Introduction
Electrical substations, one of the vital parts of the electrical distribution system has undergone a lot of changes when it comes to:
- forms
- components and;
- technology
These days, everyone needs a substation that is compact and power efficient.
In this blog, allow us to guide you on what is compact substation and does it work.
Are you now ready?
Let’s begin!
What is a Compact Substation?
Typically, stations are where you can catch buses or trains.
By the same correlation, you can explain what a substation does.
You see,
Electricity has to be transported over big distances.
It’s the place where the power is produced.
And the location where it’s consumed could be far apart.
The electricity is spread at extremely high voltages and low currents.
That’s to lower the eddy currents, heat, and other transmission losses.
The substations are where the voltages are raised to high values.
It’s achieved by utilizing:
- step up transformers
Once the transmission is done, they have stepped down for distribution again.
Apart from changing the voltages:
The substations have a broad spectrum of protective devices.
This includes:
- fuses and breakers
Their function is to safeguard the distribution networks.
These devices are made in a manner that several distribution circuits could be isolated for :
- load shedding;
- repairs
Normally, substations are outdoors, and they are covered by a wire fence.
Nonetheless:
In high density or residential areas, the substation might be indoors.
They are protected inside a building to limit the humming noise of the big transformers.
What are the Functions of a Compact Substation?
Electrical substation takes part in the distribution of electricity.
However, they are a lot of other functions too.
Some of these are presented below:
Compact substations have bus bars for dividing the power for distribution.
There are dense bars of copper to which several distributing circuits are linked by bolts and nuts.
These are called bus bars.
Safety devices such as fuses and circuit breakers.
Such safety devices are presented for safeguarding the machinery on the distribution circuit.
What’s more:
They also safeguard the substation against many high short circuit currents.
Alteration of power factors circuits
Remember that the power factor has to be sustained at the proper value once reactive loads are there.
This is to safeguard the generating plant and boost efficiency.
Load shedding
Once the power demand is much than the supply, the compact substation performs load shedding on the distribution circuits.
This is to sustain balance across the electrical network.
Isolating and switching the circuits for maintenance
Did you know?
Switching is also a vital function of compact substations.
Closing down a feeding circuit once the load demands are high should be done for the safety of the generating plants.
Additionally:
Switching high voltages is a very risky job.
Special circuit breakers such as oil circuit breakers and air circuit breakers for lowering arcs must be utilized too.
Step down and step up of the voltage for distribution and transmission
Power is transported at a high voltage over long distances.
Therefore, the current is low.
That leads to low transmission losses.
However, that does not offer the right current for businesses and homes to usage.
As you can see:
There’s a need for stepping down and stepping up the voltage.
In case you didn’t know yet:
A compact substation is ideal for:
- schools
- shopping malls
- parks
- big construction sites
- streets
- residential districts
- distribution lines
- temporary facilities
- mining and industrial enterprises
Operation of Compact Substation
Take note:
Electricity is produced in a thermal power plant.
This also includes:
- nuclear power plant
- hydroelectric power plant
That electricity is supplied to a transmission substation close to the generating plant.
In the transmission substation, the voltage is raised massively with the help of step-up transformers.
You see;
The voltage is raised to lower the transmission losses across long distances.
That electricity is supplied to a power substation where it’s stepped down with the help of step down transformers.
Later on, it will be supplied to a substation grid.
Have you ever seen a distribution grid?
Then perhaps you have noticed that there are other voltages and transformers lowered for distributing further down the grid.
From there, the electricity is supplied to the step-down transformers close residential quarters.
That step down the voltage of 110 to 220 volts as per every requirement of a country.
You need to keep in mind that compact substation is a total set of power distribution equipment.
They are composed of:
- a low voltage control device
- a high voltage control device and a
- transformer
The basic idea is to perform substantial assembly based on the preferred sequence through the:
- substation automatic system
- armoring line
- pressure starting system
- DC point and
- corresponding technical equipment
A particular transformer, which is built in a totally sealed, tempered cabinet structure.
These days, compact substations have been widely utilized in power engineering construction.
What’s more:
Compact substations are not only transformers.
They are similar to a small substation.
They belong to the substation and offers power straight to the user.
Some of the components of a compact substation are the following:
- lighting arrester
- voltage transformer
- fuse or circuit breaker
- high voltage busbar
- 10 kV or 35kV incoming line
The transformer room is a transformer that is the major equipment of the box change.
On the other hand:
A low voltage room has the following:
- lightning arrester
- a metering device
- low voltage circuit breaker
- a low voltage busbar
The equipment of the compact substation is installed in either an outdoor substation or a closed indoor space.
In both cases, the installation of the compact substation follows the specifications of the:
- international safety standards and;
- local PPC
Of course, every facility has specific requirements and needs.
These are all taken into consideration for every customer.
Conclusion
Remember:
The purpose of a box-type substation is to ‘step down’ that high voltage electricity from the transmission system.
They function to reduce voltage electricity so it could be supplied easily to your businesses and homes.
If you are looking for high-quality compact substations, our company provides it all.
Call us today to get started!