Design and Protection of Distribution Network for Sub Station

and Feeder Automation Work

P.K.PATTANAIK
E&MR Division OPTCL
BURLA
Abstract:This paper focuses on the various approaches of available distribution network
schemes and expected new designs for optimization of the system stability. The protection
scheme on the consideration of proper relay co ordination and particular use of
directional O/CV relays for the purpose of defined path of protection, have also been
discussed here. Some practical examples for sub station and feeder automation work by
contact multiplication of various equipments have also been narrated briefly.
INTRODUCTION
Electrical distribution system
plays an important role in any electric
power system network. Fundamentally it
is defined as the system, which deals the
power supply in between bulk power
source and consumers.
1.1 The effectiveness of any distribution
network is adjudged according to the
following factors.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.

Voltage Regulation
Service continuity
Flexibility
Efficiency
Cost
Restoration of power supply

1.2 Distribution network should have

following characteristics.
A. Should provide with a minimum
voltage fluctuation and frequency
variation of supply.

Voltage Standards
Statutory Limits as per section of IE
Rules, 1956
Type

Magnitude

Low
Voltage
Medium
Voltage
High
Voltage
Extra High
Voltage

Voltage < 250 V

650V > Voltage>
250V
33KV > Voltage>
650V
Voltage> 33KV

Limits
under IE
Rule
6%
6%
+ 6% to
-9%
+ 10% to
-12.5%

As per IEGC
Maximum KV
IEGC
IE
RULE
+10%
400 KV 420
440
(+5%)
220 KV 245
245
(+10%)
132 KV 145
145
(+10%)

EHV
Voltage

Minimum KV
IEGC
IE
RULE
-12.5%
360
350
(-10%)
200
193
( -10%)
120
115
( -10%)

Frequency Standards
a)

Frequency
band
for
safe
operation
of
steam
turbines,adopted in IEGC =
49-50 Hz.
3 % statutory limit as per section
55 of IE Rule 1956.
Declared frequency of supply to
consumer :- Except with written
consent of consumer or with
previous sanction of the state
government, a supplier shall not
permit the frequency of an AC
supply to vary from the declared
frequency by more than 3%

b)
c)

2
3

4
5
6

B. Should provide minimum time of

power interruption and affect
minimum number of consumers.
C. The
overall
cost
including
construction,
operation
and
maintenance should be low.
D. The system should be flexible for
meeting the consumers maximum
demands for the required time of
consumption.
E. Proper planning should be there for
future load extension with minimum
modification of the network.
1.3 Study of distribution
includes the followings.
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.

network

Sub-Transmission lines
Distribution Substation
Primary feeders
Distribution Transformers
Secondary Feeders
Consumers Service Main

7
8
9
10

11
12

Fig. 1
Index for Fig.1
1. Bulk Power supply Source
2. Sub-Transmission Line
3. Distribution Sub- Station ( HT
Bus)
4. HT incomer
5. Distribution
SubStation
Transformer
6. LT incomer
7. Distribution Sub- Station ( LT
Bus)
8. Primary Feeder
9. Distribution Transformer
10. Incomer of Secondaries
11. Secondaries
12. Consumer Services

TYPES OF DISTRIBUTION
I. On the basis of current
i.
AC Distribution
ii. DC Distribution
II. On the basis of arrangement
i.
Radial System
ii. Parallel or Loop Circuit
iii. Interconnected system
2.1 Radial System
Basically for this system the
primary feeders (Distribution Feeders)
from distribution sub-station, distribute
loads directly to the consumers via
distribution transformers and secondary
feeders, as like shown in fig.2. It is
actually a system having a single path,
over which current flows a part or all the
way from sub-station to the consumer
premises.
2.1.1 Protection Control
The general control arrangement
has been shown in the fig.2. In actual
practice for such system fuse controls
are provided on both side of the
distribution transformers and on the
secondaries
(Sub-feeders).
Subtransmission
transformers,
Subtransmission feeders etc are provided
with breaker controls. The relaying
protections are also given for these
breakers.
The branch fuses, transformer
fuses, relaying protection are properly
time graded and co-coordinated, for
which fault on any circuit opens the
affected portion and results minimum
outage.
The main disadvantage of this
system is that, for the case of permanent
fault at the starting end (Sub-

transmission systems, s/s primary

feeders etc) major areas of consumers
get affected from power supply.
The area of outage depends upon
the types of fault and point of fault
occurrence. ( as shown in fig.2 for the
faults B,C,D ). The occurrence of
permanent faults as compared to the
transient and temporary faults is less on
overhead lines. For this reason the feeder
breakers are often made to recluse
automatically with facility of one, two or
three recluses, according to suitability.
To increase the service continuity
of power supply, attempts are made to
improve the radial system. Spare radial
sub-transmission circuit/circuits are
provided along with actual system. This
arrangement permits quick restoration
service when any one of the system is
faulted. This type of system has been
explained in the fig. 3 & 4. Use of
double breaker arrangement and
automatic closing for emergency
restoration increases
the
service
reliability. The automatic switching is
done by contact simulation of the
breakers.
2.2 Parallel or Loop System.
For this system the following
factors should be considered for
designing the sub-transmission lay out.
(Ref. Fig. No.5)
i.
ii.
iii.

iv.

Load Distributions
Topography
(
Physical
position of area loads)
Location and number of subtransmission lines ( Bulk
supplies )
Protection
and
system
flexibility

v.

Size and over loading

capacity of the conductors.

2.2.1 Protection and Control

The usual control mechanisms
for this system have been shown in Fig.
5. The breakers are provided on both
ends of each line. The protection relays
of directional category have been given
on the system. The design of the system
has also been taken, according to the
design criteria as mentioned below.
For realization of the protection
scheme, the following examples are
explained below.
1. For the fault on the tie at point A, the
directional relays 1&2 will be
actuated as according to the coordination, and will isolate the faulty
ties.
For such condition the sub-station
transformers do not get affected, as
because of service extension
results from the other ties.
2. The fault at the point B, C and D are
self explanatory.
3. For the case of bus fault, like fault at
E,F,G etc the bus zone will actuate
for isolation of all the connected
feeders to the bus
4. For the fault like H, the directional
relay 1 will actuate and for the fault
Like I, the corresponding nondirectional relay will cause isolation.
Note : a) Author has only mentioned about the
concept of loop distribution design.
However, for any particular loop
distribution design the relay coordinations
should
be
done,
according to the fault MVA

calculation
at
different
bus/tie/substation etc
b) The inter tripping facility should also
be provided for each tie.
2.3 Inter Connected System
For this system each and every
centers (Distribution sub-station) are tied
with one or multiple ties. One or more
feeding sources are also given for
maintaining the system stability. One of
the typical interconnected systems has
been shown in Fig. 6.
2.3.1 Design Criteria
For designing this system the
following points are considered
1. Location, size and character of large
loads
2. Location, size and character of small
loads
3. Expected load growth of the area
4. Location of bulk power supplies
5. Location and capacity of existing
distribution circuits ( transformers,
sub-station and equipments )
6. Available site for sub-stations
7. Topography ( Available route for
distribution circuits)
2.3.2 Advantages:1. Voltage
regulation:
For
interconnection of sub stations,
proper voltages are obtained at the
consumers premises.
2. Consumer
outage:
Consumer
outage gets reduced. So reliability of
power supply increases. For fault on
any tie, the power gets extended
through other ties and avoids the
power interruption.

3. Distribution loss: - The distribution

loss decreases because of gain in
voltage regulation of the system.
4. Flexibility: - Because of the interconnection
the
addition
or
subtraction of area loads do not
affect the system stability. For any
extra addition of area load s, the
different distribution system takes
care of the extra stress on the system.
5. Overall Cost: - Initial cost of
installation and commission becomes
more. But in long run practice the
overall cost including installation,
commission and operation and
maintenance becomes less in
comparison to the system.
2.3.3 Disadvantages:
1. Installation cost is high.
2. Relay
co
ordination
becomes difficult
3. Practical routing of the
distribution
lines
sometimes
becomes
difficult.
4. During the time of
maintenance
to
any
breakdown
work,
maximum
pre-cautions
are to be taken to avoid
the feed back flow of the
power.
2.3.4 Protection and control
The control mechanism is either
provided with VCB or OCBs for main
ties
and main feeders. For auxiliary
feeders and sub feeders the AB switches/
isolators can be used to control the
power flow on the line.
The protection to the network is
provided with over current B/U relays.
Directional relays are basically used on

sub-transmission feeders and ties, along

with main incoming of the distributing
sub-station transformers. Other feeders
are provided with non-directional relays
as like shown in fig 6.
2.3.4.1 Fault
network

realization

on

the

A. Fault on the Sub-transmission ties

For the case of the fault on the
sub-transmission tie, the directional
relays used on either side of the tie, get
actuated to isolate the faulty portion
from the network. But supply to any
distribution load centers (sub-station 0
does not get hampered. Because other
ties being in connection, provide the
required loads to the system. Moreover
multi-feeding sources (Bulk supplies)
easily take the care of any system
deficiency or surplus
For the example of fault at the
point A of the fig. 6, the relay 1 & 2 at
the either side operates to isolate faulty
tie, without hampering the other ties of
the network.
B. Fault on Sub-Station Bus ( HT
Side )
For this case, the bus zone relay
if provided on the sub station then it
actuates to trip all the connected feeders
to the bus. For the case of non-provision
of this relay, the protection is taken care
by the directional relays present on the
remote end of the connected ties.
For the example of fault at the
point B of the fig.6, the relays involved
in protection are tabulated below.

Relays Tie or feeders to be isolated

1
ab
4
bc
8
1St transformer
9
2nd transformer

*Transformer protection 1. Differential

relay 2. REF etc

During this condition, the relays

on the primary feeder ties (example gh
tie) will be initiated. But before causing
any interruption of power flow on these
ties, the relays present on the S/S
transformers will be actuated to isolate
the faulty portion. Because these relays
[Example relay 8 & 9] are of nondirectional type.

For this case, the non-directional

relays such used on the feeder actuates
and trips the breaker to isolate the faulty
portion

So, for the condition of bus fault

also, the other adjacent substations easily
meet the area loads through primary
feeder ties.
C. Fault on the HT incoming feeder
of S/S transformer:
For this case, the directional relays
used on the feeder only actuates and
trips its own breaker as well as the LT
side breaker in inter trip facility. So the
faulty portion gets isolated from the
network.
The
other
transformer/transformers such connected
in the system takes/take the area load of
the faulty transformer.
For the example of fault at the point C
of the fig. 6, the relay 7 trips its own
breaker and also actuates the relay 9 to
avoid the feed back flow.
Note:
For this fault the *transformer
protection relays if such provided take
care to isolate transformer fro the
supply.

D. Fault on the LT incoming of S/S

transformer

Note:
For this fault the *transformer
protection relays if such provided also
take care to isolate transformer from the
supply.
E. Fault on outgoing primary feeder
The non-directional relay on the
corresponding feeder only actuates to
isolate the faulty feeder from the circuit.
F. Fault on Sub-Station Bus ( LT
Side )
Occurrence of bus fault is very
rare. If this happens then the entire
feeders connected to this bus will be
affected. So, the load areas depending
upon the out going feeders will be
suffered with outage of power supply
this difficult can not be easily overcome
by the procedure as described in fig. 6.
By the use of bus- sectionaliser,
the faulty portion of the bus can be
isolated to extend the power supply
through healthy part of the bus. The use
of multi-bus system can also solve this
type of problem. This spare bus is
utilized to extend the power through out
going feeders to the consumers.

2.4 Idea of Atomization

interconnected system.

of

the

From the system study of fault

analysis, on the over head line, operating
with either high voltage (11 KV to 66
KV) or extra high voltage, it has been
seen that 80 90 % faults are transient
and temporary. Only 10-20 % faults are
permanent. So the idea of using autoreclose scheme came into the practice.
The auto reclosing becomes easy
to adopt in radial system. For the case of
inter-connected distribution system also,
this scheme can also be used when
connected with multi-inputs of same
system sources or same synchronized
sources. Because, reclosing of the line
for these cases does not involve the
chance of the loss of synchronism or
system stability. Problem of loss of
synchronism and system disturbance
may arise for the interconnected network
fed with more than one different power
sources.
2.5 Use of Auto Re-closure scheme
1. The breakers on the tie feeders should
be given with auto re-closure facility
2. The primary feeders ( out going
feeders) should also be given re-closure
facility

3.But the breakers on the transformers

should be avoided with the use of auto
re-closure facility
4.The choice of dead-time and reclaim
time of the scheme should be taken,
according to the sensitivity and
selectivity of the system equipments,

protection scheme and

consumers in connection

type

of

5.Similarly the no of shots for reclosing

of the breaker, before permanent
lockout, should be considered according
to the system flexibility
Note :Author has only mentioned the concept
of the use of auto reclosing system. But
the detail design of the scheme requires
detail study of the actual networking
circuit, regarding its stability, power
flow study, system design etc
2.6 New Idea of fault free auto closing
of the breaker
From the study of the described
interconnected distribution system, it got
concluded that for the fault on any tie,
power supply interruption does not
affect to the system. So, quick
restoration / reclosing of the breaker for
power flow on the tie does not become
important. Moreover, reclosing of the
breaker with wrong design of the dead
time and reclaim time, sometimes results
with severe damage to the equipments
and also converts transient faults into
permanent faults. For the case of
permanent fault on the system, every
shot of closing of the breaker results
electrical and mechanical stresses on the
system, which causes the reduction of
life span of the equipments. So it is
always advantageous to close the
breaker for a fault free feeder
For the new idea of fault free
auto closing of the breaker, the fault
detector circuits are installed on the
network, which automatically detects the

presence of fault on the circuit and

accordingly sends signal for operation of
the breakers. For any faulty feeder, the
fault detector circuit continuously
monitors the status of the feeder and
blocks the signal for closing of the
breaker till to the time of clearance of
the fault. After clearance of the fault,
signal is automatically extended for
closing of the breaker. This method of
monitoring the status of the fault on the
feeder and deciding out put signal for
breaker
operation
is
repeated
automatically with interval of every 5
minutes.
For use of automatic system, the
following benefits are obtained
I. The sub-station can be operated
automatically. Because of unmanned S/S, The wages of the
personnel are saved.
II. Operation cost, maintenance
cost also becomes less.
III. The reliability of the system
also increases
Note:
The detail fault locator circuit,
its design and characteristic to the
system network are beyond the scope of
this paper. So author has only mentioned
the general idea of adoption of the
scheme.
MODEL PRIMARY
DISTRIBUTION NETWORK
Few idea of such network have
been explained in fig. 7 & 8.
MODEL
S/S
ARRANGEMENT

BUS

BAR

Few idea of such network have been

explained in fig. 9,10 &11

CONCLUSION
Interconnected
distribution
system is relatively advantageous as
compared to the other system. The relay
coordination on the basis of power flow
study becomes difficult for this
interconnected distribution system