UNIT 4:- Distribution System
Branch-Electrical & Electronics Engineering(4th semester)
Prepared/Presented by: Rupali Balabantaraya
Department of Electrical Engineering, C. V Raman Global University Odisha
Learning objectives
ELECTRICAL POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
COMPONENTS OF DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
TYPES OF PRIMARY DISTRIBUTION
SECONDARY DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
CONCEPT OF DC DISTRIBUTION
KELVINS LAW
What is an Electrical Power Distribution System?
An electrical power distribution system provides power to individual consumer
premises. The distribution of electric power to different consumers is transmitted via a
much lower voltage level compared to the transmission of power over long distances
(i.e. over long transmission lines).
COMPONENTS OF DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
[Link] substation
[Link] distribution feeder
[Link] Transformer
[Link]
[Link] mains
The transmitted electric power is stepped down in substations, for primary for distribution purposes.
Distribution transformers are mainly 3 phase pole
mounted type. The secondary of the transformer is
connected to distributors. Different consumers are fed
electric power by means of the service mains.
These service mains are tapped from different points
of distributors. The distributors can also be re-
categorized by distributors and sub-distributors.
Distributors are directly connected to the secondary
distribution transformers whereas sub-distributors are
tapped from distributors.
Service mains of the consumers may be either connected to the distributors or sub-
distributors depending upon the position and agreement of consumers.
Both feeder and distributor carry the electrical load, but they have one basic
difference.
The feeder feeds power from one point to another without being tapped from any
intermediate point. As there is no tapping point (i.e. a point where the voltage and
current can be stepped down or stepped up) in between, the Current at the sending
end is equal to that of the receiving-end of the conductor.
The distributors are tapped at different points for feeding different consumers, and
hence the current varies along their entire length.
Types of Primary Distribution
[Link] Electrical Power Distribution System
Different feeders radially came out from the substation
and connected to the primary distribution transformer.
Radial electrical power distribution system has one
major drawback that in case of any feeder failure, the
associated consumers would not get any power as
there was no alternative path to feed the transformer.
[Link] Main Electrical Power Distribution System
In this network topology , one ring network of distributors is
fed by more than one feeder. In this case, if one feeder is under
fault or maintenance, the ring distributor is still energized by
other feeders connected to it. In this way, the supply to the
consumers is not affected even when any feeder becomes out of
service.
In addition to that, the ring main system is also
provided with different section isolates at different
suitable points. If any fault occurs on any section, of
the ring, this section can easily be isolated by opening
the associated section isolators on both sides of the
faulty zone transformer directly.
[Link]- Connected Electrical Power Distribution System
When the feeder ring is energized by two or more than
two source, it is called interconnected system.
Merits of Interconnected System
1.t increases the service reliability.
[Link] area fed from one generating station
during peak load hours can be fed from the
other generating station. This reduces
reserve power capacity and increases
efficiency of the system.
Secondary Distribution System
It is that part of AC Distribution System
which includes the range of voltages at
which the ultimate consumer utilises the
electrical energy delivered to him. The
secondary distribution employs 400/230
V, 3-phase, 4-wire system.
The substations are situated near the
consumers localities and contain step-
down transformers. At each distribution
substation, the voltage is stepped down to
400 V and power is delivered by 3-
phase,4-wire a.c. system. The voltage
between any two phases is 400 V and
between any phase and neutral is 230 V.
TYPES OF D.C. DISTRIBUTORS
The most general method of classifying d.c. distributors is the way they are fed by
the feeders. On this basis, d.c. distributors are classified as:
Distributor fed Distributor fed
at one end at both ends
Distributor fed Ring
at the centre distributor.
( I ) Distributor fed at one end
In this type of feeding, the distributor is connected to the
supply at one end and loads are taken at different point
along the length of the distributor.
The single line diagram of a d.c. distributor A B fed at the
end A (also known as singly fed distributor) and loads I1 ,
I2 and I3 tapped off at points C, D and E respectively.
( II ) Distributor fed at both ends
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.
Fig. shows a distributor A B fed at the ends A and B and loads
of I1 , I2 and I3tapped off at points C, D and E respectively.
( III ) Distributor fed at the centre
In this type of feeding, the centre of the distributor is connected
to the supply mains as shown in Fig. It is equivalent to two
singly fed distributors, each distributor having a common
feeding point and length equal to half of the total length.
( IV) Ring mains.
In this type, the distributor is in the form of a closed ring as shown in Fig. It
is equivalent to a straight distributor fed at both ends with equal voltages,
the two ends being brought together to form a closed ring.
The distributor ring may be fed at one or more than one point.
1. D.C. DISTRIBUTOR FED AT ONE END — CONCENTRATED LOADING
The single line diagram of a 2-wire d.c. distributor A B fed at one end A and having concentrated loads
I1 , I2 , I3 and I4 tapped off at points C, D, E and F respectively.
Let r1 , r2 , r3 and r4 be the resistances of both wires (go and return) of the sections A C, CD, DE and
EF of the distributor respectively
It is easy to see that the minimum potential will occur at point F which is farthest from the feeding point A .
2. UNIFORMLY LOADED DISTRIBUTOR FED AT ONE END
The single line diagram of a 2-wire d.c. distributor A B fed at one end A and loaded uniformly with i amperes per
metre length. It means that at every 1 m length of the distributor, the load tapped is i amperes. Let l metres be the
length of the distributor and r ohm be the resistance per metre run.
Consider a point C on the distributor at a distance ‘x’ metres from the feeding point A as shown in Fig. Then
current at point C is = i l − i x amperes = i ( l − x) amperes
Now, consider a small length dx near point C. Its resistance is r dx and the voltage drop over length dx is
d v = i ( l − x) r dx = i r ( l − x) dx Total voltage drop in the distributor upto point C is
The voltage drop upto point B ( i.e. over the whole distributor) can be obtained by putting x = l in the above expression.
∴ Voltage drop over the distributor AB
Where,
i l = I, the total current entering at point A r l = R, the total resistance of the distributor
Thus, in a uniformly loaded distributor fed at one end, the total voltage drop is equal to that produced by the
whole of the load assumed to be concentrated at the middle point.
Q1.A wire of DC distributor of 300m long . It is fed at point A. The variations of loads and
their positions are given below with the maximum Voltage drop is not exceed 10V. Find the
cross-sectional area of distributor
At point Distance from A in mt. Concentrated load in
Ampere
C 40 30
D 100 40
E 150 100
F 250 50
3. DISTRIBUTOR FED AT BOTH ENDS — CONCENTRATED LOADING
( I ) Two ends fed with equal voltages.
Consider a distributor A B fed at both ends with
equal voltages V volts and having concentrated
loads I1 , I2 , I3 , I4 and I5 at points C, D, E, F
and G respectively.
As we move away from one of the feeding
points, say A , p.d. goes on decreasing till it
reaches the minimum value at some load
point, say E, and then again starts rising
and becomes V volts as we reach the other
feeding point B.
All the currents tapped off between points A and E (minimum p.d. point) will be supplied from the
feeding point A while those tapped off between B and E will be supplied from the feeding point B.
I 3= x + y
Point of minimum potential.
It is generally desired to locate the point of minimum potential. There is a simple method for it. Consider a
distributor A B having three concentrated loads I1 , I2 and I3 at points C, D and E respectively. Suppose that
current supplied by feeding end A is Ia .
Voltage drop between A and B = Voltage drop over A B
4. UNIFORMLY LOADED DISTRIBUTOR FED AT BOTH ENDS
( i) Distributor fed at both ends with equal voltages.
Consider a distributor A B of length l metres, having resistance r ohms per metre run and with uniform loading
of i amperes per metre run as shown in Fig. Let the distributor be fed at the feeding points A and B at equal
voltages, say V volts. The total current supplied to the distributor is i l. As the two end voltages are equal, therefore,
current supplied from each feeding point is i l/2
Current supplied from each feeding point
Consider a point C at a distance x metres from the feeding point A. Then current at point C is i l
Now, consider a small length dx near point C. Its resistance is r dx and the voltage drop over length dx is
the point of minimum potential will be the mid-point. Therefore, maximum voltage drop
will occur at mid-point i.e. where x = l/2.
the point of minimum potential will be the mid-point. Therefore, maximum voltage drop will occur at mid-point i.e.
where x = l/2.
( ii) Distributor fed at both ends with unequal voltages.
Consider a distributor AB of length l metres having resistance r ohms per metre run and with a uniform loading
of i amperes per metre run
Let the distributor be fed from feeding points A and B at voltages VA and VB respectively. Suppose that the
point of minimum potential C is situated at a distance x metres from the feeding point A. Then current
supplied by the feeding point A will be * i x.
Q2. A 250meter 2 wire dc distributor fed from one end and distributed uniformly of 1.6a/m. The
resistance of each conductor is 0.0002ohm/meter. Find the voltage necessary at fed point to
maintain 250 volt(i) at the far end and (ii) at the mid point of the distributor
Q3. A 2-wire DC distributor 200 meters long is uniformly loaded with 2A/meter . Resistance of
single wire is 0.3ohm/km. If the distributor is fed at one end, calculate (i) the voltage drop up to
a distance of 150m from the point ,(ii) the maximum voltage drop
Economic Size Of A Conductor(Kelvin's Law )
As economy is one of the most important factors while designing any transmission line the cost of
required conductor material is a considerable part. Thus, it becomes vital to select a proper
size of the conductor.
The most economic design of a transmission line is for which the total annual cost is minimum.
Total annual cost can be divided into two parts, (i) Annual charges on capital outlay ,(ii)
Running charges.
Annual charges on capital outlay include depreciation, interest on
the capital cost, maintenance cost etc..
The cost of energy lost during the operation is counted in running charges.
Important Points regarding Kelvins Law
If the cross-sectional area of the conductor is decreased, the total capital cost of the
conductor decreases but the line losses increase (resistance increases with the decrease in
the conductor size, hence, I2R loss increases)
Whereas, if the cross-sectional area of the conductor is increased, the line losses decrease
but the total capital cost increases.
Annual charge on capital outlay
It is on account of annual interest and depreciation on the capital cost of a conductor, supports
and insulators , and their erection cost in case of overhead transmission line.
In the case of the overhead system, the cost of supports and their erection partly varies as the
X-section of conductor and partly constant.
Thus, the total annual charge on an overhead transmission line can expressed as:
Total annual charge = P1 + P2a
Where P1 and P2 are constant and a is the area of X-section of the conductor.
Annual cost of energy wasted in the conductor
It is account of energy lost in a conductor due to its ohmic resistance. i.e. I 2R losses, losses in
insulating material, and metallic sheaths (for insulated cables).
The resistance of the conductor is inversely proportional to its X-sectional area, the energy loss due
to ohmic resistance may be represented as;
The annual cost of energy wasted = P3/a
Total annual cost, C = (P1 + P2a) + P3/a
The value of C will be minimum if differentiation with respect to a is zero.
Graphical Representation of Kelvins Law
Limitations of Kelvins Law
•It is difficult to estimate energy loss in line without actual load curves, which aren’t available at time
of estimation.
•In the case of cables, the sizes of conductors determined by Kelvin’s law usually gives a higher
current density, thereby giving excessive heating. The only remedy is to decide the size of conductors
in case of cables based on current-carrying capacity.
•In the case of cables, the sizes of conductors determined by Kelvin’s law usually gives a higher
current density, thereby giving excessive heating. The only remedy is to decide the size of conductors
in case of cables based on current-carrying capacity.
•The size of conductor material determined may be of a small area of cross-section causing high
voltage drop or high voltage regulation in the line.
•For a smaller cross-sectional area, the current density in the conductor is high which may give rise to
excessive heating. The only remedy is to increase the cross-sectional area of the conductor.
Q4. A 2-conductor cable 1km long is required to supply a constant current of 200 A through out
the year. The cost of cable including installation is Rs.(20a+20) per meter where a is the area of
cross section of conductor cm^2 . The cost of energy is 5P per Kwh and interest and
depreciation charge amount to 10%. Calculate the most economic size of conductor. Assume
resistivity of conductor material to be 1.73μ ohm meter.