TEEE 4203 STABILITY AND HIGH VOLTAGE SYSTEMS

LECTURE 8. HIGH VOLTAGE

SUBSTATION (SWITCHYARD)
MAINTENANCE

HIGH VOLTAGE SUBSTATION MAINTENANCE 1

 SUBSTATION
• SUBSTATION - A station in the power transmission system at
which electric power is transformed to a conveniently used
form. The station may consist of transformers, switches,
circuit breakers and other auxiliary equipment.
• Main function; receive energy transmitted at high voltage
from the generating station, by either step-up or step-down
the voltage to a value appropriate for local use and provide
facilities for switching.
• Additional functions; It provides points where safety devices
may be installed to disconnect circuits or equipment in the
event of trouble; Some substation, such as power plant
switchyard are simply switching stations where different
connections can be made between various transmission lines.

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 THE FUNCTION of A SUBSTATION
1. To isolate a faulted element from the rest of the utility
system.
2. To allow an element to be disconnected from the rest of the
utility syst. for maintenance or repair.
3. To change or transform voltage levels from one part of the
utility system to another.
4. To control power flow in the utility system by switching
elements into or out of the utility system.
5. To provide sources of reactive power for power factor
correction or voltage control.
6. To provide data concerning system parameters (voltage,
current and power flow) for use in operating the utility
system). HIGH VOLTAGE SUBSTATION MAINTENANCE 3
 The task associated with major substations
• Protection of transmission system
• Controlling the exchange of energy
• Ensuring steady state and transient stability.
• Load shedding and prevention of loss of synchronism.
• Maintaining the system frequency within targeted limits.
• Voltage control; reducing the reactive power flow by
compensation of reactive power, tap changing.

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The task associated with major substations….
• Securing the supply by providing adequate line capacity
and facility for changing the transmission paths.
• Data transmission via power line carrier for the purpose
of network monitoring; control and protection.
• Determining the energy transfer through transmission
lines and tie lines.
• Securing supply by feeding the network at various points.
• Establishing economic load distribution

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Typical Components of a Power Plant
Substation (Switchyard)

• CONNECT •A - Busbar

• CONNECT & DIS-CONNECT •B - Disconnector

• CONNECT, DIS-CONNECT & DETECT •C - Circuit Breaker

• DETECT & TRANSFORM •D - Current Transformer

• DETECT & TRANSFORM •E - Voltage Transformer

• PROTECT & SAFETY •F - Earthing Switch

• PROTECT •G - Surge Arrestor

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 A. BUSBAR
• BUSBAR (or bus, for short) – is a term we use for a main bar or
conductor carrying an electric current to which many
connection may be made.
Buses are merely convenient means of connecting
switches and other equipment into various arrangements.
The usual arrangement of connections in most substations
permit working on almost any piece of equipment without
interruption to incoming or outgoing feeders. In the
switchyard or substation, buses are open to the air. Aluminum
or copper conductors supported on porcelain insulators, carry
the electric energy from point to point.

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 Busbars
(long heavy
tube type)

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 B. DISCONNECTS
• DISCONNECT – is an easily removed piece of the actual
conductor of a circuit. The purpose of disconnects is to isolate
equipment. Disconnects are not used to interrupt circuits;
they are no-load devices. A typical use of disconnects is to
isolate a circuit breaker by installing one disconnect on either
side of the circuit breaker (in series with the breaker).
Operation of disconnects is one of the most important and
responsible jobs of a power plant operator. One error in
isolation of equipment, or the accidental grounding of line
equipment, can be a fatal mistake.

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 Disconnect Switch
( moving contact rod (A) &
contacts with flexible
fingers (B) )

B
A

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 C. CIRCUIT BREAKER
• CIRCUIT BREAKER – is used to interrupt circuits while current
is flowing through them. The making and breaking of contacts
in an Oil type circuit breaker are done under oil; this oil serves
to quench the arc when the circuit is opened. The operation
of the breaker is very rapid when opening. As with the
transformer, the high voltage connections are made through
bushings. Circuit breakers of this type are usually arranged for
remote electrical control from a suitably located switchboard.
Some recently developed circuit breakers have no oil, but
put out the arc by a blast of compressed air; these are called
air circuit breakers. Another type encloses the contacts in a
vacuum or a gas (sulfur hexafluoride, SF6) which tends to self
contain the arc.
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 Operating
Mechanism
Panel
Circuit Breakers
( Connected in a typical 3-
phase circuit )

Position
Indicator

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 D. CURRENT TRANSFORMER
• CURRENT TRANSFORMER – Current transformers are used
with ammeters, watt meters, power-factor meters, watt-hour
meters, compensators, protective and regulating relays and
the trip coil of circuit breakers.
• One current transformer can be used to operate several
instruments, provided that the combined burden does not
exceed that for which the transformer is designed and
compensated.
• The current transformer is connected directly in series with
the line.

HIGH VOLTAGE SUBSTATION MAINTENANCE 13

HIGH VOLTAGE SUBSTATION MAINTENANCE 14
 E. VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER
• VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER – also know as potential
transformer, are used with volt-meters, wattmeters, watt-
hour meters, power-factor meters, frequency meters,
synchroscopes and synchronizing apparatus, protective and
regulating relays and the no-voltage and over-voltage trip
coils of automatic circuit breakers.
• One transformer can be used for a number of instruments at
the same time if the total current taken by the instrument
does not exceed that for which the transformer is designed
and compensated. The ordinary voltage transformer is
connected across the line, and the magnetic flux in the core
depends upon the primary voltage

HIGH VOLTAGE SUBSTATION MAINTENANCE 15

HIGH VOLTAGE SUBSTATION MAINTENANCE 16
 F. EARTHING SWITCH
• EARTHING SWITCH – also known as ground disconnect, which
is used to connect the equipment to a grid of electrical
conductors buried in the earth on the station property. It is
intended to protect people working on the grounded
equipment. It does this by completing a circuit path, thereby
reducing the voltage difference between the equipment and
its surroundings. For safety reasons, it is important that
ground disconnects and all associated connections have good
contact and low resistance. It is also important that the
protective grounding is not accidentally removed, that is why
all the earthing switches, disconnect switches and circuit
breakers are all interlocked to each other and proper/correct
sequencing must be followed.
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 G. SURGE ARRESTOR
• SURGE ARRESTOR – are devices used to provide the
necessary path to ground for such surges, yet prevent any
power current from following the surge. An ideal arrester
must therefore have the following properties:
1. Ability to remove the surge energy from the line in a minimum
time.
2. High resistance to flow of power current.
3. A valve action automatically allowing surge to pass and then
closing up so as not to permit power current to flow to
ground.
4. Always ready to perform.
5. Performance such that no system disturbances are introduced
by its operation.
6. Economically feasible
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HIGH VOLTAGE SUBSTATION MAINTENANCE 19
• OVERHEAD GROUND WIRE – by a ground wire, it means a
wire, generally of steel, supported from the top of
transmission-line towers and solidly grounded at each tower.
It is considered a preventive device, but it does not entirely
prevent the formation of travelling waves on a line.
Furthermore, those lines which are not equipped with ground
wires will be subjected to disturbances which produce surges
that must be allowed to escape to ground, otherwise the
apparatus connected to the line must be strong enough to
reflect or absorb these surges until they are entirely damped
out.

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HIGH VOLTAGE SUBSTATION MAINTENANCE 21
 Line & Substation Operation and
Maintenance
General Requirements
• 1. Each facility owner shall have an established
and documented program for the maintenance
of all equipment critical to the reliable operation
of the bulk power system.
• 2. Preventive maintenance shall be performed at
a level that assures that the unscheduled outage
performance of Customer owned equipment, if
applicable, is at least as good as that of the TO’s
system to which it is connected.
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 Line & Substation Operation and
Maintenance
General Requirements…….
• 3. Maintenance programs can vary in range from
strict adherence to manufacturers
recommendations to RCM (reliability centered
maintenance), as appropriate, but should reflect
Good Utility Practice.
• 4. Maintenance of equipment shall be performed
such that the facility owner is able to support any
local interconnection agreements. Additionally,
the maintenance of system spare equipment must
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not be overlooked.
 Line & Substation Operation and
Maintenance
General Requirements…….
• 5. Substation equipment shall be maintained by
qualified personnel in accordance with applicable
industry standards and Good Utility Practice to
provide maximum operating performance and
reliability.
• 6. Incorrect operation of equipment or equipment
failure should be thoroughly investigated and
documented to determine the root cause of the
problem in collaboration with the affected
Transmission Owners.
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 Equipment and Facilities
• 1. Equipment diagnostic tools and tests can be
utilized in the evaluation of the need for required
maintenance. Examples include dielectric testing
and analysis, breaker timing, thermography scans,
and acoustic monitoring. The facility owner’s plan
should be clear as to the application, as
appropriate, of these diagnostic tools. Pass/fail
ranges and testing intervals should be well
documented. Manufacturers should be contacted
concerning specific maintenance intervals.
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 Equipment and Facilities
• 2. Thermography scanning should be incorporated
in inspections. Thermography in electrical
inspection is a non-contacting operation, which is
applied to in-service equipment while energized
and carrying load. Problems are detected either as a
function of excessive temperature rise (such as a
poor connection) or a subnormal temperature (such
as a cool transformer radiator fin signifying a
blocked passage). It is considered by many to be an
easy and very productive method of finding
potential problems before they become failures.
Most utilities conduct such inspections at least
annually. HIGH VOLTAGE SUBSTATION MAINTENANCE 26
 Equipment and Facilities
• 3. Frequency of operation should also be factored
into the determination of maintenance periodicity.
Trending of equipment performance versus
maintenance should be used to reevaluate
maintenance intervals.
• 4. For equipment under warranty all required
maintenance to maintain warranty should be
performed. It is suggested that equipment
performance be reviewed prior to warranty
expiration.

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 Equipment and Facilities
• 5. Maintenance of equipment should include
diagnostics and overhauls as required to maintain
system integrity. Attention should be given to both
the mechanical and the electrical aspects of the
equipment being maintained. Use of incorrect
lubricants can adversely affect equipment
performance.
• 6. Adequate spare parts should be kept on hand to
support maintenance and anticipated failures.
• 7. Manufacturer’s service bulletins must be acted
upon in a timely manner.
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 PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE OF SUBSTATION
EQUIPMENT
• BUSBARS & OVERHEAD GROUND WIRE
At least once a year
➢ Visual Inspection & Examination of all wiring connectors.
➢ Check Insulator , clean or apply HVIC (High voltage insulation coating) if necessary.
➢ Check the physical condition of bus (cables or bars)
➢ For ground wire, check or test the grounding system.

• DISCONNECT & EARTHING SWITCHES

At least once a month
➢ Disconnect switches should be periodically maintained in accordance with Good Utility
Practice, the manufacturer’s instructions, and with applicable industry standards.
➢ Periodic preventive maintenance should include but not be limited to infrared inspection,
check and adjust for proper alignment, clean, lubricate, and perform doctor tests.
➢ Visual Inspection.
➢ Check heating resistor located at its control panel for proper functioning.
At least once a year
➢ Clean contacts of disconnectors as well as earthing switches and apply electrical contact
grease , if necessary.
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 ➢ Check disconnectors and earthing switches, joints and bearings of the operating
linkages for deformed bearing points.
➢ Check flexible connections of earthing switches.
➢ Check all screwed joints for tight fit.
➢ Clean insulators if necessary, when an excessive amount of dirt has
accumulated.
➢ Carry-out the maintenance of operating mechanism.

• VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER
At least once a month
➢ Inspect the voltage divider to be sure that no oil leak or serious accumulation of
soot, dust or salt composite is present.
➢ Inspect the intermediate voltage transformer and check the minimum
permissible oil level.
At least once a year
➢ Check all screwed joints & contact for tight fit.
➢ Clean insulators if necessary, when an excessive amount of dirt has
accumulated.
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 CURRENT TRANSFORMER
At least once a month
➢ Instrument transformers should be maintained in accordance with
manufacturer’s recommendations.
➢ Visual Inspection to check oil level and defects or possible oil leaks.
➢ Check insulation power factor and carry out ratio tests
At least once a year
➢ Check all screwed joints & contact for tight fit.
➢ Clean insulators if necessary, when an excessive amount of dirt has
accumulated.
➢ Check primary and secondary connectors and conduct necessary tightening.
Note: Never open a secondary winding of a CT while on service.

• SURGE ARRESTOR
At least once a year
➢ Visual Inspection & Examination of all wiring connectors.
➢ Check Insulator and metal circular ring, clean or apply HVIC if necessary.
➢ Check the physical condition
HIGH VOLTAGE SUBSTATION MAINTENANCE
of bus (cables or bars) 31
➢ For ground wire, check or test the grounding system.
Note: Arrestors should never be touched unless completely disconnected from all
live lines and equipment and effectively connected to ground at the line side of
the arrestor.

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 Substation/Switchyard
Maintenance
• Maintenance of the substation site shall
include upkeep of any barriers, walls,
buildings, fences, animal proofing and
minimization of extraneous vegetation.
• Special attention must be paid to maintenance
of relay and control buildings.
• Roof leaks, breaches in security etc., can have
immediate effects on system reliability

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 Carrier Current Line Traps
• Carrier Current Line traps should be maintained
in accordance with the manufacturer’s
recommendations. This may include infrared
scans, inspection of the mechanical integrity of
the main coil, and checks of carrier blocking
performance.

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 Battery and Charger Systems
• Batteries shall be maintained at a periodicity
and in such a way as to ensure a duty cycle of
at least 8 hrs.
• Battery monitoring systems are an alternative
to conducting manual inspections. These
systems can provide automatic notification of
required maintenance.
END

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