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Type of substations a design review
Electrical Isolator in Substation
Electrical Isolator or Electrical Isolation Switch
Definition of Isolator Circuit breaker always trip the circuit
but open contacts of breaker cannot be visible physically from
outside of the breaker and that is why it is recommended not to
touch any electrical circuit just by switching off the circuit
breaker. So for better safety there must be some arrangement so
that one can see open condition of the section of the circuit
before touching it. Isolator is a mechanical switch which isolates
a part of circuit from system as when required. Electrical
isolators separate a part of the system from rest for safe
maintenance works. So definition of isolator can be rewritten as
Isolator is a manually operated mechanical switch which separates a
part of the electrical power system normally at off load
condition.
Types of Electrical Isolators There are different types of
isolators available depending upon system requirement such as
Double Break Isolator Single Break Isolator Pantograph type
Isolator Depending upon the position in power system, the isolators
can be categorized as Bus side isolator the isolator is directly
connected with main bus Line side isolator the isolator is situated
at line side of any feeder Transfer bus side isolator the isolator
is directly connected with transfer bus
Constructional features of Double Break Isolators Lets have a
discussion on constructional features of Double Break Isolators.
These have three stacks of post insulators as shown in the figure.
The central post insulator carries a tubular or flat male contact
which can be rotated horizontally with rotation of central post
insulator. This rod type
contact is also called moving contact. The female type contacts
are fixed on the top of the other post insulators which fitted at
both sides of the central post insulator. The female contacts are
generally in the form of spring loaded figure
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contacts. The rotational movement of male contact causes to come
itself into female contacts and isolators becomes closed. The
rotation of male contact in opposite direction make to it out from
female contacts and isolators becomes open. Rotation of the central
post insulator is done by a driving lever mechanism at the base of
the post insulator and it connected to operating handle (in case of
hand operation) or motor (in case of motorized operation) of the
isolator through a mechanical tie rod.
Constructional features of Single Break Isolators The contact
arm is divided into two parts one carries male contact and other
female contact. The contact arm moves due to rotation of the post
insulator upon which the contact arms are fitted. Rotation of both
post insulators stacks in opposite to each other causes to close
the isolator by closing the contact arm. Counter rotation of both
post insulators stacks open the contact arm and isolator becomes in
off condition. This motorized form of this type of isolators is
generally used but emergency hand driven mechanism is also
provided.
Earthing Switches Earthing switches are mounted on the base of
mainly line side isolator. Earthing switches are normally
vertically break switches. Earthing arms (contact arm of earthing
switch) are normally aligned horizontally at off condition. during
switching on operation, these earthing arms rotate and move to
vertical position and make contact with earth female contacts
fitted at the top of the post insulator stack of isolator at its
outgoing side. The erarthing arms are so interlocked with main
isolator moving contacts that it can be closed only when the main
contacts of isolator are in open position. Similarly the main
isolator contacts can be closed only when the earthing arms are in
open position.
Operation of Electrical Isolator As no arc quenching technique
is provided in isolator it must be operated when there is no chance
current flowing through the circuit. No live circuit should be
closed or open by isolator operation. A complete live closed
circuit must not be opened by isolator operation and also a live
circuit must not be closed and completed by isolator operation to
avoid huge arcing in between isolator contacts. That is why
isolators must be open after circuit breaker is open and these must
be closed before circuit breaker is closed. Isolator can be
operated by hand locally as well as by motorized mechanism from
remote position. Motorized operation arrangement costs more
compared to hand operation; hence decision must be taken before
choosing an isolator for system whether hand operated or motor
operated economically optimum for the system. For voltages up to
145KV system hand operated isolators are used whereas for higher
voltage systems like 245 KV or 420 KV and above motorized isolators
are used.
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Substation Layout
Electrical Bus System & Substation Layout
Electrical Bus System There are many different electrical bus
system schemes available but selection of a particular scheme
depends upon the system voltage, position of substation in
electrical power system, flexibility needed in system and cost to
be expensed.
The main criterias to be considered during selection of one
particular Bus Bar Arrangement Scheme among others (i) Simplicity
of system (ii) Easy maintenance of different equipments. (iii)
Minimizing the outage during maintenance. (iv) Future provision of
extension with growth of demand (v) Optimizing the selection of bus
bar arrangement scheme so that it gives maximum return from the
system. Some very commonly used bus bar arrangement are discussed
below
Single Bus System Single Bus System is simplest and cheapest
one. In this scheme all the feeders and transformer bay are
connected to only one single bus as shown.
Advantages of single bus system
This is very simple in design This is very cost effective scheme
This is very convenient to operate
Disadvantages of single bus system
One but major difficulty of these type of arrangement is that,
maintenance of equipment of any bay cannot be possible without
interrupting the feeder or transformer connected to that bay. The
indoor 11KV switchboards have quite often single bus bar
arrangement.
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Single Bus System with Bus Sectionalizer Some advantages are
realized if a single bus bar is sectionalized with circuit breaker.
If there are more than one incoming and the incoming sources and
outgoing feeders are evenly distributed on the sections as shown in
the figure, interruption of system can be reduced to a good
extent.
Advantages of single bus system with bus sectionalizer
If any of the sources is out of system, still all loads can be
fed by switching on the sectional circuit breaker or bus coupler
breaker.
If one section of the bus bar system is under maintenance, part
load of the substation can be fed by energizing the other section
of bus bar.
Disadvantages of single bus system with bus sectionalizer
As in the case of single bus system, maintenance of equipment of
any bay cannot be possible without interrupting the feeder or
transformer connected to that bay. The use of isolator for bus
sectionalizing does not fulfill the purpose. The isolators have to
be operated off circuit and which is not possible without total
interruption of bus bar. So investment for bus-coupler breaker is
required.
Double Bus System In double bus bar system two identical bus
bars are used in such a way that any outgoing or incoming feeder
can be taken from any of the bus. Actually every feeder is
connected to both of the buses in parallel through individual
isolator as shown in the figure.
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By closing any of the isolators one can put the feeder to
associated bus. Both of the buses are energized and total feeders
are divided into two groups, one group is fed from one bus and
other from other bus. But any feeder at any time can be transferred
from one bus to other. There is one bus coupler breaker which
should be kept close during bus transfer operation. For transfer
operation, one should first close the bus coupler circuit breaker
then close the isolator associated with the bus to where the feeder
would be transferred and then open the isolator associated with the
bus from where feeder is transferred. Lastly after this transfer
operation he or she should open the bus coupler breaker.
Advantages of Double Bus System
Double Bus Bar Arrangement increases the flexibility of
system.
Disadvantages of Double Bus System
The arrangement does not permit breaker maintenance with out
interruption.
Double Breaker Bus System
In double breaker bus bar system two identical bus bars are used
in such a way that any outgoing or incoming feeder can be taken
from any of the bus similar to double bus bar system. Only
difference is that here every feeder is connected to both of the
buses in parallel through individual breaker instead only isolator
as shown
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in the figure. By closing any of the breakers and its associated
isolators, one can put the feeder to respective bus. Both of the
buses are energized and total feeders are divided into two groups,
one group is fed from one bus and other from other bus similar to
previous case. But any feeder at any time can be transferred from
one bus to other. There is no need of bus coupler as because the
operation is done by breakers instead of isolator. For transfer
operation, one should first close the isolators and then the
breaker associated with the bus to where the feeder would be
transferred and then he or she opens the breaker and then isolators
associated with the bus from where feeder is transferred.
One and a half Breaker Bus System
This is an improvement on the double breaker scheme to effect
saving in the number of circuit breakers. For every two circuits
only one spare breaker is provided. The protection is however
complicated since it must associate the central breaker with the
feeder whose own breaker is taken out for maintenance. For the
reasons given under double breaker scheme and because of the
prohibitory costs of equipment even this scheme is not much
popular. As shown in the figure that it is a simple design, two
feeders are fed from two different buses through their associated
breakers and these two feeders are coupled by a third breaker which
is called tie breaker. Normally all the three breakers are closed
and power is fed to both the circuits from two buses which are
operated in parallel. The tie breaker acts as coupler for the two
feeder circuits. During failure of any feeder breaker, the power is
fed through the breaker of the second feeder and tie breaker,
therefore each feeder breaker has to be rated to feed both the
feeders, coupled by tie breaker.
Advantages of One and a half Breaker Bus System During any fault
on any one of the buses, that faulty bus will be cleared instantly
without interrupting any feeders in the system since all feeders
will continue to feed from other healthy bus.
Disadvantages of One and a half Breaker Bus System This scheme
is much expensive due to investment for third breaker.
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Main and Transfer Bus System
This is an alternative of double bus system. The main conception
of Main and Transfer Bus System is, here every feeder line is
directly connected through an isolator to a second bus called
transfer bus. The said isolator in between transfer bus and feeder
line is generally called bypass isolator. The main bus is as usual
connected to each feeder through a bay consists of circuit breaker
and associated isolators at both side of the breaker. There is one
bus coupler bay which couples transfer bus and main bus through a
circuit breaker and associated isolators at both sides of the
breaker. If necessary the transfer bus can be energized by main bus
power by closing the transfer bus coupler isolators and then
breaker. Then the power in transfer bus can directly be fed to the
feeder line by closing the bypass isolator. If the main circuit
breaker associated with feeder is switched off or isolated from
system, the feeder can still be fed in this way by transferring it
to transfer bus.
Switching operation for transferring a feeder to transfer bus
from main bus
without interruption of power
(i) First close the isolators at both side of the bus coupler
breaker. (ii) Then close the bypass isolator of the feeder which is
to be transferred to transfer bus. (iii) Now energized the transfer
bus by closing the bus coupler circuit breaker from remote. (iv)
After bus coupler breaker is closed, now the power from main bus
flows to the feeder line through its main breaker as well as bus
coupler breaker via transfer bus. (v) Now if main breaker of the
feeder is switched off, total power flow will instantaneously shift
to the bus coupler breaker and hence this breaker will serve the
purpose of protection for the feeder. (vi) At last the operating
personnel open the isolators at both sides of the main circuit
breaker to make it isolated from rest of the live system. So it can
be concluded that in Main & Transfer Bus System the maintenance
of circuit breaker is possible without any interruption of power.
Because of this advantage the scheme is very popular for 33KV and
13KV system.
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Double Bus System with Bypass Isolators
This is combination of the double bus system and main and
transfer bus system. In Double Bus System with Bypass Isolators
either bus can act as main bus and second bus as transfer bus. It
permits breaker maintenance without interruption of power which is
not possible in double bus system but it provides all the
advantages of double bus system. It however requires one additional
isolator (bypass isolator) for each feeder circuit and introduces
slight complication in system layout. Still this scheme is best for
optimum economy of system and it is best optimum choice for 220KV
system.
Ring Bus System
The schematic diagram of the system is given in the figure. It
provides a double feed to each feeder circuit, opening one breaker
under maintenance or otherwise does not affect supply to any
feeder. But this system has two major disadvantages. One as it is
closed circuit system it is next to impossible to extend in future
and hence it is unsuitable for developing system. Secondly, during
maintenance or any other reason if any one of the circuit breaker
in ring loop is switch of reliability of system becomes very poor
as because closed loop becomes opened. Since, at that moment for
any tripping of any breaker in the open loop causes interruption in
all the feeders between tripped breaker and open end of the
loop.
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Electrical Substation
Electrical Power Substation Engineering
Electrical Substation Now days the electrical power demand is
increasing very rapidly. For fulfilling these huge power demands
the modern time requires creation of bigger and bigger power
generating stations. These power generating stations may be hydro
electric, thermal or atomic. Depending upon the availability of
resources these stations are constructed different places. These
places may not be nearer to load centers where the actual
consumption of power takes place. So it is necessary to transmit
these huge power blocks from generating station to their load
centers. Long and high voltage transmission networks are needed for
this purpose. Power is generated comparatively in low voltage
level. It is economical to transmit power at high voltage level.
Distribution of electrical power is done at lower voltage levels as
specified by consumers. For maintaining these voltage levels and
for providing greater stability a number of transformation and
switching stations have to be created in between generating station
and consumer ends. These transformation and switching stations are
generally known as electrical substations. Depending upon the
purposes, the substations may be classified as
Step up Substation Step up substations are associated with
generating stations. Generation of power is limited to low voltage
levels due to limitations of the rotating alternators. These
generating voltages must be stepped up for economical transmission
of power over long distance. So there must be a step up substation
associated with generating station.
Step down Substation The stepped up voltages must be stepped
down at load centers, to different voltage levels for different
purposes. Depending upon these purposes the step down substation
are further categorized in different sub categories.
Primary Step down Substation
The primary step down sub stations are created nearer to load
center along the primary transmission lines. Here primary
transmission voltages are stepped down to different suitable
voltages for secondary transmission purpose.
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Secondary Step down Substation
Along the secondary transmission lines, at load center, the
secondary transmission voltages are further stepped down for
primary distribution purpose. The stepping down of secondary
transmission voltages to primary distribution levels are done at
secondary step down substation.
Distribution Substation
Distribution Substation are situated where the primary
distribution voltages are stepped down to supply voltages for
feeding the actual consumers through a distribution network.
Bulk Supply or Industrial Substation Bulk Supply or Industrial
Substation are generally a distribution sub station but they are
dedicated for one consumer only. An industrial consumer of large or
medium supply group may be designated as bulk supply consumer.
Individual step down substation is dedicated to these
consumers.
Mining Substation The mining substation are very special type of
substation and they need special design construction because of
extra precautions for safety needed in the operation of electric
supply.
Mobile Substation The mobile Substations are also very special
purpose sub station temporarily required for construction purpose.
For big construction purpose this Substation fulfils the temporary
power requirement during construction work. Depending upon the
constructional feature categories of sub station may be divided
into following manner
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Outdoor type sub station
Outdoor type Substation are constructed in open air. Nearly all
132KV, 220KV, 400KV substation are outdoor type substation.
Although now days special GIS (Gas Insulated Sub Station) are
constructed for Extra High Voltage system which are generally
situated under roof.
Indoor Substation The substations are constructed under roof is
called indoor type substation. Generally 11KV and sometime 33KV
substation are of this type.
Underground Substation The substation are situated at
underground is called underground substation. In congested places
where place for constructing distribution substation is difficult
to find out, one can go for underground sub station scheme.
Pole mounted Substation Pole mounted substation are mainly
distribution substation constructed on two pole, four pole and
sometime six or more poles structures. In these type of substation
fuse protected distribution transformer are mounted on poles along
with isolator switches.
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TYPES OF BUS BAR SYSTEM
TYPES OF BUS BAR SYSTEM
1 Single Busbar System
Single busbar system is as shown below in figure
Single Busbar System
a. Merits
1. Low Cost
2. Simple to Operate
3. Simple Protection b. Demerits
1. Fault of bus or any circuit breaker results in shut down of
entire substation.
2. Difficult to do any maintenance.
3. Bus cannot be extended without completely deenergizing
substations.
c. Remarks
1. Used for distribution substations up to 33kV.
2. Not used for large substations.
3. Sectionalizing increases flexibility.
2 Main & Transfer Bus bar System
Main & Transfer Bus is as shown below in figure
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a. Merits
1. Low initial & ultimate cost
2. Any breaker can be taken out of service for maintenance.
3. Potential devices may be used on the main bus.
b. Demerits
1. Requires one extra breaker coupler.
2. Switching is somewhat complex when maintaining a breaker.
3. Fault of bus or any circuit breaker results in shutdown of
entire substation.
c. Remarks
1. Used for 110kV substations where cost of duplicate bus bar
system is not justified.
3 Double Bus bar Single Breaker system Double Bus Bar with
Double Breaker is as shown below in figure
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a. Merits
1. High flexibility
2. Half of the feeders connected to each bus
b. Demerits
1. Extra bus-coupler circuit breaker necessary.
2. Bus protection scheme may cause loss of substation when it
operates.
3. High exposure to bus fault.
4. Line breaker failure takes all circuits connected to the bus
out of service.
5. Bus couplers failure takes entire substation out of
service.
c. Remarks
Most widely used for 66kV, 132kv, 220kV and important 11kv,
6.6kV, 3.3kV
Substations.
4 Double Bus bar with Double breaker System
Double Bus Bar with Double breaker system is as shown below in
figure
a. Merits
1. Each has two associated breakers
2. Has flexibility in permitting feeder circuits to be connected
to any bus
3. Any breaker can be taken out of service for maintenance.
4. High reliability
b. Demerits
1. Most expensive
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2. Would lose half of the circuits for breaker fault if circuits
are not connected to
both the buses.
c. Remarks
1. Not used for usual EHV substations due to high cost.
2. Used only for very important, high power, EHV
substations.
5 Double Main Bus & Transfer Busbar System Double main bus
& transfer bus system is as shown below in figure
a. Merits
1. Most flexible in operation
2. Highly reliable
3. Breaker failure on bus side breaker removes only one ckt.
From service
4. All switching done with breakers
5. Simple operation, no isolator switching required
6. Either main bus can be taken out of service at any time for
maintenance.
7. Bus fault does not remove any feeder from the service
b. Demerits
1. High cost due to three buses
c. Remarks
1. Preferred by some utilities for 400kV and 220kV important
substations.
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6 ONE & HALF BREAKER SCHEME
a. Merits
1. Flexible operation for breaker maintenance.
2. Any breaker can be removed from maintenance without
interruption of load.
3. Requires 1 1/2 breaker per feeder.
4. Each circuit fed by two breakers.
5. All switching by breaker.
6. Selective tripping.
b. Demerits
1. One and half breakers per circuit, hence higher cost
2. Any breaker can be removed from maintenance without
interruption of load.
c. Remarks
1. Used for 400kV & 220kV substations.
2. Preferred.
7 RING OR MESH ARRANGEMENT
a. Merits
Bus bars gave some operational flexibility.
b. Demerits
1. If fault occurs during bus maintenance, ring gets separated
into two sections.
2. Auto-reclosing and protection complex.
3. Requires VTs on all circuits because there is no definite
voltage reference
point.
4. Breaker failure during fault on one circuit causes loss of
additional circuit because
of breaker failure.
These VTs may be required in all cases for synchronizing live
line or voltage
indication
c. Remarks
Most widely used for very large power stations having large no.
of incoming and
outgoing lines and high power transfer.