Distribution System Design

AHMED-ALARASHI

1/31/2020
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Factors affecting distribution system

design
• Fault level
• Characteristics of the load.
• Voltage drop
• Maintenance
• Reliability
• Simplicity of protection
• Cost

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Factors affecting
distribution system design
The system designed must meet all the
statutory and technical requirement, such as
voltage drop and limiting fault levels.
It must be safe for the personal and the
equipment under all the operating conditions.
Several factors affect the overall distribution
system design.
These factors are overlap and make the
problem of distribution system design very
difficult.
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 Factors affecting
distribution system design
Among the most important
factors are the following:
•  Fault levels
•  Characteristics of the load
•  Voltage drop
•  Reliability
•  Maintenance
•  Simplicity of protection and operation
•  Cost
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Factors affecting
distribution system design
Fault levels
Fault levels have a major influence upon the switchgears and
therefore on the cost of the system.
For each voltage level there is a maximum fault level that must not
be violated.
If a higher voltage level cannot be used one of the following may
be used to reduce the fault level:
 Using transformers with higher leakage reactance.
 Splitting a busbar, where the fault level is high, into more
than one busbar.
 Some times it may be necessary to use a short circuit
limiting device. 1/31/2020
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Factors affecting
distribution system design
Fault levels
In an industrial system fault level are usually high, this is achieved
by using transformers with low leakage reactance or by
installing more transformers, this assists motor recovery from
fault conditions.
It reduces voltage dips due to motor starting, faults, harmonics
and voltage flaker.
The fault levels is further increase by the motor contribution to the
short circuit current but this is not always reduces the voltage
dips.
The higher the fault level the more expensive the switchgear and
the system designer should try to secure a fault level which
gives the best compromise between system strength and
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switchgear rating. 6

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 Factors affecting
distribution system design
Fault levels
Table shows the maximum available switchgear MVA
fault levels.
Voltage in kV Max. MVA fault fault current in kA
level
132 5000 22
33 1500 26
11 750 39
3.3 250 44
0.415 31 43 1/31/2020
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Factors affecting
distribution system design
Characteristics of the load
Different loads have different characteristics and demands.
When designing a distribution system each load demands and
characteristics should be met with out effecting the other loads in the
system. The general principle applied is that no one consumer shall be
degrade the system to another.
Some loads such as solid-state devices and computers are very sensitive to
voltage variation. The voltage variation may have a pronounced effect on
their operation and in the case of solid-state devices it also affects their
life expectancy. The sensitivity of such devices should be taken into
account during load allocation process.
In industrial systems and wherever there are motors in a distribution
system, the designer should consider the voltage dips which arise from
the motor starting. In general motors started direct on line need about 5
times the full load current for a short time. This increase in the current
causes a transient voltage drop along the distribution system causing
disturbance to other equipments and loads fed from a point of common
coupling (this is the point in the network which is the nearest point to
the load from which other loads are fed). 1/31/2020
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Factors affecting
distribution system design
Characteristics of the load
When loads turned on and off rapidly they cause variation in the
voltage that is not acceptable to some sensitive loads such as
incandescent lamps. Arc furnaces are major source for
fluctuation. The system designer must consider this problem and
select the right solutions in order to avoid this problem. This can
be achieved by arranging the system in away such that no
sensitive loads are connected to the same point of coupling with
loads generating fluctuation or by installing some sort of
compensation.
Distribution system designer should give attention to loads
generating harmonics. Nonlinear loads such as arc furnaces and
static power devices are major source of harmonics. Harmonic
currents seriously affect some power system equipments and
loads which are more sensitive to harmonics. The problems
generated by harmonics varies from communication interference
to motors over heating. In some cases it may be necessary to
consider using a harmonic filter to reduce the harmonics.1/31/2020
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 Factors affecting
distribution system design
Voltage drop
The designer of the distribution system should note
the voltage statutory limits, and this limit must not be
exceeded.
For example in the U.K. the operating range of voltage
is limited to plus or minus 6% of the declared voltage
at the point of supply.
Maintenance
The shutdown for maintenance should be considered at
the design stage and an appropriate arrangement
should be selected accordingly. 1/31/2020
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Factors affecting
distribution system design
Reliability
Reliability can be measured by the frequency of interruption of the
power supply as well as the duration of this interruption.
Making the system more reliable may involve more investment due
to the duplication of the cables, switchgears, transformers,...etc.
The increase of cost may be justified if the estimated cost of the
power outage is high.
Complete reliability is unattainable but loads which require higher
reliability can be provided with one of the following:
- use of duplicated feeders.
- feed the distribution system from multiple bulk supply points.
- install enough on-line local generation.
- use of uninterruptible power supply to feed very critical loads.
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Factors affecting
distribution system design
Measured reliability for different distribution networked

Network Radial Primary Primary Second. Second.

loop selective selective spot

Outage/yr 0.3-1.3 0.4-0.7 0.1-0.5 0.1-0.5 0.002-

0.001

Avr. 90 65 180 180 180

Outage
(min)
Momentary 5-10 10-15 4-8 2-4 0-1
interrup. 1/31/2020
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 Factors affecting
distribution system design
Simplicity of protection and operation
A radial system can be protected by relays based on over-current only
but if time graded over current systems are used it will be found that
clearance of fault may take one or more seconds.
Ring or loop systems may need a directional over current protection
system to give the desired service.
Time graded over current system may be unacceptably slow for an
industrial system and when fast fault clearance is needed a unit
protection scheme is used.
The more complex a system the more complex the protection and this
inevitably increases the risk that it will not be properly set and
maintained.
Equally simplicity of layout will help in circumstances when it may be
necessary to make temporary arrangement in an emergency conditions.
The operation should be as simple as possible. It should meet the1/31/2020
system
requirement as well as the cost constrains. 13

Factors affecting
distribution system design
Cost
The main objective of the distribution system design is to
provide an adequate supply of acceptable quality whilst
keeping the cost as low as possible.
Cost is the common factor which affects the selection of
distribution plant and its arrangement.
For example there are some loads which have special
requirements, such as loads that must be kept in operation
under all conditions (loads like computers for traffic control
or supply to hospital operation theatres). These special
requirements are addressed in a number of ways
depending on the economies of the situation.

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