Vocational Training

At

WBSEB
Sonarpur
(33 kV Sub-station)

Report prepared by:

SAIKAT ADAK
Netaji Subhash Engineering College

Order No: DIR/HRD/VAC/100

Training Duration: 19.06.2006 to 15.07.2006

 Training at Sonarpur Sub Station (33 KV)
Submitted by Saikat Adak

If this is the age of computer then electricity is the most important part of this age.
To generate electricity we have power generating station. To transmit the energy
from generation end to demand end distribution system is developed. Power is
needed in various heavy industries and houses that is why power generation and
transmission is most important need in this age.
In a sub-station various transformers are mounted for stepping up and stepping
down purposes. Sub-station plays a most important part in the distribution system.
West Bengal State Electricity Board (WBSEB) is a State Government undertaking.
WBSEB is the main power transmitter in rural areas. Sonarpur sub-station is part of
WBSEB. It is a 132 KV/33KV/25KV sub-station.
It was established in1962 primarily to supply eastern railway with 25 KV. Then it
had only two transformers (T1, T20 to cater the need of eastern railway. Later with
development of nearby areas it was used to supply various areas with 33 KV lines.
Now it has total five transformers and supplies power to Behala-Falta, Garia,
Mahinagar and Sonarpur areas.

INTERCONNECTION:
Interconnection is basically made for backup and efficient transmission. Sonarpur
sub-station is connected with three sub-stations Kasba, Behala-Falta and
Lakshmikantapur. Sonarpur sub-station is fed with 132 KV by these sub-station-
stations. Lakshmikantapur sub-station is connected to Sonarpur by Behala-Falta
double circuit. But the principle feeder of Sonarpur is Kasba through 132 KB. In
Sonarpur it is step down to 32 KV and sends to Garia, Sonarpur, Mahinagar. 25 KV
single phase power is sent to Easter Railway.

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 Training at Sonarpur Sub Station (33 KV)
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Lakshmikantapur Jeerat

Falta Behal Kasba

a

Sonarpur
25 KV 33 KV

Eastern Sonarpur Garia Mahinaga

Railway r

EQUIPMENTS:
In sub-station-station we came across a number of equipments, which are integral
parts and important for distribution of power. A brief analysis is done here about the
equipments shown in Sonarpur Sub-station.

INSTRUMENT TRANSFORMERS: CT & PT

The line in the sub-station operates at high voltages and carry large amount of
current. The measuring instrument and protective devices are designed for low
voltages. Therefore they will not work satisfactorily if mounted directly on the
power lines. The function of instrument transformers is to transfer voltages and
currents of power lines to a value which is convenient for operation of measuring
and relays.

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 Training at Sonarpur Sub Station (33 KV)
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CURRENT TRANSFORMER (CT):

It is a step down transfer which steps down the current to a know ratio. The primary
of this transformer consists of one or more thick wires connected in series with the
line and hence is dependant upon the load connected to the system. The secondary
consists of a large number of turns of fine wires and provided for the measuring
instruments and relays, a current which is a constant function of the line current. It
also does the work of sensing abnormalities in current and sent signal the relays to
isolate the defective system.

Specification of CT:
Voltage class - 11 KV, 50 Hz
Outgoing - 200/100/1 Amp.
Incoming - 200/100/1 Amp.

POTENTIAL TRANSFORMERS (PT):

It is a step down transformers, which steps down the voltage to known ratio. The
primary of this transformer consists of a large number of turns of fine wires
connected across the line. The secondary winding consists of a few turns and
provided for measuring instruments and relays. PTs are used to operate voltmeters,
potential coil of wattmeter and relay from high voltage lines by step down to lower
voltage.

Specification of PT:
Ratio - 33 KV / 100 V
Primary Winding - 33 KV
Type - Earthed
Secondary Winding - 100 V

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 Training at Sonarpur Sub Station (33 KV)
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TRANSFORMERS:
Transformers are the most essential part of a sub-station. In Sonarpur there are three
transformers; TR-1, TR-2, TR-3, all of which are 33/11 KV, 6.3 MVA. These
transformers supplies power to the local factories like Shalimer, Daubor etc.,
Railway Car-shade and residence of Sonarpur region.
Inside the transformer a high voltage windings are wound over low voltage winding
on a metallic core. There are three such arrangements each for a phase. These three
arrangements are inside the transformer tank, which is filled with transformer oil.
Transformer oil does the primary work of cooling the windings and core which tend
to release heat during operation.
Externally transformers have the appearance of a huge metallic container. We can
observe conservator tank, Bucholtz Relay, Breather, Oil and Winding temperature
meter etc. It also has large radiator grills to dissipate the heat from transformer oil
and cool it down. The bushings are present for taking in and out the power lines
from the transformer. Conservator tank helps in maintaining the oil level inside the
transformer. The vaporized oil is condensed to liquid form in that tank. Breather
serves the purpose of absorbing moisture from air that comes in contact with
Transformer Oil. Breather contains silica gel which absorbs moisture. In modern
transformers balloon arrangement is used. The balloon membrane is a porous
material which allows dry air to pass through and absorbs moisture which degrades
the Transformer Oil. Transformer also has a tap changing arrangement which helps
in varying the voltage in transformer. Tap changer is based on the H.V. winding
because precision is higher than low voltage winding and as H.V. winding is wound
outside, bringing the tap pointer is easier and mechanism is easier than tap changer
in L.V. winding, which is inside.
Tap changers are of two types:
i) ON Load tap changer
ii) OFF Load tap changer

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 Training at Sonarpur Sub Station (33 KV)
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During yearly maintenance the important tests are Transformer Oil Test and
Insulation Resistance test.

In Transformer Oil test:

Limit per IS
Acidity (mg of KOH/gm) 0.5 max
Neutralization Value
Tan Delta (90, C) 0.2 max
Dielectric Dissipation Factor
Resistivity (-cm at 90) 0.1000 X 1012 min
Dielectric Strength 50 KV min
Break Down Voltage (BDV)
Moisture content (PPM) 0.25 max
Insulation Resistance 5000X106
HV-E, LV-E, HV-LV

Specification of Transformers:
Transformer 1:
2V
Type: Three Phase
Volts at no load: HV 33000
LV - 11000
2V
Amps: HV 110.22
2N
LV 330.66
DYN-11
Frequency: 50 Hz. 2W

Cooling Type: ONAM

Vector Diagram
Vector group: DYN-11
Mass of oil: 2680 Kg.
Total mass: 13350 Kg.
Volume of oil: 3100 Ltrs.

Transformer 2 and 3:
Type: Power transformer
KVA: 6300
Volts at no load: HV 33000

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LV - 11000
Amps: HV 110.22
LV 330.66
Frequency: 50 Hz.
Cooling Type: ONAM
Vector group: DYN-11
Total amount of TFRS: 13620 Kg. 1U

Core and Winding: 7120 Kg.

2V
Weight of oil: 2680 Kg.
Maxm oil temperature: 50-55C
Phases: HV 3
2V
2N
LV - 3
Test voltage: HV 70 KV 2W

LV 28 KV 1W
1V
(DYN-11)

Vector Diagram

CONDUCTORS:
Conductors carry electrical power from sending end to receiving end stations. They
are one of the most important as most of capital outlay is invested on them.
The distribution of current throughout the cross-section of a conductor is uniform
only when D.C is passing through it. When A.C flows through a conductor, the
current is non-uniformly distributed over the cross-section in a manner that current
density is higher at the surface compared to the centre of the conductor. This effect
becomes more pronounced with increase in frequency. This phenomenon is called
SKIN EFFECT. This causes large power loss in A.C transmission. To minimize this
effect stranded conductors are used which have added advantage of flexibility.
Aluminium conductor steel reinforced (ACSR) is most commonly used in overhead
transmission lines. Aluminium is used because it is cheaper and lighter than copper
but with less conductivity and tensile strength. To strengthen the conductor, it is

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steel reinforced. ACSR conductors have different specifications and are

differentiated with names of animals like deer, dog, panther, zebra etc.

In Sonarpur sub-station 132kv lines were ACSR, the main bus was ACSR-moose and
transfer bus was ACSR-panther. The 220kv Jeerat Lakshmikantapur line has ACSR
- zebra while 33kv lines have ACSR-dog. The interconnections within the sub-station
are done with ACSR-panther. The aluminium bus pipes used in 132kv lines are 2.5
inches in diameter while in 33kv and 25kv lines it is 1.5 inches in diameter.

Specifications of Conductors:
ACSR-panther: 30 aluminium and 7steel wires.
ACSR-zebra : 54 aluminium and 7 steel wires.

ISOLATORS:
Isolators are used in breaking a circuit. Isolators can be both mechanically or
remotely operated. Isolators operate on no-load condition. It does not have specified
current breaking or current making capacity. While opening a circuit, the circuit
breaker is opened first, and then isolator and lastly earthing isolator is closed. While
closing a circuit, earthing isolator is opened first, and then isolator is closed followed
by circuit breaker.

CIRCUIT BREAKERS (CB):

Circuit breakers are most important protective devices. With the help of C.T, P.T and
relays they can be made to trip automatically to disconnect any faulty circuit. Circuit
breakers consist of fixed contact, moving contact, extinguishing chamber, roller,
insulation, breather etc. The moving contact with the help of rollers is responsible for
closing and opening of circuit. They are inside the extinguishing chamber and the
whole arrangement is kept inside an oil-filled chamber. Transformer oil is
responsible for cooling.

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 Training at Sonarpur Sub Station (33 KV)
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Circuit breakers are of many types, but in Sonarpur sub-station we come across
vacuum circuit breakers and oil circuit breakers.

VACUUM CIRCUIT BREAKERS (VCB):

A vacuum system is one in which the pressure is at a value below the atmospheric
pressure and is measured in terms of millimeters of mercury. In a vacuum of the
order of 0.00001 torr the mean free path is of the order of few meters and thus, when
the electrodes are separated by a few millimeters an electron crosses the gap without
any collision. Therefore, in a vacuum the current growth prior to breakdown cannot
take place due to electron avalanches.

Specifications of VCB:
Ratings: Voltage- 36kv, Current- 1250amps, Frequency- 50hz, Poles- 3, Breaking
Capacity- 25ka, Making Capacity- 62.5ka, Short Time Current- 25ka, D.C
Component- 50%, Shunt Trip- 30vdc, Closing Coil- 30 VDC, Make- Crompton
Greaves.

OIL CIRCUIT BREAKERS:

In these breakers, some insulating oil is used as an arc-quenching medium. The
contacts are opened under oil and an arc is struck between them. Mineral oil has
better insulating properties than air.

TYPES OF OIL CIRCUIT BREAKER:

The oil circuit breakers find extensive use in power systems. They are of following
types:
1) Bulk oil circuit breaker:
a) Plain break oil circuit breakers, and
b) Arc control oil circuit breakers.
2) Low oil circuit breakers.

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 Training at Sonarpur Sub Station (33 KV)
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Specifications of OCB:
Type: KAD, Mechanism: spring box (manual), Voltage: 12kv, Current: 800 Amps,
Phase: 3, Frequency: 50 Hz, Breaking Capacity: 18.4 KA, Making capacity: 46 KAP,
I.L.: 28 KV / 75 KVP, Short time rating: 18.4 KA for 3 seconds, Shunt trip: 30 VDC,
Make: Alstom.

LIGHTNING ARRESTOR:
A lightning arrestor or a surge diverter provides protection against lightning and
traveling waves. They are protective devices that conduct the high voltage surges on
the power system to the ground.

Types of lightning arrestors:

1) Rod gap arrestor,
2) Horn gap arrestor,
3) Multi-gap arrestor,
4) Thyrite lightning arrestor.

Lightning arrestors are composed of insulators with air gaps and non-linear
resistances in between them. Neal gapless arrestors have zinc sulfide which does the
work of both line gaps and non-linear resistance.

D.C. SYSTEM:
Protection scheme of transformers and circuit breakers are D.C based. It is such that
because this system is completely independent in operation from A.C supply except
charging of battery which are D.C sources. Moreover this system is free from any
voltage fluctuations which might affect the protection system adversely and even
cause failure.

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 Training at Sonarpur Sub Station (33 KV)
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The D.C system consists of power stack VRLA (Valve Regulated Lead Acid) batteries
and battery charger.
Power-stack batteries These are maintenance free type and work on oxygen
recombination principle. The oxygen gas generated at the positive plate is
transported in gaseous state through porous and highly absorbent mat separator to
negative plate where it gets reduced thus effectively reducing hydrogen evolution.
Battery charger Battery charger is charging the battery in various modes and at the
same time to supply load requirements. The system consists of two battery chargers-
1) Float charger, 2) Float cum boost charger (FCBC) with contactor interlocking
circuit and alarm indication circuit. They work on 415vac, 3-phase, and 50 Hz
supply.

Specifications of Battery Charger:

Type: Auto/Manual 30vdc, 16 amps. Float cum boost charger.
Ratings: I/p- 230(+/-) 20% VAC
Phase: 1, Frequency: 50(+/-) 2 Hz
Output D.C: Float: 32.5vdc
Boost: 27.4vdc
Output Current: Load: 0.6amps
Battery:10amps
Make: Hillton Electronics, Kolkata-700010.

PROTECTING POWER FROM STEALING:

In the sub-station we saw a meter which is manufactured by Secure Meters Ltd. It
can measure everything related to power. This instrument is connected with main
controlling center by internet (telephone line). So any time any controller can
compare the amount of power left by the sub-station and the amount of power for
which consumers paid bill. Hence can check the power lost in the way. Now some
units are given which a Secure Meter can measure -

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VA, Wh, VA, V, A, W, PFAC, Hz, Time, VAHr

SYSTEM LAYOUT:
Power is led to Sonarpur Transmission sub-station through two lines- one from
Kasba sub-station, another from Behala-Falta sub-station. The supply is of 132 KV
magnitudes which is step down by two 132/25 KV transformer and 132/33 KV
transformer. 25KV is supplied to eastern Railways and 32 KV is supplied to Garia,
Mahinagar and Sonarpur regions.

The 32 KV line is also fed to Sonarpur Distribution sub-station. It has three

transformers of which two are in group-1 and other is in group-2. These
transformers are step down transformer of rating 33/11 KV. After stepping down to
11 KV the voltage is fed to local consumer factory and Railway Car shade.

All the transformers are protected by current transformers (CT), Circuit Breakers
(CB) and lightning arrester (LA). Potential Transformer (PT) and Current
Transformers (CT) are both protection as well as measuring device which helps a
measuring inflow and outflow of energy.

Transfer Bas is provided in the sub-station so that for any occurrence of fault or
maintenance, the main bus is disconnected, power can be transmitted to the various
transformers. Power is transferred to the transferred bus with the help of a bus
coupler. CT and PT of the bus coupler are for safety purpose.

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S CHEMATIC L AYOUT D IAGRAM OF K ALIKAPUR 33 KV

S UB - STATION :
During our training period, we visited Kalikapur sub-station is as it resembles with
Sonarpur sub-station. It is also a 33/11 KV sub-station. It has VCB, CT, PT,
transformer (33/11 KV), oil circuit breaker etc. The layout of this sub-station follows:

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C OMMUNICATION :
Communication is essential in power system for better arrangement.
Communications are of following type.

PLCC Power Line Carrier communication:

It is a communication method where signals are already existing power lines rather
than optical fibers or radio waves. This equipment operates at frequency below 600
KHz to transmit information.
The power line carrier is usually coupled to the power line by means of coupling
capacitor, in conjunction with a line trap. Supply to this system is DC. The web trap
is a tuned inductor where high frequency gets blocked and power frequency (50 Hz)
electric signal passes to electric circuit. Coupling capacitor blocks the low frequency
but passes the high frequency. Line Matching Unit (LMU) matches the impedance of
the power line with that of co-axial cable for carrier communication. LMDU (Line
Matching Dual Unit) is used in one phase while another has LMU. Two phase
system is for backing purpose. The signal is then sent to transmitter. After
amplification it then sent to handset through the exchange.

VHF Very High Frequency:

There are separate tower in which antenna is fitted for communication of
substations. A VHF set is employed for this purpose for frequency in range of 30
MHz to 300 MHz. The VHF is a trans-receiver set. It works on DC and has a battery
charger.

Telephone Line:
This is very common way of communication and is in every sub-station.

SATCOM:
This method of communication is through the satellite with the help of SATCOM
and VSAT equipments. Till now it is under process.

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B ULK C ONSUMERS U NDER S ONARPUR 33 KV S/S:

NAME OF CONSUMER TYPE & MAX. DEMAND

1. M/s OMGC L.T 50 KVA
2. Divn. Rly. Manager, E/Rly, Sealdah. H.T 150 KVA
3. NIC Limited. H.T 240 KVA
4. Shalimar Chemicals. H.T 150 KVA
5. S.K Paul & Co. H.T 250 KVA
6. Dabur India Ltd. H.T 450 KV
7. Rupali Udyog. L.T 125 KVA
8. Laurel Bakery Pvt. Ltd. L.T 67 KVA
9. Senbo Industries. Engineering College, Garia H.T 500 KVA
10. Arim Icecream Ltd. (Unit I) L.T 63 KVA
11. Diach Engineering. L.T 66 KVA
12. Ben & Jerry Cake Works Ltd. L.T 50 KVA
13. ACC Ltd. H.T 200 KVA
14. Future Institute of Engg. and Management. L.T 80 KVA
15. Divn. Engineer,E/Rly, Sealdah,Sonarpur carshed H.T 200 KVA
16. Netaji Subhash Engineering College L.T 125 KVA

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE:

Sonarpur 33kv /11kv substation has mainly two kinds of work which can be
categorized as operation and maintenance.

Operation: the main job in operation is to measure the amount of energy flowing
in and out of substation, amount of load being supplied by the substation. According
to the load the need of changing of tap in the transformer is also the duty of
operation. Reporting and recording about winding and oil temperature,
maintaining the daily log chart is also the work of operation. If any anomaly or fault
is located it is duty of operation to report it to the maintenance and control room.

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Maintenance: Maintenance department is responsible for maintenance and

reporting of transformers, C.T, P.T circuit breakers etc. They take readings of
different component (transformer, CB etc.) and check the trend of performance.
Maintenance department also has the job of taking care of towers under Sonarpur
sub-division jurisdiction. They are tower numbers 27 to 43 in Kasba-Sonarpur line,
16 to 56 in Joka - Sonarpur line and 165 to 254 in Jeerat - Lakshmikantapur line. They
do the work of line patrolling, clearing brush and prevent plants growing around the
towers. They also check whether tower legs and conductors insulation are in good
condition.

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