SWITCHYARD

A substation is a part of an electrical generation, transmission, and distribution system.

Substations transform voltage from high to low, or the reverse, or perform any of several other
important functions. Between the generating station and consumer, electric power may flow
through several substations at different voltage levels. A substation may
include transformers to change voltage levels between high transmission voltages and lower
distribution voltages, or at the interconnection of two different transmission voltages.

Fig.- switchyard
Substations may be owned and operated by an electrical utility, or may be owned by a large
industrial or commercial customer. Generally substations are unattended, relying
on SCADA for remote supervision and control.

TRANSFORMERS
A transformer is a static device used for power From one circuit to another without
changing frequency. This is a very basic definition of transformer. Since there is no rotating
or moving part so transformer a static device. Transformers operates on AC supply.
Transformers work on the principal of mutual induction.
 Fig. – Distribution transformer

Basic Parts of a Transformer

These are the basic components of a transformer.
1. Laminated core
2. Windings
3. Insulating materials
4. Transformer oil
5. Tap changer
6. Conservator
7. Breather
8. Cooling tubes
9. Buchholz Relay
10. Explosion vent
Core
The core is used to support the windings in the transformer. It also provides a low reluctance
path to the flow of magnetic flux. It is made of laminated soft iron core in order to reduce
eddy current loss and Hysteresis loss.

Windings
There are two windings wound over the transformer core that are insulated from each other.
Windings consists of several turns of copper coils bundled together, and each bundle is
connected in series to form a winding.
Within the input/output supply classification, windings are further categorized:
1. Primary windings - These are the windings to which the input voltage is applied.
2. Secondary windings - These are the windings to which the output voltage is applied.

Insulating Materials
Insulating paper and cardboard are used in transformers to isolate primary and secondary
windings from each other and from the transformer core.
Transformer oil is another insulating material. Transformer oil can actually have two
functions: in addition to insulating it can also work to cool the core and coil assembly. The
transformer's core and windings must be completely immersed in the oil.

Conservator
The conservator conserves the transformer oil. It is an airtight, metallic, cylindrical drum that
is fitted above the transformer. The conservator tank is vented to the atmosphere at the top,
and the normal oil level is approximately in the middle of the conservator to allow the oil to
expand and contract as the temperature varies.

Breather
The breather controls the moisture level in the transformer. Moisture can arise when
temperature variations cause expansion and contraction of the insulating oil, which then
causes the pressure to change inside the conservator. Pressure changes are balanced by a flow
of atmospheric air in and out of the conservator, which is how moisture can enter the system.

Tap Changer
The output voltage may vary according to the input voltage and the load. During loaded
conditions, the voltage on the output terminal decreases, whereas during off-load conditions
the output voltage increases. In order to balance the voltage variations, tap changers are used.
Cooling Tubes
Cooling tubes are used to cool the transformer oil. The transformer oil is circulated through
the cooling tubes. The circulation of the oil may either be natural or forced. In natural
circulation, when the temperature of the oil rises the hot oil naturally rises to the top and the
cold oil sinks downward.

Buchholz Relay
The Bochholz Relay is a protective device container housed over the connecting pipe from
the main tank to the conservator tank. It is used to sense the faults occurring inside the
transformer. It is a simple relay that operates by the gases emitted due to the decomposition
of transformer oil during internal faults.

Explosion Vent
The explosion vent is used to expel boiling oil in the transformer during heavy internal faults
in order to avoid the explosion of the transformer. During heavy faults, the oil rushes out of
the vent. The level of the explosion vent is normally maintained above the level of the
conservatory tank.

LIGHTING ARESTER
A lightning arrester is a device used electrical telecommunications to protect insulation
conductors of the system from the damaging effects lightning. The typical lightning arrester
has high-voltage and a ground terminal. When a lightning surge (or switching surge, which is
very similar) travels along the power line to the arrester, the current from the surge is diverted
through the arrestor, in most cases to earth.

Fig. -Lighting arrester

ISLATOR

Circuit breaker always trip the circuit but open contacts of breaker cannot be visible physically
from outside of the breaker and that is why it is recommended not to touch any electrical
circuit just by switching off the circuit breaker. So for better safety there must be some
arrangement so that one can see open condition of the section of the circuit before touching
it. Isolator is a mechanical switch.

Fig.- Isolator
which isolates a part of circuit from system as when required. Electrical isolators separate a
part of the system from rest r safe maintenance works.

POTENTIAL TRANSFORMERS

Potential transformer or voltage transformer gets used in electrical power system for stepping
down the system voltage to a safe value which can be fed to low ratings meters and relays.
Commercially available relays and meters used for protection and
metering, are designed for low voltage. This is a simplest form of potential transformer
definition.

Fig. – Potential transformer

Ratio
The PT is typically described by its voltage ratio from primary to secondary. A 600:120 PT
will provide an output voltage of 120 volts when 600 volts are impressed across its primary
winding. Standard secondary voltage ratings are 120 volts and 70 volts, compatible with
standard measuring instruments.

CURRENT TRANSFORMER
A current transformer (CT) is a type of transformer that is used to measure AC Current. It
produces an alternating current (AC) in its secondary which is proportional to the AC current in
its primary. Current transformers, together with voltage transformers (VTs) or potential
transformers (PTs), which are designed for measurement, are known as an Instrument
transformer.

Fig. - Current transformer

BUSBARS
In electric power distribution, a bus bar (also bus bar, buss bar or bussbar) is a metallic
strip or bar, typically housed inside switchgear, panel boards, and busway enclosures for local
high current power distribution. They are also used to connect high voltage equipment at
electrical switchyards, and low voltage equipment in battery banks. They are generally
uninsulated, and have sufficient stiffness to be supported in air by insulated pillars. These
features allow sufficient cooling of the conductors, and the ability to tap in at various points
without creating a new joint.
 Fig.- Bus bar

CIRCUIT BREAKER
A circuit breaker is an automatically operated electrical switch designed to protect
an electrical circuit from damage caused by excess current, typically resulting from
an overload or short circuit. Its basic function is to interrupt current flow after a fault is
detected. Unlike a fuse, which operates once and then must be replaced, a circuit breaker can
be reset (either manually or automatically) to resume normal operation.

Fig.- circuit breaker

EARTHING

Fig.- Grid Earthing

In an electrical installation or an electricity supply system an earthing system or grounding
system connects specific parts of that installation with the Earth's conductive surface for
safety and functional purposes. The point of reference is the Earth's conductive surface, or on
ships, the surface of the sea. The choice of earthing system can affect
the safety and electromagnetic compatibility of the installation.

though many follow the recommendations of the International Electrotechnical

Commission which are described below.

 To protect a structure from lightning strike, directing the lightning through the
earthing system and into the ground rod rather than passing through the
structure.
 As part of a single-wire earth return power and signal lines, such as were used
for low wattage power delivery and for telegraph lines.
 In radio, as a ground plane for large monopole antenna.
 As ancillary voltage balance for other kinds of radio antennas, such as dipoles.
 HYBRID SWITCHGEAR
A hybrid switchgear is one that combines the components of traditional air-insulated
switchgear (AIS) and SF6 gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) technologies. It is characterized by
a compact and modular design, which encompasses several different functions in one
module.
 Circuit breaker
 Combined disconnector and earthing switches
 Voltage transformers and voltage sensors
 Current transformers
 Fast earthing switch options

Fig.- Hybrid Switchgear

ELECTRIC CABLE
An electrical cable is an assembly of one or more wires running side by side or bundled,
which is used to carry electric current.
The Two types of cable:-
1)HIGH TENSION CABLE- A high-voltage cable (HV cable) is a cable used for
electric power transmission at high voltage. A cable includes a conductor and insulation, and
is suitable for being run underground or underwater. This is in contrast to an overhead line,
which does not have insulation.

Fig.- High Tension cable

2)LOW TENSION CABLE- Low voltage power cables are used in electric power
distribution and control cables carry signals from electrical devices, switchgears, etc. to
control room. LT Cables or Low PVC Cables defined as per IS 1554 Part I having voltage
grade up to 3.3kv.

Fig.- Low Tension Cable

RELAY

A relay is an electrically operated switch. Many relays use an electromagnet to mechanically

operate a switch, but other operating principles are also used, such as solid-state relays.
Relays are used where it is necessary to control a circuit by a separate low-power signal, or
where several circuits must be controlled by one signal.

Fig.- Relay

CONTROL PANEL
Control panel is a cabinet which contains electrical components to control the motors and
equipment’s.

Fig. – External view of panel

 Fig- Internal view of panel
CABLES
Cables are used for the interconnection. Two types of cables are used. Power cable and
control cable.
1. Power cables (which is used to connect the motor to panel component and panel to main
supply)
2. Control cables (which is used to connect the control circuits)

BUS BAR
Incoming supply is connected to bus bar and distributed from bus bar. It is normally made by
Aluminium.

MCB (Miniature Circuit Breakers)

MCB is a protecting device. It is used before the feeder. This should be selected according to
the capacity of the feeder

MCCB (Mould Case Circuit Breaker)

In most of the cases the MCCB used as an incomer for higher capacity feeders for better
protection
ELCB (Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker)
The ELCB is also known as RCCB. The device used for the protection against the earth
leakage current and residual current. It should be fixed before the incomer

INCOMER
The basic supply will connected to this incomer. It also called as SFU(Switch Fuse Unit). It
contains one handle with fuse unit. Once it is turned ON the supply will pass to the next stage
through fuse if any major fault occurs in side panel board, it will trip and it isolate supply.

SELECTOR SWITCH
Selector is switch is used for ON/OFF purpose and for selecting the mode of operation like
auto/manual.

STARTERS
Starters are used for starting the motors safely. Mainly two types of starters are there. DOL
starters and Start to delta. Doual starter is enough for the motors with power less than 10 hp.

OVER LOAD RELAY

Over load relay is for the protection of motor from the over load. It senses the load current
and trips if it exceeds the limit. Current limit has to be set manually. It should be 80% of the
full load current.

TIMER
Operation of timer is similar to relay. But a delay is there for actuation. We can set the time
delay manually according to our requirement. It is very much essential for start to delta
conversion.

CONTACTOR
Contactor is an essential component in the control panel. It actuates when the signal from the
controller (PLC, Relay logic) comes. It is similar to relay. It is costlier than relay. It is used
for a higher load.
CABLES TRAY
In the electrical wiring of buildings, a cable tray system is used to support
insulated electrical cables used for power distribution, control, and communication. Cable
trays are used as an alternative to open wiring or electrical conduit systems, and are
commonly used for cable management in commercial and industrial construction.

Fig. – cable tray

Ingression protection