribution of electricity through the ground, the
main requirements of the construction must be followed:
3 Cables must be protected so as to prevent
mechanical damage from rough guide.
4
Cable must have chemical and physical stability
as a whole.
5
Facilities to prevent entry of water into the cable
to be considered.
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF
UNDERGROUND CABLE & OVERHEAD
TRANSMISSION LINE
OVERHEAD vs UNDERGROUND SYSTEM
• The underground system is safer than overhead
Public system because all distribution wiring is placed
safety underground and there are little chances of any
hazard.
• Underground line costlier namely double compared
Initial
cost
to line in transmission system (having equal distance
apart)
• The overhead system is much more flexible than the
underground system. In the latter case, manholes, duct lines
etc., are permanently placed once installed and the load
Flexibility
expansion can only be met by lying new lines. However, on an
overhead system, poles, wires, transformers etc., can be easily
shifted to meet the changes in load conditions.
OVERHEAD vs UNDERGROUND SYSTEM
• The chances of faults in underground system are
Faults very rare as the cables are laid underground and
are generally provided with better insulation.
• The general appearance of an underground
system is better as all the distribution lines are
Appearance invisible. This factor is exerting considerable
public pressure on electric supply companies to
switch over to underground system.
• In general, there are little chances of faults in an
underground system. However, if a fault does occur,
Fault it is difficult to locate and repair on this system.
location &
• On an overhead system, the conductors are visible
repairs
and easily accessible so that fault locations and
repairs can be easily made.
OVERHEAD vs UNDERGROUND SYSTEM
• An overhead distribution conductor has a
Current considerably higher current carrying capacity
carrying than an underground cable conductor of the
capacity same material and cross‐section. On the other
and hand, underground cable conductor has much
voltage lower inductive reactance than that of an
drop overhead conductor because of closer spacing of
conductors.
• The useful life of underground system is much
Useful longer than that of overhead system. An overhead
system may have a useful life of 25 years, whereas
life an underground system may have a useful life of
more than 50 years.
OVERHEAD vs UNDERGROUND SYSTEM
• The maintenance cost of underground
system is very low as compared with that of
Maintenance
overhead system because of less chances of
cost
faults and service interruptions from wind,
ice, lightning as well as from traffic hazard.
• An overhead system cause electromagnetic
interference with the telephone lines. The
Interference power line currents are superimposed on
with speech currents, resulting in the potential
communication of the potential of the communication
circuits channel being raised to an undesirable
level. However, there is no such
interference with the underground system.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR
DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL USE
DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
• Electricity distribution system was part of
electrical system which connect consumer
with main supply source after transmission
line.
• In electrical system electricity power
distribution are depends to loads found at
user area.
• Because loads type used by consumer are
different then electricity distribution system
also different based on load capacity.
BLOCK DIAGRAM OF POWER
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM TO USER
DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
• Distribution network can be split to two
parts namely main distribution and
secondary distribution.
• Main distribution usually carry high voltage
namely 11 kV, 6.6 kV or 3.3 kV and
depends on consumption power
requirement by consumer.
DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
• While secondary distribution bring only low
voltage namely 400 volts down. Low
Voltage distribution normally supply
electricity to domestic user, trade, industry
and others.
• Electricity distribution system to users can
understand with much further by looking
how domestic and industry distribution
system implemented.
DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
• Electrical energy distribution to domestic
user usually involve residential houses,
flat, apartment and others. Residential
houses get power supply distribution
through single phase system involving
240V and 415V.
• Loads found in domestic user constitute
light, water heater , radio, television,
washing machine, air conditioning and
refrigerator.
DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
• Amounts of loads of domestic distribution
system in electricity system is largest
number estimated reach until 75 percent
from electricity use overall.
• Due to this total equipment construction
cost for distribution system electricity on
domestic user is big.
DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
• Figure before shows power distribution to
domestic user through one distribution
substation to several transformers. This
transformer is used to decline reduce
voltage from 11 kV to 415V before
distributing to domestic user by using
single phase line system.
DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
• Electrical energy distribution to industrial
users usually involve manufacturing
plants. These plants get supply distribution
electricity through three phase system.
• The load occur in factory usually comprise
of electric motors, control panel and also
manufacturing equipment (constitute
machines designed specifically for specific
tasks).
DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
• Amounts of weight of industry distribution
system can be reaching up to 25 percent
of electricity usage overall.
• Electrical energy distribution to industrial
users is different with domestic user. For
each industry requires his own distribution
substation without sharing with any other
consumer like those committed against
domestic distribution system.
DOMESTIC & INDUSTRIAL
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
• Large industrial distribution system need
voltage 33 kV in his substation system
while enough small industry with a voltage
11 kV in his substation system.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
MEDIUM‐VOLTAGE & LOW‐VOLTAGE
DISTRIBUTION
DIFFERENT BETWEEN LOW VOLTAGE &
MEDIUM VOLTAGE DISTRIBUTION
LOW VOLTAGE MEDIUM VOLTAGE
| Low voltage is being | Medium voltage is being
supply normally for house, supply normally for medium
small factory, farm and factory and industrial power
restaurant. plant.
| The range of low voltage | The range of medium
distribution is 240V(single voltage distribution is
phase,3 wire) and 415V(3 6.6kV,11kV,22kV,33kV and
phase,4 wire). 66kV.
| Low voltage occur in the | Medium voltage occur in the
short transmission line. medium transmission line.
PRESENTATION
1) Identify the role of transmission
substations
2) Describe the functions of the following
substation components :
Transformer with tapping
Circuit breaker
Air‐breakers
Isolators
Earthing switches
Surge arrester
Current‐limiting reactors
Instrument transformer
