SUBSTATION AND EQUIPMENTS IN SUBSTATION

1. INTRODUCTION

A substation is a part of an electrical generation, transmission, and distribution system.

Substations transform voltage from high to low, or the reverse, or perform any of several
other important functions. Between the generating station and consumer, electric power
may flow through several substations at different voltage levels. A substation may
include transformers to change voltage levels between high transmission voltages and
lower distribution voltages, or at the interconnection of two different transmission
voltages.

Substations may be owned and operated by an electrical utility, or may be owned by a

large industrial or commercial customer. Generally substations are unattended, relying
on SCADA for remote supervision and control.

The word substation comes from the days before the distribution system became a grid.
As central generation stations became larger, smaller generating plants were converted
to distribution stations, receiving their energy supply from a larger plant instead of using
their own generators. The first substations were connected to only one power station,
where the generators were housed, and were subsidiaries of that power station

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2. SUBSTATION
A substation is a part of an electrical generation, transmission, and distribution system.
Substations[3] transform voltage from high to low, or the reverse, or perform any of several
other important functions. Between the generating station and consumer, electric power may
flow through several substations at different voltage levels.

2.1. TYPES OF SUBSTATION:-

2.1.1. TRANSMISSION SUBSTATION

2.1.2. DISTRIBUTION SUBSTATION

2.1.3. CONVERTER SUBSTATIONS

2.1.4. SWITCHING SUBSTATION

2.1.5. RAILWAY SUBSTATION

2.1.1. TRANSMISSION SUBSTATION

 A transmission substation[2] connects two or more transmission lines.The simplest

case is where all transmission lines have the same voltage.
 Transmission substations can range from simple to complex.
 The largest transmission substations can cover a large area with multiple voltage levels,
many circuit breakers .

Figure 2.1.1 TRANSMISSION SUBSTATION

2.1.2.DISTRIBUTION SUBSTATION

 A distribution substation transfers power from the transmission system to the

distribution system of an area[2].
 The input for a distribution substation is typically at least two transmission or sub
transmission lines.

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Figure 2.1.2.DISTRIBUTION SUBSTATION

2.1.3. CONVERTER SUBSTATIONS

 Converter substations may be associated with HVDC converter plants, traction

current, or interconnected non-synchronous networks.
 These stations contain power electronic devices to change the frequency of current, or else
convert from alternating to direct current or the reverse.

Figure 2.1.2.DISTRIBUTION SUBSTATION

2.1.4.SWITCHING SUBSTATION

 A switching station is a substation without transformers and operating only

at a single voltage level.
 Switching stations are sometimes used as collector and distribution
stations.
 A switching station may also be known as a switchyard,The function of the switching
station is to isolate the faulted portion of the system in the shortest possible time.

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Figure 2.1.4.SWITCHING SUBSTATION

2.1.5.RAILWAYS SUBSTATION

 Electrified railways also use substations, often distribution substations.

 In some cases a conversion of the current type takes place, commonly with rectifiers for
direct current (DC) trains, or rotary converters for trains using alternating current (AC) at
frequencies other than that of the public grid.

 Sometimes they are also transmission substations or collector substations if the railway
network also operates its own grid and generators.

Figure 2.1.5.RAILWAYS SUBSTATION

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3. SUBSTATION EQUIPMENS

3.1. POWER TRANSFORMER

3.2. CIRCUIT BREAKER

3.3. DISCONNECTING SWITCHES AND ISOLATOR

3.4. BUSBARS

3.5. CURRENT TRANSFORMER

3.6. POTENTIAL TRANSFORMER

3.7. CURRENT LIMITING REACTOR

3.8. SHUNT REACTOR

3.9. SERIES CAPACITOR

3.10. CAPACITOR VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER(CVT)

3.11. COUPLING CAPACITOR VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER(CCVT)

3.12. SHUNT CAPACITOR

3.13. GROUNDING SYSTEM

3.14. LIGHTNING ARRESTORS

3.15. LINE TRAP

3.16. PROTECTIVE RELAYS

3.17. STATION BATTERIES

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3.1. POWER TRANSFORMER

 A transformer is an electric static machine used to change the voltage and current
without changing the frequency and power[1]. The power transformer is different
 From the distribution transformer because due to its high rating or it depends on the
ratings. In case of a 220 KV or above KV level auto transformers are used.
 As in case the of lower KV line such as less than 132KV line double winding
transformers are used

Figure 3.1. POWER TRANSFORMER

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3.2. CIRCUIT BREAKER

The circuit breakers are used to control (Break) the circuit if any fault occurs in any of the
Substation system. These circuit breaker breaks for a fault which can damage other equipment in
he station. For any fault over the substation station we need to break the circuit it means that line
current. This is done by automatically Circuit breaker by the help of relay.

Some of the type of Circuit Breaker

 Oil circuit breaker.

 Air circuit breaker.
 SF6 circuit breaker.
 Vacuum circuit breaker

Figure 3.2. CIRCUIT BREAKER

3.3. DISCONNECTING SWITCHES & ISOLATOR

Isolator is a mechanical switch which can separate the part from circuit in the system when it is
required. Electrical isolators separate a part of the system from rest for safe maintenance works.
This isolator is to protect the transformer and the other equipment in the system. The isolator
isolates or cut the circuit from the high voltage to the ground. It is protecting device.

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Figure 3.3.DISCONNECTING SWITCHES & ISOLATOR

3.4. BUS BAR
A bus bars in electrical power distribution are the conductors which are made up of thick strips
of copper or aluminum that conduct electricity within a switchboard, distribution board[1],
substation, or other electrical apparatus. The bus is a line in which the incoming feeders come
into and get into the instruments for further step up or step down. There may be double line in
the bus so that if any fault occurs in the one the other can still have the current and the supply
will not stop.

Figure 3.4. BUS BAR

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3.5. CURRENT TRANSFORMER:-

A current transformer is defined as an instrument transformer in which the secondary
current is substantially proportional to the primary current.Current transformers are used
when the magnitude of AC currents exceeds the safe value of current of measuring
instruments. Current transformers are basically used to take the readings of the currents
entering the substation. This transformer steps down the current from 800 amps to 1 amp.
This is done because we have no instrument for measuring of such a large current. The main
use of this transformer is

a. Distance Protection
b. Backup Protection
c. Measurement

Figure 3.5. CURRENT TRANSFORMER

3.6. POTENTIAL TRANSFORMER

The potential transformer usages a bus isolator care for itself. The main use of this
transformer is to measure the voltage through the bus. This is done so as to get the detail
information of the voltage passing through the bus to the apparatus. There are two main
parts in it

 Measurement

 Protection

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Figure 3.6.POTENTIAL TRANSFORMER

3.7. CURRENT LIMITING REACTOR

\The Current limiting reactor is an electrical inductance made up of a number of turns of wire of
low ohmic resistance and inserted in series with a line to limit the current that can flow under
short circuit.

Figure 3.7. CURRENT LIMITING REACTOR

3.8. SHUNT REACTOR

Shunt reactor is the absorption of reactive power in the case of Ferranti effect, and thus
assembling the energy efficiency of the system. It is the most compact device normally used to
compensate for reactive power transmission lines in high-voltage long and cable systems.
Shunt reactor can be connected directly to the power line or to higher power transformer. It is
used to improve and adjust the reactive power consumed reactor can also be a variable rating.

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Figure 3.8. SHUNT REACTOR

3.9. SERIES CAPACITOR
1. Increase power
2. Transmission capability
3. Improve system stability
4. Reduce system losses
5. Improve voltage profile

3.10. SHUNT CAPACITOR

A capacitor bank is very essential equipment of an electrical power system. The energy required
to run all the electrical devices are useful load power is the active power. It is expressed in
active power KW or MW. The maximum load connected to the electric power system is
essentially inductive in nature such as electric transformers, inductio n motors, synchronous
motor, electric ovens, and fluorescent lighting are all inductive in nature. The current causes the
capacitor to lead the effort; the capacitive reactance can be used to cancel the inductive
reactance of the system.

Figure 3.10. SHUNT CAPACITOR

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3.11. CAPACITOR VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER

A capacitor voltage transformer (CVT) is a transformer used in power systems to stepping down
high-voltage signals and providing additional low voltage signals either to measure or for the
operation of the protective relay. In its simplest form, the device consists of three parts: two
capacitors across the divided voltage signal, which is used to adjust the inductive device on the
pace of supply and transformers, used to isolate and further stepped down the voltage of the
devices or relay protective element. The voltage level of this transformer is measure voltage
200KV same as potential transformer.

Figure 3.11. CAPACITOR VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER

3.12. CAPACITANCE COUPLED VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER (CCVT)

A capacitance Coupled voltage transformer (CCVT) is a same like CVT , which is used in
power systems to step-down extra high voltage signals and provide low voltage signals either
for measurement or to operate a protective relay. Mostly it is use EXTRA high voltage 500kv to
sample the voltage for measurement purpose.

Figure 3.12. CAPACITANCE COUPLED VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER

(CCVT)
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3.13. GROUNDING SYSTEM

To provide an earth mat for connecting neutral points, equipment body, support structures to the
ground. For the safety of staff and to enable ground fault protection to provide a path to empty
the land of neutral currents, errors, surge arresters, overhead shielding wire etc. with a safe step
and touch potential possibilities.

Figure 3.13. GROUNDING SYSTEM

3.14. LIGHTNING ARRESTER

Lightening arrestors are the instrument that are used in the incoming feeders so that to prevent
the high voltage entering the main station. This high voltage is very unsafe from the equipment`s
used in the substation. Even equipment are very expensive, so as to prevent any damage using
lightning arresters. The lightning arresters do not let the lightning to fall on the substation. In the
case of some lightning and lightning arresters drag and ground it to the ground.

Figure 3.14. LIGHTNING ARRESTER

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3.15. LINE TRAP

A line trap also called wave trap free parallel resonant circuit, connected series with high
voltage transmission power lines to provide high frequency (40 kHz to 1000 kHz) carrier signals
of power line communication purpose.

Figure 3.15. LINE TRAP

3.16. PROTECTIVE RELAYS

Protection relays used to detect defective or device lines and to isolate the defective equipment.
Relays are also used to detect abnormal operating conditions or undesirable from those caused
by damaged equipment and either a warning or isolate the equipment. Protection relays are
used in electrical system protection by causing defective device or lines to be separate or
disconnect the equipment and to maintain continuity of service to the rest of the system.

Figure 3.16. PROTECTIVE RELAYS

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3.17.STATION BATTERIES

Batteries are supply the direct current to the relays for control purpose, as well as store the
energy so use for the when there is no power in the substation it means that all the system is
open or any fault condition. These are connected in series to increase the voltage level.

Figure 3.17.STATION BATTERIES

3.18.ANOTHER APPARATUS
 Protection system
To provide alarm or automatic tripping of faulty part from healthy part and also to
minimize damage to faulty equipment and associated system
 Control cable
It provide supply to various auxiliary equipment’s and machines.
 Auxiliary standby power system
For supplying starting power, standby power for auxiliaries.
 Firefighting system
To sense the occurrence of fire by sensors and to initiate water spray, to disconnect power
supply to affected region to pin point location of fire by indication in control room.

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CONCLUSION
The objective of the devices(system) in substation is to keep the power system stable by isolating
only the components that are under fault, while leaving as much of the network as possible. There is no
‘fault free’ system. It is neither practical nor economical to build a ‘fault free’ system. Usually faults are
caused by breakdown of insulation due to various reasons: Short Circuit, High Voltage, system
aging, lighting, etc

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REFERENCES

[1] Fundamentals of Power System Protection By Yeshwant G. Paithankar, S. R. Bhide

[2] Electrical Power System Protection By C. Christopoulos, A. Wright
[3] Wikipedia

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