Distribution
POWER SYSTEMS
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Distribution
Introduction to Distribution system
The system which is specially designed to distributing the power to the loads are
known as Distribution system.
D.C. distribution act as a back-up in the generating station & the substation.
Distribution system mainly consists of:
Feeders
It is a conductor that connects the substation to the area where power is to distrib-
uted.
The main consideration in the design of a feeder is the current carrying capacity.
Distribution transformer
A distribution transformer provides final transformation in the electric power distribu-
tion system.
It is also called as service transformer.
Distributors
A distributor is a conductor from which tapping are taken for supply to the consum-
ers.
Types of distributors-
Distributors fed at one end
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Distributors fed at both ends
Distributors fed at the center
Ring main distributor
Service mains
It is a small cable that connects the distributor to the consumer’s terminals.
Distribution system based on voltage
levels
Primary Distribution system
Primary distribution system consists of feeders that deliver power from distribution
substation to distribution transformers.
Primary distribution handles large consumers such as factories & Industries.
It is that part of the A.C. distribution system which operates at voltages somewhat
higher than general utilization and handles large blocks of electrical energy than the
average low-voltage consumer uses.
The voltage used for primary distribution depends upon the amount of power to be
conveyed and the distance of the substation required to be fed.
The most commonly used primary distribution voltages are 11 kV, 6.6 kV, and 3.3
kV.
Due to economic considerations, primary distribution is carried out by 3-phase, 3-
wire system.
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Electric power from the generating station is transmitted at high voltage to the sub-
station located in or near the city; At this substation, voltage is stepped down to 11
kV with the help of a step-down transformer.
Power is supplied to various substations for distribution or to big consumers at this
voltage. This forms the high voltage distribution or primary distribution.
Secondary distribution
These are the part of electric power distribution that carries electric energy from dis-
tribution transformers to electricity meters of end customers.
Electric power is given to (from primary distribution line (i.e.) 11 kV) distribution sub-
station.
This substation is located nearby consumer’s area where the level of voltage re-
duced by step down transformers is 415 V.
In a 3 phase four wire system (3 phase - 4 wires), there are 415 volts (Three-phase
supply system) between any two phases and 230 volts (single-phase supply) be-
tween neutral and any one of the phases (lives) wire.
Residential load (i.e., fans, light, and TV, etc.) may be connected between any one
phase and neutral wires, while three-phase loads may be connected directly to the
three-phase lines.
A three-phase 415V, supply is used for supplying small industrial and commercial
loads such as garages, schools, and blocks of flats. A single-phase 230 V supply is
usually provided for individual domestic consumers.
Tertiary distribution System
A 400V,3-phase system is an example of tertiary distribution system.
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Classification of power distribution
system
Distribution system
As per Nature of current As per type of construction As per scheme of connection
D. C. distribution system Overhead distribution sys- Radial distribution system
tem
A. C. distribution system Underground distribution Ring main distribution sys-
system tem
Inter-connected distribution
system
Ring main system
In this system, each distribution transformer is fed with two feeders but in different
paths. The feeders in this system form a loop which starts from the substation bus-
bars run through the load area feeding distribution transformers and returns to the
substation bus-bars.
Advantages
There are fewer voltage fluctuations at the consumer's terminal.
The system is very reliable as each distribution transformer is fed with two feeders.
That means, in the event of a fault in any section of the feeder, the continuity of the
supply is ensured from the alternative path.
Voltage is affected less at far away load from the substation.
Radial Distribution System
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This system is used only when the substation is located at the center of the con-
sumers.
In this system, different feeders radiate from a substation and feed the distributors
at one end.
The main characteristic of a radial distribution system is that the power flow is in
only one direction.
Radial system is used when energy is to be produced on low potential.
It is the simplest system and has the lowest initial cost but it is not highly reliable.
Major drawbacks of a radial distribution system are
A fault in the feeder will result in supply failure to associated consumers as there
won't be any alternative feeder to feed distributors.
Voltage is affected much at far away load from the substation.
Interconnected distribution system
When a ring main feeder is energized by two or more substations, it is called as an
interconnected distribution system.
This system ensures reliability in an event of transmission failure. Also, any area
fed from one generating station during peak load hours can be fed from the other
generating station or substation for meeting power requirements from the increased
load.
Sub-stations
The electrical substation is the part of a power system in which the voltage is trans-
formed from high to low or low to high for transmission, distribution, transformation,
and switching. The power transformer, circuit breaker, bus-bar, insulator, lightning
arrester are the main components of an electrical substation.
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On the basis of constructional features, the sub-stations are classified as-
Indoor sub-stations
For voltages up to 11 kV, the equipment of the sub-station is installed indoor be-
cause of economic considerations.
Sub-stations can be erected for voltages up to 66 kV.
Outdoor sub-stations
For voltages beyond 66 kV, equipment is invariably installed outdoor.
Underground sub-stations
In thickly populated areas, the space available for equipment and building is limited
and the cost of land is high. Under such situations, the sub-station is created under-
ground.
Pole-mounted sub-stations
This is an outdoor sub-station with equipment installed overhead on H-pole or 4-
pole structure.
It is the cheapest form of sub-station for voltages not exceeding 11kV (or 33 kV in
some cases).
Electric power is almost distributed in localities through such substations. Distribu-
tion substations are mostly Pole mounted
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Difference between transmission &
distribution lines
Transmission line Distribution line
It helps in the movement of electricity from the It carries electricity from the substation to
power plane to the substations the consumer’s end
It carries electricity in three-phase supply It requires a single-phase supply system
system for carrying electricity
Carries electricity at a very high voltage Carries electricity at a very low & safe level
These are thick lines These are thin as compared to
transmission line
Voltage levels of transmission and
distribution
Power carrying system Voltage level
Primary transmission 66 kV, 132 kV, 220 kV or 400 kV
Secondary transmission 33 kV
Primary distribution 11 kV
Secondary distribution 400 V
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Points to Remember
Presently, 3 phase 4-wire A.C. system is universally used for distribution of power
throughout the world.
Feeders are not tapped in between the sub-transmission substation and the distri-
bution substations, while distributors are tapped throughout at several points the
consumers.
Ratio of conductor-material in any system compared with that in the corresponding
2-wire D.C. system.
Same maximum voltage to Same maximum voltage
System
earth between conductors
DC system: Two wire 1 1
DC: Two wire mid-point earthed 0.25 1
DC: 3 wire 0.3125 1.25
Single phase: 2 wire 2/cos2ϕ 2/cos2ϕ
Single phase: 2 wire mid-point
earthed 0.5/cos2ϕ 2/cos2ϕ
Single phase: 3 wire 0.625/cos2ϕ 2.5/cos2ϕ
2-phase: 4 wire 0.5/cos2ϕ 2/cos2ϕ
2-phase: 3 wire 1.457/cos2ϕ 2.914/cos2ϕ
3 phase, 3 wire 0.5/cos2ϕ 1.5/cos2ϕ
3 phase, 4 wire 0.583/cos2ϕ 1.75/cos2ϕ
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