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What are feeders in power distribution? What is the voltage going through
them? Why tapping is not taken from them?
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5 Answers

Chad Courtney, works at Intel

Answered February 21, 2018

Feeders are generally those voltage lines below 69kV. It really depends on the system but Transmission is
higher voltage levels (in US that’s typically) 69kV up to 1,000kV lines intended for long distance
transmission of power. 34.5kV and below is generally thought of as Distribution. It’s intended for local area
distribution of electricity.

The Voltage doesn’t ‘go through them’. Voltage is there ‘potential’. Current is what goes through them.

I’m not sure exactly what ‘Why tapping is not taken from them?‘ is supposed to mean. I’m guessing you’re
asking why don’t we have outlets that are connected directly too that live level voltage.

There are several reasons.

1.) Much higher probability of fire. With higher voltage levels a short to ground will result in a much higher
current discharge and much more likely to start a fire.

2.) For much the same reason as #1 the current through the human body if you become the conductor to
ground is much more likely to kill you.

3.) There’s not enough space and insulation between the wiring in a household circuits for this. The cost of
wiring a household that would support this would not be feasible

These are some of the reasons why we use transformers to bring the distribution line voltages down to
use-able voltage levels (240/120 for homes - some industry may use 480v)
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Bruce Skovmand, former Journeyman Electrician & Electrical Theory Teacher (1957-2017)
Updated December 29, 2017

Electrical services start where the utility ties onto the premises wiring and ends on the load side of the
main service disconnect….The wiring between this point and the last overcurrent protective device is called
feeders …Feeders can feed smaller feeders and Yes, taps can be made on feeders… If these are of a
smaller size than what they are tapped onto, they are called unprotected taps..The wiring beyond the last
overcurrent protective device is called the branch circuits….The voltage on feeders is whatever is applied
to them…
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Merwin Paul, B.TECH Electrical and Electronics Engineering & Indian Armed Forces, NRI
Institute of Technology Agiripalli (…
Answered December 25, 2017

THE BUS BARS WHICH COME FROM TRANSMISSION DEPARTMENT ARE THE FEEDERS FOR THE
DISTRIBUTORS AND WHILE THE VOLTAGE IN IT WILL BE B/W 11 K V-440 V WHILE IN DISTRIBUTION
SYSTEM NO TAPPING ARE PROVIDED BECAUSE IT IS NOT NEEDED
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Shalom Komornik, M.E.E Electrical Engineering, City College of New York (1974)
1
Answered December 26, 2017

The voltage generated at the power station is 3000 volts.This voltage is transformed to transmission line
voltage of about 750KV. At the sub station, the voltage is transformed to 9KV distribution voltage, and
when reaching consumers, is transformed to 240 volt w/the Neutral tapped in the middle to give 2 - 120
volts into each house/apartment. If needed, also 3 phase 240 volt.
1.6K views · View 1 upvote

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Michael Tyson, former Planning Manager at Large Generator Service Comp. (1956-2003)
Answered December 26, 2017

The voltage at power stations is increased to 400kv through Transformers as this allows more power to be
sent down the power lines to homes and businesses. This is then reduced again by step down
Transformers to 240v which is the mains household voltage in the uk.
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Related Questions & Answers

What is difference between a feeder and transmission line?

Jatin Batra, B.Tech Electrical Engineering, Delhi Technological University (2016)
Updated July 7, 2020 · Upvoted by Tohid Shahsavarian, M.Sc Power System Protection & Electrical Engineering, Iran
University of Science and Technology (2014)

I will explain it with reference to a substation. * Consider a distribution substation which receives power
from a transmission line. image source : http://www.sakshieducation.com/EngggStory.aspx?
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What is feeder in electrical?

Kishor Joshi, B.E. Electrical Engineering, Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus (2018)
Answered July 5, 2019

Originally Answered: What is an electrical feeder?

The term “Electrical feeder” is mostly related to the Distribution System(Providing Electricity to the
Consumer i.e. primary and secondary). After Power is being transferred via Transmission Line it reaches
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Nandhu Krishnan R, Executive Engineer at JM Baxi (2018-present)
Answered May 23, 2017

Both Bus bar and Feeder are simply electrical conductors, differ it name as where we use it(simply).
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Scott Simpson, Senior Electrical Engineer at Retired (1985-present)
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I’ve been a Substation Engineer for a good part of my adult life and I’ve never heard the term “incomer” I’m
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Roshini Roy, B. E Electrical and Electronics Engineering (2018)
Answered March 6, 2018 · Upvoted by Dinesh Kumar, Masters Electrical Engineering, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological
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Originally Answered: Is tapping in a transformer always done on high voltage side also why?
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