ELECTRIC POWER SUBSTATIONS, COMPONENTS AND FUNCTIONS

INTRODUCTION

Electric power is produced at the power generating stations, which are generally located far away from the load centers.

High voltage transmission lines are used to transmit the electric power from the generating stations to the load centers.

Substations are basically transformation or switching stations. They receive power transmitted at high voltage from the generating stations and reduce the voltage to a value suitable for distribution.

BASIC POWERR SYSTEM

Electric Power Systems are comprised of components that transform other forms of energy into electrical energy and transmit this energy to a consumer.

Electric power system equipment
are electrical components used in the
generation, transmission, protection,
distribution, control and utilization of
electric power in the industries,
factories, offices and homes.

SUBSTATIONS

Substations are assembly of electrical
components to form a link between
generating stations, transmission systems
and distribution systems.

Single line schematic arrangement of
power substation.

CLASSIFFICATION OF 

SUBSTATION

Substations may be classified in according to service requirements and constructional features.
 According to service requirements it is classified into:
Transformer Substations: They are used to transform power from one voltage level to another voltage level. They are further classified into Step-up substations, Primary grid substations, Secondary substations and Distribution substations.

Switching substations: These substations are meant for switching operations of power lines without transforming the voltage.

Converting substation: are meant for either converting AC to DC or vice versa. Some are used to change the frequency from higher to lower or vice versa for industry utilizations.

CLASSIFFICATION OF 

SUBSTATION

According to constructional features, substations are classified into:
 Indoor substations: All equipment of the substation are installed within the station buildings.
Outdoor substations: All equipment such as transformers, circuit breakers, isolators, etc., are installed outdoors.
Underground substations: In thickly populated areas where the space is the
major constraint, and cost of land is higher, under such situation the substations are laid underground
Pole mounted substations: This is an outdoor substation with equipment installed overhead on a H pole or 4 pole structure.

CONCLUSION

This paper provided an insight into the basics of substations and major components of power systems. The functions of some components and different type of substations were discussed. It is not exhaustive. The associative systems in a substation were
highlighted in the table. Discussions on them may be subsequent or at other fora. However, these basics are enough as guide to an interested investor and for engineering personnel in the sector.