- Electrical Power Distribution System Definition: An electrical power distribution system is defined as a network that delivers power to individual consumer premises at a lower voltage level.
- Components of Distribution Networks: Distribution networks consist of distribution substations, primary distribution feeders, distribution transformers, distributors, and service mains.
- Radial Power Distribution System: This system has feeders radiating from a substation but can cause power interruptions if a feeder fails.
- Ring Main Power Distribution System: A ring main distribution system uses a ring network of distributors fed by multiple feeders, providing continuous power supply even if one feeder fails.
- Section Isolators: These devices in ring main systems isolate parts of the network for maintenance or faults, maintaining power supply to other parts.
What is an Electrical Power Distribution System?
An electrical power distribution system provides power to individual consumer premises. The distribution of electric power to different consumers is transmitted via a much lower voltage level compared to the transmission of power over long distances (i.e. over long transmission lines).
The distribution of electric power is done through distribution networks. Distribution networks consist of the following parts:
- Distribution substation
- Primary distribution feeder
- Distribution Transformer
- Distributors
- Service mains
The transmitted electric power is stepped down in substations, for primary for distribution purposes.
This stepped down electric power is fed to the distribution transformer through primary distribution feeders. Overhead primary distribution feeders are supported by mainly supporting iron poles (preferably rail poles).
The conductors are strand aluminum conductors and they are mounted on the arms of the pole by means of pin insulators. Sometimes in congested places, underground cables may also be used for primary distribution purposes.
Distribution transformers are mainly 3 phase pole mounted type. The secondary of the transformer is connected to distributors. Different consumers are fed electric power by means of the service mains.
These service mains are tapped from different points of distributors. The distributors can also be re-categorized by distributors and sub-distributors. Distributors are directly connected to the secondary distribution transformers whereas sub-distributors are tapped from distributors.
Service mains of the consumers may be either connected to the distributors or sub-distributors depending upon the position and agreement of consumers.
In power distribution, both feeders and distributors carry electrical loads, but feeders carry power without intermediate taps, while distributors have multiple tap points to serve consumers.
The feeder feeds power from one point to another without being tapped from any intermediate point. As there is no tapping point (i.e. a point where the voltage and current can be stepped down or stepped up) in between, the current at the sending end is equal to that of the receiving-end of the conductor.
The distributors are tapped at different points for feeding different consumers, and hence the current varies along their entire length.
Radial Electrical Power Distribution System
In the early days of the electrical power distribution system, different feeders radially came out from the substation and connected to the primary distribution transformer.
But radial electrical power distribution system has one major drawback that in case of any feeder failure, the associated consumers would not get any power as there was no alternative path to feed the transformer.
In the case of a transformer failure, the power supply is interrupted. In other words, the consumer in the radial electrical distribution system would be in darkness until the feeder or transformer was rectified.
Ring Main Electrical Power Distribution System
The drawback of a radial electrical power distribution system can be overcome by introducing a ring main electrical power distribution system.
In this network topology, one ring network of distributors is fed by more than one feeder. In this case, if one feeder is under fault or maintenance, the ring distributor is still energized by other feeders connected to it. In this way, the supply to the consumers is not affected even when any feeder becomes out of service.
Ring main systems have section isolators at various points. If a fault occurs, the affected section can be isolated using these isolators, keeping the rest of the system operational.
In this way, supply to the consumers connected to the healthy zone of the ring can easily be maintained even when one section of the ring is under the shutdown. The number of feeders connected to the ring main electrical power distribution system depends upon the following factors.
- Maximum Demand of the System: If it is more, then more numbers of feeders feed the ring.
- Total Length of the Ring Main Distributors: Its length is more, to compensate for the voltage drop in the line, more feeders to be connected to the ring system.
- Required Voltage Regulation: The number of feeders connected to the ring also depends upon the permissible allowable, voltage drop of the line.
The sub-distributors and service mains are taken off maybe via distribution transformer at different suitable points on the ring depending upon the location of the consumers.
Sometimes, instead of connecting the service main directly to the ring, sub-distributors are also used to feed a group of service mains where direct access to the ring distributor is not possible.
