12 Substation Protection Equipment You Must Recognize

An isolator is a manually operated mechanical switch that isolates the damaged wire, circuit, or segment from the rest of the circuit to prevent the emergence of more severe faults.

5. Bus bar

When there are heavy currents, a bus bar conductor is installed to link two or more pieces of equipment next to one another. These are typically bare copper bars that support the insulators and are either rectangular or tubular. The outdoor bus bars come in two different varieties: rigid and strain.
Pipes are used in the rigid kind to link the various pieces of equipment. The bus bars' rigidity ensures that the clearances never change.

6. Lightning arrester

A distribution substation's most crucial safety feature is a lightning arrester, which guards working people and expensive equipment. During lightning strokes, the excess electricity is stopped and discharged to the ground. These are put between a line and the earth close to the equipment.

7. Circuit breaker

A circuit breaker device automatically cuts off the system's power supply whenever a malfunction or short circuit develops. It minimizes damage at the fault's site by quickly detecting and isolating faults.
The circuit breakers stop the extremely high fault currents, which may be ten or more times the currents used during regular operation.
You can use a variety of criteria and applications to build circuit breakers. However, the most widely used circuit breakers, in general, are vacuum circuit breakers, air circuit breakers, SF6 circuit breakers, and so on.

8. Relays

Relays are used to manually or automatically terminate the circuits. The coil that makes up the relay is excited or energized. Closing its connection activates it to break or establish a circuit. Relays come in various forms, including voltage relays, auxiliary relays, reclosing relays, solid state relays, directional relays, inverse time overcurrent relays, microcontroller relays, and over-current relays.

9. Capacitor bank

Because these capacitor banks serve as a source of reactive power, they can lessen the phase gap between voltage and current. They will boost the supply's capability for ripple current. It steers clear of the power system's negative traits. It is the most cost-effective way to preserve power factors and correct power lag issues.

10. Earthing

For the safety of operational staff and electrical equipment, it is crucial to provide efficient, reliable, and durable Earthing in substations and switching stations. Voltage levels do not exceed acceptable limits, and a robust ground connection dissipates the fault to the earth. Earthing joins the electrical equipment to the earth's overall mass.

11. Fencing

The outdoor substation yard has fencing to prevent livestock and illegal people from entering. It needs to be independently earthed or grounded. Usually, fencing height shouldn't be less than 1.8 meters. Every year, fencing needs to be coated with the appropriate paint.

12. Distribution panel board

The control room holds the distribution panel board. An Earthing conductor must join the panel frame to the earth grid. In front of the panel, there must be a rubber pad of the required size and quality.

Ensuring the Reliability of Substations

Whether located near power plants or integrated into local grids, substations are designed to withstand extreme operating conditions. Properly maintained substation protection equipment is essential for smooth electrical generation, transmission, and distribution. Investing in high-quality components and safety measures helps optimize system performance while protecting workers and assets.

Ans: Safety precautions in substations include maintaining clear communication, using proper signage, adhering to lockout/tagout procedures, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), maintaining safe distances from live equipment, and ensuring proper grounding. Regular training and adherence to safety protocols are crucial to prevent accidents and injuries.

Q2. What is a substation?

Ans: A substation is a facility in the electrical transmission and distribution system where voltage is transformed from high to low, or the reverse, using transformers. It includes equipment to control the flow of electrical power, such as circuit breakers, switches, and transformers, and serves as a point for system protection and monitoring.

Q3. What PPE is used in the substation?

Ans: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used in substations includes insulated gloves, hard hats, safety glasses, flame-resistant clothing, ear protection, and safety boots. In some cases, face shields and dielectric boots are also used to protect against electrical hazards.

Q4. What are the basic principles of substation?

Ans: The basic principles of a substation involve transforming voltage levels to facilitate efficient power transmission and distribution, protecting the electrical system through circuit breakers and relays, and ensuring the reliability and stability of the power supply by managing power flow and system faults.

Q5. What are the three main parts of a substation?

Ans: The three main parts of a substation are:

1. Power Transformers: Convert voltage levels between high transmission voltages and lower distribution voltages.

2. Switchgear: Includes circuit breakers and disconnect switches that protect and control the electrical circuits.

3. Control Systems: Comprise protective relays, control panels, and monitoring equipment that ensure safe and efficient operation of the substation.