What is an Electrical Substation?
An electrical substation system serves as a bridge between the power generation stations and the end consumers. An electrical substation is a key part of the power generation, transmission, and distribution system. It transforms voltage from high to low, or the reverse, depending on the power system's needs.
Substations are equipped with transformers, circuit breakers, and other necessary equipment to manage the flow and quality of electricity. They serve as nodes where power may be redirected, regulated, or monitored before it continues to its destination.
Types of Substations
- Step-up Substation
- Step-down Substation
- Primary Substation
- Secondary Substation
- Distribution Substation
- Switching Substation
- Converter Substation
- Collector Substation
Several components are integral to electrical substations, each playing a critical role in managing voltage levels and ensuring the safe distribution of electricity. Instrument transformers like Current Transformers (CTs) and Potential Transformers (PTs) are employed to accurately measure electrical quantities.
Insulators are pivotal as they provide insulation between conductors, ensuring electrical safety. Relays are essential for fault detection and signalling, contributing significantly to the reliability of the substation's operation.
They are also equipped with circuit breakers to protect the distribution system and can be used to control the flow of current in different directions. we used a Bus bar to distribute electricity in different feeders. lightning Arrester is used to protect the overall system from lightning.
7 Electrical Components
- Electrical transformers
- Instrument transformers
- Insulators
- Relays
- Bus bars
- Circuit Breakers
- Lightning Arrester
Electrical transformers
Electrical transformers are fundamental components in the transmission and distribution of electrical power. They operate on the principles of electromagnetic induction.
Essentially, transformers can either increase (step up) or decrease (step down) the voltage levels of alternating current (AC) in power systems.
Types of transformers
- step-up transformer
- step down transformer
Step-up Transformer
A Step-Up Transformer is a type of transformer in which the primary voltages are lower than its Secondary voltage.
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| Step up Transformer |
Step down Transformer
A Step-Down Transformer is a type of transformer in which the primary voltage is more than its Secondary voltage.
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| Step down Transformer |
Instrument transformers
Instrument transformers are essential components in the measurement and control of electrical power systems. There are two primary types of instrument transformers: current transformers (CT) and voltage transformers (VT), also known as potential transformers (PT).
Current transformers are designed to convert high currents to a lower, standard value that can be easily measured by ammeters, while voltage transformers step down voltage levels for measurement by voltmeters.
There are two main types of Instrument Transformer
- Current Transformer
- Potential Transformer
Current Transformer
A current transformer (CT) is a device in the field of electrical engineering, used to measure the current in a conductor without the need to make direct contact with it. This type of transformer produces a secondary current that is proportional to the primary current.
CTs are commonly used in metering and protective relays in electrical power systems, and they come in various types such as wound, toroidal, and bar.
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| Current Transformer |
Ratings of C.T
- The ratings of secondary current are 5 A or 1A for measurements.
- The Primary Current is up to 49000A.
potential transformer
A potential transformer, also known as a voltage transformer, is an instrument transformer that steps down high voltages to lower values for measurement, protection, and control in power systems.
These transformers are essential for the accurate monitoring of electrical systems, ensuring that voltage levels are within safe operating limits. They operate on the principle of electromagnetic induction.
Potential transformers are designed with precision to maintain an accurate voltage ratio and phase relationship between the primary and secondary windings, which is crucial for the reliability of the measurements they provide.
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| Potential transformer |
Ratings of P.T
- The rating of the Secondary voltage is 120 volts.
- The primary ratings are up to 24,000 volts.
Insulators
An Electrical insulator is one in which electric current does not flow freely. there are different types of electrical insulators used in power substations. there are many types of insulators such as tension insulators, low-tension insulators, substation insulators, and special types of insulators. insulators are made from different insulating materials just as porcelain, mica, plastics, paper, wood etc. Insulators are also manufactured in different shapes and sizes.
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| Types of Electrical Insulators |
Relays
Relay plays an important role in electrical substations .its used to protect the system. relay is an electrically operated device. there are two contacts of relays one is normally open(NO) contact and the other is normally close(NC) There are different sizes and shapes of relays.
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| Electrical Relays |
Types of Relays
- Electromagnetic Relays.
- Electronic Relays.
- Electromechanical Relays
- Reed Relays
- Time Delay Relays
- High-Voltage Relays
- Small Signal Relays
Bus bars
A busbar is a metallic bar used for local high-current power distribution. they are used in typically inside switchgear and panel boards. There are many types of busbar schemes used in substations.
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| Bus Bar |
Sizes of Busbar
- 40x4mm
- 40x5mm
- 60x8mm
- 50x6mm
- 80x8mm
Materials of busbar
- Copper
- Brass
- Aluminium
Circuit Breakers
A circuit breaker is a device that works in normal and abnormal conditions To secure the electrical system. A circuit breaker is used to make and break the electrical system. There are different sizes, shapes and ratings of Circuit breakers. the circuit breaker categories as Indoor circuit breaker and outdoor circuit breaker w.r.t services.
Types of Circuit Breakers W.r.t construction
- Oil circuit breaker
- Air circuit breaker
- Vacuum circuit breaker
- SF6 circuit breaker
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| Types of Circuit Breaker |
Types of Circuit Breakers W.r.t voltages
- High voltage circuit breaker(HV)
- Medium voltage circuit breaker(MV)
- Low voltage circuit breaker(LV)
Lightning Arrester
A lightning arrester is a component that protects from the damaging effects of lightning. there are different types of lightning arresters. They are used in towers, transmission poles, buildings and substations.
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| lightning arrester |
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