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Single Line Diagrams

Power systems are extremely complicated electrical networks that are geographically spread over very large areas. For most part, they are also three phase networks each power circuit consists of three conductors and all devices such as generators, transformers, breakers, disconnects etc. are installed in all three phases. In fact, the power systems are so complex that a complete conventional diagram showing all the connections is impractical. Yet, it is desirable, that there is some concise way of communicating the basic arrangement of power system components. his is done by using !ingle "ine #iagrams $!"#%. !"#s are also called &ne "ine #iagrams. !ingle "ine #iagrams do not show the exact electrical connections of the circuits. 's the name suggests, !"#s use a single line to represent all three phases. hey show the relative electrical interconnections of generators, transformers, transmission and distribution lines, loads, circuit breakers, etc., used in assembling the power system. he amount of information included in an !"# depends on the purpose for which the diagram is used. For example, if the !"# is used in initial stages of designing a substation, then all ma(or e)uipment will be included in the diagram ma(or e)uipment being transformers, breakers, disconnects and buses. here is no need to include instrument transformers or protection and metering devices. *owever, if the purpose is to design a protection scheme for the e)uipment in the substation, then instrument transformers and relays are also included. here is no universally accepted set of symbols used for single line diagrams. &ften used symbols are shown in Fig. +. he variations in symbols are usually minor and are not difficult to understand. Concept of Bus ,oncept of bus in single line diagrams is essentially the same as the concept of a node in an electrical circuit. -ust keep in mind that there is one bus for each phase. .uses are shown in !"#s as short straight lines perpendicular to transmission lines and to lines connecting e)uipment to the buses. In actual substations, the buses are made of aluminum or copper bars or pipes and can be several meters long. he impedance of buses is very low, practically /ero, so electrically the whole bus is at the same potential. &f course, there is line voltage between the buses of the individual phases.

Figure 1 0raphical !ymbols for !ingle "ine #iagrams

Figure 2 !ingle "ine #iagram showing bus arrangement of a substation. !ingle line diagrams like in figure 1 are used to illustrate the layout of buses in a substation. he arrangement of figure two is called a 2breaker and a half3. here are three breakers for every two connections of lines or transformers to the bus, i.e. + 4 breakers per termination.

Figure 3 !ingle line diagram of an electric power system.

8 Figure 5 shows a small power system. 'ny information that is re)uired is added to the !"#. In this case connections of generator and transformer windings, as well as the method of grounding the neutral are indicated. his type of !"# has often also specified the si/e of the e)uipment in 67's, voltage levels, and any other relevant information. $see figure 8%

Figure 4 !ingle "ine #iagram of a 9: k7;+1 k7;8.+9 k7 !ubstation

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Figure 5 !ingle "ine #iagram of &vercurrent Protection of a @adial !ystem

? Figure ? shows a radial system of two lines. he buses represent two distribution stations. he outgoing lines have breakers only on the supply end. here are current transformers on the supply end of each breaker. he current transformers are connected to overcurrent relays. #ashed lines between the relays and the breakers indicate a functional relationshipA in this case operation of overcurrent relays causes the associated breaker to trip. his type of !"# is used for calculation of fault current and setting and coordination of the relays.