LAB 12

To investigate double bus-bar basic system

Objectives
Operating a switching station with two busbars and different voltages.

Theory
The transmission and distribution of electrical power is realised using overhead power
transmission lines and cables at various voltage levels. The precise configuration selected is
dependent on aspects of a technical and economic nature. In order to integrate a high degree of
reliability into the power supply system, more or less meshed networks are assembled, which
guarantee a reliable power supply in the event of failure on individual power transmission paths.
Points in the network where two or more lines intersect are denoted nodes or branch points.
Switching equipment is always present at such nodes so that individual lines can be isolated or
split in the case of disturbances or when maintenance or repair work is necessary.
In addition to the necessary measurement, monitoring, protective and auxiliary devices, the
switches required for this are concentrated at a side described in its totality as a switching station.
When the switching station also contains transformers, then we refer to a transformer station.
Depending on the voltage involved, a distinction is drawn between high-voltage stations and
low-voltage stations. The latter cover the range up to 1 kV; they are normally contained in
factory-built switchgear cubicles or cabinets. While high-voltage installations up to 20 kV are
always designed as indoor installations, for economic reasons outdoor installations are preferred
for higher voltages. Outdoor installations normally cannot be constructed in the proximity of
residential areas not only because they take up a great deal of space but also because of aesthetic
and noise reasons. Here, materials are used, whose active components are encased within an
insulating gaseous atmosphere (normally sulphur hexaflouride) under high pressure. This
considerably reduces the insulating clearance compared to air, thus leading to more compact
installations. A fundamental distinction exists between high and low-voltage installations.
Whereas protection against short-circuits in low voltage systems is normally carried out with
melting fuses, such measures are inconceivable at voltage levels greater than 20 kV for purely
physical reasons, since in this case the arcs occurring when a fuse cuts would no longer
extinguish by themselves. Thus, instead of fuses, we use mains protective relays, which detect
faults in the mains and transmit a command to the next closest switch to open.
 Equipment Required

Equipment Serial Number Quantity

Pre Lab Exercise

Single Pole Diagram
Double Bus-bar Basic System
 Procedure
 Assemble the circuit in accordance with the foregoing topographic diagram.
 Special care must be taken to ensure that the individual phases are connected
correctly in order to avoid later short-circuits.
 In order to fully utilise the possibilities of the double busbar system, the busbars
should be supplied from two different voltages: the voltage at the beginning of the
 overhead line model (busbar 1) and the voltage at the end of the line model
(busbar 2).
 Set primary-side of the three-phase transformer in delta connection 380V and set
the secondary-side to star UN-15%.
 Insert all plugs connecting the capacitances to the line model.
 Initially switch on the main switch in order to supply the three-phase transformer
and the line model.
 The switching sequence of the two power circuit breakers (K1, K2) and of the two
disconnectors (Q1,Q2), in order to connect the busbars, is:
 Initially activate the disconnector
 Then activate the power circuit breaker.
E.g. Busbar 1: Disconnector Q1 on - Power circuit breaker K1 on.

Measurement
the busbar voltages:
U1 = .......... (V) U2 = .................... (V)

Critical Analysis /Conclusion

Questions:
Q.1 Which of the two busbars has the higher voltage?