Sarhad University, Peshawar

Department: Technology Program: BSc Electrical Engineering

Course Code & Course : ET-216 ELECTRICAL POWER DISTRIBUTION Examination: Mid Term Fall 2020
& UTILIZATION
*Student Name: Muhammad suliman Total Marks: 30
*Registration #SU-18-01-146-029 Instructor: Engr. Syed Zia ud Din
*Student Email: pray for me
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE STUDENTS:
Answer All Questions in the same Question Paper under each question/section subsequently.
Before uploading, save the same file in this format Final EXAM_DEPARTMENT_COURSE_Student Name_Reg#.doc
Upload it at your SUIT PORTAL before the deadline. Answer Sheet sent through EMAIL will not be accepted.
The total size of this file should not exceed 2MB at the time of uploading it at portal so don’t insert images.
Just type the answers under each question, avoid inserting images and follow the instructions at SUIT Portal.

Attempt All Questions. Each Question Carries 6 marks

Q#1:
a) What do you understand by distribution system ?
b) Discuss briefly the design considerations in distribution system.

Solution#1
(a)
Electric power distribution is the final stage in the delivery of electric power; it carries electricity from
the transmission system to individual consumers. Distribution substations connect to the transmission
system and lower the transmission voltage to medium voltage ranging between 2 kV and 35 kV with
the use of transformers.[1] Primary distribution lines carry this medium voltage power to distribution
transformers located near the customer's premises. Distribution transformers again lower the voltage to
the utilization voltage used by lighting, industrial equipment and household appliances. Often several
customers are supplied from one transformer through secondary distribution lines. Commercial and
residential customers are connected to the secondary distribution lines through service drops.
Customers demanding a much larger amount of power may be connected directly to the primary
distribution level or the sub transmission level The transition from transmission to distribution
happens in a power substation, which has the following functions:[2]

Circuit breakers and switches enable the substation to be disconnected from the transmission grid or
for distribution lines to be disconnected.
Transformers step down transmission voltages, 35 kV or more, down to primary distribution voltages.
These are medium voltage circuits, usually 600–35000 V.[1]
From the transformer, power goes to the bus bar that can split the distribution power off in multiple
directions. The bus distributes power to distribution lines, which fan out to customers.
Urban distribution is mainly underground, sometimes in common utility ducts. Rural distribution is
mostly above ground with utility poles, and suburban distribution is a mix.[1] Closer to the customer,
a distribution transformer steps the primary distribution power down to a low-voltage secondary
circuit, usually 120/240 V in the US for residential customers. The power comes to the customer via a
service drop and an electricity meter. The final circuit in an urban system may be less than 15 metres
(50 ft), but may be over 91 metres (300 ft) for a rural customer.

(b) DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS IN DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Good voltage regulation of a distribution network is probably the most important factor responsible
for delivering good service to the consumers. For this purpose, design of feeders and distributors
requires careful consideration.

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(I) Feeders.
A feeder is designed from the point of view of its current carrying capacity while the voltage drop
consideration is relatively unimportant. It is because voltage drop in a feeder can be compensated by
means of voltage regulating equipment at the substation.

(ii) Distributors
A distributor is designed from the point of view of the voltage drop in it. It is because a distributor
supplies power to the consumers and there is a statutory limit of voltage variations at the consumer’s
terminals (± 6% of rated value). The size and length of the distributor should be such that voltage at
the consumer’s terminals is within the permissible limits.
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Q#2
a) Which AC Distribution System is good, Justify your answer
b) Give the comparison of outdoor and indoor sub-stations.
Solution#2

(a)

In ac distribution system underground distribution system is good due to following reasons.

 Flexibility:-
The overhead system is much more flexible than the underground system. In the latter case, manholes,
duct lines etc., are permanently placed once installed and the load expansion can only be met by laying
new lines. However, on an overhead system, poles, wires, transformers etc., can be easily shifted to
meet the changes in load conditions.
 Faults:-
The chances of faults in underground system are very rare as the cables are laid underground and are
generally provided with better insulation. As compared to over head
 Appearance:-
The general appearance of an underground system is better as all the distribution lines are invisible.
This factor is exerting considerable public pressure on electric supply companies to switch over to
underground system
 Fault location and repairs:-
In general, there are little chances of faults in an underground system. However, if a fault does occur,
it is difficult to locate and repair on this system. On an overhead system, the conductors are visible and
easily accessible so that fault locations and repairs can be easily made.
 Public safety:-
The underground system is safer than overhead system because all distribution wiring is placed
underground and there are little chances of any hazard.
 Initial cost:-
The underground system is more expensive due to the high cost of trenching, conduits, cables,
manholes and other special equipment. The initial cost of an underground system may be five to ten
times than that of an overhead system.
 Useful life:-
The useful life of underground system is much longer than that of an overhead system. An overhead
system may have a useful life of 25 years, whereas an underground system may have a useful life of
more than 50 years.
 Maintenance cost:-

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 The maintenance cost of underground system is very low as compared with that of overhead system
because of less chances of faults and service interruptions from wind, ice, and lightning as well as
from traffic hazards.

(b)
Indoor substation
Outdoor substation
Indoor substation
 Less because all the components are insulated . therefore clearance required between them is
less.
 More because additional building construction is required.
 Difficult due to less space available.
 Difficult because all the equipment are enclosed.
 More due to building construction. also the specially designed equipment are required as they
are installed indoor
 Difficult as space between equipment is less.

Outdoor substation
 More as some components such as bus bar, O.H. line are not insulated hence clearance
between them is more.
 Less because no building construction is required
 Easy due to more space is available.
 Easy because all the equipment are in full view.
 Less because no building construction is required. also there is no need of specially designed
equipment.
 Easy as space between equipment is more.
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Q#3.
a) Write a short note on any three sub-station equipment

Solution#3
Three sub-station equipment
Circuit Breaker
A circuit breaker is a device that can interrupt a section or a circuit automatically if an abnormal or
faulty condition exists in that section.
Under the normal operating condition, the contacts of each pair close on themselves, and the circuit
breaker said to closed. In the event of any abnormal situation, the movable contact of each pair made
to open against spring forces by a mechanical device through a trip circuit energized by a battery.
The trip circuit actuated by one or more relays that sense the abnormal condition.

Isolator
Isolators used for isolating the circuit when the current has already interrupted.
An isolator is a manual or motor operated disconnect switch.
They are provided for isolating all circuit breakers for maintenance and repair.
Isolators also used for disconnecting lines and allow the equipment to taken out of the system for
repair, maintenance, and testing.
Isolators help to have a sectionalized bus system. It not supposed to opened.

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Under loaded conditions and for this reason, interlocked with circuit breakers to prevent operation on
load. However, these are capable of dealing with small charging currents. Isolators on the line side of
the line circuit breakers should equipped with grounding blades.
Fuses
A fuse is a non-adjustable, direct-acting, single-phase device that responds to both the magnitude and
duration of current flowing through it.
Fuses may used both in low voltage and high-voltage lines. Fuses are protective devices.

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Q#4:
a) What is the need of a sub-station in the power system?
b) Discuss the different ways of classifying the sub-stations.

Solution#4
A)
Sub-stations are important part of power system. It converts High voltage to Low voltage and Low to
High voltage depending upon the demand. 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.
Transformers step down the high voltage electricity coming in on the transmission lines, to a much
lower voltage suitable to send out on distribution wires.
Circuit Switches direct the flow of electricity, like the switches that turn the lights on and off in your
home.
Breakers interrupt the flow of electricity when unexpected surges or faults occur, in order to protect
the system from damage -- like the breakers in the main service panel of your home.
Capacitors improve the quality of the electricity supply to customers, in two important ways: they
smooth out voltage depressions caused by increased loads, and they “filter out” voltage distortions.

b) Classification of Sub-Stations
There are several ways of classifying sub-stations. However, the two most important ways of
classifying them are according to (1) service requirement and (2) constructional features.

1 According to service requirement. A sub-station may be called upon to change voltage level or
improve power factor or convert a.c. power into d.c. power etc. According to the service requirement,
sub-stations may be classified into:

Transformer sub-stations. Those sub-stations which change the voltage level of electric supply are
called transformer sub-stations. These sub-stations receive power at some voltage and deliver it at
some other voltage. Obviously, transformer will be the main component in such substations. Most of
the sub-stations in the power system are of this type.

Switching sub-stations. These sub-stations do not change the voltage level i.e. incoming and outgoing
lines have the same voltage. However, they simply perform the switching operations of power lines.

Frequency changer sub-stations. Those sub-stations which change the supply frequency are known as
frequency changer sub-stations. Such a frequency change may be required for industrial utilization.

Power factor correction sub-stations. Those substations which improve the power factor of the system
are called power factor correction sub-stations. Such sub-stations are generally located at the receiving

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end of transmission lines. These sub-stations generally use synchronous condensers as the power
factor improvement equipment.

2 According to constructional features. A sub-station has many components (e.g. circuit breakers,
switches, fuses, instruments etc.) which must be housed properly to ensure continuous and reliable
service. According to constructional features, the sub stations are classified as:
 Indoor sub-stations. For voltages up to 11 kV, the equipment of the sub-station is installed indoor
because of economic considerations. However, when the atmosphere is contaminated with impurities,
these substations can be erected for voltages up to 66 kV.

Outdoor sub-stations. For voltages beyond 66 kV, equipment is invariably installed outdoor. It is
because for such voltages, the clearances between conductors and the space required for switches,
circuit breakers and other equipment becomes so great that it is not economical to install the
equipment indoor.
 Underground sub-stations. In thickly populated areas, the space available for equipment and
building is limited and the cost of land is high. Under such situations, the sub-station is created
underground.
Pole-mounted sub-stations. This is an outdoor substation with equipment installed overhead on H-pole
or 4-pole structure. It is the cheapest form of sub-station for voltages not exceeding 11kV (or 33 kV in
some cases). Electric power is almost distributed in localities through such substations
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Q#5:
a) Why do we use isolators on both sides of circuit breaker?
b) What is DC distribution system and what is 3 wire dc system?
Solution#5
(a)
An insulator is a material which resists the flow of electrical current which separate electrical
conductors without passing current through itself . So for the safety purpose to prevent the current
flow between the components in the circuit breaker the insulator material are used in both the side

(b) Dc distribution system :

The DC distribution system has been proposed, as a replacement for the present AC power distribution
system for ships with electric propulsion.

This concept represents a new way of distributing energy for low-voltage installations on ships. It can
be used for any electrical ship application up to 20 megawatts and operates at a nominal voltage of
1000 V DC. The DC distribution system is simply an extension of the multiple DC links that already
exist in all propulsion and thruster drives, which usually account for more than 80 percent of the
electrical power consumption on electric propulsion vessels.
3-Wire DC System
This is basically a combination of two series connected unipolar DC systems. It consists of three
conductors, two outer conductors (one is positive and the other is negative) and one middle conductor
which acts as neutral. This system leaves following connection choices to a consumer -
between positive
conductor and neutral
between negative conductor and neutral
between positive and negative conductor (double voltage)

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positive to negative with neutral connected

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***** Best of Luck *****

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