Power Distribution System
What is the electric power system?
- An electric power system is typically viewed from a broad viewpoint as a very vast network
that connects power plants of all sizes to loads via an electric grid that may cover an entire
continent, such as Europe or North America.
- As a result, a power system often runs from a power plant all the way to the outlets inside of
customers' buildings. Due to their autonomy, these are occasionally referred to as full power
systems.
- Smaller power systems could be made of part or sections of a larger, full system. In this
figure shows several elements that operate together and are connected to a power
supplying network.
In this figure, the subsystem shown could be one of a final user of the electric energy of a full power
system.
In this figure, the subsystem represented could be one of a small power plant working as distributed
generation (DG). Most of these power systems operate only when connected to a full power system.
- Partial power systems are those that receive electricity from an outside source or generate
electricity and transmit it to a bigger grid. For our purposes, the full power, large-scale
systems that traverse great distances and were put into place over a long period of time by
power companies are of interest. During intermediate steps where the voltage is reduced to
lower levels, distribution ultimately provides the power (we may say locally when compared
to the transmission system) to the end loads, the bulk of which are supplied at low voltage.
What is Generation, Transmission, and Distribution?
- The process of turning a primary energy source into electricity at power plants or other
generating equipment is known as generation. The network that transfers power from one
area of a nation or region to another is known as transmission. The infrastructure is typically
well-connected, with numerous power cables connecting various substations with varying
voltage levels to increase redundancy.
Distribution System
- originates at a distribution substation and includes the lines, poles, transformers, and other
equipment needed to deliver electric power to the customer at the required voltages.
- consists of all the facilities and equipment connecting a transmission system to the
customer's equipment.
- Typical power distribution system consist of: distribution substation, feeders, distribution
transformers, distribution conductors, and service mains conductors
Along with these, a distribution system also consists of switches, protection equipment,
measurement equipment etc.
1. Distribution Substation - A distribution substation is in or close to an urban, rural, or
industrial region. It receives power from a transmission network. The high voltage from the
transmission line is then lowered to the primary distribution level voltage using a step-down
transformer. The standard main distribution voltage is 11 kV, although it can vary from 2.4
kV to 33 kV depending on the area or consumer.
2. Distribution Feeders - Feeder conductors transport the substation's stepped-down voltage
to the distribution transformers. Typically, no tappings are taken from the feeders to
maintain a constant current. A feeder conductor's current carrying capability is the major
factor to be considered when designing it.
3. Distribution Transformer – Also known as “Service Transformer”, completes the system's
final transformation of electric power. Essentially, it is a 3-phase step-down transformer. The
voltage is reduced by the distribution transformer to 400Y/230 volts. In this case, it indicates
that the voltage from one phase to the neutral is 230 volts, while the voltage from one
phase to another is 400 volts. However, the voltage between a phase and neutral in a
120/240 volt split-phase system is employed in the USA and certain other nations.
4. Distributors - Distributor conductor carries the output from a distribution transformer. A
distributor conductor is tapped to give power to the final users. As taps are made at various
points throughout the length of a distributor, the current flowing through it is not constant.
So, while building a distributor conductor, voltage loss along the length is the primary factor
to take into account.
5. Service mains - It is a small cable which connects the distributor conductor at the nearest
pole to the consumer's end.
A straightforward radial AC power distribution system is shown in the above diagram. For
the sake of simplicity, other equipment such as circuit breakers, measuring devices, etc. is not shown
in the illustration.
Two Distribution System
- Primary and Secondary Distribution System
Primary Distribution System
- It is that area of an AC distribution system that uses voltages a little bit higher than what
most home consumers do. 11 kV, 6.6 kV, and 3.3 kV are the three principal distribution
voltages that are frequently utilized worldwide. Large users, such factories, and industries,
are taken care of through primary distribution. Moreover, it supplies a small substation
where secondary distribution is done. A 3-phase, 3-wire arrangement is used for primary
distribution.
Secondary Distribution System
- This component supplies residential end users directly. Residential clients receive 230 volts
of single-phase power (120 volts in USA and some other countries). For large houses,
commercial buildings, small industries, etc., a three-phase supply at 400 volts may also be
offered. In most nations, secondary transmission is done using a 3-phase, 4-wire
arrangement.
Classification Of Power Distribution Systems
According to nature of current:
- DC Distribution System
- AC Distribution System
According to type of construction:
- Overhead Distribution System
- Underground Distribution System
On the Basis of Scheme of Connection:
- Radial Distribution System
- Ring Main Distribution System
- Inter-connected Distribution System
AC Distribution System - A.C. Distribution system is the electrical system between the step-down
substation fed by transmission system and consumers' meters.
DC Distribution System - Supply is important for electro-chemical operations, the operation of
variable speed machinery (i.e., d.c. motors), and for crowded regions where storage battery reserves
are required. For this purpose, AC power is converted into D.C. power at the substation by using
converting machinery e.g., mercury arc rectifiers, and motor-generator sets.
Types of Power Distribution Systems
Single Phase, 2-wire System - This system may be used for very short distances. The
following figure shows a single phase two wire system with - fig (a) one of the two wires
earthed, and fig. (b) mid-point of the phase winding is earthed.
Single Phase, 3-wire System - This system is identical in principle with 3-wire dc distribution
system. The neutral wire is center-tapped from the secondary winding of the transformer
and earthed. This system is also called as split-phase electricity distribution system. It is
commonly used in North America for residential supply.
Two Phase, 3-wire System - In this system, the neutral wire is taken from the junction of
two-phase windings whose voltages are in quadrature with each other. The voltage between
neutral wire and either of the outer phase wires is V. Whereas, the voltage between outer
phase wires is √2V. As compared to a two-phase 4-wire system, this system suffers from
voltage imbalance due to unsymmetrical voltage in the neutral.
Two Phase, 4-Wire System - In this system, 4 wires are taken from two phase windings
whose voltages are in quadrature with each other. Mid-point of both phase windings is
connected. If the voltage between the two wires of a same phase is V, then the voltage
between two wires of different phase would be 0.707V.
Three Phase, 3-Wire Distribution System - Three phase systems are very widely used for AC
power distribution. The three phases may be delta connected or star connected with star
point usually grounded. The voltage between two phases or lines for delta connection is V,
where V is the voltage across a phase winding. For star connection, the voltage between two
phases is √3V.
Three Phase, 4-Wire Distribution System - This system uses star connected phase windings
and the fourth wire or neutral wire is taken from the star point. If the voltage of each
winding is V, then the line-to-line voltage (line voltage) is √3V and the line-to-neutral voltage
(phase voltage) is V. This type of distribution system is widely used in India and many other
countries. In these countries, standard phase voltage is 230 volts and line voltage is √3x230 =
400 volts. Single phase residential loads, single phase motors which run on 230 volts etc. are
connected between any one phase and the neutral. Three phase loads like three-phase
induction motors are put across all the three phases and the neutral.
Connection Schemes of Distribution System
Radial Distribution System
- Separate feeders radiate from a single substation and feed the distributors at one end only.
- Only one path is connected between each customer and substation.
- Electrical power flows along a single path.
- If interrupted, results in complete loss of power to the customer.
Advantages:
- Low cost
- Simple Planning
Disadvantages:
- The radial system is employed only when power is generated at low voltage and the
substation is located at the center of the load.
- Distributor nearer to feeding is heavy loaded.
- Consumers at far end of feeder would be subjected to serious voltage fluctuations.
Ring/ Loop Distribution System
- Consists of two or more paths between power sources and the customer.
- The loop circuit starts from the substation bus-bars, makes a loop through the area to be
served, and returns to the substation.
Advantages:
- Less conductor material is required
- Less voltage fluctuations
- More reliable
Disadvantages:
- It is difficult to design as compared to the design of radial system
Inter-connected Distribution System
- It is supplied by a number of feeders
- Radial primary feeders can be tapped off from the interconnecting tie feeders
- They can also serve directly from the substation
Advantages:
- Increase the reliability of supply
- Losses are less
- Quality of serviced is improved
Disadvantages:
- Its initial cost is more
- Difficult in planning, design, and operation
According to loading, a distributor can be classified as:
I. Fed at one end
II. Fed at both ends
- With equal voltages
- With unequal voltages
III. Fed at center
IV. Ring mains
Feed at one end
- The current in the various sections of the distributor away from the feeding point goes on
decreasing. Thus current in section AC is more than the current in section CD and current in
section CD is more than the current in section DE.
- The voltage across the loads away from the feeding point goes on decreasing. Thus the
minimum voltage occurs at the load point E.
- In case a fault occurs on any section of the distributor, the whole distributor will have to be
disconnected from the supply mains. Therefore, continuity of supply is interrupted.
Fed at center
- The distributor is connected to the supply mains at both ends and loads are tapped off at
different points along the length of the distributor.
- The voltage at the feeding points may or may not be equal. Distributor A B fed at the ends A
and B and loads of I1, I2 and I3 tapped off at points C respectively.
- Here , the load voltage goes on decreasing as we move away from one feeding point say A,
reaches minimum value and then again starts rising and reaches maximum value when we
reach the other feeding point B.
- The minimum voltage occurs at some load point and is never fixed. It is shifted with the
variations of load on different sections of the distributor.
Advantages:
- If a fault occurs on any feeding point of the distributor, the continuity of supply is
maintained from the other feeding point.
- In case of fault on any section of the distributor, the continuity of supply is maintained from
the other feeding point.
- The area of X-section required for a doubly fed distributor is much less than that of singly fed
distributor.
Ring Distributor
- In this type of feeding, the center of the distributor is connected to the supply mains.
- It is equivalent o two singly fed distributors, each distributor having a common feeding point
and length equal to half of the total length.