A distribution substation is a substation from which power is routed to consumers. There are many incoming and outgoing circuits in substation protection equipment. Each has its transformer, isolator, circuit breaker, etc., connected to the busbar system.
Substation protection equipment recognizes unusual and intolerable conditions and applies the necessary corrections. This equipment includes circuit breakers, fuses, relays, lightning arresters, and other devices.
Substation protection equipment:
A substation is an assembly of the following major electrical protective equipment:
- Power transformer:
A power transformer is a static electrical device that transfers power from one circuit to another without changing frequency.
- Lightning arrester:
Lightning arresters are essential safety equipment that shield workers and expensive equipment from injury. When lightning strikes, it stops and releases excess voltage to the earth. Near the system, these are situated between the line and the ground.
- Circuit Breakers
A circuit breaker device cuts off the power supply of the system whenever a malfunction or short circuit develops. It reduces damage at the fault’s location by quickly detecting and isolating faults.
The circuit breakers are specifically made to stop very large fault currents, which can be ten or more times higher than normal operating currents.
- Insulators
An insulator is a metal that stops the free movement of electric charges or electrons. Insulators have high resistance to electricity. They come in various forms, including suspension, strain, stray, shackle, pin, and more. When considering the dependability of the supply and employee safety, a substation’s provision of suitable insulation is of utmost importance.
- Isolators
An isolator is a manually operated mechanical switch that separates a healthy section from a damaged section of a conductor, circuit, or substation to prevent more serious problems. That’s why it is also known as a disconnector or disconnecting switch. There are different isolator types helpful for various applications:
Single-break isolators
Double-break isolators
Bus isolators
Line isolators
- Busbar:
A busbar is a conductor that links two or more pieces of equipment placed side by side when currents are extremely high. Substation Protection Equipment has two types of outdoor busbars: rigid and strain.
In the rigid type, pipes connect the various components of the equipment. Strain form busbars are an aerial network of wires supported by strain-type insulators strung across two structural supports. The busbars are rigid. Therefore the clearances remain constant. They are placed in the Substation Protection Equipment.
- Earthing:
To protect personnel and electrical equipment, substations and switching stations must have an efficient, enduring, and reliable earthing system. The voltage levels stay within allowable limits. The earth connection is sufficiently strong to disperse the fault caused by the Substation Protection Equipment to the ground.
Earthing reduces resistance by connecting electrical objects to the mass of the earth.
- Capacitor banks
Since these capacitor banks are a source of reactive power, they can decrease the phase gap between voltage and current. They will boost the supply’s capability for ripple current. It prevents the power system from having undesired traits. It is the most cost-effective way to preserve power factors and correct power lag issues.
- Fencing
The outdoor substation yard has fencing to prevent livestock and illegal people from entering. It needs to be earthed or grounded individually. Normal fencing standards recommend a height of 1.8 meters or more. Every year, fencing needs to be coated with the appropriate paint.
- Distribution panel board
A distribution panelboard in the control room includes MCCBs, control devices, meters, and relays. An earthing conductor must join the panel frame to the earth grid. In front of the panel, you must place a rubber mat of the required size and quality.
Prismecs – the premier provider of protection equipment for substations
In the event of a problem, you must implement substation protection equipment in the power system to ensure continuity of electrical operation, prevent personal injury, and limit equipment damage. Safeguards are useful concerning the desired or necessary level of protection for a particular system.
Prismecs offers a variety of equipment configurations for substation protection. Please feel free to contact us for more information.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with +1 888 7747632 or sales@prismecs.com to discuss your industrial process and how our experts can help. For more information, please visit our website at https://prismecs.com/what-we-do/.