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Lecture 1
Instructor: Gary W. Chang
2007. 03. 05
Typical substation
Direct current voltage is either positive or negative polarity. A DC line has two
conductors, so one would be positive and the other negative.
Distribution Substation
Distribution substations are located near to the end-users.
Distribution substation transformers change the
transmission or subtransmission voltage to lower levels for
use by end-users. Typical distribution voltages vary from
34,500Y/19,920 volts to 4,160Y/2400 volts.
34,500Y/19,920 volts is interpreted as a three-phase circuit
with a grounded neutral source. This would have three
high-voltage conductors or wires and one grounded neutral
conductor, a total of four wires. The voltage between the
three phase conductors or wires would be 34,500 volts and
the voltage between one phase conductor and the neutral
ground would be 19,920 volts.
From here the power is distributed to industrial,
commercial, and residential customers.
Distribution substation
Switch transmission and distribution circuits into and out of the grid system
Make interconnections between the electric systems of more than one utility
Control reactive kilovolt-amperes supplied to and the flow of reactive kilovoltamperes in the circuits
Transmission Lines
Transmission lines carry electric energy from one point
to another in an electric power system. They can carry
alternating current or direct current or a system can be a
combination of both. Also, electric current can be carried
by either overhead or underground lines. The main
characteristics that distinguish transmission lines from
distribution lines are that they are operated at relatively
high voltages, they transmit large quantities of power
and they transmit the power over large distances.
The types of transmission lines are:
Overhead Transmission Lines
Subtransmission Lines
Underground Transmission Lines
Subtransmission Lines
Subtransmission lines
Subtransmission lines
with distribution underbuild
Distribution Systems
A distribution system originates at a distribution
substation and includes the lines, poles,
transformers and other equipment needed to
deliver electric power to the customer at the
required voltages. Customers are classed as:
Industrial Customer
Commercial Customer
Residential Customer
Transportation Customer
Industrial Customer
Most industries need 2,400 to 4,160 volts to run heavy machinery
and usually their own substation or substations to reduce the voltage
from the transmission line to the desired level for distribution
throughout the plant area. They usually require 3-phase lines to
power 3-phase motors.
Industrial facility
distribution transformer
Commercial Customer
Commercial customers are usually served at
distribution voltages, ranging from 14.4 kV to 7.2
kV through a service drop line which leads from
a transformer on or near the distribution pole to
the customer's end use structure. They may
require 3-phase lines to power 3-phase motors.
Residential Customer
The distribution electricity is reduced to the end use
voltage (120/240 volts single phase) via a pole mounted
or pad-mounted transformer. Power is delivered to the
residential customer through a service drop line which
leads from the distribution pole transformer to the
customer's structure, for overhead lines, or underground.
Transportation Customer
Currently the only electric transportation systems are
light rail and subway systems. A small distribution
substation reduces the local distribution voltage to the
transportation system requirements. The overhead lines
supply electric power to the transportation system
motors and the return current lines are connected to the
train tracks.