Unit –V Topic: Substation Layout (AIS, GIS)

Substation
The assembly of apparatus used to change some characteristic (e,g voltage, A.C to D.C, frequency, p.f
etc) of electric supply is called a sub-station.
Functions of substation
1. To receive energy transmitted at high voltage from the generating stations.
2. To reduce the voltage to a value appropriate for local distribution.
3. To provide facilities for switching
Requirement of substation
1. It should be located at proper site.
2. It should provide safe and reliable arrangement
3. It should be easily operated and maintained
4. It should involve minimum capital cost
Classification of substation
Classification is based on
1. According to service requirement
2. According to constructional features

1. According to service requirement

(i) Transformer substation
Function : Change the voltage level of electric supply
(ii) Switching substation
Function : perform the switching operations of the power lines.
(iii) Power factor correction substation
Function : Improve the power factor of the system with the use of synchronous condensers
(iv) Frequency changer substation
Function : change the supply frequency for industrial utilization
(v) Converting substation:
Function : convert ac power to dc power and vice versa
(vi) Industrial substation
Function : which supply power to individual industrial concerns

2. According to constructional features

(i) Indoor substations: The substations are constructed under roof is called indoor type substation.
Generally 11KV and sometime 33KV substation are of this type.
(ii) Outdoor substation: Outdoor type substations are constructed in open air. Nearly all 132KV, 220KV,
400KV substation are outdoor type substation.
(iii) Underground substation: The substation is situated at underground is called underground
substation. In congested places where place for constructing distribution substation is difficult to find
out, one can go for underground sub – station scheme.
(iv) Pole mounted substation: Pole mounted substation are mainly distribution substation constructed
on two pole , four pole and sometime six or more poles structures. In these type of substation fuse
protected distribution transformer are mounted on poles along with electrical isolator switches.
Transformer substation
The majority of the substations in the power system are concerned with the changing of voltage level of
electric supply. These are known as transformer substation. Depending upon the purpose served
substation may be classified in to
(i) step up substation (ii) Primary grid substation (iii) Secondary substation (iv) Distribution substation
Fig. shows the block diagram of a typical electric supply system indicating the position of above types of
sub-stations.
(i) Step up substation (11kV/220kV)
Step up substations are associated with generating stations. Generation of power is limited to low
voltage levels due to limitations of the rotating alternators. These generating voltages must be stepped
up for economical transmission of power over long distance. So there must be a step up substation
associated with generating station.
(ii) Primary grid step down substation (220kV/66kV)
The primary grid step down sub stations is created nearer to load center along the primary transmission
lines. Here primary transmission voltages are stepped down to different suitable voltages for secondary
transmission purpose.
(iii) Secondary substation (66kV/11kV)
Along the secondary transmission lines, at load center, the secondary transmission voltages are further
stepped down for primary distribution purpose. The stepping down of secondary transmission voltages
to primary distribution levels are done at secondary step down substation.
(iv) Distribution substation (11kV/440v)
Distribution substations are situated where the primary distribution voltages are stepped down to
supply voltages for feeding the actual consumers through a distribution network.

Equipment in a Transformer sub- station

1. Bus-bars
It is an electrical conductor that carries a large current, especially one that is part of a power distribution
system ; it is made up of thick strip, or a tube, of copper or aluminium. It makes a common connection
between several circuits.
Types (i) single bus bar arrangement (ii) single bus bar system with sectionalisation (iii) Double bus bar
arrangement
2. Insulators
It provides necessary clearances ( i.e. insulation) between conductors and metal work, the conductors
are attached to insulators It also provides the necessary mechanical support for the conductor .
Material : Porcelain Types of insulators: Pin type , suspension type, Post type etc.,
3. Isolating switches:
It is used to disconnect a part of the system for general maintenance and repairs. This is accomplished
by an isolating switch or isolator.
4. Circuit breakers
A circuit breaker is an equipment which can open or close a circuit under normal as well as fault
condition Types of circuit breakers : oil circuit breakers, air blast circuit breakers, vacuum or SF 6 circuit
breaker etc.,
Note : In a substation first open then circuit breaker and then open the isolators. An Isolators cannot be
used to open a circuit under normal condition. It is because it has no provision to quench the arc that is
produced during opening operation. Hence the use of circuit breaker is essential.
5. Power Transformer
It is used to step up or step down the voltage
6. Instrument transformers
The lines in sub-stations operate at high voltages and carry current of thousands of amperes.
The function of these instrument transformers is to transfer voltages or current in the power lines to
values which are convenient for the operation of measuring instruments and relays.
There are two types of instrument transformers (1) Current transformer (2) Potential transformer
7. Metering and indicating instruments
Ammeters, voltmeters, energy meters are installed in a substation to maintain watch over the circuit
quantities.
8. Miscellaneous equipment
Fuses, carrier current equipment, sub-station auxiliary supplies.

Underground substation
Pole mounted substation
Key diagram of 11kV/400kV indoor substation
Air insulated substation(AIS)
 Air used as a dielectric.
 Normally used for outdoor substations.
 In very few cases used for indoor substations.
 Easy to expand (in case that space is not an issue)
 Excellent overview, simple handling and easy access.

Limitations of AIS:
 Large dimensions due to statutory clearances and poor dielectric strength of air.
 Insulation deterioration with ambient conditions and susceptibility to pollutants.
 Wastage of space.
 Life of steel structures degrades.
 Seismic instability.
 Large planning & execution time.
 Regular maintenance of the substation required.

The need for G.I.S ( Gas Insulated substation)

 Non availability of sufficient space.
 Difficult climatic and seismic conditions at site.
 Urban site (high rise building).
 High altitudes.
 Limitations of AIS.
Gas Insulated Substation:
Introduction:
 Compact, multi-component assembly.
 Enclosed in a ground metallic housing.
 Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6) gas – the primary insulating medium.
 (SF6) gas- superior dielectric properties used at moderate pressure for phase to phase and
phase to ground insulation
 Preferred for voltage ratings of 72.5 kV, 145 kV, 300 kV and 420 kV and above.
 Various equipments like Circuit Breakers, Bus-Bars, Isolators, Load Break Switches, Current
Transformers, Voltage Transformers, Earthing Switches, etc. housed in metal enclosed modules
filled with SF6 gas.
Properties of SF6:
• Non-toxic, very stable chemically.
• Man-made.
• Lifetime – Very long (800 to 3200 years!).
• Insulating properties 3-times that of air.
• Colorless & heavier than air.
• Almost water insoluble.
• Non inflammable.
Advantages of GIS :
 Occupies very less space (1/10th) compared to ordinary substations.
 Hence, most preferred where area for substation is small (eg: Cities)
 Most reliable compared to Air Insulated Substations.
 Number of outages due to the fault is less
 Maintenance Free.
 Can be assembled at workshop and modules can be commissioned in the plant easily.
Main Drawbacks:
• High cost compared to conventional substation(AIS).
• Excessive damage in case of internal fault.
• Diagnosis of internal fault and rectifying takes very long time (high outage time).
• SF6 gas pressure must be monitored in each compartment.
• Reduction in the pressure of the SF6 gas in any module results in flash over and faults.
• SF6 causes ozone depletion and global warming.