EE 137 – DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND

SUBSTATION DESIGN

TOPIC NO. 1 – OVERVIEW OF

DISTRIBUTION
The Philippine Grid Code
• The Philippine Grid Code (PGC) establishes and
documents the basic rules, requirements, procedures and
standards that govern the operation, maintenance and
development of the high-voltage backbone transmission
system of the Philippines.
 TRANSFORMER SUB-STATION TRANSFORMER

G
GENERATION TRANSMISSION/DISTRIBUTION
END-USER
 G G G GENERATORS

TRANSFORMER

TRANSMISSION SUBSTATION
TYPICAL
ELECTRICAL
TRANSMISSION LINES
POWER
NETWORK HIGH-VOLTAGE SUBSTATION

TRANSFORMER
MAIN DISTRIBUTION SUBSTATION

SECONDARY DISTRIBUTION SUBSTATION

TRANSFORMER

LOW-VOLTAGE SUBSTATION
 VOLTAGE LEVELS

Voltage levels are defined internationally, as follows: High Voltage

• Low voltage: up to 1000 V • 115,000
• Medium voltage: above 1000 V up to 36 kV • 138,000
• High voltage: above 36 Kv • 161,000
• 230,000
ANSI C84.1 – 1989
Low Voltage Extra-High Voltage
• 240 V 208 Y / 120 • 345,000
• 480 V 240 Y / 120 • 500,000
• 600 V 480 Y / 277 • 765,000
Medium Voltage
• 2,400 , 4,160 , 4,800 , 6,900 , 8,320 , Ultra-High Voltage
• 12,000 , 12,470 , 13,200 , 13,800 , 20,780 , 22,860 • 1,100,000 V
• 23,000, 34,500 , 46,000 , 69,000
 A distribution device has
another term that is a
service transformer. It is an
instrument that supplies
the final voltage
transformation in the
power network, stepping
down the output employed
in the distribution lines to
the users’ rating.
A distribution transformer is also introduced as a typical form
of an isolation transformer. The basic function of this
transformer is to modify the high voltage to the standard
output like 240/120 V to apply in electric energy distribution.
DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMER CONSTRUCTION

1. Conservator,
2. Oil tank,
3. Breather unit,
4. Buchholz relay,
5. Oil indicator,
6. Pressure relief device,
7. Temperature detector,
8. Radiator,
9. Thermal relay,
10. Bushing.
1. Conservator is installed above the oil tank at the outside of the transformer unit.
It is attached to the basic tank by using a metallic tube. The oil through the tank can be
simply contacted and enlarge all overloading so that the temperature of the oil can be
decreased or increased.

2. Oil tank is employed to soak the windings by placing them in.

3. Breather set consists of silica gel that absorbs the humidity of the oil. It modifies
its color from blue to pink.

4. Buchholz relay is applied when a conservator tank is performed since it monitors

errors like a waste of oil when it goes low, improper moving of oil between the
transformer and tank.

5. Oil indicator determines the rate of the oil through the conservatory unit.
6. Pressure relief part reduces the pressure through the transformer to prevent an
explosion of the device.

7. Temperature detector identifies the oil temperature. If the oil temperature

increases to a particular level, then the device will be disconnected from the system.

8. Radiator is applied to improve the transformer’s cooling efficiency.

9. Thermal relay is employed as an indicator for the winding temperature.

10. Bushing is utilized to connect the internal sections of the transformer using an
exterior electrical network.
Distribution Transformer Design
A distribution transformer includes four main components
that determine its design.

These main parts are:

1. Input Connection,
2. Output Connection,
3. Windings or Coils,
4. Core.
Input Connections
Input connections are also introduced as the primary section
since electricity goes into the system; it should be connected
to this site.

Output Connections
The output section has another name, which is the secondary
part of the transformer. In that section, electrical energy is sent
to the electric instrument in your factories or house.
Commonly, the voltage in the transformer’s output section (or
secondary side) is lower than in the primary section.

One of the basic differences between a power transformer and

a distribution transformer is that a power type commonly has
one secondary and one primary or one output and input
setup. A distribution transformer may have one primary
section and two or more secondary components, according to
the purpose.
Winding
All forms of transformers include two windings, and the distribution transformer is
identical. It is classified into primary and secondary types. The primary one has a
performance of drawing energy from the supply. The secondary type transmits
electric energy to electrical equipment.

Core
The transformer core presents a path that determines the magnetic flux produced
in the transformer. Commonly, the core is not a solid steel bar. It consists of several
laminated steel sheets, or plates folded neatly. This model is to eliminate or reduce
the heating.
The transformer’s cores have two forms employed based on users’ demand: Core Type and Shell
Type. The major difference between these forms is how the primary and secondary sections folded
around the steel core.

Core type: The windings are turned in the laminated core.

Shell type: The laminated core wraps the components.
Once the input voltage enters the primary winding, alternating current begins to move in this
winding. When the current goes across it, a constant changing and alternating field are produced in
the transformer’s core. Once this magnetic field operates through the secondary winding, a new
alternating voltage is created in that one.
 The main aspect of identifying the transformer kinds and the output voltage is the rating of
practical turns of wire on each side. Say the turn number of the primary and secondary section is
N1 and N2, the voltage in the two sides call V1 and V2; so, we have this equation:

If the output winding voltage is greater than the input voltage, then the secondary side has more
wire turns than the primary section. So, the output voltage increased larger, also introduced as “a
step-up transformer.” However, if the output voltage is less than the input one, it’s known as “a
step-down transformer. Typically, a distribution transformer operates as a step-down transformer.
Single Phase
These transformers are particularly employed for applications wherever a three-phase source is not needed.
Typically, these are utilized for repairing overhead distribution powers in residential cases. These are also
applicable in light commercial loads, industrial lighting, and power applications.
Three Phase
This type of distribution transformer is used to keep electrical energy from the basic distribution
network to a minor distribution user. This form of transformer sends the current to a secondary
distribution case and also decreases the voltage of the primary component. These types decrease the
voltage source for the primary network according to the user requirement.

This voltage often modifies and

can be dissimilar for the
consumers of residential,
commercial, and light industries.
These devices operate based on
the different ratings of frequency
and voltage according to the
standards defined in various
countries. While a single-phase
type is employed in residential
applications, a three-phase form
with a pad is used in primary
underground networks.
Pad-Mounted
This form of distribution transformer consists of a locked steel cupboard that is configured on
a concrete pad. This type is set in locations where they do not have enough place for a fenced
enclosure. This device can be employed with electric energy distribution lines at an overhead
electrical path for dropping the primary voltage to provide for the customers. A single type of
this pad-mounted transformer can serve several homes/a large building. The power level of
this type differs from 75 kVA to 5000 kVA and contains fixed fuses and switches.
Difference Between Power Transformer and Distribution
Transformer

The main differences between a power transformer and a

distribution transformer are summarized below:

Power transformers are employed in the transmission line of greater

voltages for step down and step up cases (400 kV, 200 kV, 110 kV, 66
kV, 33kV) and are typically rated above 200MVA.

On the other hand, a distribution transformer is used for lower

voltage applications as a means to end consumer connectivity (11kV,
6.6 kV, 3.3 kV, 440V, 230V) and is normally rated less than 200 MVA.
END