BEE Notes Unit-5
BEE Notes Unit-5
UNIT-V
ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS
Definition of Switchgear: The apparatus used for switching, controlling and protecting the electrical
circuits and equipment is known as switchgear.
It also includes the combination of switching devices (circuit breakers, switch fuse units,
contactors, miniature circuit breakers etc.) with associated control, measuring, protecting and
regulating equipment. The switchgear devices and their assemblies are used in connection with the
generation, transmission, distribution, and conversion of electrical energy.
Switchgear has to perform the functions of carrying, making and breaking the normal load
current like a switch. It has to perform the function of clearing the fault current for which sensing
devices like current transformers, potential transformers and various types of relays, depending on
the application, are employed.
Classification of Switchgear
Depending upon the voltage to be handled, switchgear may be broadly classified into
1. Outdoor Switchgear
2. Indoor Switchgear
For voltages below 66 kV, switchgear is generally installed indoor because of economic
considerations.
It is generally of metal-clad type. In this type of construction, all parts are completely
enclosed in an earthed metal casing.
Switchgear for low voltage applications is generally rated up to 1000 V AC and 1500V DC.
The commonly used low voltage devices include oil circuit breakers(OCBs), air circuit
breakers (ACBs), switch fuse units (SFUs), off-load isolators, HRC fuses, earth leakage
circuit breakers (ELCBs), Residual Current Protective Devices (RCCB & RCBO), miniature
circuit breakers (MCB) and moulded case circuit breakers (MCCB) etc i.e. all the accessories
required to protect the LV system.
The power system deal with the voltage above 36kV is referred to as high voltage.
As the voltage level is high the arcing produced during switching operation is also very high.
So, special care to be taken during designing of high voltage switchgear.
High voltage circuit breakers (such as SF6 Circuit breaker or Vacuum Circuit breaker) are the
main component of HV switchgear. Hence high voltage circuit breaker should have special
features for safe and reliable operation.
Components of LT Switchgear
Switchgear essentially consists of switching and protecting devices such as switches, fuses,
isolators, circuit breakers, protective relays, control panels, lightning arrestors, current transformers,
potential transformers, auto reclosures, and various associated equipment.
• The switch fuse units are used for distributing power and protecting electrical devices and
cables from damage due to fluctuations. This fuse unit is housed in an enclosure made using
quality CR steel sheet
Salient Features:
• Pre-treated or powder coated finish
• For cable connections, knock outs are provided at bottom, top and rear side
• High conductivity due to nickel or silver plated contact
• Durable and rewirable.
Application: used in industrial, residential and commercial buildings for electrical fittings
Fuse
Fuse is an electrical safety device that operates to provide over current protection of an
electrical circuit. It’s essential component is a metal wire or strip that melts when too much
current flows through it, thereby stopping or interrupting the current.
Types of fuses
• A semiconductor fuse is simply a very fast acting conventional fuse, designed to prevent
damage to a semiconductor device
• It is usually used with larger semiconductor devices rated to switch 100A or more (SCRs,
IGBTs, Power transistors, etc.)
• The I2t of the semiconductor fuse is less than the I2t of the semiconductor device and thus
the fuse gets blown off before the device fails.
• MCB – Miniature circuit breaker. It automatically switches OFF electrical circuit during any
abnormal condition in the el
electrical
ectrical network such as overload & Short circuit conditions
• The MCB is an electromechanical device which guards the electric wires & electrical load
from over current so as to avoid any kind of fire or electrical hazards.
Single strand wire also uses THHN (thermoplastic high heat resistant nylon coated) wire,
though there are other variants. Each wire is separate and multiple wires can be drawn together
through a pipe easily. Single strand wires are the most popular choice for layouts that use pipes to
contain wires.
Multi strand wiring is more flexible and less susceptible to cracking and metal fatigue than
single stranded conductors. This makes it the preferable solution for wiring that will need to bend
without experiencing metal fatigue. The increased surface area of multi stranded conductors
decreases the amount of resistance that currents or signal passing through the wire will
encounter.
3. ACSR
ACSR means Aluminium conductor steel reinforced. ACSR is a type of high capacity, high
strength stranded conductor typically used in overhead power lines. The outer strands are high
purity aluminium, chosen for its good conductivity, low weight and low cost. The center strand is
steel for additional strength to help support the weight of the conductor.
4. AAAC
AAAC means All aluminium alloy conductors. Concentric lay stranded aluminium alloy
conductors (AAAC) are made out of high strength aluminium-magnesium-silicon alloy. These
Mr. K. Shankar, Asst. Prof, EEE
Basic Electrical Engineering
conductors are designed to get better strength to weight ration and offer improved electrical
properties, when compared with ACSR.
It consists of a copper conductor covered with an insulation layer of vulcanized Indian rubber
(VIR). A cotton tape covering is provided over this insulation layer to protect the wire from moisture
and to provide mechanical strength to the wire. It is used for low or medium voltage and for indoor
wiring.
Cab type sheathed (CTS) or TRS (Tough Rubber Sheathed) wires consist of vulcanized
rubber insulated conductor. This insulation layer is covered by a layer made of tough rubber (or)
tough rubber sheathed covering. This covering is very hard and protects the wire from moisture
and provides mechanical strength. It is used for some outdoor application 250-440V.
These wires consist of vulcanized Indian rubber insulated conductor over which Lead sheath
is provided which gives mechanical strength to wire & also protects from moisture. As lead is
conductor of electricity, the lead covering is provided with earth wire. these are available in
24/415V grade.
Electrical Earthing
Definition: The process of transferring the immediate discharge of the electrical energy directly to
the earth by the help of the low resistance wire is known as the electrical earthing. The electrical
earthing is done by connecting the non-current carrying part of the equipment or neutral of supply
system to the ground.
Mostly, the galvanised iron is used for the earthing. The earthing provides the simple path to
the leakage current. The short circuit current of the equipment passes to the earth which has zero
potential. Thus, protects the system and equipment from damage.
• Plate earthing
• Pipe earthing
• Rod earthing
• Strip earthing
Importance of Earthing
The earthing is essential because of the following reasons
The earthing protects the personnel from the short circuit current.
The earthing provides the easiest path to the flow of short circuit current even after the failure of
the insulation.
The earthing protects the apparatus and personnel from the high voltage surges and lightning
discharge.
Earthing can be done by electrically connecting the respective parts in the installation to some
system of electrical conductors or electrodes placed near the soil or below the ground level. The
When the fault occurs the fault current from the equipment flows through the earthing system
to the earth and thereby protect the equipment from the fault current. At the time of the fault, the
earth mat conductors rise to the voltage which is equal to the resistance of the earth mat multiplied
by a ground fault.
The contacting assembly is called earthing. The metallic conductors connecting the parts of
the installation with the earthing are called electrical connection. The earthing and the earthing
connection together called the earthing system.
Types of Batteries
1. Primary Batteries
2. Secondary Batteries
1. Primary Batteries
Primary batteries are batteries that cannot be recharged once depleted. Primary batteries are
made of electrochemical cells whose electrochemical reaction cannot be reversed.
Primary Batteries
Applications:
Pace makers
Animal trackers
Wrist watches
Remote controls
children toys
Portable entertainment devices
Flashlights etc.
2. Secondary Batteries
Secondary batteries are batteries with electrochemical cells whose chemical reactions can be
reversed by applying a certain voltage to the battery in the reversed direction. Also referred to as
rechargeable batteries, secondary cells unlike primary cells can be recharged after the energy on the
battery has been used up.
They are typically used in high drain applications and other scenarios where it will be either
too expensive or impracticable to use single charge batteries. Small capacity secondary batteries are
used to power portable electronic devices like mobile phones, and other gadgets and appliances
while heavy-duty batteries are used in powering diverse electric vehicles
1. Nickel Cadmium(Ni-Cd)
2. Nickel-Metal Hydride(Ni-MH)
3. Lithium-ion(Li-ion)
4. Lead-Acid
1. Nickel-Cadmium Batteries
In comparison with other types of rechargeable cells, Ni-Cd batteries offer good life cycle
and performance at low temperatures with a fair capacity but their most significant advantage
will be their ability to deliver their full rated capacity at high discharge rates. Nominal Cell
Voltage is 1.2V
Applications:
The small packs are used in portable devices, electronics and toys
The bigger ones find in aircraft starting batteries, Electric vehicles and standby power supply.
Nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) is another type of chemical configuration used for
rechargeable batteries. The chemical reaction at the positive electrode of batteries is similar to that of
the nickel–cadmium cell (NiCd), with both battery type using the same nickel oxide hydroxide
(NiOOH). However, the negative electrodes in Nickel-Metal Hydride use a hydrogen-absorbing
alloy instead of cadmium which is used in NiCd batteries. Nominal Cell voltage is 2V.
Ni-MH Battery
Applications:
Used in high drain devices because of their high capacity and energy density.
3. Lithium-ion Batteries
Lithium ion batteries are one of the most popular types of rechargeable batteries. Lithium-ion
batteries are a type of rechargeable battery in which lithium ions from the negative electrode migrate
Lithium-Ion Battery
Applications:
Mobile phones
Smart devices
Aerospace
Military applications due to light weight in nature.
4. Lead-Acid Batteries
Lead acid batteries are a low-cost reliable power workhorse used in heavy duty applications.
They are usually very large and because of their weight. The lead-acid is the oldest type of
rechargeable battery and still very relevant and important into today’s world. Lead acid batteries
have very low energy to volume and energy to weight ratios but it has a relatively large power to
weight ratio. These are low in cost and attractive for use in several high current applications.
Nominal cell voltage is 2V.
Applications:
1. Energy Density: The energy density is the total amount of energy that can be stored per unit
mass or volume. This determines how long your device stays on before it needs a recharge.
2. Power Density: Maximum rate of energy discharge per unit mass or volume.
Low power: laptop, i-pod.
Mr. K. Shankar, Asst. Prof, EEE
Basic Electrical Engineering
High power: power tools.
3. Safety: At high temperatures, certain battery components will breakdown and can undergo
exothermic reactions. High temperatures generally reduce the performance of most batteries.
4. Life cycle durability: The stability of energy density and power density of a battery with
repeated cycling (charging and discharging) is needed for the long battery life required by most
applications.
5. Cost: It is important that the cost of your battery choice is commensurate with its performance
and will not increase the overall cost of the project abnormally.
Device Wattage (watts) x Hours Used Per Day = Watt-hours (Wh) per Day
However, electricity on your bill is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), not watt-hours. One
kilowatt is equal to 1000 watts, so to calculate how many kWh a device uses, divide the watt-hours
from the previous step by 1000.
Now that we know how many kilowatt-hours the appliance uses per day, we have to estimate
that usage over a month. Let’s multiply by 30 days to simulate an average month.
So, a 125-watt television that you use for three hours per day adds up to 11.25 kilowatt-hours
of energy per month. This is your television’s energy consumption.
Monthly Usage (kWh) x Electric Rate (Rs./kWh) = Approximate Cost per Month
Example: A television using 11.25 kWh/Month with an electric rate of Rs. 2.60/kWh
11.25 kWh x Rs. 2.60 = Rs.29.25/Month
Based on these calculations, this television would cost Rs. 29.25 per month.
Advantages:
Losses are low in static capacitors
There is no moving part, therefore need low maintenance
It can work in normal conditions (i.e. ordinary atmospheric conditions)
Do not require a foundation for installation
They are lightweight so it is can be easy to installed
Disadvantages:
The age of static capacitor bank is less (8 – 10 years)
If the rated voltage increases, then it causes to damage
Once the capacitors spoiled, then repairing is costly
2. Synchronous Condenser
When a Synchronous motor operates at NoNo-Load and over-exited
exited then it’s called a
synchronous Condenser. Whenever a Sync
Synchronous motor is over-exited
exited then it provides leading
current and works like a capacitor.
When a synchronous condenser is connected across supply voltage (in parallel) then it draws
leading current and partially eliminates the re
re-active
active component and this way, power factor is
improved. Generally, synchronous condenser is used to improve the power factor in large industries.
Advantages:
3. Phase Advancer
Phase advancer is a simple AC exciter which is connected on the main shaft of the motor and
operates with the motor’s rotor circuit for power factor improvement. Phase advancer is used to
improve the power factor of induction motor in industries.
As the stator windings of induction motor takes lagging current 90° out of phase with
Voltage, therefore the power factor of iinduction
nduction motor is low. If the exciting ampere-turns
ampere are
excited by external AC source, then there would be no effect of exciting current on stator windings.
Therefore the power factor of induction motor will be improved. This process is done by Phase
advancer.
Advantages:
The phase advancer can be easily used where the use of synchronous motors is Unacceptable
Disadvantage:
Using Phase advancer is not economical for motors below 200 H.P. (about 150kW)
Battery Backup
In most cases, those pieces of hardware include the main computer housing and the monitor,
but other devices can be plugged into a UPS for backup power as well, depending on the size of th
the
UPS.
Mr. K. Shankar, Asst. Prof, EEE
Basic Electrical Engineering
Battery backup is also called as Uninterruptible power supply, uninterruptible power source,
on-line
line UPS, standby UPS, and UPS are the different ways to refer to a battery backup.
Online-UPS:
In this type of UPS,, double conversion method is used. Here, first the AC input is converted
into DC by rectifying process for storing it in the rechargeable battery. This DC is converted into AC
by the process of inversion and given to the load or equipment. This type of UPS is used where
electrical isolationn is mandatory. This system is a bit more costly due to the design of constantly
running converters and cooling systems. Here, the rectifier which is powered with the normal AC
current is directly driving the inverter. Hence it is also known as Double conversion UPS. The block
diagram is shown below
Data Centers
Industries
Telecommunications
Hospitals
Banks and insurance