Lecture 5: Supply Systems

The electrical energy produced at the power stations has to be supplied to the consumers. There
is a large network of conductors between the power station and the consumers. This network can
be broadly divided into two parts viz., transmission and distribution.

5.1 Electric Supply System

It refers to the conveyance of electric power from a power station to consumers’ premises.

An electric supply system consists of three principal components viz., the power station, the
transmission lines and the distribution system. Electric power is produced at the power stations
which are located at favourable places, generally quite away from the consumers. It is then
transmitted over large distances to load centres with the help of conductors known as
transmission lines.
Finally, it is distributed to a large number of small and big consumers through a distribution
network.

The electric supply system can be broadly classified into:

a) d.c or a.c. system

b) Overhead or underground system.

Now-days, 3-phase, 3-wire a.c. system is universally adopted for generation and transmission of
electric power as an economical proposition. However, distribution of electric power is done by
3-phase, 4-wire a.c. system. The underground system is more expensive than the overhead
system. Therefore, in our country, overhead system is mostly adopted for transmission and
distribution of electric power.

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 Figure 5.1 Typical Electrical Supply Systems

5.2 Typical a.c. Power Supply Scheme

The large network of conductors between the power station and the consumers can be broadly
divided into two parts viz.

 Transmission system and

 Distribution system.

Each part can be further sub-divided into two—primary transmission and secondary transmission
and primary distribution and secondary distribution.

Fig. 5.1. Shows the layout of a typical a.c. power supply scheme by a single line diagram.
(i) Generating station.
In Fig 5.1, G.S. represents the generating station where electric power is produced by 3-phase
alternators operating in parallel. The usual generation voltage is †11 kV. For economy in the
transmission of electric power, the generation voltage (i.e., 11 kV) is stepped up to 132 kV (or
more) at the generating station with the help of 3-phase transformers. The transmission of
electric power at high voltages has several advantages including the saving of conductor material
and high transmission efficiency. It may appear advisable to use the highest possible voltage for
transmission of electric power to save conductor material and have other advantages. But there is
a limit to which this voltage can be increased. It is because increase in transmission voltage
introduces insulation problems as well as the cost of switchgear and transformer equipment is

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increased. Therefore, the choice of proper transmission voltage is essentially a question of
economics. Generally the primary transmission is carried at 66 kV, 132 kV, 220 kV or 400 kV.

(ii) Primary transmission. The electric power at 132 kV is transmitted by 3-phase, 3-wire
overhead system to the outskirts of the city. This forms the primary transmission.

(iii) Secondary transmission. The primary transmission line

terminates at the receiving station (RS) which usually lies at the outskirts of the city. At the
receiving station, the voltage is reduced to 33kV by step-down transformers. From this station,
electric power is transmitted at 33kV by 3-phase, 3-wire overhead system to various sub-stations
(SS) located at the strategic points in the city. This forms the secondary transmission.

(iv) Primary distribution. The secondary transmission line terminates at the sub-station (SS)
where voltage is reduced from 33 kV to 11kV, 3-phase, 3-wire. The 11 kV lines run along the
important road sides of the city. This forms the primary distribution. It may be noted that big
consumers (having demand more than 50 kW) are generally supplied power at 11 kV for further
handling with their own sub-stations.

(v) Secondary distribution. The electric power from primary distribution line (11 kV) is delivered
to distribution sub-stations (DS). These sub-stations are located near the consumers’ localities
and step down the voltage to 400 V, 3-phase, 4-wire for secondary distribution. The voltage
between any two phases is 400 V and between any phase and neutral is 230 V. The single-phase
residential lighting load is connected between any one phase and neutral, whereas 3-phase, 400
V motor load is connected across 3-phase lines directly.

Secondary distribution system consists of feeders, distributors and service mains.

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 Figure 5.2 low voltage distribution system

Feeders (SC or SA) radiating from the distribution sub-station (DS) supply power to the
distributors (AB, BC, CD and AD). No consumer is given direct connection from the feeders.
Instead, the consumers are connected to the distributors through their service mains.

5.3 Comparison of D.C. and A.C. Transmission

1. D.C. transmission.

For some years past, the transmission of electric power by d.c. has been receiving the active
consideration of engineers due to its numerous advantages.
Advantages.

The high voltage d.c transmission has the following advantages over high voltage a.c.
transmission :
(i) It requires only two conductors as compared to three for a.c. transmission.
(ii) There is no inductance, capacitance, phase displacement and surge problems in d.c.
transmission.
(iii) Due to the absence of inductance, the voltage drop in a d.c. transmission line is less than the
a.c. line for the same load and sending end voltage. For this reason, a d.c. transmission line has
better voltage regulation.
(iv) There is no skin effect in a d.c system. Therefore, entire cross-section of the line conductor

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is utilized.
(v) For the same working voltage, the potential stress on the insulation is less in case of d.c.
system than that in a.c. system. Therefore, a d.c. line requires less insulation.
(vi) A d.c. line has less corona loss and reduced interference with communication circuits.
(vii) The high voltage d.c. transmission is free from the dielectric losses, particularly in the case
of cables.
(viii) In d.c. transmission, there are no stability problems and synchronizing difficulties.
Disadvantages
(i) Electric power cannot be generated at high d.c. voltage due to commutation problems.
(ii) The d.c. voltage cannot be stepped up for transmission of power at high voltages.
(iii) The d.c. switches and circuit breakers have their own limitations.

2. A.C. transmission.

Now-a-days, electrical energy is almost exclusively generated, transmitted and distributed in the
form of a.c.
Advantages
(i) The power can be generated at high voltages.
(ii) The maintenance of a.c. sub-stations is easy and cheaper.
(iii) The a.c. voltage can be stepped up or stepped down by transformers with ease and
efficiency. This permits to transmit power at high voltages and distribute it at safe potentials.
Disadvantages
(i) An a.c. line requires more copper than a d.c. line.
(ii) The construction of a.c. transmission line is more complicated than a d.c. transmission line.
(iii) Due to skin effect in the a.c. system, the effective resistance of the line is increased.
(iv) An a.c. line has capacitance. Therefore, there is a continuous loss of power due to charging
current even when the line is open.

From the above comparison, it is clear that high voltage d.c. transmission is superior to high
voltage a.c. transmission. Although at present, transmission of electric power is carried
by a.c., there is an increasing interest in d.c. transmission.

5.4 Advantages of High Transmission Voltage

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(i) Reduces volume of conductor material. The greater the transmission voltage, the lesser is the
conductor material required.

(ii) Increases transmission efficiency. Transmission efficiency increases when the line voltage is
increased.

(iii) Decreases percentage line drop.

Limitations of high transmission voltage

(i) The increased cost of insulating the conductors.

(ii) The increased cost of transformers, switchgear and other terminal apparatus.

Therefore, there is a limit to the higher transmission voltage which can be economically
employed in a particular case. This limit is reached when the saving in cost of conductor material
due to higher voltage is offset by the increased cost of insulation, transformer, switchgear etc.
Hence, the choice of proper transmission voltage is essentially a question of economics.

5.5 Various Systems of Power Transmission

1. D.C. system

(i) D.C. two-wire. (ii) D.C. two-wire with mid- (iii) D.C. three-wire.
point earthed.

Figure 5.3

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 2. Single-phase A.C. system

(i) Single-phase two-wire. (ii) Single-phase two-wire (iii) Single-phase three-wire.

with mid-point earthed.

Figure 5.4

3. Two-phase A.C. system

(i) Two-phase four-wire. (ii) Two-phase three wire.

Figure 5.5

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 4. Three-phase A.C. system

(i) Three-phase three-wire. (ii) Three-phase four-wire.

Figure 5.6

Points to note:

(i) There is a great saving in conductor material if d.c. system is adopted for transmission of
electric power. However, due to technical difficulties, d.c. system is not used for transmission.
(ii) Considering the a.c. system, the 3-phase a.c. system is most suitable for transmission due to
two reasons. Firstly, there is considerable saving in conductor material. Secondly, this
system is convenient and efficient.