DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Rajesh Kumar( A.P), EED
1
NIT Hamirpur-177005 (H.P)
Introduction
The power generated is usually three-phase 50 Hz and 11 kV.
voltage is stepped up to 220 kV or 400 kV by means of step-up
transformers.
Three-phase transmission systems, the generated power is
distributed to the various consumption points.
Here, the voltage is stepped down to 132 kV or 33 kV and further
carried through sub-transmission systems where the voltage is
further stepped down to 11 kV.
This voltage is again stepped down to 415 V or 230 V, either as
three-phase or single-phase, respectively, for small consumption
purposes.
The distribution system is a part of the power system, existing
between distribution sub-stations and the consumers. The
distribution system is further classified on the basis of voltage as
primary and secondary distribution systems (11 kV, 415 V/230 V).
Rajesh Kumar( A.P), EED
2
NIT Hamirpur-177005 (H.P)
Distribution system is shown in figure below
Rajesh Kumar( A.P), EED
3
NIT Hamirpur-177005 (H.P)
• In general, the distribution system
is the electrical system between
the sub-station fed by the
transmission system and the
consumers meters. It generally
consists
(i) Feeders.
A feeder is a conductor
which connects the sub-
station (or localised
generating station) to the
area where power is to be
distributed. Generally, no
tappings are taken from
the feeder so that current
in it remains the same
throughout. The main
consideration in the design
of a feeder is the current
carrying capacity.
Rajesh Kumar( A.P), EED
4
NIT Hamirpur-177005 (H.P)
(ii) Distributor.
A distributor is a conductor from
which tappings are taken for
supply to the consumers. In Fig.,
AB, BC, CD and DA are the
distributors. The current through a
distributor is not constant because
tappings are taken at various
places along its length. While
designing a distributor, voltage
drop along its length is the main
consideration since the statutory
limit of voltage variations is ± 6%
of rated value at the consumers’
terminals.
(iii) Service mains.
A service mains is generally a
small cable which connects the
distributor to the consumers’
terminals.
Rajesh Kumar( A.P), EED
5
NIT Hamirpur-177005 (H.P)
Classification of Distribution Systems
• A distribution system may be classified according to :
– Nature of current ((a) d.c. distribution system (b) a.c. distribution
system.)
– Type of construction. ((a) overhead system (b) underground system.
– Scheme of connection. ((a) radial system (b) ring main system (c) inter-
connected system.
Rajesh Kumar( A.P), EED
6
NIT Hamirpur-177005 (H.P)
A.C. Distribution
Now-a-days electrical energy is generated, transmitted and
distributed in the form of alternating current.
Transformer has made it possible to transmit a.c. power at high
voltage and utilise it at a safe potential.
High transmission and distribution voltages have greatly
reduced the current in the conductors and the resulting line
losses.
Rajesh Kumar( A.P), EED
7
NIT Hamirpur-177005 (H.P)
Primary & Secondary Distribution
• The part of the electrical-supply system existing between the
distribution substations and the distribution transformers is called
the primary system. It is made of circuits, known as primary feeders
or primary distribution feeders. The most commonly used nominal
primary voltage is 11 kV.
• The secondary distribution system receives power from the
secondary side of distribution transformers at low voltage and
supplies power to various connected loads via service lines. The
secondary distribution system is the final sub-system of the power
system.
• The secondary distribution systems are generally of the radial type
except for some specific service areas such as hospitals, business
centres and military installations, which require highly reliable
service, and therefore, may be of a grid or mesh type.
Rajesh Kumar( A.P), EED
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NIT Hamirpur-177005 (H.P)
D.C. Distribution
For certain applications, d.c. supply is absolutely
necessary.
For instance, d.c. supply is required for the operation of
variable speed machinery (i.e., d.c. motors), for
electrochemical work and for congested areas where
storage battery reserves are necessary.
For this purpose, a.c. power is converted into d.c.
power at the substation by using converting machinery
e.g., mercury arc rectifiers, rotary converters and
motor-generator sets.
The d.c. supply from the substation may be obtained in
the form of (i) 2-wire or (ii) 3-wire for distribution.
Rajesh Kumar( A.P), EED
9
NIT Hamirpur-177005 (H.P)
Connection Schemes of Distribution
System
o Radial System
o Ring Main System
o Interconnected System
Rajesh Kumar( A.P), EED
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NIT Hamirpur-177005 (H.P)
Radial System
• In this system, separate
feeders radiate from a
single substation and feed
the distributors at one end
only. Fig. (i) shows a
single line diagram of a
radial system for d.c.
distribution where a
feeder OC supplies a
distributor AB at point A.
Obviously, the distributor
is fed at one end only i.e.,
point A is this case.
Rajesh Kumar( A.P), EED
11
NIT Hamirpur-177005 (H.P)
Radial System
• Fig. (ii) shows a single
line diagram of radial
system for a.c.
distribution. The radial
system is employed
only when power is
generated at low voltage
and the substation is
located at the centre of
the load.
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NIT Hamirpur-177005 (H.P)
• This is the simplest distribution circuit and has the
lowest initial cost. However, it suffers from the
following drawbacks :
(a) The end of the distributor nearest to the feeding point
will be 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.
Rajesh Kumar( A.P), EED
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NIT Hamirpur-177005 (H.P)
Ring main system.
• In this system, the primaries of
distribution transformers form
a [Link] loop circuit starts
from the substation bus-bars,
makes a loop through the area
to be served, and returns to the
substation. Fig. shows the
single line diagram of ring
main system for a.c.
distribution where substation
supplies to the closed feeder
LMNOPQRS. The distributors
are tapped from different
points M, O and Q of the
feeder through distribution
transformers.
Rajesh Kumar( A.P), EED
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NIT Hamirpur-177005 (H.P)
Advantages
(a) There are less voltage fluctuations at consumer’s
terminals.
(b) The system is very reliable as each distributor is
fed via two feeders. In the event of fault on any
section of the feeder, the continuity of supply is
maintained. For example, suppose that fault
occurs at any point F of section SLM of the
feeder. Then section SLM of the feeder can be
isolated for repairs and at the same time
continuity of supply is maintained to all the
consumers via the feeder SRQPONM.
Rajesh Kumar( A.P), EED
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NIT Hamirpur-177005 (H.P)
Interconnected system.
• When the feeder ring is
energised by two or more than
two generating stations or
substations, it is called inter-
connected system. Fig. shows
the single line diagram of
interconnected system where
the closed feeder ring ABCD is
supplied by two substations S1
and S2 at points D and C
respectively. Distributors are
connected to points O, P, Q
and R of the feeder ring
through distribution
transformers.
Rajesh Kumar( A.P), EED
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NIT Hamirpur-177005 (H.P)
Advantages
(a) It increases the service reliability.
(b) Any area fed from one generating station during peak load hours
can be fed from the other generating
Rajesh Kumar( A.P), EED
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NIT Hamirpur-177005 (H.P)