1.
The design information of building electrical system components from the utility
company to the junction box.
Starting with the utility company supplying 13,800 volts from the road to a utility pole in
the parking lot. At the top of this pole, there are 3 transformers. These transformers will step
down the 13,800 volts to 4,160 volts. This voltage is transferred down the pole through copper
wires that are encased in conduit. This conduit travels down underground and enters the oil
transformer on the high or primary side of its junction box. The junction box receives the
incoming power on the high or primary side. It enters the transformer through insulated copper
[Link] are three wires, this is the three phase system. There are three windings, one for
each of the wires or phases. The wires are connected to the top of the windings. The windings in
this transformer will step down the voltage to 480 volts. The incoming wires that are carrying the
4,160 volts are smaller than the wires at bottom carrying 480 volts. This is because the amperage
increases when the voltage is lowered and vice versa. Higher amperage generates more heat and
requires lager wires. Wires connecting to the bottom of each winding will then return to the low
or secondary side of the junction box. The wires will pass through conduit and travel
underground to switchgear for further distribution.
2. A Switchgear.
It’s the beginning of the electrical distribution system inside the facility located in an
electrical room. It is made up of several sections containing switches and or breakers. The first
section receives the incoming power from the oil transformer. The wires are connected to the
main breaker or in this example, they are attached to fuses. The fuses are connected to the
busbar. Busbar is either made up of copper or aluminum. The voltage travels through the busbar
to each section of connected switchgear energizing each section.
3. A Bus Duct.
The drawlight breaker in section 2 is connected to the bus duct. Bus duct is a rectangular
or square metal enclosure containing a busbar. Its purpose is the same as electrical wire in
conduit but is able to handle larger amp ratings. Bus duct is made up of 100-foot sections. Plugs
or connectors are spaced every two or three feet for the purpose of attaching fused disconnect
safety switches which can then supply voltage to designated areas.
4. The function of a distribution switch board, a distribution panel or a branch circuit
panel.
A distribution switchboard, distribution panel and a branch circuit breaker panel all have
the same functionality. They can contain many circuit breakers distributing voltage to all areas of
the facility. What differentiates them from each other is their amperage rating. Distribution
switchboard is an electrical panel with an amp rating between 1201 and 1999. A distribution
panel has an amp rating of 401 to 1200. A branch circuit breaker panel has an amp rating that is
equal to or less than 400 amps.
5. The function of a dry transformer.
The dry transformer has the same function as an oil transformer. It steps down voltage.
The difference is that the dry transformer uses air for cooling instead of oil. As the transformer
heats the air inside, cool air pulls in at the bottom . Heat rises through a natural convection
process and exits from the top. Dry transformers generally are used to step down 600 volts or
less. Note that transformers can be used to step up voltage or maintain a certain voltage. In most
cases transformers are used to step down voltage.
6. Automatic transfer switch.
An automatic transfer switch monitors the incoming power from the utility. If there is an
interruption, it will send a signal to start an emergency generator. Once the generator reaches a
desired voltage level, the ATS will switch over to the emergency power. There is a slight
interruption in power from the time the ATS switches over to the generator from the utility
power. In facilities such as data centers and hospitals, where uninterrupted power is very
important, a battery bank is in place to provide power until the generator is able to supply the
correct voltage. Once the power from utility is restored, the ATS will automatically switch back
to normal power. This emergency power generally feeds specific circuits. In some cases it may
supply the entire facility but this is not the norm. In larger facilities with higher emergency
demands, you may find several generators along with several automatic transfer switches.
7. Motor control centers (MCC).
Almost every facility has motors. Motors are used in pumps, machinery, conveyors,
elevators, and the list is endless. In order to distribute power to motors, the electrical distribution
system has motor control centers or MCCs. These MCCs are made up of sections. Each section
contains buckets. Each bucket is assigned to a specific motor. A MCC bucket contains many
things to operate the motor. There can be computer logic boards or PLCs, transformers,
contactors, and other control devices to operate the motor. For the purpose of electrical
distribution, we only need to focus on a few components that relate specifically to the electrical.
Each bucket has a disconnect switch and a breaker. The breaker is designed to trip if the power
exceeds the recommended setting. The disconnect switch is there to manually turn off the power
to the motor. There is also a combination motor store. These consist of the same disconnect
switch and breaker but also have two other features. It has a start/stop switch to manually turn
the motor on and off. It also has a hand off auto switch. When this switch is in the auto mode it
allows another source to control the motor.
8. A disconnect switches.
A disconnect switch is nothing more than a switch designed for specific voltages and
amperages. There are many different types and sizes. Some disconnects have fuses in that.