Ten Different Equipment You Can Recognize In Every Distribution Substation

The term “distribution substation” refers to a substation from which electricity is delivered to various consumers. There are numerous incoming and outgoing circuits in a substation, each with its isolator, circuit breaker, transformers, and other components connected to the busbar power distribution accessories system.

The majority of this equipment is static.

A significant aspect is the safety and protection of equipment as well as working individuals. This is accomplished by the use of lightning arresters, equipment earthing, and fencing.

Distribution transformer.

At a distribution substation, the power cable suppliers in UAE is the largest and most significant piece of equipment. Through delta-star windings, it steps down primary voltages of 33 kV or 11 kV to secondary distribution voltages of 415-440 volts between phases and 215 volts between phase and neutral.

Transformer components.

Conservator

It’s a transformer oil drum positioned on top of the transformer and connected to the main tank through a hose. The oil level in the conservator rises and falls as the volume of oil expands and contracts in response to the heat produced.

Breather.

It’s attached to the conservatory tank and includes silica gel, which keeps damp air from the tank during oil contraction. When oil is heated, it expands, allowing gas to escape to the atmosphere. When the oil cools, it contracts, allowing air to enter.

Vent for an explosion

Instantaneous vaporization of oil is caused by a significant defect inside the transformer, resulting in an extraordinarily quick rise of gaseous pressure. The transformer tank may break if this pressure is not released within a few moments, spewing oil over a large area.

Indicator of soil level

It shows the amount of transformer oil in the transformer’s reservoir. Maximum and lowest levels are marked on a transparent sheet.

Valve for the inlet

It allows the transformer oil to be poured into the tank during purification or in a tank shortage.

Valve for releasing the pressure

It allows oil to drain during overhauling or when a sample of oil is required for testing.

Change the taps

The tap changer is used to adjust the output voltage based on the line voltage manually. The tape changer may manually adjust the transformer taps. It is provided on the HV side to maintain the voltage on the LV side feeding the load.

Breaker of the circuit

A circuit breaker is a piece of equipment that automatically shuts off the system’s power supply when a fault or short circuit develops. It can detect and isolate problems in a fraction of a second, limiting damage at the point of failure.

The circuit breakers are made to interrupt extremely high fault currents, which can be ten times more than the regular operating currents.

An arrester for lightning

The lightning arrester is a critical component of a power distribution accessories distribution substation’s protection system, as it safeguards both valuable equipment and humans. It comes to a halt and then discharges to the ground at a high voltage. These are placed between the line and the ground near the apparatus.

Isolator/air break switch

Air break switches isolate equipment for repair and move loads from one bus to the next. The type of air break switches utilized determines the substation’s configuration. The two types of break switches are vertical and horizontal break switches. In most circumstances, the horizontal break type takes up more space than the vertical break type.

Insulator

The primary function of an insulator is to provide mechanical support and isolate live conductors or equipment from ground structures at varying voltages. Providing sufficient insulation in a substation is crucial for supply reliability and worker safety.

Arrangement for a busbar

When currents are extremely strong, the busbar is a conductor used to connect two or more pieces of equipment situated side by side. These are bare copper bars that are normally rectangular but can sometimes be tubular and are supported by insulators. The rigid and strain types of outdoor bus-bars are both available.

Pipes are utilized to link the various pieces of equipment in the rigid kind. Strain-type bus-bars are a system of wires strung between two supporting structures and hung strain-type insulators. The clearances stay constant since the bus-bars are stiff.

Bank of capacitors

A series-parallel arrangement of capacitors is necessary to boost the system’s power factor. They serve as reactive power generators, supplying the required reactive power to complete the circuit’s active power. This reduces reactive power and, as a result, total power (kVA) or demand.

Earthing

Providing an effective, long-lasting, and dependable earthing system in a substation and switching station is critical for the safety of working employees and electrical equipment. The voltage levels do not exceed acceptable limits, and the earth connection is sturdy enough to dissipate the fault to the ground.

Earthing connects electrical equipment to the earth’s general mass and has a very low resistance. It’s worth mentioning that line or cable circuit earth switches are usually interlocked with the local line disconnector. Still, operating procedures are relied on to guarantee that the circuit is isolated before the earth is applied at the distant end.

Arrangement of fencing

Unauthorized persons and cattle are prevented from entering the outdoor substation yard by fencing. It needs to be earthed/grounded on its own. Fencing should not be lower than 1.8 meters in height. Fencing should be painted with appropriate paint once a year.

Panel board for distribution

The control room houses the Power distribution accessories panel board, including MCCBs, control equipment, meters, and relays. An earthing conductor must link the panel frame to the earth grid. In front of the panel, a rubber mat of the specified size and quality must be placed.

Conclusion

While the above are some common components found in electrical substations, the electrical substation components may vary slightly based on the type of substation and its function. In addition, as technology advances, various components are regularly upgraded to keep up with the latest improvements to give consistent Power distribution accessories production.